When MacKayla's sister was murdered, she left a single clue to her death, a cryptic message on Mac's cell phone. Journeying to Ireland in search of answers, Mac is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to master 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...while at the same time, the ruthless V'lane - an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women - closes in on her. As the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac's true mission becomes clear: to 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 both worlds in their hands.
The Review
Darkfever left me feeling deeply conflicted. It's a completely fascinating premise with interesting creatures, thick with lore and a decent amount of ass kicking. (Although there could always be more ass kicking in any book, if you ask me...which you didn't. Ahem, anyway...)
But it also has one of the most irritating protagonists I've ever read in any book ever. Mac Lane says she's no daisy and she can handle her own, but time and again she demonstrates that she clearly has no sense of self-preservation or possesses no sense in general. From her mind-numbing outfit descriptions to crying over dyed hair when her sister has been brutally murdered, she just didn't connect with me at all. Maybe because I have a tight bond with my own sister, but you can bet your bottom dollar the last thing I'd be moping about would be a haircut when I knew somewhere nearby the person or thing responsible for said murder is waiting to be slain. Speaking of outfit descriptions, why are there so many? Why? Is it really necessary? If I were Moning's editor that shit would have been cut right out. I get it, there are a few times her poor choice in style is a plot device, but for the love of god do you own anything other than pink and lavender, Mac? The important things like the investigation are given way less attention than her wardrobe and that royally irked me.
But wait, she isn't a total stereotypical girly-girl! She knows cars! cue me barfing. Oh, and millennials are shit people. Wouldn't it be grand if I didn't complain about being in so much debt to college loans that my descendants will probably be paying them, something that the generations before me were able to do because they could get a decent wage in a career they studied for? Oh, or maybe I shouldn't worry about never being able to rent an apartment—let alone own a HOUSE to have a family in—at even half the cost of my parents and grandparents and so on. Yeah, millenials suck. huge eye roll
So by now you're wondering: what did you like about it? That's why I'm conflicted. Despite this epic list of things I hated I still want to read the next book. As irritating as Mac is, she is amusing and I laughed out loud several times. I don't see the appeal to Barrons, but to each their own. I'm kind of feeling V'lane because, well...that's hot as fuck. I mean, before the museum, of course. I suppose the point is that I'm curious to see if Mac evolves. I really hope she does because I don't want to cringe my way through the entirety of the next book. Would I recommend it? I mean, I guess; but I would also tell you that this isn't my first choice and I don't really like it, but I don't dislike it either. It's okay, it's alright. It made me angry about the mindless social commentary but I get that not everyone shares my view and that's cool. I don't regret reading it but I could have carried on without it at the same time. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
