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The Hollows #13
The Witch with No Name
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fantasy (2014)At long last... The final book in the New York Times bestselling Hollows series by Kim Harrison!
Rachel Morgan's come a long way from the clutzy runner of Dead Witch Walking. She's faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witches, and soul-eating demons. She's crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She's lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more.
But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price. That time is now.
To save Ivy's soul and the rest of the living vampires, to keep the demonic ever after and our own world from destruction, Rachel Morgan will risk everything.
Rachel Morgan's come a long way from the clutzy runner of Dead Witch Walking. She's faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witches, and soul-eating demons. She's crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She's lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more.
But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price. That time is now.
To save Ivy's soul and the rest of the living vampires, to keep the demonic ever after and our own world from destruction, Rachel Morgan will risk everything.
462 pages, Hardcover
First published September 9, 2014
1,423 people are currently reading
12.8k people want to read
About the author
Kim Harrison
86books18.5kfollowersKim Harrison is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, but she has written more than urban fantasy and has published over two-dozen books spanning the gamut from young adult, thriller, several anthologies, and has scripted two original graphic novels. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook. Kim is currently working on a new Hollows book between other, non related, urban fantasy projects.
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other pseudonyms:
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook
and her blog
other pseudonyms:
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,151 reviews
September 11, 2014
Spoilers
I'm so glad the series is finally over, the last few books have been dire and this one wasn't much better. I was hoping that some of the magic of earlier books would have been recaptured in this one� Sadly, that wasn't the case. There were very few things that I actually found entertaining, the only aspect I truly appreciated and enjoyed were certain, well written secondary characters, everything else was rubbish.
Random, repetitive, ranty thoughts:
-Summary: Rachel is forced to find a way to help undead vampires get their souls back. Naturally, chaos ensues.
Also, lots of Rachel mooning over Trent and them two being nauseatingly sappy and melodramatic.
-I was disappointed with the writing, it didn't flow very well, it was awkward and all over the place especially the action scenes. I'm sure the writing in earlier books was a lot better.
-The plot didn't do much for me, on the one hand I was glad that all the focus wasn't on Trent and his elf politics and that instead the vampires took centre stage. That being said the vampire plot was nowhere near as good as it could have been and unfortunately, there was still too much elf nonsense for my liking. What I really wanted was more demon related plot, they were the most entertaining and interesting characters yet they got pushed out by the much duller vampires and elves.
-Most of the vampires came across as cliched, their threats and behaviour was tiresome to read about. The only vampire who I found tolerable was Ivy, the rest were insufferable. At least they were better than the bloody elves.
-I wasn't impressed with how quickly Rachel solved the vampire soul problem. It was all so convenient, she had years to figure out how to save Ivy's soul and she got absolutely nowhere in those years, but in this book she managed to figure it all out in a matter of hours.
It was so disappointing, I expected there to be a huge build up, struggle and pay off in her saving vampire souls� Instead Rachel (and later Al) suddenly had an epiphany and it took all of a few pages for her to question and wonder and get answers. An arc like that deserved a more thoughtful finish, instead there were a couple of deus ex machinas epiphany's and in between those there were cheesy vampire threats and chaos.
-I used to love Rachel, she was fun, had lots of crazy adventures and had so many things going on. In the last few books she's been anything but fun, ever since she got with Trent the magic in the series/her character has disappeared. In this one Rachel was a weepy damsel in distress who couldn't do anything without Trent, I lost count of the amount of times Trent had to carry Rachel in his big strong manly arms. Ugh. All Rachel seemed to do was cry, and fangirl and whine about Trent. It was sickening. I could have maybe excused Rachel's silly worshipping of Trent if he had actually been worthy of it but he was scum.
I was so sick of Rachel thinking she was the luckiest girl in the world to have Trent and that someone like her didn't deserve him, he wasn't some brilliant saint, he was a murdering-crazy-selfish-lying fucker who didn't deserve happiness. Why on earth was the author trying to make him out to be something oh so brilliant and desirable?
Then there was Rachel blaming herself for Trent losing everything. Which was ridiculous. The reason he (temporarily) lost some of his money and power was because of his own dirty dealings and selfishness. It was his fault and no-one else's but as usual Rachel had to be a martyr about it and blame herself. Who was this stupid, draining, nonsensical heroine?
-The scene where Ivy was injured and about to die made me want to pull my hair out, instead of rushing to get her medical treatment Rachel and the gang wasted time hugging, whining and arguing. Ivy was losing blood and on the verge of dropping dead yet there was no urgency or basic common sense to how Rachel and the gang handled the situation. Why did Bis even bother to bring Nina and co to the Ever After? They weren't needed there. It was a waste of time, his first priority should have been getting Ivy out of the Ever After and into the hospital. That whole scene was stupid.
-When Rachel had a twelve hour deadline to save Ivy's life, the silly cow spent most of her time drinking coffee, eating cookies and flirting. I don't know why she was so exasperated with the deadline when she clearly had more than enough time if all she did was flit around and do nothing.
-What was with Rachel looking down at Nina and her connection to Felix? The only reason Nina was like that was because she was addicted and couldn't help herself. Rachel acted like she was the devil for lying about it and not breaking free of him. I really didn't get the whole sudden demonization of Nina, it came out of nowhere. Where was Rachel's compassion and understanding? She should have been trying to support/help Nina and Ivy, instead she was just stirring things.
It was also rich of Rachel to condemn Nina over a weakness and addiction when she was cool with all the horrible things Trent had done. She had such double standards.
-The Ivy/Nina drama wasn't very engrossing, it felt added on just to make Rachel look good and Nina bad.
-Why was Cormel so daft about getting back his soul? He was meant to be powerful and intelligent but he spent most of the book acting like a prat, he kept pushing Rachel and refused to listen to her advice. For someone so old and cunning I expected him to be patient and wise instead he threw a tantrum and ignored any potential consequences and made things worse for himself. It made his character flat and cartoonish.
-The amount of times Cormel threatened Rachel and kidnapped/hurt Ivy was ridiculous. The story was so repetitive and nonsensical.
There was also a lot of inconsistency � one minute Rachel was at the mercy of Cormel then the next she was putting him in his place. Was he a bloody threat or not?!
-When Rachel and Al were talking about the vampires and their souls why the hell did Rachel not question Al when he mentioned the reason the demons separated souls from vampires? She just ignored what he said instead of questioning the fuck out of him!! Al had information that could have possibly helped her but the giddy twit was too busy making cow eyes at Trent to bother with anything else.
-Jenks was great, I loved how he was always there for Rachel and Ivy. I really wanted there to be more of the core trio (Ivy, Jenks, Rachel) together, they didn't really have many scenes together and when they did, there were other people there interfering with their dynamic. I missed them just hanging out and bonding, their friendship and work relationship was the best aspect of the series but it was more or less forgotten about for other crappy relationships.
-I had to roll my eyes at Rachel moving in with Trent when her home was completely destroyed. I'm pretty sure it's now become a UF law that when the heroine has her home destroyed she has to move in with the hero and stay there forever. Apparently, heroines can't move in when they are ready, they have to be pushed into it by outside forces.
-I wish Rachel had grown a backbone and laid down some laws with the I.S/FIB/vampires in exchange for her help with the demons/vamp souls. All she did was have a bit of whine instead of actually making demands to make sure they'd never bother her or her friends again.
-I don't know why Rachel was so shocked at being in love with Trent, she already knew that before and if she didn't then she was even more thicker than I thought.
-I was sick of Rachel moaning about holding Trent back and him being oh so important and wonderful. Her whole mantra through the entire book was either 'Trent's too important' or 'Oh noes, he's in danger' � she acted more like an adoring mother the way she thought he could do no wrong and was constantly worried for his safety, it was cringey.
She was such a drama queen when she kept despairing about not being able to have a long lasting relationship with Trent because he was too amazing and important for the likes of her. Rachel knew perfectly well she was going to be with Trent forever but the silly cow just liked angsting about it. Also, the only person holding Trent back was Trent, if he wanted something different then he could have had it. Rachel was too daft to realise that shock!horror! people had the power to make their own life decisions.
-I felt like punching someone whenever Rachel whined about Trent not being safe or him not being able to fulfil his elf leader duties just because he was dating her. She banged on about it every few paragraphs, why did she keep mentioning it if she wasn't going to do something about it?! Why didn't she tell Trent to piss off if she was so worried about him being safe or him giving up his future?! What was the point of monologuing about it over and over? Why didn't she talk to Trent about her worries instead of going over them again and again? I really didn't understand why the author made Rachel repeat the same Trent-related thoughts every few paragraphs. Was it meant to make their relationship even more forbidden and sexy or something? Was it meant to show Trent in a good light with him choosing Rachel? Well, it didn't work on me.
It was frustrating to read Rachel's never-ending Trent propaganda, it was like the author was desperate to show that Trent really loved Rachel and would sacrifice for her. But I never believed it, especially when it was obvious Trent wouldn't lose anything � he'd have his money, his power, his kids, Ellasbeth, respect from all the elves, not to mention his pet demon in Rachel� And the ending confirmed that. Whereas Rachel was the only one who actually sacrificed and lost things � she lost her beloved home, her business with Ivy/Jenks and was unable to have her own kids for decades. Trent didn't sacrifice anything so any attempts at making him seem like he was sacrificing for Rachel were empty. If the author wanted to show something different then Trent should have actually lost something by being with Rachel, which he never did, not only that he knew he could have it all, so all his gestures were meaningless.
-I didn't appreciate all the heavy handed attempts at trying to make Trent out to be some kind of hero. Rachel kept banging on about his sacrifices and destiny� He never made any sacrifices (he got everything he ever wanted) and his destiny to lead the elves was bullshit since any other elf of average intelligence and some morals could take over for him. Surely, he wasn't the only one suited for the role.
-I didn't like that Trent's feelings for Rachel were based purely on her being a goody two shoes and thus making him a better person � it confirmed that if she ever did anything remotely questionable or bad he'd no longer want her or have feelings for her.
-I expected so much more from Rachel. I wasn't satisfied that her 'happily ever after' was spending decades being Trent's bit on the side and mother to his brats, it was depressing. She was meant to be an immortal demon who had lots to learn about magic and demons, she was destined for adventure and mishaps instead she basically turned into a dowdy old housewife, step-mum and presumably a rich bitch.
-I still didn't get the whole mystics/goddess nonsense. The fact that there were only introduced in the previous book yet played a significant role in the last book of thirteen felt very contrived. Whenever the mystics/goddess were mentioned I felt like I was reading a different series, they never fit into the rest of the Hollows world. Maybe if they'd been introduced earlier on they wouldn't have felt so out of place.
-Landon, the goddess, and Cormel being the bad guys/antagonists didn't work for me. Landon and the goddess were far too new characters for them to feel like true threats to Rachel and the gang, they were more an annoyance than characters that provided edge-of-the-seat tense situations/showdowns. Cormel could have been a great bad guy but he turned into a caricature. The three of them were such lame antagonists for the final book of such a long series.
-Loved Newt, Dali and Al - wish they'd played a bigger part in the story.
-Rachel officially became the Worst Heroine Ever when she genuinely felt she deserved the slap Al gave her, on top of that she felt guilty about 'making him' slap her. The twit really loved blaming everything on herself, even when someone abused her for no fucking reason.
-I didn't like how both Rachel and Trent laughed off him putting her in a cage for days and abusing her for years. Not only that Rachel pretty much blamed herself for Trent abusing her. Ugh, Rachel obviously loved being used and abused. No wonder she fell for Trent.
-That last chapter where Trent said he'd been doing what Rachel wanted for 25 years and now it was his turn to do what he wanted was a joke, right? Right? For those 25 years Rachel was suppressing her happiness and needs just so Trent could still be the elven leader, it was ALL for him and he knew that, so for him to basically turn that around and make out he was the one that'd been doing all the giving in their relationship was rather sick and twisted.
Trent LOVED that he still had Rachel and his elf position, he was glad she didn't want to marry him because that way he'd have everything. He did NOTHING for her in those 25 years, Rachel was the one who sacrificed, not him. The only reason he did push to get married after 25 years was because he could finally do it without losing his power. If he really wanted to marry Rachel then he would have given up his elf position and reassured Rachel that marrying her was more important than any job. But he didn't, because he was cool with leaving Rachel hanging. If he had really loved her, he wouldn't have spent so much time playing leader when he could have been concentrating on finding the demon/elf baby-making cure earlier. The only reason he even bothered with that was probably for Ray and her demon husband, not for Rachel.
Ugh, he was such a slimy manipulative prick � he had his kids and power and Rachel as his doormat whilst Rachel just got the leftovers of his life. Yet Trent managed to act like he was the one who'd been sacrificing and suffering in silence when it was the other way around. He knew full well that the only reason she wasn't marrying him was so he could have all his dreams fulfilled. The manipulative fuck couldn't acknowledge that though, he had act like he was the one giving everything to their relationship when really he was the one holding everything back by his ambitions and wants and Rachel was the one compromising and giving. Ugh.
-Rachel and Trent finally being able to have a baby was such a cop out. It was already established that demons and elves couldn't reproduce so for them to suddenly be able to after Trent/Al did some vague research was stupid and cheesy. Why do authors make set rules for their worlds only to break them just for plot convenience and silly HEA's?! It's such crappy writing.
-Rachel's non-stop guilt and self blame was shocking to read, she sounded like an abused housewife. Even at the very end she was blaming herself that Trent couldn't have more kids. Did the silly cow not realise it wasn't her fault? They were both aware when they got together that they wouldn't be able to because of what supernatural species they were. So how did that translate as her stopping him from having any other kids? It wasn't like she forced him to be with her! If she thought it was her fault he couldn't have more kids then by that logic he was also to blame for stopping her from having kids. But oh no, Rachel can't see things from a logical perspective, she can only see things from an everything-is-my-fault-I'm-always-at-fault-and-I'm-such-a-loser perspective. She really was on another bloody planet, she had zero logic or common sense.
-Trent spent most of his time taking naps. The big baby.
-Al became an actor and won 5 oscars? Really? Ugh. Also, I doubt a five time oscar winner would star in a cheesy-cheap sounding dinosaur movie.
-I wasn't happy that there was no mention in the last chapter of Rachel being immortal and never ageing. I wanted to know what her thoughts were/what she would do once Trent, Jenks, her family all dropped dead.
-I didn't need to know every piece of clothing Trent wore or what his hair looked like or what his every movement was. It added absolutely nothing to the story or characters � well that's not quite true, it did make Rachel seem like even more of a shallow-pathetic-fangirl.
I also didn't need to know what every single person smelled like.
All in all, what a rubbish end to a once great series. I'd recommend earlier books because they were everything a UF book should be, it's a shame the last 3 to 4 books turned into the Trent and Rachel abusive-embarrassing-eye-roll-inducing-sickening love show. I definitely won't be reading any future series by the author, I don't trust her not to change an awesome series into a crappy, fucked up, contrived romance.
I'm so glad the series is finally over, the last few books have been dire and this one wasn't much better. I was hoping that some of the magic of earlier books would have been recaptured in this one� Sadly, that wasn't the case. There were very few things that I actually found entertaining, the only aspect I truly appreciated and enjoyed were certain, well written secondary characters, everything else was rubbish.
Random, repetitive, ranty thoughts:
-Summary: Rachel is forced to find a way to help undead vampires get their souls back. Naturally, chaos ensues.
Also, lots of Rachel mooning over Trent and them two being nauseatingly sappy and melodramatic.
-I was disappointed with the writing, it didn't flow very well, it was awkward and all over the place especially the action scenes. I'm sure the writing in earlier books was a lot better.
-The plot didn't do much for me, on the one hand I was glad that all the focus wasn't on Trent and his elf politics and that instead the vampires took centre stage. That being said the vampire plot was nowhere near as good as it could have been and unfortunately, there was still too much elf nonsense for my liking. What I really wanted was more demon related plot, they were the most entertaining and interesting characters yet they got pushed out by the much duller vampires and elves.
-Most of the vampires came across as cliched, their threats and behaviour was tiresome to read about. The only vampire who I found tolerable was Ivy, the rest were insufferable. At least they were better than the bloody elves.
-I wasn't impressed with how quickly Rachel solved the vampire soul problem. It was all so convenient, she had years to figure out how to save Ivy's soul and she got absolutely nowhere in those years, but in this book she managed to figure it all out in a matter of hours.
It was so disappointing, I expected there to be a huge build up, struggle and pay off in her saving vampire souls� Instead Rachel (and later Al) suddenly had an epiphany and it took all of a few pages for her to question and wonder and get answers. An arc like that deserved a more thoughtful finish, instead there were a couple of deus ex machinas epiphany's and in between those there were cheesy vampire threats and chaos.
-I used to love Rachel, she was fun, had lots of crazy adventures and had so many things going on. In the last few books she's been anything but fun, ever since she got with Trent the magic in the series/her character has disappeared. In this one Rachel was a weepy damsel in distress who couldn't do anything without Trent, I lost count of the amount of times Trent had to carry Rachel in his big strong manly arms. Ugh. All Rachel seemed to do was cry, and fangirl and whine about Trent. It was sickening. I could have maybe excused Rachel's silly worshipping of Trent if he had actually been worthy of it but he was scum.
I was so sick of Rachel thinking she was the luckiest girl in the world to have Trent and that someone like her didn't deserve him, he wasn't some brilliant saint, he was a murdering-crazy-selfish-lying fucker who didn't deserve happiness. Why on earth was the author trying to make him out to be something oh so brilliant and desirable?
Then there was Rachel blaming herself for Trent losing everything. Which was ridiculous. The reason he (temporarily) lost some of his money and power was because of his own dirty dealings and selfishness. It was his fault and no-one else's but as usual Rachel had to be a martyr about it and blame herself. Who was this stupid, draining, nonsensical heroine?
-The scene where Ivy was injured and about to die made me want to pull my hair out, instead of rushing to get her medical treatment Rachel and the gang wasted time hugging, whining and arguing. Ivy was losing blood and on the verge of dropping dead yet there was no urgency or basic common sense to how Rachel and the gang handled the situation. Why did Bis even bother to bring Nina and co to the Ever After? They weren't needed there. It was a waste of time, his first priority should have been getting Ivy out of the Ever After and into the hospital. That whole scene was stupid.
-When Rachel had a twelve hour deadline to save Ivy's life, the silly cow spent most of her time drinking coffee, eating cookies and flirting. I don't know why she was so exasperated with the deadline when she clearly had more than enough time if all she did was flit around and do nothing.
-What was with Rachel looking down at Nina and her connection to Felix? The only reason Nina was like that was because she was addicted and couldn't help herself. Rachel acted like she was the devil for lying about it and not breaking free of him. I really didn't get the whole sudden demonization of Nina, it came out of nowhere. Where was Rachel's compassion and understanding? She should have been trying to support/help Nina and Ivy, instead she was just stirring things.
It was also rich of Rachel to condemn Nina over a weakness and addiction when she was cool with all the horrible things Trent had done. She had such double standards.
-The Ivy/Nina drama wasn't very engrossing, it felt added on just to make Rachel look good and Nina bad.
-Why was Cormel so daft about getting back his soul? He was meant to be powerful and intelligent but he spent most of the book acting like a prat, he kept pushing Rachel and refused to listen to her advice. For someone so old and cunning I expected him to be patient and wise instead he threw a tantrum and ignored any potential consequences and made things worse for himself. It made his character flat and cartoonish.
-The amount of times Cormel threatened Rachel and kidnapped/hurt Ivy was ridiculous. The story was so repetitive and nonsensical.
There was also a lot of inconsistency � one minute Rachel was at the mercy of Cormel then the next she was putting him in his place. Was he a bloody threat or not?!
-When Rachel and Al were talking about the vampires and their souls why the hell did Rachel not question Al when he mentioned the reason the demons separated souls from vampires? She just ignored what he said instead of questioning the fuck out of him!! Al had information that could have possibly helped her but the giddy twit was too busy making cow eyes at Trent to bother with anything else.
-Jenks was great, I loved how he was always there for Rachel and Ivy. I really wanted there to be more of the core trio (Ivy, Jenks, Rachel) together, they didn't really have many scenes together and when they did, there were other people there interfering with their dynamic. I missed them just hanging out and bonding, their friendship and work relationship was the best aspect of the series but it was more or less forgotten about for other crappy relationships.
-I had to roll my eyes at Rachel moving in with Trent when her home was completely destroyed. I'm pretty sure it's now become a UF law that when the heroine has her home destroyed she has to move in with the hero and stay there forever. Apparently, heroines can't move in when they are ready, they have to be pushed into it by outside forces.
-I wish Rachel had grown a backbone and laid down some laws with the I.S/FIB/vampires in exchange for her help with the demons/vamp souls. All she did was have a bit of whine instead of actually making demands to make sure they'd never bother her or her friends again.
-I don't know why Rachel was so shocked at being in love with Trent, she already knew that before and if she didn't then she was even more thicker than I thought.
-I was sick of Rachel moaning about holding Trent back and him being oh so important and wonderful. Her whole mantra through the entire book was either 'Trent's too important' or 'Oh noes, he's in danger' � she acted more like an adoring mother the way she thought he could do no wrong and was constantly worried for his safety, it was cringey.
She was such a drama queen when she kept despairing about not being able to have a long lasting relationship with Trent because he was too amazing and important for the likes of her. Rachel knew perfectly well she was going to be with Trent forever but the silly cow just liked angsting about it. Also, the only person holding Trent back was Trent, if he wanted something different then he could have had it. Rachel was too daft to realise that shock!horror! people had the power to make their own life decisions.
-I felt like punching someone whenever Rachel whined about Trent not being safe or him not being able to fulfil his elf leader duties just because he was dating her. She banged on about it every few paragraphs, why did she keep mentioning it if she wasn't going to do something about it?! Why didn't she tell Trent to piss off if she was so worried about him being safe or him giving up his future?! What was the point of monologuing about it over and over? Why didn't she talk to Trent about her worries instead of going over them again and again? I really didn't understand why the author made Rachel repeat the same Trent-related thoughts every few paragraphs. Was it meant to make their relationship even more forbidden and sexy or something? Was it meant to show Trent in a good light with him choosing Rachel? Well, it didn't work on me.
It was frustrating to read Rachel's never-ending Trent propaganda, it was like the author was desperate to show that Trent really loved Rachel and would sacrifice for her. But I never believed it, especially when it was obvious Trent wouldn't lose anything � he'd have his money, his power, his kids, Ellasbeth, respect from all the elves, not to mention his pet demon in Rachel� And the ending confirmed that. Whereas Rachel was the only one who actually sacrificed and lost things � she lost her beloved home, her business with Ivy/Jenks and was unable to have her own kids for decades. Trent didn't sacrifice anything so any attempts at making him seem like he was sacrificing for Rachel were empty. If the author wanted to show something different then Trent should have actually lost something by being with Rachel, which he never did, not only that he knew he could have it all, so all his gestures were meaningless.
-I didn't appreciate all the heavy handed attempts at trying to make Trent out to be some kind of hero. Rachel kept banging on about his sacrifices and destiny� He never made any sacrifices (he got everything he ever wanted) and his destiny to lead the elves was bullshit since any other elf of average intelligence and some morals could take over for him. Surely, he wasn't the only one suited for the role.
-I didn't like that Trent's feelings for Rachel were based purely on her being a goody two shoes and thus making him a better person � it confirmed that if she ever did anything remotely questionable or bad he'd no longer want her or have feelings for her.
-I expected so much more from Rachel. I wasn't satisfied that her 'happily ever after' was spending decades being Trent's bit on the side and mother to his brats, it was depressing. She was meant to be an immortal demon who had lots to learn about magic and demons, she was destined for adventure and mishaps instead she basically turned into a dowdy old housewife, step-mum and presumably a rich bitch.
-I still didn't get the whole mystics/goddess nonsense. The fact that there were only introduced in the previous book yet played a significant role in the last book of thirteen felt very contrived. Whenever the mystics/goddess were mentioned I felt like I was reading a different series, they never fit into the rest of the Hollows world. Maybe if they'd been introduced earlier on they wouldn't have felt so out of place.
-Landon, the goddess, and Cormel being the bad guys/antagonists didn't work for me. Landon and the goddess were far too new characters for them to feel like true threats to Rachel and the gang, they were more an annoyance than characters that provided edge-of-the-seat tense situations/showdowns. Cormel could have been a great bad guy but he turned into a caricature. The three of them were such lame antagonists for the final book of such a long series.
-Loved Newt, Dali and Al - wish they'd played a bigger part in the story.
-Rachel officially became the Worst Heroine Ever when she genuinely felt she deserved the slap Al gave her, on top of that she felt guilty about 'making him' slap her. The twit really loved blaming everything on herself, even when someone abused her for no fucking reason.
-I didn't like how both Rachel and Trent laughed off him putting her in a cage for days and abusing her for years. Not only that Rachel pretty much blamed herself for Trent abusing her. Ugh, Rachel obviously loved being used and abused. No wonder she fell for Trent.
-That last chapter where Trent said he'd been doing what Rachel wanted for 25 years and now it was his turn to do what he wanted was a joke, right? Right? For those 25 years Rachel was suppressing her happiness and needs just so Trent could still be the elven leader, it was ALL for him and he knew that, so for him to basically turn that around and make out he was the one that'd been doing all the giving in their relationship was rather sick and twisted.
Trent LOVED that he still had Rachel and his elf position, he was glad she didn't want to marry him because that way he'd have everything. He did NOTHING for her in those 25 years, Rachel was the one who sacrificed, not him. The only reason he did push to get married after 25 years was because he could finally do it without losing his power. If he really wanted to marry Rachel then he would have given up his elf position and reassured Rachel that marrying her was more important than any job. But he didn't, because he was cool with leaving Rachel hanging. If he had really loved her, he wouldn't have spent so much time playing leader when he could have been concentrating on finding the demon/elf baby-making cure earlier. The only reason he even bothered with that was probably for Ray and her demon husband, not for Rachel.
Ugh, he was such a slimy manipulative prick � he had his kids and power and Rachel as his doormat whilst Rachel just got the leftovers of his life. Yet Trent managed to act like he was the one who'd been sacrificing and suffering in silence when it was the other way around. He knew full well that the only reason she wasn't marrying him was so he could have all his dreams fulfilled. The manipulative fuck couldn't acknowledge that though, he had act like he was the one giving everything to their relationship when really he was the one holding everything back by his ambitions and wants and Rachel was the one compromising and giving. Ugh.
-Rachel and Trent finally being able to have a baby was such a cop out. It was already established that demons and elves couldn't reproduce so for them to suddenly be able to after Trent/Al did some vague research was stupid and cheesy. Why do authors make set rules for their worlds only to break them just for plot convenience and silly HEA's?! It's such crappy writing.
-Rachel's non-stop guilt and self blame was shocking to read, she sounded like an abused housewife. Even at the very end she was blaming herself that Trent couldn't have more kids. Did the silly cow not realise it wasn't her fault? They were both aware when they got together that they wouldn't be able to because of what supernatural species they were. So how did that translate as her stopping him from having any other kids? It wasn't like she forced him to be with her! If she thought it was her fault he couldn't have more kids then by that logic he was also to blame for stopping her from having kids. But oh no, Rachel can't see things from a logical perspective, she can only see things from an everything-is-my-fault-I'm-always-at-fault-and-I'm-such-a-loser perspective. She really was on another bloody planet, she had zero logic or common sense.
-Trent spent most of his time taking naps. The big baby.
-Al became an actor and won 5 oscars? Really? Ugh. Also, I doubt a five time oscar winner would star in a cheesy-cheap sounding dinosaur movie.
-I wasn't happy that there was no mention in the last chapter of Rachel being immortal and never ageing. I wanted to know what her thoughts were/what she would do once Trent, Jenks, her family all dropped dead.
-I didn't need to know every piece of clothing Trent wore or what his hair looked like or what his every movement was. It added absolutely nothing to the story or characters � well that's not quite true, it did make Rachel seem like even more of a shallow-pathetic-fangirl.
I also didn't need to know what every single person smelled like.
All in all, what a rubbish end to a once great series. I'd recommend earlier books because they were everything a UF book should be, it's a shame the last 3 to 4 books turned into the Trent and Rachel abusive-embarrassing-eye-roll-inducing-sickening love show. I definitely won't be reading any future series by the author, I don't trust her not to change an awesome series into a crappy, fucked up, contrived romance.
December 31, 2014
(Giveaway)
(Site Review)
New Hollows Day is probably as good as Christmas Day for many of us. Not to mention this one has come much sooner than expected! But if I'm being honest, this is probably my toughest review yet. It's taken me so long to get it together because I just keep drawing a blank. Part of itisbecause this is the end of my favorite series ever. But I have accepted that thismust happen to all good things, or else theycould risknot being so good anymore.
Kim Harrison brought this novel back around to be about the vamps. She made good on her promise compared to other recent books where they satmore on the back burner. It appears to be for good reason though because vampires are the key to changing everything. There were some revelations that truly surprised me and the unpredictable twists kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.
I was happy to see the demons and elves get a healthy dose of focus as well. Over the years I have grown very attached to their story lines and was happy to see they wouldn't have too many loose ends.
Rachel and Trent. Yeah, if you're a fan I don't see why that would stop now! They display great teamwork and definitely turn up the heat as they're settling into their relationship together. It's satisfying to see but still hard to believe it's happened considering the long road they took to find one another. Of course it still isn't easy for them. They have very complicated lives, but their determination to make it work just gives a girl all the feels in the world.
Rachel takes her relationships seriously and her friends and family are as strong as ever. We get the answer to the question ofwhether she is able to save Ivy's soul. That alone is worth the price of admission if you've stuck it out with this series for as long as I have.
The thing is, I was expecting to have the waterworks ready after finishing this final book. I mean, I was expecting this
9 years is the longest I've stuck it out with a series. But I finished it feeling satisfied and believing that the characters would be okay. Kim has done her characters justice and she should pat herself on the back for being able to give them what they deserve. And it truly feels deserved with a very fitting ending. They've worked hard and sacrificed so much.
I enjoyed every page from beginning to end in this last installment. We received a lot of answers and many things were wrapped up, but at the same time it also feels like a new beginning so I still want more! I just don't know what I am going to do without my favorite witch, demon, elf, pixy, and vampire team to look forward to once a year.
And now I'm gonna lay the sap on extra thick. Honestly, reading for me won't be the same again, at least for a while. This is the first series to really introduce me to the adult urban fantasy genre and it's set the bar so high that nothing else can scratch that itch quite like The Hollows can. Everything else fights for second. This is the first series I have followed for so long so it will always carry a special place for me for that reason alone. Of course I'm looking forward to what's next, but it's always hard to say goodbye to history, especially as I've gone through the ups and downs with the characters year after year and made quite a few friends in my life along the way, including Ms. Harrison herself. So goodbye Hollows! Thanks for the ride! Thanks for the memories! Thank you, Kim Harrison! I'll be first in line for your next book! In the meantime...
*Review also posted to .
*ARC Provided by the Publisher.
(Site Review)
New Hollows Day is probably as good as Christmas Day for many of us. Not to mention this one has come much sooner than expected! But if I'm being honest, this is probably my toughest review yet. It's taken me so long to get it together because I just keep drawing a blank. Part of itisbecause this is the end of my favorite series ever. But I have accepted that thismust happen to all good things, or else theycould risknot being so good anymore.
Kim Harrison brought this novel back around to be about the vamps. She made good on her promise compared to other recent books where they satmore on the back burner. It appears to be for good reason though because vampires are the key to changing everything. There were some revelations that truly surprised me and the unpredictable twists kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.
I was happy to see the demons and elves get a healthy dose of focus as well. Over the years I have grown very attached to their story lines and was happy to see they wouldn't have too many loose ends.
Rachel and Trent. Yeah, if you're a fan I don't see why that would stop now! They display great teamwork and definitely turn up the heat as they're settling into their relationship together. It's satisfying to see but still hard to believe it's happened considering the long road they took to find one another. Of course it still isn't easy for them. They have very complicated lives, but their determination to make it work just gives a girl all the feels in the world.
Rachel takes her relationships seriously and her friends and family are as strong as ever. We get the answer to the question ofwhether she is able to save Ivy's soul. That alone is worth the price of admission if you've stuck it out with this series for as long as I have.
The thing is, I was expecting to have the waterworks ready after finishing this final book. I mean, I was expecting this
9 years is the longest I've stuck it out with a series. But I finished it feeling satisfied and believing that the characters would be okay. Kim has done her characters justice and she should pat herself on the back for being able to give them what they deserve. And it truly feels deserved with a very fitting ending. They've worked hard and sacrificed so much.
I enjoyed every page from beginning to end in this last installment. We received a lot of answers and many things were wrapped up, but at the same time it also feels like a new beginning so I still want more! I just don't know what I am going to do without my favorite witch, demon, elf, pixy, and vampire team to look forward to once a year.
And now I'm gonna lay the sap on extra thick. Honestly, reading for me won't be the same again, at least for a while. This is the first series to really introduce me to the adult urban fantasy genre and it's set the bar so high that nothing else can scratch that itch quite like The Hollows can. Everything else fights for second. This is the first series I have followed for so long so it will always carry a special place for me for that reason alone. Of course I'm looking forward to what's next, but it's always hard to say goodbye to history, especially as I've gone through the ups and downs with the characters year after year and made quite a few friends in my life along the way, including Ms. Harrison herself. So goodbye Hollows! Thanks for the ride! Thanks for the memories! Thank you, Kim Harrison! I'll be first in line for your next book! In the meantime...
*Review also posted to .
*ARC Provided by the Publisher.
December 22, 2014
3.75 to 4 Stars
DAMN....
This took me so long to read....
I LOVED AL in this book....
but I didn't like the ending....(cleaned up too quickly in the last chapter)
I'm still sad to see the crew go....
but it just didn't click for me like the others. :-(
DAMN....
This took me so long to read....
I LOVED AL in this book....
but I didn't like the ending....(cleaned up too quickly in the last chapter)
I'm still sad to see the crew go....
but it just didn't click for me like the others. :-(
March 27, 2016
It took me while to read the end of The Hollows series...I'm not sure why. Maybe because I didn't want it to end. After all, Jenks, Trent, Rachel have been characters I have read for years now.
In the end, I'm pretty happy with the end. I liked that Rachel is with Trent. She had some trouble processing his love for her. A couple of instances she wasn't sure what to do because she cared for Biz, Jenks and Ivy too.
I was super worried about how to keep Ivy alive without making Rachel her scion. Cormac was pretty clear, he wanted Rachel to figure a way for vampires to keep their soul. He threatened everything Rachel cared about in order to get her to do it.
The best part of this book were the demons. Al is one of my favorite characters in the series and I was happy he was back in this book with many scenes. I do wish he and Jenks could have found some love to keep them company in the later years.
One thing that bothered me: Rachel believing she wasn't enough for Trent. I didn't understand why she felt that way. She was a strong witch/demon. I mean she has saved their world so many times, why would she doubt that she was enough for him. Don't get me wrong, I love Trent but I think he was the lucky one. She made him better.
Overall, I was happy...bittersweet ..but happy.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
| | |
September 20, 2014
Well, this is
it
...the last book in The Hollows series. (it makes me sad just saying that.) We get to find out what happens to Rachel, Trent, Ivy, Jenks and the rest of the gang and if we get that happy ever after we've all been wanting!
I was really surprised by this book. I went in thinking we were getting a wrap up book but it wasn't that at all. Rachel is going all out and I seriously think this book had more action than any of the others.
And it even had some emotional drama. Rachel drove me crazy always thinking she wasn't good enough for Trent. Thank Goodness Trent knows what he wants. I loved how he always seemed to know what she was thinking. They were made for each other.
We get scenes with almost every character. There were a few that I was surprised didn't make it...no, not really, good riddance to those guys! But I was hoping KH would work her magic for a certain someone but I guess that would have been too much. ~sigh~
Jenks...there will be no other! 'Nuff said.
Rachel's Mom is amazing and so hilarious. And I just love her and Takata. They are really great together...way more than I thought they would be.
It's hard to really say too much without giving away spoilers. I'm sad it's over but I'm also glad that KH didn't drag things out like some other series. It ended well. And we do get an epilogue (the last chapter)...the most shocking parts are the time lapse and Rachel always saying no! What the heck, Rachel Morgan!! But don't worry....Trent will make you love him even more if that's even possible! �
Favorite quotes
� “When everything seems to impact everything and there’s no easy answer, I ask myself: Will this decision take me closer or farther from you? And then it’s so clear. Even if it doesn’t make sense at the time.�
� "Promise me you won’t go. Don’t leave me. I won’t know what is right and what is wrong if you do, and I like doing the right thing.�
� "I like you in the morning the best."
(Post prior to review)
another book this year??!!!!
I was really surprised by this book. I went in thinking we were getting a wrap up book but it wasn't that at all. Rachel is going all out and I seriously think this book had more action than any of the others.
And it even had some emotional drama. Rachel drove me crazy always thinking she wasn't good enough for Trent. Thank Goodness Trent knows what he wants. I loved how he always seemed to know what she was thinking. They were made for each other.
We get scenes with almost every character. There were a few that I was surprised didn't make it...no, not really, good riddance to those guys! But I was hoping KH would work her magic for a certain someone but I guess that would have been too much. ~sigh~
Jenks...there will be no other! 'Nuff said.
Rachel's Mom is amazing and so hilarious. And I just love her and Takata. They are really great together...way more than I thought they would be.
It's hard to really say too much without giving away spoilers. I'm sad it's over but I'm also glad that KH didn't drag things out like some other series. It ended well. And we do get an epilogue (the last chapter)...the most shocking parts are the time lapse and Rachel always saying no! What the heck, Rachel Morgan!! But don't worry....Trent will make you love him even more if that's even possible! �
Favorite quotes
� “When everything seems to impact everything and there’s no easy answer, I ask myself: Will this decision take me closer or farther from you? And then it’s so clear. Even if it doesn’t make sense at the time.�
� "Promise me you won’t go. Don’t leave me. I won’t know what is right and what is wrong if you do, and I like doing the right thing.�
� "I like you in the morning the best."
(Post prior to review)
another book this year??!!!!
May 16, 2014
The ARC landed in my lap yesterday... I hadn't come up for air since. I have no words to describe it. Kim Harrison has been holding out on us more than we ever knew and I love her writing so much more for it, more than I ever thought possible. Ten years, has it really been? Since that first day I stumbled across that lonely copy of Dead Witch Walking on the shelves, and have been escaping into the Hollows ever since.
This book... I call it The World Breaker, fitting as it is both an ending to an amazing series and an a new beginning for both author and audience, it will amaze you, steal the very breath from your lungs, then give it back to you somehow sweeter, more cherished than it was before.
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
If I could write a personal note to Kim Harrison right now, it would read.
Thank you Kim Harrison. For every heart wrenching moment. For every beautiful soul you've written into existence. For ten years, 13 books, 2 graphic novels, an anthology of novellas and a world book. But most of all, Thank you for that last chapter for those of us reading the ARCs. Much like you're writing well in advance can have its drawbacks, reading in advance makes it end that much sooner for us. Thank you for giving us something to hold onto for just a little bit longer.
I want to post a more in depth review here, but I have no words. I really don't. I'm still processing, in MY opinion, the greatest book ever written and honestly don't want to foul it up by posting a review that may set expectations for anyone else's reading. Those of you looking for spoilers, please don't. It's worth the wait, I promise you.
This book... I call it The World Breaker, fitting as it is both an ending to an amazing series and an a new beginning for both author and audience, it will amaze you, steal the very breath from your lungs, then give it back to you somehow sweeter, more cherished than it was before.
"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."
If I could write a personal note to Kim Harrison right now, it would read.
Thank you Kim Harrison. For every heart wrenching moment. For every beautiful soul you've written into existence. For ten years, 13 books, 2 graphic novels, an anthology of novellas and a world book. But most of all, Thank you for that last chapter for those of us reading the ARCs. Much like you're writing well in advance can have its drawbacks, reading in advance makes it end that much sooner for us. Thank you for giving us something to hold onto for just a little bit longer.
I want to post a more in depth review here, but I have no words. I really don't. I'm still processing, in MY opinion, the greatest book ever written and honestly don't want to foul it up by posting a review that may set expectations for anyone else's reading. Those of you looking for spoilers, please don't. It's worth the wait, I promise you.
December 10, 2014
5 I can't believe it's over, stars!!
“I liked beginnings better than endings.�
Well ladies and gents, this is the end of an era for me. I've always loved the urban fantasy genre and this is one of my all time favorite series, in the genre and out of it.
I initially read this series at the urging of a coworker of mine (the same dude who made me read The Maze Runner and other awesome books). After reading the first book Dead Witch Walking I wasn't super impressed and I gave the book a 3/5 stars. I continued to read the series when my coworker promised they would get better. And HOLY SH** did they get better. It's really true, this is one of those rare series of books where with every book I became more enthralled with the world it's placed in.
In this final installment, Cormel places an ultimatum with Rachel. She must find a way to help vampires keep their souls when they die the first death, or else. This evolves into a power battle between the vampires, demons and elves which have dire consequences, and Rachel and her trusty group of friends and allies are stuck in the middle of it.
“Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination.�
It took me a while to read this book because a huge part of me didn't want it to be over. Over the past couple of years of reading these books Rachel, Ivy and Jenks feel like friends to me and I didn't want to say goodbye.
And Trent, oh Trent. I want a cookie maker of my own! This man (elf) was absolutely perfect, and he and Rachel complement each other beautifully. Surprisingly, the scenes with Rachel and Trent were very emotional, but I felt it worked as they were fighting side by side in dire circumstances and fighting to stay together despite the insurmountable odds stacked against them. Trent is a best book boyfriend in my world.
“Love died in the shadows, and it shouldn’t cost so much to keep it in the sun. But as Trent would say, anything gotten cheap wouldn’t last, so do what you need to do to be happy and deal with the consequences. That if love was easy, everyone would find it.�
I have very few issues with how the book ended, but one big one would be Nina. I'm sorry but I saw absolutely no redeeming qualities in Nina and found it hard to believe that Ivy could stand being around her, let alone being in love with her. There was no connection! I'd rather Kim Harrison .
That was quite possibly one of the best epilogues ever. I'm sad this series is over :((((((((
"Give up? Leave? echoed in my thoughts as his lips met mine, holding both a promise and a desire. Never, I answered myself as we parted and, hands still connected, turned to those who meant most to us and were welcomed in between the pixy dust and the blue butterflies. THE BEGINNING."
“I liked beginnings better than endings.�
Well ladies and gents, this is the end of an era for me. I've always loved the urban fantasy genre and this is one of my all time favorite series, in the genre and out of it.
I initially read this series at the urging of a coworker of mine (the same dude who made me read The Maze Runner and other awesome books). After reading the first book Dead Witch Walking I wasn't super impressed and I gave the book a 3/5 stars. I continued to read the series when my coworker promised they would get better. And HOLY SH** did they get better. It's really true, this is one of those rare series of books where with every book I became more enthralled with the world it's placed in.
In this final installment, Cormel places an ultimatum with Rachel. She must find a way to help vampires keep their souls when they die the first death, or else. This evolves into a power battle between the vampires, demons and elves which have dire consequences, and Rachel and her trusty group of friends and allies are stuck in the middle of it.
“Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination.�
It took me a while to read this book because a huge part of me didn't want it to be over. Over the past couple of years of reading these books Rachel, Ivy and Jenks feel like friends to me and I didn't want to say goodbye.
And Trent, oh Trent. I want a cookie maker of my own! This man (elf) was absolutely perfect, and he and Rachel complement each other beautifully. Surprisingly, the scenes with Rachel and Trent were very emotional, but I felt it worked as they were fighting side by side in dire circumstances and fighting to stay together despite the insurmountable odds stacked against them. Trent is a best book boyfriend in my world.
“Love died in the shadows, and it shouldn’t cost so much to keep it in the sun. But as Trent would say, anything gotten cheap wouldn’t last, so do what you need to do to be happy and deal with the consequences. That if love was easy, everyone would find it.�
I have very few issues with how the book ended, but one big one would be Nina. I'm sorry but I saw absolutely no redeeming qualities in Nina and found it hard to believe that Ivy could stand being around her, let alone being in love with her. There was no connection! I'd rather Kim Harrison .
That was quite possibly one of the best epilogues ever. I'm sad this series is over :((((((((
"Give up? Leave? echoed in my thoughts as his lips met mine, holding both a promise and a desire. Never, I answered myself as we parted and, hands still connected, turned to those who meant most to us and were welcomed in between the pixy dust and the blue butterflies. THE BEGINNING."
April 11, 2015
Buddy read with
Gavin
"Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination."
Yeah, baby! This was a perfect ending to the series. Full review later(probably after Easter).
March 20th, 2015
Starting thison Thursday or Friday at the latest after two hours. It's the final book in the series, guys! I is both sad and excite! ^_^
Can't wait to see how Kim has closed the story & characters arcs.
"Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination."
Yeah, baby! This was a perfect ending to the series. Full review later(probably after Easter).
March 20th, 2015
Starting this
Can't wait to see how Kim has closed the story & characters arcs.
February 25, 2016
OMG! I still can't believe this journey is over! Before reviewing this (and it's going to be a long long review full of Spoilers - can't have it any other way, my favorite series, I have to talk!!) allow me to say this:
THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, SHOCKING, WONDERFUL, EXCEPTIONAL adult paranormal series EVER! There is nothing out there like this. You can read about witches, elves, demons, vampires, fairies, pixies, banshees, werewolves and everything else. There isn't any other world more astonishing than this after-Turn world that Kim Harrison has laid there for us to enjoy and adore.
*THIS review and rating is not just for this last book, but for the whole series and as I said before, it CONTAINS SPOILERS so consider yourself WARNED .
This is hard for me. It has been such a wonderful reading. These books were like little pieces of wonder and I doubt I will ever get to read a series like this one in the future.
I'm giving 5 STARS to the series as a whole. The most well-written characters, stories and dialogues can be found here.
Maybe this book wasn't the best in the long road of 13 books (8,9,10 being my favorites), but it was the most heart-warming one, where everything feels right and where the characters (and we) get the HEA, after the never-ending torture that Kim puts her characters through. There were some thing I didn't like in this book, like: Trent being soft and hearts and flowers, from the SOB we had in the beginning and Rachel trying to push Trent to Ellasbeth for "the grater good" and her continuous whining of being not worthy and right for Trent. If these didn't exist, this book would be perfect. Nevertheless, it was very good. So keep reading
RACHEL : My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HEROINE EVER! I just love her. From the normal (as normal as Rachel could be considered) girl/witch in the beginning, to the glorious, strong, amazing demon and very capable woman in the end. She wasn't constant for one single moment, and this was what I loved about this series, you never knew what to expect. We saw Rachel happy, sad, frightened, mad, furious, ashamed, hurt, loved, betrayed and we felt all that she felt together with her. We cried with her and we cheered for her. She wasn't the perfect model and many times she made terrible mistakes, but all her decisions made her whole and powerful.
“I may be a pawn,but I’ve been to the other side and survived the trip back and can move like a queen.�
She was tormented through the 13 books so much that I could't believe that she would get a HEA. But LOVE has its own ways...although they might be ways that not everyone likes (like me :P)
IVY : I TOTALLY hated her in the beginning. I thought she only wanted to use Rachel for her own intentions. Besides Rachel, Ivy is the most complex character of the series. Her enigmatic personality makes her unique. She helps Rachel many times through her journey and calls her bullshit many times. Sometimes she hurts Rachel, and then suffers her regret. In the last half of the series we get to understand the UNCONDITIONAL love that Ivy has for Rachel. It is a love so PURE that brings you to your knees. In the moment I realized that her love was such a strong one, I cried, sobbed and felt so shattered that I didn't know what to think. I loved her then, I wished Rachel had chosen her as her life-companion, but again, Love doesn't work that way. Ivy might not have gotten the kind of love she wanted from Rachel, but Rachel loved her with all her being anyway, and seeing them happy and fulfilled in the end was so good! My only complain is Nina. I didn't like her one bit and I think Ivy deserved someone better. She was so annoying. Argh!!
AL : I secretly wished (and hoped) that Al would be Rachel's HEA. We get to meet him from the beginning. A British demon aristocrat, he torments Rachel in the first half of the series, than they come to a understanding, and then we have feelings. He helps Rachel in many situations and he loves her in his own way, that fails to show it in many occasions. There is tension between them in a lot of times, that I wish it had been something more. I loved Al, his humor and the freshness he brought to the series. Without him, it would had never been the same.
TRENT : I never wanted Rachel's endgame to be Trent. I didn't like him that much. He was a SOB through the whole series, but in the last book he looks totally different, like he's not himself. We see a soft, weak Trent, that I disliked. Better to had been a SOB like before than this "new" unrecognizable character. He had power, money and lost it all when he chose to be with Rachel. In many situations he uses others (and Rachel) to reach his goals and he does it without remorse. He doesn't feel guilty about his actions. I would have preferred him to be the same powerful man he was in the beginning and later on. I wanted Rachel to have a GLORIOUS LOVE STORY she almost had with other characters. I just didn't felt the powerful pull that love makes you feel when Rachel was with Trent. I almost thought they weren't going to end together. But Trent made some good choices and actions in the end. He chose her when everyone else told him he shouldn't and chose to be happy instead, even if it meant he had to lose all he had. WHO AM I to judge? Rachel loved Trenton (not always I must say, their relationship goes from hate-understanding-helping each-other to love. It wasn't a constant one from the beginning). It's Rachel's life after all.
Jenks : My little baby pixie. Rachel's most faithful and devoted friend. The most funny and beautiful character. He often acts like Rachel's conscience. Kim didn't spare him from her torments. But he survived all that was thrown to him and got stronger. If Kim had killed him I would have never forgiven her.
I wouldn't want to forget mentioning David, Quen, Ciri, Newt, Jonathan, Nick, Pierce, Kisten, Rachel's mother, Matalina, Ellasbeth, Dali, Bis, Lucy, Rey, Takata, and other characters that made this series the Best series ever written.
I give 5 RHOMBUS stars!
Thank you Kim Harrison for this amazing series. I will never forget it. Thank you for this amazing work of yours that we get to enjoy. I have so many feelings that I can't describe properly as these books deserve. I am happy and glad that I read them and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to be amazed and to anyone who wants to be part of a stunning adventure reading these astonishing book of yours. Thank you again and again!
And now I say Goodbye! I feel so empty now...
*sobs intensively*
THIS IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, SHOCKING, WONDERFUL, EXCEPTIONAL adult paranormal series EVER! There is nothing out there like this. You can read about witches, elves, demons, vampires, fairies, pixies, banshees, werewolves and everything else. There isn't any other world more astonishing than this after-Turn world that Kim Harrison has laid there for us to enjoy and adore.
*THIS review and rating is not just for this last book, but for the whole series and as I said before, it CONTAINS SPOILERS so consider yourself WARNED .
This is hard for me. It has been such a wonderful reading. These books were like little pieces of wonder and I doubt I will ever get to read a series like this one in the future.
I'm giving 5 STARS to the series as a whole. The most well-written characters, stories and dialogues can be found here.
Maybe this book wasn't the best in the long road of 13 books (8,9,10 being my favorites), but it was the most heart-warming one, where everything feels right and where the characters (and we) get the HEA, after the never-ending torture that Kim puts her characters through. There were some thing I didn't like in this book, like: Trent being soft and hearts and flowers, from the SOB we had in the beginning and Rachel trying to push Trent to Ellasbeth for "the grater good" and her continuous whining of being not worthy and right for Trent. If these didn't exist, this book would be perfect. Nevertheless, it was very good. So keep reading
RACHEL : My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE HEROINE EVER! I just love her. From the normal (as normal as Rachel could be considered) girl/witch in the beginning, to the glorious, strong, amazing demon and very capable woman in the end. She wasn't constant for one single moment, and this was what I loved about this series, you never knew what to expect. We saw Rachel happy, sad, frightened, mad, furious, ashamed, hurt, loved, betrayed and we felt all that she felt together with her. We cried with her and we cheered for her. She wasn't the perfect model and many times she made terrible mistakes, but all her decisions made her whole and powerful.
“I may be a pawn,but I’ve been to the other side and survived the trip back and can move like a queen.�
She was tormented through the 13 books so much that I could't believe that she would get a HEA. But LOVE has its own ways...although they might be ways that not everyone likes (like me :P)
IVY : I TOTALLY hated her in the beginning. I thought she only wanted to use Rachel for her own intentions. Besides Rachel, Ivy is the most complex character of the series. Her enigmatic personality makes her unique. She helps Rachel many times through her journey and calls her bullshit many times. Sometimes she hurts Rachel, and then suffers her regret. In the last half of the series we get to understand the UNCONDITIONAL love that Ivy has for Rachel. It is a love so PURE that brings you to your knees. In the moment I realized that her love was such a strong one, I cried, sobbed and felt so shattered that I didn't know what to think. I loved her then, I wished Rachel had chosen her as her life-companion, but again, Love doesn't work that way. Ivy might not have gotten the kind of love she wanted from Rachel, but Rachel loved her with all her being anyway, and seeing them happy and fulfilled in the end was so good! My only complain is Nina. I didn't like her one bit and I think Ivy deserved someone better. She was so annoying. Argh!!
AL : I secretly wished (and hoped) that Al would be Rachel's HEA. We get to meet him from the beginning. A British demon aristocrat, he torments Rachel in the first half of the series, than they come to a understanding, and then we have feelings. He helps Rachel in many situations and he loves her in his own way, that fails to show it in many occasions. There is tension between them in a lot of times, that I wish it had been something more. I loved Al, his humor and the freshness he brought to the series. Without him, it would had never been the same.
TRENT : I never wanted Rachel's endgame to be Trent. I didn't like him that much. He was a SOB through the whole series, but in the last book he looks totally different, like he's not himself. We see a soft, weak Trent, that I disliked. Better to had been a SOB like before than this "new" unrecognizable character. He had power, money and lost it all when he chose to be with Rachel. In many situations he uses others (and Rachel) to reach his goals and he does it without remorse. He doesn't feel guilty about his actions. I would have preferred him to be the same powerful man he was in the beginning and later on. I wanted Rachel to have a GLORIOUS LOVE STORY she almost had with other characters. I just didn't felt the powerful pull that love makes you feel when Rachel was with Trent. I almost thought they weren't going to end together. But Trent made some good choices and actions in the end. He chose her when everyone else told him he shouldn't and chose to be happy instead, even if it meant he had to lose all he had. WHO AM I to judge? Rachel loved Trenton (not always I must say, their relationship goes from hate-understanding-helping each-other to love. It wasn't a constant one from the beginning). It's Rachel's life after all.
Jenks : My little baby pixie. Rachel's most faithful and devoted friend. The most funny and beautiful character. He often acts like Rachel's conscience. Kim didn't spare him from her torments. But he survived all that was thrown to him and got stronger. If Kim had killed him I would have never forgiven her.
I wouldn't want to forget mentioning David, Quen, Ciri, Newt, Jonathan, Nick, Pierce, Kisten, Rachel's mother, Matalina, Ellasbeth, Dali, Bis, Lucy, Rey, Takata, and other characters that made this series the Best series ever written.
I give 5 RHOMBUS stars!
Thank you Kim Harrison for this amazing series. I will never forget it. Thank you for this amazing work of yours that we get to enjoy. I have so many feelings that I can't describe properly as these books deserve. I am happy and glad that I read them and I highly recommend them to anyone who wants to be amazed and to anyone who wants to be part of a stunning adventure reading these astonishing book of yours. Thank you again and again!
And now I say Goodbye! I feel so empty now...
*sobs intensively*
June 5, 2018
Apparently I never got around to writing an actual review for this final Hollows book when it was published. Or maybe GR ate it; I can't really remember. Anyway, this has been one of my all-time favorite UF series. It's been full of action, humor, romance, friendships, magic, some sorrow, and heart. This final book wasn't my favorite of the series - that honor shifts around between books 9, 11, and 12 - but it was still a solid ending to the Hollows era. The reason it won't rank among my favorites is one that certainly won't bother everyone. I've just never been a big Ivy fan and I was never invested in the question of whether or not the vampires could keep their souls. This book deals heavily with both as master vampire Cormel really ratchets up the threats against Rachel if she doesn't deliver on finding a way to give the undead back their souls. The early books in the series were heavy with the Ivy/vampire drama and I pretty much hit my saturation point with all of it. My interests long ago moved on to the demon and elven societies and the conflicts involved there. There was a good deal of both demon and elven shenanigans in this book too, which is what saved the book for me.
Rachel has waited a long time to find a place of peace and happiness and she's more than earned it. What that looks like may not be satisfactory to everyone but it most definitely is to me. I think fans, and I have been guilty of this myself several times, tend to want favorite characters to always maintain their same place in the story - with the same relationship dynamics and everything. But that's not really true to life. People change, meet new friends, spread out to accommodate new relationships, realign priorities, draw new lines in the sand while erasing old ones....that's all a part of life and growing. Rachel and company have done all that and they're stronger for it.
**ETA: Per Kim Harrison's Facebook page, she is currently outlining a new Hollows book featuring Rachel and friends. I asked her where this new story would fit in the timeline and she responded that it will fit in before the epilogue. I'll be there with my pixie wings on. **
Rachel has waited a long time to find a place of peace and happiness and she's more than earned it. What that looks like may not be satisfactory to everyone but it most definitely is to me. I think fans, and I have been guilty of this myself several times, tend to want favorite characters to always maintain their same place in the story - with the same relationship dynamics and everything. But that's not really true to life. People change, meet new friends, spread out to accommodate new relationships, realign priorities, draw new lines in the sand while erasing old ones....that's all a part of life and growing. Rachel and company have done all that and they're stronger for it.
**ETA: Per Kim Harrison's Facebook page, she is currently outlining a new Hollows book featuring Rachel and friends. I asked her where this new story would fit in the timeline and she responded that it will fit in before the epilogue. I'll be there with my pixie wings on. **
October 23, 2014
It was not why I expected. I really disliked 1/3 of the book. It read a lot like the Ivy and Rachel drama show, mixed with the insecure Rachel babbling. These moments have always irked me, Rachel's obsessive Ivy issues. Dang can't she just let her go ?!?!? That and the "I'm never going to fit, this can never work, I took everything, I ruin all" ......Blech ! This book was overrun with this craptastic stuff for at least 1/3 of the book. I will not even talk about Lucy's Birth Mon what's her face, double belch !
Now to the positive: Trent- Holy Hot Elfness, he was working his charms ! Loved him his unwavering beliefs and his ability to morph into this new life so well. AL- sigh- my velvet wicked little demon was nasty, twisted and full of turns and he won my heart all over again. Newt- she brought out some big crazy guns and it turned out she was more than anyone gave her credit for. Jenks was, well eh was who he always is, awesome.
I enjoyed the intensity, the fight to survive, the struggle to love and the ending was dreamy. I thought I would be sad to see them all go but I'm not it was time and I'm glad I got to read it. There is still one more little book coming from Al, I can't wait. So goodbye Hollows, it was nice.
Now to the positive: Trent- Holy Hot Elfness, he was working his charms ! Loved him his unwavering beliefs and his ability to morph into this new life so well. AL- sigh- my velvet wicked little demon was nasty, twisted and full of turns and he won my heart all over again. Newt- she brought out some big crazy guns and it turned out she was more than anyone gave her credit for. Jenks was, well eh was who he always is, awesome.
I enjoyed the intensity, the fight to survive, the struggle to love and the ending was dreamy. I thought I would be sad to see them all go but I'm not it was time and I'm glad I got to read it. There is still one more little book coming from Al, I can't wait. So goodbye Hollows, it was nice.
September 11, 2014
This was a hot mess. The plot is really hard to identify, the scenes are choppy, and there are giant plot holes. It's like she just wanted to be done, and to heck with plausibility and continuity.
I realize that this is the end of a long and well-liked series, and as such, we have so many feels about it! But that shouldn't give it an auto-5-star pass, because it is NOT as well done as the others. Not by a long shot. No sir.
I realize that this is the end of a long and well-liked series, and as such, we have so many feels about it! But that shouldn't give it an auto-5-star pass, because it is NOT as well done as the others. Not by a long shot. No sir.
September 16, 2014
Kim Harrison recently did an AMA, where she essentially admitted that Rachel ending up with Trent wasn't how she'd initially planned the series to go. I still firmly believe this was her caving to fan expectations/pressure.
#TeamAl4Lyfe
Anyway. I'm not going to get into spoilery shit, and if you didn't already know who Rachel ended up with, you probably haven't read the last few books and shouldn't be reading reviews of the final book in the series anyway.
This book was just okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read. There were good bits, but there were more cringey bits.
It was repetitive as hell, and I'm pretty sure you could have taken out most of the Cormel stuff (which didn't matter in the end), all of the instances where Rachel talks about what Trent smells like (I'm sorry but the thought of cinnamon and wine makes me gag) and the multiple instances of Al's "goat-slitted eyes" and the book would've been at least 100 pages shorter.
Boring.
Most of the book was nothing happening. NOTHING HAPPENING.
Anyway. Thank Newt this series is over and I don't have to spend time on it anymore. There are only a few other series I'm waiting on to finish up, and then I'm done with UF, I think. Every series is the same, and I just can't hang anymore. Plus, I hate that it's apparently imfuckingpossible to just write straight UF without it turning into PNR anymore.
Thanks, but no thanks.
#TeamAl4Lyfe
Anyway. I'm not going to get into spoilery shit, and if you didn't already know who Rachel ended up with, you probably haven't read the last few books and shouldn't be reading reviews of the final book in the series anyway.
This book was just okay. It wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read. There were good bits, but there were more cringey bits.
It was repetitive as hell, and I'm pretty sure you could have taken out most of the Cormel stuff (which didn't matter in the end), all of the instances where Rachel talks about what Trent smells like (I'm sorry but the thought of cinnamon and wine makes me gag) and the multiple instances of Al's "goat-slitted eyes" and the book would've been at least 100 pages shorter.
Boring.
Most of the book was nothing happening. NOTHING HAPPENING.
Anyway. Thank Newt this series is over and I don't have to spend time on it anymore. There are only a few other series I'm waiting on to finish up, and then I'm done with UF, I think. Every series is the same, and I just can't hang anymore. Plus, I hate that it's apparently imfuckingpossible to just write straight UF without it turning into PNR anymore.
Thanks, but no thanks.
June 13, 2020
Yup that about sums it up. Vampire drama was the focus of this story. The vampires are for the most part are selfish, heartless, and ruthless, so needing to save their souls wasn’t an endearing storyline. Going to Landon for help with the vamp soul issue was insane! It was so obvious he was going to use her and spin her problem to his advantage.
Aside from that I’ve always hated Ivy. She has been there for Rachel when she’s needed it, but she had no personality and seemed cold. Ivy and her girlfriend Nina were prominently featured in this installment much to my dismay. I feel the same way about Nina as I do Ivy except Nina has no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Rachel’s desire to ensure Ivy’s happiness and survival caused her to act like an idiot on several occasions. Rachel is selfless and will do anything to protect those she loves; that’s why she put herself at risk for her. I get that. It’s who Rachel is, but couldn’t she have thought things through before acting on them? It would have saved her some trouble.
My general reactions to the book:
I really struggled to get through this book. It was agonizing. Regardless I had to finish the series, but to do that it was like I had to accept the ship was sinking and I was going down with it. Any attempt to save myself from this misery would have meant abandoning the book.
Rachel’s self doubt and insecurity was aggravating. This was the end of the series. I wanted at least some growth and maturity. Instead all I got was moaning and bitching about if Trent loved her enough to stay every 2 fucking pages. Why was she suddenly acting as if Trent was a saint? She questioned often if she was holding Trent back from his true potential as if he would be a better person without her. Trent was a self absorbed asshole (although I loved him that way) before Rachel came into his life. She is the one that made him a better man, so quit bitching!
Oh Trent! What happened to him? I loved him since book 1. I wanted to throw book 4 against the wall (partly) because he wasn’t in it. He was strong, confident, and independent. He was a bad ass. Why did being in a relationship turn him into a sap? It’s not fun now that Trent’s sole purpose is to support Rachel. It’s good that he supported her, but he needed to find the balls to be his own man too. IDK what it was but he wasn’t as charming as before. I wasn't drawn to him. He’s still a great character and will always be one of my top book boyfriends, but this was the first time I ever felt meh about him.
The story did pick up in the last quarter. That’s when problems with the ever after, demons, and elves finally tied in with the vampire issues. It did tie up nicely. The suffering I endured en route to the happy ending is more prevalent in my mind than the ending. The last chapter was more like an epilogue. I really could have lived without that. I prefer it when my urban fantasy doesn’t end with every character in domestic bliss or professional success. This was not a favorite of mine in the series, but this was not bad enough or so out of sync that it has altered my perception of the rest of the series.
ETA on 6/13/20: I finished my first and probably only reread of this. I didn't piss me off as much as it did the first time, but it may have been because I was expecting it to be bad. Trent didn't bother me quite as much. After rereading the whole series over the last month and a half, I realized even more that took a considerable backslide to her old habits. I'm hoping the next book is better.
September 6, 2021
It took me a while to decide how to rate this book. Compared to most books I have been reading as of late, this is a very good book. But with the expectations I have of these series, and even more so of the final book of a series I have followed and loved for the last several years, I have to say I am deeply disappointed!!! If I had rated it when I first finished it, I am not sure I would have been satisfied with one star - I would have thought it too high a praise. I pored my immediate impressions in comments on Ferdy's revue. I needed to step back and separate with other books in order to put things in perspective.
Yes, we lost a great MC when Rachel became a doormat for the douche-bag that is Trent. This has been happening in the last several books, but here it was a complete surrender of the kick-ass demon to mediocre, I-am-not-worthy, can-do-nothing-without-my-man, pathetic, self-loathing, abuse-seeking, lovesick victimized creature, whose existence is only validated through Trent;s good graces ex-woman.
What happened to our heroine? The one that was fun, strong and ballsy??? And let us not even talk about the thousand things I wanted to know about the rest, and most of them better, charterers... Sad, sad, sad... ! We were force-fed this lame and lukewarm relationship above all, even above the integrity of the world and series we have so loved.
But coming back to the 3 stars, even with all my complaints and disappointments, this is still Kim Harrison and she can still write in a way that is engaging and enchanting, thus still better than most. I am sad to say good-bye to Ivy, Jenks, Bis and Al, the Ever-After and the Demons, but the R/T thing, good riddance to bad rubbish!
Yes, we lost a great MC when Rachel became a doormat for the douche-bag that is Trent. This has been happening in the last several books, but here it was a complete surrender of the kick-ass demon to mediocre, I-am-not-worthy, can-do-nothing-without-my-man, pathetic, self-loathing, abuse-seeking, lovesick victimized creature, whose existence is only validated through Trent;s good graces ex-woman.
What happened to our heroine? The one that was fun, strong and ballsy??? And let us not even talk about the thousand things I wanted to know about the rest, and most of them better, charterers... Sad, sad, sad... ! We were force-fed this lame and lukewarm relationship above all, even above the integrity of the world and series we have so loved.
But coming back to the 3 stars, even with all my complaints and disappointments, this is still Kim Harrison and she can still write in a way that is engaging and enchanting, thus still better than most. I am sad to say good-bye to Ivy, Jenks, Bis and Al, the Ever-After and the Demons, but the R/T thing, good riddance to bad rubbish!
January 28, 2016
䳢鴡ѱ: Aunque esta reseña tiene marcado 'spoilers' después de cada ítem, no suelo spoilear nada. Es decir, no escribo nada que arruine la trama principal. (En caso de hacerlo, lo advierto previamente con una nueva marca de spoiler!! O sea, te encajo un spoiler adentro del spoiler, porque estoy muy jugada, y soy re heavy y re jodida.)
¿De qué trata? Rachel Morgan y su equipo de fieles seguidores, se ve involucrado en el medio de una pelea política por la supremacía de una especie. Lo que empieza como un hechizo para salvar la vida de alguien necesario para Rachel, deviene en una cuasi guerra entre todas las razas de sobrenaturales posibles.
éԱ: Fantasía Urbana
La historia en cuestión, ¿Se adapta correctamente a su género ?
¿Hay romance?
En caso de haberlo, ¿entorpece la trama?:
Personajes: ¿Están bien desarrollados? ¿Son creíbles?
Personaje favorito:
Personaje a jubilar:
ó: ¿Cómo está escrito?
¿Presenta situaciones realistas?
é :
Nivel de Originalidad
Puede causar gracia (sin intención del autor/a)
Urban Fantasy
¿Qué podemos esperar?
¿Escenas hot?
Posibles bajones (puede variar según el lector)
Credibilidad del world-building: Del 1 al 10
¿ڱԲ? ( Ya sea el autor, quien narra la historia, o desde comentarios de personajes secundarios�)
¿Me gustó? Estoy emocionada de lo mucho que lo amé.
¿Hay cosas peores?
¿Libros peores?
¿Libros mejores? Para mí, no hay mejor urban fantasy que ésta.
Lo recomendaría a quienes les gusta.. A cualquiera que le guste la fantasía urbana y lea a Ilona Andrews, Kelley Armstrong, Stacia Kane, etc.
Puntaje final: 50+++++++++++++++++++++
RESEÑA ORIGINAL: 6/01/2015
Y así, La Mala se tiró de cabeza en un frenesí de lectura sin pausa y se volvió loca, desesperada por devorar el final de la historia de Rachel Mariana Morgan.
La mejor serie que he leído, lejos. Y desde el noveno libro que no he podido parar de leer.
Excelente. Excelente.
No sé cómo explicar lo que siento ahora. Hace mucho que no sentía tanto amor por una serie, por unos personajes de ficción, por una trama... hace tiempo que no leía algo que me parara el tiempo, que me tuviese del celular a la tablet, de la tablet al audiolibro y de nuevo al cel y de nuevo a los auriculares, sin parar de escuchar/leer un segundo.
Pre reseña: Cuando empecé esta serie, jamás se me hubiera ocurrido que iba a terminar muy emocionate. Kim Harrison es una gran escritora.
No sé qué hacer ahora.
[Reseña Pendiente]
April 24, 2021
My, what a finale! (Yes, this was meant as the last book in the series, it was the fans that persuaded the author to return to the Hollows eventually.)
Elsbeth is trying to get custody of the girls (yes, even Ray, who isn't actually hers) still/again. This time, her brilliant plan is to team up with the religious leader of the elves. Yep, the arrogant asshole trying to get Trent's power, who considers Rachel unnatural and thinks that all demons have to be eradicated.
An opening presents itself for both of them when Ivy's master threatens to kill her if Rachel doesn't finally find a way to return the vampiric souls. The mystery where the souls go after the first death was actually very interesting (it had been staring us in the face for a long time) but when Rachel succeeds, people find out that they should have been careful what to wish for.
The problem is that a plot has been set in motion to destroy the Ever After and thus all magic. And Trent no longer has the finances or power to stop it. Moreover, Al is not really in the mood to talk to Rachel (just like the other demons). In short, Rachel's and Trent's relationship isolates them - except for from their true friends. And it is these friends that will band together and even twist other people's arms to do the same and fight for everyone's survival.
Demons in our reality, the goddess back with a vengeance, more mystics, sunciding (suiciding by sun) vampires, a babysitting demon, the church getting destroyed, ... this was indeed a finale and it has been fulminant!
From annoying-as-fuck Nina and infuriating Elsbeth, to formidable enemies and a gargoyle begging to be allowed to keep a puppy - I had immense fun!
Most impressive was to be reminded of Rachel's core, which is also why I like her so much: she doesn't like bullies. It's why she does what she does.
And then there was this:
"...You all think that security and peace are born from destroying everything stronger than you? There is no safety. There is no peace but what you make, every day, every second, with every choice."
This, in combination with the racial unrests and distrust, made for one powerful message (I was 100% on board with Rachel .
Did I mention that the author is impeccable at sneaking in such timely and utterly important observations in a supposedly shallow genre?
She also made that be reflected in the mixture of the different kinds of magic - witchcraft, demon magic, elven magic, wild magic, the ley lines and mystics - and , effectively ending the fear and hatred that had caused the war(s) as well as their results, made me feel all cozy and warm . :)
The culmination of every decision made, of every encounter, of all the magic in its different forms was wonderful - though at times I wasn't sure I could survive all the thrill and tension. So yes, this was a worthy end to one of the best fantasy series I can imagine, but I am more than glad that the author decided to return to the Hollows.
P.S.: I was so nervous when I figured out there was in the end and .
Elsbeth is trying to get custody of the girls (yes, even Ray, who isn't actually hers) still/again. This time, her brilliant plan is to team up with the religious leader of the elves. Yep, the arrogant asshole trying to get Trent's power, who considers Rachel unnatural and thinks that all demons have to be eradicated.
An opening presents itself for both of them when Ivy's master threatens to kill her if Rachel doesn't finally find a way to return the vampiric souls. The mystery where the souls go after the first death was actually very interesting (it had been staring us in the face for a long time) but when Rachel succeeds, people find out that they should have been careful what to wish for.
The problem is that a plot has been set in motion to destroy the Ever After and thus all magic. And Trent no longer has the finances or power to stop it. Moreover, Al is not really in the mood to talk to Rachel (just like the other demons). In short, Rachel's and Trent's relationship isolates them - except for from their true friends. And it is these friends that will band together and even twist other people's arms to do the same and fight for everyone's survival.
Demons in our reality, the goddess back with a vengeance, more mystics, sunciding (suiciding by sun) vampires, a babysitting demon, the church getting destroyed, ... this was indeed a finale and it has been fulminant!
From annoying-as-fuck Nina and infuriating Elsbeth, to formidable enemies and a gargoyle begging to be allowed to keep a puppy - I had immense fun!
Most impressive was to be reminded of Rachel's core, which is also why I like her so much: she doesn't like bullies. It's why she does what she does.
And then there was this:
"...You all think that security and peace are born from destroying everything stronger than you? There is no safety. There is no peace but what you make, every day, every second, with every choice."
This, in combination with the racial unrests and distrust, made for one powerful message (I was 100% on board with Rachel .
Did I mention that the author is impeccable at sneaking in such timely and utterly important observations in a supposedly shallow genre?
She also made that be reflected in the mixture of the different kinds of magic - witchcraft, demon magic, elven magic, wild magic, the ley lines and mystics - and , effectively ending the fear and hatred that had caused the war(s) as well as their results, made me feel all cozy and warm . :)
The culmination of every decision made, of every encounter, of all the magic in its different forms was wonderful - though at times I wasn't sure I could survive all the thrill and tension. So yes, this was a worthy end to one of the best fantasy series I can imagine, but I am more than glad that the author decided to return to the Hollows.
P.S.: I was so nervous when I figured out there was in the end and .
September 14, 2014
spoilers
I wish I could give this at least 4 stars, but I spent a lot of time rolling my eyes at Rachel.....
I enjoyed how well the vampire souls and elfin and demon curses all worked out. It makes me wonder is this ending was planned or if the characters disobeyed and went wild.
I hated Rachel. I accepted the fact that she was with Trent in the last book. I thought it was a done deal, but she immediately starts with the self doubting inner Monologs that she knows she can't keep him, he'd be better off without her, she's holding him back from elf duties and on and on and fucking on. I hated Rachel in this book. Even at the end in the epilogue AFTER 25 years ,when everyone is shown in a happily ever after moment she thinks less of herself...same shit, different decade. Hello. That isn't attractive my itchy witch.
I also started to hate the vampires last book so I wasn't sympathetic to their plight, not even Ivy. Hello Ivy, your gf is a LOSER and sometimes love isn't enough!
I AM glad that AL was in this book and they kind of made up or whatever.
I just find myself trying to remember if this is the same Rachel I used to like. Seems like she spiraled downward as far as confidence and relationships.
Also. I hate the mystics and the elf goddess.
That being said, I loved this series. It's been an awesome journey. This series got me started on this new phase of urban fantasy. Rachel just got on my nerves this time and I was sick of her having to save the world at whatever cost to herself.
I wish I could give this at least 4 stars, but I spent a lot of time rolling my eyes at Rachel.....
I enjoyed how well the vampire souls and elfin and demon curses all worked out. It makes me wonder is this ending was planned or if the characters disobeyed and went wild.
I hated Rachel. I accepted the fact that she was with Trent in the last book. I thought it was a done deal, but she immediately starts with the self doubting inner Monologs that she knows she can't keep him, he'd be better off without her, she's holding him back from elf duties and on and on and fucking on. I hated Rachel in this book. Even at the end in the epilogue AFTER 25 years ,when everyone is shown in a happily ever after moment she thinks less of herself...same shit, different decade. Hello. That isn't attractive my itchy witch.
I also started to hate the vampires last book so I wasn't sympathetic to their plight, not even Ivy. Hello Ivy, your gf is a LOSER and sometimes love isn't enough!
I AM glad that AL was in this book and they kind of made up or whatever.
I just find myself trying to remember if this is the same Rachel I used to like. Seems like she spiraled downward as far as confidence and relationships.
Also. I hate the mystics and the elf goddess.
That being said, I loved this series. It's been an awesome journey. This series got me started on this new phase of urban fantasy. Rachel just got on my nerves this time and I was sick of her having to save the world at whatever cost to herself.
July 7, 2017
Update 07/07/17
If it's possible, I adored this even more the second time around, it was just perfection.
My second read through of this series was a magical experience. I got to fall in love with the characters and the world all over again and the nostalgia just added to the experience.
I'd like to give a special mention to Al, Newt, Jenks and Trent. Four of my favourite characters of the whole series. Al in particular was stellar in this book. I really, truly love him, even when I hate him.
I'll always adore this series, definitely top 5 in the list of things I adore and want to read again and again.
-----------------
5 freaking amazing stars!!
This was a fantastic conclusion to a long loved series.
When I read the first book 8 years ago, I had no idea it would end anything like this. The characters have come so far and the world is forever changed.
I'm so happy with the way this book ended. All the loose ends were tied, character arcs completed and Rachel finally gets her well deserved happy ending. There's been a lot of heartache in these books but I'm truly happy with the way things turned out.
It has been a fantastic ride and The Hollows is one of my all time favourite series. I'll definitely re-read these again and again.
If it's possible, I adored this even more the second time around, it was just perfection.
My second read through of this series was a magical experience. I got to fall in love with the characters and the world all over again and the nostalgia just added to the experience.
I'd like to give a special mention to Al, Newt, Jenks and Trent. Four of my favourite characters of the whole series. Al in particular was stellar in this book. I really, truly love him, even when I hate him.
I'll always adore this series, definitely top 5 in the list of things I adore and want to read again and again.
-----------------
5 freaking amazing stars!!
This was a fantastic conclusion to a long loved series.
When I read the first book 8 years ago, I had no idea it would end anything like this. The characters have come so far and the world is forever changed.
I'm so happy with the way this book ended. All the loose ends were tied, character arcs completed and Rachel finally gets her well deserved happy ending. There's been a lot of heartache in these books but I'm truly happy with the way things turned out.
It has been a fantastic ride and The Hollows is one of my all time favourite series. I'll definitely re-read these again and again.
April 7, 2015
This was the 13th and final book in The Hollows series and it did not disappoint. Everything I wanted to happen did so I'm quite pleased.
The story was pretty exciting with Rachel seeking a way to finally save the souls of the Vampires while also struggling with the eternal war between the Elves and the Demons.
All our old favorite characters were back for one last exciting outing and I was happy with the way things ended for most of them.
This was a great finale to a really fun series. I'm going to miss Rachel and the rest of the bunch!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Marguerite Gavin. She gave a great performance as always and is definitely the "voice" of the Hollows series.
The story was pretty exciting with Rachel seeking a way to finally save the souls of the Vampires while also struggling with the eternal war between the Elves and the Demons.
All our old favorite characters were back for one last exciting outing and I was happy with the way things ended for most of them.
This was a great finale to a really fun series. I'm going to miss Rachel and the rest of the bunch!
Rating: 4 stars.
Audio Note: This was narrated by Marguerite Gavin. She gave a great performance as always and is definitely the "voice" of the Hollows series.
December 4, 2014
I had left this series at book 11, , feeling pretty satisfied by it. Good plot, good world-building, flawed-but-growing-up characters.
I don't really know what exactly went wrong with the last (two) book(s). The Hallows was a UF, this book is more a pnr-ya mix. Its focus was heavily hijacked by the so called romance, creating a great imbalance that rivals that of the new ever after. The heroine became a hot disparaging mess of hormones, stupidity, guilt and whine.
In the middle of Armageddon she was thinking about his ass, abs, hair, smell, you name it.
More of two thirds of the book are cringe-worthy due to Rachel's voice. 300+ pages of woe is me, everything is my fault, how good he is are really impossible to swallow without a heavy dose of rum. And barely. The last <200 aren't any better. They are simply more bearable due to some action.
I suspect that with some judicious cuts, this book could be almost halved without losing much.
Moreover, where's Rachel's power? In the last books all that made her a threat to world was her demon nature. She was hated and reviled, where's that? She's unable to function, to do. If she can do anything is because other gives her the way or the means.
Trent, what can I say. Yes, he's grown. He's no more a spoiled brat. But growing up means changing for the better (one hopes at least). I don't think it means a 180 movement. He kinda lost his spark.
Plot-wise the vampire conflict was long due, and probably the "solution" is logical, but it came out as a deus ex-machina manipulation. Serendipity is often the name of the game, but here it seemed to me to be a bit over the top. And the bad guys weren't very better. Shallow and two-dimensional. I'm not sure I understood why Rachel stopped in the confrontation with Cormel. She could have ended the problem or at least get out or take the papers. But no. She caves. Why?
I'm not sure the epilogue was all that necessary to a UF, it was a purely romance device.
I could go on and on. But you get the gist.
There are plenty of in-depth reviews out there that you can read and see why this is a 1-2 star book. We are few, but we do exist. Not everyone is swamped by fandom. :)
I'm giving it 2 stars out of love. Don't think it deserves them. I'm sorry I have already bought which should have been about Al's future (I'm definitely not the only one to get it this way). And instead it's about Al's past, 2000 years ago. Way to "cheat" your readers.
Goodbye Rachel.
I don't really know what exactly went wrong with the last (two) book(s). The Hallows was a UF, this book is more a pnr-ya mix. Its focus was heavily hijacked by the so called romance, creating a great imbalance that rivals that of the new ever after. The heroine became a hot disparaging mess of hormones, stupidity, guilt and whine.
In the middle of Armageddon she was thinking about his ass, abs, hair, smell, you name it.
More of two thirds of the book are cringe-worthy due to Rachel's voice. 300+ pages of woe is me, everything is my fault, how good he is are really impossible to swallow without a heavy dose of rum. And barely. The last <200 aren't any better. They are simply more bearable due to some action.
I suspect that with some judicious cuts, this book could be almost halved without losing much.
Moreover, where's Rachel's power? In the last books all that made her a threat to world was her demon nature. She was hated and reviled, where's that? She's unable to function, to do. If she can do anything is because other gives her the way or the means.
Trent, what can I say. Yes, he's grown. He's no more a spoiled brat. But growing up means changing for the better (one hopes at least). I don't think it means a 180 movement. He kinda lost his spark.
Plot-wise the vampire conflict was long due, and probably the "solution" is logical, but it came out as a deus ex-machina manipulation. Serendipity is often the name of the game, but here it seemed to me to be a bit over the top. And the bad guys weren't very better. Shallow and two-dimensional. I'm not sure I understood why Rachel stopped in the confrontation with Cormel. She could have ended the problem or at least get out or take the papers. But no. She caves. Why?
I'm not sure the epilogue was all that necessary to a UF, it was a purely romance device.
I could go on and on. But you get the gist.
There are plenty of in-depth reviews out there that you can read and see why this is a 1-2 star book. We are few, but we do exist. Not everyone is swamped by fandom. :)
I'm giving it 2 stars out of love. Don't think it deserves them. I'm sorry I have already bought which should have been about Al's future (I'm definitely not the only one to get it this way). And instead it's about Al's past, 2000 years ago. Way to "cheat" your readers.
Goodbye Rachel.
August 12, 2017
Update 2017:
Just done re-reading the whole series for probably the 4th time and I still love it. And yes, I'm still sad it's over but I do love how it ended and I keep re-reading it because this author grew with the characters and it shows in her writing. It's and utter joy to read it and enjoy such a well built world. I'm so glad I've found this series and I'm so glad dear Kim made 'a fist of it' :D
Thank you thank you thank you, this is one of the best comfort blankets ever created!
Peace,
A.
--------------------------
me sad it's over, I miss them all already :(
Just done re-reading the whole series for probably the 4th time and I still love it. And yes, I'm still sad it's over but I do love how it ended and I keep re-reading it because this author grew with the characters and it shows in her writing. It's and utter joy to read it and enjoy such a well built world. I'm so glad I've found this series and I'm so glad dear Kim made 'a fist of it' :D
Thank you thank you thank you, this is one of the best comfort blankets ever created!
Peace,
A.
--------------------------
me sad it's over, I miss them all already :(
Want to read
April 14, 2014I have read all the books in this series, I was a Kim Harrison fan way before she beome huge.I am excited for the last book. Yes it is sad but I am excited too, wanting to see how it wraps up. All things end at some point. I am looking forward to a new series.
September 9, 2014
read the ending and stick with my rating. Not horrible, but not great either.
Originally posted on :
The Hollows was one of the first series I read when I first made the jump into urban fantasy. It’s a flag ship series for me and has literally everything I love about the genre. Shifters, vamps, witches and a slow burn romance books in the making. I have cried with Rachel, laughed with her, rejoiced with her and buried favorite characters with her. Knowing that the series is over fills me with melancholy, because on one hand Ms. Morgan deserves a break, she deserves to be happy and settled, but I am going to miss going on adventures with her. I’ll miss the foul mouth of Jenks, the shifty anti-hero that is Trent, the fierce Ivy (the Ivy from the 1st few books not the annoying emo Ivy we’ve been getting lately) and of course the deliciously demonic Al.
Still, all good things must come to an end and Kim Harrison does a pretty good job of wrapping it up.
I should preface this review by saying that I did not read the end of this book, as the final chapter of the book was cut from the ARC. So, this review is of the book without knowing the actual very end of the story.
The resident vampire master of the hollows wants his soul and he will do anything to get it. Even of it means killing Ivy and forcing Rachel to try and find her friends soul. This storyline has been going on for a few books, but in The Witch with No Name, Rynn Cormel ups the ante. He’s tired of waiting and he wants his soul now!
Due to the vampires forced involvement in Rachel’s life The Witch With No Name hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until the end.
Rachel is a powerful witch/day walking demon. With Trent, her Elf boyfriend beside her, she’s even more powerful. Because he brings his knowledge of wild magic and the history of relationships between the demons and elves into the equation.
Together they figure out a possible solution to getting the vampires their souls back, but that could prove problematic. There is a reason that the soul leaves the body when it becomes the undead. The body might need the soul, but can it withstand the soul? That is the question of the story and it drives a strong message through out. What is a soul? What is it’s purpose and can the soul handle all the evil the undead have done?
The Hollows is once again in uproar. The demons blame the elves, the elves play the vampires against each other and everyone is looking to Rachel to fix it.
Honestly, Rachel Morgan may just be the most exhausted character in literature. People always want these world shattering magic tricks from her without knowing the consequences or the price.
Just about everyone makes an appearance in this book, the good guys and the bad. Her enemies, allies and friends and it was great to see the usual suspects mucking it up one last time. Something should be clear also, Trent is in every scene. Almost, literally. He is entrenched in the story as the new Jenks and Ivy. His devotion to Rachel is really intense. He refuses to leave her side no matter the cost. Which is all good and well, but he has a child and responsibilities. His obsession with Rachel seemed ridiculous, selfish and over the top. I’m not sure how true to his character it was.
But, now here’s my problem with this book, it all seems a bit easy. Rachel spends book after book yelling from the rooftops that she doesn’t know how to capture a soul and affix it to the body. She doesn’t even know how to go about searching for the souls of vampires! She has absolutely no idea where to even start! Then within like 10 pages possible answers all fall into her lap. The answers may not all be out of the blue and even makes sense, but Kim Harrison should have spent more of Ever After and The Undead Pool, setting this up so that I wasn’t so taken aback by how easy it all seemed.
Something that Kim Harrison does really well is ask the question just because you have it, does that mean you should use it? And I kind of want to ask her that question about the finale of this book. Just because you have this cosmic deity, does that mean you should use it?
The final climatic scene happens on a cosmic level and really upset me. I like final books that connect to the first book. Obviously, a series will change and evolve over years and 13 installments, but I wanted the Hollows to return back to it’s roots of being the story of witches, vamps, elves and demons. I wanted it to end in a way where we know things will go back to relative normal. Well, as normal as the Hollows can be, but Harrison brought back the convoluted a bit too big for this one book storyline.
And like I said, Rachel’s final battle isn’t about her skill with the leylines and her spell magic. It’s this up in the stars, power of wills where she simply has to survive or hide or whatever happens in that sort of all over the place battle that ensued.
Then it’s over. Quickly. One of those impromptu actions of one character fixes everything and puts everything in place with literally a half a page, finales.
No, I have not read the final chapter. But the chapter apparently is 10 pages. Which kind of breaks my heart. 10 pages to not only wrap up this book but also wrap up years of story? I don’t have a lot of hope for those final pages.
All in all, this is not my favorite Hallows book, but it’s not the worst. And, let’s face it you have to read it. Just like I’ll be off to read the final ten pages on Tuesday.
Originally posted on :
The Hollows was one of the first series I read when I first made the jump into urban fantasy. It’s a flag ship series for me and has literally everything I love about the genre. Shifters, vamps, witches and a slow burn romance books in the making. I have cried with Rachel, laughed with her, rejoiced with her and buried favorite characters with her. Knowing that the series is over fills me with melancholy, because on one hand Ms. Morgan deserves a break, she deserves to be happy and settled, but I am going to miss going on adventures with her. I’ll miss the foul mouth of Jenks, the shifty anti-hero that is Trent, the fierce Ivy (the Ivy from the 1st few books not the annoying emo Ivy we’ve been getting lately) and of course the deliciously demonic Al.
Still, all good things must come to an end and Kim Harrison does a pretty good job of wrapping it up.
I should preface this review by saying that I did not read the end of this book, as the final chapter of the book was cut from the ARC. So, this review is of the book without knowing the actual very end of the story.
The resident vampire master of the hollows wants his soul and he will do anything to get it. Even of it means killing Ivy and forcing Rachel to try and find her friends soul. This storyline has been going on for a few books, but in The Witch with No Name, Rynn Cormel ups the ante. He’s tired of waiting and he wants his soul now!
Due to the vampires forced involvement in Rachel’s life The Witch With No Name hits the ground running and doesn’t stop until the end.
Rachel is a powerful witch/day walking demon. With Trent, her Elf boyfriend beside her, she’s even more powerful. Because he brings his knowledge of wild magic and the history of relationships between the demons and elves into the equation.
Together they figure out a possible solution to getting the vampires their souls back, but that could prove problematic. There is a reason that the soul leaves the body when it becomes the undead. The body might need the soul, but can it withstand the soul? That is the question of the story and it drives a strong message through out. What is a soul? What is it’s purpose and can the soul handle all the evil the undead have done?
The Hollows is once again in uproar. The demons blame the elves, the elves play the vampires against each other and everyone is looking to Rachel to fix it.
Honestly, Rachel Morgan may just be the most exhausted character in literature. People always want these world shattering magic tricks from her without knowing the consequences or the price.
Just about everyone makes an appearance in this book, the good guys and the bad. Her enemies, allies and friends and it was great to see the usual suspects mucking it up one last time. Something should be clear also, Trent is in every scene. Almost, literally. He is entrenched in the story as the new Jenks and Ivy. His devotion to Rachel is really intense. He refuses to leave her side no matter the cost. Which is all good and well, but he has a child and responsibilities. His obsession with Rachel seemed ridiculous, selfish and over the top. I’m not sure how true to his character it was.
But, now here’s my problem with this book, it all seems a bit easy. Rachel spends book after book yelling from the rooftops that she doesn’t know how to capture a soul and affix it to the body. She doesn’t even know how to go about searching for the souls of vampires! She has absolutely no idea where to even start! Then within like 10 pages possible answers all fall into her lap. The answers may not all be out of the blue and even makes sense, but Kim Harrison should have spent more of Ever After and The Undead Pool, setting this up so that I wasn’t so taken aback by how easy it all seemed.
Something that Kim Harrison does really well is ask the question just because you have it, does that mean you should use it? And I kind of want to ask her that question about the finale of this book. Just because you have this cosmic deity, does that mean you should use it?
The final climatic scene happens on a cosmic level and really upset me. I like final books that connect to the first book. Obviously, a series will change and evolve over years and 13 installments, but I wanted the Hollows to return back to it’s roots of being the story of witches, vamps, elves and demons. I wanted it to end in a way where we know things will go back to relative normal. Well, as normal as the Hollows can be, but Harrison brought back the convoluted a bit too big for this one book storyline.
And like I said, Rachel’s final battle isn’t about her skill with the leylines and her spell magic. It’s this up in the stars, power of wills where she simply has to survive or hide or whatever happens in that sort of all over the place battle that ensued.
Then it’s over. Quickly. One of those impromptu actions of one character fixes everything and puts everything in place with literally a half a page, finales.
No, I have not read the final chapter. But the chapter apparently is 10 pages. Which kind of breaks my heart. 10 pages to not only wrap up this book but also wrap up years of story? I don’t have a lot of hope for those final pages.
All in all, this is not my favorite Hallows book, but it’s not the worst. And, let’s face it you have to read it. Just like I’ll be off to read the final ten pages on Tuesday.
January 27, 2016
The Hollows has held a special place in my heart since I first started reading the series. I was enthralled by book one, Dead Witch Walking, with the second pulling me in even further. After that, each installment kept me hooked and reading, through ups and mild downs of the series, to where book six ended, making the journey even better. It’s unusual for a series to improve halfway through, but improve it did, and it was with a bittersweet emotion that I set down to read this very last book, The Witch with No Name.
I’m happy to say I enjoyed this one more than I did the 12th novel, The Undead Pool, for if I were as disappointed with the last book as I was with the 12th, that would have just been plain sad. I’m not sure the fangirl in me would have been able to get over it! It was especially nice to be able to meet the author for a book signing for this final book at Barnes N� Nobles in Tampa.
Kim had massive loose threads to tie up � a mission she accomplished. I’m happy with what happened with the undead versus the living vampires; never would I have imagined THAT would have been what would have solved the issue all along. I don’t fully understand it, though, for how does it save Ivy when it’s her turn? Not spoiling here, just doesn’t make full sense to me. I can only imagine they’d have to choose a new living to step in, but then where would Nina…oh, well, my head is starting to hurt if I think about it too far. The demons were wrapped up perfectly. I’d have liked to hear more of worldwide changes with them besides the very vague � the author kept it to just Rachel and her very small surrounding of Al in the end. Newt was a surprise but I wasn’t too sad about it because it all seemed to fit in a way, as Rachel herself thought.
Rachel still doesn’t seem quite herself to me, but besides some bugging with her doubts about Trent through the most of the book (that old trend already had gotten old in ‘The Undead Pool�), she more generic. She used to have a spunk and spark that can be seen in battles and fighting, with overcoming and struggles, but not so much with anything else. She is now ready to cross boundaries and risks for people she loves that she never would have considered in the earlier books, such as working with so much soul magic, but this is a change I liked. However, she is too obsessed with relationships now.
Al for a change irritated me a lot of the book with grievances he would not drop, but he still remains my favorite, even if he doesn’t � along with most of the characters � feel as authentic as he did previous books. Ivy too seems a little bit of a shadow of herself and a small stereotype, but I was happy with her ending. I still don’t get the big draw with Nina and it’s weird how even Rachel herself goes from disliking her to then liking her.
I still find Trent rather boring � I hope the author wasn’t saying in the last chapter that basically Rachel just exists as his lover. I still don’t see him as a big hero who made sacrifices and is above everyone else as the author is painting. Jenks is still around and always loved. I was happy Kim brought back Rachel’s mom for a scene or so, always enjoyed her. Cormel seemed completely different than he did in the other books � yes, he was always a cad, but here he may as well have been twiddling a villain mustache. I loved the scenes with Felix, however, especially him in the Ever After (those scenes were well written and hard to shake from memory). I’ll always love the characters, even if I think they have become a little flatter.
Action wise there was plenty going on and the pace was strong. Tons of shifts to where it almost felt like reading two books instead of one, certainly not a filler. The beginning was addictive and continued on from there, where there were multiple climaxes, betrayals, battles, and the sand kept shifting under the feet of everyone. I’m happy the author gave fair attention to all the major interspecies. I loved the scene on the stage with Rachel, Al, Newt, and the crowd.
The last chapter was a sweet wrap-up that a part of me liked, while another part of me just felt it was cheesy. There is one angle in particular that isn’t believable and too generic. Sometimes there were chapters that kept the original edge I loved so much about the series, but some chapters felt softer and more of what you’d find in an average story/series, which The Hollows had never been before.
The Hollows always stood out because it had a special edge, a grittiness that worked, and Urban Fantasy. The last two books have pulled it suddenly more into a paranormal romance type thing and gotten rid of a lot of the edge it once had. Not only the PR angle, which I think the fans who kept focusing on relationships so much and influenced the author had to do with, but also the strange obsession/love with the elves suddenly. Thankfully this book balanced that out more with the demons and not as bad as the previous book. I would have also liked to hear more about Rachel’s personal goals at the end other than romantic angles � did she continue any sort of exciting business like she always did before?
Even if I think the last two aren’t as genuine or as gripping in a special way like before, the series still help up surprisingly well overall and continues to be my favorite series. So glad she is now “the itchy witch� again � can’t wait for the October short story told through Al’s point of view!
I’m happy to say I enjoyed this one more than I did the 12th novel, The Undead Pool, for if I were as disappointed with the last book as I was with the 12th, that would have just been plain sad. I’m not sure the fangirl in me would have been able to get over it! It was especially nice to be able to meet the author for a book signing for this final book at Barnes N� Nobles in Tampa.
Kim had massive loose threads to tie up � a mission she accomplished. I’m happy with what happened with the undead versus the living vampires; never would I have imagined THAT would have been what would have solved the issue all along. I don’t fully understand it, though, for how does it save Ivy when it’s her turn? Not spoiling here, just doesn’t make full sense to me. I can only imagine they’d have to choose a new living to step in, but then where would Nina…oh, well, my head is starting to hurt if I think about it too far. The demons were wrapped up perfectly. I’d have liked to hear more of worldwide changes with them besides the very vague � the author kept it to just Rachel and her very small surrounding of Al in the end. Newt was a surprise but I wasn’t too sad about it because it all seemed to fit in a way, as Rachel herself thought.
Rachel still doesn’t seem quite herself to me, but besides some bugging with her doubts about Trent through the most of the book (that old trend already had gotten old in ‘The Undead Pool�), she more generic. She used to have a spunk and spark that can be seen in battles and fighting, with overcoming and struggles, but not so much with anything else. She is now ready to cross boundaries and risks for people she loves that she never would have considered in the earlier books, such as working with so much soul magic, but this is a change I liked. However, she is too obsessed with relationships now.
Al for a change irritated me a lot of the book with grievances he would not drop, but he still remains my favorite, even if he doesn’t � along with most of the characters � feel as authentic as he did previous books. Ivy too seems a little bit of a shadow of herself and a small stereotype, but I was happy with her ending. I still don’t get the big draw with Nina and it’s weird how even Rachel herself goes from disliking her to then liking her.
I still find Trent rather boring � I hope the author wasn’t saying in the last chapter that basically Rachel just exists as his lover. I still don’t see him as a big hero who made sacrifices and is above everyone else as the author is painting. Jenks is still around and always loved. I was happy Kim brought back Rachel’s mom for a scene or so, always enjoyed her. Cormel seemed completely different than he did in the other books � yes, he was always a cad, but here he may as well have been twiddling a villain mustache. I loved the scenes with Felix, however, especially him in the Ever After (those scenes were well written and hard to shake from memory). I’ll always love the characters, even if I think they have become a little flatter.
Action wise there was plenty going on and the pace was strong. Tons of shifts to where it almost felt like reading two books instead of one, certainly not a filler. The beginning was addictive and continued on from there, where there were multiple climaxes, betrayals, battles, and the sand kept shifting under the feet of everyone. I’m happy the author gave fair attention to all the major interspecies. I loved the scene on the stage with Rachel, Al, Newt, and the crowd.
The last chapter was a sweet wrap-up that a part of me liked, while another part of me just felt it was cheesy. There is one angle in particular that isn’t believable and too generic. Sometimes there were chapters that kept the original edge I loved so much about the series, but some chapters felt softer and more of what you’d find in an average story/series, which The Hollows had never been before.
The Hollows always stood out because it had a special edge, a grittiness that worked, and Urban Fantasy. The last two books have pulled it suddenly more into a paranormal romance type thing and gotten rid of a lot of the edge it once had. Not only the PR angle, which I think the fans who kept focusing on relationships so much and influenced the author had to do with, but also the strange obsession/love with the elves suddenly. Thankfully this book balanced that out more with the demons and not as bad as the previous book. I would have also liked to hear more about Rachel’s personal goals at the end other than romantic angles � did she continue any sort of exciting business like she always did before?
Even if I think the last two aren’t as genuine or as gripping in a special way like before, the series still help up surprisingly well overall and continues to be my favorite series. So glad she is now “the itchy witch� again � can’t wait for the October short story told through Al’s point of view!
June 14, 2023
There is no way for me to review this book without turning into a blubbering emotional sap. So I apologize in advance.
This was the first Urban Fantasy series I have EVER read and the ONLY one I followed through the years. Before being an avid reader, before discovering other long series and Paranormal Romance books, before goodreads, before blogging, before fb reading groups or fan pages etc. Before everything else, there was Rachel and her unusual witty, kickass team. Of course, I read other series throughout the years, some I loved, some I lost interest in, but this was the only one I followed almost religiously, no matter how hectic my real life was when the new book came out. So of course these characters became part of my life, like family. Rachel, the stubborn, reckless, trouble making witch; Jenks, the smart mouthed, sarcastic, all capable pixy; Ivy, the sexy, scary, somewhat withdrawn vampire; Al, the wicked, up to no good demon and of course, Trent, the delicious, powerful, devious drug lord billionaire elf. (<-spoilers, but I figured everyone here would know who is who or what by now).
I think the blurb does a good job at summing it all up. The story came full circle (the pieces kind of started coming together a couple of books ago). The gang battled so much, survived so much, evolved, grew into themselves and into their relationships with each other, lost friends, lovers, gained allies, survived assassins, beat villains, saved the world, changed the world. I felt like the pace in this book wasn't as fast and urgent as in the previous two, so we could focus more on the characters and big story arc development than the 'smaller battles.'
***Little side note here: I think this is one of the few series that, along with Nalini Singh's and Karen Marie Moning's initial Fever series, ANYONE can read, no matter the genre preference, because they have so much more depth, complexity and real life messages beyond the paranormal creatures, fantasy worlds and nail biting action.***
So yeah, they all changed so much, but the connections that mattered remained the same, they only strengthened and evolved along with the characters, and they were inspiring, endearing and sometimes hilarious or a bit nostalgic to watch. They all reached a satisfying ending, one that was impossible to guess until the last piece fell into place, and it was perfect. (though I would have liked something else for Ivy, but oh well, she is happy, we are happy).
***Part of me wishes I kept procrastinating reading this one last adventure to still have something to look forward to, but I am happy how things ended. It was about time they finally got a break from fighting assassins or saving the world. I wish I could read more stories and see more of their lives between the final battle and the 'years later' epilogue, but alas, time to move on.:')
So. I'm blown away, happy, relieved and depressed at the same time. :)) Anyway, this is definitely a keeper series I will re-read over and over again and not get tired of it.
Btw. THANK YOU, KIM HARRISON. For this series, for this ending, for Trent (this is where I say 'I told you so, from the very first freaking book!), for never disappointing, not even years later. You are a rockstar. �
_______________
“I may be a pawn,� I said as I locked my shaking knees. “But I’ve been to the other side and survived the trip back and can move like a queen.� (...) “Don’t piss me off.�
***
“Listen to me, you broken-fanged, moss-wiped excuse for a back-drafted blood bag!� Jenks said, a silver-edged red dust slipping from him.
***
“So it’s been like what, three months? Does he still curl your toes?�
“Totally,� I said, and he made a rude noise at my blissful smile. “He’s a total toe curler.�
“Awww, this is sweeter than pixy piss,� he said with false sarcasm.
***
The world was going to change again. I should have worn nicer shoes.
***
Even if it had been a choice between them and Trent, I would’ve taken Trent. I didn’t have to explain things to him, and he knew how tight to hold, when to go along with an idea, and when to slow me down so I could think.
***
“No, you almost left me tonight.� His words were slurring. He was drifting off, not really awake. “You almost became shadow. I saw it. Promise me you won’t go. Don’t leave me. I won’t know what is right and what is wrong if you do, and I like doing the right thing.�
***
Trent, though, was mine, and my head fell against him as he carried me through the ruins of the church to see if his helicopter had survived. No one would ever take that away, not the demons, the elves, or even the Goddess herself.
Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination. And with Trent, Al, Ivy, and Jenks beside me, we had all three.
This was the first Urban Fantasy series I have EVER read and the ONLY one I followed through the years. Before being an avid reader, before discovering other long series and Paranormal Romance books, before goodreads, before blogging, before fb reading groups or fan pages etc. Before everything else, there was Rachel and her unusual witty, kickass team. Of course, I read other series throughout the years, some I loved, some I lost interest in, but this was the only one I followed almost religiously, no matter how hectic my real life was when the new book came out. So of course these characters became part of my life, like family. Rachel, the stubborn, reckless, trouble making witch; Jenks, the smart mouthed, sarcastic, all capable pixy; Ivy, the sexy, scary, somewhat withdrawn vampire; Al, the wicked, up to no good demon and of course, Trent, the delicious, powerful, devious drug lord billionaire elf. (<-spoilers, but I figured everyone here would know who is who or what by now).
I think the blurb does a good job at summing it all up. The story came full circle (the pieces kind of started coming together a couple of books ago). The gang battled so much, survived so much, evolved, grew into themselves and into their relationships with each other, lost friends, lovers, gained allies, survived assassins, beat villains, saved the world, changed the world. I felt like the pace in this book wasn't as fast and urgent as in the previous two, so we could focus more on the characters and big story arc development than the 'smaller battles.'
***Little side note here: I think this is one of the few series that, along with Nalini Singh's and Karen Marie Moning's initial Fever series, ANYONE can read, no matter the genre preference, because they have so much more depth, complexity and real life messages beyond the paranormal creatures, fantasy worlds and nail biting action.***
So yeah, they all changed so much, but the connections that mattered remained the same, they only strengthened and evolved along with the characters, and they were inspiring, endearing and sometimes hilarious or a bit nostalgic to watch. They all reached a satisfying ending, one that was impossible to guess until the last piece fell into place, and it was perfect. (though I would have liked something else for Ivy, but oh well, she is happy, we are happy).
***Part of me wishes I kept procrastinating reading this one last adventure to still have something to look forward to, but I am happy how things ended. It was about time they finally got a break from fighting assassins or saving the world. I wish I could read more stories and see more of their lives between the final battle and the 'years later' epilogue, but alas, time to move on.:')
So. I'm blown away, happy, relieved and depressed at the same time. :)) Anyway, this is definitely a keeper series I will re-read over and over again and not get tired of it.
Btw. THANK YOU, KIM HARRISON. For this series, for this ending, for Trent (this is where I say 'I told you so, from the very first freaking book!), for never disappointing, not even years later. You are a rockstar. �
_______________
“I may be a pawn,� I said as I locked my shaking knees. “But I’ve been to the other side and survived the trip back and can move like a queen.� (...) “Don’t piss me off.�
***
“Listen to me, you broken-fanged, moss-wiped excuse for a back-drafted blood bag!� Jenks said, a silver-edged red dust slipping from him.
***
“So it’s been like what, three months? Does he still curl your toes?�
“Totally,� I said, and he made a rude noise at my blissful smile. “He’s a total toe curler.�
“Awww, this is sweeter than pixy piss,� he said with false sarcasm.
***
The world was going to change again. I should have worn nicer shoes.
***
Even if it had been a choice between them and Trent, I would’ve taken Trent. I didn’t have to explain things to him, and he knew how tight to hold, when to go along with an idea, and when to slow me down so I could think.
***
“No, you almost left me tonight.� His words were slurring. He was drifting off, not really awake. “You almost became shadow. I saw it. Promise me you won’t go. Don’t leave me. I won’t know what is right and what is wrong if you do, and I like doing the right thing.�
***
Trent, though, was mine, and my head fell against him as he carried me through the ruins of the church to see if his helicopter had survived. No one would ever take that away, not the demons, the elves, or even the Goddess herself.
Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination. And with Trent, Al, Ivy, and Jenks beside me, we had all three.
April 24, 2021
Great Hollows Re-read continues! 4/24/21
Back to the official first ending of the series, with all the plot wrap-ups, huge stakes, and whiny bitch-ass undead vampires crying that they want their souls.
Of course, nothing ends right here, but the first time we all read this, we were dreading and preparing ourselves with a big box of tissues. And when I HAD read it, I was thrilled and immensely pleased with the whole mix of different kinds of magic, the extreme ends they all had to take to not only fix the vamps, but fix those sucky elves, save the Ever After, and just find a BALANCE. You know?
And I finished this again with not quite as much anticipation -- mainly because I've already read the sequel -- but when it comes to the overall story-arcs and the character progressions, I'm VERY pleased.
Kim Harrison pulled it off. And coming back to this, one of my old favorite story-homes, was a real pleasure.
*rubs hands together* Of course, we're not done yet. :)
Original Review:
Such sadness. I'm really sorry to see the series come to a close, but I'm certain that all of the fans will be satisfied by the end. The wonderful Itchy-Witch has had her share of crap storms, and I'm more than willing to see her get a happy ending.
I've been dreading and heavily anticipating this novel for some time, wanting it with such cravings that might put a vampire to shame. The fact that it has finished with such a wonderfully huge bang is only icing on the cake, but I have to say that I loved it all.
Mind candy? Hell yes, but of a caliber much more interesting and emotionally engaging than the most urban fantasy that I've read. Will I always think of these books fondly? Hell yes. Will I reread them in the future? Hell yes. They deserve more than that, though... they deserve to be studied by other urban fantasy authors and emulated, even improved upon, but above all, they need to be cherished.
Thank you for the gift of these wonderful novels!
Back to the official first ending of the series, with all the plot wrap-ups, huge stakes, and whiny bitch-ass undead vampires crying that they want their souls.
Of course, nothing ends right here, but the first time we all read this, we were dreading and preparing ourselves with a big box of tissues. And when I HAD read it, I was thrilled and immensely pleased with the whole mix of different kinds of magic, the extreme ends they all had to take to not only fix the vamps, but fix those sucky elves, save the Ever After, and just find a BALANCE. You know?
And I finished this again with not quite as much anticipation -- mainly because I've already read the sequel -- but when it comes to the overall story-arcs and the character progressions, I'm VERY pleased.
Kim Harrison pulled it off. And coming back to this, one of my old favorite story-homes, was a real pleasure.
*rubs hands together* Of course, we're not done yet. :)
Original Review:
Such sadness. I'm really sorry to see the series come to a close, but I'm certain that all of the fans will be satisfied by the end. The wonderful Itchy-Witch has had her share of crap storms, and I'm more than willing to see her get a happy ending.
I've been dreading and heavily anticipating this novel for some time, wanting it with such cravings that might put a vampire to shame. The fact that it has finished with such a wonderfully huge bang is only icing on the cake, but I have to say that I loved it all.
Mind candy? Hell yes, but of a caliber much more interesting and emotionally engaging than the most urban fantasy that I've read. Will I always think of these books fondly? Hell yes. Will I reread them in the future? Hell yes. They deserve more than that, though... they deserve to be studied by other urban fantasy authors and emulated, even improved upon, but above all, they need to be cherished.
Thank you for the gift of these wonderful novels!
September 21, 2014
Initial Thoughts: So sad to see this series come to an end. The Hollows series was my first foray into the world of urban fantasy and because of that series, I've discovered so many other wonderful authors. So thank you Kim Harrison for writing such a wonderful series. It was so nice to revisit my favorite characters and to see how much Rachel has grown and matured throughout the series. I'll miss you Rachel Morgan. And...I'll miss Al, Newt, Jenks, Trent, Ivy, Bis, and the rest of the gang.
Joint Review:Christal and I do a joint review/series farewell on
Oh, by the way - why only 4 stars and not 5? Well, I had the ARC copy provided by Edelweiss and Harper Voyager and my copy had the epilogue redacted, with a note from the author. That was diabolical of you, Ms. Harrison! Minus 1 star for messing with us.
Joint Review:Christal and I do a joint review/series farewell on
Oh, by the way - why only 4 stars and not 5? Well, I had the ARC copy provided by Edelweiss and Harper Voyager and my copy had the epilogue redacted, with a note from the author. That was diabolical of you, Ms. Harrison! Minus 1 star for messing with us.
October 12, 2022
This review can also be found at
I liked this book! This book is where the series originally ended and I may have looked at it a little differently if I read it thinking that it would really be the last book. Since I waited, I know that the series has continued and I will only be waiting a couple of weeks to read more instead of years. I did think that things were wrapped up well. I found this to be a very entertaining read.
Rachel needs to figure out how to help the vampires keep their souls without wanting to walk into the sun. This is no easy feat but Trent, Jenks, Al, and the rest of the gang are there to help her out. I have really enjoyed watching this group of characters grow and change over the course of the series and I think that Trent is a good match for Rachel. The highlight of this for me was Al. I loved the part that he played in this story and I think that he has shown the most growth over the course of the series. This book had all of the action and excitement that I hoped for plus a whole lot of heart.
Marguerite Gavin does a phenomenal job with this series. I love the various character voices that she uses which really helps to bring this story to life. I thought that she added a lot of emotion and excitement to her reading which increased my enjoyment of the story. I definitely feel like audio is the way to go with this series, at least for me.
I would recommend this series to others. I had a great time watching this group of characters that I have grown to love over the years tackle another impossible situation. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.
Initial Thoughts
So, this was the original ending to the series but I know that it has since been continued. I did think that this wrapped up things nicely. The story was exciting and I loved seeing the whole gang, including Al. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic.
I liked this book! This book is where the series originally ended and I may have looked at it a little differently if I read it thinking that it would really be the last book. Since I waited, I know that the series has continued and I will only be waiting a couple of weeks to read more instead of years. I did think that things were wrapped up well. I found this to be a very entertaining read.
Rachel needs to figure out how to help the vampires keep their souls without wanting to walk into the sun. This is no easy feat but Trent, Jenks, Al, and the rest of the gang are there to help her out. I have really enjoyed watching this group of characters grow and change over the course of the series and I think that Trent is a good match for Rachel. The highlight of this for me was Al. I loved the part that he played in this story and I think that he has shown the most growth over the course of the series. This book had all of the action and excitement that I hoped for plus a whole lot of heart.
Marguerite Gavin does a phenomenal job with this series. I love the various character voices that she uses which really helps to bring this story to life. I thought that she added a lot of emotion and excitement to her reading which increased my enjoyment of the story. I definitely feel like audio is the way to go with this series, at least for me.
I would recommend this series to others. I had a great time watching this group of characters that I have grown to love over the years tackle another impossible situation. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.
Initial Thoughts
So, this was the original ending to the series but I know that it has since been continued. I did think that this wrapped up things nicely. The story was exciting and I loved seeing the whole gang, including Al. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic.
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