”The Iron Flower” - Laurie Forest (The Black Witch Chronicles #2)

Description

Elloren Gardner and her friends were only seeking to right a few wrongs when they rescued a Selkie and freed an military dragon. The last thing they expected was to be thrust into a realm-wide underground resistance against Gardnerian conquest.

While the Resistance struggles to fight back against the harsh rulings of the Mage Council, more and more Gardnerian soldiers descend upon the University…led by none other than Lukas Grey, now commander of the nearby military base. Though Elloren tries to keep him at arm’s length, Lukas is determined to tie himself to her, still convinced that she is the next Black Witch, the destined vessel for a magic that will decide the future of all Erthia. As his own magic calls out to her, seeking to awaken a dark force within, Elloren finds it more and more difficult to believe that she’s truly powerless, as her uncle always claimed.

Caught between her growing feelings for the rebellious Yvan Guriel and the seductive power offered by Lukas, Elloren must find a way to stay true to what she knows is right and protect everyone she loves…even if that means protecting them from herself.

(Goodreads)

 

I give all my appreciation to the authors who succeed creating an imaginary world, full of fantastic characters and writing a plot that keeps growing with every page, every book, not missing the important ideas and details, only enriching them more and guaranteeing an extraordinary journey. 

Laurie Forest amazes me with her vision and abundance of words for a story that, even if it can be predictable, it doesn't bore you. Once in Elloren's world, you're not a simple reader anymore but an equal participant in the action. Coming to experience and discover the magic of The Black Witch #1 the scenery enchants you and you cannot wait to find out what Elloren and her entourage is up to. Book two of the Chronicles has the same charm. Laurie Forest doesn't shy away from elaborate descriptions and characters, the images vivid and colorful. Maybe at some point these passages are frustrating, as they can be amassed as being half of the book's content, and lengthening as such a story that can move faster. But its good side is that you can visualize the people of Erthia better and feel its magic. I can't say that it didn't drive me a little crazy the suspenseful revealing of the Black Witch, because it was kind of obvious who it will be the notorious character and the author was just stubborn enough to pull this mystery at its maximum and in the end the bomb was not a killer. That is what happens when you have a 600 pages book with lots of descriptive passages, insecure characters and a prophecy that twists and turns. 

As is...Elloren clearly has great power, inherited from her grandmother, the last Black Witch, but somehow this power is locked. It's not hard to predict her role from this. She joins the Resistance and is set to defend all people from her fellow Gardnerians, being opposed to their evil subjugating plans. Being friends with Icarals, Lupines, Elves, Fae, Selkie, she cannot comprehend the hate. Elloren is eventually accepted as being harmless and contrary to her looks she is not meant to be her predecessor. War is nearly upon them so all magical creatures are in danger and who to help them if not Elloren. For her friends and family she is ready to do anything: she finds an ally in the Amaz women and saves the Selkies, providing also shelter for some of her other friends. When the Lupines are heartbroken and in danger, she devises a plan for them to escape. She is caught in the middle of her aunt's games and hers and Lukas's fasting is inevitable. But what about true love? Yvan is the brooding, complicated, full of secrets and powerful partner whom plays with fire (literally) and spices things up. The prophecy of the Black Witch and the Icaral shines in a different light. What aces has Laurie Forest up in her sleeve?

It's hard not to like the Iron Flower and the series in general. All that has magic in it is fascinating and these books know how to play it. Along with the characters, the story grows and tricks you with believing that only one secret is important and keeps you guessing, but in truth it has many others hidden and surprises you with emotional and thrilling scenes. I teared up a little for Diana and Jarod, Trystan, Rafe and the others leaving and for Ariel. As for Elloren and Yvan, I was just screaming "Kiss already!"; it was a successful threat. The plot attacks you from so many directions, it's a kind of joy. The Iron Flower is a complex story and hard to forget, just as The Black Witch and captivates the reader entirely. 

Discover it!

⭐⭐⭐⭐(4/5)