What Daydrmzzz are made of...: Karen Mahoney's The Iron Witch

I know I normally post stuff on more adult books but every now and then a good YA is nice to break it up. So my wonderful friend LoLa Loves Books is reviewing again today for me. I'm getting ready for the upcoming Perfect Man Event in August and have my hands so full of wonderful yummy man goodness right now I needed her help. - So without further a due........

Title- The Iron Witch

Author - Karen Mahoney

Genre - YA Urban Fantasy

Published - Feb. 2011

Series - Iron Witch, Book 1 in the trilogy
Page Count - 312 Pages

Rated - 3.75 out of 5

Description -

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.

I just had the pleasure of reading this YA book by Karen Mahoney. Thanks to my friend of 18 years, Daydrmzzz-, introducing me to the wonderful world of author giveaways, I actually won week #1 of Moira Rogers (ADULT AUTHOR ONLY) giveaway! Big shout out to Moira (ADULT AUTHOR ONLY) … THANKS AGAIN! What an awesome surprise. I felt like a kid in a candy store that could only pick one. Let’s face it, I know I’m awesome, but I can only read one book at a time – geez, give me a break! So upon looking through all my goodies, I was drawn to Iron Witch immediately. Yes, I must admit that I am 30-something and still enjoy reading YA books and as a side note - this is a book that I would definitely let my 14-year-old daughter read.

REVIEW -

Karen Mahoney’s interesting concept of iron tattoos is beautifully portrayed in the cover art, but she takes it one step further with adorning the inside covers as well. Again, a concept well thought out and executed … making this book stand out from others with cover art only. Let’s face it, though, you can always grab my attention on covert art with a half-naked man! I am a reader who, when searching for a new book to read, is initially attracted to a book by the cover art and title; hence, the double visual pleasure when choosing this book ;-)

Take a journey into the modern day world of fey, alchemy, humans, and the relationships between friends and blossoming love. Maker is an elderly alchemist who saved Donna’s life (and arms) when injured by a monster when she was just six years old. Donna and Navin are high school friends whose bond has been made stronger by similar tragedies of losing a parent. Xan (Alexander) is a loner college-dropout who’s interest is sparked at a roof-top meeting with Donna at a weekend party. Both Donna and Xan feel an immediate connection, but neither knows the other’s secret. Enter the creatures of fey and Donna can no longer hide the secret world from her longtime friend, Navin. With Navin and Maker both captured, Donna and Xan must now join forces and save them from the pesky woodland elves.

Karen Mahoney’s character build is well thought out and conveyed in a way that is not over-complicated to the reader with superfluous information that only distracts from the story line, which is what I find refreshing in comparison … The story keeps you enthralled, thumbs itching to turn the page. As far as cons go, not my favorite ending … I HATE cliff-hangers and this is definitely one of those! Seriously, though, I look forward to book II The Wood Queen of The Iron Witch Saga (February of 2012) I can’t wait to see what Donna’s repercussions are for the “crime” she committed in order to save her friends.

Anyone out there with an alchemical solution for time travel so I can have a sneak peak? :-)

Ever wonder how authors get their ideas for books? Be sure to keep reading after the story has ended!

LoLa Loves Books – How ‘bout you?

Keep an eye out for these, also by Karen Mahoney.

Book 2 - Releases Feb. 2012

Release Date 2013

THE STONE DEMON is the final book of The Iron Witch trilogy, where Donna Underwood must work with the alchemical Order of the Crow in London to create a new Philosopher’s Stone. If she fails? A three-way war between the dark elves, demons and alchemists will lead the world into an unimaginable apocalypse.

BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS
Being a vampire is for life – not just a lifestyle.
Reluctant teenage vampire Marie ‘Moth’ O’Neal infiltrates a group of Otherkin kids in Boston, teenagers who believe they are reincarnated vampires, in order to find out who or what is killing off the troubled teens… and then turning them into something truly undead with a taste for human flesh. All this while trying to stop sexy young hunter Jace Murdoch from shooting anything that doesn’t breathe – including her.