The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Title: The Iron Thorn
Author:  Caitlin Kittredge
Release: 2011
Synopsis:

In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft's epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.

Aoife Grayson's family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different.


Review:


The Iron thorn was a great read. Set in the 1950's, this alternate world on earth is pretty mind-blowing.  Monsters stalk the night, Protectors hunt monsters, romance makes it's annual appearance and belief in any religion is considered heresy. I love the way the author was able to incorporate some of the ideas from the 1950's, woman's rights being a main one. It was truly awesome. I mean, to think that back then, it wasn't right for women or girls to act out of line... And if her story was real life, well, i'd have no reason to be even writing these reviews because the books wouldn't exist because of their fantsy and supernatural content. 
The whole time I was reading this book, i couldn't help but think of the irony of timing. We are learning about The Scientific revolution (from witchcraft and God's will to science). 
Anyway...
The plot line was very well written and very creative. Like I mentioned before, the timing of the actual story just made the whole necrovirus and monsters thing click into place. I like the whole concept of having the protectors who will protect you...as long as you weren't what they considered heretics. And the war in the book is intriguing (the author mentions it in the story, but it's almost just background information). I didn't really catch what it was supposed to be over but the way the author went about it like it was nothing new to the main character was just brilliant. Over all, I really enjoyed Caitlin Kittredge's writing style as much as I enjoyed the story.
Now to characters.
Aiofe is a  very rebellious girl. She doesn't act like people expect her to. She has attitude, a voice, and spunk; and I appreciate that about her. She doesn't mind breaking the rules, as long as she finds her brother in the end. But the best part about her character is her brains. Aiofe is intelligent and a fast thinker when she needs to be and she's a marvelous engineer.
And every marvelous protagonist needs her own love-struck best friend, right? Cal, is that friend. I like that Cal is there for Aiofe but...he annoys me. I mean, yes he travels to help her find her brother but he's so corrupted by the Protectors in more ways then you even know. He's not opened minded toward her and some of the stuff they encounter through the book. Every time she tells him about something that's considered "heresy" to the Protectors, he blames it on her impending doom by insanity caused by the necrovirus.
Well, on a brighter note there's Dean (cue swoon).
 To me, Dean seems more "street smart" then he does academic smart but that's a helpful trait for what he does for a living. He's the bad boy of the story, just the kind of guy every book crazed teen goes googlie-eyed for...and even better (or worse depending on your point of view) he is labeled as a heretic. I think what I like best about him is the fact that he actually believes Aiofe when she tells him stuff. I can't get into too much detail over Dean because I'm trying not to do any huge spoilers...
My favorite thing about this book was the ending. I mean, who would've known it end like that?! I loved it. It's almost one of those everything-is-not-what-it-seems kind of things. Ahh, you got to love those twists a story can take. Ijust hope there's a second book because this one wasn't necissarily a cliff-hanger per se, but it was enough to keep me up at night wondering "What's going to happen now?"
And that's pretty much it :D  The monsters, the action, the romance, the Protectors and the ending are what held my attention throughout this book. I reccomend this book to any supernatural, YA and/or steam-punk fans.

Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev

Title: Eyes Like Stars
Author: Lisa Mantchev (Her Website)
Release: July 7, 2009
Synopsis:


Welcome to the Théâtre Illuminata, where the characters of every play ever written can be found behind the curtain. They were born to play their parts, and are bound to the Théâtre by The Book--an ancient and magical tome of scripts. Beatrice Shakespeare Smith is not one of them, but they are her family--and she is about to lose them all and the only home she has ever known.

**small spoiler alert, it's not anything huge but I just thought I would warn you :) **


Review:


I've never read anything like it! This book is very unique despite the use of classical and well known characters. The author proves that she put a lot talent and imagination and work into this story. The way she was able to represent and capture the older characters from some of Shakespeare's classics and others is fascinating! And even though Bertie is a new and original character she seems to fit right in with the others even if she does stand out a bit. The plot line was really good,too. There were twists and turns, dramatic scenes and of course romance. It's hard to believe it started out as a short story, I mean, I can't imagine it without some of the scenes. It would be like ripping the book in half, literally.
Most of the time, I can tell I like a book when I read a part and want to skip to the end just to find out what will happen! And this book made me want to skim and skip to discover if Bertie had to leave the theater and especially to discover what would happen to Nate. Though, of course, I won't tell you what happened to him in the first place to make me wonder what would happen to him... is anyone else confused by that sentence?
Anyway, Bertie was a wonderful protagonist. I loved every send of her story even if she wasn't the one telling it. She's powerful in more ways than one, she is a little headstrong at points but she's independent and cares for those around her. And true, she's a trouble maker but she is also very authoritative, too. And, like everyone, she has her issues; one being her attitude and prone to making trouble, another would be her abandonment ones.
Now, Nate. Though he might have one line in The Little Mermaid, he plays a big role in Eyes Like Stars. He's at Bertie's side whenever he can be, and he's a good friend. Plus, let's face it, he's in love with Bertie, and, even as he tries to hide it, he wants her safe from any kind of harm. He's a sweetheart with a pirate mouth and a pirate temper. 
The fairies, Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed, are just hilarious, there's a chance they could all give Puck from Julie Kawaga's Iron King a run for his money ;) They are ambitious, rambunctious and always getting into trouble, but, dispute their wild nature, they are Bertie's best friends. 
I don't have time to bore you will all the characters, though none are truly boring, so I saved my favorite for last.
ARIEL.
No, he isn't the mermaid from The Little Mermaid... and yes, I said he. He is "an airy spirit from the Tempest". I'm putting it out there right now, I have never read or watched any of Shakespeare plays (Yes, that includes Romeo and Juliet). So I only know of his characters from when they sneak across the pages of other books (Puck).  Anyway, I thought Ariel was a girl, till I saw a line referring to him as a he... He's very interesting, sly, and mysterious. And probably a whole bunch of other things (desperate for escape included) but I love his character, even in the beginning, and apparently Bertie does too...
Well then, as I say in nearly every review: I am forcing myself to stop before I give anymore spoilers. And let's face it, this is a review, not a book report, I'll save the latter for my English teacher.
And I'll end as I usually do, great book, but I my love for it came out near the end. Recommended for theater fanatics everywhere, and anyone who likes funny fairies and handsome pirates. 
I've been searching online for the sequel and i found it Prechance to Dream and then the end to the trilogy is So Silver Bright, which comes out next month! And, I need to remember to work on that rating system, I keep forgetting...

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