Shadow Fever….Epic Series by Karen Marie Moning

What happens when one of the most captivating series of the decade comes to an incredible conclusion?   Shadow Fever happens!!!  The Fever frenzy began in 2006 with Dark Fever, yet only ask any hardcore HighFer and you will soon learn that  the magical waters for the series run far deeper.  Karen Moning has taken us on any incredible journey, into a world that changes before our very eyes with each turn of the page.  One that left us breathless and yearning for more at the end of every single book. “Cliffhanger” took on a whole new meaning at the hands of KMM.  We became slaves to Mac's first-person narrative, with her arresting and hypnotic voice she enthralled us.  Our minds processed the facts and still we came away with imperceivable truths. 
Shadow Fever takes off exactly where Moning left us in Dream Fever, prostrated upon a cliff next to the dead body of Jericho and the desolate, forlorn, Mac.  Mac’s tortuous anguish is now ours, we are beside ourselves hoping upon hope that it is only a dream.  Sadly to say, the truth will not be denied... 
The 411 On MacKayla and Jericho
MacKayla  Lane aka "Mac" is a southern peach, born and bred, or so she thought, until the death of her sister alters everything.  Mac’s world changes the day she turns up in Dublin, Ireland, on the hunt for Alina’s murderer.  Mac soon learns she is a sidhe-seer and  hence the metamorphose begins.  She soon becomes a force to be reckoned with.   In each of the books, we can give testimony to her transformation.  Yet, no transformation could every come to pass with out one, Jericho Barrons. 
Jericho Barrons aka (JZB) is  the wealthy, brooding, mysterious and handsome owner of Barrons Books & Baubles.  Jericho has become both protector and mentor to Mac.  He has had to strip away the layers that were MacKayla, antagonizing her at every turn.  He needs Mac’s special talents to track the book, aka Sinsar Dubh (book of dark evil magic).  He is secretive, and unwilling to answer Mac’s questions.  Throughout the series, he has had to take extreme measures to ensure Mac’s safety.   In each book we discover exactly what he is not. Our frustration only adds fuel to our every growing fascination with all things, Barrons.   Although, Mac never seems to be able to please Barrons, he has never failed to be her champion. There is a growing underlining wave of sexual tension between the two that only grows stronger in each book.
Mac has started on a journey without a known course, nothing is what it seems.  She has found herself in a world of ancient magic, and disturbing truths.  A war has begun with the lethal Fae, and she finds herself smack bang in the middle. She comes face to face with V'lane, a death-by-sex Fae, who becomes somewhat of a friend. Mac soon learns who killed her sister. She is then captured by the Fae Lord Master, who then has her abused by three Dark Princes, making her Priya (Fae sex addicted).  No one has ever come back from being Priya.  Mac seems to be doomed to a life of sexual addiction to Fae, but Barrons has other plans.  It didn’t matter how long it took, Barrons never gave up on Mac.  He brings her back from a world of shadows and addiction. Yet, Mac seems to have a new addiction.  Jericho Barrons.  Mac learns that while she was being “cured” the walls have come down, and the world will never be the same.  As if things couldn’t get worse, Mac learns that the Lord Master plans to capture her parents. At the end of this leg of the journey, Mac finds herself fighting for her life and everything she holds dear.  She then comes to face with her reality and finally she sees the path she must take.
The Beginning of the End (Shadow Fever)
Mac must learn to go on with out the one person she never knew was her existence.  Truths come crashing to the surface.  How can you go on, when you are no longer whole. Her soul has been ripped out of her, if only she had known the truth. Dying would not be just punishment for what she has done.
Enter Mac 5.0.. Mac is no longer the person she was.  She had changed, there was nothing to lose anymore.  Mac knows the answer to making the world right again.  She will capture the Sinsar Dubh and change all the hurts in the world. She has changed into a different Mac. She will align herself to the enemy, Lord Master, in the name of justice.  Barrons had always told her to adapt to the every changing world, adapt she would.  She had plans and will use every alliance she has to bring back those she loves. Just when Mac thinks there is only one course of action to take, in walks Jericho Barrons. 
Mac is floored, her soul sings with happiness, until Jericho can’t seem to forgive her for killing him.   If before there existed a sexual magnetism, it doesn’t hold a candle to what is born in the aftermath of pain. There are things that are happening to Mac that have plausible explanations. Things that will make Mac take a closer look at herself and ask:  Who is Mac?  Am I human?  Fae? Sidhe-seer? 
Mac and Jericho will join forces and with the help of an eclectic group of Fae, Druid Warriors, Sidhe-seers, Hunters and the Jericho 8, they will capture the book.  Everything that has happened to Mac has been a culmination bringing her to this point in her life.  She will have to make choices that only she can make and the truths that will be revealed to her will change everything.
  My Thoughts…
What happens when one of the most captivating epic series of the decade comes to an incredible conclusion?   You CRY!  No, just joshing ya!  Shadow Fever was everything I anticipated and more. As I read I was on edge, anxious, agog, and on cloud nine.  I have been a fan from the beginning. While many said that the first book was too slow paced, I now know that it had to be.  Our introduction to Mac 1.0 was a methodical and well thought out.  She was born to us in that first book, pink and clueless.  We’ve watched her grow and transform into what we would all want to be:  sexy, gorgeous, and with unlimited skin privileges to Jericho. Karen said that she knew all along how it would end.   KMM made bookstores sexy.  If only there were a Jericho in my neck of the woods. *sigh*   Shadow Fever is, in my opinion, an unbelievable kick-off to the 2011 reading year. Many will say that my review is mostly a recap of the other books in the series and has almost nothing about Shadow Fever. I didn’t want to spoil it for anyone.  There are so many twist and turns in the series, everyone should be able to go on the same journey with Mac as I did.  Suspense and surprises at every turn.  Just as I traveled with  Mac as she sorted through the truth, so should anyone that wants to read the book.  I truly savored this book, I could not put it down.  I can count on one hand the books that I await with a greedy hunger, and Shadow Fever did that for me.  I’m am dripping with excitement about the up coming series, where we will have a glimpse into Mac and Jericho’s lives.   As in the finale of the series, things have a way of coming back, or not really leaving in the first place, but transforming into something completely different.
The power of words to capture and transport our hungry souls, is simple amazing. Thank you Karen M. Moning. –Dana Alma

I give this book 5

 

Buy Now!

 

Favorite Quote: 
Images flash through my mind, those long incredible hours spent in a sex-drenched bed.  I smell Barrons on my skin, taste him on my lips.
I remember. I will never forget.  -Mac
"There's nothing I can't live with. Only things I won't live without." –Jericho
 

Technorati Tags: Shadow Fever,Karen Marie Moning,Fever Series,Mackalay Lane,Jericho Barrons,Highlander Series