A review by whatsmacksaid
The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

3.0

I was a little surprised by how much I liked The Iron Witch. It was original in just about every respect--the love interest was mutilated (but still beautiful, of course), the best friend was really just a best friend and not secretly in love with the main character, the elves were scary little buggers and absolutely nothing like Legolas, and good God--the alchemists and their toys.

Mahoney's incorporation of the traditional folk tale "The Handless Maiden" was brilliant. She successfully updated and urbanized a little-known story, and I applaud her for it. Definitely looking forward to the sequel.