The middle book of the Iron Witch trilogy finds Donna on trial for the events of the first book. Oh, they keep saying that it is just a hearing and that there will be a punishment not a sentence but Donna isn't buying it. She'd do the same thing again if circumstances were the same.

Donna is wondering if she wants to be part of the alchemist organization at all. Her aunt has been keeping things from her for years including the mysterious powers that seem to be awakening in her. She doesn't know what the goals of the organization are but she is almost positive that, if they are being guided by Simon Gaunt, she doesn't want any part of them.

She is concerned about her mother who is facing a new medical crisis. When Xan tells her it is an elf curse and the wood queen wants to make a deal, Donna is willing to do anything to free her mother from the curse. Besides opening a door to faerie and sending the wood elves home to keep them from dying sounds like a good thing, doesn't it?

But even good things have unexpected consequences, especially when those who are supposed to educating her, keep major secrets from her.

This was an exciting volume as Donna learns more about her powers and somehow attracts a really creepy new suitor. ( )

Again, I don't think the writing is spectacular and the characterization can be cliche, but for some reason I still enjoyed this. I think this is an example of good storytelling trumping good writing. ( )

A bit blah really, not that enjoyable, with a weak main character who just seems to make all the wrong choices. ( )

This is the second book in The Iron Witch trilogy. I really enjoyed the first one and was excited to read the second book after some of the interesting hints and glimpses we got in the first book. This book ended up being fairly disappointing.

In this book Donna is under trial by the Order of the Dragon and awaiting her punishment for stealing the Elixir of Life. Donna is also dealing with her ailing mother and ends up striking a deal with the Wood Queen; if Donna opens a door to Faerie and lets the Wood Queen and her Wood Elves back home then the Wood Queen will release Donna’s mother from the elven curse that has taken away her sanity and consciousness.

Mostly this story was just plain boring; all the parts about the trial and the Order of the Dragon were just boring boring boring. The portions of the story dealing with Donna’s failing mother are more interesting. I was disappointed that we don’t really get to visit the other realms and that none of that was really expanded on until right at the end of the book.

I didn’t like the characters nearly as much as in the first book; they are all so jealous and secretive. Donna is kept in the dark about a number of things and this makes her easy to manipulate and trick. I also didn’t like how snotty and combative Donna was all the time, even with characters that were trying to help her. I don’t remember her being quite this bad in the first book and am not sure what happened here. Navin is also very jealous throughout and Xan is just plain absent most of the story (both literally and emotionally).

In the first book I really enjoyed how elements of alchemy were combined with the fey; this book doesn’t expand on any of that really. Donna is acquiring new powers, but aside from the fact that she is getting them we don’t really learn how that ties into alchemy.

Overall this was a quick read, but boring and kind of a drag. I won’t be reading the final book because by the time I got to the end of this book I just didn’t care anymore...about any of it. It was very disappointing, I thought the first book showed a lot of promise but everything was pretty much taken in the wrong direction in the second book. There are so many other excellent YA fey books out there that would recommend skipping this one. ( )

My thoughts have been a little jumbled trying to write this review. Donna Underwood had to steal & destroy the elixir of life to save her best friend Navin & Maker, an elder alchemist. Continuing from The Iron Witch, Donna has to face the consequences of her actions, a 'trial' by the four Orders. Awaiting her punishment, Donna unveils more secrets & the truth about her sick mother.
Things get a little steamy between Donna & Xan. What's a good YA novel without a little teen love. I'm not sure why Donna can't have more faith or trust in Xan. Maybe her feelings for Navin are holding her back?
One new character stands out, Robert Lee. If he wasn't gay, he could've been a new love interest in London.
I like that Donna is human. She continues to make mistakes but she has matured & needs to right the wrongs she has made.
We still don't get into the details of alchemy, like how Maker fixed Donna's hands & forearms with Iron.
I hope the third installment brings the fall of The Wood Queen & we get to read Donna learning the full potential of her powers. ( )