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chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally published at Vampire Book Club.
If you liked Karen Mahoney’s The Iron Witch, be prepared to love The Wood Queen. While the first novel introduced us to Donna’s world, the latest entry into the world of alchemy, fae and magic brings in heavier complications, more answers (leading to more questions) about the alchemy Orders and a better connection with Donna.
Oh, and Xan is shirtless in most of his scenes. You may not be happy with his behavior — even while shirtless — but like Donna, you won’t be able to avoid appreciating the view.
Much of The Wood Queen focuses on the fallout of Donna’s actions from the first book. Navin isn’t talking to her. She’s been on house arrest, so no Xan either. And the four alchemy Orders have convened for a hearing (and to dole out punishment) for her destruction of the last bits of the elixir of life. The authority figures in her life aren’t the only ones reacting to the change. The Wood Queen, who Donna foiled in the destruction of said potion, now wants a sitdown. She’s ready to leverage Donna’s loved ones to get the meeting — and that’s just the beginning.
Donna is in a difficult situation. Her options are limited, each offering only less favorable outcomes. Sometimes it’s better to work within the system to tear it down. Donna will learn that someday. Until then, enjoy the journey of self-discovery and the lengths one goes to for friendship.
Sexual content: Make-out scene, references to sex
If you liked Karen Mahoney’s The Iron Witch, be prepared to love The Wood Queen. While the first novel introduced us to Donna’s world, the latest entry into the world of alchemy, fae and magic brings in heavier complications, more answers (leading to more questions) about the alchemy Orders and a better connection with Donna.
Oh, and Xan is shirtless in most of his scenes. You may not be happy with his behavior — even while shirtless — but like Donna, you won’t be able to avoid appreciating the view.
Much of The Wood Queen focuses on the fallout of Donna’s actions from the first book. Navin isn’t talking to her. She’s been on house arrest, so no Xan either. And the four alchemy Orders have convened for a hearing (and to dole out punishment) for her destruction of the last bits of the elixir of life. The authority figures in her life aren’t the only ones reacting to the change. The Wood Queen, who Donna foiled in the destruction of said potion, now wants a sitdown. She’s ready to leverage Donna’s loved ones to get the meeting — and that’s just the beginning.
Donna is in a difficult situation. Her options are limited, each offering only less favorable outcomes. Sometimes it’s better to work within the system to tear it down. Donna will learn that someday. Until then, enjoy the journey of self-discovery and the lengths one goes to for friendship.
Sexual content: Make-out scene, references to sex
karmad's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
THE WOOD QUEEN starts up right where THE IRON WITCH left off. Donna is now on trial for for stealing the elixir of life. The Wood Queen comes to Donna with a request for help and dangles her mother and her worsened condition over her head to get her to help. And if that isn't enough, her Iron Tattoos are starting to act a bit weird. Donna learns a lot in book 2. She finds out quite a bit about her powers, learns about secret plots to use her in horrible ways, and secrets that have been hidden from her. Things she thought she knew were false and people she thought were on her side disappoint her.
Donna continues to be an interesting character. I love her iron tattoos and it was great to find out more about them and how they both saved her as well as hinder her now in some ways. I like that she doesn't meekly follow along when she knows she doesn't agree with things people are doing. Navin has had a hard time dealing with all that happened in book 1 to him and the secrets that were kept from him but he is still whole heartedly Donna's best friend and is there for her every step of the events in THE WOOD QUEEN. I really hope he continues to be in on the next adventure, I couldn't imagine him not being there. Xan, uggh I just cant figure him out. I really liked him and what he brought to THE IRON WITCH but so many things about him are up in the air. When you think you know everything about him something else pops up to make you go hmmm. The ending kinda left their relationship (Donna and Xan) up in the air and I'm hoping we finally get to know him in book 3 if he is still involved. There were a few new characters introduced that I'm sure we will see more of in the future. Robert Lee who I think is a great new ally and the Demon King that I cant imagine will bring anything but trouble.
THE WOOD QUEEN brought us plenty of action, mystery, and suspense. The pace is smooth and the plot full of twists and turns. I couldn't imagine not reading what comes next for Donna. I recommend that new readers to the series start with book 1.
Donna continues to be an interesting character. I love her iron tattoos and it was great to find out more about them and how they both saved her as well as hinder her now in some ways. I like that she doesn't meekly follow along when she knows she doesn't agree with things people are doing. Navin has had a hard time dealing with all that happened in book 1 to him and the secrets that were kept from him but he is still whole heartedly Donna's best friend and is there for her every step of the events in THE WOOD QUEEN. I really hope he continues to be in on the next adventure, I couldn't imagine him not being there. Xan, uggh I just cant figure him out. I really liked him and what he brought to THE IRON WITCH but so many things about him are up in the air. When you think you know everything about him something else pops up to make you go hmmm. The ending kinda left their relationship (Donna and Xan) up in the air and I'm hoping we finally get to know him in book 3 if he is still involved. There were a few new characters introduced that I'm sure we will see more of in the future. Robert Lee who I think is a great new ally and the Demon King that I cant imagine will bring anything but trouble.
THE WOOD QUEEN brought us plenty of action, mystery, and suspense. The pace is smooth and the plot full of twists and turns. I couldn't imagine not reading what comes next for Donna. I recommend that new readers to the series start with book 1.
rgibson6's review against another edition
I like the book and everything...I'm just taking way too long to finish. I'm just not into it at the moment.
kirstysbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
This is the second book in the Iron Witch trilogy and I personally feel that the story could have been told in one book. This book picks up where the last one left off, at the start it was quite slow but towards the end it did pick up.
A large portion of the book is taken up with learning what Donna's punishment will be for rescuing Navin and The Maker from the Wood Queen, this was quite boring and when we finally learnt her punishment it didn't seem that severe.
In this book, Donna discovers that her mother is under a curse and in order to save her she must open the gates to Faerie. However once she opens the gate she realises that she has made a mistake. This was the climax of the story and this was when the pace picked up. The story was left on a cliffhanger which makes me want to read the last book in order to find out what happens.
As with the other book, there were elements of this book that were very similar to other YA books. The main character is a character that we have seen time and time again in YA, a girl fighting against an organisation/society, with a friend that seems to have a crush on her and a mysterious attractive guy.
I don't feel that this is a must read series but if you like books about Fae and faerie then you may be interested in this.
A large portion of the book is taken up with learning what Donna's punishment will be for rescuing Navin and The Maker from the Wood Queen, this was quite boring and when we finally learnt her punishment it didn't seem that severe.
In this book, Donna discovers that her mother is under a curse and in order to save her she must open the gates to Faerie. However once she opens the gate she realises that she has made a mistake. This was the climax of the story and this was when the pace picked up. The story was left on a cliffhanger which makes me want to read the last book in order to find out what happens.
As with the other book, there were elements of this book that were very similar to other YA books. The main character is a character that we have seen time and time again in YA, a girl fighting against an organisation/society, with a friend that seems to have a crush on her and a mysterious attractive guy.
I don't feel that this is a must read series but if you like books about Fae and faerie then you may be interested in this.
nica2006's review against another edition
4.0
Finished it the same day I started. Excellent read! This series is becoming another of my favorites.
blackcatkai's review against another edition
3.0
the ending could've been better, but I am definitely interested enough in what went down to continue to the 3rd book!! I love Navin so so much. he's the best.
arjunthakrar's review
4.0
I have to admit this didn’t disappoint. I flew through almost as quickly as I flew through the Iron Witch and I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it. It was fast, quick paced and thrilling, keeping your on the tips of you toes till the very end. I couldn’t pull my head out of this one. The story line picks up pretty much where we have got to in our minds, leaving of from the Iron Witch, and Donna is at her trials. The story is very different to a lot of other book I have read and although the plot didn’t really stand out as amazing it had a certain charm about it. The storyline was good, but I felt that it may have been a slight tad less unique than the Iron witch, but still I loved it nonetheless. The ideas were still magical and brilliant and very very good. The characters were all well built up, and they were just expanding from what we already knew about them, but I felt that Xan played less of a part in this and it was more focused and Donna which is a good thing. My favourite character would have had to be Navin! The writing was beautiful. Juts like last time it was strong and not overly descriptive but in a certain way, kind of lyrical and whimsy. I really liked it. Overall it was a great book and I really did like it!