Reviews

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

ooh_la_lexie's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

lizlang15's review against another edition

Go to review page

Did not like narator for audiobook. Will have to try reading as physical or ebook.

taylerbird's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Only 20% into this book and I'm giving up (for now). I have ZERO interest in the main character. So far, I find her shallow and so horribly stereotypical that I want to cry. I really wanted to give this book a chance, since overall I've heard decent things about it and I know the world-building is supposed to be pretty fantastic...but I guess I'm not in the mood to suffer through with a main character I'm already starting to hate. DNF as of now.

bookhoarder76's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

UGH I struggled so badly with this book! Normally it takes me 4 days to read a book this size and this one took me almost 8! It was close to a 2 star for me but it wasn't HORRIBLE and the twists did make me want to keep reading not to mention I do love the characters. My friends recommended this series to me and they never steer me wrong so I WILL read the next one for sure but just not right this minute!

emgg's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

What is with that book cover (the one with the red cover)?! Was I supposed to go into it thinking this was some vampire-y Fifty Shades?

Sheesh. Please don't let the cover dissuade you from reading this. It's actually pretty good.

This book has great world building. It tells the story from a clueless Barbie doll's (our protagonist, Mac) POV, so the world unravels itself rather slowly; I found myself turning page after page to get a better grasp of the world of Fever. Magic? Danger? Count me in.

(However, it is to be noted that the Fever universe is very... sexual, for lack of a better word. I'm not usually into this kind of thing, but Fever does it quite well. I did kind of overdose a couple of times, but see, I'm still alive and carrying a four-star rating with me to boot!)

The characters in this one are also well-written. I appreciate Barrons' mercenary essence. Many novels love the "bad guy who actually has a heart of gold" - mostly because they want a baaadd front to make the characters seem cool and different, but then they get cold feet and end up stuffing a "good heart" into a jerk. Grab any YA book and take a look at the hero. 90% will fit my description. That's just a half-assed thing to do. The authors are just afraid to go all the way to create a true anti-hero for fear of alienating those who can't stomach something that strong, and it winds up feeling like a coy grab for the affection of all party. Newsflash: there's no way to please everybody. So pick a lane.

(I sound like Barrons.)

(That was a stupid little gimmick. Here's more of it.)

Whew, went on a roll there. Anyways, Barrons was an interesting character because he really isn't a good guy. No, he isn't a gentle cinnamon roll wrapped up in the disguise of an asshole - he really is a mercenary, no doubt about it. I didn't really like him a lot, but I totally appreciated his characterization.

As for Mac, she's all pink bubbles and cutesy girly everythingy and she will get on your nerves, but you get that it's intentional. She is clearly meant to be a foil to this particular world. Her naivety, her innocence and her constant fussing over trivialities are completely at odds with the cold, unforgiving and dangerous dark world of the Fae, and the juxtaposition of both makes the story even more engaging.

Fever is one of the books that feature original and great worldbuilding, but it feels like a hit-or-miss kind of book. Definitely worth a try, though.

hummingmeadows's review against another edition

Go to review page

A lot of irritating contradictions (at one point she talks about loving the book version of Harry Potter vs the movie, then later says she never reads fantasy, then really leans hard into hating Harry Potter and making fun?) 
Also refers to other people as grown ups like she’s a child and not 22, idk i really tried to get pat the set up into the meat of the story but I just can’t get invested

jobird's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

I really wanted to like this book and maybe the series has potential. I put it down two times and read other books. :(

I think If I read it 10 years ago I would have loved it.

nerdalert219's review against another edition

Go to review page

DNF'd at page 72. The story just didn't grab me.

starbreather's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book is better than I expected! The good things:
1. Setting: Dublin. I have to admit part of the reason why I wanted to read Darkfever was because I've never been to Ireland and wanted to have a feel of it. So far I'm loving Dublin!
2. Mythology: wholesome. It is obvious that this universe is well-thought by the author and has the potential to expand interestingly. I'm intrigued.

The only drawback is perhaps that sometimes the characters can be a bit annoying. On the bright side, now I know what the Jericho Barrons hype is all about!

redrose432's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0