Yesterday was the official release date of Black Magic Sanction, the eighth book in Kim Harrison’s ongoing Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series.

In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle—mind, body, and soul

Black Magic Sanction

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 lobotomy 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.

If you’re a fellow Hollows addict (as Thea is), you’ll be interested in learning that io9 has the first TWO chapters up for your reading pleasure. You can read the i09 article and excerpt online HERE.

And once you’re good and hungry for more Black Magic Sanction, check out Harper Collins’ awesome Browse Inside feature, where you can read the first SEVEN chapters of the book:

We’ll be having our own review of Black Magic Sanction very, very soon – so make sure to stay tuned.

Last month we had Graeme from Graeme’s Fantasy Book Review over to review Neil Gaiman’s first installment to his epic Sandman series, Preludes and Nocturnes. This month we decided to pick on ask Kristen over, who runs one of the best fantasy review blogs out there with Fantasy Cafe. Since Kristen is new to the world of female protagonist centered Urban Fantasy–one of our favorite genres–we decided to start her off with one of the very best authors in the game right now: Kim Harrison. With the newest volume of her Hollows series coming out this month, what better place to start than with book one, Dead Witch Walking?

Kristen, as with Graeme before her, has been cheeky in turn, Daring us to go over to her blog and write a review for one of her favorite novels from last year, Sarah Monette’s Melusine. Make sure to stop by and say hi to us over at her spot and check out our thoughts on Melusine!

Title: Dead Witch Walking

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Eos (Harper Collins)
Publication Date: April 2004
Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages

Stand alone or series: First novel in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series, which is soon to be 7 volumes strong!

Why did we RECOMMEND this book: The Hollows is Thea’s favorite female-protagonist centered Urban Fantasy series currently running. So, it goes without saying, when Kristen was looking for an introduction to the genre, we naturally recommended this fantastic series by Kim Harrison.

Summary: (from Amazon.com)
All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party … and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining — and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ‘em back alive, dead … or undead.

Ladies and gents, we give you Kristen!

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Kristen:

Dead Witch Walking is the first book in The Hollows series by Kim Harrison. Since I have read very little urban fantasy and none of the female protagonist centered urban fantasies heavy on vampire/werewolf lore that are popular right now, this was my dare book (also because it is one of Thea’s favorite series). I have always been hesitant to read stories featuring vampires as a part of everyday life, never understanding the appeal of a pasty white guy who leeches onto someone and sucks their blood. Fortunately, although vampires were present in Dead Witch Walking, they were not the only paranormal race and they were not appallingly cheesy. In fact, this supernatural mystery was a lot of fun to read and kept me turning the pages when I should have been writing reviews or cleaning.

The novel is set in modern day Cincinnati but with a twist. After DNA was discovered genetic manipulation became widespread – as did the T4 Angel virus that infects modified tomatoes and is deadly to humans. The virus killed a large percentage of the world’s population, resulting in so few humans that their numbers were approximately equal to the Inderlanders (vampires, werewolves, pixies, witches, fairies, leprechauns, etc.) that had always lived among them. After this, these supernatural races made their presence known and lived openly with the humans, creating an alternate world – and a great fear of genetic engineering and tomatoes by humans.

Rachel Morgan, an earth witch, is a runner for Inderlander Security (I.S.), which enforces the law alongside its human-run counterpart the Federal Inderlander Bureau (F.I.B.). Rachel has come to really hate her job, which has recently gone from solving cases involving ATM thefts and the black market to apprehending college kids using charms to steal cable. Unfortunately, quitting is not an option: the last person who absolved his contract with the I.S. died under mysterious circumstances. At least, it’s not viable until Rachel captures a leprechaun wanted for tax fraud who is accused of “fabricating a rainbow for the purpose of misrepresenting the income generated from said rainbow, failure to file the appropriate requisition forms for said rainbow, failure to notify the Rainbow Authority of said rainbow’s end.” Leprechauns can grant three wishes and this leprechaun is willing to do so in return for her freedom.

Rachel agrees to this deal, thinking she can wish not to get caught for letting the leprechaun go and not to get killed by the I.S. for breaking her contract. However, her plans go awry when two of her coworkers, a vampire named Ivy and a pixy named Jenks, ask to each get one wish and join her as freelancers. She complies but only gets her first wish, figuring she’s not important enough to the I.S. for them to put a price on her head anyway. As she suspected, Rachel’s boss is not sorry to see her go but is livid when Ivy quits with her and vows to get revenge for the loss of his star runner. Now Rachel must find a way to pay off her contract – if she can survive the onslaught of assassins after her long enough to do so.

Dead Witch Walking certainly feels like the first book in a series since it seems to be establishing who the characters are, how they relate to each other, and how they came together to form a new company. Although the main storyline is wrapped up and there is a satisfying end, there is plenty of room left for sequels and many unanswered questions that make you look forward to finding out more in the next books. I look forwarding to reading more about what Trent is, if Ivy is hiding anything, and Nick’s story.

What I have read about magic so far is intriguing and I particularly liked that black magic required the sacrifice of an animal or person instead of just being a simple mixture of ingredients like the white magic practiced by Rachel. One has to be truly callous or have great motivation to engage in darker magic practices. There is also a form of magic that involves drawing upon a ley line, a source of energy. Rachel finds a ley line in the back yard of the church she and Ivy live in and it makes her nervous since her father’s death involved one and she has known people who seem to have been negatively influenced by their use. Ley lines can enhance power but Rachel is convinced that their use darkens the soul.

The book is told in first person point of view from Rachel’s perspective, which started out feeling a bit forced but got better as the book went on. Rachel is a promising character – not particularly well developed yet, but with potential considering this is only the first book in a series. She regards life highly, is smart-mouthed and tough yet capable of kindness, and willing to take big risks.

As I mentioned earlier, the vampire myth has never appealed to me, which is why I tend to stay away from these books. Although the main character is a spellcaster, the living vampire Ivy is one of the secondary characters with a strong role in the story. I did enjoy Ivy’s character, as the reliable runner who always had to have a plan – and a backup plan, to the great chagrin of the more free-spirited Rachel. It did weird me out a little when Ivy “went vampy” (as Rachel referred to her vampiric tendencies), but Ivy did fight her nature instead of giving in to the desire for blood so it did not bother me too much, especially since there was a lot more to the story than this. Also, vampire saliva contained a substance that turned the pain of their bite into pleasure, which is at least a better explanation for their appeal than simply finding someone with fangs and bloodlust alluring.

One complaint I had about this book was not the story itself but that it needed some editing. There were errors that drove me nuts, such as one page that alternated between spelling one character’s name as “Frances” and “Francis”. I also noticed that “Jinks” was sometimes written as “Jenks.” They were minor errors, but I tend to pick up on those things so it did keep jarring me out of the story.

Dead Witch Walking was very enjoyable with a fast pace, an intriguing world history, an entertaining story, and some humorous situations and dialogue. I had a lot of fun reading it and have already ordered the next three books.

7/10

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Thanks, Kristen for the the fabulous review and we’re stoked that you liked Rachel Morgan! (Thea’s especially stoked that you’ve already purchased the next few books in the series–trust when she says that these books only keep getting better!)

Next up on the Dare is AnimeJune from the wonderful blog Gossamer Obsessions. AnimeJune admitted that she hadn’t read much of the Science Fiction Romance genre–so of course we had to pimp one of our favorite SFR authors, Linnea Sinclair! Next month, AnimeJune will be giving us her opinion of Linnea’s Games of Command (one of Ana’s favorites).

Until then, see you later folks! And make sure to stop by Kristen’s blog to see our thoughts on Melusine!

Title: White Witch, Black Curse

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Eos Books (HarperCollins)
Publication Date: February 2009
Hardcover: 512 pages

Stand alone or series: Book 7 of the ongoing The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) books. These books must be read in order.

Why did I read this book: This is, hands down, my most highly anticipated book of 2009. Kim Harrison is one of my favorite authors for her wonderfully detailed plotlines, her endearing characters, and her crisp writing–and The Hollows books compose my favorite Urban Fantasy series, period. I have loved every book in this series, thus White Witch, Black Curse was a no brainer.

Summary: (from amazon.com)
Some wounds take time to heal . . . and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won’t rest until his death is solved . . . and avenged. Whatever the cost.

Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderlander food chain, Rachel’s past comes back to haunt her.

Literally.

**A CAVEAT: This review contains spoilers for the first SIX books in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series. If you have not read the first six books and do not wish to be spoiled, this warning is for you!**

Review:

Rachel Morgan, magnet for danger, witch, and co-partner of Vampiric Charms begins her latest adventure with the sadness of Kisten’s murder still looming over her head. It has been months since Kisten’s death, and his killer remains free and unpunished. White Witch, Black Curse opens with Rachel in Kisten’s houseboat, trying to remember what happened that fateful night with the help of empath F.I.B. psychiatrist, Ford. Slowly details return to Rache about the powerful, undead vampire that tried to enslave her and who easily murdered her lover, but she still cannot place a name to her memories. Still, being at the scene allows Rache to uncover another vampire’s scent, and it’s only a matter of time before she, Ivy and Jenks discover who the culprit is and how to make him pay.

Things are never so simple in The Hollows, however, and soon Rachel is called to the scene of a new crime after good friend Glen, another F.I.B. agent and son of Captain Edden, is brutally beaten within an inch of his life. A new dangerous creature is on the loose in Cincinnati, one that Rachel and company have never faced before: A Banshee. Older than even some of the undead vampires, banshees are immensely powerful and destructive and this one will guard her own with a fierceness that destroys anyone in her path. Add to this impending disaster Rachel’s once again confusing love life, a ghost that knows Rachel from her younger days, family drama, and the ever-present demon Al, and it’s just another day in the chaotic life of Rachel Morgan.

I’m torn with White Witch, Black Curse. There are things that I loved, and things that I desperately disliked.

In many ways, White Witch, Black Curse is a reboot for Rachel, beginning a brand new story and character arc. In The Outlaw Demon Wails, Rachel comes to the shocking revelation that she is in fact a type of proto-demon; with her restored witch genome as the treatment for her childhood illnesses, this explains why Rachel can twist demon magic but it also means that any child she has will be a demon. In order to save her friends and Trent Kalamack, Rache agrees to become Al’s apprentice, coming to the resolution that she will no longer shy away from demon curses that have the potential to do good just because of a little smut on her aura. In the previous book, Rachel also discovered her mother’s deep secret about Rachel’s father and parentage, opening a whole new can of worms. The Outlaw Demon Wails marked the end of Rachel’s first character arc with these dual revelations, and White Witch, Black Curse begins a new chapter of Rachel’s dangerous life, exploring the implications of Rachel’s decisions and discoveries.

On the family front, this novel involves Rachel’s mother and introduces Rache’s long absent older brother Robbie. As always, Rachel’s mother is a wonderful character and a welcome presence in Rachel’s life. She’s slightly loopy, but still a strong and sane woman who loves and accepts her daughter’s choices. Conversely Robbie has never approved of Rachel’s life, but it is abundantly clear that he still loves her. Their relationship comes across as genuine, and I loved the dynamic between these two–Robbie’s resentment of Rachel’s helter-skelter life, Rachel’s anger at Robbie’s “safeness”. It’s a very telling glimpse into the lives of the Morgan family, and the contrast between brother and sister is wonderfully, uncomfortably revealing.

The other threads resumed in this novel concern the identity of Kisten’s killer, and Rache and her relationship with Big Al. Finally there’s some closure in this novel as Rache and Ivy finally learn who killed Kisten–and there’s a pretty huge revelation concerning undead vampires and their souls after death. In terms of Rache and Al, a ghost is discovered in Rachel’s kitchen and he is a presence from her past as a young 18 year old witch. Unfortunately, Al takes notice, and when Rachel is wounded from her first encounter with the Banshee and is unable to go to the Ever After for her usual apprentice work, Al is able to snag the ghost for his own purposes. I have to admit that I was disappointed with this storyline. I was expecting much more of the Ever After in this book, some details about what exactly Al teaches Rache and how this all figures out onto her smutty aura. Alas, this was completely sidestepped in this novel as Rache’s magical abilities are severely compromised and she cannot set foot in the other realm. I wasn’t all to crazy about the ghost storyline either–it felt like a device thrown in to distract Al, and provide Rachel with another love interest/excuse to do incredibly stupid things.

On the subject of Rachel’s love life and relationships, I felt that this book was a huge step backwards for her. The prior six books show Rachel making mistakes and her vulnerability when it comes to damaged, dangerous boys–but with the end of her earlier character arc with The Outlaw Demon Wails, I was expecting much more from her in this novel. Instead, all that progress she’s made since realizing that she’s addicted to danger seems forgotten in White Witch, Black Curse, and Rachel falls into the comfortable trap of making bad decisions, all over again. I’ve never before felt irritated with Rachel’s martyr crisis, or her pathological need to latch on to the wrong guys for relationships, in part because everything she has done up to this point is understandable and gels with her character. In this novel, however, Rachel is plain annoying especially concerning the two new boytoys in her life. Especially when, in my own opinion, the perfect partner for her is staring her in the face all along (yes, I think Rachel needs to get over her hangups and realize that she loves Ivy in much more than a platonic way. They are perfect for each other, and they really need to get over themselves already!). I cannot describe how infuriating it was to read some of the last pages where Rachel seems like she will be heading down the same terrible path with Pierce–it’s like banging your head against a brick wall. (It’s almost reaching Jack and Kate from LOST levels of irritation with me–and that’s saying A LOT)

There are also a number of Too Stupid To Live moments for Rachel in this book: After having her aura stripped, she decides to try and face the Banshee again; her half-cocked idea to summon Pierce from the Ever After to Make A Point with Al; her blunderings with Marshall; her googly eyes at Pierce…the list goes on. As I said before, I’ve never been so irritated with Rache before because in prior books, her decisions not only stemmed from good intentions, but also made sense. In White Witch, Black Curse, the good intentions are still there, but the reasoning is plain stupid. I really hope that this does not continue in later books; it’s hard to root for a heroine that keeps making irredeemably dumb decisions, even if they are borne of the best intentions.

Not to say that White Witch, Black Curse is bad–this is a Rachel Morgan book, after all. While the story begins at a surprisingly slow pace, by around 100 pages in the book picks up and delivers the usual adrenaline-fueled, complexly plotted novel we’ve come to love from Kim Harrison. The Banshee storyline is fantastic, and the usual interactions between Ivy, Jenks and Rache is top-notch. Rache and Ivy still haven’t come to terms with their relationship (seriously, get over it already and realize you two need love and need each other!), and there’s a tinge of looming sadness with Jenks and Matalina as they are nearing the end of their lifespans as pixies. All the things I love about these books is present in White Witch, Black Curse…but I have come to expect MORE from Ms. Harrison, having become accustomed to her raising the bar with each subsequent novel. I liked this book, but it felt like a step back from what has been accomplished in her other work. Still, a recommended read and an autobuy for any fans of the series.

White Witch, Black Curse is in stores February 24, 2009.

Notable Quotes/Parts: I loved the insights to Rachel’s character through her interactions with her family.

The car was warm and the windows defrosted, but cold hit me when Robbie’s last words finally penetrated and I blinked fast. I’m welcome anytime. I knew he had meant them to be full of acceptance, but that he had felt the need to say them said much more. He was getting married. He was moving on with his life, becoming a part of it, immersing himself and finding a place on the wheel. By getting married, he was no longer just my brother, he was someone else’s husband. And though we argued a lot, a bond was being broken by the simple fact that he was no longer alone. He was a part of something biger, and by inviting me in, he had unintentionally told me I was an outsider.

“Your mom makes really good pie,” Marshall said, and I smiled at him across the long seat. Mindful of the ice, he put the car in gear and slowly headed for the mall.

“Yes she does,” I said, depressed. Maybe I should look at it as if I hadn’t lost a brother, but had gained a sister.

Ri-i-i-i-ight.

You can also check out the first two chapters of White Witch, Black Curse online HERE.

Additional Thoughts: The Hollows books remain my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and I do highly recommend everyone give these books a read. Here are the books, in order:

1. Dead Witch Walking
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
3. Every Which Way But Dead
4. A Fistful of Charms
5. For A Few Demons More
6. The Outlaw Demon Wails

We’ve also interviewed the fabulous Kim Harrison HERE.

Something else that’s pretty cool is that Harper Collins is now releasing each of Kim’s books online in E-book format! You can read ALL of Dead Witch Walking online now for free HERE.

For anyone still itching for their next Kim Harrison fix, her young adult novel will be coming out this year, very soon!

Here’s a bit from Kim’s website:

Once Dead, Twice Shy is my foray into Young Adult, and because this is my favorite audience to write for, I have hopefully given it just as many surprising plot twists as I do in my adult work. If you want a sneak peek, there is a novella in the anthology, Prom Nights from Hell, which you can find under Meg Cabot.

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I, for one, cannot wait.

Verdict: While by no means my favorite entry in The Hollows universe, White Witch, Black Curse is still a strong, compulsive read. In true Kim Harrison fashion, this novel packs great characters and wonderfully complex, intertwined storylines. While it didn’t live up to my admittedly high expectations, it is still Rachel Morgan–the cream of the crop of the Urban Fantasy genre. Recommended.

Rating: 7 Very Good – and I hope for the slack to pick up in the next novel.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION:

Surprise! We’ve received an extra early copy of White Witch, Black Curse and will be giving it away to one lucky reader!

This is a bit different from our usual giveaways. We have one stipulation: the winner of the giveaway must agree to review this book on his or her website (or conversely if the winner does not have a website, he or she can send the review to us, and we will post it here). In order to enter, all you need do is leave a comment. The contest will run until Tuesday at midnight (PST).

Good luck!

Kim Harrison is, without a doubt, one of my favorite authors. Her bestselling series, The Hollows, is not only my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy series, but also is comprised of some of my favorite books of any genre. So, when I learned that Harper Collins would be releasing the mass market paperback of her latest book, The Outlaw Demon Wails (in stores today!), Ana urged me to man up, get over my shyness and contact Kim for an interview. Which I did, heart palpitating, palms sweaty. (I am a ginormous pansy, I have discovered–if it weren’t for Ana’s cheekiness, I probably never would have worked up the nerve to click ’send’. I consoled myself by thinking I wouldn’t get a response, and that would be the end of it.)

So, when I received an email back from Kim, agreeing to the interview, I literally fell off my chair. There are probably 50 or so emails from me to Ana which consist of “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!”, or other similar unintelligible messages. And, I discovered, Kim Harrison is not only an amazing author, capable of writing the most insane plot twists and beautifully flawed characters, but she’s also just a darn cool person. Now if only I could get my hands on a copy of White Witch Black Curse…

Without further ado, I present you with our Chat with Kim Harrison! *banana dance*

The Book Smugglers: Welcome Kim, and thank you so much for taking the time to “chat” with us! Your latest book in The Hollows series, The Outlaw Demon Wails is a huge hit, scoring a high spot on the New York Times bestseller list upon its first release. I am a huge fan of The Hollows series—in fact it is without a doubt my favorite urban fantasy series period.

One thing I love and admire about these books is how well planned they all seem, and how each revelation seems to have had its seeds planted in previous books. When you began writing The Hollows, did you have a set outline for where Rachel’s story would eventually go? Or was it more of a make-it-up-as-you-go process?

Kim: I didn’t have the first series goal in mind until I finished Dead Witch Walking, actually, and it was only when I finished The Outlaw Demon Wails that I came up with the second series goal. (Which we should reach about book 11 to 13, depending upon contracts and how fast it falls together.) The reason the books are tied together so tightly I think is more because I work far ahead of the publishing schedule, usually two to three books ahead of what’s on the shelf. That lets me go back to a book that is, say in copy edit, (six months before publication) and add something that I won’t actually need until two more books. It works for me, although I know some authors would cringe to have a book open and sporadically working on it for three years.

The Book Smugglers: Why tomatoes? Note: For those who have not read The Hollows books, tomatoes are the cause of humanity’s sharp demise in population, leading to “the Turn”—where vampires and other supernatural beings decided to come out of the closet. So…what do you have against tomatoes?

Kim: Why tomatoes? A couple of reasons, actually. Tomatoes were widely thought to be poisonous for a long time, which is understandable as they are in the Nightshade family. There was also the real biogenetically altered tomato that flopped on grocery store shelves way back when bio engineered food was new to the market. But the biggest reason is a nod to the B rated movie, Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. I love tomatoes, and I usually have a plant or two growing in my landscaping somewhere.

Attaaaaack of the Killer Tomatoes! *Zooeeezoooeeezooee*

The Book Smugglers: Your main cast of characters includes a unique witch, a living vampire, and a pixy— not to mention elves, werewolves and demons. Your use of these archetypal creatures, however, is distinctly unique and each supernatural creature feels rooted in the rules you have created in The Hollows universe. What myths or writings influence you when creating this world?

Kim: This is a hard question for me to answer as I didn’t do much research when I developed the species that live in the Hollows. I read a lot of fairy tales when I was growing up, not just Grimm, but multiple versions of the same story from culture to culture, and I think it gave me a well-rounded idea of what’s out there. I also draw a lot on my scientific background when I develop a new species, using logic to decide things like life span, eating habits, and such. For example, pixies are small and winged, therefore, in my mind, they would have a lot of characteristics that a humming bird would have. And anyone who has had a humming bird feeder knows how fierce and territorial they are.

The Book Smugglers: Each Rachel Morgan book is a frantic, high-stakes read. I find myself out of breath (and sleep deprived) by the time I turn that final page! Rachel herself has admitted to being addicted to danger. So ‘fess up. Are you an adrenaline junkie? Action addict?

Kim: Thank you! I’m glad I’m able to keep you glued to the pages. I’m totally not an adrenaline junkie, but I like watching action movies. That’s about as far as it goes. I’ll never jump out of a perfectly good airplane or climb a mountain just to say I did. I am always trying new things, however, and am not afraid to fail.

The Book Smugglers: Rachel Morgan is one of my favorite heroines—in part because she makes so many rushed mistakes, and yet has her heart in the right place. These tendencies make her even more of a full, real character, if a flawed and at times unreliable narrator. What are your favorite things about Rachel? What motivated you to create such a unique, empathetic character as your heroine?

Kim: My favorite things about Rachel are her loyalty, determination, ability to think for herself, and most importantly, her strength of character to not care what anyone thinks about what she does or what they might say about her. That kind of inner strength is hard to find, but it crosses all personalities from the mild introvert to the extroverted do-it-all. The motivation to create her came from my want to follow the growth of a strong person put in a tenuous position without losing her girl-next-door appeal.

The Book Smugglers: Many Urban Fantasy type novels like The Hollows have a solo hero or heroine, taking on the world and all its problems alone. Your books are different in that the partnership and strong bond of friendship between Rachel, Ivy and Jenks is an integral part to each story—and even when Rachel tries to go it alone in martyred-hero syndrome, her friends and family are there for her. Was this a conscious decision on your part? Why did you choose to make friendship such an important theme in your work?

Kim: Rachel relying on her friends for emotional and physical support was a conscious decision on my part. Friends are a big part of who and what we are, and I wanted to show that. As a character, Rachel is attracted to strong people, and to leave them out of the action would make the story a lot harder to believe.

The Book Smugglers: Be it the drama of the Tamwoods, the close relationship between Rachel and her mother, or the ties of Jenks to his brood, the theme of family is central to all of these books—and even more pronounced in The Outlaw Demon Wails. How prevalently will the revelations of Rachel’s family history figure into the next story arc? Had you planned on Rachel’s unique heritage from the very beginning of the series?

Kim: The revelation of Rachel’s background will of course influence what comes next, but only as a framework sort of way. I am a big believer that people can come from humble beginnings and make a difference in the world, and I tried to make Rachel special without making her unique. Her background was the same as thousands of people. She loves her mom and dad, and that her birth father isn’t the same as the man who raised her was not unique to the witch culture. That she survived a common childhood illness through medical intervention was the catalyst for what happened next, not that “she was born under a new moon when the planets were aligned” sort of a thing.

Rachel’s unique parentage was an idea that I developed while writing Dead Witch Walking, but that she was a stepping stone to demons happened all at once at the end of book six. I had another idea I wanted to end it with, but my editor nixed it because it brought in a few issues that were going to complicate the story line tremendously. (grin) Fortunately the proto-demon idea meshed with what I was planning on.

The Book Smugglers: Rachel and Ivy have one of the most complicated, alternately heart-wrenching and heart-warming relationships I have ever had the pleasure of reading. What inspired you to write such a complicated friendship-love relationship? In The Outlaw Demon Wails we see that Rachel and Ivy finally seem to have reached a tenuous understanding—but given their one step forward two steps back history, should we expect more complicated developments in their relationship in upcoming books?

Kim: I gave up trying to scrip Rachel’s relationships while I was writing The Good, The Bad, and The Undead, and that included Ivy’s pursuit of Rachel. It wasn’t until Ivy pulled off her cross and crawled across the coffee table that I even knew Ivy was bi. It hit me as hard as it hit Rachel, and I had to see where it was going to go. I still am. I never sat down and said that I wanted to explore these issues. They just happened. And that, I think, is why both women ring true.

I like to tell people that I’m trying to find both women’s happy ever after. For a long time, I believed that Ivy’s wouldn’t include Rachel but for a platonic relationship, and the books will reflect that as both women search out new people to be close with. But I am a romantic at heart, and I am open to them ending up together if that is the way the books lead me after all other options have been explored.

The Book Smugglers: Speaking of Ivy, there’s a certain tragic, bittersweet quality to this character—and all living vamps for that matter, as she has the knowledge hanging over her that one day she will lose her soul and become true undead (like her terrifyingly cold mother). Why did you decide to create this schism between living and undead vampires?

Kim: I love rules, and the living and dead vampires came from my want to have my cake and eat it too. I like the strict sunlight restrictions and need for blood to survive that the traditional, soulless Dracula vampire has. I wanted my ugly, terrifying, soulless monsters, but I wanted to write about the tragedy of them, to pity them, to see that though they have everything, they have nothing. It’s hard to find that for a true monster, so I had to develop the living vampires—those with a soul, who live with the knowledge that they will one day lose them. And it worked beautifully.

The Book Smugglers: Originally, The Outlaw Demon Wails was supposed to mark the end of the series. Thank goodness it ain’t so! Considering the dramatic finish to the last book, for the next installments to The Hollows, will we be seeing a lot more of the Ever After and the demons there? Can you tell us a little bit about what this next chapter in Rachel’s life will be like? (No I’m not fishing for spoilers, scout’s honor!)

Kim: We will be seeing a whole lot more of the ever-after as the books progress, yes. I can’t wait to get into it. I don’t have a lot of spoilers, but there will be new villains as Rachel begins to understand her old ones a little better. It’s hard to be afraid of someone once you’ve seen their own fear.

The Book Smugglers: Which character is your favorite to write, and why?

Kim: My favorite character to write changes from book to book. Originally it was Ivy, then it shifted to Trent, and now it’s Al. It seems that the more a character is growing or changing, the more interesting I find them.

The Book Smugglers: If you could cast anyone in the lead roles of your Hollows characters, who would you cast?

Kim: I try not to think about casting the Hollows, but I think Morgan Freeman would make a fabulous Keasley, Al could be played by Gary Oldman, and Piscary could be played by Arnold Vosloo. Mmmm. I like that bald head he’s got in the Mummy movies. Or maybe Vin Diesel.

The Book Smugglers: You also have a new Young Adult series in the works! Could you tell us a little bit about this new project? Why did you decide to start writing in the Young Adult genre?

Kim: Young adult is one of my favorite audience to write for, and in fact, Dead Witch Walking originally had a strong YA slant to it when it was first picked up. YA was where I found my love of reading among Henlein, Andre Norton, Jack L. Chalker, and a little Anne McCaffrey, and the chance to pass on that love of reading is a big draw for me. I think YA is one of the most difficult audiences to successfully write for, and I like the challenge. I hated being talked down to or asked to suspend my disbelief too far when I was growing up, and I hope I have given these readers enough to chew on.

As for what the books are about? Madison Avery lives in a world far more near to our own than the Hollows. There are no vampires or witches. Instead, I’ve focused on reapers, angels, and such. She’s dead. (grin) And not too happy about it, but she has a future ahead of her if she can figure a few things out, hopefully saving a few people from her fate along the way.

The Book Smugglers: Sounds wonderful! I cannot wait to read Madison’s story. Thank you again for your time, Kim!

For more from Kim, check out this podcast from Harper Collins:

Kim Harrison, dark urban fantasy author of the New York Times bestselling The Outlaw Demon Wails, was born and raised in the upper Midwest. After gaining her bachelors in the sciences, she moved to South Carolina, where she has remained since. She is currently developing a new young adult series between working on the Hollows books, and is a member of both the Romance Writers of America and The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. When not at her desk, she is most likely to be found chasing down good chocolate, exquisite sushi, or the ultimate dog chew.

And that’s not all! As promised, we are giving away SIX copies of The Outlaw Demon Wails (mmpbk). Also, we have one GRAND PRIZE winner who will receive the entire collection of The Hollows books (1-6)! All you have to do is leave a comment here by midnight (Pacific Standard Time) on Saturday, November 29.

Good Luck!

Title: The Outlaw Demon Wails

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand alone or series: Book 6 in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series.

Why did I read this book: The Rachel Morgan books are beyond a doubt my favorite Urban Fantasy series. Book 5, For a Few Demons More is one of my favorite books ever (i.e. it’s coming to the island with me). So, as soon as The Outlaw Demon Wails hit stores earlier this year, I immediately bought and devoured it.

Since the book is being released in mass market paperback on November 25th, we decided to host a review, interview and giveaway celebrating the release!

Summary: (from amazon.com)
To save the lives of her friends, Rachel did the unthinkable: she willingly trafficked in forbidden demon magic. And now her sins are coming home to haunt her.

As Rachel searches for the truth behind a terrifying murder, an even greater menace threatens, for the demon Algaliarept will stop at nothing to claim her, and the discovery of a shocking family secret throws Rachel’s entire life into question. If she is ever to live free, Rachel must first walk willingly into the demonic ever-after in search of long-lost ancient knowledge.

But when you dance with demons, you lay your soul on the line . . . and there are some lines that should never be crossed.

**Please note, this review necessarily contains spoilers from the first five books in the series. There are no spoilers for this particular book, but if you have not yet read the earlier installments and do not wish to be spoiled, continue reading at your own peril!**

Review:

Following the tragic events of For A Few Demons More, Piscary has finally been taken out of the picture, freeing Ivy…but at a terrible cost. Rachel is still struggling with Kisten’s murder–and Rachel’s memory loss of the affair–and moving on with her life when the problems start up all over again. Big Al, demon extraordinaire, starts (once again) terrorizing Rachel and those near and dear to her. Someone is allowing Al to bust in and out of his cell in the Ever-After, and Al has a big grudge with Rach. In order to protect herself and her family and friends, Rachel must pursue whomever is letting Al free. And, of course since this is Rachel Morgan after all, there are numerous other complications going on, simultaneously. There’s the usual Ivy drama–Ivy and Rachel finally come to terms of sorts with their blood balance, although this is most likely a temporary reprieve, as the new master vamp in town poses some very, very interesting promise for future storylines. Then, there’s Ceri, elven princess with a soon to be huge complication, which sets Rachel working together with the dreaded Trent Kalamack (official pain in Rachel’s ass since Dead Witch Walking). Add to this, a bevy of complications with Rachel’s unique ability to twist demon magic (smutting her aura, but necessary to protect those she cares for), her mother’s strange behavior, and a secret about Rachel’s past that comes through here in a big way.

Phew. One of the things I love the most about this series is the non-stop action and how incredibly detailed and fast-paced the plotting is for each and every book. The plot seeds sown back in earlier books finally come to fruition here–especially concerning Rachel’s cloudy past, as a rare survivor of a serious disease that afflicts young witches. Originally, Ms. Harrison was contracted to end the series with this sixth book, and there is a degree of finality to The Outlaw Demon Wails. The series is contracted for more volumes (thank goodness), but this novel is a huge turning point and in a way still feels like the end of an old series, and a the beginnings of a new direction for Rachel.

As always, the characters in this book are superb, and richly drawn. I love reading about Jenks and his enormous, space-cramping Pixy family–although there is a degree of seriousness and grimness to this novel, as he examines his own limited lifespan as a Pixy and his plans for the future. Ivy remains my favorite emo vampire–she’s so tragic and tortured, but she is for good reasons. And despite her excessive baggage, her devotion to Rachel and Jenks always manages to impress me. Rachel’s mother also plays a pivotal role in this novel, and though we’ve seen her in earlier novels, she is incredibly well drawn as both a woman and a mother in this story. Trent also gains a more color here (not that he was lacking before in any way)–I love that Trent is not written off as merely a Big Bad Baddy drug dealing killer, but has reasons for everything he does–even if his morals and methods are questionable. His interactions here with Rachel are beautifully written, especially in the last scenes of the book.

And, there’s Rachel herself. This is a painful book for Rachel–grieving for Kisten, helping Ceri, coming to terms with her childhood, and most importantly with her game changing decision at the conclusion. Rachel grows a lot in this book, and it’s all for the better. I, for one, cannot wait to see where the next novel takes this remarkable heroine.

Notable Quotes/Parts: The explanation of Rachel’s past with her mother and the scenes in the Ever After are made of awesome.

Additional Thoughts: The new cover for book 7, White Witch Black Curse has been released:

I’m not sure I love the cover–but other than the cover for The Outlaw Demon Wails, I haven’t been a fan in general. Who cares, really?

White Witch Black Curse hits stores February 24, 2009! I cannot wait.

Verdict: I love this series. I really, truly adore The Hollows–it holds the spot as my favorite Urban Fantasy series, period. And, The Outlaw Demon Wails is fantastic–once again, Kim Harrison writes a beautiful book, complete with dizzying plot twists and incredible characters. Easily one of my favorite books of 2008!

Rating: 9 Damn Near Perfection

Stick around tomorrow, as we’ll be interviewing Kim Harrison herself! AND we’ll have an awesome giveaway of The Outlaw Demon Wails and a Grand Prize of the entire series!

Title: For A Few Demons More

Author: Kim Harrison

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand alone or series: Fifth book in the Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series

Why did I read this book: I love Rachel Morgan. Kim Harrison is my hero. The first four books were absofreakinglutely brilliant. Need I elaborate further?

Summary: (from Amazon.com)
Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.

For every action has its price, and when the vampire master Piscary is set free and the demonic Algaliarept dares to walk openly under the sun, even Rachel Morgan can’t hide forever.

Review:

I have to admit to something–I actually read this book months back. I went on a Rachel Morgan reading binge after reading Dead Witch Walking that culminated in more than a few sleepless nights, catching up just in time for the (then) new release, The Outlaw Demon Wails (which I will get around to reviewing someday soon. Promise!). And I know this isn’t exactly fair, but in retrospect, I can safely say that this book is my favorite of the series, and one of my Desert Island Keepers.

Yes. It’s that good.

Each of the Rachel Morgan books builds on the last, raising the stakes to impossibly high levels–and For A Few Demons More ups the ante even more. After dealing with idiot ex-boyfriend Nick and getting her partner and good friend Jenks back his son Jax, Rachel finds herself in possession of ‘The Focus’–that is, a nasty 5000 year old curse that gives werewolves the power to “focus” and combine their strength and packs. Should the focus fall into were hands, the entire hierarchy of Inderlanders would be turned on its head, as the weres could challenge the vampires for dominance in the city. Rachel must hide the ugly bone-encased curse, and she turns to her friend–werewolf and insurance claims investigator–David Hue for its safekeeping (David also happens to be Rachel’s Alpha…for health benefit reasons, she’s his packmate). Meanwhile, a string of murders hits Cincinnati, and Rachel (and her agency, Vampiric Charms) is enlisted to help find the killer…especially when all signs point to her Alpha, David.

Rachel also faces some BIG problems from the Demons that keep threatening to yank her into the Ever After. When Newt (remember her as the immensely powerful demon from A Fistful of Charms) shows up on hallowed ground and somehow manages to de-sanctify the church that Rach, Ivy and Jenks call home, the shit has officially hit the fan. Add to the equation the involvement of Trent Kalamack (whom Rachel can’t seem to give a break), Rachel’s strange ability to twist demon curses (adding more smut to her already streaked aura), and some seriously pissed off vampires–Piscary is back and scarily at large…and we’ve got a party!

Not to mention the twisted, complicated relationship between Rachel and Ivy is teetering helter-skelter after their failed first attempt to find a blood balance, Ivy’s confused hurt feelings, Rachel’s hangups, and–oh yeah–Rachel’s sensual relationship with vampire Kisten.

All these seemingly separate plotlines come together in a dramatic–and heartbreaking–climax, as Rachel is forced to make some hard choices. Unlike the other books, true tragedy occurs in For A Few Demons More as no one comes out unscathed, and lives are lost.

I cannot stress enough my awe and wonder at Kim Harrison’s storytelling. She continues to write these stories without becoming cliche or trite, and taking each installment in a new, unexpected direction. In most longer series’, I come to expect that all the characters I love will eventually get themselves out of whatever pickle they have gotten into, more or less unharmed. This book hit me like a sledgehammer–I felt like I was watching LOST for the first time, when Boone died.

As always, the relationships, the mess that is Rachel and Ivy–and Kisten–is beautifully done. After Ivy (finally) bit Rachel in A Fistful of Charms (albeit with disastrous results), I was anxious to see what this would mean, and how their already turbulent relationship would progress. The tables have turned here as Rachel wants to find a blood balance with Ivy–her reasons make sense once you know Rachel and her desire to make Ivy feel loved (in a friendship way)–but Ivy is the one who refuses now, unable to separate blood and love from sex. And then Ivy’s old roommate and lover shows up–who also happens to be Piscary’s attorney. Talk about complications. And meanwhile, Rachel’s relationship with Kisten takes on a welcome, much heavier tone.

This is an intricately plotted book, with characters that are wholly, incredibly real. Rachel Morgan, as usual, makes some of the worst decisions ever–but her intentions, her empathy and dedication to her friends is what drives this character, consequences be damned. Rachel tries to reconcile her “addiction to danger” in this book–which is a foolhardy addiction, but at the very least we must give her props for trying to work around it. Many minor characters from previous books (well, no one character is ever “minor” in Ms. Harrison’s stories) make reprisals here, and again we see that everything that has happened in the past–be it a product of Rachel’s decisions and bargains, or of other characters’s actions–has dire consequences in the future.

The intricate plot, the highest quality characters, the incredible stakes and growth here all make this book near perfect in my mind. My favorite Urban Fantasy title, from a storyteller of the highest caliber. I loved it.

Notable Quotes/Parts: Gaah, the final showdown, as it were. Rachel has EVERYTHING on the line, and must pull off a deal gone wrong, demon curses, and the possible loss of someone very, very important to her. The tension is staggering.

Additional Thoughts: *points at title* Yay, another Leone shout out. I recently read that Urban Fantasy is the modern western–and how aptly titled this book is, to reflect the sentiment.

Verdict: This is, to date, my favorite Urban Fantasy novel. If you haven’t started this series, I implore you, get on board already.

Rating: 10 Perfection

Reading Next: Huntress Year One by Ivory Madison

Title: A Fistful of Charms

Author: Kim Harrison

Title: Every Which Way but Dead

Author: Kim Harrison

Review Number: 21

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction

Stand alone or series: Third book in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series

Summary: (From amazon.com)
Some days, you just can’t win. Witch and former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan’s managed to escape her corrupt company, survive living with a vampire, start her own runner service, and face down a vampire master.

But her vampire roommate Ivy is off the wagon, her human boyfriend Nick is out of town indefinitely and doesn’t sound like he’s coming back while the far-too-seductive vampire Kisten is looking way too tempting, and there’s a turf war erupting in Cincinnati’s underworld.

And there’s a greater evil still. To put the vampire master behind bars and save her family, Rachel made a desperate bargain and now there’s hell to pay—literally.

For if Rachel cannot stop him, the archdemon Algaliarept will pull her into the sorcerous ever-after to forfeit her soul as his slave. Forever.

Why did I read the book: It should be abundantly clear by now that I am enthralled by Rachel Morgan!

Review:

Book 3. I started off my book 2 review for The Good, the Bad, and the Undead by stating that Ms. Harrison managed to defy the laws of diminishing returns and created a book 2 that was even better than its predecessor. I can only begin this review by repeating that observation, as Every Which Way but Dead raises the ante even more.

At the end of book 2, Rachel manages to thwart death at the hands of the Master Vampire Piscary, but only by striking another deal with the demon Algaliarept. Rachel’s practice of “act now, think later” has saved her skin a number of times, but this time she fears she might have gone too far. In exchange for Big Al (her nickname for Algaliarept)’s testimony against Piscary, Rachel has agreed to become his familiar—provided that she gets to keep her soul. Every Which Way but Dead opens with Big Al coming to collect. He drags along his current familiar of 1000 years, Ceri—who is a haggard, haunted young woman, with an aura coated so thick with demon smut it is completely black. Rachel takes pity on Ceri, and manages to rescue her by swindling Al and also manages to resist being pulled into the Ever After (aka demon land). As it turns out, Ceri knows all of Big Al’s tricks, how to stir demon curses, and becomes a formidable ally for Rachel, and a major character going forward in these books.

Rachel also has some serious man trouble on her hands. After pulling magic through familiar and boyfriend Nick by accident in book 2, Rachel finds herself in emotional limbo. She and Nick had a great thing going, but now he can’t shake the memory of her accident, and pulls away from Rachel. Finally he decides that he has to leave town for a while to ‘take care of some business’, and Rachel is forced to come to terms with the fact that their relationship is over. Meanwhile, vampire Kisten—former scion of Piscary and good friend to Ivy—has his designs set on Rache. Especially after the hot little elevator interlude in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead.

When I started this installment to the Rachel Morgan series, I feared that it would just be more of the same old same. Rachel fights the same demon and manages to keep her butt out of the Ever After, more unresolved tension with Ivy, unresolved sexual tension with Kisten, same old grudging problems with Trent Kalamack…but Ms. Harrison manages to pick up all these storylines and push them forward, taking Rachel into new territory without feeling recycled. Rachel begins a romantic relationship with Kisten and allows herself to be seduced by him, causing more complications with the jealous Ivy. There’s a serious fallout between Rache and Jenks after yet another demon attack, and Rachel finds herself in the middle of a new power struggle in Cincinnati since she put Piscary behind bars. A whole new species joins the main cast with David Hue, werewolf and claims adjustor, as he tracks down Rache after the fish incident at the beginning of book 2 (really, how does Ms. Harrison keep track and maintain all these separate plot lines? It’s awe inspiring).

Needless to say, there is nothing boring about this book!

Fans of the first two books will not be disappointed—Ms. Harrison just keeps getting better.

Notable Quotes/Parts: I was completely shocked that Rachel would allow herself to be seduced by Kisten, especially given Ivy’s strong feelings and possessiveness. The scene is pretty…intense. Kisten takes to wearing ‘caps’ as a safety precaution so that he won’t break Rachel’s skin. Ivy, while she can understand Rachel and Kisten having sex, will never forgive Kisten if he bites her. I love the idea that the sharing of blood is more than just sexual, but a way to show trust and love—and that is what Ivy desires with Rache.

Also, we finally get a glimpse of the Ever After in this book…and it’s terrifying.

Additional Thoughts: I have previously remarked about Ms. Harrison’s strength in setting down rules—every action has a reaction, every act has a consequence. I love the concept of auras, and that for every dark spell or demon mark Rachel has, there is a price to pay and a mark on her aura. The image of Ceri’s aura, forever tainted black from 1000 years of demon smut is effective, and very scary stuff.

Verdict: Obviously, I loved it!

Rating: 8 Excellent

Reading Next: Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas

Title: The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

Author: Kim Harrison

Review Number: 17

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction

Stand alone or series: Second book in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series

Summary: (From amazon.com)
It’s a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.

She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pressing the limits.

Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child’s play — and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.

Why did I read the book: I loved the quirkiness of Rachel Morgan in book 1, and I had to see where book 2 would take her.

Review:

I thought book 1 was a solid start to a promising series, and Ms. Harrison completely won me over with book 2. No sophomore slump here—this brilliant author manages to defy the law of diminishing returns and create a sequel that is even better than the first.

First off, let me just say that the little summaries from the publisher on the back of the books are completely misleading. They make Rachel Morgan sound like some sexkitten voluptuous witch that slinks around defeating creatures of the night without messing up her hair. This sort of “sexy” characterization couldn’t be further from the truth! Rachel Morgan is a tall, skinny, flat-chested, freckled redhead—with hair that never quite listens to her or her anti-frizz charms. She’s cute and likes to dress how she likes to dress, but she isn’t some sexy maven on the prowl. (That would be her vampire roommate, Ivy.)

Now that I’ve got that off my chest…this time around, Rachel Morgan really manages to get in a serious pickle. She has a penchant for attracting big time trouble, and lands in a mess. Dead Witch Walking closes with some loose ends that are nicely addressed in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead. The book begins with Rachel and Jenks—her pixy partner—undercover on a run, to steal back a fish that happens to be a team mascot. Very Ace Ventura—in a good way. After narrowly escaping with the stolen fish and cursing the fact that the effort of the run was sooo not worth a scant $500, Rachel is immediately scooped up by the F.I.B. (the Federal Inderland Bureau) for another run contract—she helped the F.I.B. in book 1 as an independent contractor, in an attempt to bring down drug lord Trent Kalamack. Someone has been killing ley line witches in Cincinnati. The F.I.B. suspect a former professor of Rachel’s is behind the murders, and tell Rache if she wants the contract, she’ll have to pose as a student. Despite the objectionable going to class and doing homework, Rache can’t deny the run…especially when Trent Kalamack himself is implicated in the murders.

At the same time, Rachel has her own personal problems to deal with. Demon-marked from book 1, Rachel continues to be terrorized by Algiarept (the demon sent to kill her in Dead Witch Walking). Things get even more complicated with Ivy, as the undead vamp seems to have deeper designs for Rachel in the future—what’s worse is, Rachel’s demon scar has some nasty implications for Rachel, leaving her unsafe around any vampire. Especially when Master Vamp Piscary, Ivy’s ‘uncle’, decides that Rachel is an obstacle that needs to be silenced one way or the other.

Did I mention that Rachel also has some pretty nasty man problems after accidentally screwing up her familiar claiming spell?

Ms. Harrison’s alternate world is complex and utterly convincing. This is one author that knows how to define parameters and makes sure to stick by her own rules—it’s a major pet peeve of mine in fantasy books when authors half-ass world creation or have whack power/magic ratios. In order to suspend disbelief in a genre that by definition is fantastic and beyond belief, specifics need to be nurtured and realized. And Ms. Harrison does it just as well as the best in the Urban Fantasy genre.

I love the ‘rules’ of vampirism in Ms. Harrison’s universe—probably the best new vampire lore I have ever read. You can’t just be bitten by a vamp with no consequences here; anyone that is bitten by a strong enough vampire becomes their “shadow”. That is, you can only become aroused by that specific vamp and become their “partner”, so to speak. Until they die or get tired of you. Things are even more complicated for Rachel since she is pumped up with vampire saliva from her demon attack, but never has actually been bitten by a true vampire which means that she can be “claimed” by the first vamp to bite her. It makes for a damn suspenseful story.

Rachel again proves herself as a heroine you want to know and root for. She’s imperfect, headstrong, and her observations and conclusions are often impulsive and flat-out wrong, but that’s what makes her endearingly real as a character. The tension-filled relationship between Rachel and Ivy jumps to a new level in this book, and I have to admit that I am fascinated by the interplay between the two. It’s angst-ridden and frankly, it’s pretty sexy. Ms. Harrison again proves that she can do it all—write complicated storylines, create (and continue to develop) realistic characters, all while maintaining suspense, romance and horror simultaneously.

This is no small task, and Ms. Harrison does it seamlessly. Anyone that might be tired of the genre or is ‘vamped out’—I feel your pain. But if you haven’t read the Rachel Morgan books you truly are missing out. I’m reading through this series and can’t get enough of it. Rachel Morgan is definitely one of the elite in my book, right up there with Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series.

Notable Quotes/Parts: For the romance fans out there, The Good the Bad and the Undead has an incredibly hot sex scene. After a sparring session with Ivy that nearly ends up with Rachel getting a throatful of fang, Nick (Rachel’s boyfriend) rescues her and takes her over to his apartment. After being exposed to all the vamp pheromones from Ivy, Rachel and Nick get busy in a pretty intense way. Rrraaaoowr!

Additional Thoughts: On the titles—I love that each title is an allusion to old Clint Eastwood (as the man with no name) movies. My dad is a huge Clint Eastwood fan and I grew up watching spaghetti westerns (whether I wanted to or not!). The Good, the Bad, and the Undead is probably the most easily spotted of the titles—a reference to The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. But the next books A Fistful of Charms and For a Few Demons More also play off the Clint Eastwood theme (A Fistful of Dollars, and For a Few Dollars More). For those not familiar with Clint in his “blondie” role, the man with no name was one of the first movie/western main characters that was not a ‘hero’ per se, but in fact a bounty hunter driven by a need for a payoff…but also played by his own moral rules. Knowing this and reading Rachel Morgan, you can see how Ms. Harrison was inspired to translate some of these qualities down in her heroine (as later in the series Rachel is forced to ally with character that she doesn’t particularly like or trust, but does it for the greater good, and for the handsome payoff).

Verdict: Loved it. Can’t get enough of it!

Rating: 8 Excellent — and only getting BETTER with each book.

Reading Next: Fire Study (Book 3 of the “Study” Series) by Maria V. Snyder

Title: Dead Witch Walking

Author: Kim Harrison

Review Number: 14

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Fiction

Stand alone or series: First book in The Hollows (Rachel Morgan) series

Summary: (From kimharrison.net)
All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party … and to feed.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ‘em back alive, dead … or undead.

Why did I read the book: After the bad taste that Dante Valentine left in my mouth, I needed to read another paranormal heroine who could help salvage some of my battered faith in the genre. Since paranormals are “buy one get one half off” at Borders right now, I had this on the shelf having picked it up along with Working for the Devil. I had heard good things about Rachel Morgan, so warily (but encouraged from the Jim Butcher and Kelley Armstrong recommendations), I eased into the world of The Hollows.

Review:

Rachel Morgan is a witch, working as an underpaid and unappreciated runner for the Cincinnati Inderland Security. The world that she lives in is not too dissimilar from our own—as in most paranormal fiction series’, it’s a world where humans have to share with Vampires, Were-creatures, assorted fae, Witches and Warlocks. You know, the standard fare. Humans are mistrustful and for the most part ignorant, judgmental asses; the supernatural creatures are dangerous, but have to deal with legislation and typical bureaucracy. Except Ms. Harrison’s universe has a funny, quirky tinge to it—after Watson and Crick (and Rosalind Franklin, thank you very much!) “discovered” the double helix structure of DNA, in the throws of the Cold War both the east and west began to fiddle with biological engineering. The ubiquitous tomato was infected by an escaped biologically engineered virus…which became the seed of destruction for humanity. The escaped Angel virus pandemic wiped out nearly half of the human population. While this virus was lethal to humans, most supernatural creatures were immune (exhibiting various reactions due to their unique genetic makeup)…and no longer grossly outnumbered by humans, they Turned. That is, they revealed themselves to the world and became an important, functioning part of society (not that they weren’t important before, but the Turn revealed them to humans).

The Turn led to a relocation of people, the establishment of new government agencies, and new laws. Enter Rachel Morgan, a witch in a career that is going nowhere due to her dislike of paperwork, and a meathead boss she keeps pissing off. The book opens with Rachel trying to tag a Leprechaun for tax evasion, which Rachel takes as an insult to her talents. Helped by pixie sidekick Jenks, and fellow star runner Ivy (a living vampire), Rache stakes out a bar and nabs the Leprechaun. With a golden opportunity in her hands, Rache decides to quit the S.I. and take three wishes from the Leprechaun, before letting her go. Ivy and Jenks decide to also quit, and join Rache in business, snagging two of her three wishes as payment.

Unfortunately, while Rachel quitting the I.S. is no big deal, taking Ivy with her pisses off Rachel’s former boss to no end—and he puts out a nasty death warrant on her head. Hence the title, Dead Witch Walking. The only way to stay alive? Rachel needs a BIG tag to buy out her contract and keep the I.S. off her back, and she focuses on nabbing a renowned charitable businessman who also happens to be a lethal drug lord. In between trying to evade assassins, keep her vampire roommate from coming on to her (and ripping her throat out), and mixing charms from scratch since all her possessions have been cursed and she has a big goose egg in her bank account, that is.

I was very pleased with this book. Rachel Morgan is a worthwhile heroine that isn’t barbed and doesn’t put on a “tough girl” front. Ms. Harrison writes a funny, endearing character in Rachel. She’s young and sensitive, but fair minded when it comes to her friends. Not to mention, she’s pretty funny. Not in a bitchy Anita Blake or cussed-out Danny Valentine kind of way, but in a less jaded, more innocently brazen of way.

The supporting characters are similarly engaging, and surprisingly complex. Even the big bad villain in this book (and in the next book I’ll bet) is more than meets the eye. The characters of Ivy (Rachel’s sexy, creepy vamp roommate) and Jenks (an unlikely pixie bodyguard) are more than just filler characters or simple sidekicks. The only problem I had with this book is how Rachel kept getting bailed out of trouble by her buddies and hardly ever on her own accord. But, then again, it’s nice to see a main character have friends that s/he can count on, and I liked the vulnerability that Ms. Harrison depicted Rache with.

Good pacing, good characters, and strong writing makes this read—even at 400+ pages—a quick one…and leaves the reader eager for more.

Notable Quotes/Parts: After a scary interlude with her vampire roommate, Ivy tells Rachel that she didn’t mean to come on to her so strongly, just that Rachel was throwing out all the wrong (right?) signals. Ivy hands Rachel a book (Vampire dating guide) to read to make sure the situation doesn’t happen again. Rache reads this portion on the bus:

“”If your vampire lover moves to a more private location in the middle of a conversation, be assured that he or she isn’t spurning you. It’s an invitation. Go all out. Take some food or drink with you to get the jaws loosened up and the saliva moving. Don’t be a flirt. Red wine is passe. Try an apple or something equally crunchy.”

Damn.

“Not all vampires are alike. Find out if your lover likes pillow talk. Foreplay can take many forms. A conversation about past ties and bloodlines is sure to strike a chord and stir pride unless you lover is from a secondary house.”

Double Damn. I was a harlot. I was a freaking vampire hussy.”

It had me in fits! Poor, unsuspecting Rachel.

Additional Thoughts: I liked the genetic spin Ms. Morgan put in her universe. It makes perfect sense that a witch’s (or a were-creature, vampire, warlock, pixie for that matter) DNA is different than regular old human DNA. And it was interesting to see witches and warlocks as a separate species from humans, even though they look identical.

Verdict: If you’re a fan of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files series, you’ll love Rachel Morgan–Ms. Harrison has a very similar writing style, and the blend of humor and thrills is good fun. I enjoyed this book immensely, can’t wait to dig in to book 2.

Rating: 7 Very Good

Reading Next: If Angels Burn (Darkyn Book 1) by Lynn Viehl