Highly recommended for fans of The Folk of the Air (The Cruel Prince) series who want to explore the darker, earlier works of Holly Black. What Readers Say

Readers appreciate the growth of main characters Kaye and Roiben, along with the return of characters from the second book, Valiant .

“As usual, Holly Black doesn't shy away from the dark edges, never goes all mushy and creates a fantasy world that is grounded in the realism of her characters.” The StoryGraph

The series features dark, gritty, and sometimes triggering topics (substance use, kidnapping) typical of urban faerie fiction.

Hierro (Ironside) by Holly Black is frequently described by readers as a dark, gritty, and fast-paced conclusion to The Modern Faerie Tales trilogy. Many fans consider it the best in the series, highlighting the romantic tension and the high-stakes, riddle-like quests that Kaye and Roiben must endure.

Fans love the dark, "goth-punk" aesthetic, noting it provides a nostalgic look into early urban fantasy.

The romantic relationship between Kaye and Roiben is central, with many finding the story a satisfying, emotional conclusion.

“i love tfota and the elfhame universe, but i so badly want her to write more of this! kaye and corny are my favs, and it was cool to see characters from valiant!” The StoryGraph