Review: Falling to Ash - Karen Mahoney

Falling to Ash by Karen Mahoney, published by  Corgi on 27th September 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Trapped between two very different worlds, newly made vampire Moth is struggling to find her place in either. Not only does she have to answer to her strict Irish-Catholic Dad, but her over-protective maker, Theo, is intent on making her the star attraction in his powerful Boston vampire clan. Moth will have to pull off the double-act of the century to please both of them...

Adding to her problems is the dangerously attractive Jason Murdoch, a trainee vampire hunter who loves to play cat and mouse in his spare time (Jace = cat; Moth = mouse). But when the teenagers of Boston’s wealthiest families start to disappear, it forces Moth and Jace into an uneasy truce. Will they be able to solve the mystery behind the disappearances—before someone winds up undead?

Review:
I enjoyed Karen Mahoney's two previous books (The Iron Witch and The Wood Queen) so I jumped at the chance to read and review her newest offering, the first title in a brand new series about vampires.  The cover is gorgeous and the story sounded brilliant, just the kind of thing that appeals to my reading tastes, but unfortunately it didn't turn out to be quite as good as I was expecting.  I normally love vampire stories but 'Falling to Ash' didn't tick all the boxes for me.

The story is about Moth, or Marie as she was previously known.  A teenage girl turned vampire who is still coming to terms with her new existence and struggling to adapt to her relationship with her Maker, Theo.  I didn't particularly like Moth and felt little connection to her as a character.  I immediately wanted to know more about her back story so that I could understand why she is how she is.  This was gradually revealed through flashbacks to how she was turned into a vampire but I would have liked to have seen this dealt with much earlier on in the book.  There is a prequel to this title called 'Moth', so maybe it would have helped me if I'd read that first. 

I felt uneasy in the scenes between her and Theo and I wasn't feeling the growing romance between her and Jace a.k.a vampire hunter in training, either.  For me to really love a book, I have to feel that I care about the characters and what happens to them but sadly this wasn't the case with any of the main protagonists in the story.

One aspect of the book I did like was the family bond between Moth and her sisters which I would have liked to have seen developed even more than it was.  Although she's now a vampire, she still feels enormous love for her family members, particularly her little sister and she's willing to protect her whatever the cost. 

I know there are a lot of Karen Mahoney fans out there and I've already read a number of positive reviews of this book, so although it didn't necessarily appeal to me, I'm sure many others will enjoy it.  All that aside, it is refreshing to read something by a British author for a change who has definitely brought something different to the vampire genre. 

Review: The Wood Queen - Karen Mahoney

The Wood Queen by Karen Mahoney, published by Corgi on 2nd February 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
Donna Underwood is in deep trouble.An ancient alchemical order is holding her accountable for destroying the last precious drops of the elixar of life. Never mind the fact that Donna was acting to free her friend, Navin, from the dangerous clutches of the Wood Queen at the time. But what the alchemists have in store is nothing compared to the wrath of the fey. The Wood Queen has been tricked and Donna must pay. Get ready for all hell - quite literally - to break loose...

Review:
I previously enjoyed the first book in this trilogy so I was looking forward to the sequel and finding out what was going to happen to Donna Underwood next.  'The Wood Queen' was an extremely entertaining read and I think even better than it's predecessor.  I picked up the thread of the story right away and immediately felt plunged back into Donna's world.  She's now on trial for her involvement in destroying the last remaining drops of the Elixir of Life but is still intent on finding a cure for her institutionalised mother who she believes is under a curse.

I love the world that Karen Mahoney has created in this series.  Vivid imagery made the wood elves and Ironwood come alive on the page and made me believe that there are more things out there than humans can normally perceive.  The four Orders of the alchemists - Crow, Lion, Dragon and Rose are equally fascinating and each have a hand in the book in deciding Donna's fate.

Donna's best friend Navin really grew on me throughout the story as I wasn't too keen on him in 'The Iron Witch'.  There's a very amusing transcript between him and Simon Gaunt at the end which made me laugh.  I admire his loyalty to Donna and the courage he shows, plus the way she can spring almost anything on him and he'll try and take it all in his stride. 

There's romance in the book as well between the mysterious Xan and Donna.  He's definitely hiding things from her and I can't wait to find out what they are, but in the meantime there's also trouble in paradise with the introduction of a new character called Ivy who shares past history with Xan. 

'The Wood Queen' is a dark and bewitching tale of magic and power and an impressive sequel which has left me wanting more.  Donna is faced with trying to sort out her future and what path she should take and I'm intrigued to see where Donna's adventure will lead her next.  I hope that the story will relocate to London as it would be brilliant to see her on British soil.

Karen Mahoney news - forthcoming titles

I have some exciting news today about the fabulous YA author Karen Mahoney, author of 'The Iron Witch'.

Random House Children's Books has just signed a three book deal with Karen, which is good news for all of us fans!  I know I'm going to be checking all of these out.  Here's all the info from the official press release.

Fiction Publisher Annie Eaton and Fiction Editor Jessica Clarke secured a deal for World English Language rights for two titles in a brand new series called Beautiful Ghosts, on behalf of Miriam Kriss at Irene Goodman, the first book of which will be published by Random House in 2012. A separate deal was made with Heather Baror of Baror International for The Stone Demon, the third and final book in The Iron Witch trilogy which will be published in 2013.

Annie Eaton, Fiction Publisher comments ‘Karen Mahoney is a natural storyteller with a wonderful imagination. Her debut novel, THE IRON WITCH, was published to rave reviews, and there is an eager audience out there wanting more!’

Jessica Clarke, Karen Mahoney’s Editor adds ‘Karen is a dream author, with an incredible passion for YA fiction and a huge online following on both sides of the Atlantic. Her blend of strong female protagonists and punchy paranormal drama is breathing new life into this genre, and we are very proud to have her on the RHCB list.’

THE STONE DEMON is the final book of The Iron Witch trilogy, where Donna Underwood must work with the alchemical Order of the Crow in London to create a new Philosopher's Stone. If she fails? A three-way war between the dark elves, demons and alchemists will lead the world into an unimaginable apocalypse.

BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS:

Being a vampire is for life - not just a lifestyle.

Reluctant teenage vampire Marie 'Moth' O'Neal infiltrates a group of Otherkin kids in Boston, teenagers who believe they are reincarnated vampires, in order to find out who or what is killing off the troubled teens... and then turning them into something truly undead with a taste for human flesh. All this while trying to stop sexy young hunter Jace Murdoch from shooting anything that doesn't breathe - including her.

You can find out more about Karen and all of her books at her website: www.kazmahoney.com