Review: Dreamfever

Reviewed by Jen
 

Back in Bloodfever, Karen Marie Moning wrote, “Your joy can only fill you as deeply as your sorrow has carved you.” And as this latest chapter in the Fever series shows, the author is not shy about just how deeply our heroine can know loss.  If you haven’t read Faefever, read the spoilers ahead at your own risk.

At the end of the last book, Mac was (*spoiler*)raped by three Unseelie Princes. She has become the Priya (Fae sex addict) we have heard about throughout the series.  Her conscious mind is gone. All that is left is the desire for sex.Seeing Mac at her lowest is very difficult. But the first section of this book teaches us a lot about the people who come to her rescue.  We learn that Dani, fellow sidhe-seer is a real and true friend. And we learn that Mac’s mentor, Jericho Barrons, has real, vested feelings toward her.  (*spoiler*)

The consummation of their relationship lacked everything I’d hoped for. But I think that was the point.  Mac says in this book that she wishes she could so much as kiss a man because it was her choice to do so.  Her rape has ripped away her ability to choose. And not only does she lose out –so do we. We miss the big moment where their relationship changes, because Mac isn’t even really there.  It’s tough stuff.

As the story continues and Mac recovers, we see how she has truly transformed from the flighty girl we met in Darkfever. We see more and more, through his gruff words, how much of an impact she has made on Barrons.  And despite the fact that (*spoiler*) they've crossed a physical threshold, they are still struggling as much as ever to come together in a real way.

There is a lot of story development surrounding what’s happening with the Fae’s infiltration into our world; what’s happening with the Light Fae Prince V’Lane; and Mac’s lineage.  But I’d be loath to end this review without a mention of the HUGE cliffhanger at the end of the book.  As big of a cliffhanger as our last book had, I think this one was even bigger.  I finished this book 6 months before Shadowfever came out and it was pure torture waiting to find out what really happened.  Who is the beast? Is he really dead? Is it Christian? Is it Barrons? Is Ryodan a good guy or a bad guy?  A person could tie themselves in knots waiting for answers.  So don’t read this book without Shadowfever standing by.  I can’t wait to see if the conclusion of this series can hold on to the high standards set by its predecessors.  5 stars.