Darkfever (Fever #1)
Karen Marie Moning
Published: 2006 (Dell)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
I have heard friends, Goodreads pals and fellow bloggers opine on the wonders of Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series and how the Barrons character will make any woman weak in the knees. Then I was advised to wait to start the series until November, so I wouldn’t die in anticipation of the final book’s release (Shadowfever comes out in January). So, let’s just say I went into this one with very high expectations.
And, early on, I didn’t get the big deal. But I kept reading Darkfever, and before I knew it I was roped into Moning’s witty writing and engaging characters. I get it. (Though, the way people talk about Barrons I expected romance in the first book — there is none. He’s just really insanely alpha and sexy.)
In this urban fantasy page-turner, we meet MacKayla. She’s heading to Ireland from Georgia because her sister — who had been studying abroad — was murdered and the Dublin police aren’t doing a damn thing. Her plan is to find evidence to get them to open the case. She is determined to find her sister’s killer. Unfortunately, all she has to go on is a cryptic voicemail mentioning a phrase she doesn’t understand and a whole lot of panic.
What follows is her decent into the world of the fae. Not the pretty faeries of Disney movies, but cruel beings who think themselves better than humans. Mac is a sidhe seer, or one who can see though faery glamour, only she doesn’t understand it. This is where the brusque Jericho Barrons comes in. He’ll teach her about the fae, if she’ll help him in his own mission.
And she’s going to need his help, not only to find her sister’s murder, but to stay alive. Dark faeries are escaping an Unseelie prison and arriving in Dublin. People are dying and her sister may just have been the latest casualty.
The wry tone of our protagonist keeps the dark fantasy in Darkfever from weighing on the reader. With constant danger, overwhelming new experiences and a bold ‘other’ world, it is near impossible to put Darkfever down once you’re acquainted with MacKayla.
(And, yes, I plan to devour the whole Fever series before January. I can already see why it’s so addictive.)
First off, I love the cover, beautiful and intriguing. I have read a lot of positive reviews of this book on Goodreads, and I would really love to read this series. Thanks for the review!
Skimmed the review a bit, I finally added this one to my TBR pile. Hope to get to it very soon!
Welcome to the world of Mac and Barrons! I discovered this series earlier this year and read all 4 books in the span of 2 weeks. And then I was left high and dry along with everyone else waiting for Shadowfever. No one warned me about the cliffhangers!!
This is one of my favorite series and was my introduction to Urban Fantasy. The Fever series gets better with each book. Enjoy!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Spinecracker, Vampire Book Club. Vampire Book Club said: OK, we've joined the Fever bandwagon. Review: Darkfever by @KarenMMoning http://ow.ly/3500e [...]
Welcome to the club…just wait. I wont tease more than that. But just wait *swoon*
Yes, welcome to the Fever club. I absolutely love the series, but just wait. You’ve got alot of surprises ahead of you, that’s all I’m saying
[...] up on our Fever series reviews: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever and [...]
[...] [Ed. note: We made this review SPOILER-FREE. But if you haven't read the earlier books, please refer to our review of the first title Darkfever.] [...]
[...] Celebrating St. Patricks Day with Barrons By Chelsea, on March 17th, 2011 (Leave a comment) Well, not with Barrons. (Though, we’re not opposed to the idea.) When it comes to novels set in Ireland, we immediately think of Karen Marie Moning’s excellent urban fantasy Fever series. We’ve reviewed all six books, but if you’re unfamiliar you can check out our spoiler-free review of book 1, Darkfever. [...]
One of the best series I have ever read in my life. Period. Moning was one of my favorite authors before the Darkfever series, now she’s bronzed her permanent pedestal. I worship the ground she walks on (and the sexy men she creates).
Absolutely love the FEVER series!!! JBZ