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In the city of Lovecraft, the Proctors rule and a great Engine turns below the streets, grinding any resistance to their order to dust. The necrovirus is blamed for Lovecraft’s epidemic of madness, for the strange and eldritch creatures that roam the streets after dark, and for everything that the city leaders deem Heretical—born of the belief in magic and witchcraft. And for Aoife Grayson, her time is growing shorter by the day.
Aoife Grayson’s family is unique, in the worst way—every one of them, including her mother and her elder brother Conrad, has gone mad on their 16th birthday. And now, a ward of the state, and one of the only female students at the School of Engines, she is trying to pretend that her fate can be different. (Goodreads summary)[/box]
This completely gorogeous novel was so much fun to read. Complex, well-crafted, and enthralling it keeps building until the absolutely perfect, yet surprising climax. I adore this fantasy world that Kittredge creates. The Iron Thorn has a masterfully driven plot full of suspense, romance, and mystery all set in a fantastic steampunk, dystopian society set in the 1950’s…I mean imagine greasers and socs in dirigibles and you’ve got the setting of The Iron Thorn! I LOVE IT!
The characters are also amazing. Aoife (pronounced like Eva with an f instead of a v) our main heroine is so complex and angsty you just want to hug her and tell her everything will be ok, but she would never allow that. She’s an engineer afterall…she must be practical…she must be rational…so that she doesn’t go insane like her mother and brother. I just love her tenacity. She’s vulnerable yet strong, kind yet also honest, loving yet closed off, witty and funny yet serious. She’s a woman of action; a woman with a plan.
Dean, our leading man is completely and utterly fantastic! He is a loner, mysterious, and has a slight edge of danger to him, yet he is kind and devoted as well. I love his practical nature. While he worries about Aoife and wants to protect her when it’s necessary, he isn’t pushy and doesn’t watch her like she’s a child or going to go mad at any second. He treats her like an equal and sometimes like a superior intellectually. Dean is a perfect balance to Aoife. LOVE HIM!
Cal…ah Cal. annoying yet endearing at the same time, he is one of my favorite characters. I can’t really tell you why because it would spoil things. Suffice it to say, I wanted to throttle him most of the book but ended up loving him in the end.
Overall this story is completely enthralling and delightful to read! Looking very much forward to The Nightmare Garden!
[box]Author: Caitlin Kittredge
Title: The Iron Thorn
Series: The Iron Codex (Book #1)
Published: February 22nd 2011 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Format: Hardcover, 493 pages; Kindle; Nook
Website: www.caitlinkittredge.com
Source: Borrowed
My rating: 
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Happy Reading!
I adore this review and canNOT wait to read this book! Thanks for the review!