It seems that The Hollows is a series that might just be a bit like crack: I don't find it that particularly awesome, and there's a lot about it that I don't in fact like, but overall, it's addictive and hard to stay away from - and dammit, I want more.First, the bad: honestly? Pretty much the same things I've complained about in my reviews for the previous books. Epithets. Dear god, the epithets. There were long stretches where I either didn't notice them or an editor had got hold of some chunks of the manuscript and removed them, but .. eurgh. Also, at least the UK edition seemed to have switched from Ceridwen to Cerdiwen consistently for Ceri's full name, and ... no. Just no.Various writing issues aside, I just... Rachel drives me up the wall. At least her characterisation has been consistent through the books, but dear god, how stupid can she be? This time we get her constant thoughts about her adrenaline-junky-ness and ... she still rushes to danger. All. The. Fucking. Time. ARGH. Add to that her questionable dress sense (shouldn't she by now have some inkling about what's appropriate for what occasion and what not??) and her still bloody drooling after every single man/vampire/were/witch/demon she meets (while having a steady boyfriend) and it's just. Argh. I like Rachel, in spite of everything, but god.Also, Ivy. This entire thing with Ivy. Thing is, I don't like Ivy. I've yet to find any reason whatsoever to like her, other than Rachel and Jenks and Kisten etc liking her. She's completely bland. Flat. No personality at all. I have no idea what she's about (other than really really really wanting to have sex with Rachel and drink her blood and what not). And frankly - while I appreciate having an urban fantasy series that has some diversity in the sexuality of the protagonists and has the protagonist consider that there might be some fluidity in her own sexuality - the entire Rachel/Ivy thing is just... not handled in a way that makes me like it, even the least bit. Blegh. On the plus side, at least Rachel is also aware of it possibly being just Ivy playing on the scar/vampire pheromones, but ... that is also really what bothers me. Ivy's basically drugging her every time she comes close and plays on the pheromones, and, eh.Also, Trent. I'm starting to get tired of how easily, all things considered, everyone - everyone who knows! - is brushing off his murderous tendencies. Good things: the plot, and Rachel's battling with the issues of demons, using demon curses, and the such. I like how she's starting to accept that things aren't always so black or white, and I'm curious to see where this is going.Also, Quen. And Minias! I loved Minias. I want more Minias. If the next books had nothing but Quen and Minias and Takata (I also want more Takata!), I'd be one happy camper. Sadly, I expect they won't, but hey, a girl can hope. And I was glad to see Glenn return, if in a smaller role! Actually, that is one thing I really appreciate about the series - minor/secondary characters from earlier books not just disappearing but remaining a part of the core cast's lives, returning or being mentioned now and again. Makes them feel like real people and not just props for the plot of a specific book.Will I be reading on? Absolutely. In spite of all my issues, I am enjoying the series. Just with a lot of headdesking involved.
I stopped about 100 pages into this one in Fall 2010 because I did not see enough character development. Had I continued to read it I don't think I would have come away with a different perspective because I wanted it too badly. I was reading it at the same time I was getting into Cat and Bones of Night Huntress so I wanted more of that. My opinion of what should happen overshadowed my ability to really enjoy what was. This time around, I was better prepared for the character short comings due to spoilers. Yes, for some of us spoilers sell the book.I really enjoyed the early installments to the series which I read years ago. The Hollows was my first witch series and I loved many aspects of the writing and magic. I found Rachael interesting but I did not like Ivy from jump. The dysfunctional abusive relationship between these two got on my nerves. As for boyfriends, I felt Rachael was living below her potential with her broke lovers when she was broke herself. Nobody around her but Jenks, a pixie, had any maturity thus Rachael did not grow as a person. She went from one bad decision to the next. After three books I just didn't see change on the horizon but I was wrong."For A Few Demons More" proved to me that Rachael's journey was not destined to be perpetual stupidity and self-destruction. There is plenty in this book but it served a higher purpose, Rachael moved forward, finally. There was plenty of the good stuff such as Rachael's quick wit and her compassion. She did some stupid stuff and some of the stupid decisions from earlier books came back to bite her in the ass. But by the conclusion, she realized her actions were wreckless and did some growing up. I even got a little more comfortable with Ivy although if Ms. Harrison kills her off, I'm good with that too. If Ivy and Rachael become lovers, I am done. Jenx is a treat, as always. Kristen is the same -- no money, no power, and not a drop of Alpha in him. Rachael loves him and he treats her good so I won't dwell on him. I am looking forward to reading more about Ceri the elf Rachael rescued from Never Never. Trent's hot and rich but Rachael hates him with a passion. I don't see that changing anytime soon based on this book. He is a bad guy but I wouldn't mind Rachael taking him out for a test drive. The consequences of dabbling with demons comes full circle. Rachael needed the hard knocks that came with the reality of how deep she had gotten with the demons. There is also something going on with that cat...I am sure of it. Best scene in the book was when Trent said to Rachael -- "You should have killed Piscary when you had the opportunity." Thank you Trent. I love you even if Rachael doesn't. All in all, I really liked this installment. Ms. Harrison is a talented Urban Fantasy writer who does not shy away from violence. Her magicical world is ripe with opportunity for what I expect to ba a long running series. I am looking forward to reading the next one.
What do You think about For A Few Demons More (2007)?
Yay, I was finally able to give a Kim Harrison book four stars! Let's throw a party.Much better than the first four books of this series. I wasn't feeling conflicted about it, or confused by it the whole time. I was along for the ride. And by the end, I was totally captivated. I think Rachel finally starts to figure some stuff about herself, which is a relief.I won't ruin the ending for those of you who are deaf, dumb and blind on this site and don't know what happens already (I'd known since about two books ago...), but even though I knew, it still really packed a punch. Though I wouldn't say it was pleasant, it was sooo compelling. Harrison actually made me feel something for her characters. I was completely engaged.Don't know when I'll get a chance to read the next one, but I'm looking forward to it (for once.)
—Nichole (Dirrty H)
So good, loved rereading this book, I had forgotten which book Kisten dies in, and yeah, that was really sad, can't wait to get the conclusion soon! Now to read more!*First read August 4th 2013*This book started to break my heart. I mean, things were pretty good, and steady, and then they pretty much go to hell in a hand basket, and then Kistin? Yeah, broken heart, meet me.
—Louisa
I would have given this book 5 stars, but then she had to go a write that. Argh what the hell! I can't deal :'( Note: I've got the major spoiler hidden, but if you're good at guessing and would rather go in completely blind when reading the book, stop reading this review here.The star deduction is because I don't like how it was handled. About three quarters of the way through the book, shit is really hitting the fan. Rachel is trying to save a certain someone…and then all of a sudden, next chapter she wakes up 5 HOURS LATER…and doesn't really think anything of it…like perhaps it's weird and she might be missing a chunk of her memory and perhaps the dire situation that person was in before she fell asleep might still be pretty fricking dire. Nope. Instead I had to painfully read the last 30% on the edge of my seat, with a feeling of dread, not enjoying the funny moments at all, because I had a sinking suspicion she'd forgotten something devastating.(view spoiler)[And what do you know? She had. And then once that cat was FINALLY out of the bag, I spent the rest of the book hoping it'd been an elaborate ploy to protect Kist by faking his death. And did Jenks not seem really guilty? He tried so hard to distract her when she first woke up. He was trailing pixie dust a lot more than normal. He was twitching his wings whenever Kisten's whereabouts or Rachel's memory were mentioned. Not to mention he told Rachel that Kisten had left a message for her, when in reality Rachel had been with Kisten. Damn it Jenks.I want answers. I want Kist back. This was not a good way to end the book. (hide spoiler)]
—Monique
