Book Review: Pale Demon

Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic 

ever-after . . . forever after.

But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country?

Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.

For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight—freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

Pale Demon, the ninth book in Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series was by far my favorite. I’ve been a fan since I read the first book, six and a half years ago. Book four, A Fistful of Charms, was my favorite book until now. Pale Demon definitely earns the top spot in this series.

Poor Rachel. It seems like she can never catch a break. Just when life starts to settle down, another explosion happens. Sometimes it’s a literal explosion. This time she’s shunned… for using black magic… to save her life and the lives of others. If magic is saving innocents, how bad can it be? At least… that’s my opinion.

She has to get from Cincinnati to California for her brother’s wedding, and the annual witches’ conference. But the airline won’t let a shunned witch fly. Coincidentally, Trent Kalamack (aka the smexiest elf ever) also has to get to the west coast, and, for reasons he can’t say, he can’t fly either. So Rachel, along with her partners Ivy and Jenks, travel to the west coast with Trent in tow. It’s going to be a long drive.

And, of course, this is Rachel Mariana Morgan we’re talking about, so it’s one adventure after the other, as she tries to get to the west coast on time. And, hopefully, avoid life in Alcatraz… and a lobotomy. Did I mention every witch hates her? New baddies attack, and we get to see our favorite demons in a different light. Definitely my favorite in the series and one of the best books I've read this year.

Fans of this series won’t want to miss The Hollows graphic novel, Blood Work, which hits shelves July 12, 2011.

Haven’t read any of the previous books in this series? Start with Dead Witch Walking! You won’t be disappointed with these books. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check out her YA series, starting with Once Dead, Twice Shy.

And once you’re done with those, check out both series by Dawn Cook (same author, different name). Both predate The Hollows and have been recently re-released. The Princess series and the Truth series.

Be sure to check out Kim’s site, and follow her on Twitter.

Book Review: Black Magic Sanction (and contest winner)

*Slight spoilers for past books in the series. Skip to the bottom for contest announcement.*

I think this may be my new favorite book in The Hollows Series, by Kim Harrison. I find myself having more and more in common with Rachel. Though, with her being a witch, her problems are on a larger scale. Against popular opinion, I'm a huge Trent fan. I don't know what it is about that elf. And I also love Pierce. So far, he's my favorite potential boyfriend for Rachel. Bis has a greater role in this book, and I'm definitely a fan. Have tissues handy. My copy was covered in tear drops on a few pages.

Synopsis:

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter - and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind... until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment - at worst, a forced lobatomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.

It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

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And now the contest winner!!!

Congrats, Karen. I'll drop your book and swag in the mail this weekend.