Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison Series: The Hollows #1
Published by Harper Voyager on April 1, 2004
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 416
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party... and to feed.
Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining - and it's Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.
A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead... or undead.
ICYMI is a post from my early days of blogging at Yummy Men & KickAss Chicks. You can see the original review here. I did a Read-along of this series at Yummy Men & KickAss Chicks.
Kick Ass Chick – Rachel Morgan
Many people have told me about The Hollows by Kim Harrison and encouraged me to read it for a long time now. The latest installment, number thirteen in the series, was just released, so I decided it was time to start now at number one. The Hollows series features witches, Weres and vampires ,pixies, fairies, and demons. The non-humans are called Inderlands. I’m really keen for magic and witches so I expected to like this.
In spite of it being the first book in the series, I did enjoy Dead Witch Walking. There is always so much to figure out in the first book so I sometimes have trouble. The main character Rachel, is going through so much, it’s easy to get caught up in the story and worrying about her. Rachel is smart and caring. She puts herself out there to do what is right. She takes care of her friends, too. I like her.
There are many wonderful, engaging characters. There’s her vampire friend, Ivy and her pixy friend, Jenks. There’s also Trent. We don’t know what he is, nobody does. There’s a plain human named Nick too. They are all clearly written with all the dimensions. Even the briefest characters are well done.
There isn’t anything in the way of romance in this book. There’s some teasing between the friends and potential for romance with some sexy characters on the scene. I like stories which include some romance even if it is not the primary plot. I also enjoy some humor and Jenks can be funny.
As a fan of magic, I loved hearing about the spells. There were different ways they were made and used. The “battles” in the story were fun, with different magic and protections used. The different Interland groups have different skills and advantages. Mostly, I enjoyed Rachel’s intelligence in handling the unexpected which always happens. She was quick to read the situation and handle it.
The ending was a comfortable conclusion to the action and adventure in the story. There are many things left up in the air. What is Trent? What is Nick’s deal? Why did Ivy leave the I.S. really? Who did call the demons? Will Rachel and friends be working with FIB now? Will Rachel get into a romance?
These questions plus the fact Dead Witch Walking is a well-written, fun and fascinating story will keep me reading on into the series.
About Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. After gaining her bachelors in the sciences, she moved to South Carolina, where she remained until recently returning to Michigan because she missed the snow. She’s currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, Kim is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or out on the links.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Sunday Post – 16 February 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - February 16, 2025
- 🎧 Wooing the Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis @stephanieburgis @stephanieburgis.bsky.social #AmandaLeighCobb@torbooks @torbooks.bsky.social @BrambleRomance @MacmillanAudio @macmillanaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - February 15, 2025
- 🎧 Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett #HeatherFawcett @Pottell @DoddsAndEnds @DelReyBooks @penguinaudio.bsky.social @PRHAudio #LOVEAudiobooks - February 13, 2025
I read this some time ago and remember really liking it. I should do a reread and continue with the series. Great review, Anne! I’m happy you liked it too:)
It is hard to believe this Read-along was 6 years ago! Now there are some new and related books I can try to get too since I finished the series at the time.
I tried reading this book a few years back, but had to stopped. Several people love this series, but something wasn’t working for me. Maybe I’ll try it again someday. Thank’s for the review.
I liked it and parts I loved but it isn’t my very favorite.
I have read this and listened to the audiobook once or twice. I am thinking twice but I am not positive. I still need to finish the series. Somewhere around the fourth book, I lost some steam but want to get back to it. I saw that there is a new book coming out soon.
Yes The Turn is a prequel for the series about Rachel’s mother. Jennifer had a review of it (I used to review with her at The Book Nympho and she is now with Jen Twimom at That’s What I’m Talking About.) Anyway Jennifer said she would finish the series first not read it at the beginning.
I did read The Turn and enjoyed it. There is now a planned book 14 in The Hollows series coming in 2020 continuing Rachel’s story. It is called American Demon. I was surprised when I saw it!
Oh you’re ahead of me I need to read The Turn yet then I could read the new one. Hav eyou read the Peri ones? I have not but there is some crossover from what I understand.
I am not ahead…just kind of jumping around. I have read the prequel and the first 4 books in The Hollows. I have read the novella prequel and the first full book of the Peri series but have the second one to read. There is a novella that features both Peri and Rachel that I have not read.
This is one of my favorite series – I recommend it to people all the time. I kind of want to reread it, it’s fun to see it again 🙂
I did a Read-along in 2013 and that was my introduction. It was my first read-along I hosted too. So it was kind of weird because of that maybe. I enjoyed it.
I loved the Hollows series but the heart of the story was Kisten/Rachel/Ivy. When that dynamic was disrupted, the series never quite recovered. Mind you, I was one of the people who believed they could have done a great love triangle there but the author backed away. It’s an imaginative, funny, and fascinating world, though.
I really liked Kisten, so I was bummed by that. I generally had difficulties with much of the romance since there were so many “suitors” and none of them had sufficient time with her to seem well connected enough. You don’t even mention Trent?
I loved Jenks and the humor with him.