REVIEW : Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning
Publisher : Delacorte Press
Release Date : October 31st 2006
Genres : Urban Fantasy
Pages : 309
Rating : ★★★★☆

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death—a cryptic message on MacKayla Lane’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. 

The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. 

  

She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle 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.

Mac's sister has been killed and her only way to have closure is to find her murderer. Turns out, things are way more complicated that she thought it would be when she discovers a terrifying hidden-world where bad Fae kill people in the open, where Shades hungrily keep a close watch on anyone who'd venture in their territory, where nothing is as it seems. She's confused and all alone in a foreign country until she meets Jericho Barrons, a guy who seems to know a lot and determined to do everything in his power to achieve his quest.

For starters, I think the author depicts grief pretty well. She describes it by not describing it.. Confusing, I know but it somehow works. She doesn't put into words but into actions. Mac does reckless - sometimes stupid - things but she just has to do them. She has her way to grieve and doesn't apologize for it.

Then I have to mention who, in my opinion, makes this book so good : Jericho Barrons. He's rude, he's elegant, he's mysterious, he's sarcastic and he's hot as hell or like the author would say "he's not handsome. He's masculine". One of the most intense description I've read in a long time. I'd probably hate him in real life but in this book... I don't even have words for that but let's just say I'd be available for him... Any time, AHEM ! Let's get back to the serious stuff (focus, Lys, focus !)

Seriously, I loved everything about him. I also loved the relationship he has with Mac, he's commanding and harsh but it's a lot of fun to read it.

"Attitude shapes reality, Ms Lane, and yours, to coin a grossly overused American phrase, sucks."

See what I mean ? The author balanced paranormal, mystery, sex and humour in the best way possible.

I often complain about the lack of explanation and the confusion it brings but I didn't have that problem with Darkfever. Information are not thrown all at once but carefully slid.

The mystery part is also well managed.The main character is no damsel in distress, she has guts and gets herself into dangerous situations to find the truth.The character development is done seamlessly, the pacing is on point and I couldn't predict... Anything. Luckily, I'm not a detective because I suck at this.

In a few words, Darkfever met my expectations : Intense and vibrant.