Review: Into the Dreaming by Karen Marie Moning

Into the Dreaming (Highlander #8) by Karen Marie Moning
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Delacote Press
Number of Pages: 253
Format: Hardback
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For the first time in hardcover, here is #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning’s novella Into the Dreaming, a tale of Highland fantasy, star-crossed lovers, and the timeless manipulation of the ancient, immortal Unseelie king. This is Moning at her romantic, funniest finest.

Free him from his ice-borne hell . . .

Stolen from his beloved home in the Highlands of Scotland, imprisoned in the Unseelie king’s dark, frosty kingdom, Aedan MacKinnon endured centuries of torture before becoming the icy, emotionless Vengeance, the dark king’s dispatcher of death and destruction in the mortal realm.

And in his century you both may dwell . . .

Aspiring romance novelist Jane Sillee has always believed that she was born in the wrong century, but she’s managed to make a decent enough life for herself—if only she could stop having those recurring dreams about a man too perfect to exist.

In the Dreaming you have loved him . . .

Haunted every night of her life by a devastatingly sexy Highlander who comes to her while she sleeps, Jane tries to write him out of her head and heart. As a child he protected her, as a woman he loves her.

Now in the Waking you must save him . . .

When an ancient tapestry bearing the likeness of her beloved Highlander arrives on her doorstep, Jane is whisked back in time to fifteenth-century Scotland, to the castle of Dun Haakon on the isle of Skye, where she is given one chance to save her dream lover . . . or lose him forever to the Unseelie king.

Caught in a deadly game between the light and dark courts of the Fae, Jane must find a way through the ice to the heart of her Highander. But will the love of one mortal woman be enough to defeat such ancient and ruthless immortal enemies?

As big of a fan I'm of KMM I can't believe it took me a year to buy this book. Especially since I've been dying to get my hands on it since before it was re published you couldn't even find the story anywhere. Not to mention all of the bonus material in it. The cover is absolutely beautiful. I've tagged the book with both Fever and Highlander tags because of some of the bonus material, it's has a little bit of everything.

The story itself is a very quick read and very cute. Not only did it feel good to read her work again, but to be back in the Highlander world. As long as Jane can remember she has had dreams of this Highlander warrior, which Jane can swear feels so real. But now she is swept back in time, and he doesn't remember who she is or even himself. To break the curse the Unseelie King has put on him, she must make him fall in love with her within the next month. I love the little twist in this short story, different from most PNR books. It's the female that is doing the seducing and chasing instead of the other way around. I knew going into the book that the fae mythology is slight different from her Fever series and even the later Highlander books, because at the time when she wrote it it was being published by a different publisher. None the less it's still a decent read.

On to the bonus material. Which is pretty much the main reason I was excited to get the book. The first one is a proposal for a never written book called Ghost of a Chance. It features the brother of Hawk from her first Highlander book Beyond the Highland Mist. After reading it I'm a sad it never got written. It sounds like it would be an awesome book. The second bonus feature is some deleted scenes from Kiss of the Highlander. As KMM explains originally when she write it, when Gwen goes back in time instead of confronting Drustan she fakes amnesia. Here we get a sense on how that part of the book played out.

The third and last Highlander bonus, and probably the biggest bonus content is the original draft for The Dark Highlander, or as KMM calls it The Dark Highlander Lite. It's a completely different story, and even has a different heroine, Elizabeth who happens to be a friend of Gwen. The draft itself is very good and would of made a good book. But it's lacking that darkness surrounding the real book. It's light and fluffy, but it did leave me interested and wouldn't mind reading the whole thing if it existed.

Now there's two bonus for the Fever world or well not really bonus. Since the book came out a few months before the Fever graphic novel, it contain a sneak peek of that with half of the arts still being in black and white. And then there's also included the first chapter of Darkfever. As a huge Fever fan not much that I hadn't seen before.

I think this book is an awesome introductory to both of her series. If you haven't read either or one or the other, this book is an excellent buy to get a taste. Even for a person who randomly picks it up, it will easily suck you in and make you wanting more of each series.

Rating: 4/5

Review: ICED by Karen Marie Moning

ICED (Fever #6 / Dani O'Malley #1)
Karen Marie Moning
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication date: October 30th, 2012
Number of pages: 495
Format: Hardcover
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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.

Whether you have heard of this book, this series or these characters or not. I'm speaking the truth when I say, there aint anything else like it out there in the adult / Urban Fantasy world.
There can't be anyone who doesn't recognize the Fever series at some point, whether its from Goodreads, through other people or have seen the books around. Have you read them? Great. Have you not? Well, there is one thing I can say to you about that --- Go out and get them. If you like Urban Fantasy, or even romance, with a bit of dark, with characters to die and swoon over. This would be definitely for you.

I have been a major, obsessive fan of this series for many years now, and no matter how much I re-read the series again and again, that clear fact does not change. This is the sort of story that will forever be stuck with you. It's life changing that will make you look differently about the world, and it will ruin any other author for you.

Let's get to the actual book, shall we?  First off , I'll mention I had first read this when I got it at the ICED book signing in New Orleans on October 29th. Before it actually came out. My main reason for flying to the US was for this particular book event. Remember how I mentioned how obsessive I am for this series? Yes, money was no cause. I was going one way or another. And it was the best time I had in the longest I can remember.

ICED.. what can I say? I wasn't sure what to expect going into it because I knew the next three books were going to Dani's story. Mac would no longer be the protagonist. Barrons would no longer be a main or lead character. I'm sure I wasn't the only one who wasn't sure how this would take with readers. Dani was not a character that everyone liked, but then again, so was Mac I have heard.
I have never had a real problem with Dani, although during the Fever series she did grate on my nerves from time to time. Karen did say that she wouldn't be like that in her own story, because she had to find a way to stand out in the Fever books, so what we saw was only a small part of who she was and she made herself bigger and more vocal than she really was.
I found myself growing to like and respect her as I went through ICED. We slowly began to understand her, where she was coming from and how she got to be who the girl she is today. She certainly hadn't had the easiest childhood, and it hasn't gotten any better by any means. I do feel that she will become such a strong and independant woman. I look forward to reading the next two books as they come out, to see how she deals with things, her abilities, relationships and friendships. She sure has her work cut out for her.

We have a few male leads in this book. Ryodan, who is by far my favourite. Christian and Dancer. Each is different and some more messed up than others, but with each character they have their own fair share of secrets that, while some has come to light, some hasn't...
Dancer is full of mystery. I am not sure what is going on with him. He seems nice enough, a good friend to Dani, but I don't know.. he just seems a little too perfect and all knowing right now. I am sure that will change since this is Karen we are talking about and she does nothing easy. He is human, from what we can tell -- even that I am not sure is completely sure or not. Never trust anyone when it comes to this world, because nobody will be as you think.
Christian, poor guy. He has had a lot to deal with, and all traces of who he was in the previous books seem to have disappeared. He has been transforming into something he would never wish on anyone, including himself. An Unseelie Prince as it happens, and I am not sure where this is going, or what is going to happen to him next. But he seems to have formed some obsessive bond with Dani, that doesn't seem completely sane. I wish just for him to seek the happiness that he does deserve.
And last, but not least, we have the mysterious, enigmatic Chesters owner, Ryodan.  He is someone who I have loved since Bloodfever, and so it was no surprise that he ended up my favourite male character in this book. We don't know anything really about him, or about his true motives and feelings right now, although I am sure that will change over the next two books in this series.
I know people could compare him to Barrons, but after reading this book it is more clear that they are nothing alike, but really are two different wild men.

There has been some discussion  about Dani's current and future love life with these men in her life. Who will be her HEA? Some kind of love square seems to be forming, even if it's not clear right now. Personally... I am Team Ryodan. If you forget about her age... they have this chemistry that she has with nobody else. I can't take what he has with anyone else seriously, and really.. what's a few years when you have eternity? Some people can find it gross and creepy, but somehow, I don't. His relationship with her right now is something of a mentor, who is trying to help her be the woman he knows she can be. To help her through this world, to look out her for, without her slipping out of his life.
Because we don't have his POV, we don't exactly know what is going on in his brain, and what his intentions are, but I have no doubt we'll slowly see something changing as the stories progresses, and I look forward to reading through Dani's maturity as she gets older.

The plot, I loved.  I felt it was quite interesting to have Dublin 'Iced' an Ryodan having to seek out Dani, who might be the only person who would be able to help in this situation. It was also a situation that pulled them together made them work together whether she liked it or not, and usually it was .. not.
The story itself, I felt was much stronger than in Darkfever, which seemed to be more about Mac and her discovering herself. But since Dani knows who she is, or thinks she does? There was room for more of a plot, and it was dark and gritty. It was awesome. 

Dani's story wasn't the only one we got to see in this book. No, we also got  Kat, who is trying to deal with her new job as mistress of the abbey, and her temptations she has now has to battle. There is the matter of the Iced prince down under the abbey, who will use any force necessary to get what he wants, manipulate anyone if it means getting released.
I admit, he had me fooled a few times. Kat needs to watch out before she loses everything that she cares about.

Before anyone asks, yes we do have appearances by Mac and Barrons. They are far and few, but there are a couple, but given the cliffhanger, I am sure we'll see more of them in book 2, at least Mac. It should be interesting to see how things progress regarding the thing between Dani and Mac, who really hasn't been in the same place since Mac discovered the truth about Dani, and what happened to her sister. A confrontation will soon have to happen. A talk needs to happen otherwise Dani will never know how Mac really feels, or whether they can move past this and move on.

It seems I have rambled enough, but I shall leave you with some of my favourite quotes.

“Barrons breaks heads. Ryodan turns them inside out. Barrons fucks you up. Ryodan makes you fuck yourself up. He pushes buttons and rearranges things according to his own private, coolly sociopathic plan.” 
 “What does somebody like you want? More power? More toys? More sex?"
"All of the above. All the time."
"Greedy bugger."
"Kid, let me tell you something. Most people spend their short time in this world less than half alive. They wander through their days in a haze of responsibility and resentment. Something happens to them not long after they're born. They get conflicted about what they want and start worshipping the wrong gods. Should. Mercy. Equality. Altruism. There's nothing you should do. Do what you want. Mercy isn't Nature's way. She's an equal opportunity killer. We aren't born the same. Some are stronger, smarter, faster. Never apologize for it. Altruism is an impossible concept. There's no action you can make that doesn't spring from how you want to feel about yourself. Not greedy, Dani. Alive. And happy about it every single fucking day.”

“All the sudden Ryodan’s standing one inch away from me, hand under my chin, holding my face up to his. “You’ll never be just anything. A tsunami can never be ‘just’ a wave.”
“Get off my chin.”
“I like that about you. Waves are banal. Tsunamis reshape the Earth. Under the right circumstances, even entire civilizations.”
I blink.
“You’re going to be one hell of a woman one day, Dani.”  

“She thinks he's not an animal like Barrons. That he's more civilized. She right, he is more polished. But it only makes him more dangerous. With Barrons you expect to get fucked up royally. With Ryodan you don't see it coming.” 

“One day, kid, you'll be willing to mortgage your fucking soul for somebody.

“What does somebody like you want? More power? More toys? More sex?"
"All of the above. All the time."
"Greedy bugger."
"Kid, let me tell you something. Most people spend their short time in this world less than half alive. They wander through their days in a haze of responsibility and resentment. Something happens to them not long after they're born. They get conflicted about what they want and start worshipping the wrong gods. Should. Mercy. Equality. Altruism. There's nothing you should do. Do what you want. Mercy isn't Nature's way. She's an equal opportunity killer. We aren't born the same. Some are stronger, smarter, faster. Never apologize for it. Altruism is an impossible concept. There's no action you can make that doesn't spring from how you want to feel about yourself. Not greedy, Dani. Alive. And happy about it every single fucking day.”  

“Stop. Vibrating." Ryodan plucks a paper out of the air and slaps it back down on his desk.
I wonder if he cleans it. How many tushes have been on that thing? I'm never touching it again. "Can't help it," I say around a mouthful of candy bar. I know what I look like: a smudge of black leather and hair. "It happens when I get really excited. The more excited I get, the more I vibrate."
"Now there's a thought," Lor says.
"If you mean what I think you mean, you want to shut the fuck up ad never think it again," Ryodan says.
"Just saying, boss," Lor says. "You can't tell me you didn't think it, too.” 

“When I thought I'd killed him, I felt more alone than I've felt in a long time. Like I couldn't stand walking through this city knowing he wasn't in it. Like somehow, as long as he was out there somewhere, if I was ever really in trouble, I knew where I could go and while maybe he wouldn't do exactly what I wanted him to do, he'd keep me alive. He'd get me through whatever it was to live another day.”  

Verdict

 

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: 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: 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

ICED excerpt by Karen Marie Moning

Karen has released an excerpt from ICED, the first 27 pages. And I can't help but spread the word. There isn't much I don't love about this series, or its characters and author. Who else is excited for ICED? It's Dani's story which I look forward to, and see how she deals with everything that happens, as she grows up.

What do you think about this story starting with 14 yr old Dani? And while we know this is not a YA series, and she will age to 17 by the end of the third book. Can you see or accept a sexual relationship eventually by any one in the series? If so, then whom?
Karen has said time and time again, this is not YA. Dani just happens to be a teen in an adult world. I think I am going to like this series just fine. I liked her in the Fever series, even though some things annoyed me, but I think we'll see her mature as the series goes forward.

Okay. Go read...

Btw, if you haven't read the FEVER series, then go on.. get to it. You would not regret it!


Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel (Fever Series) by Karen Marie Moning

Jen's review of "Fever Moon" by Karen Marie Moning

Fever Moon: The Fear Dorcha by Karen Marie Moning

Publication date: July 10th, 2012

Publisher: Del Ray

Number of pages: 144

Format: Hardcover

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Description: In Fever Moon, we meet the most ancient and deadly Unseelie ever created, the Fear Dorcha. For eons, he’s traveled worlds with the Unseelie king, leaving behind him a path of mutilation and destruction. Now he’s hunting Dublin, and no one Mac loves is safe.

Dublin is a war zone. The walls between humans and Fae are down. A third of the world’s population is dead and chaos reigns. Imprisoned over half a million years ago, the Unseelie are free and each one Mac meets is worse than the last. Human weapons don’t stand a chance against them.

With a blood moon hanging low over the city, something dark and sinister begins to hunt the streets of Temple Bar, choosing its victims by targeting those closest to Mac. Armed only with the Spear of Destiny and Jericho Barrons, she must face her most terrifying enemy yet.

I never thought I would see the day when I would willingly read a graphic novel. 

There is no denying I prefer Novels to comics or graphic novels, but for this author and this series, I would read ANYTHING, listen to anything. I would sell my soul for this series. Its no surprise that the FEVER series is my favourite series, and this graphic novel does not let me down.
I would like to thank my friend Lauren, who bought this for me while she was over in San Diego for Comic Con in July and bought this back for me.

In terms of the story. Its not your typical Graphic novel. It is not a re-telling of a story we already know. It is not say 'DARKFEVER' in graphic form. No. This is completely different.
Its a new story, but set within the time that SHADOWFEVER took place. Certain things will make much more sense from Shadowfever after reading this. Certain scenes and events have become much clearer to me now.

In FEVER MOON, we learn more about the FEAR DORCHA, who he is and what he wants. Mac and Barrons are on a mission when people go missing and turn up, but with something missing: a part of their face or body. It was all very odd, as you start to wonder what was going on, and who was behind this all.
When some of those people end up being near and dear to Mac she starts to wonder whether this is some kind of message to her. She knows there is only so much time left, and they are on the clock to try to fix whatever is going on.

I loved this. We discover different sides to the characters, while holding who they are down. I loved the graphics. They were done so beautifully and creatively. The dialogue was great, and I loved getting a new perspective of the series, and seeing things outside my own imagination and vision. 

I was so thankful I read this, it was a great addition and side story to the series. A look we didn't get to see before, and I can rest easy knowing part of my confusion.. a question I had in Shadowfever was answered within this story.

If you are a fan of Karen, and love the FEVER series, then I highly recommend checking this Graphic Novel out. It was SO worth it, and you won't be sorry.

Rating -- 5 out of 5