5 stars because as I was reading the book I was wishing it wouldn't end. The whole series improved with every new book and this one was just the icing on the cake. What is it with series that start out okay and turn into brilliant? 
 There was no trace of the silly high school girl we met in The Iron King in Meghan, she purely kicked ass in this book. I'm a sucker for character development and she fit the bill perfectly, especially here in The Iron Queen. 
 Ash has also turned from Edward-quality dark pretty boy into a great character with layers and development and *fangirl mode on* he's my new literary boyfriend and I want more of him. Now. A lot more of him. Can't wait for The Iron Knight. *fangirl mode off* 
 Puck is also a fun character and every scene with the whole trio is hilarious. 
 After reading a few non-spoilery reviews beforehand I had known I was in for an interesting ending, and wow, it really didn't disappoint. I cried during my lunchbreak at work as I was finishing the book. Definitely not your typical happily-ever-after ending but beautiful and satisfying. What made it bearable for me was the knowledge that Ash's story The Knight which will follow after the story of The Iron Queen from Ash's POV is coming out later this year.