Narrated by Joyce Bean
The last category in My Unofficial Personal Listening Challenge for 2010 was Fantasy – another genre I tended to avoid. I chose Karen Marie Moning’s Darkfever knowing that it would also challenge me as a series of unending stories with no HEAs nicely tying up each book’s conclusion. Later I discovered yet another challenge (the biggest of all) and it has to do with that classic Happily Ever After I long for. There is no absolute guarantee I’ll have one in the end nor do I know which hero would be featured in such (although I definitely have an opinion).
I’d been advised to read Darkfever, the first in the Fever series, toward the end of 2010 since the fifth and final in the series was scheduled for release around the first of 2011. I followed that line of advice although I didn’t really see myself listening beyond Darkfever. I planned to dip my toe in this fantasy series with no promised HEA and say I’d done so and move on. Ha!
I started listening to Darkfever on November 1st. Sixteen days later, I had not only listened to Darkfever, but also Bloodfever, Faefever, and Dreamfever! I definitely had the fever which was, without doubt, due to Moning’s talent in writing cliffhanger endings. As I finished each book, the same recurring thought resounded in my mind, “I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait a year!”
Fortunately one of our SOA regulars, Tstbren, was around for some much needed discussion time and understood my need to speculate about that which I had just read. I can see why there are so many Fever discussion groups out there and why this series supports such a large merchandising offshoot over at Moning’s Web site. (I am now the proud owner of a Barron’s Books and Baubles mug).
At the center of the series is Mac (short for Mackayla), a modern Southern belle, who doesn’t take life too seriously until she discovers a vast world she had no idea existed and learns that she plays an important role in that world as a sidhe-seer. More than one man (or creature) plays a significant (albeit mysterious) role in her life. Over the course of the series, Mac toughens up and becomes quite the kick-ass heroine.
All four books are equally enthralling. Although I am a diehard romance fan, I found that instead of longing for that HEA as I approached the ending of Darkfever, I realized I really didn’t want one…yet. There were too many unanswered questions and too much yet to be learned about potential heroes to settle for an HEA so quickly. Slight spoiler here: After reading book four, I’m enjoying the fact that I still don’t know the hero’s identity in that HEA – only adamant that there better be one.
Breakdown of Grade – Narration A and Book Content A
Unabridged. Length – 8 hours 57 minutes. This review was written for the 11/29/10 Speaking of Audiobooks column.
Grade: A
Book Type: Audiobook|Urban Fantasy Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Publication Date: 2006
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