Iced

Title: Iced (#1 Dani O'Malley Trilogy)
Author: Karen Marie Moning

From GoodReads:
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.

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Wow! I’d forgotten how much energy goes into reading a KMM novel. There’s always such exquisite detail. She’s constantly weaving threads through to be picked up later (much like the Seelie Queen) and adding or shifting layers and twisting plots. I have to sticky note, underline, highlight, and make notes to refer back to when starting the next KMM novel...or rereading one. :) And her writing is so very eloquent and yet so entertaining.

*grin* Yes, I’m gushing like a fangirl...I’m a loyal Moning Maniac!

Iced, the first in KMM’s new Dani O’Malley trilogy, picks up where Shadowfever left off...AWC. Dublin has suffered terribly in the aftermath. And now, a new threat has surfaced and it’s up to Dani “Mega” O’Malley to determine what the threat is and how to stop it in order to save the world.

I’m gonna try not to be spoiler-y here. This is such an incredible read but one you really should experience for yourself! :)

Dublin has suddenly come under siege by something that ices its victims seemingly without warning. No witnesses have survived, so it’s up to Dani and her cohorts to figure out who or what is causing the deep freeze of Dublin, and then determine a way to end it before it’s too late.

Besides solving the mystery of the latest threat to Dublin, Dani has several other obstacles, threats and people to contend with. First, there’s Ryodan. Dani’s working for him now and he’s attempting to take care of her in his own way, which, of course, chafes Dani because that care invariably involves rules and Dani’s not so good with rules. Their relationship leaves me quite confuzzled I have to tell you. I’ve read many other bloggers’ opinions of KMM’s endgame between these two and I’m just not sure what to think. The biggest issue giving me pause is Jo. I mean, WTF? (please, once you read Iced, let me know what you think...)

Next, Dani is contending with Christian, his transformation into an Unseelie Prince, and his professed love for her. He’s always showing up at opportune times to save her and a true tug-of-war ensues between Christian and Ryodan...but I’m only truly certain of what Christian wants from Dani. As he says:

“You get a shot at something like her once in a lifetime. And if you screw it up there’s a special place in hell for you.”

“He (Ryodan) knows she’s worth waiting for. And when it’s time, he intends to be the one. That’s why he’s keeping her close. To those of us who live forever, a few years isn’t long to wait. Not for something worth waiting for. Not for a once-in-a-lifetime girl.”

Dani is also struggling with her friendship with Dancer. Dancer is her closest friend and ally and Dani puts his superbrain into overdrive trying to solve this mystery. Dancer, though, tries to get too close at times and this causes Dani to pull away. She tries to examine her feelings for Dancer but doesn’t have to the time to dedicate to it since Dublin is an icebowl in the middle of June. Plus, I’m not sure Dani knows what to do with her feelings for anyone. Ryodan points out:

“By your own definition you don’t love anyone either. An argument could be made that you only ever do one of three things to the people closest to you: make enemies of them, kill the people they love, or get them killed.”

Another obstacle Dani is dealing with is a group calling themselves WeCare. They’re posting Dailies and seemingly trying to discredit Dani and her daily missives. WeCare are trying to lull Dubliners into coming out into the open and Dani is livid because it only puts them in danger because of the unknown icing threat.

Of course, Dani is eternally avoiding Mac. The guilt Dani is carrying around over killing Alina (Mac’s sister) is a great weight. That, along with believing Mac is out hunting for her, is an enormous amount of emotional baggage for Dani to carry around.

And finally, there is the threat of a newly released fae, the Unseelie Princes hunting her, and Jayne chasing her trying to liberate her sword.

Gosh, that’s a lot to avoid...good thing Dani can freeze-frame! :)

I appreciated the insight into Dani’s childhood provided in this book. It went a long way to explaining some of Dani’s behaviors and circumstances. I also love when Dani has epiphanies. She really is a brilliant, 14 year old superhero! However, another layer to Dani was added when her “alter-ego” (I can’t think of another term for it) is revealed. Definitely made me say, hmm...

So, obviously I loved this book! It did take me awhile to read but all KMM’s books do because I’m always trying to read between the lines. And the stuff between the lines is always so thought provoking for me.

I’d really enjoy having a discussion with any of you who read or have read Iced about what you think it going on between the lines. I definitely have some ideas and opinions but as usual, I really have no idea where KMM is going. So I'll be (im)patiently waiting for Burned!!!