You know what they say: where one trilogy ends, another one begins. (Or something like that.) Victoria S. Walsh has released a stunning debut novel with The Iron Hex, and we’re simply obsessed!
The Iron Hex is book one of The Iron Hex trilogy, a gripping fantasy series starter that officially has us locked in for now until the conclusion. It follows Eira Eckhart, a witch who can only remember her life from the past three years. She soon encounters Hugo Venton, a fugitive who seems to know Eira better than she knows herself.
As they try to escape from the Iron guards, the pair must also look for ways to bring Eira’s memory back. Here are just three reasons why we love The Iron Hex by Victoria S. Walsh!
Book Overview: The Iron Hex
Content warnings: death, death of family and loved ones, murder, graphic violence, gore, torture, forced captivity, hostages, corpses, amnesia, stabbing, burning, warfare, weapons, needles, serious injuries, vomiting (Read at your discretion!)
Summary: Eira Eckhart has spent years building a quiet life in a small town at the edge of a recently overthrown kingdom. Her memory is fractured, her past a blur—but with her shop, her loyal rabbit familiar, and practicing only the potions magic still legal under the watchful eye of the Iron Empire, she’s managed to remain unnoticed by the empire’s witch hunters.
Until Hugo Venton walks through her door.
Brash, clever, and infuriatingly handsome, Hugo is searching for something…and seems to know more about Eira than she knows about herself. But when a terrifying encounter with an unnatural, deadly new breed of soldier puts a price on her head, she has no choice but to join Hugo on his quest.
Their hunt for a missing princess pulls Eira across the continent—and deeper into a past she can’t recall. As buried memories, mysteries in the Iron Empire’s capital, forgotten feelings, and the truth behind her identity begin to surface, Eira realizes the forbidden magic simmering in her veins might be the very thing that could save them from the Iron Empire’s forces as they draw ever closer…if she can remember how to control it in time.
Eira’s Empowerment
For starters, we love protagonists with some spunk in them! Eira finds her life all turned around as soon as she meets Hugo. But she quickly turns it into an opportunity for her to regain her memory and find the missing princess. The princess was Eira’s best friend and holds the key to bringing down the Iron Empire. Eira is exactly who she thinks she is (minus the memory loss), and no one can tell her any different. She is so empowered in her body and isn’t afraid to step into her magic. We can’t remember if we’ve ever read a fantasy with a plus-size main character. Either way, we’re living for this representation!
Grand Travels
Next, Eira and Hugo travel all across the continent in The Iron Hex. We always love getting the lay of the land in a series starter. And this book made it easy to follow along. As the pair hop from town to town, Eira looks out for a memory witch who can help her remember what’s been sealed away. It proves more difficult than expected, with the Iron Empire having persecuted and/or killed most of the witches. During their travels, Hugo must also face his past actions and the people he’s hurt because of the witch hunt. Not to mention the unnatural super soldiers who are sent after Hugo for his betrayal.
The Romance (Duh!)
Of course, we had to discuss the romance between Eira and Hugo. From their first meeting, Eira has felt an attraction toward Hugo, even with her memory suppressed. Hugo, on the other hand, knows Eira quite intimately from the previous years he spent with her. They eventually overcome this mental disconnect, unable to deny the pull each one feels for the other. And this time, they can finally stand on equal footing. Their romance is sweet and even spicy at times. Eira and Hugo have great chemistry, especially when they fight off their enemies together.
With an empowered protagonist and an irresistible romance, Victoria S. Walsh’s The Iron Hex takes us on a twisty, daring adventure we can’t help but love!
The Iron Hex by Victoria S. Walsh releases on August 4th, and you can order a copy of it here!
What do you think of Victoria S. Walsh’s stunning debut? Are you planning to read The Iron Hex? Let us know on Twitter! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram!
Want to hear some of our audiobook recommendations? Here’s the latest!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT VICTORIA S. WALSH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | WEBSITE
