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David McK (3188 KP) rated The Good, The Bad and The Undead (The Hollows, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The second of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan books, I actually found this to be a better and more enjoyable read than the first (Dead Witch Walking): perhaps because it is now free of the constraints of needing to set up the world and characters?
In any case, and like previously, the majority of the book (the first 2/3rds or so) deals with the setup of the plot, tying it all up in the latter portion: I sometimes wish she'd get to the point a lot faster than she does!
In any case, and like previously, the majority of the book (the first 2/3rds or so) deals with the setup of the plot, tying it all up in the latter portion: I sometimes wish she'd get to the point a lot faster than she does!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Grave Witch (Alex Craft, #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
So, I seem to be on an Urban Fantasy binge read at the minute. I enjoyed this more than I expected I would after reading book 5-13 back to back of Kim Harrison's The Hollows/Rachel Morgan series, and getting totally absorbed in it.
This was different to most other UF books I've read, which is good. I'm not normally a fan of the fae but I actually really enjoyed this--or maybe I mean Falin. I'm really intrigued by him and what could possible happen between him and Alex next
Can't wait to read book 2!
This was different to most other UF books I've read, which is good. I'm not normally a fan of the fae but I actually really enjoyed this--or maybe I mean Falin. I'm really intrigued by him and what could possible happen between him and Alex next
Can't wait to read book 2!
David McK (3188 KP) rated Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The first in Kim Harriosn's Rachel Morgan series of books, I found that, while the novel has a nice conceit, this book is actually quite hard to get into and was a little on the slow side. I think this is due, in part, to the dense prose used throughout: there were more than a few occasions where I caught myself wondering if I had previously missed something, and ended up skimming back to see if I actually had or not.
On the plus side, the world it is set in feels pretty 'real', the charcters (even the villains) are all pretty well developed, and it sets itself up well for the inevitable sequels.
On the plus side, the world it is set in feels pretty 'real', the charcters (even the villains) are all pretty well developed, and it sets itself up well for the inevitable sequels.
David McK (3188 KP) rated Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The third entry in Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan books, in which she continues to flesh out the world she first created in ""Dead Witch Walking"", with the addition of several new characters and further hints about the motivations of some (one on particular) of the more enigmatic established characters.
It also helps to have read both "Dead Witch Walking" and "The Good, the Bad and the Undead" before starting this one, as it makes references to events in those books. As before, however, the novel also seeems to meander along quite a bit before getting to the point: it's almost as if Harrison is more interested in her characters than in her plot. While, for me, that can be annoying (get to the point already!), your mileage may vary ...
It also helps to have read both "Dead Witch Walking" and "The Good, the Bad and the Undead" before starting this one, as it makes references to events in those books. As before, however, the novel also seeems to meander along quite a bit before getting to the point: it's almost as if Harrison is more interested in her characters than in her plot. While, for me, that can be annoying (get to the point already!), your mileage may vary ...
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated American Homemaker in Books
Sep 20, 2019
Desperate Housewives meets American Horror Story!
Kim Loomis: American homemaker, social media star, and mortician (alongside her husband, Norman). Unfortunately for Kim, people in her small town just aren't dying quickly enough, so she needs to get...creative.
Melody Morgan: Contract killer on the brink of retirement, or so she thinks. She mistakenly kills a cartel's money man (oops) and is dealing with the fallout.
These are very broad strokes, so as not to spoil anything. There's SO much more going on throughout the story. The other members of the Homemakers Association of Vermont (Brooke, Paige, and Megan) all have their own...issues, let's call them. Are any of these women particularly likable? No, not at all, but for me at least, that didn't take away from the story.
I got an absolute kick out of this book!
(Side note: This may be because I've been watching Why Women Kill (CBS All Access) - although there is WAY more killing happening in this book than on that show. Also, if you're not watching it, why not?)
Fun, smart, and sharply written, American Homemaker has definitely earned its place among my favorite books of the year.
Thank you to the author and BookishFirst for the free copy!
Melody Morgan: Contract killer on the brink of retirement, or so she thinks. She mistakenly kills a cartel's money man (oops) and is dealing with the fallout.
These are very broad strokes, so as not to spoil anything. There's SO much more going on throughout the story. The other members of the Homemakers Association of Vermont (Brooke, Paige, and Megan) all have their own...issues, let's call them. Are any of these women particularly likable? No, not at all, but for me at least, that didn't take away from the story.
I got an absolute kick out of this book!
(Side note: This may be because I've been watching Why Women Kill (CBS All Access) - although there is WAY more killing happening in this book than on that show. Also, if you're not watching it, why not?)
Fun, smart, and sharply written, American Homemaker has definitely earned its place among my favorite books of the year.
Thank you to the author and BookishFirst for the free copy!
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows, #8) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book was like one long game of fight-or-flight, mixed in with multiple escape plans when Rachel could not avoid getting caught. Being Rachel Morgan must be quite exhausting. Being eight books in now, I have been able to come up with many reasons why I enjoy reading this series so much. For starters, I love how Kim Harrison plays off of Clint Eastwood films for her book titles. I also love how each race of supernatural beings are so creatively developed to be both unique and intriguing, right down to the intimate biological makeup. I especially love how Rachel operates "by the seat of her pants" so to speak. Her instincts are nearly always spot on, and she's got reflexes that put a cat's to shame. Even though her deceased father inadvertedly put her in this position of power, able to change the course of history on her version of Earth, she still strives to be "normal" and refuses to be anyone's puppet.
This book was all about crossing moral lines for the right reasons and how far Rachel is willing to cross them to protect those she loves and be free herself. The plot was exciting and fast-paced almost from cover to cover, except for a sad note that had me shedding a few tears - even though the series has given the reader fair warning of what would eventually happen - as well as a hot-and-heavy interlude - because it wouldn't be a Rachel Morgan book without it. I love the mental, unvoiced quips that Rachel dreams up to convey her thoughts, which are so much more entertaining than just base cussing. Case in point: "Are frogs coming from the sun in shapeships, too?" How can a person not laugh at that? Jenks' frequent quips about Tinkerbell can be quite hilarious, too. The ending to the book holds quite a bit of promise for the next one, Pale Demon, especially in regards to Rachel's relationship with the elf, Trent. Speaking of relationships, I am rather intrigued by Al's obsession with Rachel, especially after he changed his appearance with his gargoyle Treble. While I admit my interest may be heavy on the icky, one must admit the potential for certain interludes is strong and highly possible, given what Rachel is becoming. Plus, Al makes no secret of his interest in Rachel, trying three times to convince her to move in the ever-after, though I have my suspicions that his interest is more than just physical. The close look that the reader got of the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards shows some interesting possibilities given that Pierce is a past member of it. Oh the havoc that Rachel can cause will keep me interested in this series for as long as Kim Harrison keeps writing it!
This book was all about crossing moral lines for the right reasons and how far Rachel is willing to cross them to protect those she loves and be free herself. The plot was exciting and fast-paced almost from cover to cover, except for a sad note that had me shedding a few tears - even though the series has given the reader fair warning of what would eventually happen - as well as a hot-and-heavy interlude - because it wouldn't be a Rachel Morgan book without it. I love the mental, unvoiced quips that Rachel dreams up to convey her thoughts, which are so much more entertaining than just base cussing. Case in point: "Are frogs coming from the sun in shapeships, too?" How can a person not laugh at that? Jenks' frequent quips about Tinkerbell can be quite hilarious, too. The ending to the book holds quite a bit of promise for the next one, Pale Demon, especially in regards to Rachel's relationship with the elf, Trent. Speaking of relationships, I am rather intrigued by Al's obsession with Rachel, especially after he changed his appearance with his gargoyle Treble. While I admit my interest may be heavy on the icky, one must admit the potential for certain interludes is strong and highly possible, given what Rachel is becoming. Plus, Al makes no secret of his interest in Rachel, trying three times to convince her to move in the ever-after, though I have my suspicions that his interest is more than just physical. The close look that the reader got of the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards shows some interesting possibilities given that Pierce is a past member of it. Oh the havoc that Rachel can cause will keep me interested in this series for as long as Kim Harrison keeps writing it!
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Moon Called in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I recently recieved the fifth book in the Mercy Thompson series, Silver Borne, for reviewing purposes, and decided to start the series at the beginning like a good bookworm. I was not sure if I would like the series, but imagine my surprise when mechanically-inclined, shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has a penchant for the Christian religion! She likes to attend church, and she chooses to wear a lamb on a necklace instead of a cross because she finds it sick to display the instrument of Christ's torture, and one of Christ's names is the Lamb of God. I gotta say, how cool is that?
Anyways, I find it interesting how non-chalant Mercy is about what she is and can do. She does not seem to know much about being a "walker", but it doesn't bother her. It's the other preternatural beings who give her bits of information about her kind in well-timed accidents. She reminds me a bit of Rachel Morgan from the Kim Harrison series. (Oooh, cross-over potential...)
I also liked the complexities of the different cultures that the various preternatual beings originate from, and most expecially the impossible-to-pronounce names to match, such as Elizaveta Arkadyevna Vyshnevetskaya and Siebold Adelbertsmiter. The book was heavy on politics and violence, while light on romance, which I can appreciate in light of the storyline, but I look forward to things heating up between Mercy Thompson and her two wanna-be boyfriends, Adam and Samuel. I got a bit confused when trying to remember who's who in the cast of characters, especially since many of the lesser werewolves all tended to behave the same, and I really hope that future books will explain who or what the Gray Lords are.
Anyways, I find it interesting how non-chalant Mercy is about what she is and can do. She does not seem to know much about being a "walker", but it doesn't bother her. It's the other preternatural beings who give her bits of information about her kind in well-timed accidents. She reminds me a bit of Rachel Morgan from the Kim Harrison series. (Oooh, cross-over potential...)
I also liked the complexities of the different cultures that the various preternatual beings originate from, and most expecially the impossible-to-pronounce names to match, such as Elizaveta Arkadyevna Vyshnevetskaya and Siebold Adelbertsmiter. The book was heavy on politics and violence, while light on romance, which I can appreciate in light of the storyline, but I look forward to things heating up between Mercy Thompson and her two wanna-be boyfriends, Adam and Samuel. I got a bit confused when trying to remember who's who in the cast of characters, especially since many of the lesser werewolves all tended to behave the same, and I really hope that future books will explain who or what the Gray Lords are.