Review: Shadowfever
Shadowfever
Karen Marie Moning
Hardcover, 594 pages
Delacorte Press
January 18th 2011
Amazon
“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 that 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 that contains 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 that haunts her dreams? More importantly, who is Mac 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 make a choice that will either save the world…or destroy it.
I debated over posting a review for Shadowfever here, Lord (Master) knows there have been plenty of reviews posts for it this past week. But seeing as I read and reviewed the first four books in quick succession last summer, I decided I wanted to go ahead record my thoughts on Shadowfever too.
I will keep it short.
First thing first. Mac, please, for the love of Barrons, shut up! Did you really have me reading whole chapters in which you did nothing but ask the same questions over and over again? Agh!
I have never known anyone to overspeculate, overthinking and overanalyzing like Mac. I realize that it is a character trait that can be cute or enduring, but unfortunately for Mac, that was not the case. Then, one would think that all of her tedious internal monologues would result in something, but no, she still manages to be duped, repeatedly.
More than half the book was an unnecessary cycle of reworded facts the reader was already painfully aware of. I got to the point where the tragic love story between the Unseelie King and the concubine (btw, if I never see that word again, that would be fine by me) was so embedded in my head, I was dreaming it every time I blinked.
Other elements I just found odd. With the first four books, one could quickly pick up the foreshadowing Moning did with certain ideas/themes. Like how you knew Mac would one day become Pri-ya after it was first explained or that Barrons secret had something to do with a dark tragedy, but never did she hint that the connection between the Sinsar Dubh and Mac would be so innate, or at least not in a significant way that I can recall.
And I’m sorry, but the Dani speak just killed the character for me. Through the Dani Daily, Monings made Dani sound like an illegible gnat instead of a fourteen year old warrior. And why the one page Barrons POV? That he’d be angry after catching Mac grid up on Darrco is a given, but if we are to be treated to his personal POV reaction to it, shouldn’t that be continued? Having only one glimpse turned out to be an awkward filler. I honestly didn’t need it.
Still, Moning managed to truly surprise me three distinct times, and each had to do with the male characters, Darrco, V’lane and Barrons (who felt like the bipolar one to me). Just like Mac, I was duped, and I’m still not sure what to feel about that.
While I’m glad things came to an end (for now), I’m also a bit annoyed by how familiar the final “showdown” seemed. Moning sacrificed none of her precious characters and even went as far as to make Mac immortal? Breaking Dawn anyone?
I’m gonna have to say that disturbed me more than anything. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to be some heartless bitch (okay, maybe a little). I’m happy that Barrons and Mac got their HEA, but conclusion was too full circle “Rainbow Girl” for me. Mac got to keep everything, or at least her three B’s: Barrons, Bookstore and her Body (thank god she was born pretty, right?).
But I digress. Maybe that was the biggest foreshadowing of them all, which was completely lost on me. Kudos to you Ms. Moning. *touches index finger to nose and points other index finger at Moning*
Oh yeah, and who the hell is Dancer?
Challenge(s): 111 in ‘11 Challenge
Posted at 6:00 am • Labels: 2011, 3 stars, Book Review, Faeries, Fever Series, Karen Marie Moning, Kindle Edition, urban fantasy
Hey sweetie!
I started reading the series Thursday last week, and I'm almost done with book 4. Can't wait to read the last one.
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Oh man, that review just cracked me up – “thank good she was born pretty, right?” Bahahahaha!! I still enjoyed it since it was the series conclusion “for now”, but yeah, still a bunch of unanswered questions for me, one them being who in the hell is Dancer! I also was expecting something more cataclysmic with the LM – his storyline felt shortchanged. I STILL don't feel like I have enough background info on Barrons, either!
Good review, Missie! So glad to be back and have time to read them
-Linds
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I loved Shadowfever!
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Awww sorry you didn't enjoy this one as much Missie, I just loved it! I was surprised by a lot of things as well (and I have no idea who Dancer is), and I kind of liked that not all our questions were answered. She never answered our questions in the previous books so I think it would have been odd if everything was spelled out for us in the final book. Your review was hugely entertaining as always!
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Missie Re: the comment on my blog. The dark days tour is coming to Austin TX sometime in June, venue to be announced. Check the Dark Days events page on facebook!!!
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I skimmed this one because I'm now 3 books behind in this series. Oh I love this series and I want to read this one so bad, but I just got caught up in other review books. *hangs head in total shame and regret* *sniff* Looks like you did enjoy it even if you didn't love it, so I'm stoked.
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Love your review! I've been toying with the idea of reading this series off and on, since the summer. Something else always seemed to get read first and I was slightly put off them by your first reviews. I almost want to read them now just to see how bad they are! Is that horrible? Gah. My curiosity is piqued. I think the Fever series just jumped the queue.
As always, I ♥ your reviews!
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Great Review Sweetie, although on this, we have to agree to disagree.
I LOVED Shadowfever and I thought it was indeed the perfect ending to this series.
I loves listening to Mac's thoughts and it just increased the tension for me. I LOVED following her last journey and putting together the last clues.
V'Lane and the UK were the most surprising characters… and..
Barrons… Oh MY BARRONS… can I love him even more?
About not making sacrifices: KMM just said in her last Chat that originally she planned to sacrifice Drustan (from the Highlander series) but she didn't went through with it and I'm glad.
Gosh, I need to stop rambling, I don't want to spam your comment section.
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Oops, I did it again.
I've given the wrong impression. Sorry. Overall, I did like the series. I very much appreciate what Moning did with character development and world-building. My initial impression, that she purposely stalled the series, still holds, but obviously she created a formula that resonated with a lot of readers and added mystery to the story.
At least now I know that if the Fae walls ever really did come down, I'd be one of the billions of people wiped out.
Thanks everyone for commenting.
@mischievousmaya. Sweetpea, check out Galla's review on GR. It provides a better impression: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/134434773
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:::Swoon Barrons::: I puffy heart him! Ok, anywho I'm glad you enjoyed it over all. I agree with you on the Barrons POV, I wanted more! That would have been awesome! Barrons 6.0??? Maybe?? Please?
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I just skimmed you review too! I am only just reading the first book now. So far it is good…..
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I agree with a lot of what you said!
The Dani talk was annoying, Barrons' POV too short =/
I thought the whole mental conversation Mac has with herself was pretty annoying too… the whole “Hope Vs Fear” thing… felt too preachy for me at times =/
and yeah, Who the hell is Dancer???
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So many have been jumping to get this book. I hate to admit it, but I haven't even read the first book. But if everyone is loving this series so much, I just might have to get it.
Thanks for the review!
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Missie, I swear to all that is Holy, your review cracked me up! I love your brutal honesty that still manages to be fair. Something about this book just doesn't speak to me. I'm not sure I'll read it, but I LOVED your review, as usual
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LOL! This was hilarious. I probably shouldn't have read your review having not read the other books but I enjoyed it.
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Well you know, I actually read the first book in this series, and I was just put off by the whole thing. IDK the book was just not for me and the whole paranormal aspect of it. I'm definitely glad I didn't continue on with the series because the way you described the characters make them sound really annoying. I don't think I would have been able to go through with the series with characters I didn't like.
Like Aylee, this was a pretty humorous review.
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*snicker* I love the comments between you and Galla! I just get the feeling that this series is similar to the one that I'm currently hooked into. The series I'm currently reading has characters that often lack motivation, event after hairy even taking place. Although, in the last couple of books the author has let a few months pass by, because, really? If my life was deadly situation after heinous plot twist, I'd probably give up and just let'em kill me.
And.. it really does my head in when the female protagonist is all, “He loves me, no, he doesn't, yes, he does.” It's more drama than a soap!
Okay. Stepping off rant box. You may all go back to your regularly scheduled comments.
PS – I like the fact that you're honest. I don't want a sugar-coated, watered-down review… I want the smack, crack and pop!
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I have been seeing this book everywhere! I really want to read the series now
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I seriously need to try this one
Great review!
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Props to you for a thorough critique of a book that seems like it can do no wrong in people's eyes. It's been long enough since I read the rest of the books that I want to revisit them first before reading this one, but it's good to know the pros and cons before diving in. Thanks!
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