Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Review & ARC Giveaway: The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

There are quite a few new YA paranormals coming out this week, but one of my favorites is Karen Mahoney's The Iron Witch. Really? A new take on witches and faery and elves? You bet! 


ABOUT THE BOOK: 
When she was seven, a horrific fey attack killed Donna Underwood’s father and drove her mother mad. Her own nearly fatal injuries were fixed by alchemy—the iron tattoos branding her hands and arms. Now seventeen, Donna feels like a freak, doomed by the magical heritage that destroyed her parents and any chance she had for a normal life. Only her relationship with her best friend, Navin, is keeping her sane. But when vicious wood elves abduct Navin, Donna is forced to accept her role in the centuries-old war between human alchemists and these darkest outcasts of Faerie. Assisted by Xan, a gorgeous guy with faery blood running through his veins and secrets of his own, Donna races to save Navin—even if it means betraying everything her parents fought to the death to protect.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Karen Mahoney is the author of The Iron Witch, the first book in a trilogy that continues in 2012 with The Wood Queen. She has also published stories about a kick-ass teen vampire called Moth in The Eternal Kiss and Kiss Me Deadly. Karen is British and currently lives near London. Visit Karen Mahoney online at www.kazmahoney.com and www.deadlinedames.com.

MY THOUGHTS: This is one of those books that built and built. Then, suddenly, it was over and I was beating the wall and cursing unanswered questions. So, it is definitely the first in a series. The worldbuilding is first-rate, and I loved the use of alchemy. I mean, ALCHEMY--how cool is that?! The bad guys are smarmy and creepy, Donna is loveable and sympathetic (although, sorry, I did want to slap her BFF Navin around a bit), and Xan is one hot guy. Can't wait to see where this one goes next year with The Wood Queen. *tapping foot and waiting*

Want to win an ARC of The Iron Witch? Leave a comment and tell me your favorite ELF. If you don't have one, you can always say "Trent Kalamack"--not that I'm trying to influence you. As always, +1 for comment, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow, and +1 for Tweet / Retweet.
Posted by Suzanne Johnson at 8:19 AM
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43 comments:

  1. Mine is Dobby! Wellm okay, I'll add Trent Kalamack, but Dobby still wins, sorry!!!

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow
    +1 twitter follor (@Aliaslucia)

    aliasgirl at libero dot it

    ReplyDelete

  2. Dobby!!! I have to steal Reading Mind's answer. Dobby is a free elf, after all.
    TweetyB99 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete

  3. Oo, definitely Dobby!

    +1 Comment
    +1 Blog Follower
    +1 Twitter Follower (@bookloveblog)
    +1 Twitter Retweet

    Thanks!
    Stephanie
    bookluv @ ymail . com

    ReplyDelete

  4. Legolas. Keeping it classic.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow
    +1 twitter follower

    celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

  5. I was fond of Elrond in The Hobbit, though I know he's not really elf.

    I'm a blog follower.

    ReplyDelete

  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  7. Trent Kalamack

    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 twitter
    +1 twitter retweet (http://twitter.com/#!/lizzy1931)

    leebee19(@)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

  8. DOBBY! OMG, I forgot about Dobby and his hats. Can't believe we have only one Legolas...but Becky, I liked Elrond as well. I'm still holding onto Trent Kalamack, though.

    ReplyDelete

  9. Definitely Dobby!

    +1 Comment
    +1 Blog follower

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    minas_1989(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

  10. Crap--everyone's taking my answer. Well, if Dobby's old news, I'm going with Will Ferrel in that Christmas movie.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower
    +1 Twitter follower

    ReplyDelete

  11. Just to be different I'll say the Keebler Elves.

    +1 blog follower

    sgiden at verizon.net

    ReplyDelete

  12. Is this international? I hope so, live in Norway :)
    Anyway, my favorite elf is Legolas, from The Lord of The Rings. <3 Though I do like Dobby too ;)

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower

    ~ carina-olsen@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  13. I feel terribly unoriginal, but really, who wasn't in love with Orlando Bloom's depiction of Legolas? I know I sure was.

    +1 for comment!

    ReplyDelete

  14. Yep, sorry. I'll have to add to the chorus of unoriginality, but I love Legolas from the movies. :) He defined everything about elves as a race of power rather than of humor (like Santa's elves).

    +4 (comment, blog, Twitter, RT)

    ReplyDelete

  15. I think it'll be a battle between Legolas and Dobby. I pick... Pippin! Oh, that was hobbit :p Legolas ~

    +4 (Comment, GFC follower, twitter follower, and tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/LynossaDBL/status/35019812224630785)

    Lynossa(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

  16. I used to be in love with Legolas, but I'm now very appreciative of the elves who helped out the shoemaker.

    Thank you, Suzanne!

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow
    +1 twitter follow

    ReplyDelete

  18. Dobby!!!!!

    +1 comment
    +1 follower
    +1 follow on twitter @throuthehaze

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

  19. I'll add another vote for Dobby.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower
    +1 twitter follower

    ReplyDelete

  20. I really want to read The Iron Witch,it sounds really great.

    My favorite is Trent Kalamack.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower
    +1 twitter follower
    +1 tweet http://twitter.com/elaing8/status/35040706007408640

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    ReplyDelete

  21. I will say Trent Kalamack because I cannot wait to read more:-)
    I like Dobby and Legolas too but other than that I don't know many ELF's.

    +1 Comment
    +1 Blog Follower (Mysteriousrose)
    +1 Twitter Follower (@mette_s_jensen)
    +1 Twitter Retweet: http://twitter.com/mette_s_jensen/status/35042568106418176

    forceofstars(at)yahoo(dot)dk

    ReplyDelete

  22. Legolas!
    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow (GFC - Book Sake)
    +1 twitter follower (@BookSake)
    +1 retweet

    ReplyDelete

  23. Am I allowed to say Will Ferrell? =)

    +1 Comment
    +1 Twitter Follower

    stilettostorytime at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

  24. I had a fondness for Tanis Half-Elven (D&D) as well as Legolas

    +1 for comment
    +1 for blog follow
    +1 for Twitter follow (tialessa)

    tialessa [at] yahoo [dot] com

    ReplyDelete

  25. My favorite elf is Legolas.

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow via GFC (Diana)

    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    artgiote@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  26. Oh so hard! I have to go with Dobby. I cry every time I read his death scene. CRY. And I am Retweeting, and of COURSE I'm a follower. So +3?

    ReplyDelete

  27. My favorite elf is Cutter from Elfquest.

    +1 comment
    +1 Retweet
    +1 Twitter follow

    ReplyDelete

  28. +1 comment
    +1 GFC follower (jennifer)
    +1 twitter follower (jlkalman26)

    I cannot think of any elves so I will say: Trent Kalamack

    jennifer.kalman at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete

  29. Trent Kalamack (not that I'm trying to suck up... lol)

    I gfc follow
    twitter follower (@BooksThings)
    tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BooksThings/status/35138566996627456
    books (Dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com

    ReplyDelete

  30. I want this! As for my favorite elf it definitely is Trent and no influencing was involved ;) Second would be prince Loren ta Cedric from Renee Wildes Guardian series. There are a few hot elfs in that series.
    +1 comment
    +1 blog follow as Tanyaw1224
    +1 twitter follow as @Tanya1224
    +1 tweeted at http://twitter.com/Tanya1224/status/35145336632643584
    Tanyaw1224(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

  31. Greetings!

    My favorite elf is definately Elrond. Going against the trend, I do not particularly like Legolas.

    Thanks for the opportunity to participate!

    Cheers,
    Sci-fi bookworm
    http://sci-fi-bookworm.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  32. I have to say that I like Ceri better than Trent. She at least makes Rachel's life somewhat beter, but Trent is a great adversary. I also have to add Legalos to that list as well. :)

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

    +1 comment
    +1 blog follower
    +1 twitter follower (@heatwave316)

    ReplyDelete

  33. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete

  34. +1 Oo, definitely Dobby!
    +1 http://twitter.com/#!/alterlisa/status/35238587163217922
    +1 GFC-Lisa Richards
    +1 twitter@alterlisa

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

  35. I would say Trent just to suck up, but I like Ceri better. Ask me again after Pale Demon comes out...

    I am a blog follower.
    mmcmurry818@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  36. Well the first one that came to mind was that old Christmas cartoon, but I cant think of the name of it. Then Will Ferrell. But then I saw you mention Trent and Im thinking he has to win hands down.

    +1 for comment
    +1 for blog follow
    +1 for Twitter follow
    +1 for Tweet - http://twitter.com/#!/DonnaS1/status/35523326898081793

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

    ReplyDelete

  37. Well I was going to say you persuaded me and vote for Trent Kalamack but as soon as I read the comments I just knew that I would have to go with all the others and say DOBBY !

    We got a new puppy two months ago and when considering what to call him he named himself Dobby. They do that you know, puppies actually tell you what their name is.

    Thanks for the giveaway and if it is open worldwide as usual, please enter me.

    Thanks.

    Carol T

    +1 for comment
    +1 I am a Follower via GFC.

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete

  38. Buddy!!! That counts right? LOL I know he's not really an elf and only thinks he is, but Will Ferrel never fails to crack me up and I love the movie Elf :)

    +1 commented
    +1 follower(Jolene Allcock and family)
    +1 twitter follower(@joleneallcock)
    +1 re-tweeted
    http://twitter.com/joleneallcock/status/36239574850076672

    june111(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete

  39. Trent Kalamack naturally :0)

    +1 for comment
    +1 I'm a blog follower
    +1 I'm a Twitter follower @EVA_n_essence
    +1 Retweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/EVA_n_essence/status/36342092078780416

    Thanks
    eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

    ReplyDelete

  40. Trent Kalamack naturally :0)

    +1 for comment
    +1 I'm a blog follower
    +1 I'm a Twitter follower @EVA_n_essence
    +1 Retweet
    http://twitter.com/#!/EVA_n_essence/status/36342092078780416

    Thanks
    eva.s.black[@]gmail[.]com

    ReplyDelete

  41. I like Dobby, Legolas, Snap, Crackle, and Pop, and, of course, Trent Kalamack! =D

    +1 Comment
    +1 Blog follower
    +1 Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/#!/Emmys322/status/36644267095097345

    hotaru_2218@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

  42. Why of course, Trent Kalamack!
    I follow you publicly via Google
    Friend Connect (wineycindy).
    "Tweet"~ http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/37599624831172608,
    +1 Comment
    +1 Blog Follow
    + 1 Tweet
    Many thanks, Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete

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