There's no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who's already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.
Between "runs," she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.
Rachel must also take a stand in the war that's raging in the city's underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin - and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.
And now her dark "master" is coming to collect his due.
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“The mad have a grace all of their own.”Rachel Morgan
I was extremely excited to dig into this one after the massive ending of the second. As I wanted, it starts with Rachel and Algaliarept and their 'deal', which was a fascinating turnout. Setting the tone for the rest of the book was perfect. I was happy to get plenty of Al time, and thrown in with this was a new, intriguing character and back history.
In this book the pot is heating up about Ivy and Rachel's unconventional relationship, a new man in town who's wanting a piece of Cincinnati's pie, a new relationship forming that I have been wanting for several books now *yum*, and Rachel trying to get her life sorted out in the middle of all this. There's always a war erupting somewhere.
Character wise Nick is showing new sides and I found it very touching on Rachel's emotional struggles with all that. It holds a convincing realism that made me grow even closer to her as a character. Al has a lot of page time, which is excellent. Trent is here and in yummy form as he and Rachel are forced to work together again and have intriguing turnouts. Ivy is growing on me more and her relationship with Ivy definitely keeps me on my toes. We get to meet her father and sister and have a new character come into town to create minor irritants for Rachel. Ceri is an awesome addition and makes an impressive appearance and entrance.
Honestly the characters are so great in this series that you have to really think about it to even pick a top favorite out of the group.
Out of the first three books ( I love the first two ) this is my favorite of the beginning trilogy. It's incredible with emotions, actions, events, magic, fascination, betrayals, secrets uncovered - revealed - and hidden. The pacing and tension is strong, whether the scene is focusing on revelation and experience, or else outright action and eek moments.
As I've said before, the magic in this series is in-depth, inventive, and nifty. Harrison has a talent with characterization, dialogue, and slips humor in all the time without it feeling forced. It comes naturally with Rachel, but the book is also a serious one at the same time in a dark, gritty world.
The 'date' was fun and intense, and the beginning opens with such a strong bang that I'm both pleased and impressed that the book is able to follow it's lead without losing steam. Kim Harrison takes time to really dig deeper into existing relationships while there is no mystery this time, but still a lot at play and fascinating.
As with the other books, this one is not only incredible, it's even more so. The characters we love are here but even more so, and the additions of any new ones doesn't take away from the story at all or make it distracting. This one makes it easy to feel, read, and experience the magic The Hollows promises.
*This Review was based off a Re-Read*
Book Quotes:
“But she can't stay here. The woman needs normal, and Rachel? We aren't it.” - Ivy
“How many mistakes can one life survive?” - Rachel
Other Reviews from this series:
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