The Iron Witch by Karen MahoneyTitle:
Author:
Age Group:
Release Date: 1st February 2011
Publishers: Random House AUS
Buy From: Book Depository | Kobo

Book Summary: Freak. That’s what her classmates call seventeen-year-old Donna Underwood. When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed her father and drove her mother mad. Donnas’ own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic, which branded her hands and arms with iron tattoos. The child of alchemists, Donna feels cursed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. The only thing that keeps her sane and grounded is her relationship with her best friend, Navin Sharma.

When the vicious wood elves – the darkest outcasts of Faerie – abduct Navin, Donna finally has to accept her role in the centuries-old war between the humans and the fey. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous half-fey dropout with secrets of his own, Donna races to save her friend – even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to protect.

Holly’s Review: The author, Karen Mahoney, did an amazing job of portraying Donna as a teenage girl who battles daily with the development of her magical skills, between living life as a teenage girl with physical “scars” that hold within them a daily reminder of the loss of her family.

Although I initially had feelings of de-ja-vu as I read the book (having been immersed in other paranormal fiction books) with the main character facing conflict with “bullies” at school, having been orphaned as a young child and living with her aunt, the similarities ended there. The Iron Witch explores the darker side of paranormal beings, delving into the conflict between humans and fey, particularly the wood elves which are portrayed as violent creatures intent on one thing – getting to Donna.

The introduction of Donnas’ male best friend Navin, and then the mysterious and gorgeous Xan (Alexander) Grayson, led me to expect a love triangle however as I continued to read I had no sense of romantic feelings between Navin and Donna, as the reader is swept up only by the intensity of Xan, his half-fey characteristics, and the development of feelings between himself and Donna.

The introduction of the Maker, The Order of the Dragon and the mysterious alchemists that practice and protect The Order, explain Donnas’ magical qualities and weave a scientific component into the storyline bringing a new element to this paranormal fiction novel.

An unexpected ending has left me desperately wanting the next book! I would definitely recommend this book to anyone – My rating – five out of five!

karen mahoney author of the iron witchAbout the Author: Karen Mahoney gave up on her dreams of being Wonder Woman a long time ago, but has instead settled for being a writer of contemporary or ‘urban’ fantasy. Karen – or Kaz, as many of her friends call her – has been published alongside some of her favourite authors, in anthologies like THE ETERNAL KISS and KISS ME DEADLY (both published by Random House Australia). She is still in complete shock about this. Her debut YA novel is THE IRON WITCH. She is British and currently lives in London, though she dreams of one day living in Boston.

You can find out more about Karen and her writing on her website here!

Have you read this book yet? What did you think? Leave me a comment  :)