Review: Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning

Shadowfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: January 18, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Number of Pages: 594
Format: Hardback
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Description: “Evil is a completely different creature, Mac. Evil is bad that believes it’s good.”

MacKayla Lane was just a child when she and her sister, Alina, were given up for adoption and banished from Ireland forever.

Twenty years later, Alina is dead and Mac has returned to the country that expelled them to hunt her sister’s murderer. But after discovering that she descends from a bloodline both gifted and cursed, Mac is plunged into a secret history: an ancient conflict between humans and immortals who have lived concealed among us for thousands of years.

What follows is a shocking chain of events with devastating consequences, and now Mac struggles to cope with grief while continuing her mission to acquire and control the Sinsar Dubh—a book of dark, forbidden magic scribed by the mythical Unseelie King, containing the power to create and destroy worlds.

In an epic battle between humans and Fae, the hunter becomes the hunted when the Sinsar Dubh turns on Mac and begins mowing a deadly path through those she loves.
Who can she turn to? Who can she trust? Who is the woman haunting her dreams? More important, who is Mac herself and what is the destiny she glimpses in the black and crimson designs of an ancient tarot card?

From the luxury of the Lord Master’s penthouse to the sordid depths of an Unseelie nightclub, from the erotic bed of her lover to the terrifying bed of the Unseelie King, Mac’s journey will force her to face the truth of her exile, and to make a choice that will either save the world . . . or destroy it.

The most anticipated book of 2011, with the publication date was pushed back several times. And since I read the series a few months after the release of Dreamfever, this was the first time I had to wait for the book in the series, which was a year. The year waiting about killed me, and I feel bad for those who had to wait the 16 months for it. The book met my expectations and then some.

As the last few books, it picks up immediately where the last one left off. After all the waiting we finally get to see who was the beast that Mac had killed. And at least to me, it was no surprised that it was Barrons. Mac experience grief all over again. And she finally admit her feelings that she herself had refuse to even acknowledge. Mac teams up with the unlikely in search for the book. Let's remember that Barrons has told Mac before to not to believe anything is dead until you burn the ashes and wait three days to see if it rises. And of course, Barrons refuse to stay dead.

Follow Mac on a whirl of a journey. Finally getting most of her answers. This book is full of twists and turns at every page. Who is Mac? What is Mac? We are taken through a few theories before finally discovering the truth. And for those of you who are familiar with Moning's Highlander series, those Keltar men finally show up, and we even get a small appearance from Adam Black. And as can expected those scenes were hilarious. We see more of Ryodan, and another one of the men we got to know a little, Lor.

Feelings are exposed. Characters are exposed. This book will take you on a very emotional trip. Not only is this the best book out of the series, it tops my list of favorite books of all time. Do not attempt to read this book with not a lot of reading time blocked out. You won't want to put it down.

If I could I would write this book a million stars. But I will have to settle for just five.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning

Dreamfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: August 18, 2009
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 498
Format: Paperback
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Description: They may have stolen my past, but I’ll never let them take my future.

When the walls between Man and Fae come crashing down, freeing the insatiable, immortal Unseelie from their icy prison, MacKayla Lane is caught in a deadly trap. Captured by the Fae Lord Master, she is left with no memory of who or what she is: the only sidhe-seer alive who can track the Sinsar Dubh, a book of arcane black magic that holds the key to controlling both worlds.

Clawing her way back from oblivion is only the first step Mac must take down a perilous path, from the battle-filled streets of Dublin to the treacherous politics of an ancient, secret sect, through the tangled lies of men who claim to be her allies into the illusory world of the Fae themselves, where nothing is as it seems—and Mac is forced to face a soul-shattering truth.

Who do you trust when you can’t even trust yourself?

Dreamfever picks up right where Faefever left off. Mac has been raped by the Unseelie Princes and has been turned Pri-ya. Because Mac is so out of it, the beginning is narrated by Dani, who manages to rescue Mac and take her back to the abbey. And of course it's not long before Barrons comes in to take her away. And with him he brought reinforcements which will make your jaw drop. While being Pri-ya we see a new side of Barrons. And there are certain scenes that will make you swoon. And of course Barrons does the impossible, he brings Mac from being pri-ya.

Mac isn't just stronger, but seems to have new abilities like being able to break through Barrons wards. This book takes Mac through a journey while she searches for answers. Which she does get a few answers, but no surprise they leave to more questions. And we even see a little bit more of Ryodan as he interacts with Mac.

And in following suit from the last book, we are left with an even bigger cliffhanger. Jaw dropping is an understatement. Once again if this is the first time reading the series, make sure you have the next book before reading this. Trust me, the ending will make you go crazy.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Faefever by Karen Marie Moning

Faefever (Fever #3) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: September 16, 2008
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 389
Format: Paperback
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Description: The New York Times bestselling author of Darkfever and Bloodfever returns to Dublin’s Fae-infested shores in a bold, sensual new novel. Hurtling us into a realm of seduction and shadows, Karen Marie Moning tells the enthralling tale of a woman who explores the limits of her mysterious powers as she enters a world of ancient sorcery—and confronts an enemy more insidious than she could ever have imagined. He calls me his Queen of the Night. I’d die for him. I’d kill for him, too. When MacKayla Lane receives a torn page from her dead sister’s journal, she is stunned by Alina’s desperate words. And now MacKayla knows that her sister’s killer is close. But evil is closer. And suddenly the sidhe-seer is on the hunt: For answers. For revenge. And for an ancient book of dark magic so evil, it corrupts anyone who touches it.

Mac’s quest for the Sinsar Dubh takes her into the mean, shape-shifting streets of Dublin, with a suspicious cop on her tail. Forced into a dangerous triangle of alliance with V’lane, an insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes, and Jericho Barrons, a man of primal desires and untold secrets, Mac is soon locked in a battle for her body, mind, and soul.

As All Hallows’ Eve approaches and the city descends into chaos, as a shocking truth about the Dark Book is uncovered, not even Mac can prevent a deadly race of immortals from shattering the walls between worlds—with devastating consequences.…

Faefever picks up right after the last book. A run in with the book makes Mac miss her meeting with Christian MacKeltar. This is the book that I really fall in love with Christian in. Who proves that he's more useful than what Mac thought he was. He's the first person she's encounter that hasn't lied or played games with her.  And we learn that Christian's uncles had sent him here to spy on Barrons.

Mac realizes that time is running out. They must keep the walls up during Halloween night. She has mange to trick Barrons into going to Scotland to help the Keltars with their rituals to keep the walls up. The sidhe seers have their own ritual, and Rowena has even allow Mac to come and help. But Mac can't even get out of the city. The whole city has gone made and rioting. Mac manages to get away and find safety in a church. But the worst is yet to come. With a cliff hanger that I didn't even see coming will leave you speechless.

Amazing as always, this book has it all. If you are reading the series for the first time, you might want to make sure you have the next book handy.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Bloodfever (Fever #2) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 349
Format: Paperback
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Description: I used to be your average, everyday girl but all that changed one night in Dublin when I saw my first Fae, and got dragged into a world of deadly immortals and ancient secrets...

In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

Still grieving for her sister, Alina, Mac has wants more than just answers and justice. She wants blood. She wants revenge. Fully convinced that Alina's boyfriend, Darroc or the Lord Master as he is widely known, is the one who killed her she won't stop at anything to get it.

It seems that everyone wants a piece of Mac. Barrons wants her around to find the Sinsar Dubh for what he claims to be his personal collection. V'lane wants her to find the book for his queen. Rowena, the Grand Mistress of the sihe seerers just wants her to join their ranks and be a good soldier. Darroc wants her dead. What it all comes down to is the two major powers, Barrons or V'lane. Barrons has saved her life, but still remain mysterious and cold. And Mac knows she cannot trust him. V'lane on the other hand answers her questions and tells her what she wants to know. But she's not completely sure of his true intentions. Plus he's fae and have trouble trusting him.

This is probably my third favorite in the series. The pacing definitely picks up.  We get more questions than answers, especially where Barrons is concerned. We get several hot scenes between Mac and Barrons. And once again he saves her life. If you loved Darkfever, this one will blow you away.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Chasing Magic by Stacia Kane

Chasing Magic (Downside Ghosts #5) by Stacia Kane
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Publisher: Del Rey
Number of Pages: 376
Format: Paperback
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Description: A DEADLY HIGH

Magic-wielding Churchwitch and secret addict Chess Putnam knows better than anyone just how high a price people are willing to pay for a chemical rush. But when someone with money to burn and a penchant for black magic starts tampering with Downside’s drug supply, Chess realizes that the unlucky customers are paying with their souls—and taking the innocent with them, as the magic-infused speed compels them to kill in the most gruesome ways possible.

As if the streets weren’t scary enough, the looming war between the two men in her life explodes, taking even more casualties and putting Chess squarely in the middle. Downside could become a literal ghost town if Chess doesn’t find a way to stop both the war and the dark wave of death-magic, and the only way to do that is to use both her addiction and her power to enter the spell and chase the magic all the way back to its malevolent source. Too bad that doing so will probably kill Chess—if the war doesn’t first destroy the man who’s become her reason for living.

Five books later and honestly I'm still surprised at how much I love this series. I'm usually not into dark stories or even main characters that think so low of their self worth. But there is something about Stacia Kane's writing. The way she draws you into her world, you don't want to ever leave.

I do believe that this is the first book that doesn't involve a Church case. But Chess has enough on her plate with trying to juggle a friendship with Lex and a relationship with Terrible. Which isn't really going all that well. To make matters worst, Lex wants Terrible to come work with him. In the perfect world, Terrible says yes and Chess doesn't have to feel guilty about keeping up her friendship with Lex. But this is far from a perfect world and there is nothing on earth that would make Terrible work for Lex. Lex leaves a warning for Terrible; he will have him killed.

With a hired assassin on the loose, Chess has more than enough on her plate. Someone has been putting dark magic in the drugs. Not to mention every time Terrible touches dark magic he passes out. Chess has no clue how to help him.

I think one of my favorite parts in the book is when Chess and Terrible are at Elder Griffin's wedding. His new husband asked Terrible if him and Chess will be getting married and he told him he would if that's what Chess wants! A total fan girl moment. And then after that he asks Chess to move in with him. Not to mention towards the end when Terrible told Chess that he wouldn't want to live if she wasn't alive. In regards to Chess and Terrible, this has to be my favorite book for them.

The only un amazing part of the book is that Chess and Elder Griffin's relationship changes. I do hope that it can be repaired. I loved his faith in her. I know a lot of people hate how Chess thinks of herself. I understand it. With what little background information we have received on Chess, I wouldn't expect anything less. The drugs are the only thing that has made her feel good until Terrible. And she still believes that he will run from her, because she doesn't deserve him. I do think it was a little thick this book. After the end, I'm hoping she stop thinking so low of herself. Speaking of the drugs, there's a part of me that wishes she will try to get clean. But it's part of who she is. And I absolutely love exactly who she is.

Rating: 5/5

  

Update.

I (Jen) tried not to let this affect, but there has been a lack of reviews and such because I have been on vacation from late September until the end of November. I have been in the US and now Vancouver. But come the start of December I'll be back in full force.

There will be also some new changes over the next few months including;

- New Layout which I'll be getting done.

- New potential features and giveaways

- More regular reviews

Any suggestions, comments will be appreciated on anything else you'd like to see.

- Jen

Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Darkfever (Fever #1) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: October 31, 2006
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 342
Format: Paperback
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Description: MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands….

Meet MacKayla Lane, Mac for short.  At 22 her life is just one big party, the way she likes it. She's been counting down the days until her big sister, Alina, comes back from Ireland from studying abroad. That's until she got the phone call that turned her life upside down; her sister has been murder. The police are at a dead end with no leads on who murdered her. And that's when Mac decides to take action and go to Dublin herself to solve the mystery.

It doesn't take Mac long to realized how shelter her life as been. Realizing that she has a gift to see the Fae, she is thrown in an unknown world. Meeting bookstore owner, Jericho Barrons, saved her life. He seems to know very much about this strange world. But he stills very mysterious and Mac hasn't decided if he's one of the good guys or the bad. At first he tells her to go home or she will get herself killed. But when he realizes that she can sense fae objects, there was no turning back for her. And then we have Vlane, a Seelie prince, who wants the book for his queen so she can put the walls back up.

The world building is amazing in this book. It will suck you right in and you won't want to go back. By far this is my favorite series. If you haven't read this yet, then do it. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 5/5

 

Review: Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur

Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jensen Guardian #5) by Keri Arthur
Publication Date: July 31, 2007
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 355
Format: Paperback
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Description: She's hunting a killer—
and shattering every boundary—
she's ever known.…

Part vamp, part werewolf, Riley Jenson plays by her own rules, whether it’s her stormy love life or her job as a guardian. But when her family’s alpha male demands that she solve the mystery of a vanished girl, Riley can feel a trap closing in around her. Because the job comes with a catch: if Riley fails, her own mother will die.

Now the stakes are raised, the hunt is on...and when more women vanish, Riley is caught between a lover who demands that she give up her work, a serial killer who knows no boundaries, and a club where humans and supernaturals mix—at their own peril. Thrust into a realm of seduction and violence unlike any she could have imagined, Riley has to battle to save everything she holds dear. But the ultimate hunt has only just begun....

Riley is long overdue for a vacation. There is only so much a girl can take before breaking. Which is exactly what Riley is doing in the beginning of the book. No surprise that her vacation is cut short. A woman from her pack has disappeared and they want her to solve it. If she refuses they have threatened to kill her mother. Which Riley still holds a soft spot for. I think I was more surprise than Riley that her old pack wants her help. Apparently even though she has been kicked out and if she comes anywhere near them she will be killed, doesn't mean she is out of the pack completely. She still has to obey the alpha. Pretty messed up right?

I kind of wished we actually got to see Riley's mother. I want to see her reunited with her children. From at least Riley's point of view, she did love them. I think the thing I loved most about this book was no Quinn! I'm not naive enough to think that he won't return. But he's good for Riley.

The case leads Riley to perhaps the most dangerous hunt of her life. Barely coming out of it alive, she has finally made a chose to become exclusive with alpha wolf Kellen. But it's too late. Kellen has finally realized that he will never be first in Riley's thoughts, and has told her it's over. Broke my heart. I was kind of hoping he would be the one for her.

I can't wait to catch up on the other books and see what lies ahead for her.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Dangerous Games by Keri Arthur

Dangerous Games (Riley Jensen Guardian #4) by Keri Arthur
Publication Date: March 27, 2007
Publisher: Dell
Number of Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
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Description: In Melbourne’s urban underworld, there’s a nightclub for every fantasy and desire. But for Riley Jenson, one such club has become an obsession. Riley, a rare hybrid of vampire and werewolf, hasn’t come in pursuit of pleasure but of an unknown killer who’s been using the steamy nightspot as his hunting grounds.

Leave it to Riley to find the only ticket into the heavily guarded club: Jin, a deliciously hot-bodied bartender who might just provide the key to unmasking a killer unlike any other in the Directorate’s experience. Taunted by a former colleague turned rogue, distracted by an ex-lover’s attentions, Riley follows Jin into a realm of pleasure she could never have imagined. And as danger and passion ignite, a shocking mystery begins to unravel—one where Riley herself becomes the ultimate object of desire....

 I've been slacking off on my reviews, and since I read this book a good month ago this will more than likely be a short review. I'm amazed how much I'm loving the series with each book, considering I wasn't impressed by the first book. I'm so glad I didn't write the series off after that one.

Riley and Rhoan is following a new vampire that they believe is responsible for a string of murders. Which also leads them to Gunther, the rogue vampire who wants to kill Riley. Gunter gets away, after Riley decided it was more important to try to save a child's life than kill Gunter. But not before Gunter challenge them to a game.

And of course the case Quinn is following ends up being linked to Riley's. Which I still say I hate him. I think he's an ass to Riley. He wants her to change who she is, and will never understand her. I do loved the ending of the book and help he stays away for a while.

Overall it was a great book.

Rating: 4/5

 

Review: Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Iced (Dani O'Malley #1/Fever #6) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Number of Pages: 495
Format: Hardcover
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Description: The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.

Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.

Karen Moning never disappoints when it comes to a book. I know there were readers that was concern with it being from Dani's POV. The voice takes a while to get used too. But I loved being back into the Fever world. I was also surprised that we also got to see Christian and Kat's POV also.

I think I was one of the few that wasn't annoyed by Dani in the Fever series. Oddly enough, I was very annoyed by her in this book. I know she is only 14, but I found her very naive. For someone that has seen and even been through all that she has, I would expect her to be more mature. Not to mention her ego needs to come down a few notches. But I'm looking forward to seeing her grow.

Christian, Christian, Christian. Oh Karen what are you doing to that poor boy? I had such a soft spot for him in Fever. In this book you can see him growing darker and twisted. I was also surprised to find out that he has grown to hate Mac. The all of a sudden in love with Dani? Not buying it. I think turning into an Unseelie Prince has made him a little crazy. It came out of nowhere. But I would love to see his uncles come back into the picture.

We finally got to meet the mysterious Dancer. We don't learn too much about him, but I have a feeling he's a little bit more than human. As of now, he's the one I want Dani to end up with. Even though we did get some of Kat's POV, I don't think it was enough. And even frozen, Cruce/V'lane (still not sure how to refer to him V'luce?) is stirring up trouble. I was so disappointed in Jo though. In ShadowFever she was kind of badass, but she's turned into a love sick sap. I do kind of like who she was put with though.

And of course we have Ryodan and the other men. I loved that Lor was in this book frequently. Was surprised that he took a liking to Dani, but was so hostile towards Mac. But Ryodan is still mysterious as ever. I know even before the book came out, people were already shipping Ryodan and Dani. I'm sorry, but I couldn't get in it. I know there was a little foreshadowing in Dreamfever, but I still find it creepy. But them just as a pair and nothing romantic is golden! So much humor in this book, it'll keep you laughing. We did get one tiny scene with Barrons, and then then another one that Dani observed Barrons and Mac from afar. I was hoping that we would of got to see a little bit more of Mac. But the ending! Not a huge cliffhanger, but it kept me in the edge of my seat.

If you loved the Fever series, but you had reservations about this, trust me you won't be disappointed. I have my issues with Dani, but it's the plot that I really love. Because of the plot just rocks I have to give it 5 stars.

Rating: 5/5