Shadowfever (Fever, #5) in Pick-a-Shelf

May 05, 2011 D.G. rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, reviewed, awesome-narration, urban-fantasy

**3 stars for parts I & II/ 5 stars for parts III-V**

Great end to the series, full of great twists and surprises. My only complaint is that I wish it had had tighter editing, especially in parts I and II.

Now, I understand that drowning the reader with information is Ms. Moning’s special style of red herrings (very 21st century.) Like a good mystery writer, she gave enough clues about the important questions that (theoretically) we could have figured it out on our own. But by making expert use of **3 stars for parts I & II/ 5 stars for parts III-V**

Great end to the series, full of great twists and surprises. My only complaint is that I wish it had had tighter editing, especially in parts I and II.

Now, I understand that drowning the reader with information is Ms. Moning’s special style of red herrings (very 21st century.) Like a good mystery writer, she gave enough clues about the important questions that (theoretically) we could have figured it out on our own. But by making expert use of the first person narrative, the author lulled us into believing that we were completely in Mac’s head, showed us significant details but then had Mac dismiss them and fed us so much other stuff that our attention was constantly diverted and at least in my case, answers to most of the questions came as a surprise. The dénouement was built on layers of revelations, and like a woman in the cusp of multiple orgasms, I kept wondering in awe There’s more?!? I tip my hat to you, Ms. Moning…very well done.

But I think that at least in the first two parts, this information overload was taken to excessive levels so it’s no wonder that it took me 5 days to finish this one when I listened to Dreamfever in less than 36 hours. I got tired of Mac’s constant reminiscences of her life in Georgia and endless descriptions of men. In the previous books, we only had to contend with Mac’s panting over Barrons, V’Lane and (sometimes) Christian and the Lord Master. But in this book we had the McKeltars, Barron’s Band of Grumpy Men, the Seelie Court plus the usual suspects. Was it really necessary to give detailed descriptions of over 15 men? At some point, I couldn’t keep track of who looked like what.

Something else that bothered me was the back and forth regarding Mac’s identity. I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had turned out to be the long lost daughter of Santa Claus and Chewbacca. IMO, this is one of the important things in the plot that wasn’t handled as skillfully as who killed Alina or why did Barrons want the book.

Going back to the things I liked, I definitely enjoyed the musings about the nature of good and evil and the ties between creation and destruction. I completely understood the Mastermind (the guy who was behind all this) and thought he had a point. The Unseelie were created imperfectly by a being that thought nothing of them and then left to rot for eternity. In a sense, they got my biggest sympathies, even though they weren’t good for humanity.

The narration was simply outstanding. Although for obvious reasons I was more enamored of Phil Gigante’s voice (Barron’s was just perfect), I also give kudos to Natalie Ross. I don’t think I would have hated Mac as much in previous books if she had been the narrator from the beginning.

~~It was obvious from the ending that there will be more books set in this world so I’m definitely looking forward to more.~~

Update: As you can see from the last line in this review, I fully intended to continue the series. However, after reading reviews of books 6-9, I realized it's a better idea to pretend the series ended here. I know I'd be disgusted with #6 and it seems the rest of the books have been disjointed and not as well planned as the first 5 books.

If you finished this book and are tempted to continue, I'll ask you to reconsider. Most of my friends who have, regretted the decision. ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Dec 08, 2015 Christa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: ebooks-all-vendors

Rereading

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 25, 2011 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Wow. Will have to update once I decompress.

Edit 3/21/11

***Possible Spoilers***The final installment of the fever series was non-stop action. In ways that had me on the edge of my seat, nervous and excited.

The twists and turns were thrilling and the breadth of information was constantly hurtling at you. I was so desperate to figure out the answers I devoured over half the book in less than 24 hours.

But with all of this, came a sadness that Mac's adventure is over. Although, she's been through en ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2010 Tiffany rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Oh my god...I just finished this book and all I can say is....it was AMAZING!!!! This was the last book in the Fever series and it did not disappoint. I was so upset when I got to the end of the last book and realized that the author had left us with a HUGE cliff hanger. But the first few chapters of this book made it all worth it. I have no idea how to review this book without giving away the ending. What I will say, all of the plot twists that we came to love in the first four books continue. ...more

Like · see review