DarkFever is an Urban Fantasy novel that follows young, naive, and pretty Mackayla lane to Dublin to help find her sister’s murderer. Mac gets caught up in a tangled web of characters all searching for a Fae relic. Barrons, helps Mac discover she’s more than just your average southern Belle.
Let’s begin!
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Our goal is to do posts on this fun series of books without A. making fun of Karen Moning’s profile pics and B. posting really gross guido-esque David Gandy manips.
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WHAT I thought this was a trilogy. Now I just looked and there eleventy billion of these books. What have you done?!!!!
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It’s not a billion books – just five. And trust. They go very very quickly. I wanted answers so badly I read all five books in 3 days. I can’t imagine how anyone waited for her to write them.
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Haha, I feel a little evil just asking you, Elise, to just read a book and meanwhile it’s 5, plus a graphic novel, plus a spinoff novel…so um, did I mention this is my 4th time reading the series?
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DarkFever
Premise:
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I had no problem with the “urban fantasy paranormal sexy” book series that was recommended to me. But then I realized they were nothing like fairies I had ever read before, and I got a little weirded out. But the idea that this woman is thrown into this world wanting to avenge her sister, when she’s just a normal, Southern girl – that intrigued me. Also, Barrons.
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Obviously something I am down for, since this is the kind of crap that sucks me in all the time. It reminds me a bit of the Deborah Harkness/Discovery of Witches premise with the magical book stuff (though I really got tired of those books and don’t think I finished the second one). Not sure how I feel about the faeries also being aliens? I assume that will be explained, or maybe I misunderstood that part. They are definitely grosser than your average creatures. Which is something I say now, since I have a whole inventory in my brain.
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Clearly, I am down with Urban Fantasy/Supernatural…this is the girl who reads Buffy comic books and drools over Sam and Dean gifs on tumblr. I usually describe the books as Buffy meets the Fae and these are no tinkerbells. DUDE, I am so in lurv with this series.
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Highlights:
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I find it irritating that she is nearly impossible to relate to, what with the self-description of her amazing bod and the really dumb reactions to things. I mean, the number of times she has described how hot she is, at least it will be believable when some gorgeous starlet is cast (instead of when some model plays the “plain” character in YA movies). Goodness it is just so hard to go through life with my inner monologue detailing my perfect boobs and hip to waist ratio while cramming down cheeseburgers without a care in the world.
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I just chalked it up to her being southern…I KID, I KID. I guess that when I was in college and young, I prounced around in bright colors with the girls sitting high and enjoyed a night of flirting. Thursday nights at Players, used to do the sexy girl days to bring all the boys to the yard. Wow, I almost typed that out with a straight face.
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I honestly know SO many women in the South that look like Mac and think like Mac. I don’t know that many who are quite as brave and smart and quick-minded and selfless and independent, but I definitely know plenty who think that highly of their looks.
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Also–do we know of any paranormal YA with a guy playing the clueless human as an older attractive supernatural woman clues him in and sexes him up? Would that even sell
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I would read that RIGHT NOW. But sadly, I can think of none of that. Although, in Outlander Claire is older and more experienced than Jamie, she’s the one with paranormal abilities AND she’s the one who teaches him a few things. But it’s not an urban fantasy or YA or strictly paranormal. BUT IT IS AWESOME NONETHELESS.
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The self-love and shallowness never really bothered me on the first read through. I got it. We need to see her basically being a barbie, so we can see how much she grows through the series. However, this read-thru, I wanted to break her barbie legs will all the references to her tan and showing off her stems. ENOUGH is ENOUGH, but thankfully, the story moves and keeps you wanting more.
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Mac & Barrons Fashion:
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Elise’s first impression: HOLY CRAP HER OUTFITS. a) is she TRYING to get rapey murdered? And b) even for 2006, she dresses like a making the band reject.
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As a Southern woman the same age as Mac, I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT HOW SHE DRESSES. I would never wear anything she puts on, and I reject the notion that all women who enjoy sweet tea, sunshine and being poolside are also in love with sparkles and pink.
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*coughs* Same age as Mac, my ass *coughs*
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WHAT? It was written in 2006, she is 22. We were 26 then. THAT IS THE SAME AGE BASICALLY.
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*hold hands up* okay, okay…I was thinking our current very young age versus Mac at 22.
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The fashion is just… I really can’t. It’s hilarious how she’s all “Hot damn I look good,” constantly. Also: LIP VENOM!! Hahaahahaa. Memories. I totally pictured her outfits (and thus, her) as Cher from clueless. But much, much worse.
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Cher from clueless was my fashion icon at 16. Her drivers test outfit was my absolute fav, even though her white-collar shirt from Fred Segel was at the cleaners. Back to Mac, I used to chalk it up to it being 2006 when the book was first written. Honestly, I guess that I don’t pay too much attention to the clothing descriptions after the first few. Clearly my reading habits are to zone out until there’s action or sexy times.
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WIDE SILVER BELT. #notnormal Nothing is more confounding than the description of Rainbow Mac. That outfit makes no sense. The skirt is crepey, but hugs her hips and flitters out at her ankles? I HAVE NEVER SEEN A GARMENT LIKE THIS.
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Rainbow Mac. I agree Beth, that outfit was bonkers. Also a great example of how nobody would EVER act, ever. “Oh we’re going to a goth club with a vampire? I care more about my multicolored individuality than staying alive.” Doofus.
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You don’t know this yet, Elise, but Rainbow Mac becomes a big deal. I guess it’s meant to be completely over the top because it provides a foil for the horrible things that happen later. And how Barrons relates to her.
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There’s a line, that’s a fan favorite that plays off of this look in Book 4, Chapter 4. And no I didn’t even have to look it up. #superfan
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I will hold my breath until then. I must also address the fact that she describes skirts as “frothy” at least three times in the first book. Not even sure what to say about that, just needed to address it.
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The logical choice to go chat up a goth vamp.
Narrative Foreshadowing:
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You really get these feeling that Mac’s telling you this story, this journey that she’s on. It’s especially gratifying when you realize in later books that she mentioned or alluded to the thing happening in the first book. THAT’S CRAZY. The author mentioned in interviews that the entire series came to her all at once. So many foreshadows throughout the series.
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After a while, I was just like, “I GET IT: shit hits the fan, at some point in the future.” It had me wondering when we would catch up to Mac in the present instead of looking back on her more naive moments. Also, does this mean she stops being such a dumbass? I hope so.
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I kind of love the moments when she tells us “that would be the last time I … blah blah blah.” There’s an honesty in that type of narration. She’s admitting her own naivete, but also keeping us interested in where she’s going. If Mac remained the Rainbow Mac of the first book throughout the series, I wouldn’t want to read. The foreshadowing lets us know that she’s going to change. Sometimes abruptly, but also throughout the whole series.
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WTF moments:
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Just have to add a wtf moment: giant baseball bat penis fairy monster?!!! What the actual f*ck.
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Ahh, I see you have met the many-mouthed fae.These are definitely not kids books.
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That is the sickest. Ew. Nothing prepared me for it. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything like it before or since. My biggest WTF moment happens in this book when she meets V’lane. The instant need to have sex, the pulling her top off, all of it. I thought I was reading a JOKE at first. THIS is the main reason I have trouble recommending these books. That over the top, makes no sense in the real world sexuality. And then the museum scene where she strips almost completely? Everyone can see her. V’lane isn’t throwing glamour on her to hide her reaction. How is that something that we are supposed to be able to read and not completely disregard as ridiculous? |
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Is it wrong that although I was surprised, nothing really SHOCKED me? #normal
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Oversexed?
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These books most definitely have a strange relationship to sex. Everything with the Fae is hyper-sexualized, but they aren’t really sold as erotica. And they aren’t particularly erotic. So it’s odd for me.
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So does the the Fae prince have extra sexy magic that works on her, even though she’s supposed to be immune to all of that? That confused me a bit. I mean, that whole scenario confused me A LOT. Sigh. How has this not been made into an adult film yet? “Night at the Museum” styles?
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I don’t think that she is meant to be immune. No one is. Except maybe Barrons.
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I do have to admit that I get really uncomfortable with the whole sex&violence combination. It freeeaaaaaaks me out, which is why I can’t watch SVU. So that theme was more than a little repulsive, but at the same time I can’t stop reading, so I feel endless shame. Also, I highlighted this portion because I thought it was hilarious that the author literally cannot stop injecting sex into even nonsexual things:”With tiny steely dicks the box popped open.” <—- for real, girl?
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The sex in these books is very odd and different than other urban fantasy. It is most definitely used in violent ways, for manipulation and for power. It’s rarely sexy in terms of romantic love, or even sexual pleasure. I don’t know. It’s not very straight-forward in other words.
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I think sex is used as a weapon and in aggression in everyday life. I think the author just took how it is preceived ordinarily and turned up the volume. Our sense of prudery and morality would not be the same for all creatures and CLEARLY do not have the same hangups.
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I think I could almost get behind (ugh) the major theme of sexuality if it were explained or developed more–which perhaps it is, in future books. I guess I want it to matter, instead of seem incidental and weird. WHY are all the Fae seemingly motivated by sex? More so than just normal humans, apparently? Being smacked in the face with a huge dong when walking out of a pub is REALLY out of the blue. I almost dropped my iPad.
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It’s a sexually-obsessive universe, but Moning isn’t really writing a whole lot of straight up sex scenes. It makes it hard to define and quantify.
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I guess that’s why I like Lost Girl, because sex is a big theme but…she’s in control, and it feels a little less…constantly negative. It’s sex-positive! A lot of this makes me want to take a hazmat shower and lock my doors. I guess that’s the point, though. Blarg. Can’t Mac & Barrons get it on soon? I feel like that would be a good palate cleanser. How long do we have to wait for that?
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FOREVER (or three more books).
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I kind of enjoy the sexually charged nature of the world, but perhaps I just really like the constant sexual tension between the characters. There’s a ton of sex and violence in the Sookie Stackhouse novels, I think that I just am more accepting of it #excuses
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Remaining Questions
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what/who the hell is Barrons?!
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This is what keeps you reading, honestly. And it takes FOREVER to know for sure. I will say after the first book, and throughout, I was pretty completely sure he was a werewolf.
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I was suspect of Barrons for at least 2 or 3 books, some trusted him more easily.
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Who is Mac, really?
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Eh, for me, this wasn’t a question I cared about. Then, when you do find out, it’s pretty cool.
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Later in the series, you THINK you have it all figured out. WRONG!
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Will Big Dick Fairy return to haunt our nightmares? (for the love of all that is holy I hope not)
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I don’t even remember. I would have rather she killed him than the Grey Man, to be quite honest.
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will she stop dressing like such a floozy? (likely no)
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NO.
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Say Floozy again.
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Where does she keep all of these nail polishes that she seems to change all the time?
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In her magic hoo-ha. Barrons finds them later. Why do you think the Rainbow Girl thing is such a big deal?
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I can’t even comment after that.
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Hard to believe, but we’re onto the second book, Bloodfever! This is the type of series that you love in spite of yourself.
Have you read this series? Care to catch up with us? Promise the first and second books are quick reads. Please share your thoughts on the topics above in the comments!
