Rating: 3 stars
My disdain with the current state of Young Adult Paranormals has grown and lately everything I’ve read in this genre has left me disappointed. This leads me to being more critical with these books and I was afraid that would ruin my reading experience with The Iron Witch.
I’m happy to say that didn’t happen. I found the book to be refreshing and one I enjoyed reading very much.
The Iron Witch features seventeen year old Donna Underwood, who at seven years old went through a great trauma. Her father was killed by wood elves (and not the friendly Keebler type ones) and her mother went mad because of it. Donna almost died from this event and was saved by alchemical magic, where tattoos made of iron were branded on her arms. Iron to elves is like kryptonite to them. Donna also has super human strength.
Donna hates her tattoos and what she’s capable of because she feels she’s a freak. She always wears gloves to hide her arms. Donna is home-schooled due to a violent reaction to a girl who bullied her when she attended high school.
Donna is pretty much a loner, but at least has her best friend Navin as her rock. Donna would do anything for Navin, who has no clue about her capabilities, and because Navin pushes her to have more fun, she ends up going to a party with him at some rich boy’s house. Donna meets a college dropout named Xan, (short for Alexander) whom she finds fascinating. Xan also has a secret, giving he and Donna a special connection and the two become friends.
Strange things begin happening in the city. Elves are once again making their presence known and causing problems. Donna and Xan team up to figure out what’s going on, and Navin is kidnapped by the Wood Queen, ruler of the Elflands and stealer of human souls. She’ll release him only if Donna brings her an elixir that holds the secret to eternal life. Donna must find a way to steal the elixir from the very people who saved her and are trying to keep the world safe from the elves who are determined to take back what they feel is rightly theirs.
Karen Mahoney’s storytelling is very comforting. The dark moments aren’t too overly drastic and I can’t help but compare her to a lighter, fluffier version of Melissa Marr and her Wicked Lovely series. If you’re a fan of Ms. Marr, I would recommend you give Ms. Mahoney a read. I really enjoyed the magical elements and the subtle twists on the elf and faerie myths.
The Iron Witch is book suited for all ages. It’s not too complex and simple enough where you’ll be fully engaged as you read. I look forward to the future adventures of Donna, along with Navin and Xan by her side, as she fights the elves that plan to use her for their own devious reasons.
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Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 312 pages
Publisher: Flux; Original edition (February 8, 2011)
ISBN-13: 978-0738725826