Series: Dani O'Malley, Book One
Author: Karen Marie Moning
Genre: Fantasy/Urban Fantasy/Adult
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Rating: Five Stars
Review:
I’ve read and
heard several reviews about Iced, but
as I had it in my hands less than four days after its release (signed by the
author, YES!). Most of them were assumptions made, because Dani, the lead of Iced, is only fourteen years old.
I wondered.
Trust me, I wondered. I also know KMM breaks literary and social laws/barriers
left and right. Because of this, she had me hooked halfway through Darkfever. I will readily admit, I read
the Fever series three consecutive times in a row. Being an author in predominate
romance, the mainstream, overdone romantic arc gets a little old.
True to form,
Karen Marie Moning broke molds, smashed through misconceptions, still
possessing grace to curve around and through the delicate issues. Dani O’Malley
is barely out of her pre-teens in an adult world. This isn’t YA, and shouldn’t
be treated as such. From the carefully laid background and foreground of the surrounding
characters, I see the brilliance behind the words, and cannot wait for Burned, coming out later next year.
Dani grew up
hard and alone, even amoung a crowd. She’s young, temperamental and on the
brink of self-discovery that will reform her into maturity. Some hints of her
past are peppered through Iced, but
it’s looking at her demeanor and behavior that’s key. Growing up fast sucks.
Growing up “after the wall fell” is ten times as harder. I loved her character,
how she deals with issues of the fae overriding her world. In her position, with
her personality and age, I’d expect her to act exactly as she does.
Ryodan is
everything Jericho Barrons is and we loved, with a subtle factor added in. Practiced
social charm and poise, a polished quality that allows him to walk through society
with any path he chooses. Quietly, or loudly, with niceties or rage, he wields
those around him by any means that fits his mood.
The rundown on
the secondary characters. Jo. I hated her in the Fever series, and I hate her
more now. Dependent, rose-colored glassed women always have that effect on me. The
plot twist that encircled Jo and Ryodan’s escalated relationship had me sardonically
laughing and railing at the same time. The only aspect I can see coming from
that, Ryodan is using Jo yet again to manipulate Dani. Simple as that.
Christian. Just ick. I understand the whole “becoming an Unseelie Prince” has
to be a shock to him, but still. He has become psychotic, schizophrenic, ever-changing
sociopath. But strangely, his heart, a tiny part of it anyway, just might be in
the right place, in a very twisted sort of way. Kat—awesome insight into her
introvert, unwillingness to lead, but does whatever it takes to succeed
personality. Dancer. The perfect balance for a best friend. Intelligent,
resourceful, and levelheaded, he is the grounding point for such a large
character as Dani O’Malley. Lor—I’d said it during Fever, and I will say it
now, more Lor! Something about his throw-back-to-cavemen-mentality, mixed with
dark humor is highly entertaining. As for Mac and Jericho, they didn’t have
much screen time, certainly not enough to see any progression in their
characters or relationship. We shall see in Burned,
the second Dani O’Malley book.
