70 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding follow-up to Darkfever, October 22, 2007
I read Darkfever and in my previous review I admitted it was a near miss. I almost put it down - the kiss of death for me. Luckily I stuck with it and I was not disappointed. But with the new installment of the fever series, Bloodfever, I discovered that the occasional slow pace in Darkfever was absent in Bloodfever. Bloodfever moved fast with action everywhere: more twists were introduced, more characters with complex hidden agendas appeared, old characters returned with scores to settle. Nonoe of the issues raised in Darkfever were resolved - should they have been? I don't think so. This is a series and there needs to be something in the rest of the installments. I disagree with the reviewers that claimed this story didn't advance. True, we still don't know who or what Jerricho is but then we were given clues to chew on and contemplate. Mac becomes stronger and more complex. Her pink clothers are disappearing, her nails are a mess, and she still doesn't know who to trust but she does learn who she can rely on - and she starts doing shots. I'm starting to think she's better than Buffy.
But there are no easy answers in this story. Darkfever was billed as a romance but Bloodfever is anything but (IMHO) with no knights in shining armor rushing to Mac's rescue without first proposing a bargain. Mac is pushed into doing things nobody could have guessed at in order to save herself. The evolution of the relationship between Mac and JB is raucous and funny. The sexual tension between the two does grow and come (almost) to a head. But mostly what we see is Mac growing and changing to fit this new role, this new personna. It was an amazing, exciting, wonderful read. If you are looking for sexually charged romances typical of Karen's previous work then maybe you should pass (and that would be too bad for you) but if you want to witness the growth of a writer into new territory and enjoy a great read then I strongly recommend Bloodfever.
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46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!! Excellent character development!, October 26, 2007
So I just finished the book last night - finished it in about 8 hours. In my review of Darkfever, I stated that Mac had a lot of growing up to do; she was much to `spoiled valley-girl like for me. I couldn't identify with her, I really didn't like her or feel much empathy for what was happening to her. However, I told myself to wait and see how/if Mac changes in this book, and let that determine if I will continue reading this series. Well, KMM has pulled it off, and Mac's character has definitely grown, and developed to the point that I really truly like her now. She has become more serious and spunky. She's thinking for herself, and not letting anyone walk all over her. She's matured from the 22 y/o manicure-obsessed brat she came across as in DF.
In this stage of the story, KMM has added more characters, thrown in some interesting twists, and developed just a bit more of the relationship with Mac, Barrons and V'lane, and there could be a third love interest that KMM introduces. Mac can't trust anyone because there are no clear motives and everyone's in the game for their own reasons. But Mac's motives don't appear to be entirely pure either. I wonder what Mac really plans on doing with the Sinsar Dubh, if she manages to get her hands on it?
KMM has tied up very few loose ends, and has created even more. She hasn't resolved any of the issues brought up in DF, and created more. This is exactly what I look for in a series - if all the questions are answered too early, why bother to continue reading? Anyone expecting resolutions will be disappointed. For those looking for a bit of the romance between Mac and Barrons, there are two scenes that show more of the sexual tension - one of which is positively explosive. We get a brief shot of a softer side of Barrons than we previously had, making me think that Barrons isn't so tough and unemotional afterall. Anyone expecting gratuitous sex is going to be disappointed. From the sparks flying, I don't see how KMM can keep it from happening in the next book though.
There is more than enough fodder in this book to keep my fever going for the next year while waiting for the next installment. I was hoping for at least an excerpt, but it wasn't forthcoming.
SPOILER: It appears that V'lane sifts Mac away before she can meet the druids. I wonder why he chose that exact moment? Very intriguing. We also now know what Barrons is not, but gives a few ideas as what he could be.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Guess it all depends on what you're looking for, October 22, 2007
Personally I loved the book and was disappointed when it ended. Mac grew stronger and more sure of herself. I thought Mac and Barrons relationship moved along quite nicely. His interest in her and jealousy concerning her were evident. Even her interest in him is more apparent. New players were introduced and the world became more defined.Some old characters surfaced(sort of). And the mystery concerning what exactly Barrons is is fascinating. It definitely adds to the storyline for me. Will Mac ever be able to say "It doesn't really matter what he is. He's proven himself to me over and over again."? The only thing I'm unhappy about is that it'll be a while before I can get my hands on Faefever.
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