Iced
by Karen Marie Moning
Published by: Delacorte Press
Publish Date: October 30, 2012
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Dani O’Malley #1, Fever Series #6
Source: Personal audiobook from Audible
My Rating: 
Blurb from Goodreads:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Marie Moning comes the first book in her hotly anticipated new urban paranormal trilogy, set in the world of her blockbuster Fever series.
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.
Dodging bullets, fangs, and fists, Dani must strike treacherous bargains and make desperate alliances to save her beloved Dublin—before everything and everyone in it gets iced.
My Review:
First, let me start by saying that Shadowfever is STILL at the top of my “Favorite Books EVER” list. I am a die hard Fever series fan, which means that I am quite attached to Mac and Barrons… and the MacKeltars… but I digress. I was very hopeful when I learned that Ms Moning was doing a spin-off Fever series. However, when I learned that Dani O’Malley would be the protagonist, I began to have some reservations. I am not the biggest fan of Young Adult books. Reason being, I’ve already been through the coming-of-age lessons, I’d rather just skip to adulthood. Dani is only 14, very young with many life lessons and maturity to learn. I grabbed the audio book and began listening, and I will admit, despite my reservations, I was completely hooked on this story.
Iced picks up where Shadowfever ended. Except now, Dani is the focus of the story. Dani is young, immature, and has much to learn, but the story deals with very adult issues. In true teenage fashion, Dani thinks the world revolves around her (she has superpowers after-all), and she never thinks or truly comes to terms with the consequences of her actions. Throughout the book, Dani does begin to grow, but she still has a ways to go. Meanwhile, certain males are keeping an eye on Dani, eagerly waiting for her to be of age. That part is kind of creepy to me. Having super-old Ryoden, Christian MacKeltar (who is on the verge of becoming an unseelie prince), and Dancer (a young man/genius) all circling Dani and being possessive of her feels weird. The girl is only 14! Yes, once she grows up, she will be an awesome woman and heroine, but she still has so much immaturity. The whole “men who prey on younger women” vibe just doesn’t sit well with me and never has.
Age issues aside, the story was full of action, otherworldly monsters and fae, and well, Ryoden. There is a mysterious monster freezing parts of Dublin and Ryoden tasks Dani to help find the culprit. Dani does not like feeling controlled and does her best to rebel, which forces Ryoden to get tough with her. While Ryoden’s actions are somewhat questionable, I understood that Dani needed someone to put her in her place and give her more perspective (that whole “think about the consequences” thing).
Ryoden. Ryoden intrigues me. He has big, undisclosed plans for Dani. But, Ryoden is disillusioned by humanity and is often taken off-guard by Dani. Dani’s humor, spunk, and stubbornness are a challenge to the big bad beasty and provides for quality entertainment reading. Having said that, the whole issue with Jo threw me off. I didn’t get it or the purpose behind it, and that whole situation had me scratching my head.
I could discuss this book for forever it seems. Karen Marie Moning is such an awesome author. Iced is a compelling story, full of action and intriguing characters. I have no idea where Karen Marie Moning will take this story, how she will resolve Dani’s age to the story, and what all the endgames are. Despite my reservations, I did love this book and I know that I will be picking up the next installment as soon as I possibly can.
*Note on the Audio* The narrators for this audiobook are Phil Gigante and Natalie Ross. Both narrators do a fantastic job narrating this story. Phil Gigante nailed the accent of Christian MacKeltar and the deep timbre of Ryoden’s voice. The narration made this story come alive for me, and I really hope that they narrate the next book as well.
So, Fever fans and Moning Maniacs, what did you think? Are you okay with the age thing? What are your thoughts about the “Jo Situation” (as I call it)?
December 28, 2012 at 5:41 am
the whole Jo thing had me baffled too. There is a reason to it I am sure. I don’t think Jo is long for this world any way . I agree with the creepiness of the men circling Danni. But, we see that sort of thing in some vampire books. The vamp has known the woman since she was a child. Like in Karen Chance’s Cassandra Palmer series (one of my favorite series!)
December 28, 2012 at 8:03 am
it’s a little different when the men start hitting on the girl when she’s 14… it just felt a little weird to me… But, I figure Karen Marie Moning has plenty of tricks and surprises up her sleeve
December 28, 2012 at 7:46 am
I’m not a Dani fan either, but I have long road trip coming up and need an audio book. I was curious about Ryodan in the Fever books. Hum, I think you just sold me an audio book chickie!
December 28, 2012 at 8:04 am
Hop you enjoy, it’s a really good book! I’m just curious to see where Ms Moning is taking the story
December 28, 2012 at 9:38 am
I’m so glad you just finished this book. I just posted my review yesterday afternoon (http://bookwormbrandee.blogspot.com/2012/12/iced.html) and I was wanting to discuss it with someone.
I, too, LOVE KMM. And I loved Iced even though Barrons wasn’t really in it. 
Discussion points:
Jo – the only thing I could think to explain the Jo situation is that Ryodan obviously needs sex and he thinks Dani will be less likely to hold it against him if it’s with someone she cares about?!? I know that is probably ridiculous but why else?? I can’t figure it out. (although KMM is good at being able to stump me and when all is revealed I say “Ohhh”)
Ryodan – I see all the references to he and Dani belonging together but as you said, I can’t see the endgame here. But hey, he is Ryodan…yum!
Christian – I feel more inclined to seeing KMM have Dani end up with Christian. (even though he’s going unseelie) He’s really trying to hold onto his humanity (what he did with the Crimson Hag…*swoon*). But again, I can’t see where KMM is going and probably won’t until book 3! LOL
Dancer – I’m glad Dani has one person she really feels she can trust but there’s something mysterious going on with Dancer…
Cruce – there’s no way his story is done!
I liked getting more insight into Dani’s character – what did you think of her “alter ego”? (I can’t think of a different way to describe it…)
Looking forward to discussing with you.
December 28, 2012 at 9:43 am
Oh, I almost forgot about the age thing…
One really “fast” way to remedy the age difference is for Dani to hang out in Faery for awhile. And since she realized she can hide from Ryodan there….
December 28, 2012 at 10:27 am
I had the exact same thought about the age thing. My theory is that she will get stuck in faery for awhile… I kinda hope so, I would like to skip ahead a few years…
December 28, 2012 at 10:35 am
I agree, I think that KMM just likes to play with us readers… she is the master
December 28, 2012 at 10:14 am
I haven’t jumped into the Fever series yet and I am terribly book OCD so I have to read in order even if it is a spin off. I really need to jump on board! Great Review!
December 28, 2012 at 10:28 am
the entire Fever series is AMAZING! You must read it! the momentum builds through the series, and Shadowfever tops my favorite books ever list
December 28, 2012 at 3:03 pm
I am so jealous! I really want to listen to the audio version.
My theory for Jo is that Ryo is using her as a way to get under Dani’s skin. Dani had a pretty strong reaction to seeing them together, and while, Dani may not have understood why she was having these feelings, Ryo did. Now he is using Jo to gauge how Dani’s feeling are developing towards him. He can also pump (teehee) Jo for information about Dani or the Haven.
Another theory that I’ve read is that Jo might actually be on team Bad Haven and is using Ryo to gain information.
December 28, 2012 at 9:33 pm
oohh, I like the team Bad haven theory…. good thoughts
December 28, 2012 at 6:32 pm
Oh the age thing…I trust KMM to deliver an amazing story so I am not going to let it get to me. It will all happen when it should happen.
As for the Jo situation, I am sure it will play out classic KMM style and be some huge piece of a puzzle that only makes sense in the end leaving us saying “Ah…haaaa”
December 28, 2012 at 9:35 pm
KMM always delivers, I know that, but I still scratch my head at times
I can’t wait to see what she does with this series and these characters
December 30, 2012 at 8:07 am
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