The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Title: the Iron Witch
Author: Karen Mahoney (her website)
Release: February 8, 2011
Synopsis:

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.

Review:


This was a wonderful book! Paranormal and romantic, The Iron Witch was a fantastic read. Character-wise this book had a strong and capable heroine that at first glance you would categorize her as so, but the more you learn about her, the more you realize what she has been through. Her messed up past resulting in her iron-laced arms, her planned out future as an alchemist, and her insecurities toward it all. Which is where Navin comes in. Navin is the kind of person who you would want with you when the world ends. Trustworthy, loyal, caring and brave, he is Donna's best friend who has stuck by her side even when the whole school has turned against her. He sticks up for her when she needs it (even though she can handle herself) and he's there to comfort and talk to her. I sort of got the vibe that he liked her in a more-than-friends way. But that's just me. Anyway. Basically he's always there even if she can't and/or won't confined her in him about some things (i.e. alchemy). Well, he's there till he's abducted by the wood elves. Moving on to Xan. Funny, hot, irresistible and half-fey, Xan can relate to Donna when it comes to haunting pasts. She has finally found someone who can relate to her in more ways than even Navin can. Not only that but they had some major chemistry from the moment they met at the party. He is actually the person she calls when Navin is taken.
Okay I have to move on from characters before I start yelling out spoilers or something. lol :)
Karen's writing is just wonderful alone, the way she explains some things has you imagining it really well. Right down to the smells. And she really knows how to get into the minds of her characters, even in third person POV. 
For a good measure I think I'll say that if you have the sudden urge to flip to the end or skim through the pages to  see what happens next, don't do it! Trust me, I am guilty of both and not only will it just sort of confuse you, but it will ruin some surprises in the book or just some really good parts. 
Anyway. I would recommend this book to YA lovers it's really good and I can't wait for the next one!  Especially if there is more Xan in it :D