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| www.kazmahoney.com |
Following in the
footsteps of Alyson Noel’s Evermore
and Melissa Marr’s Wicked Lovely,
Karen Mahoney tackles the modern fairytale in her YA novel, The Iron Witch. The first in a series of
four, this “urban fantasy” introduces Donna Underwood, a magically gifted
teenager, whose attempts at a normal life fail miserably when she encounters a
group of evil fairies. Like the alchemists in her story, Mahoney skillfully
combines her ingredients. Themes of friendship and romance are mixed with well-paced
adventure, strong characterization, and the fascinating idea of an ancient war
between a fey race and magicians. “Once upon a time” doesn’t even begin to
cover it.
Left parentless by a
violent fey attack, 17-year-old Donna struggles through the trivialities of
high school while hiding both her horrific past and her future as an alchemist.
When her best friend, Navin, with whom she shares quite a bit of romantic tension,
is kidnapped by skin-changing fairies, Donna is forced to face her nightmarish
history. Along the way, she begins to question the very foundations of her
family’s alchemical order, as well as the placement of her loyalties, when
friendships are put on the line. She also meets Alexander Grayson, a super-hot
halfling, who spends a lot of the novel shirtless. So, maybe the fairy-stealing-Navin
stuff isn’t that bad.
Readers will admire
Donna’s strength and independence, while appreciating the realism of her
teenage character. Her romance with Xan, although not quite as “sensual” as author,
Richelle Mead suggests, will make them go “Aw!” on several occasions. While
fans of Michael Scott’s The Secrets of
the Immortal Nicholas Flamel may be disappointed with Mahoney’s lack of
research, the constant suspense leaves little room for historical information.
Those who enjoyed the romantic toil of Ever and Damen in Evermore or the fairy-human dynamic in Wicked Lovely will fall for this novel as fast as Donna falls for
Xan.
Better luck next time,
Navin. Maybe there are some hot chicks in Fairy Land.
By Erin Arata
