High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning – a Review
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Description:
There is no action without consequence…
Dani O’Malley was nine years old when the delusional, sadistic Rowena transformed her into a ruthless killer. Years later, she’s tough, hardened, yet achingly vulnerable and fiercely compassionate, living alone by her own exacting code. Despite the scars on her body, driven by deeper ones carved into her soul, no one is more committed to protecting Dublin. By day, she ensures the safety of those she rescues, by night she hunts evil, dispensing justice swiftly and without mercy, determined to give those she cares for the peace she has never known.
There is no power without price…
When the Faerie Queen used the dangerously powerful Song of Making to heal the world from the damage done by the Hoar Frost King, catastrophic magic seeped deep into the earth, giving rise to horrifying, unforeseen consequences–and now deadly enemies plot in the darkness, preparing to enslave the human race and unleash an ancient reign of hell on Earth.
There is no future without sacrifice…
With the lethal, immortal Ryodan at her side, armed with the epic Sword of Light, Dani once again battles to save the world but her past comes back to haunt her with a vengeance, demanding an unspeakable price for the power she needs to save the human race and no one—not even Ryodan who’d move the very stars for her—can save her this time…
Review:
High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning is the 10th book in her Fever series. I am a fan of Moning and her fantastic Fever series. We have been waiting a long time for Dani’s story, and I for one could not wait to get my hands on High Voltage.
Background: Dani O’Malley has been one of my all time favorites, and when we met her at the start, she was a precocious 14 year old girl, who became Mac’s (Fever heroine) best friend, and together they fought off the enemies that haunted them all. Dani had a terrible childhood, being caged by her mother, until she escaped and became one of the youngest sidhe-seers at the abbey. Rowena was the leader of the girls in the abbey, and we learned over time, that she changed Dani into a fierce warrior, and also a killer. It pained me to see that Dani and Mac’s friendship ended when Mac found out who killed her sister. When Dani spent over 5 years in the Silvers (Fae ), she changed into Jada, a polished and grown woman, who returned to the abbey to be the powerful leader of the of sidhe-seers. Ryodan, our hero, has known forever that Dani/Jada was destined for him, but he had to wait for this young girl to grow up into a woman. In Feversong, it was great to see Dani and Mac resume their deep friendship to help bring peace in Ireland.
In High Voltage, the story revolves around Dani and Ryodan and war that is on the horizon between the Fae, Gods and humans. Dani is a very confident young woman, knowing how powerful she has become, as well as being fearless. It’s been two years since Ryodan left saying he had to go away, and would be back. She resents that he has not called or left a message in those two years. Dani finds herself in serious situations, one from a soul stealer that she manages to escape. Shortly thereafter, Ryodan returns and Dani gives him the cold shoulder. We have known for many books that Ryodan is the man for Dani, but we also knew she had to grow up. Now this is their time, and their lust for each other was hotter than hell. But Ryodan was holding back, making sure Dani was really ready for him, and had the same feelings. Moning did this perfectly, and when we get nearer to the end, we will have our wishes granted.
But first Dani must survive what is happening to her, as well as those trying to kill her. Slowly, Dani finds her body turning black, which started after she killed a hunter (dragon). She works with Kat (another regular who runs the Abbey), and the sidhe-seers to stop the villain, who is killing many people. We also get to see Christian and Sean again, one ready to fight and the other unable to control his darkness. We also got to see the Nine help Dani and Ryodan fight off attacks from the Faes.
What follows is an ultra exciting story, though early on was a bit slow, that puts Dani and everyone in danger. But the best part of this story was the romance between Ryodan and Dani that we have waited forever. Ryodan is tough, intense and violent, but Dani makes him feel again, and his love for her was beautiful to see. Dani knows she loves Ryodan, and as she continues to gain more power, she is ready to act on her love. As her body changes each day, she becomes a dangerous tool that could help fight the enemy, but will ruin everything else by her inability to touch anyone.
I will not give spoilers, but the last third of the book, was very emotional in so many levels. …the powerful love of Dani and Ryodan; her love for her Hel-Cat Shazam was fun; and when she meet Y’Rill and learns what she has become. OMG…Karen that was so awesome. I had smiles on my face a long time after I finished the book, making me completely happy. The emotions we feel when the relationship between Dani and Ryodan finally lights up in a fiery joyful ending. Well done, Karen Marie Moning. Of course, I want more of Dani, Ryodan, Mac, Barrons and all the others.
Reviewed by Barb
