Iron Cast Published by Abrams on October 11, 2016 Genres: Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Historical, Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense / Crime
Pages: 384
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Reading Challenges: 2026 Audiobook Challenge, All booksPartners in crime with magical talents must stick together in order to survive in this "energetic and original" YA historical fantasy ( Kirkus, starred review).
Boston, 1919. Corinne and Ada are hemopaths whose "afflicted" blood gives them the ability to create illusions through art. They've been best friends ever since the infamous gangster Johnny Dervish recruited them into his circle. By night they perform for packed crowds at Johnny's club, Cast Iron. And by day they con Boston's elite.
When a job goes wrong and Ada is imprisoned, she realizes 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 .
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria Review
When Magic, Gangsters, and Friendship Steal the Show
Sometimes a book surprises you not because of a shocking twist, but because it reminds you that the strongest love story isn’t always a romance.
Iron Cast drops you into 1919 Boston, where magic isn’t flashy spells or enchanted swords—it’s poetry, music, paintings, and performance. The idea that art itself could become magic was one of the most creative fantasy concepts I’ve come across in a long time. Every time a hemopath used their gift, I wanted to see more.
But the real magic wasn’t the powers.
It was Corinne and Ada.
Their friendship is the beating heart of this story. Through gangsters, dangerous cons, betrayals, and people hunting them simply for existing, these two never stop fighting for each other. I loved that their bond always stayed at the center of the story. In a genre that often pushes romance to the forefront, Iron Cast reminds us that fierce friendship can be just as emotional and powerful.
The historical setting added so much atmosphere. Secret clubs, smoky stages, criminal empires, and the looming fear of discovery made every chapter feel tense without losing its sense of wonder. Destiny Soria created a world that feels both familiar and unique.
The beginning took me a little while to settle into because a lot is happening, and the world isn’t handed to you on a silver platter. Once everything clicked into place, though, I was completely invested. The mystery kept growing, the stakes kept rising, and I found myself rooting for this found family more and more.
If you’re looking for nonstop action from page one, this may feel like a slower burn. But if you enjoy character-driven fantasy with unforgettable friendships, an original magic system, and a richly imagined historical setting, Iron Cast is absolutely worth the journey.
Sometimes the most powerful magic isn’t found in ancient artifacts or legendary weapons.
Sometimes it’s found in two friends refusing to let the world tear them apart.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
