Moning Maniacs discussion

What did everyone think?!?!?!

Warning: contains major spoilers, so read at your own risk.

(view spoiler)[
To start off with the positive, there were parts that I liked, like the Masdann/Barrons switcheroo (This part of the book was the only one where I literally pumped my fist in the air. Did not see it coming, which reminded me a of the magic in the earlier Fever books where I used to sit at the edge of my seat). I also liked Lyryka, and am glad Christian got his HEA (well, kind of). Mac was Mac, and that was kind of comforting. Same for Barrons. Also liked how the alternate realities/”what could have happened” scenarios were woven into the story. Oh, and of course Cruce getting his just deserts. I liked the book, and I'm still recovering from the major hangover it left behind.

But then, here comes the “but”: There was a lot of world-building to wrap up, so it was clear going in that not everything that I as a reader care about would get resolved in a way that feels right. The book introduces some new Fae characters, and at the end of the book, I felt like they got a lot more page time than they actually deserved. I’ve been a ride-or-die Dani/Ryodan fan ever since Iced, and in this book I actively felt like this part of the fandom was shot and left for dead for good (well, I felt that already with HiVo, but I guess hope really does spring eternal). Dani was completely sidelined in the story, and her chapters felt disjointed and weird. Ryo was little more than a prop. I wondered if there was going to be some “screentime” with Dani and Ryo, but they literally spend the whole book apart, and I believe they exchanged all of 2 words between them. Going into the book, I told myself to expect nothing when it comes to Dani/Ryo, and I’m glad I did. Because that’s what we got. Nothing. Ironically, there’s a sentence in the book where Mac states that Dani and Ryo have never had the chance to spend much together as humans. Ain’t that the truth. We as readers never got to spend the time we hoped with them either. If I sound bitter about that, that’s because I am. It will always be my biggest regret in terms of the Fever series. The Unseelie King’s power transferring to Ryo at the end was strangely anticlimactic, after all the buildup about who will inherit the power. Of course, Ryo now being the King raises huge questions about the future, but as the series is over, we will never get to explore that. So in terms of getting closure with the Fever world, well, can you really ever be done with it? As a final gripe, couldn’t help but notice that the fever is definitely out of the Fever series at this point. Although gratuitous sex scenes were never my jam, KMM has always been an extraordinary romance/sexual tension writer. At least, up until a few books ago. I feel something changed back then, and maybe it’s due to her writing and story-telling evolving, or maybe she just moved past writing romance completely. Either way, that special spark between the lead couples was missing. (hide spoiler)]

I knew going in that this was about Mac's journey, and from that point of view, it wraps up nicely. It was bittersweet reading KOSAL, getting a final glimpse of the beloved characters and having to say goodbye to this world. I’ve been with the fever series from the very beginning, obsessing over the story and the characters through the years. It’s been a roller-coaster ride for sure, and a love-hate relationship at times, but I’m glad I tagged along for the ride.

Emily wrote: "Warning: contains major spoilers, so read at your own risk.


To start off with the positive, there were parts that I liked, like the Masdann/Barrons switcheroo (This part of the book was the only ..."

Hi Emily! Regarding you thoughts in the spoiler section - totally agree ofc. But ok, it is what it is. Think it was best exemplified by (view spoiler)[ the very end of the book where barrons/mac relationship was basically compared to Dani/...Shazam:))) like how they use their own intimate coded communication etc. I guess the whole idea of having Ryo's character being defined with the sole purpose of giving Dani all the freedom & personal space she is supposed to get eventually backfired in them coming across as completely disconnected and uninterested in each other or their relationship.

Dani chooses to die with Shazam, knowing that means never to be with Ryo again. And Ryo chose to sit around for the whole book and wait when the plotline finally has time for Dani, but not wreak havoc and turn every stone looking for her. With the implied reasons for those decisions being their respect for each other and trust that the other one is strong enough to pull through, no matter what happens to either of them.

So ofc I get the attempt for portraying their relationship as one between two very equal, very powerful and very brave ppl, but in the end that seem to make them a little bit too individualistic and dispassionate (when it comes to how they act towards each other). Bummer, but was already clear from prev book, so no major disappointment I guess. Just wished Dani also joined Lyryka on adventures in the Hall of all days. If she's gonna be so strongly defined by freedom-seeking and lust for life, then that was her real HEA. (hide spoiler)]

Hi Anomis! *Waves hand*

You are right on the money with everything you said. You'd think your significant other would factor into your decision-making a bit more in a situation like that. Overall, it felt like they had regressed instead of progressing in their relationship, but then again, there was so little to go on that each fragment felt really jarring. I've always loved Dani's individuality, but why even bother trying to give her a HEA with Ryo is she's not able to relate to him in any meaningful way (and vice versa, of course). At least she was on Ryo's mind all the time, while Dani didn't spare him more than what was basically one fleeting thought. As you said, "If she's gonna be so strongly defined by freedom-seeking and lust for life, then that was her real HEA". Amen to that.

Hi everyone!

Spoilers, read at your own risk



I have to agree with everything that was said here.
I personally did enjoy Dani's part more than anything that Mac ever narrated, but admittedly I only tag along for Dani so it's probably just me being biased and inpatient with anyone else who is not her.
After finishing KOSAL I can finally say with confidence that Iced was Moning's best book. (so far).
I remember thinking and stressing over - for years - how Moning seems to meticulously mete out every Ryodan/Dani interaction, being incredibly frustrated over it.
After KOSAL I finally realized that although Ryodan and Dani's characters are written convincingly, Moning simply cannot write them as a couple.
Not without turning them into Mac and Barrons, and I think she recognized this, that's why she left them out almost completely from KOSAL.
In my opinion, this remains the series biggest flaw since Iced.
She could never explore them conveniently, and she always ends up sacrificing their storyline for Mac and Barrons.
Just imagine a plot in which Ryodan and Dani share the past they had, without forming a couple yet, Ryodan with his newly gained powers and Dani with her split identity as a hunter and a woman. I maintain my opinion that their stories hid angst and slow-burn, not Miley Cyrus - references and detached simping. Although I do kinda like the Ryodan simping part. :)

I'm also confused why didn't we got glimpses into Lor's personality when Moning got to know that he is one of the most popular characters.

Christian's plot I liked as far as Lyryka's character went.
She was refreshing and truly entertaining, but their chapters felt like they were from a completely different book, as they were from a sequel to the highlander series.
It was romantic without actual conflicts, sprinkled with supernatural elements to give some dimension to it.
Hmm, what else...
Something to appreciate about Moning's writing is how she fuses physics and folklore, it remains remarkable. As I said above, I really enjoyed the scenes that took place in space.
While reading the book I also got the feeling that Moning really really needs a good editor. KOSAL was at places exhaustingly wordy.
And I think that's all I have to say about this book.
It was definitely better than Burned but it felt somehow tensionless. Also, I think it's pointless to introduce new characters in the finishing installment of a series.
People simply will not care.
I sound so harsh, but I'm truly not mad at this book. It's just at this point I often find myself enjoying the writing itself than the actual storyline.
I guess for people how grew to love the series because of Mac and Barrons, KOSAL was a way better experience.

I'm curious what are her future writing goals, was she writing simultaneously something else during the three years between KOSAL and HV? Didn't she mention something like this?