I was a bit confused at the beginning and once I started reading reviews that said there was no definite love interest in this book as I thought it was a PNR series, and not UF. The cover is what made me think this since it does have a man and woman, both topless on the cover (reading this while at the tire shop having my tires balanced and rotated definitely earned me some looks! LOL!)

This book is actually all about a murder investigation, a terrifying hunt for a book of power, and half-asses attempts on the part of the heroine to remain alive despite her naivete and ignorance.

Sometimes I wonder whether Mac is just TSTL. Jericho follows her back to her hotel and wakes her up at 2 AM to exchange information and despite knowing she had barely escaped his bookstore and felt scared of him she let him into her room?! Couldn't she at least have suggested they talk down in the lobby! But then she blames her behavior on still being numb and reckless from her sisters death. Speaking of her sister being dead - I think she spends a majority of this book coordinating her outfits and making sure her manicure and pedicure in Razzle-Dazzle-Hot-Pink-Twist or Gentleman-Prefer-Blonds-Pink looked good. Really? I mean seriously Moning will spend a 1/2 a page describing what Mac is wearing including accessories, nail color, and heel height! If I was in a foreign country attempting to solve my sisters murder I think my nails and matching Juicy Couture purse would be the last things on my mind. Especially after having been assaulted in her room the night before by Jericho who left deep enough bruises that even the under wire in her bra hurt her or constantly being hunted by Fae Shadow Hunters. And I wish wish wish she would stop spoiler-ing her own book. I hate all the little side comments she makes to the reader like 'I didn't know then..." or "Later I would see that..." or "If only I could have known..." Why can't Moning just let the plot unfold itself. Why ruin the suspense and tension with this comments.

Also as someone else wrote in one of my status updates, Mac comes off as one of those Americans - the Americans that travel to foreign countries with no attempt made at experiencing the culture, trying to understand the people, and expect everything to be handed them on a silver platter. Basically Mac's whole personality problem boils down to this - "Mine is the 'entitlement generation'...The EG is made of of kids who believe they deserve the best of everything by mere virtue of having been born, and if parents don't arm them with every possible advantage, they are condemning their own children to ostracism and failure...Most of the EG believe that if there's something wrong with them, it's not their fault; their parents screwed them up, probably by being away to much." This take on life is disgusting to me. Now she does admit that her parent's didn't screw her up but she definitely still has the entitlement expectations.

And how the hell did she channel her inner Buffy like that, surprising even Jericho???

Jericho...talk about an ASS. Yes, he should dark, dangerous, selfish, but (and maybe it's just me) but I need my characters to have at least ONE redeeming quality. Just one - that's all I am asking for. Jericho though is nothing if not dedicated to being a secretive asshole. Then when he decides he is going to teach Mac how to kill does he start in a gym showing her moves, and instructing her on how to wield a weapon? No, he takes her gallivanting through the streets of Dublin in search of any dangerous Unseelie to release her on. I guess nothing compares to on-the-job training. And sure he gets to play the part of a hero at one point, and I don't think he is her enemy but seriously, what an ass. Who knows though...I guess everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt that they can have some sort of good person inside, but considering Fiona thought this and he put her in her place about it I am still doubtful.

The inconsistencies are a bit annoying. For instance on Page 43 Mac falls into a deep dreamless sleep, but 6 lines later when she is awakened she claims to have been having the most vivid dream. So vivid she could taste the Corona and feel the sand beneath her feet. Also things are just downright wrong. When talking about the book she claims that something created a million years ago would have crumbled eons ago. There are 4 eons in Earth's history with the shortest being half a billion years (that's Billion...with a B). I know I am nitpicking but I am an archaeologist and museum worker. These things are blaring to me. Also annoying are the number of pop culture references she makes. Now I know this book was not written nor expected to become a piece of timeless literature or anything, but it severely dates the work.

Despite ALL THIS I actually enjoyed this book. I know, I don't understand it either. I think its because of the world. The Fae, their caste systems, artifacts, abilities, and insanities were extremely interesting. Moning managed to feed me just the right amount of information to draw me in and keep me enthralled by them. For this alone (and maybe just a little bit because finally Mac started to grow me) I will definitely be continuing this series - especially since this one doesn't really have an ending. Thankfully everyone else says it only gets better from here on out too, which seems probable with how awesome the building was. The overall plot seems like it will be one hell of a ride.

And has anyone noticed the blurb for the second book Bloodfever sounds exactly like the blurb for this book?












*****

SPOILERS

I think it's a cool idea that the Fae can slowly claim bits and pieces of the city and turn them into Dark Zones but it seems silly that no one would notice/remember these sections of the cities. I mean it just doesn't seem plausible that Mac, a 22 year old barely schooled person would think to look at old maps and notice the missing streets but a police officer or city ordinance person would not be aware of. I'm sure people have older maps in their homes/libraries/etc. It just seems silly that these areas would go unnoticed. And yes I realize magic and glamor is a part of this, so maybe the only way this would make sense is if even the maps or the people's minds themselves are automatically glamored as soon as they looked at a map and made the connection but this is never explained.