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Fever #1.5
The Alpha Alternative: JZB Sex Scene
A sex scene from BARRONS’ point of view.
16 pages, ebook
First published July 21, 2011
9 people are currently reading
2181 people want to read
About the author
Karen Marie Moning
32 books31.1k followers“The only other calling I ever felt was an irrepressible desire to be Captain of my own Starship. I was born in the wrong century and it wasn’t possible, so I chose to explore the universe by writing fiction instead. Books are doors to endless adventure.” -KMM
Karen Marie Moning is the #1 NYT bestselling author of the Fever Series and Highlander novels.
An alum of the Immaculate Conception Academy, at seventeen she attended Purdue University where she completed a BA in Society & Law, with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing and Theatre, while working full time as a bartender and computer consultant. She intended to go to law school but after an internship with a firm of Criminal Attorneys, decided against it. For the next decade, she worked in insurance, where she wrote intercompany arbitrations and directed commercial litigation. At the age of thirty, she decided it was time to get serious and do what she’d always wanted to do: write fiction novels.
Beyond the Highland Mist was published in 1999 and nominated for two RITA awards. She then published six more novels in her award-winning HIGHLANDER series, and received the RITA Award in 2001 for The Highlander’s Touch.
In 2004, she began writing the #1 New York Times bestselling FEVER series. The books have been optioned twice for potential franchise development by Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios, but the rights are currently held by Moning who has expressed a desire to one day see it as a television series. Her novels have been published in over thirty countries. She divides her time between Ohio and Florida and is working on two future projects for Random House Publishing.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
Karen Marie Moning is the #1 NYT bestselling author of the Fever Series and Highlander novels.
An alum of the Immaculate Conception Academy, at seventeen she attended Purdue University where she completed a BA in Society & Law, with minors in Philosophy, Creative Writing and Theatre, while working full time as a bartender and computer consultant. She intended to go to law school but after an internship with a firm of Criminal Attorneys, decided against it. For the next decade, she worked in insurance, where she wrote intercompany arbitrations and directed commercial litigation. At the age of thirty, she decided it was time to get serious and do what she’d always wanted to do: write fiction novels.
Beyond the Highland Mist was published in 1999 and nominated for two RITA awards. She then published six more novels in her award-winning HIGHLANDER series, and received the RITA Award in 2001 for The Highlander’s Touch.
In 2004, she began writing the #1 New York Times bestselling FEVER series. The books have been optioned twice for potential franchise development by Twentieth Century Fox and DreamWorks Studios, but the rights are currently held by Moning who has expressed a desire to one day see it as a television series. Her novels have been published in over thirty countries. She divides her time between Ohio and Florida and is working on two future projects for Random House Publishing.
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.” – Jorge Luis Borges
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
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July 20, 2024
RATING: 2 stars to The Alpha Alternative ★ ★
I was under the impression that I had left a review for this. After quickly browsing through my already-read reading list, apparently I did leave a quickie review for it in 2018, though for some reason, that review seems to be categorised under Fever #7, otherwise knows as Burned. From what I understand I believe this belonged to the first book in Moning's Fever series but was later scrapped and relegated to an optional 'if you want to read' sex scene exposé in the case that readers wanted to indulge the desperate curiosity of a happening we were all patiently waiting for. While I can say I'm glad this wasn't a legitimate scene in the book, I really wasn't impressed by it for a few reasons. To title something a 'sex scene' without really fulfilling the purpose of one in an indulgent way is a problematic way to go. Fair to say I had a bone to pick with what turned out to be a disenchanting smut scene, especially when it stands independently of the first book. There was definitely more conversation than smut, and of what smut there was, it's very minimal, nondescript and underwhelming. For safety content I share that there's also the issue of dubious consent, consensual non-consent and manipulation which can and will alienate readers who, like me, don't enjoy the take. While we can say that the problematic nature of what happens is true to JZB character and consistent with his characterisation, that's not to say it will appeal, and that representation did bother me. What he does left me feeling wildly uncomfortable, and what Moning had him do subverts and damages his character in a way that enfeebles the bond that we, as readers, have built with him through his saga with Mac. I'm going to say that it's really your choice as to whether you want to go there, I personally would have preferred to not have read this.
Let's just say I'm glad the scene wasn't a published part of the first book because it likely would have ruined the Darkfever experience for me. I was interested in reading this mostly to get some insight into the mind of and perspective of one mercurial Jericho Barrons, like I'm sure most readers would have been, and aside from it being a piece of writing from his narrative, I wasn't at all really impressed by it. I quite liked the whole idea that Mac and Barrons' relationship is one of gradual build and gradual intimacy (even if it is a painfully slow build), not exercising in well, sex at first sight. Unfortunately, it doesn't do the series many favours for me, which is a shame, epic favourite of mine that it is. I've taken to looking at this as a gossamer multiverse scenario where I get to decide in its truth or fiction, a potential 'what if' situation for readers who like to play with scenarios. Even though I didn't particularly like it, it gets another added star for being a Barrons POV piece. But, oh well.... I'm still over here deducing what Barrons has against birthdays (especially his own). That, and homemade birthday cakes.
Also, unrelatedly to the piece itself, I'm going to point out how much I love that this now has consistent cover art with the larger series. When I did read this, it didn't have this cover edition. I don't know when this happened but I'm very happy about it =D
-----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
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I was under the impression that I had left a review for this. After quickly browsing through my already-read reading list, apparently I did leave a quickie review for it in 2018, though for some reason, that review seems to be categorised under Fever #7, otherwise knows as Burned. From what I understand I believe this belonged to the first book in Moning's Fever series but was later scrapped and relegated to an optional 'if you want to read' sex scene exposé in the case that readers wanted to indulge the desperate curiosity of a happening we were all patiently waiting for. While I can say I'm glad this wasn't a legitimate scene in the book, I really wasn't impressed by it for a few reasons. To title something a 'sex scene' without really fulfilling the purpose of one in an indulgent way is a problematic way to go. Fair to say I had a bone to pick with what turned out to be a disenchanting smut scene, especially when it stands independently of the first book. There was definitely more conversation than smut, and of what smut there was, it's very minimal, nondescript and underwhelming. For safety content I share that there's also the issue of dubious consent, consensual non-consent and manipulation which can and will alienate readers who, like me, don't enjoy the take. While we can say that the problematic nature of what happens is true to JZB character and consistent with his characterisation, that's not to say it will appeal, and that representation did bother me. What he does left me feeling wildly uncomfortable, and what Moning had him do subverts and damages his character in a way that enfeebles the bond that we, as readers, have built with him through his saga with Mac. I'm going to say that it's really your choice as to whether you want to go there, I personally would have preferred to not have read this.
Let's just say I'm glad the scene wasn't a published part of the first book because it likely would have ruined the Darkfever experience for me. I was interested in reading this mostly to get some insight into the mind of and perspective of one mercurial Jericho Barrons, like I'm sure most readers would have been, and aside from it being a piece of writing from his narrative, I wasn't at all really impressed by it. I quite liked the whole idea that Mac and Barrons' relationship is one of gradual build and gradual intimacy (even if it is a painfully slow build), not exercising in well, sex at first sight. Unfortunately, it doesn't do the series many favours for me, which is a shame, epic favourite of mine that it is. I've taken to looking at this as a gossamer multiverse scenario where I get to decide in its truth or fiction, a potential 'what if' situation for readers who like to play with scenarios. Even though I didn't particularly like it, it gets another added star for being a Barrons POV piece. But, oh well.... I'm still over here deducing what Barrons has against birthdays (especially his own). That, and homemade birthday cakes.
Also, unrelatedly to the piece itself, I'm going to point out how much I love that this now has consistent cover art with the larger series. When I did read this, it didn't have this cover edition. I don't know when this happened but I'm very happy about it =D
-----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @TheVicarious1
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
-----------------------------------------------
March 3, 2022
1- Jerricho Freaking Barrons + sex scene =
Get it? Good. There isn't much else to say really.
Oh yeah, that too.
2- It's better not to read this if you haven't yet read the first five books in the series.
Life sucks, I know.
3- If you are planning on reading this scene make sure youdon't do it in public have the version featuring KMM's preface and the JZB APOE/Sex passages. They give a very different perspective to the scene.
4- If you think this isn't HOT enough, go and listen to the audio version.
Now go pant somewhere else. Thank you.
Get it? Good. There isn't much else to say really.
Oh yeah, that too.
2- It's better not to read this if you haven't yet read the first five books in the series.
Life sucks, I know.
3- If you are planning on reading this scene make sure you
4- If you think this isn't HOT enough, go and listen to the audio version.
Now go pant somewhere else. Thank you.
September 7, 2023
I hate him for what he did to her.
Read
April 10, 2021I didn't like it.
April 12, 2021
I like that this was a deleted scene from the first book. I don't like how simple it was. If you release a separate story to be entirely a sex scene, it should have more detail than this. Their conversation was more detailed than the sex itself.
December 20, 2022
Content warning… coercion into sex is assault
June 16, 2023
Ok everyone, I'm very confused. This is the scene at the beginning of "Burned", book 7 in the Fever series, where it's mentioned that this scene happened in Darkfever, book 1 of the Fever series. Jericho just made Mac forget about it. I don't know why it's mentioned here that this never happened, when technically it's made canon in Burned. I don't think this should have been made canon, because it's confusing. Even if Mac was made to forget about it, she would have felt something the next day as she and Barrons had some kind of s@x marathon in this scene. Unless he healed her too? But that's never even mentioned in Burned! All's I have to say is that after book 6 in the Fever series, the plot seems to take a sharp, very confusing turn.
I don't know why this was made canon in the beginning of Burned, but it adds almost nothing to the plot at that point in the series. Maybe if it was made canon earlier, but by book 7 Barrons and Mac have already had their Happily/Hopefully ever after. It just seemed like KMM added it for Barrons fanservice. Unless you are a hardcore Barrons stan, I doubt you will like this short, apparently previously non-canon, chapter.
I don't know why this was made canon in the beginning of Burned, but it adds almost nothing to the plot at that point in the series. Maybe if it was made canon earlier, but by book 7 Barrons and Mac have already had their Happily/Hopefully ever after. It just seemed like KMM added it for Barrons fanservice. Unless you are a hardcore Barrons stan, I doubt you will like this short, apparently previously non-canon, chapter.
November 8, 2025
Questo forse era meglio lasciarlo perdere
September 6, 2023
1 ꙳
słabe ze strony seksu, jak i ze strony gwałtu, podobno to powinno się czytać po 5 tomie, zobaczymy czy mnie wypiorą na tyle.
słabe ze strony seksu, jak i ze strony gwałtu, podobno to powinno się czytać po 5 tomie, zobaczymy czy mnie wypiorą na tyle.
September 28, 2023
I can never get enough Barrons. He’s my numero uno!
Read
June 22, 2023Reread-12/16/19- Karen Marie Moning reposted this scene on her facebook, describing her thought process while writing it, so I figured I'd read it again. I still regard it as fan fiction, but I did enjoy reading it more this time around. It's not really a sex scene, to be honest. It's not very explicit. It's more about Mac and Barron's second meeting. Less is more with Barrons when it comes to being in his head, as the whole point his character is always making is that he cares how you perceive his actions, less than he cares about actually telling you about what he is, but I did like the little tidbits we got about his character, from his own perspective rather than Mac's. I'd never want him to have his own POV in an actual book in the series (please, KMM, never do that), but just getting a tiny glimpse of his thoughts was intriguing and fascinating. I love the way he analyzes Mac the first time he meets her and sees something unsettling in her eyes that makes him think she's not all she appears to be. He never takes her at face value and I love that about him. He's always seeing her potential for greatness. Basically, I see this whole novella as Barrons and Mac in a scene that never could have taken place because it doesn't make sense for their characters, but I still enjoyed it because it's Mac and Barrons and I missed them.
Original review:
I loved this short novella because it duh it has Jericho Barrons in it...but I view it as fan fiction. I don't honestly believe the author had any idea she would add this scene to canon until the seventh book. So while I like it, it ruins the artful way she pieced together the story, so I will continue to regard it as fake.
Original review:
I loved this short novella because it duh it has Jericho Barrons in it...but I view it as fan fiction. I don't honestly believe the author had any idea she would add this scene to canon until the seventh book. So while I like it, it ruins the artful way she pieced together the story, so I will continue to regard it as fake.
November 5, 2023
The Alpha Alternative: JZB Sex Scene, though well-written and sexy in its own right, undermines Moning's lead man in a way some might find off-putting.
I would recommend this book to: ONLY fans who have ALREADY read the original 5 books in the "Fever" series, and ALSO plan to read book 7, Burned
Critical Rating: 4 Stars
Personal Rating: 1 Stars
.
Reading Format: Book
Review: This is really difficult for me to write. I am completely in love with Moning's worldbuilding, characters, plots, and all of her stories in the "Fever" series.
This one undermined Jericho Barrons in a way that was difficult for me to reconcile.
I will say that despite my dislike of this scene, Moning doesn't disappoint with her writing. The scene was sexy and entertaining. In fact, Moning's sex scenes are often my favorites. They're written realistically with just the right amount of hot, alpha-male fantasy. Objectively, this scene is skillfully written.
Without giving away any spoilers, I wouldn't recommend that anyone read this until AFTER they've read the first 5 installments: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, and Shadowfever. This scene isn't relevant to any part of the storyline in these main books and it is never hinted at (I think Moning had mentioned it wasn't originally supposed to be canon on her blog? I can't find her original post, so I can't confirm this).
If you'd like to continue reading Moning's books after the "Main 5", I would read this scene before Burned, as a prologue of sorts. However, since the first 5 stand on their own, I REALLY wouldn't recommend it before completing those. If you don't plan to read on, I see no reason to read this scene.
.
Read if you like:
-Extra "Fever" content
-Alpha male characters
-Well written sex scenes
-Adult content: Sex
I would recommend this book to: ONLY fans who have ALREADY read the original 5 books in the "Fever" series, and ALSO plan to read book 7, Burned
Critical Rating: 4 Stars
Personal Rating: 1 Stars
.
Reading Format: Book
Review: This is really difficult for me to write. I am completely in love with Moning's worldbuilding, characters, plots, and all of her stories in the "Fever" series.
This one undermined Jericho Barrons in a way that was difficult for me to reconcile.
I will say that despite my dislike of this scene, Moning doesn't disappoint with her writing. The scene was sexy and entertaining. In fact, Moning's sex scenes are often my favorites. They're written realistically with just the right amount of hot, alpha-male fantasy. Objectively, this scene is skillfully written.
Without giving away any spoilers, I wouldn't recommend that anyone read this until AFTER they've read the first 5 installments: Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, and Shadowfever. This scene isn't relevant to any part of the storyline in these main books and it is never hinted at (I think Moning had mentioned it wasn't originally supposed to be canon on her blog? I can't find her original post, so I can't confirm this).
If you'd like to continue reading Moning's books after the "Main 5", I would read this scene before Burned, as a prologue of sorts. However, since the first 5 stand on their own, I REALLY wouldn't recommend it before completing those. If you don't plan to read on, I see no reason to read this scene.
.
Read if you like:
-Extra "Fever" content
-Alpha male characters
-Well written sex scenes
-Adult content: Sex
January 22, 2023
Um... idk where I fall on this.
It was... interesting.
It's not very detailed for a scene that was literally a sex scene. I feel like it was pretty darn close to fade to black so it seems kind of silly to release a whole short story about a sex scene and not really have... sex in it...?
On the other hand it does seem very Barons.
He told her to tell him to stop and she flat out said no.
The reviews that say that wasn't consent... wasn't it? If you want a guy to stop you tell him to, especially if he gives you an opportunity.
Was it loving and romantic, absolutely not. It was literally just fucking, there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The author definitely didn't try to paint it as anything else.
It does bug me that he made her forget. Yeah, she had regrets but that's her decision to make not his, it seems kind of shitty to add a pivotal moment to a story that was already made then just make her forget so it fits the plot. Instead of a JZB POV this should have been a deleted scene which is what I think it probably was.
On the other hand, it does seem very underhanded which is totally Barons, so idk, maybe it WAS a POV. Conflicted on this one.
It was... interesting.
It's not very detailed for a scene that was literally a sex scene. I feel like it was pretty darn close to fade to black so it seems kind of silly to release a whole short story about a sex scene and not really have... sex in it...?
On the other hand it does seem very Barons.
He told her to tell him to stop and she flat out said no.
The reviews that say that wasn't consent... wasn't it? If you want a guy to stop you tell him to, especially if he gives you an opportunity.
Was it loving and romantic, absolutely not. It was literally just fucking, there's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The author definitely didn't try to paint it as anything else.
It does bug me that he made her forget. Yeah, she had regrets but that's her decision to make not his, it seems kind of shitty to add a pivotal moment to a story that was already made then just make her forget so it fits the plot. Instead of a JZB POV this should have been a deleted scene which is what I think it probably was.
On the other hand, it does seem very underhanded which is totally Barons, so idk, maybe it WAS a POV. Conflicted on this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
Rating: 3/5
Spice: Yes
Review:
Well it’s only a single scene, which doesn’t give you a lot to work with.
I wanted to read the scene, to get a better insight in Jericho, and did get just that. But I kind of felt like it was coercion into sex, which hits a little too close to rape.
Now this series in general has a lot of almost rape, and rape scenes with the “Death-by-sex” fae. But I like Jericho I don’t really wanna think of him as a bad guy. But you can’t deny the facts.
Reading style: Ebook
Spice: Yes
Review:
Well it’s only a single scene, which doesn’t give you a lot to work with.
I wanted to read the scene, to get a better insight in Jericho, and did get just that. But I kind of felt like it was coercion into sex, which hits a little too close to rape.
Now this series in general has a lot of almost rape, and rape scenes with the “Death-by-sex” fae. But I like Jericho I don’t really wanna think of him as a bad guy. But you can’t deny the facts.
Reading style: Ebook
June 3, 2024
Don't read this until you've read the rest of the series.
I love this series. This is one of my all-time favorites. I probably have more of KMM's books than any other single author. Its definitely worth reading from the start of her Highlander books through to Fever.
I understand why she removed this from the first book. It definitely doesn't fit. I'm not going to post an explanation due to spoilers for the series, but it was a good editing choice. Not her best writing, and not a good representation of either Mac or Barrons.
That being said, it's a nice little 4 minute distraction read.
I love this series. This is one of my all-time favorites. I probably have more of KMM's books than any other single author. Its definitely worth reading from the start of her Highlander books through to Fever.
I understand why she removed this from the first book. It definitely doesn't fit. I'm not going to post an explanation due to spoilers for the series, but it was a good editing choice. Not her best writing, and not a good representation of either Mac or Barrons.
That being said, it's a nice little 4 minute distraction read.
December 24, 2022
If I could give this zero stars I would. The vignette feels true to character. I'm sure he would do this and not feel any remorse, but a scene like this is written for the reader. If Moning wanted to show his character she would have simply implied that he r@pes her to make a point. When it's written like this it's to touch upon a kink. I'm not super into consensual-non- consent so I won't say any more, except that this was a no for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2024
So this was not what I expected at all. The way this was forced in as book “1.5” is kinda laughable.
However it’s all very Mac and Barrons. It makes sense for them that this happened, but I don’t have to love it.
For those wondering how to read this, I found it online in someone’s blog, just google it. I also found it in the beginning of book #7 mass market paper back. So seems like it is in print in some books. 🙂
However it’s all very Mac and Barrons. It makes sense for them that this happened, but I don’t have to love it.
For those wondering how to read this, I found it online in someone’s blog, just google it. I also found it in the beginning of book #7 mass market paper back. So seems like it is in print in some books. 🙂
April 9, 2023
Oh my God! I can't believe it really is from Barrons' point of view. It had me smiling sheepishly all the while reading Barrons' mind. The experience was exhilarating when you are in an enigmatic character's brain. This just makes you want more of the deliciously sexy Barrons!!! I hate it when he . Ugh~
Read
December 29, 2022As much as I want to say I loved getting a glance into Barrons head, I have to say, I felt uncomfortable. First, this is sexual assault. Secondly, it changes the entire story of Mac and Barrons. Everything. This is not the little nugget I'd hoped it would be.
April 5, 2023
I would skip this. It adds nothing to the story. Doesn't affect it in any way. It was smart decision to delete this scene from the book.
The whole sex scene is 2-3 very short paragraphs and it's not all that great. From the title I'd expected more and lot better.
The whole sex scene is 2-3 very short paragraphs and it's not all that great. From the title I'd expected more and lot better.
July 30, 2025
Mmmm not sure about this. It reads like fanfiction or a rightfully deleted scene from the book.
This doesn't serve any purpose to the plot or character development. I believe that sex in a romance should serve a purpose. This is just a random sex scene.
This doesn't serve any purpose to the plot or character development. I believe that sex in a romance should serve a purpose. This is just a random sex scene.
September 23, 2022
Como de buena estuvo que hace mucho que lo leí y aún me acuerdo. Barron supremacy 🛐
November 9, 2022
ojalá no lo hubiera leido.. Básicamemente..ALERTA SPOILER te cuenta que la viola y le roba la memoria para que no le odie.
March 27, 2023
Barrons is such an asshole.
April 11, 2023
I liked it. Now I want all Mac books retold from Barron's POV, heck give me the entire series told from the POV of the men I've come to love.
August 30, 2023
Well that was... something
January 14, 2024
Wow. Interesting twist!
January 28, 2024
This, in no way, fits it with what happened in the book...
July 23, 2024
2 stars
This was pretty effed up and manipulative. This felt closer to dub-con than anything. Plus, he made her forget about it afterward.
This was pretty effed up and manipulative. This felt closer to dub-con than anything. Plus, he made her forget about it afterward.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews