Sign in with Facebook
Jessica � � Silverbow � � 's Reviews > Dead Witch Walking
Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1)
by
by
Jessica � � Silverbow � � 's review
bookshelves: urban-fantasy, not-your-ordinary-creatures, favorite-secondary-characters, jerk-of-my-dreams, some-kinda-magic, vampires, weres-shapeshifters, rabid-reads-reviews
Jun 19, 2012
bookshelves: urban-fantasy, not-your-ordinary-creatures, favorite-secondary-characters, jerk-of-my-dreams, some-kinda-magic, vampires, weres-shapeshifters, rabid-reads-reviews
Read 4 times. Last read May 12, 2014 to May 19, 2014.
2/7/18 - ON SALE for $2.99:
Reviewed by:
The Hollows is another one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read. The bug had gotten me, but I was still new enough to not really know what was available. I think I was just pursuing every lead Amazon gave me, and that was back in the 3-for-4 paperbacks days, so I was in the habit of ordering the first four books in any newly discovered series.
Which was a good plan, b/c by the time I finished Dead Witch Walking, I was well and truly hooked, and if I had days to wait before I could start the next book, I might have cried.
Rachel Morgan (a witch) lives in one of my favorite UF worlds---the creatures-out-of-the-closet world.
The first time I encountered this kind of world, I didn't know what to do with it---it was too foreign a concept for me to unquestioningly swallow. However, upon closer acquaintance, I realized how much simpler things were if the humans knew there really were things that went bump in the night: the hate groups could just be the standard bastard collection of racists and bigots instead of super, secret society types, and the creatures' actions weren't limited to what they could do without being, horror-of-horrors, discovered.
Provided there was a reasonable explanation for why the creatures were out in the open, I soon preferred this set-up almost across the board.
Unfortunately, that's where my main issue with The Hollows began . . .
In Rachel's world, a disease piggybacking off a genetically modified tomato decimated the human population---the creatures, or Inderlanders, were mostly immune to the disease so that when the dust settled, for the first time perhaps ever, the humans and the creatures were, numbers-wise, largely equal.
The Inderlanders took advantage of the situation and came out of the closet. If Harrison had left it at that, I probably would have been okay.
But she didn't.
Nope, she had the silly humans outlaw SCIENCE, b/c they were AFRAID. Afraid of SCIENCE. Afraid of TOMATOES. Just pathetically, ridiculously AFRAID.
"Outlaw science? What does that even mean?" you ask.
Well it means that the masses are dying of previously treatable illnesses, b/c silly humans destroyed the knowledge and shut down (burned down) anything resembling a research facility.
So yeah . . . that was a problem.
More realistically, the silly humans also tried to deprive any Inderlanders of their jobs, especially if said job was some form of government employment. Newly deprived of gainful employment, the Inderlanders blew their noses at the humans, and started their own government agencies.
So there.
Rachel works for one such agency, only she's been getting really crappy assignments (or runs) for awhile now, and she's just about ready to quit.
Except no one quits I.S. (Inderlander Security), the creature version of law enforcement, before their contract is finished . . .
At least no one quits . . . Dun dun duuunnnnn . . . and survives.
But Rachel thinks she's found the out she's been looking for when she captures her latest target, a tax-evading Leprechaun, who offers her 3 wishes in exchange for her freedom.
It seems like the perfect solution.
And it is. Until Ivy Tamwood, another I.S. Runner, former training partner, AND living vampire (can't forget that part), and Jenks, pixy back-up extraordinaire, decide they want in on the action. Ivy even proposes they put out a shingle together and start their own private runner service.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, for one, Boss Man at I.S. is seriously pissed about Ivy buying out her contract (living vamps are loaded), so even though he admits to giving Rachel crap runs for the last two years in an effort to get her to quit, he decides to take his anger over Ivy leaving out on Rachel by using Ivy's generous payout to fund the hits he keeps putting on Rachel's life.
If that wasn't awkward (HA! Awkward!) enough, Ivy seems to have a bit of a crush on Rachel.
And that's problem #2.
Roommate situations already have the capacity for awkwardness, but when one of the roommates has "secret" feelings for the other . . . awkward in the extreme. And it has nothing to do with Ivy and Rachel both being female, so calm yourself. It'd be just as awkward if Ivy was a guy. No one wants to be dodging come-ons in their own home. Especially if the source of the come-ons is a vampire who wants to eat you . . . *snorts* . . . that's not what I meant, and you know it.
*shakes head at gutter-minded people*
BUT, on the whole this book was S-T-E-L-L-A-R. The characters are well-developed from the start, and if you ignore the ban on medical research, the world-building is fantastic too. Rachel is pretty kickass, and has limitless growth-potential, and the dash of romance is ridiculously cute. Action-packed, Dead Witch Walking will grab your interest and hold on to it . . . indefinitely. Don't let that scare you off though. The last book in the series comes out in September, and after that there's no reason you shouldn't be able to return to a productive life. (Disclaimer: Rabid Reads can in no way be held responsible for addictions to really excellent books or the shambles your life may potentially turn into due to your inability to do anything but read.)
My other reviews for this series:
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (The Hollows #2)
Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows #3)
A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows #4)
For a Few Demons More (The Hollows #5)
The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows #6)
White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows #7)
Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows #8)
Pale Demon (The Hollows #9)
The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12)
Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond
Reviewed by:
The Hollows is another one of the first Urban Fantasy series I ever read. The bug had gotten me, but I was still new enough to not really know what was available. I think I was just pursuing every lead Amazon gave me, and that was back in the 3-for-4 paperbacks days, so I was in the habit of ordering the first four books in any newly discovered series.
Which was a good plan, b/c by the time I finished Dead Witch Walking, I was well and truly hooked, and if I had days to wait before I could start the next book, I might have cried.
Rachel Morgan (a witch) lives in one of my favorite UF worlds---the creatures-out-of-the-closet world.
The first time I encountered this kind of world, I didn't know what to do with it---it was too foreign a concept for me to unquestioningly swallow. However, upon closer acquaintance, I realized how much simpler things were if the humans knew there really were things that went bump in the night: the hate groups could just be the standard bastard collection of racists and bigots instead of super, secret society types, and the creatures' actions weren't limited to what they could do without being, horror-of-horrors, discovered.
Provided there was a reasonable explanation for why the creatures were out in the open, I soon preferred this set-up almost across the board.
Unfortunately, that's where my main issue with The Hollows began . . .
In Rachel's world, a disease piggybacking off a genetically modified tomato decimated the human population---the creatures, or Inderlanders, were mostly immune to the disease so that when the dust settled, for the first time perhaps ever, the humans and the creatures were, numbers-wise, largely equal.
The Inderlanders took advantage of the situation and came out of the closet. If Harrison had left it at that, I probably would have been okay.
But she didn't.
Nope, she had the silly humans outlaw SCIENCE, b/c they were AFRAID. Afraid of SCIENCE. Afraid of TOMATOES. Just pathetically, ridiculously AFRAID.
"Outlaw science? What does that even mean?" you ask.
Well it means that the masses are dying of previously treatable illnesses, b/c silly humans destroyed the knowledge and shut down (burned down) anything resembling a research facility.
So yeah . . . that was a problem.
More realistically, the silly humans also tried to deprive any Inderlanders of their jobs, especially if said job was some form of government employment. Newly deprived of gainful employment, the Inderlanders blew their noses at the humans, and started their own government agencies.
So there.
Rachel works for one such agency, only she's been getting really crappy assignments (or runs) for awhile now, and she's just about ready to quit.
Except no one quits I.S. (Inderlander Security), the creature version of law enforcement, before their contract is finished . . .
At least no one quits . . . Dun dun duuunnnnn . . . and survives.
But Rachel thinks she's found the out she's been looking for when she captures her latest target, a tax-evading Leprechaun, who offers her 3 wishes in exchange for her freedom.
It seems like the perfect solution.
And it is. Until Ivy Tamwood, another I.S. Runner, former training partner, AND living vampire (can't forget that part), and Jenks, pixy back-up extraordinaire, decide they want in on the action. Ivy even proposes they put out a shingle together and start their own private runner service.
What could possibly go wrong?
Well, for one, Boss Man at I.S. is seriously pissed about Ivy buying out her contract (living vamps are loaded), so even though he admits to giving Rachel crap runs for the last two years in an effort to get her to quit, he decides to take his anger over Ivy leaving out on Rachel by using Ivy's generous payout to fund the hits he keeps putting on Rachel's life.
If that wasn't awkward (HA! Awkward!) enough, Ivy seems to have a bit of a crush on Rachel.
And that's problem #2.
Roommate situations already have the capacity for awkwardness, but when one of the roommates has "secret" feelings for the other . . . awkward in the extreme. And it has nothing to do with Ivy and Rachel both being female, so calm yourself. It'd be just as awkward if Ivy was a guy. No one wants to be dodging come-ons in their own home. Especially if the source of the come-ons is a vampire who wants to eat you . . . *snorts* . . . that's not what I meant, and you know it.
*shakes head at gutter-minded people*
BUT, on the whole this book was S-T-E-L-L-A-R. The characters are well-developed from the start, and if you ignore the ban on medical research, the world-building is fantastic too. Rachel is pretty kickass, and has limitless growth-potential, and the dash of romance is ridiculously cute. Action-packed, Dead Witch Walking will grab your interest and hold on to it . . . indefinitely. Don't let that scare you off though. The last book in the series comes out in September, and after that there's no reason you shouldn't be able to return to a productive life. (Disclaimer: Rabid Reads can in no way be held responsible for addictions to really excellent books or the shambles your life may potentially turn into due to your inability to do anything but read.)
My other reviews for this series:
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (The Hollows #2)
Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows #3)
A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows #4)
For a Few Demons More (The Hollows #5)
The Outlaw Demon Wails (The Hollows #6)
White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows #7)
Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows #8)
Pale Demon (The Hollows #9)
The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12)
Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond
Sign into ŷ to see if any of your friends have read
Dead Witch Walking.
Sign In »
Quotes Jessica � � Silverbow � � Liked
“Ivy turned. 'He bit you on the neck?' she said, deadpan serious but for her eyes. 'Oh, then it's got to be love. She won't let me bite her neck.”
― Dead Witch Walking
― Dead Witch Walking
Reading Progress
Finished Reading
Finished Reading
Finished Reading
June 19, 2012
– Shelved
May 12, 2014
–
Started Reading
"
May 17, 2014
–
2.0%
"And though a lone human sticks out among Inderlanders like a zit on a prom queen's face . . .
Oh, how I've missed the Rachel-isms."
Oh, how I've missed the Rachel-isms."
May 17, 2014
–
4.0%
"Still uneasy, I looked up to find the musician making a beeline for me . . . "Come to hear me play, beautiful?"
" . . . Come and see my big pipe in the van," the kid said. "Bet you could make it sing-g-g-g."
" . . . Go away," I repeated, but he only leaned back and screwed his face up, singing, "Sue-sue-sussudio" in a high falsetto, pounding on the table in a broken rhythm.
Hahahaha."
" . . . Come and see my big pipe in the van," the kid said. "Bet you could make it sing-g-g-g."
" . . . Go away," I repeated, but he only leaned back and screwed his face up, singing, "Sue-sue-sussudio" in a high falsetto, pounding on the table in a broken rhythm.
Hahahaha."
May 17, 2014
–
15.0%
""It's a church," I said.
"No shit, Sherlock. Wait until you see the garden."
I stood unmoving. "It's a church."
Jenks hovered, waiting for me. "There's a huge yard in back. Great for parties."
"Jenks," I said through gritted teeth. "It's a church. The backyard is a graveyard."
Ivy forgot to mention that . . . ehehehe."
"No shit, Sherlock. Wait until you see the garden."
I stood unmoving. "It's a church."
Jenks hovered, waiting for me. "There's a huge yard in back. Great for parties."
"Jenks," I said through gritted teeth. "It's a church. The backyard is a graveyard."
Ivy forgot to mention that . . . ehehehe."
May 17, 2014
–
21.0%
""Don't be a flirt. Red wine is passé." *snorts* "Try an apple or something equally crunchy."
Damn.
"Not all vampires are alike. Find out if your lover likes pillow talk. Foreplay can take many forms. A conversation about past ties and bloodlines is sure to strike a chord and stir pride . . . "
Double damn. I was a harlot. I was a freaking vampire hussy.
Whoopsie. *giggle snorts*"
Damn.
"Not all vampires are alike. Find out if your lover likes pillow talk. Foreplay can take many forms. A conversation about past ties and bloodlines is sure to strike a chord and stir pride . . . "
Double damn. I was a harlot. I was a freaking vampire hussy.
Whoopsie. *giggle snorts*"
May 18, 2014
–
37.0%
""Good afternoon, Ms. Morgan."
Good afternoon, Mr. Kalamack. *waggles eyebrows*"
Good afternoon, Mr. Kalamack. *waggles eyebrows*"
May 19, 2014
–
52.0%
"I cracked an eyelid as Trent rose from his desk and strode restlessly to his music discs arranged in a recessed shelf beside the player. He cut a nice figure as he stood before them, so intent on his choice that he didn't realize I was rating his backside: 9.5 out of 10. I took the .5 off for most of his physique being hidden behind a business suit that cost more than some cars.
But still very nice ;)"
But still very nice ;)"
May 19, 2014
–
60.0%
""I'm gong to get a cat," Ivy said tightly. "A big, black cat . . . "
"Good think you escaped when you did," Jenks said, swinging the ladle to send gleams of light about the kitchen. "Ivy was about to throw what little she has left after you--again."
"I will call my cat Pixy Dust," Ivy said. "I will keep it in the garden and not feed it."
Lolz."
"Good think you escaped when you did," Jenks said, swinging the ladle to send gleams of light about the kitchen. "Ivy was about to throw what little she has left after you--again."
"I will call my cat Pixy Dust," Ivy said. "I will keep it in the garden and not feed it."
Lolz."
May 19, 2014
–
78.0%
"I wanted to come right out and ask if he worked black magic. But he might say yes, and then I'd have to decide what I was going to do about it.
WHY?! Why couldn't you have just gone with that feeling, Rachel? Gah."
WHY?! Why couldn't you have just gone with that feeling, Rachel? Gah."
May 19, 2014
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-29 of 29 (29 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Armina
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
May 16, 2014 06:58PM
Um? Starting a re-read? :)
reply
|
flag
Yes! You interested? ;)
I'm gonna stalk you! :) It's too soon for a re-read for me. We started the series February or March last year and read it slowly and thoroughly through the entire 2013. I even think Ever After was my last book for 2013. :) I might join you for some of the books. I guess the idea is to finish the re-read close to the release date of The Witch With No Name? :)
Yeah, I'm doing it as a read-a-long with a blog I follow. One book per week (except for two) until the final book comes out. I would usually binge-read them about a month in advance, but like I said--read-along ;)PS--You probably already know this, but just in case you don't, the last book is coming out in Sept. YAY!
I'll follow your progress. Please, do a lot of status updates! :)Yay! I do know about Sept. ;) I'm both happy and sad. Sad because this is the last book.
SO much fun!
You aren't even kidding. Even when he's being a complete ASS--I love him. LOVE him.
Perfect review! Really going to try this. Soon...;)
Thanks, Lola! I hope you like it ;)
Great review, Jessica!!!
Danae wrote: "Afraid of tomatoes.. Well, that's different lol. Great review :)"Thanks, Danae! And yeah, exactly :P
Christine The Dark Romance Junkie has put darkness on hold and is dabbling in other genres wrote: "Great review, Jessica!!!"Thank you, Christine!
Alisha wrote: "Love the review Jessica!!"Thanks, Alisha ;)
I don't think I've ever read urban fantasy but thanks to your review I'm definitely going to give these a go! You seem pretty happy with them and I adore the constant quotes and your reactions haha!
ADDING THIS. Just in time, Jessica! I've been looking for a witchy book.
My experience with this series sounds exactly like yours. It was one of my first UF loves and I'm still a fan today, even though at the time I had nothing to compare it to. You did such a great job introducing the world in this review, Jessica. Really outstanding.
Belle wrote: "I don't think I've ever read urban fantasy but thanks to your review I'm definitely going to give these a go! You seem pretty happy with them and I adore the constant quotes and your reactions haha!"Thanks, Belle! You can probably already tell that I think this is a great UF series to start with ;)
Khanh (Kittens, Rainbows, and Sunshine) wrote: "ADDING THIS. Just in time, Jessica! I've been looking for a witchy book."WORD. I thought about recommending this to you, but you said you preferred YA ;) This is the witchiest UF I've come across so far, but I'm kind of scared to see what you think about it, LOL.
Kira wrote: "My experience with this series sounds exactly like yours. It was one of my first UF loves and I'm still a fan today, even though at the time I had nothing to compare it to. You did such a great job..."Thank you, Kira! I LOVE this series. And I'm really glad I'm rereading b/c after Pale Demon (my favorite book), the last few haven't quite cut it, and I was forgetting why this was one of my top UF series. Now I remember ;)
I'm so glad. I should probably do that too at some point. It's so awesome that you love them just as much after a re-read, and with so many other books to compare them too. That's really the ultimate test.
I've been really lucky on the reread front. The not liking a series the second time around has happened a couple of times, but mostly if I like a series . . . I like it. If I don't like it, I quit it LONG before it gets to the reread point. Like Eragon. I'm pretty sure that'd be a crap series to reread. But I never finished it, so it won't be a problem, LOL.
Hi Jessica! Love this review. You crack me up! The Hollows is one of my favorite series. I love it when Al makes his appearances...lol. I did a re-read of The Dresden files last year when book 14 came out, just to get familiar with all the characters again. It was just as enjoyable the 2nd time around. I'm doing that now with The Wheel of Time because I never read the last 2 books. I'm on book 13 of 14 now. If I like a book or a series I could read it many times over!
Brandi wrote: "Great review, Jessica!! :)"Thanks, Brandi!
John wrote: "Hi Jessica! Love this review. You crack me up! The Hollows is one of my favorite series. I love it when Al makes his appearances...lol. I did a re-read of The Dresden files last year when book ..."Thank you! And me TOO, John. I've probably read the first 8 books of WoT 5x. I'll do another reread when I'm finally ready to read the last book, but who knows when that will be (I'm a big chicken, LOL). And I just got the first 7 books of Dresden, so hopefully we'll have that series in common as well ;)
Hershey wrote: "Awesome review!"Thanks, Hershey!
