Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dramatic, overlong sequel tackles prejudice thoughtfully.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE IRON FLOWER, Elloren is expected to wandfast to powerful military leader Lukas Grey, the step before marriage that would bind them for life. Her social-climbing aunt demands it, and that she stop hanging around with Icarals and Lupines and the rest of the non-Gardnerians she hopes Erthia will soon be rid of when the war starts. While Elloren nods and smiles for her aunt, promising to be wandfasted soon, she keeps many secrets. In the forest, Elloren hides an untamed dragon, one she helped steal from Lukas Grey's regiment with her non-Gardnerian friends. In her dorm, she's hiding a Selkie that she rescued from the cruel university groundskeeper. In her boot, she's hiding what she believes is the White Wand of prophesy that would yield untold power to help the oppressed, if only she had any power as a mage to access it. The wand, the trees around her, and white birds all find ways of communicating with her every time danger is near. And danger comes for Elloren's friends before she can stop her own Gardnerian people from the very worst of war crimes.
Is It Any Good?
Readers who like to get truly lost in emotionally intense fantasies for as many pages as possible, editing be darned, will adore this hefty sequel. Those who prefer stories tautly told, carefully pared down to what's necessary, may be frustrated with the 100 extra pages and dozen or so unnecessary characters author Laurie Forest crams into this sequel. There are also a few too many dramatic moments for one story. Elloren, the main character, bursts into tears over tragedies so many times you'll lose count. It's about as many times as she stares at Yvan longingly, and that's a lot.
Still, this series explores social justice themes with freshness and real depth. That's enough for four stars right there. Gardnerians are the closest things to humans, with some added iridescence and magic ability, and they are the latest warmongers in this planet's constant cycle of genocide. Elloren is supposed to be the catalyst for all this bloodshed, but she's the catalyst for hope instead. Her metamorphosis at the end of The Iron Flower promises an enticing Book 3.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the power struggles in The Iron Flower. What do the Gardnerians use to justify their hatred of anyone not like them? What conflicts in the past have contributed to this hate?
What needs to change for all inhabitants of Erthia to coexist? Is peace in this world possible?
Will you read the next in the Black Witch Chronicles? What do you think will happen to the main characters? How are they preparing for what's ahead?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Harlequin Teen
- Publication date : September 18, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 18
- Number of pages : 608
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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