Book Review: Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning

Name: Bloodfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Number of Pages: 296 (Paperback)
Published: 2011 by Golancz
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy

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.     – from Goodreads

My Rating:

My Thoughts:

As this is the second book in a series I may refer briefly to events from the previous book, so please be aware of minor spoilers for Darkfever if you haven’t already read the book.

The second book the Fever series takes us back to Barrons Books and Baubles, throwing us immediately into the action in Ireland with Mac, the sidhe-seer who is still learning about her powers and the new and dangerous world she now inhabits.   Still trying to acquaint herself with the truth about life beyond the everyday Mac remains driven and determined to seek vengeance for her sister’s murder.
Very quickly we’re back to darkness, danger and death-by-sex Fae as V’Lane makes an early appearance (Thank you KMM).

I love Mac. She is very self-aware, driven by grief and rage, acknowledging her former life and its limitations whilst lamenting that things can never be that simple again. Whilst already having learned a lot, she knows she still has a long way to go.
When pushed and faced with awful decisions she doesn’t shy away and does what is needed even when the consequences could potentially be awful beyond imagining.

My old favourites Jericho Barrons and V’Lane both still sizzle on the page. Are there the makings of a love triangle here? If so, I don’t actually mind and quite envy Mac her options, although whether she will ultimately want or need either of them is an interesting question. As she comes fully into her powers and role as sidhe-seer, perhaps she’ll go in another direction altogether and both V’Lane and Barrons will become part of her past?
I love the power plays as Mac resists V’Lane, determined not to be overpowered by his glamour. Her clashes with Barrons as their strange alliance continues are also highlights of the book.
Another interesting character is Rowena. Friend or foe? Fellow sidhe-seer or potential enemy? All will hopefully be revealed as the series goes on.

Amongst the gruesome Fae we meet the Royal Hunters – part dragon, part devil, all malicious intent – and Mac is drawn into a fight where the Hunters may not ultimately be the thing Mac should fear the most. It becomes a thrilling read as the story spirals into a fight for life and a terrible choice to make.

Darkness follows Mac, literally, as a hooded spectre unseen by all but her follows her about the city. Into the danger-filled city comes Mac’s father who unexpectedly appears to take her home, and Derek O’Bannion, determined to find his brother (Yes, the one Barrons left in the dark outside the bookshop, with inevitable consequences). There’s also a planned ‘hallows heist’ in Wales, so the book provides plenty in the way of action and excitement.

The latter stages were fast paced and I was totally engrossed in the tale, but wanted to slow my reading to make the book last as long as possible, even though I know I still have the rest of the series to go.
It’s safe to conclude that while certain things are revealed, there are still so many questions and plots to be discovered in the Fever series and I can’t wait to experience more of Mac’s quest.

I’m conflicted in my rating for this book. I’m going for 5 stars, but in this case I wish there were more stars to award, because I’m not entirely certain that 5 is enough.

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