Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Demons of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison Series: Return to the Hollows #4, The Hollows #17
Published by Ace on June 13, 2023
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 464
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Rachel Morgan will learn that the price of loyalty is blood...
Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, suspected that protecting the paranormal citizens of Cincinnati as the demon subrosa would be trouble. But it’s rapidly becoming way more trouble than even she could have imagined.
While Rachel and her friends may have vanquished the trickster demon Hodin, his mysterious associate known only as “The Mage” is eager to finish what Hodin started, beginning with taking down Rachel’s power structure piece by piece.
When he frames Rachel for the death of a powerful coven member and the vampire leaders in DC threaten to send a new master vampire to take the city in hand, Rachel’s friends Ivy and Pike are forced into hiding, and even her lover, Trent, finds himself under fire. With her world falling apart, Rachel desperately needs help. But with all of her supporters under attack, her only hope is to make a deal with the unlikeliest of allies...
So, The Hollows series was the very first Read-along I hosted in my early days of blogging at Yummy Men & KickAss Chicks. I chose it because I had heard so many great things about it but had never read the series. It was also 2014 and the year the “final” book was released, Witch with No Name.
I’m really enjoying the extension of this series. I almost like it more than the original books. Because so many of the characters and relationships have histories, I would read this series in order. There will likely be spoilers for the series here.
Rachel is demon subrosa for the city. She is a balance of sorts between all the factions of vampires, wolves, pixies, elves, demons and more. Jenks is with her always and they protect each other well. Her relationship with Trent is steady and lovely now. It is still slowly developing. Al is talking to her again after the whole Hodin mess. Hodin is still “locked away.”
Someone from their childhood comes to town. Lee is also a Rosewood baby like Rachel, which means he is also a demon with witch knowledge. He is the other big player in the Brimstone trade. Trent wants to convince him to sell a clean product so people won’t die. Lee is up to no good though.
Walter, the lunatic werewolf, is also in town to try to get the focus from David. He and his wolves abduct David and curse him. Rachel, along with others, works to locate and save him. Walter has a mage doing curses and Parker, his second, is another lunatic who loves to torture others.
Rachel’s friend Vivien, from the witch coven, wants to see all her spells, particularly the one cast on Pike’s brother, Brad. It was a illegal curse but Rachel didn’t know it. Hodin created it and Stef, under Hodin’s thumb, put in the dark ingredients. Rachel alternates between trusting Vivien and worrying Vivien will send her to Alcatraz.
There is a big power struggle and it looks like Rachel and Trent will be arrested or have to live in the ever after. There are a lot of battles and trying to figure out curses and magic. But Rachel has friends and allies. They come up with a plan and a coalition to continue ruling and put everyone on better terms.
I love having more time with these characters in this world. Rachel is strong and better at taking only reasonable risks. Since others got away, no doubt there will be more problems in the future. The witch coven is now young and not really happy with Rachel, so no doubt that will continue to be an issue. The ending brings up a possibility of another character from the past and I have mixed feelings about this being a possible new plot line.
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.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 23-COYER
Oh I didn’t see there was a new one, I’ll have to read it too
It’s a good one and adds to the world. Rachel still has things to figure out but she does have friends now.
I’ll get around to the original series one of these days. I’m glad the continuation is just as good if not stronger for you.
It’s an enjoyable series. The first Read-along I did.
*sigh* One day I’ll resume this series. It’s been years. I’m glad you’re enjoying the extension, Anne💜
I have enjoyed this one over the years. It’s hard to keep up with everything though.
I really enjoyed this one, too! Rachel had so many things to juggle in this one and there was never a dull moment.
She never has a calm moment. I did like how her allies supported her and the moments she did get with Trent.
Another author I haven’t read but hear such good things about! Glad you enjoyed this one.
It’s a classic UF series and it’s a favorite genre.
My review posts on Tuesday and I absolutely loved it. Glad you had fun with the characters.
yes I always enjoy this series so much. I did love how Trent has been supporting her in the extension more than he did in the initial series.
Mhmmmm this sounds interesting.
It’s a great urban fantasy but that also means I would read starting at the beginning.
I’ve heard good things about Harrison, but I don’t think I’ve tried her yet. I’ll be sure to start at the beginning if I do.
It’s a good series Rachel. It’s becoming more of a favorite. I did the Read-along for it in 2014! because so many of my friends loved it. I enjoyed it and laughed a lot, but I like the extended ones past the original 13 even more. I have always read the series. The narrator is Marguerite Gavin and I love her, so audio would be good too, I’m sure.
I’ve been enjoying this series too. Looking forward to this one. Rachel’s shenanigans sometimes feel a bit too much, but I’m still in it with her.
yes, it’s always something for her. But I’m so glad she has her friends and allies now and things with Trent are more stable.