The Wood Queen

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 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 show more 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

This is the second book in The Iron Witch trilogy. I really enjoyed the first one and was excited to read the second book after some of the interesting hints and glimpses we got in the first book. This book ended up being fairly disappointing.

In this book Donna is under trial by the Order of the Dragon and awaiting her punishment for stealing the Elixir of Life. Donna is also dealing with her ailing mother and ends up striking a deal with the Wood Queen; if Donna opens a door to Faerie and lets the Wood Queen and her Wood Elves back home then the Wood Queen will release Donna’s mother from the elven curse that has taken away her sanity and consciousness.

Mostly this story was just plain boring; all the parts about the trial and the show more Order of the Dragon were just boring boring boring. The portions of the story dealing with Donna’s failing mother are more interesting. I was disappointed that we don’t really get to visit the other realms and that none of that was really expanded on until right at the end of the book.

I didn’t like the characters nearly as much as in the first book; they are all so jealous and secretive. Donna is kept in the dark about a number of things and this makes her easy to manipulate and trick. I also didn’t like how snotty and combative Donna was all the time, even with characters that were trying to help her. I don’t remember her being quite this bad in the first book and am not sure what happened here. Navin is also very jealous throughout and Xan is just plain absent most of the story (both literally and emotionally).

In the first book I really enjoyed how elements of alchemy were combined with the fey; this book doesn’t expand on any of that really. Donna is acquiring new powers, but aside from the fact that she is getting them we don’t really learn how that ties into alchemy.

Overall this was a quick read, but boring and kind of a drag. I won’t be reading the final book because by the time I got to the end of this book I just didn’t care anymore...about any of it. It was very disappointing, I thought the first book showed a lot of promise but everything was pretty much taken in the wrong direction in the second book. There are so many other excellent YA fey books out there that would recommend skipping this one. show less

Again, I don't think the writing is spectacular and the characterization can be cliche, but for some reason I still enjoyed this. I think this is an example of good storytelling trumping good writing.

My thoughts have been a little jumbled trying to write this review. Donna Underwood had to steal & destroy the elixir of life to save her best friend Navin & Maker, an elder alchemist. Continuing from The Iron Witch, Donna has to face the consequences of her actions, a 'trial' by the four Orders. Awaiting her punishment, Donna unveils more secrets & the truth about her sick mother.
Things get a little steamy between Donna & Xan. What's a good YA novel without a little teen love. I'm not sure why Donna can't have more faith or trust in Xan. Maybe her feelings for Navin are holding her back?
One new character stands out, Robert Lee. If he wasn't gay, he could've been a new love interest in London.
I like that Donna is human. She continues to show more make mistakes but she has matured & needs to right the wrongs she has made.
We still don't get into the details of alchemy, like how Maker fixed Donna's hands & forearms with Iron.
I hope the third installment brings the fall of The Wood Queen & we get to read Donna learning the full potential of her powers. show less

THE WOOD QUEEN starts up right where THE IRON WITCH left off. Donna is now on trial for for stealing the elixir of life. The Wood Queen comes to Donna with a request for help and dangles her mother and her worsened condition over her head to get her to help. And if that isn't enough, her Iron Tattoos are starting to act a bit weird. Donna learns a lot in book 2. She finds out quite a bit about her powers, learns about secret plots to use her in horrible ways, and secrets that have been hidden from her. Things she thought she knew were false and people she thought were on her side disappoint her.

Donna continues to be an interesting character. I love her iron tattoos and it was great to find out more about them and how they both saved her show more as well as hinder her now in some ways. I like that she doesn't meekly follow along when she knows she doesn't agree with things people are doing. Navin has had a hard time dealing with all that happened in book 1 to him and the secrets that were kept from him but he is still whole heartedly Donna's best friend and is there for her every step of the events in THE WOOD QUEEN. I really hope he continues to be in on the next adventure, I couldn't imagine him not being there. Xan, uggh I just cant figure him out. I really liked him and what he brought to THE IRON WITCH but so many things about him are up in the air. When you think you know everything about him something else pops up to make you go hmmm. The ending kinda left their relationship (Donna and Xan) up in the air and I'm hoping we finally get to know him in book 3 if he is still involved. There were a few new characters introduced that I'm sure we will see more of in the future. Robert Lee who I think is a great new ally and the Demon King that I cant imagine will bring anything but trouble.

THE WOOD QUEEN brought us plenty of action, mystery, and suspense. The pace is smooth and the plot full of twists and turns. I couldn't imagine not reading what comes next for Donna. I recommend that new readers to the series start with book 1. show less

After reading the first book and really liking it, I knew I wanted to read the second book. This book pick up right from where it left off. Donna is still facing the consequences of her past actions and much need work is needed to be done.

What I liked most about this book, is that Donna is stronger. She is exposing secrets left and right. I like that Donna is being head on about things. She is tired of lies and demands the truth. I totally agree with her. Enough lies!

The love interest didn't grow as much as I wanted it to, but it did bring some revelation about their relationship. Let's just say the guy wasn't totally honest either. There love suffered a bit and I am anxious to see, with all the new revelations how its going to go show more now.

Despite the occasional predictability, it ends up being a satisfyingly read. The Wood Queen, had lots of action that kept you at the edge of your seat. show less

Oh gosh this series is too dragging. I spend a full week trying to continue reading this book and its so exhausting.

Initially I thought the book was set in victorian era (like normal steampunk stuff) but no, its modern era but the people talk like they haven't been in modern era. The setting's and character's dullness, which made me initially confused, was horrendous. Is this suppose to be dystopian but no, its like a secret society story in america. Yeah, you get me right...

and the girl was complaining about her being 'exiled' to england. Girl, I WANT to stay in England. Free of charge at that. Jeesh... you can go all touristy and such and no one cares.

This book is not for those who like to read in full speed because this book stunted show more every chapter and shows little story progression until quarter end. I did comment about the length in the previous book but in this one, come on, its like waiting for tv series hiatus (which I was! Fringe TVD and OUAT was on hiatus, hence why I read this book) and then what you get was a goddamn turd.

and then what finally got to me in a most eyes-opening way was the book written in second point of view but in the style of first person point of view. Thats why it made me confused, POVs is like watching through a window or reside in someone's head or tagging along with the characters like some sort of guardian angel. But this?! Confused me a lot. Its like getting information dump on a lot of unnecessary things. Do I need to know every details of your feelings? Thats what first POV are for!

I'm really hoping the third book doesnt come out this year or I'm gonna go bald from pulling my hair everytime Donna do something so inane. Like write a diary, argue with the evil aunt or compare three boys and at one time wondered if her virtue is compromised for being alone with a guy, or suddenly had a dose of Cortexiphan in her and then she could do what Olivia Dunham do. Hell I dont really have a magnificent enlightenment when you glow like a tinkle bell and then you teleported yourself to places you want to be.

Did I say I took one week trying to continue reading from chapter 5? and a month since I began reading this book?

yeah show less