The Iron Thorn by Caitlin Kittredge

Aiofe (pronounced “EE-fa”) is a 15-year-old girl with a family history of madness—madness that always begins on the 16th birthday.  As Aiofe’s own 16th birthday approaches, she receives a cryptic message from her missing brother.  He is in mortal danger, and, as Aiofe risks everything to try to find him, she begins to discover the truth about the world she lives in and the “madness” of her family.

“There are seventeen madhouses in the city of Lovecraft.  I’ve visited all of them…  My mother likes to tell me about her dreams when I visit.

‘I went to the lily field last night,’ she murmurs…

When I didn’t immediately reply, my mother picked up her hand mirror and threw it at my head.  There was no glass in it—hadn’t been for years, at least six madhouses ago…

‘I’m talking to you!’ she shouted. ‘You might not think it’s important, but I went to the lily field!  I saw the dead girls move their hands!  Open eyes looking up!  Up into the world that they so desperately desire!  …Don’t leave me to look into their eyes alone.  The dead girls will dance, Aoife, dance on the ashes of the world…’”

--Caitlin Kittredge, The Iron Thorn

Set in a world where reason and science reign supreme, where magic and witchcraft are punishable by death, Aiofe Grayson struggles against her impending madness to try to rescue her missing brother with the help of her best friend, Cal, and their street-tough guide, Dean.  Entertaining and imaginative, this steampunk novel is recommended for young adults of all ages in a public or school library setting.

Learn More

Read more about Caitlin Kittredge and her other books on her website.  You can also friend her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

The Iron Thorn is the first book in the Iron Codex series.  If you liked this book, you might like the sequel, The Nightmare Garden (Iron Codex #2).  Watch a book trailer for The Nightmare Garden below.

Read an interview with Kittredge about The Nightmare Garden (**warning: this interview contains Iron Thorn spoilers**) and her writing inspiration.



Kittredge, Caitlin. The Iron Thorn. New York: Delacorte Press, 2011. Print.
978-0385738309; Paperback; $9.00; 493 pages

Also available in hardback, audiobook, and ebook formats.