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, I have to say, look at that gorgeous cover! Just look at it! I was instantly drawn in by it and had to pick it up. So pretty!!! And the story was even better! Loved it! It was exactly what I wanted it to be. A cute love story, an intriguing mystery, and a kind of magic I rarely read about. Now I think I'm hooked! 


Donna was injured when she was young by a terrifying fairy beast. Without the Maker, she would have lost her hands. But he used alchemy and iron to restore them. I was hooked right away.

The Order of the Dragon was so fasctinating! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book to learn more about them. Alchemy isn't something I've read much about, but this book made me want to look more into and pick up more books with it in it. There wasn't a ton in this book, so I'm hoping the Wood Queen brings more!

Navin was probably my favorite character. He was such a loyal friend who stuck by Donna no matter what, even when she got kicked out of school. Most people will never know how amazing it is to find someone like that. Even when she had to tell him the truth about her, it didn't make him love her any less. He was amazing. Which was why I was so mad when he got kidnapped! Argh! Leave the super awesome best friend alone!

Xan was a great love interest. He was sweet and really cared about Donna. They shared something that no one else could come close to relating to. And he was hot! Like seriously steamy. I liked watching their romance unfold.

Donna was the only character I couldn't really connect with. I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her either. I don't know what it was about her, but she just wasn't my favorite.

There were definitely more questions than answers with this book. Like what really happened to Donna. I can't wait to pick up Wood Queen and find out!