An iron teeth witch is a classic character of folklore and mythology, often depicted as a frightening and malevolent figure. This witch is said to have teeth made of iron, symbolizing her strength and power. The iron teeth witch is known to be a shape-shifter, capable of morphing into various forms to deceive and harm those who cross her path. Legends and tales featuring the iron teeth witch vary across different cultures and regions. In some stories, she is portrayed as an old hag who lives in a remote and isolated area. Her physical appearance is often described as grotesque, with long and unkempt hair, warty skin, and of course, the most distinguishing feature – her iron teeth.
Her physical appearance is often described as grotesque, with long and unkempt hair, warty skin, and of course, the most distinguishing feature – her iron teeth. The iron teeth witch is typically associated with dark magic and is rumored to have access to potent spells and curses. It is believed that she can use her iron teeth to summon and control dark forces, casting sinister spells and performing wicked rituals.
Iron teeyh witch
Within the world of Throne of Glass - a universe created by Sarah J. Maas - there are many familiar creatures - magic-wielders, fairies, shape-shifters, demons, and witches. The main character of the series, Celeana Sardothein, is Fae herself, able to wield the power of fire. But aside from the Fae, the other race which gets the most attention is that of the witches. Maas’ witches are unique - in their powers, their history, and their culture.
To best understand the witches of Throne of Glass, one must look back at their history. Legend says that witches were first created when the Fae (fairies) and the Valg (dark, evil demons) bred. Their offspring could be split into two categories: those that took after their Fae parent, and those that took after their Valg parent. These two kinds of witches are classified as Cochran witches and Ironteeth witches, respectively.
Long ago, both races of witches lived in a place called the Witch Kingdom. The Ironteeth witches had divided up into three separate clans - the Blackbeaks, the Yellowlegs, and the Bluebloods. The Cochran family ruled the land - Cochran queens ruled justly, in wisdom and peacefulness. That is, until the Ironteeth clans formed an alliance and declared war on the Cochran.
“Dorian had heard the legends of the fallen Witch Kingdom, where bloodthirsty witches had overthrown the peaceful Crochan Dynasty and then ripped apart the kingdom stone by stone. Five hundred years later, songs were still sung of the deadly wars that had left the Ironteeth Clans the only ones standing on a killing field, dead Crochan queens all around them.”
(Crown of Midnight, 154)
Although the Ironteeth witches had won the war, they had lost their home. During her final moments, the last living Cochran queen cursed the Ironteeth witches, ensuring that “as long as Ironteeth banners flew, no bit of soil would yield life to them” (Crown of Midnight 155).
Ironteeth Witches
“Manon smiled broader,
and a row of dagger-sharp iron teeth
pushed from the slits high in her gums, snapping down like armor.”
(Heir of Fire 31)
Both images are from Sarah J. Mass' Throne of Glass Pinterest board; you can check it out here.
The last remaining Cochran witches now hide out as wise-women and healers, evading the bloodthirsty Ironteeth witches who seek to exterminate them all. And bloodthirsty is the perfect description for the Ironteeth witches, who enjoy spilling the blood of humans - and drinking it, too.
As stated above, the Ironteeth witches get their name from the iron teeth and nails that they have. In the world of Throne of Glass , iron suffocates magic, acting as a buffer. Anything made of iron cannot be affected by magic. Legend says that the Ironteeth witches were given iron teeth and nails by the Three-Faced Goddess as a way of keeping them tethered to earth and to keep their magic in check.
The Ironteeth witches are brutal, ruthless killers. Manon Blackbeak, an Ironteeth witch and heir to the Blackbeak clan, is one of the main characters of the Throne of Glass series. It is from Manon's point of view, and her story, that we learn much about the world of Maas' witches. They are rumored to be born soulless, without compassion and certainly without mercy. They are raised and trained to be killers, of both humans and of their mortal enemy, the Cochran witches.
The Blackbeak Clan
"Obedience, discipline, and brutality were the most beloved words in the Blackbeak Clan. All else was to be extinguished without second thought." (Heir of Fire, 90)
The Blackbeaks are the clan that Manon belongs to. Manon is the heir, chosen by her grandmother, the Matron of the clan. The Blackbeak clan prides themselves on being the most ruthless of all of the clans.
“Manon had been born soulless, her grandmother said. Soulless and heartless, as a Blackbeak ought to be. She was wicked right down to the marrow of her bones.” (Heir of Fire, 65)
The Blackbeaks have an interesting heirarchy, varying a bit from that of the other clans. There is the Matron, who is the head over all the other witches. Then, there is Manon, the heir, and what she calls the Thirteen - Manon and twelve other Blackbeak witches who are sworn to serve and protect the matron. Under their rule are all of the other Blackbeak witches.
The Yellowlegs Clan
The first encounter the reader has with the Yellowlegs clan is through Baba Yellowlegs, Matron to the Yellowlegs Clan and the "last-born witch in the Witch Kingdom" (Crown of Midnight 155). The Yellowlegs are a haughty and prideful bunch. They are the most visually obvious witches, since they keep their iron teeth and nails on display at all times.
The Blueblood Clan
The Blueblood clan is the oddest clan of the Ironteeth witches. They pride themselves on their appearances, always seeking to be beautiful in the eyes of everyone who happens upon them. They're an annoyance to the other two clans because of their uptight behavior and high-matinence characteristics. They also believe that they are the strongest of all of the clans, most blessed by the Three-Faced Goddess. Their Matron wears an iron crown at all times.
"The iron crown, supposedly, was proof that the magic in the Blueblood line ran so strong that their leader needed more— needed iron and pain— to keep her tethered in this realm." (Heir of Fire 89)
After the events of Kingdom of Ash, the curse was broken. Manon, the Ironteeth witch-rebels, and the Crochans left to the Witch Kingdom to rebuild their kingdom as one people.
According to popular belief, she feeds on the energy and souls of her victims, using her iron teeth to devour human flesh. Encounters with the iron teeth witch are said to be terrifying and dangerous. She is known for luring unsuspecting travelers or lost children into her trap, revealing her true form once they are within her grasp. Victims of the iron teeth witch are often never seen or heard from again, reinforcing the fear and dread associated with this mythical character. In certain cultures, rituals and protective charms have been developed to ward off the iron teeth witch. These precautions include wearing amulets, using specific herbs or talismans, or reciting prayers and incantations to keep her at bay. It is believed that these rituals and symbols have the power to repel the iron teeth witch and offer protection against her malevolent intentions. While the iron teeth witch may be a terrifying figure in folklore, she is also a captivating character that has fascinated storytellers for generations. The tales surrounding her serve as cautionary tales, warning individuals of the dangers of wandering into the unknown and falling prey to deceitful and manipulative forces. Overall, the iron teeth witch represents the darker aspects of human imagination and the supernatural. She embodies fear, danger, and the unknown, serving as a chilling reminder of the consequences that can arise from curiosity and reckless behavior..
Reviews for "Breaking the Spell: How to Protect Yourself from an Iron Teeth Witch's Curse"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Iron Teeth Witch" based on all the positive reviews, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters that added nothing to the story. The writing style was also not my cup of tea, as it felt disjointed and lacked cohesion. Overall, I found it hard to connect with the characters and the story, making it a disappointing read for me.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Iron Teeth Witch" was a major letdown. The pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and poorly executed action scenes. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Additionally, the world-building was lacking, leaving me confused about the rules and setting of the story. I was hoping for a gripping and immersive read, but instead, I was left feeling bored and frustrated.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Iron Teeth Witch" to be incredibly predictable and cliché. The storyline followed all the typical tropes and offered no surprises or originality. The dialogue was cheesy and felt forced, making it hard to take the characters seriously. The romance subplot, in particular, felt contrived and lacked any real chemistry. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of originality and depth in this book, and it did not live up to the hype for me.