Latest Read: Iced

Here are the basics ...
Book: Iced (Dani O'Malley #1; Fever #6)
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Site: http://www.karenmoning.com/
Category: Adult - Fantasy

Summary: Dani O’Malley's biggest rule in a world overrun by Dark Fae is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities. Her ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, and the Unseelie princes want her dead and the head of the police force will stop at nothing to get her sword. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in ice. When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets hit, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced. (Adapted goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good: The Fever series is one of my all-time favorites and when I heard that the author was going to do a spin-off from Dani O'Malley's point-of-view, I was both super excited and really nervous. Spin-offs don't always go over well and Dani was never one of my favorite characters.  But I shouldn't have worried. The book was amazing! In Iced, Dani is exactly how I remembered.  All young teenager, overly arrogant, hyperactive and super strong.  She also likes to say "feck" a lot.  As in all the time.  It didn't take me long to adapt to her as a main character and as the book progressed, I found myself really warming up to her. There was something refreshing about how intelligent she was when it came to solving a crime, for example, but then clueless to life and handling her emotions (not to mention the three men totally obsessed with her but more on that later).  The author really brought her to life with this unique voice that I could hear so clearly in my head.

Iced takes place about a week after Shadowfever ends and the world is still in turmoil, adapting to the Fae being free to roam among them.  Now another Fae disaster threatens to freeze the entire city of Dublin, which is where Dani comes in.  Ryodan (Barron's right hand man) employs Dani to help him and his men figure out why various locations in their city are being iced over.  Except she doesn't want to work for him and he doesn't give her much of a choice.  Their relationship definitely has a Mac/Barrons-like vibe to it, especially with all the bickering they do.  The main difference is that Dani is only 14 years old and very much a kid. I thought their relationship was handled really well because it could've been creepy. But a lot of things go over Dani's head and Ryodan makes references to the woman she'll become (maybe romance in the far future?).  He very well could be her Barrons someday and I'm interested to see where that goes.  Of course, she's also got two other men vying for her attention.  Her best friend Dancer (who I adore!) and Christian MacKelter (who has become almost a full-fledged Unseelie Prince).  Again, these relationships work because Dani just doesn't get it.  But as of right now, I'm rooting for Dancer.

I know I'm talking a lot about the characters and the relationships (because they do play a huge part) but I have to say that the author's writing really shines during the ongoing investigation.  There's so much detail and I felt like I was standing right next to Dani trying to put all the pieces together.  Feeling just as frustrated and then that "a-ha!" moment where she figures it out, I wanted to yell out - dude, of course!

(Potential) reservations:  Again, the main one is probably Dani's age.  She's this young teenager dropped in a really adult book.  It's definitely a change of pace from the earlier series.  Which brings me to another slight issue. This is for the Mac fans.. which I assume is everyone.  I adore Mac and I have to be honest, I do prefer her as a main character (a couple people in the book were hating on her which did not make me happy!). The thing with Dani is that you look at her, with all that attitude, and you know she's a firecracker. With Mac, she's underestimated and then you realize, this girl has a spine made of steel and you do not want to mess with her. That appeals to me more. Dani sets a completely different tone for the book and I think Fever fans have to prepare themselves for that. Also.. I miss Barrons!

Do I recommend?: Yes! If you want to read Iced (and trust me, you should), you have to start from the beginning with Darkfever or you'll miss a lot of important references.  I recommend the whole series (but keep in mind it's not young adult).  It's amazing and filled with such memorable characters.  Definitely check it out.

Happy reading!