Title: Darkfever
Author: Karen Marie Moning
First published October 31, 2006
309 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780385339155 (ISBN10: 0385339151)
Rating: 4.06
Overview
My name is Sarah, and I’m a witch. It’s not something I ever wanted to be, but when my grandmother died, she left me with no choice.
I had to accept my fate, and all the danger that came with it. In a world where the supernatural is becoming more and more prevalent, I have to be careful.
But when my best friend is kidnapped by a group of rogue witches, I know I have to act fast. With the help of a handsome and mysterious man named Jack, I set out on a mission to rescue her.
Along the way, I discover that I have powers I never knew existed – powers that could change the course of history. As I delve deeper into the world of magic, I realize that there are forces at work that are far more dangerous than I ever imagined.
The dark and powerful Alistair is determined to get his hands on an ancient book of spells that could give him unimaginable power. If he succeeds, it could mean the end of the world as we know it.
I have to find the book before he does, even if it means risking everything. Because if I fail, the consequences will be catastrophic.
About the Author
Karen Marie Moning, a #1 New York Times bestselling author, had a passion for becoming the Captain of her own starship. However, it was an unattainable goal as she was born in the wrong era.
Thus, she decided to explore the universe by writing fiction instead. According to her, books are like doors that lead to endless adventures.
Karen attended Purdue University at the age of 17 and completed a BA in Society & Law with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing, and Theatre. While studying, she worked full-time as a bartender and computer consultant.
Initially, she planned to go to law school but changed her mind after an internship with a firm of Criminal Attorneys. She then spent the next ten years working in insurance where she wrote intercompany arbitrations and directed commercial litigation.
However, she realized that writing fiction was her true calling and decided to pursue it at the age of thirty.
Karen’s first book, Beyond the Highland Mist, was published in 1999 and nominated for two RITA awards. She then went on to publish six more novels in her award-winning Highlander series and won the RITA Award in 2001 for The Highlander’s Touch.
In 2004, Karen started writing the #1 New York Times bestselling FEVER series. The books have been published in over thirty countries and have been optioned twice for potential franchise development by Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios.
However, Karen holds the rights to the books and has expressed a desire to see them as a television series one day. Currently, she is working on two future projects for Random House Publishing.
In conclusion, Karen Marie Moning is a talented author who believes that books are like doors to endless adventures. She divides her time between Ohio and Florida and continues to work on exciting new projects.
As Jorge Luis Borges said, “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
Editoral Review
Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever, published in 2006, is a gripping urban fantasy novel that is sure to captivate readers. Moning is an American author known for her best-selling romantic urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels.
With Darkfever, Moning delves into the world of the fae with an engaging and thrilling story. At the heart of Darkfever is the character of MacKayla Lane, who goes by Mac, a young woman who has lived a sheltered life in small-town Georgia.
After the brutal murder of her sister, Alina, Mac sets out on a quest to uncover the truth about what happened to her sister. Mac’s journey takes her to Dublin, where she uncovers a dark and dangerous supernatural world, and discovers her own hidden gifts.
Moning’s prose is elegant and evocative, painting a lush picture of both the human and fae worlds. The worldbuilding in Darkfever is superb; Moning’s attention to detail in creating both the mundane and magical aspects of the story make it feel fully realized and believable.
The characters in the novel are equally well-developed and nuanced, particularly Mac, who is a complex and sympathetic protagonist. The pacing of the novel is excellent, with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged throughout.
Darkfever also tackles issues of identity, loss, and grief through its exploration of Mac’s journey. Moning deftly weaves these themes into the story in a way that lays bare the emotional struggles that Mac and other characters face.
The novel also explores the concept of power, specifically who holds it and how it is wielded, and the consequences of that power. While Darkfever is a strong book overall, it does have a few weaknesses.
Some readers may find that the plot is somewhat formulaic, with elements that are familiar to fans of the urban fantasy genre. Additionally, some of the romantic elements of the story feel somewhat forced and undeveloped, which may disappoint fans of Moning’s other romantic urban fantasy novels.
Overall, Darkfever is a compelling novel with a richly-imagined world and complex characters. Fans of the urban fantasy genre will find much to enjoy in Moning’s take on the fae, while readers interested in emotional explorations of power and identity will also find much to ponder.
The book is best suited for mature readers, as it contains violence, sexual content, and themes of grief and loss. I would recommend Darkfever to fans of Holly Black’s The Cruel Prince, Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle, and Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series.
I would rate this book 8/10.
