I just finished my fourth re-reading of the book
yes, I know, I'm addicted to re-reading urban fantasy... I think I'm on my tenth re-read of Anne Bishop's Dark Jewels trilogy... which is not urban fantasy but anyway..., breaking my book fast to review for my USMLE and not knowing what to do with myself waiting for the FINAL book.
I thought the fourth book was going to be the LAST drat it I am quite happy with the way things turn out in the book, even if I got annoyed majorly most of the time with Dani (with an i) because she is quite an annoying kid, (yes, because everyone was like that at 13) and everyone is so permissive with her (because what do you do with a kid you can't follow?).
I liked the way Mac handled things in this book. Heroines that can't seem to trust the hand that feeds them (yes, I'm not into feminism) has angered me in the past, but for some odd reason, you understand it coming from Mac. She has reasons she doesn't trust the people, and it's not because she has some convoluted issues with her self-esteem. And Mac doesn't WHINE, she does something about what's bothering her. It may be the wrong choice, but she does something about it. She also shows that she can learn from her mistakes, and she doesn't blame anybody for them. There was a point in the book where Barrons makes it clear that if Mac had reached out to him, he could have done something about what was happening to her, and the next time she fights when again faced with a similar situation, she doesn't hesitate, she asks for help.
And yes, there is plot progression in the book, more intrigue if that is possible and yes, this book makes up for the sad lack of Barrons in the third book. (Or maybe, there was a lack of Barrons in the third book, because the author knew there was going to be an abundance of him in the fourth....), and though Barrons is still mysterious, brooding, and drily witty, you see his past in this book (in sad chopped up segments, but his past nonetheless), there is something OF him than just a mentor character for this Barbie turned GI Joe. You also see that though he NEVER explains himself in ANY way, that yes, Mac has been his priority, and it doesn't turn cliche and it doesn't make you feel like you're reading an urban fantasy turned into romance. There was some romancing in it, but the dynamics of the characters don't change because of it, status quo remained, where all the romance, once done was placed in a small lead box, tied to chains and kept close with a reinforced lock. Barrons doesn't suddenly turn all soft and caring, he exhibits that in one moment and one moment only and then when the need for it stops he resumes his walls. He doesn't act tender towards Mac, and he still doesn't explain. (And unlike other characters who pretends not to explain but explains anyway in the end, Barrons sticks to it, her really doesn't BOTHER to show that his actions may mean something else in the larger spectrum of things, Mac figures it out by herself)
And Ryodan, who appears in this book, is not quite what you expect. (And if I suspect right, after the entire fever series, if Moning is still going to continue with spin-offs, Ryodan is going to be his own spin-off... with DANI... PLEASE, NOOOOO.) He doesn't care more for Mac, and just because Barrons has tasked him with caring for Mac when Barrons himself can't, he isn't permissive with her.
Maybe the most hated part about the book (besides its non-ending) is the part where everything shifts to the surreal. (Yes, i remember that I am reading an urban fantasy book). This is largely a small post-apocalyptic event. You know that the walls of Faery have gone down in the previous book, and you know everything is shot to hell, and you've survived it, and you're living it. And you either, to coin a phrase from the book, crawl or walk away from it. And yes, everything is turning from the more mundane (pre-apocalyptic) to obviously the more surreal. Because you have to see the surreal around you now, it's part of the real. But honestly the last part of the book (without giving too much away) might have been to much... surreal-ness.
( Spoils for the Dreaming )All in all... need I say it? I am waiting in anticipation and pulling my hair out(please have pity on my hair roots) until the FINAL installment of the book.