Format: Hardcover, 608 pages
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy / Epic
In this magical sequel to The Black Witch, Elloren Gardner must embrace a power she never knew she had to hold back the dark forces sweeping across Erthia.
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.
The Iron Flower is the second installment in author Laurie Forest's The Black Witch Chronicles. The story picks up right where The Black Witch left off. Elloren
remains at the University in Verpax, but she's had enough. Elloren no longer wants to be
a Gardnerian. She no longer wants to wear the Vogel armband, or prove her loyalty. And, she no
longer wants to be part of the cruel tyranny her people have inflicted
on others. In fact,
things are about to get a whole lot worst.
One of the worst things to come out of this new Gardnerian council is that all Gardnerian's over the age of 16 and not fasted by the end of the 5th month, will be forcibly tied to someone against their will. That means that Evil Aunt Vyvian is closing in on ensuring that Elloren is tied to Lukas Grey one way or the other. Elloren has a strange compulsion to be honest with Lukas, which is curious since she is supposedly only a level one mage. ::evil smile:: He even gives her a necklace which enhances her magical ability. Let's be serious for a moment. He pursues Elloren, partly because her untapped power boosts his own abilities
Meanwhile, Elloren still shelters Marina, a Selkie she rescued in the previous installment. She has her usual roommates Diane, a Lupine, (who is still with Elloren's brother Rafe another member of the rebellion), as well as Icarals Wynter and Arial. Elloren has, in fact, surrounded herself with a diverse group of characters who have seemingly allowed her into their group even though she is the granddaughter of Carnissa Gardner. She has been trying to avoid the draw she feels towards the mysterious Yvan Guriel, who has more secrets than you can imagine.
The more curious story is about Marina who we learn more about, and how Elloren and her friends, and her allies, are able to do the near impossible. Elloren fights a good fight, but not everything is sunshine and unicorns. There are sorrows and losses and a surprise that I had already figured out a very long time ago. I actually respect the authors world building. I respect that we learn more about different groups and the addition of some really cool allies for Elloren to hopefully gain a much needed education with. Elloren has character flaws, but that's okay as long as she learns from her mistakes and doesn't repeat them. She has a strong sense of justice, loyalty, but I really think it's past time to stand up to her Aunt.
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