Karen Mahoney

The middle book of the Iron Witch trilogy finds Donna on trial for the events of the first book. Oh, they keep saying that it is just a hearing and that there will be a punishment not a sentence but Donna isn't buying it. She'd do the same thing again if circumstances were the same.

Donna is wondering if she wants to be part of the alchemist organization at all. Her aunt has been keeping things from her for years including the mysterious powers that seem to be awakening in her. She doesn't show more know what the goals of the organization are but she is almost positive that, if they are being guided by Simon Gaunt, she doesn't want any part of them.

She is concerned about her mother who is facing a new medical crisis. When Xan tells her it is an elf curse and the wood queen wants to make a deal, Donna is willing to do anything to free her mother from the curse. Besides opening a door to faerie and sending the wood elves home to keep them from dying sounds like a good thing, doesn't it?

But even good things have unexpected consequences, especially when those who are supposed to educating her, keep major secrets from her.

This was an exciting volume as Donna learns more about her powers and somehow attracts a really creepy new suitor. show less

I've wanted to read a longer work of Mahoney's since first finishing "Falling to Ash" in The Eternal Kiss anthology. I eagerly waited for The Iron Witch and when the chance came I bought it and horded it and loved it and named it George.

It doesn't disappoint. In some respects I think it took a little too long to bring all the various plot elements together (Xan's secrets, the beast that attacked Donna, Navin's kidnapping, the shadiness of practically every adult in the book). Navin doesn't show more get kidnapped until about two-thirds into the book, leaving how Donna saves him and resolves some mysteries for the last third. Leaving a rather important piece of the book for the ending third meant a lot of what happened was dumb luck and plot convenience, especially when they found the secret room.

I really liked Donna, Navin and Xan, I think Donna's a little oblivious where Navin is concerned, but all three of them were likable and enjoyable to read about. Mahoney didn't make it easy for any of them, Donna's initial starstruck awe of Xan is gradually tempered with a natural concern for the fact she barely knows him. Navin, despite his feelings (or not) for Donna never becomes that guy who is irrational or confrontational. And Xan...he was a good mix of mysterious older cute guy and vulnerable victim putting up a brave front.

Most importantly, at least to me, Donna had a good head on her shoulders. She made some reckless decisions, but trusted in herself so those reckless decisions never became recklessly dangerous foolhardy decisions. She made valid points that despite what the Order says, given a choice between what Navin's abductors wanted and Navin (an ordinary human) they'd put their interests first. Which doesn't make them any better then the abductors. Blindly following what they tell her, with vague promises that one day it would make sense, was questionable at best.

Despite knowing there's a second book coming (next year :sobs: ) Donna's ending journal entry felt abrupt. It was like 'And so I got into trouble.' I hope that when the second book comes out it makes a bit more sense (maybe something happened to her that made her cut the journal entry off so abruptly?). I also hope that it doesn't lose the balance it has maintained between the three.

Rachel Vincent's post "Rachel on love Triangles" about love triangles in her books (Soul Screamers mainly with Nash/Kaylee/Tod) was timely because it put into perspective how I felt about Navin/Donna/Xan. Which is not a triangle because one piece of it (Donna) doesn't acknowledge that there is any other person she's interested in. She loves and holds Navin in affection, he's her best friend and they've been through a lot together, but that feeling is not the same as what she has for Xan.

I really hope the second book doesn't tip it over one way or the other. show less

I was a little surprised by how much I liked The Iron Witch. It was original in just about every respect--the love interest was mutilated (but still beautiful, of course), the best friend was really just a best friend and not secretly in love with the main character, the elves were scary little buggers and absolutely nothing like Legolas, and good God--the alchemists and their toys.

Mahoney's incorporation of the traditional folk tale "The Handless Maiden" was brilliant. She successfully show more updated and urbanized a little-known story, and I applaud her for it. Definitely looking forward to the sequel. show less

THE IRON WITCH is a creative tale set in modern times and introduces readers to a new fantasy world, alchemy. Donna Underwood’s father was killed by evil wood elves as he rushed to rescue Donna from an attack. Donna herself was so badly injured that in order to save her life her arms and hands have been encased in a swirling pattern of moving tattoos created from a blend of iron and silver. Her mother physically survived the attack but her mind didn’t and she is being cared for in a show more mental institution.

As her parents were high up in the ‘Order of the Dragon,’ one of the four orders of alchemists, Donna is being trained to become one herself. She is not sure she actually wants to join the shadowy world. What Donna would really like is to be a normal teenager so she keeps her tattoos hidden – even from her best friend Navin Sharma.

Of course this state of affairs all has to change. On her way home from a party she sees a dark shadow watching her and very soon wood elves are everywhere. An altercation with a wood elf forces Donna to reveal her secret to Navin and to her new friend Xan, who has secrets of his own. After a slow start to the book, obviously setting up the background to the story, the action eventually starts. It escalates quickly as Navin is kidnapped by the wood elves and Xan and Donna go to the rescue. Then almost as soon as the action starts than it ends - very abruptly with many unanswered questions, and a lot of plots, left up in the air obviously ready for the future books in the series.

I actually dislike it when series books end like this, and it did spoil the ending for me. Having said that though, I really enjoyed the story and I am looking forwards to the next book in the series. show less