Review: Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Iced by Karen Marie Moning

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Publication date: October 30th 2012

My rating: 4.5 stars 

The year is 1 AWC—After the Wall Crash. The Fae are free and hunting us. It’s a war zone out there, and no two days are alike. I’m Dani O’Malley, the chaos-filled streets of Dublin are my home, and there’s no place I’d rather be.
 
Dani “Mega” O’Malley plays by her own set of rules—and in a world overrun by Dark Fae, her biggest rule is: Do what it takes to survive. Possessing rare talents and the all-powerful Sword of Light, Dani is more than equipped for the task. In fact, she’s one of the rare humans who can defend themselves against the Unseelie. But now, amid the pandemonium, her greatest gifts have turned into serious liabilities.

Dani’s ex–best friend, MacKayla Lane, wants her dead, the terrifying Unseelie princes have put a price on her head, and Inspector Jayne, the head of the police force, is after her sword and will stop at nothing to get it. What’s more, people are being mysteriously frozen to death all over the city, encased on the spot in sub-zero, icy tableaux.

When Dublin’s most seductive nightclub gets blanketed in hoarfrost, Dani finds herself at the mercy of Ryodan, the club’s ruthless, immortal owner. He needs her quick wit and exceptional skill to figure out what’s freezing Fae and humans dead in their tracks—and Ryodan will do anything to ensure her compliance.

After finding out Iced centered on Dani, Mac’s fourteen-year old sidhe-seer friend, I did not plan on reading it.   I changed my mind after Jenny @ SupernaturalSnark forced convinced me to pick it up, and I was instantly hooked.   I'm shocked at how much I ended up loving this story. I mean, come on, it's an adult story centered on a fourteen year old!  Color me surprised.

This story picks up after the events of Shadowfever.   Cruce is imprisoned under The Abbey, Mac found out Dani’s part in her sister Alina’s murder, Christian is on his way to becoming an Unseelie Prince, and the walls between Faery and the human world have come down leaving the world in chaos. 

Dani is not defenseless because she carries one of the only two weapons that can kill Fae, The Sword of Light.  That coupled with her sidhe-seer powers of super speed, and Fae-sight makes her a powerful weapon, even if she is only fourteen.  She is the one who rescued Mac from the Unseelie Princes, which just goes to show you how special Dani is.  This does not go unnoticed by Ryodan, the owner of Chester’s, and one of Barron’s men (whatever it is that they are).  He forces Dani to come work for him when a hoarfrost monster “ices” part of his club, and parts of the city, leaving a trail of dead humans and Fae alike. 

One of the joys of reading this was Dani’s character.  Kat describes her aptly:

Beneath her hardy, bruised exterior shines pure gold.  She is filled with light as no one I have encountered before….Though she is cross and grumpy and irritable as any teen, there is not one ounce of ill will in her and she has had reason to feel it. Indeed, reasons enough to fill a book, but she radiates only excitement and happiness to be alive.

This was a surprise to me, because in the Fever series, Dani annoyed me.  Not so here.  She is a bundle of positive energy and full of life. 

I will say Dani's age is distressing, because I couldn’t help rooting for a romance, and I knew it's not possible at the moment (oh Karen, how you mess with my head!!).  Ryodan is quickly becoming an obsession!!  (Sorry Barrons)  Ryodan and Christian are both trying to stake their claim on her knowing that she's going to turn into an amazing woman, and this would be disturbing, but she has no clue of their feelings toward her. I think this is the reason I could go with this odd situation.  This is okay for now, but I can see it becoming a real issue after this book. KMM will likely frustrate and piss off her readers if she doesn't age Dani (somehow) by a few years in the next book. 

Here are some quick thoughts:  I hate Jo, and her sparkly crap.  Please get rid of her now.  Christian is creepy as heck, yet I’m a little conflicted about him.  Dancer is all kinds of hot-nerdy-goodness!  Smart is so sexy.  

The problem/mystery of the hoarfrost monster is resolved, but we were left on a cliffhanger as well as many questions and speculations.  Jenny and I emailed each other numerous times while I was reading this, and we continue to do so.  This is a testament to the addictive nature of Karen Marie Moning’s writing.  I’m dying for the next book and I’m anxious to see how KMM handles this sticky situation.  Plus, hello, cliffhanger!!!  

One last thing, I listened to the audio-book version of this and I highly recommend it! There is a female and male narrator and they are AMAZING!! 
 

I had to include some of my favorite quotes:

“Turn it off," Ryodan says without even looking at me."You're distressing Dani. No one distresses Dani but me.”

“No one but me is ever going to teach you, Dani.” He touches me before I see it coming, has his hand under my chin, turning my face up. My shiver is instant and uncontrollable.“That’s non-negotiable. You signed a contract with me that grants exclusivity. You won’t like it if you try to break it.”

Watching the light go out of his cool, clear eyes in the alley behind BB&B had just about slayed me. I missed him. I bloody fecking missed him. Ryodan says real soft, "Disappointed or loyal." I got no intention of dying. "Loyal," I say.