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Tuesday, 25 January 2011

The Iron Witch review The Iron Witch
Karen Mahoney
20th January 2011
Random House Children's Books

First off, can we just take a second to marvel at the beautifulness that is the cover? I am just in so much cover love at the minute. :D

Okay, so now on to the actual thing. The Iron Witch is a really, really good book. Really good. I liked everything about it, from the title (which was in the book! I love it when that happens! It just makes me love the titles even more :D) to the cover, the story to the characters. I mean, it's about faeries and alchemy (little know fact about Cicely, she is obsessed with Full Metal Alchemist. It may or may not have something to do with a midget alchemist named Edward Elric, but it spurred her interest in alchemy nevertheless, not that she has or will try to make an elixir of life... :D)

Donna was a fab main character. I loved how she was so vulnerable, yet she was kick-ass at the same time, and being that I'm a fairytale nerd, I loved how it was related to The Handless Maiden (I loved the essay at they back) and the tattoos were such a good idea. I also felt I could relate to her in ways that she shares my pain of not being able to raise one eyebrow! We are truly kindred spirits ;p Navin was brilliant too. It's rare that you see a best friend who is male who isn't totally crushing on the MC. (Though I still think he fancies her. A little bit.) But Xan and Donna are such a good couple! And I was so in love with Xan. He's just... *swoons* But I'm glad he wasn't a complete Knight-in-shining-armour, and that Donna could definitely look after herself (metal hands=awesome super stength), and I think that her knowing that she could defeat her demons without some guys help helped her develop better as a person.

As I mentioned before, I loved leaning about all the alchemy, as it's not something you read too much about these days. I love the whole idea behind alchemy that magic and science and so intertwined, and I will admit that that bit with the screaming bust did creep me out a bit. I am scared of model people, so I can safely say that that would be part of my worst nightmares.

The Iron Witch is a fantastically told story of love and magic and science and evil wood elves, and I am really looking forward to The Wood Queen as I know it's going to be fabulous! (and I can't wait to see the cover when it's made either :D) 4.5 stars :D
Posted by Cicely at 18:10 Labels: Paranormal, Random House, Reviews, UKYA, Young Adult