Bloodfever: Fever Series Book 2

By Karen Marie Moning

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

I used to be your average, everyday girl but all that changed one night in Dublin when I saw my first Fae, and got dragged into a world of deadly immortals and ancient secrets. . . .

In her fight to stay alive, MacKayla must find the Sinsar Dubh—a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over the worlds of both the Fae and Man. Pursued by assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she can’t trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and powerful men: V’lane, the immortal Fae Prince, and Jericho Barrons, a man as irresistible as he is dangerous.

For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

Look for all of Karen Marie Moning’s sensational Fever novels:
DARKFEVER | BLOODFEVER | FAEFEVER | DREAMFEVER | SHADOWFEVER | ICED | BURNED | FEVERBORN | FEVERSONG

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Oct 16, 2007
• ISBN: 9780440337225

Karen Marie Moning

Karen Marie Moning is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Fever series, featuring MacKayla Lane, and the award-winning Highlander series. She has a bachelor’s degree in society and law from Purdue University.

Reviews for Bloodfever

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. This is the second book in this series. Mac is learning more about what she is, while trying to ward off Unseelies, more and more of whom seem to be appearing in Dublin. She has people who want her alive, so will help her when needed. Mac also finds more people like her, and she hopes they can help her learn more.This was good, but I thought more slow-moving than the first book, although it did pick up at the end and ended on a slight cliffhanger.

[thepageparamour · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Much better than the first book. Mac was not nearly as annoying as she was in the first one, though she still had her moments. And things start heating up with Barrons! Things finally start getting good towards the end and I'm definitely continuing on with the series.

[pamv-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I will be moving on to book three of the series!

[mecaza-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yay! A series that keeps on getting BETTER (so many just don't keep up the excitement of the first book).

I love the characters, the world she is creating and even the very repulsive creatures she conjures up!

On to number 3 :)

[gmtapublishing · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Karen Moning is a phenomenal writer. She takes the world of fairy and shows its dark side with TEETH! I love her style and the way she makes you realize that these creatures are definitely NOT Tinkerbell. Do not read these books expecting fairy dust and wings, you will be sadly disappointed. These books pack PUNCH and Mikayla is a whole new heroine that keeps your heart pumping! Not to mention that her relationship with Jericho Barrons is so steamy you just can't stop reading!

[soireb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Sinsar Dubh is out there and Mac is the only one that can sense it; a war is quickly approaching and with it the introduction of new players into the ever changing table that holds the world of the Fever series.

At the end of Darkfever we left Mac shivering on the rooftop of Barrons Books and Baubles alongside the man himself. The Sinsar Dubh is now in Dublin and havoc is sure to follow. The world keeps growing and expanding with the introduction of key players and some more disposable ones (won’t tell you which one is which, that’ll be cheating you out of some good twists).

Mac –and by extension Alina– are not the only sidhe-seers anymore. We get to discover a bit more of their world through the eyes of Dani, a young, strong, cocky, reckless, very observant and foul-mouth-to-no-end curly redhead with some serious authority issues that will make you want to hold and cuddle her as well as teach her some manners; in summary just your typical teenager. Dani is a great offset to Mac’s innocent (and sometimes naïve) views of the world that Mac knows almost nothing about and an welcome ball of pure energy to Mac’s obscure future.

We get to discover a bit more about the intriguing owner of my favorite library including some minor secrets of his. Still, Barrons is an incredibly mysterious man that will not betray the least bit of information on himself, always guarding all his sides and always protecting the reluctant Mac.

So after doing pretty much the damsel in distress routine, Mac chooses to expand her sources of information in Sinsar Dubh matters. She is trying to keep all possible options open and trying to grab as much information as she can while giving as little as possible in return.
One thing that started to come clear to me as I was reading this book is that Karen Marie Moning likes to shuffle things up. Whenever I started settling into the story and began feeling like I was one or two steps ahead of the tale; Mrs. Moning threw a good twist that sucker punched me back to “WTF?!” territory. You know what? I hate it as much as I love it every single time. I hated it simply because is frustrating; yet I loved it because it kept the story fresh and unpredictable and that is what makes you want to devour every single page of a book.

The bottom line is that most books that start with a bang don’t necessarily live up to expectations in their sequels, yet Bloodfever manages to raise the bar a bit farther than before. Is a great Urban Fantasy book that will leave you begging for more.

Just a thought: This series was recommended to me by the great people at Black Dagger Brotherhood Yahoo Group, one thing they were very clear was, if you can manage it grab all five books before you start reading them. That is possibly the sanest advice in regards to The Fever Series. Here is my twist on the advice, grab the first book and if you like it enough to by the second, try to grab all remaining four books, they are already out there with the spin-off coming out next October. The books have horrible cliffhangers, I’m so glad I had them at hand, you will two.

This review also appears in Journey with Words.

[myurbanfantasies · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review originally posted on My Urban FantasiesAnother amazing installment of the Fever series, I'm blown away. Bloodfever starts about a week after Darkfever ends. Mac is still in Ireland looking for the Sinar Dubh and seeking revenge for her sister's murder. Mac is now officially living in Barrons Books & Baubles, lucky lucky girl. She still does not trust Barrons, but it saves Mac money and is the safest place to stay. Mac remains Jericho's beloved OOP detector. While out looking for Fae artifacts, Mac and Barrons come across one of the four Unseelie Hallows. I realize that Bloodfever sounds very much like first book in the series, it's not. There's so much I want to tell you...unfortunately I cannot, I'm so not into spoilers. If I mention anything more I'm afraid that's exactly what you will receive, a spoiler and as we know spoilers suck! Ahh, there is one thing we can talk about. Characters! V'lane is as disturbing as ever and frankly only deserves this sentence. Mac has grown so much as a character! She has gone from a bubbly Barbie to a bad ass heroine. In Bloodfever Mac finds out a little more about her sidhe-seer heritage. Unfortunately it was not all good news. Mac is left feeling abandoned, more than just Barrons and V'lane want to use Mac's special talents for their own gain. Jericho Barrons...what can I possibly say about Barrons. He's a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in an enigma, inside a mouth watering man candy shell. Exactly what Barrons is, unfortunately, is not mentioned in Bloodfever. I did find out one very important piece of information that must be shared, Jericho Barrons is a leftie. And FYI, I'm not referring to which hand he writes with. *wink*

[elkehannover · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Inhaltsangabe:MacKayla Lane weiß inzwischen, wer der Mörder ihrer Schwester Alina ist. Doch dieser ist sehr mächtig und er verfolgt einen ziemlich düsteren Plan. Er will die Welt zu seinen Gunsten verändern.Mac hat sich zwar noch nicht wirklich mit ihrer Identät als Sidhe-Seherin abgefunden, aber sie ist nicht mehr ganz so hilflos wie am Anfang. Und sie muss ihre Kräfte stets schützen und ihre Waffen immer bei sich tragen, denn überall lauern Gefahren. Jericho Barrons ist stets zur Stelle, aber eben nicht immer.Der Lord Master hat bereits Jäger nach Mac ausgeschickt, als von einer ganz anderen Seite Gefahr droht und zum ersten Mal in ihrem Leben als Sidhe-Seherin sieht sich dem Tod geweiht …Mein Fazit:Dies ist der zweite Band der Fever-Reihe, wo es angeblich um Vampire gehen soll, so zumindest impliziert es der Titel. Während man im ersten Teil die Vampire tatsächlich suchen muss (und nicht besonders ergiebig fündig wird), nimmt der angesprochene Vampir durchaus eine große Rolle ein.Tatsächlich jedoch tritt dies erst auf tragische Weise fast am Schluss ein. Ca. 270 Seiten lang wartet man darauf, dass irgendetwas Aufregendes passiert. Ja, es passiert schon etwas, das jedoch betrachte ich eher als Geplänkel, mehr oder weniger eine Wiederholung vom ersten Teil. Es gibt zwar schon zaghafte Hinweise auf den großen Showdown, aber selbst ich, wo ich sonst immer eine gewisse Ahnung habe, konnte nicht vorhersehen, was dann geschah.Das lange Geplänkel hat das Lese-Vergnügen erheblich eingetrübt und der spannende Showdown konnte es dann auch irgendwie nicht herausreißen, zumal dann auch einige Fragen offenbleiben. Barrons blieb mir noch immer ziemlich mysteriös und zwielichtig, auch wenn er gewisse Gefühle zeigte und es offensichtlich ist, dass er Mac wohl mag. Aber ansonsten weiß man einfach nichts von ihm – außer das er sehr stark zu sein scheint, die Magie der Druiden insich birgt und er scheint auch noch unermesslich reich zu sein.Nun ja, trotz der drei Sterne-Bewertung bin ich durchaus geneigt, die Serie weiter zu lesen, zumal ich den vierten Teil noch in meinem SuB habe. Dieser hier ist wohl etwas besser -wenn auch nicht nennenswert- als der erste Band.

[blodeuedd_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can't say that a lot happened in this book, well ok things happened, but not in the aspect that we got to know any big secrets. Moning is holding on to those for sure.

I liked Mac more in this one, she was starting to hold her own. But then she did go from sunloving beach girl to trying to find her sister's killer. And I do like that she has not let go of it completely either. The love for sun and colors is still there.

Barrons then, I actually did not think he was that big an ass this time around. I do not know, he just has his own agenda and goes for that. He does try to protect her, sure the chemistry I can't see, but yes I kind of...like, no, approve of him.

The OOP being hunted here is an amulet. And she will also deal with the repercussions from the last book. There are people who are not happy, and the bad guy, yes a very gross bad guy. The Unseelie Fae are also shown a lot and there is this scary vibe over it all. You really feel how Dublin is falling deeper into darkness.

What did I think then, I do not trust those Fae seers, they have their goal and no I can'r trust them. V'Lane is his usual death by sex self (a little toned done though) and I sure do not trust him. That leaves Barrons and his secrets that I just want!

It is those secrets that make me want more. So it was a good thing that Moning leaves a tiny clue that is really nothing. She makes me want more.

And again I feel that this book is not straight up UF, sure there is really no romance around but I will still call it UPR. Because there is really not that much ass-kicking around either. It is an interesting mix all together.

It is a Dublin I would not want to visit, but a Dublin that is great to read about. Dark, twisted, scary and no idea of whom to trust

[rosetyper9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book didn't have the punch that the first book in the series did. I still enjoyed it but I would have prefered a little less pitty party from Mac and more kicking butt. I felt like this book was a filler or a bridge to the next book maybe.

I definitely still love Ms. Moning's descriptive power. I find myself immersed in Dublin everytime I open one of these books. Immersed and surrounded by scary fey creatures that is.

There wasn't a main structure, resolution, climax in this book. I didn't feel it added a ton to the story but, I will continue to read.

[spurts-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Author definitely has a "voice" and a strong atmosphere to her world building. This second volume in series somehow more eerie but just as engrossing as first entry. Might even have rated 5 stars if so much still not determinedly mysterious.

[tomdonaghey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Blood Fever (2006) (Young Bond #2) by Charlie Higson. Before there was the Bond we know, there was a younger version of him. This one is not as certain as the adult is, but you can see what is to come through this series of tales of the teen Bond.He is a student at Eton. Bond is also the newest member of the secret “Danger Club” that has him escaping from the confines of his room after hours, traipsing over roofs like a cat burglar and meeting with like minded friends. And perhaps even smoking a contraband ciggie or two. Nothing too serious, just a bit of fun. But when they are almost caught at it and have to flee, Bond drops into a courtyard of a house that contains the artifacts of a Roman cult. One of the school masters is there along with a villain called Smiler. Much like the Joker in America, this Scot has a carved-in grin that goes from ear to ear. He was a gang member that turned informer and this was his payback.There is also a family that is murdered onboard their yacht while traveling in the Mediterranean . The only survivor is a teen girl that is captured by the pirates and taken away to Sardinia. And Sardinia just also happens to be the destination for a holiday school trip for a group from Eton. And as an added coincidence, Bond’s cousin, the retired structural engineer, happens to live there in a fabulous home he designed with his partner, a renowned Italian artist.It is also the place where “Count” Ugo Carnifex has recreated a complex dedicated to ancient Rome, complete with grand palazzos, a miniature coliseum and even a magnificent aqueduct. You just know he is the genius mastermind with an evil plot at hand, but the fun with a Bond novel is the uncovering of the plot and Bond’s struggle to overcome the forces of evil arrayed against him. With the help of the unexpected allies that manage to come to his aid, he saves the day.No that wasn’t a spoiler, that is the basic plot of every hero story ever told. Good always wins, and while even the young Bond may be tarnished, he is still the knight that fights the good fight.This is a nice read for the followers of Bond, and I suspect a great introduction to the series for the younger reader. You get to see what informs the adult Bond while still reading a darn good adventure tale.

[rcw-5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I couldn't put this book down from the moment I picked it up (even though I had to for a bit for the sake of the world... just kidding). I liked this one a lot more than I did the first one. I like that future Mac didn't really come up in this one (unless I've just stopped noticing, which is fine and dandy with me :)) as she did in the first book; I liked the story a lot more without the excessive foreshadowing (though there was still some, it was more in keeping with the Nature of Mac). Killer cliff-hanger, though! I loved this book and can't wait to pick up the next one!

[jessica_reads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Okay I completely liked this book and I was definitely happy to see that the ""Later I would find.."" statement was drastically reduced in this book. I almost hated reading so much of it in the first one. The story picks up where the last one left off. You still have Mac trying to prove she was up to the challenge of revenge and saving the world Barrons is still being a jerk and Vlane - well I don't know what his angle is. He takes a turn I hadn't quite expected and I don't know where it's going. The story is written well with many twists and turns. Although I feel that what was driven to be the main plot in the first one (getting revenge and seeking out OOPs) didn't hardly appear in this one. I was also quite frustrated to have Barrons and Mac finally show that they do actually have chemistry only to have it start then stop and go absolutely nowhere. With them studiously ignoring it I was annoyed. There is plenty of events that are traumatic but could have used a little more details and action scenes. Other than that a good read."

[leila.khouane · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 STARS

A Much noticed improvement, MacKayla dear I think you redeemed yourself on this one. Still too much describing and unnecessary monologues but it can be overlooked for the much strong plot line on this one.

This one tugged at my emotions and actually surprised me, it still have flows and plot holes that I can’t wrap my mind over half of the occurred event.

AND I STILL HATE V’LANE that douche !

[librarycatnip · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not really liking this series, there was a paper given on the transformation of Mac's identity post sexual assault at PCA in March that was very impressive, but I'm not liking the books all that much, unfotunately.

[cynical_ames · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I still had a hard time connecting with the characters but at least they were tolerable this time. There was no urge to kill Mac which surprised me. I felt relief that she's learning and growing as a person because she couldn't get more shallow and TSTL.

The writing has improved though some things were glossed over and wish that the story was kept in the present instead of Mac commenting on events in past tense, it doesn't add anything to the story. I'm also a little annoyed that not much is wrapped up and that the next two have awful cliffhanger endings, or so I've heard. I won't be reading them yet, I'll wait until the last book comes out next year. I feel like these books string you along and I really dislike that feeling. I still don't understand what all the fuss is about this series but I will at least read the next book.

[jesssika-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

"Okay I completely liked this book and I was definitely happy to see that the ""Later I would find.."" statement was drastically reduced in this book. I almost hated reading so much of it in the first one. The story picks up where the last one left off. You still have Mac trying to prove she was up to the challenge of revenge and saving the world Barrons is still being a jerk and Vlane - well I don't know what his angle is. He takes a turn I hadn't quite expected and I don't know where it's going. The story is written well with many twists and turns. Although I feel that what was driven to be the main plot in the first one (getting revenge and seeking out OOPs) didn't hardly appear in this one. I was also quite frustrated to have Barrons and Mac finally show that they do actually have chemistry only to have it start then stop and go absolutely nowhere. With them studiously ignoring it I was annoyed. There is plenty of events that are traumatic but could have used a little more details and action scenes. Other than that a good read."

[raselyem7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not really liking this series, there was a paper given on the transformation of Mac's identity post sexual assault at PCA in March that was very impressive, but I'm not liking the books all that much, unfotunately.

[msralways · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm giving it a five star review because it was SO much better than the first one that it made me jump right into the next book. The tension between Mac and Barrons was unbelievable, the plot was so much involving and thrilling, some questions were kind of answered and a million others sprung to life, Mac finally stood up to Barrons and he got as good as he gave, sometimes impressively so. Great read!

[camibrite · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The first book was really good, and this continued the story into great. I could not wait to read the next one, and thank goodness it was ready and waiting for me as I finished this one. Hooray!

[addictofromance · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So I debated sharing my summary of this one, and decided not too, there isn't too much that changes from the first book. It starts off from the last book, and I was hoping there would be a little more romance in it, but yet again I was disappointed on the romance level. Bloodfever didn't stand out to me, but I think I liked it slightly more than the first one, since it didn't take as long to get through it. I think I knew what I was expecting from the first book, so I was more prepared for this one. The writing style is very moning, however it will take a while to get used to her change of how she is writing fiction now. Maybe the romance will escalate in the later books (I am crossing my fingers). Despite my reservations for this story, I did try to go into with a positive attitude. I did enjoy the tension that puts a punch in this story. We still have two men involved with Mac. Jericho is still as mysterious as ever or even more so now. Vlane, we see a little bit, but not as much as I expected to see especially from the first book. There is a bit of progression in Mac's character, but I still have a difficulty truly liking her. She is admirable at times, but I feel like she complains way too much. I did feel like there were only subtle differences in the plot, from the previous book. So I am hoping that Faefever will have more surprises in store for me than this one was for me. I know this review is pretty negative, especially compared to other reviews I have written, but I am still having a hard time adjusting to this series that is so opposite from her highlander series (which I 5 star recommend). I am enjoying this Fae world that Moning has created, and it has definitely been full of thrills all the way. Overall a action packed story, that if you are looking for a fiction based story with a dangerous world of Fae creatures, with darkness every corner, and no one to trust....than this book is for you!!

[kanic-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read book 1 in this series a year ago, almost exactly. Clearly I was not enthralled. In fact, I had to literally force myself to read book 2. I checked it out from the library at least 6 times between June 2011 and May 2012, before I finally read the thing. Why? Because I HATED Barrons in the first book. And I thought Mac was a vapid, dingbat, idiot. So, naturally, I decided I wasn't going to read the rest of the series. Why torture myself, right? Well, after a year of running across all of these glowing, gushy, omg-I-love-it-and-there-will-never-be-another-series-like-it reviews for this series I decided I needed to see if all these gushers were idiots or if I had just stopped too soon.

I have a feeling I am going to be one of those gushers by the end of the series. It's good. I might even come back and raise my rating to 5 stars. I still get a little annoyed at times with the heavy as lead foreshadowing, but other than that, I love it :) If you find yourself in my position where you read the first one and you are not inclined to continue on with the series, just know that this is one of those rare series where the character actually changes immensely throughout the course of the series. Most characters change somewhat or have some kind of life changing revelation, but Mac turns like six 180's (yes, that's three circles in case you're wondering). She IS a vapid idiot at the beginning, but that changes. I'm still not sure about Barrons... but I certainly hate him less, I think. At the very least I am fully invested in finding out about him and Mac and all of the other characters and exactly how this whole mess ends.

[laurenkathryn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm liking this series a lot more. Mac is definitely becoming more of a kick-ass heroine as opposed to that awful, annoying, rainbow obsessed child.

Although this was a lot darker than Darkfever (hardy ha - clearly I am referring to the writing style) - it was more enjoyable. The characters were interesting and I loved the ongoing cliffhanger moments.

Maybe I enjoyed it more because I've just bought a new car and was in a very happy place. Either way, I'll soon be off to read the next one...

[steph1203-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh man, I devoured this book. Definitely going to get my hands on the next book in the series on pay day!

[cynditefft · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes the second book in a series can really drag. It may even be filler to stretch a thin story into three books where two would have sufficed.

Definitely not the case here!

Bloodfever was a thrill ride from start to finish and I tore through it in two days, coming up for air only when necessary.

Moning has an extraordinary ability to hook you at the end of each chapter so that you literally cannot put the book down. She'll be wrapping up the scene and you'll tell yourself "Okay, I'll stop after I finish this chapter" and then WHAM! She throws in a sentence that turned everything on its ear. Again. And you'll be damned if you don't turn the page and keep going.

Needless to say, book three is on the shelf and waiting for me. Thank God all of these books are already out or I'd be up a creek without an Unseelie spear. :P

[creativejunkie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars if I could. Better than the last, but there are still aspects of her storytelling that I'm not a fan of. Question after question after question in a paragraph is reeeeeally irritating. Especially when it's done every other page.

I'd also like to start getting some answers about the players in these books. Almost 1/2 through the series and she still hasn't revealed a great deal.

Hopefully book three will be better yet.

[theseprettywords · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow, such a different feel than the first book of the series. Fast-paced, angry, sometimes violent but still intriguing and descriptive. I'm in love.

[erikawastaken · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pros:
* is this the same main character?
* more info about Barron's history
* expansion of history/world

Cons:
* Still speaks directly to the reader
* Odd music/iPod references as shortcuts

Wow...Mac is a very different character in this novel. She's still a little ditzy and does things to put herself in danger, but at least she no longer complains about her metabolism being too high.

[renrav · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm still enjoying this series but couldn't give it another 5 stars for two reasons.

It does bother me that the book ended on a cliffhanger. Granted it's not like I have to wait for the next book, but I do prefer more of an ending than there was. Also Barron and Mac really need to have sex. Seriously. This is taking too long!