Tags
Alternate History, Fantasy, Mystery, Racism, Suspense, YA Fiction
Thanks to NetGalley and Amulet Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: October 11th, 2016
384 Pages
Synopsis: It’s Boston, 1919, and the Cast Iron club is packed. On stage, hemopaths–those whose “afflicted” blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art–captivate their audience. Corinne and Ada have been best friends ever since infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for Johnny’s crowds, and by day they con Boston’s elite. When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, they realize how precarious their position is. After she escapes, two of the Cast Iron’s hires are shot, and Johnny disappears. With the law closing in, Corinne and Ada are forced to hunt for answers, even as betrayal faces them at every turn.
Oh gosh. Where do I even begin to express my love for this book? First, the pure originality of the plot. I don’t think I’ve seen anything else out there that comes close. Then there’s the beautiful friendship between Ada and Corinne. They’re fiercely protective of one another, and it’s their relationship that is the heart and soul of this story. The supporting players are all vividly brought to life and there’s not one character that I felt could have been developed more. Better yet, these are all people I’d love to have as friends in real life. The magic of Hemopathy is gorgeously described and I was mesmerized at how each person used it differently. One character creates music from feelings, while another creates breathtaking illusions. The idea behind this magic is simply amazing! The book also deals with racism in multiple forms. Hemopaths are seen as an inferior race and Ada is biracial, which makes her looked down on even more. The cast is diverse in several ways which only adds to the appeal of this magnificent book. There is plenty of action in this fast moving story which led me to finish it in two sittings. In the end, Iron Cast is an exquisitely detailed story filled with wonderful characters and incredible world-building. It’s the type of story that will stay with you long after you’ve finished. I really can’t recommend it highly enough!
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