The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

"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. Donna's own nearly fatal injuries from the assault were fixed by magic—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. 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 darkest outcasts of Faerie—the vicious wood elves—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 and the alchemist community fought to the death to protect."


First and foremost, I think that the cover was done very well. I think the intricate patterns were really pretty. From the patterns on her hand, one look and you'll know that the cover is actually Donna with a vial in one hand. The little details on the cover has a connection to the story.

Anyway, I really liked how the story started. It was really fresh and different from other books. It hooked me up and I couldn't put down the book. I really liked how Karen mixed alchemists with more paranormal fantasy characters like the fey. However, I was a little disappointed after I finished reading it. I think that there was so much potential in this book. It somehow needed more. I didn't feel quite satisfied. I think it was over too soon.

I liked how Donna met Xan. It made me wanna read the book more and finish it quickly because of both characters. However, I don't think I quite like it at the end. Xan and Donna have that one great scene in the coffee shop where I really started to feel their chemistry - and then it's pushed aside by the story's action. At the end, I didn't really feel quite of a connection to the characters.

Overall, I think The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney is a really cool story that, unfortunately, fell a bit short for me. I loved the concept of the book and felt like it had a lot of potential. However, I can't help feeling that it was a bit too rushed. The story didn't really come alive for me.

Anyhow, I would rate this book a 3 out of 5. I feel like it would have been a good book, just that it wasn't delivered well. I don't want to give up hope on this series just yet. I'll probably read the sequel and see how things go. I would still recommend this book to others. Like every book, some would hate or love it. This is just my opinion. ＼(＾▽＾*)

I really liked one particular part in the book.
She had always believed that she didn't have a choice--the Order had its rules, and she'd followed them because...well, because that's what you do when you grow up among the alchemists.
But of course, now she knew an important but painful truth: the choice had been hers all along. Donna had chosen to follow the rules.
That choice could cost her the most important person in her life; it could cost her Navin.

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