Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Title: DarkFever (Fever Series, Book 1)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Release: October 31, 2006
Buy Kindle version: here
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars
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….
I have been putting off reading this series. I have heard about its painful cliffhangers and I am generally not a fan of that sort of thing. My theory was… I can put it off until the last book comes out and just read them all at once. However, I am weak when it comes to peer pressure and I was pretty sure @smokinhotbooks was going to beat me up if I didn’t read it soon. So I gave in and dived in.
The synopsis above gives a pretty good teaser into what happens in this book so I won’t rehash it. I liked Darkfever enough to read it in 2 sessions… in one day. It was addictive, like those Ferrero Rocher chocolates.
I found Mac to be an interesting lead character, even if she does obsess about her nail polish and the color pink a bit much. She is stubborn, often to a fault. I like where the author is pushing her character by forcing her to change her appearance – I look forward to lots of growth of Mac as a person and woman.
Barrons just plain annoyed me in this book. He is obviously sexy, but I did not find him likable Instead I found him arrogant, selfish, and untrustworthy. I am curious as to what he is and where he goes from here considering all the crazy book bloggers who adore him as much as I adore Bones. Obviously he has to have some redeeming qualities and we just don’t get to see them yet.
All in all, I give Darkfever 4 stars. The writing was good and I enjoyed the first person narrative. My only gripe is I dislike the way foreshadowing done. Phrases like “I would come to know just how wrong I wass…blah blah blah” just irritate me. (BTW – not a direct quote). I get thats it is part of the cliffhangers, but argh. The book does end with things unresolved, but I was prepared for it and it seemed like a natural place for things to take a pause. Now, I must get started with book 2…. thankfully hubby is home today to feed me and the kids so I feel no shame in doing nothing but sitting on the couch in my pajamas with BloodFever.
FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.
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11 Responses to “Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning”
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Barrons is a bit of a sexist jerk, but I still love him.
I was also annoyed at all the nail polish & pink references, but grew to love Mac more and more with each book. I can’t wait till you get to the last one. 
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I have been seeing people talking about these books so much on twitter… I have to give them a chance =)
Awesome review hun!
I think I’m in the minority when I say I like characters that are not perfect and have room to grow. Part of the reason I like Barrons is because he puts out that “I’m an asshole” vibe but we get subtle hints that there is so much more beneath the surface and much more to learn about him. Same with Mac. She says straight out she’s a spoiled southern belle. However her sister has been murdered and she is thrust into a scary world, she’s bound to grow up. If she came to the series perfect, I think she’d be less interesting and there’d be nothing new to learn about her. Keep reading KV, there is so much to this series. It’s definitely not a light read if you’re paying attention. *wink*
I am with you FV – I like imperfect characters– probably why Richard is still my all time favorite guy in the Anita Blake series LOL Makes them more interesting.
I figured that we were getting a tiny glimmer of what is underneath the “I’m an asshole” vibe in the end…
Trust me girl, there is nothing obvious about our Jericho Barrons. He’ll keep you guessing. I’m still not sure if he’s a good guy or bad guy, but I’m holding out hope for a HEA for him and Mac.
I love-love-love this series. The cliff-hangers do get really bad. I have book four (or is it book three – it’s the last one) on my shelf. I won’t start it until the next book comes out.
I have this one in my TBR pile! Thanks for giving this honest review of the book! I look forward to reading this series!
Just dropping by again to say that I have an award for you at My place
You read it *spreads arms wide* welcome to the Barrons Stalker Club. We can stalk Karen Marie Monings forums together *hug*. You’ll love Mac and Barrons as the series progresses, Barrons is such an ass but we heart him ’cause he’s so sexy. When I read Dreamfever I emailed Mandi at the ass crack of dawn just so I could chat with her about this book. Oh yes, Kindle Fixen you too will become obsessed
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