Up until she went to visit her friend Molly in Texas, Tess O’Connor’s goals have been simple – graduate from college and join the military, following in her beloved brother Liam’s footsteps. But while there, she finds that there’s more to Molly than she expected. Her best friend is half Sidhe, and Queen Mab of the Unseelie Court has summoned her back to take up a responsibility that might save both Sidhe courts from an evil and dangerous enemy. Loyally, Tess follows her. But while she only seeks to protect her friend, she finds that Molly’s not the only one with unexpected ancestry or talents. Will Tess figure out her own purpose in this war, and find friends worth fighting for?
THE IRON SWORD is a lively and engaging fantasy, with a heroine worth cheering for and a take on old fairy tales that shows respect for tradition along with some new twists. The Sidhe are given a believable culture, subtly alien but still recognizable, neither saccharine-sweet nor utterly cold and aloof. Even the tiny, will-o’-the-wisp Glasidhe are given courage, heart, and adult personalities. The balance between the Seelie and Unseelie Courts is handled somewhat differently here, as night vs. day rather than the usual good vs. evil, which makes for more subtle and interesting politics. Tess is brave, stubborn, and charming, with a snarky wit that livens even the direst situations. The plot is full of page-turning action, and the author capably manages the sometimes-tricky balance between leaving enough suspense for a sequel while providing the reader with a satisfying resolution.
There are only a few minor flaws in this otherwise-captivating novel, among them the rather unbelievable assertion that the Sidhe’s vulnerability to iron is a deep, dark secret from the humans, when any human properly educated in Fae tales knows it. Also, the Sidhe villain is a bit too unsubtly nasty – a touch more context for his character might help. Perhaps, though, that will appear in sequels.
THE IRON SWORD is a delightful start to a promising new fantasy series, and it’s well worth a read, particularly for the reader who never outgrew the best fairy tales.
Reviewed by Catherine Langrehr for IndieReader