GtPGKogPYT4p61R1biicqBXsUzo" /> Google+ Sheep Book Review: Iced by Karen Moning | I Smell Sheep

Friday, January 4, 2013

Sheep Book Review: Iced by Karen Moning


Iced: A Dani O'Malley Novel, by Karen Moning, picks up where Shadowfever left off in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy set in the world of the blockbuster Fever series. It's not Mac and Barron's, but it's good enough for me! 

Plot:
The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be. 
Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.
Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux. 
When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.
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.

First off, I just want to say that we may all agree to disagree on something throughout this review. I want to start by saying that Iced is definitely action packed in all the right ways. Karen likes to serve her action hot and fast, so you may burn your tongue taking it down, but it's worth it. NO two scenes are alike, even if they contain the same people on both sides of the good and evil coin; each plot twist is different and keeps you wanting more. I love burning my tongue on her books and I'll keep doing it! 

Dani "The Mega" O'Malley was fourteen when we left her in the Fever series. Iced picks up directly after that giving no time for any growth on her part whatsoever. The Dark Fae want Mac dead because she carries the sword of light, one of two weapons that can kill the Fae. 

The Mega is a fun character to read, though at times she is bouncing off the walls so bad with a sugar high I think I'm having heart palpitations just reading about it. She moves fast, talks fast, eats fast, and burns out just as quick. The Mega is all over the fourteen year old emotional map right now: one second she's happy and the next she's a weepy mess of hormones. I was fourteen once, we all were, but reading about teenagers and their angst can be tedious. 

I liked Ryodan and the boys in the Fever series, these dudes are tuff immortals with badass skills and sexy alpha male personalties. As we step into the Iced world things changed and not for the good. Ryodan is beyond bossy with Dani and her life, to the point he thinks to own her in every fashion of the word. The control freak tactics did not sit well with me, and there are also a ton of hints that Dani may end up being the one Ryodan changes his piggish ways for. First, she's fourteen so that's not going to happen for at least a few years. Where I draw MAJOR issue is with Ryodan knocking the boots with one of her sisters from another mister. It's one thing for him to be with ladies, sure Dani is not old enough so whatever, but to get down and dirty with someone she knows and loves? And THIS is who all fingers are pointing at to be her man? No, just no. 

For a man that is so protective and controlling of Dani, he sure does abuse the heck out of her. Slamming her face into walls, breaking her finger and choking the young girl? Really? Now this is a Dad's dream right here. What are we saying to young ladies when this kind of stuff is written in stories? Is it just me or is abuse of a teenage girl, or anyone woman for that matter, really ok? Because what, he's going to end up loving her when it's all said and done? So that makes it ok? *eye roll* Dude, go punch yourself in the face a few times then talk to me. 

Aside from that, there some major developments with Christian's character and the change he's forced to go through was exciting and scary all at the same time. While the parts with him lusting after Dani were not as good. 

Dancer was also given a lot more depth to his almost non-existent character from the Fever series, I am rooting for Dancer to win over the heart of Dani as she grows up! He's much closer to her age, smart, funny, and overall not in any way possessive to the point of pain that Ryodan is. Dancer loves her and you can tell he's going to grow up and fill out his young seventeen year old body. 

Jo's character takes a big turn from the Fever series where she certainly had smarty attitude and some swagger, now seems docile. Kat must have had a bump in the head too because she's very different and I'm not sure if I like it. I can see both characters being disposed of at some point in this arc. 

This new spinoff saga is nowhere near what the Fever series was, for me, and that's both good and bad. New characters, new thoughts, and plots will arise, but let's not take it overboard with the fourteen year old drama. Three dudes fighting it out for a young gal is going to not only bore me but also slightly gross me out. I like The Mega a lot and I want to see her not only grow as a woman but be able to handle her own in a world gone to the dumps. 

Something's going on with all this talk about a "light" that some can see in Dani. It's going to be fascinating, of that I am sure! No matter the faults in this story, Moning is such a fun storyteller that I'm able to still love and enjoy Iced for what it is. 

I'm continuing the saga with a bit of a heavy heart but hope the future holds better things for Dani! 

Keep reading the Dani Daily for all the latest news in Dublin! 


Getting 3 and 1/2 'I vibrate when I get excited' sheep 
KD 

9 comments:

  1. I haven't read this one yet. Thanks for the great review.

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    1. Mary, if you like the Fever series it's worth it. Maybe wait for book two to come out. Which as of right now there is no release date. ;/ This one ends with a ... all I will say

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  2. Your review is the first one I have read, as I have decided to wait for the second book before I am going to read it. And I think I will have to agree with you, I hate controlling men, and why, why, why would an immortal being fall for a child? So not good.
    I read the Fever series only a few months ago, and loved it, but not for the main characters.

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    1. Ok, so my BIGGEST deal with this book was the control/abuse thing. I get that it's not a real story and all the jazz but dang, she's a kid! Why is Ry being so rough with her! And sure, maybe she will end up growing into this beautiful woman that all the men want but right now it was kinda weird. She's 14!

      Just the fact that Ry hooks up with her sister from another mister was not cool, in my personal book anyway.

      Plus the story ends very abrupt, and the second book is not coming out anytime soon. So if you have the patience to wait I think it's a good idea.

      Moning is a stellar storyteller for sure and I liked a large portion of the story, but the bits that ruffled my feathers were the most damning.

      Again, this is my opinion and I always love hearing what others think. :)

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  3. I am really trying here. I was not really aware this was a spin off of the Fever series, which I recently purchased, but have not read the last installment yet. Here is where I am going to hesitate with this one; adult novel, 14-year-old lead character - EEEEWWWW. Thanks for sharing with us today, slinking off now to read about cloning from goo ;=D

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    1. lol Moning calls this one a "paranormal" with no mention of romance in it. So essentially the YA audience could read this too. Would I want young girls to read it? I am on the fence with that answer.

      The last book in the fever series was awesome, this one is supposed to pick up right at the end of that. New characters new plots and such. But...meh it's not awesome. Yet. And I have confidence that it will be down the road. Maybe wait till book 2 comes out and read them back to back.

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  4. thank you, someone else who has issues with the Jo situation! I think Dani will be an awesome heroine, when she grows up. I'm not about the angsty stuff either, I hope KMM ages her soon... Great review, Book Savvy Babe

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    1. I am sure she has something up her sleeve. She knows how important this world is to her fans :)

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    2. Yes, she does know how important this is to all us fans. And I'm not saying I am throwing in the towel with her by any means. Just THIS story was not at the caliber that the Fever saga was. I want more of that world over this. So far.

      Now book 2, I might be singing a different tune. But as it stands now...I am not over the moon.

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