Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
HarperTorch (2006), 544 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Romance. HTML: The author of the bestselling Dead Witch Walking makes her hardcover debut with this spellbinding new supernatural adventure featuring the highly original Rachel Morgan. Things are going well for Rachel Morgan, witch, independent runner, and one-third of the runner service Vampiric Charms. She's got a business, friends, even a semi-regular�??and always-sexy�??boyfriend. So what if Kisten is a vampire? So's her roommate Ivy.... But an unexpected call for help sends her out of Cincinnati on a desperate trip to rescue the son of her business partner Jenks. It's fun at first, even with dealing with a human-sized Jenks (you cannot believe how much trouble a 6-foot pixy can cause, especially when he looks like a supermodel...), but the road trip quickly turns dangerous when confronting an old love becomes a fight for survival. For seeing Nick Sparagmos again is the least of Rachel's problems�??the ancient, mystical statue he has stolen holds the key to sinister, wild magic that can change humans into Weres. And for the first time in milennia, the Were packs are banding together to overthrow human and Inderlander alike. The fight that follows will shake Rachel's very soul...and she will never be the s… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member HopingforChange
Kim Harrison always produces reliable escapist literature, so that didn't let me down. I had a few complaints with this book, the most central being that Harrison is playing the lesbian erotica card, even while denying she is denying her main character's potential bisexuality. Rachel is SO sure
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that she is exclusively straight, but, reading her reactions to Ivy, I am not. Here's the thing, I know Harrison wants me to be unsure. I get it, wavering sexuality is exciting. This is maybe true for the first few books, but by now I am sort of fed up with it. Also, I have a little bit of an issue with the "forbidden" nature of Rachel's relationship with Ivy. The hesitancy is entirely due to gender, not at all to having sex with a vampire, as Rachel has no qualms (well, comparatively) with Kisten. So, I am wondering, is Harrison just having a hard time making the jump to lesbian erotic scenes because she thinks her audience can't handle it? Is she hesitating because she doesn't want to compromise the old-school sexuality of her main character? Or, maybe worse, is she exploiting the sexual pull of lesbianism without following through and showing us a healthy, working lesbian relationship (which isn't nearly as sexy as some vaguely lesbian scenes and may, in fact, be disgusting to some readers, even those who lap up Rachel's brief interactions with Ivy, accepting them because of their transience)? In other words, is she devaluing a relationship between Ivy and Rachel by refusing to develop it as she did Rachel's heterosexual relationship with Kisten? Harrison has built some pretty deep contradictions into Rachel's sexuality, and I am not sure that she is prepared to write about their natural conclusions. Show Less
LibraryThing member PerpetualRevision
I've really enjoyed the development of the relationship between Rachel (a straight witch) and Ivy (a lesbian-leaning bisexual vampire). I've never encountered a story before that attempts to delve into the complexities of friendship between women when one is straight and the other isn't. Ivy is in
I've enjoyed all the books in this series, but so far this was my favorite.
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love with Rachel, but Rachel doesn't simply dismiss her but instead tries to find a way to make love work... without sex. Add in the complications of Ivy's living vampire status and the story gets satisfyingly complex!I've enjoyed all the books in this series, but so far this was my favorite.
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LibraryThing member Algaliarept
This book is both better and worse than any/all of it's predecessors. It is worse, because the main part of the story takes place nowhere near the church and any known places so far written about. That means that there is less interaction with old characters and a bunch of sparkly brand new ones.
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Better, due to the breath of fresh air the series was missing, and the events that take place between Rachel and Ivy. This is the wildest book in the series...excluding those that come after. It changes many things, tries many new things...and shows that witches could be just as tough as any other supernatural being from the Hollows. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Another excellent showing from the ever more complex tales of the Hollows of Cincinnati. In this installment Rachel travels to rescue Nick (her ex-boyfriend) and Jax (her partner Jenks's son) from four were packs who are looking for an artifact that Nick stole for them.
I really enjoy this series
I really enjoy this series
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and for some perverse reason I really like the fact that Rachel is getting a little darker. Life isn't always black and white and this shows that neither is magic. Also Jenks getting his "big" legs is hysterical. These novels get ever more complex and well thought out as the series goes on. I hope Ms. Harrison has tons more stories to tell about Rachel and her friends. Show Less
LibraryThing member Mendoza
This grat entry in the series plunges Rachel Morgan right in to the fray of things. In this one Rachel finds that her ex Nick has recruited her partner Jenk's son in some scheme that's gotten them both kidnapped by were's in Michigan. Through magic Jenks is able to take on human sized form and
Harrison's world is complex and the series just keeps getting better as it goes.
And I love the ode to spaghetti westerns in her titles.
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accompany Rachel to Michigan to rescue him. Harrison's world is complex and the series just keeps getting better as it goes.
And I love the ode to spaghetti westerns in her titles.
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LibraryThing member Katiebear
This is the fourth installment in the Rachel Morgan series, a fairly successful paranormal action/romance/fantasy type book. I've enjoyed the series to date, and this book did not dissapoint.
I found the plot well thought out and forward moving, the characters like old familiar friends, and the
The basic plot is that Rachel ends up helping out a friend to rescue his son, who is involved with Rachel's ex-boyfriend. While on task she learns about herself, her ex-boyfriends, and her situation at home. I think that the story was well crafted, and had a great (and appropriate) ending. It wasn't a great cliffhanger, nor was it a closed ending, but left a terrific segue to the next book.
This book had the regular cast of characters, Rachel, Ivy, Kisten, Nick, Jenks, Ceri, etc. No Trent or Big Al, so that was interesting. I can't wait to see what happens with those two next!
Anyway, this was a pretty good book, with no major sex (a sexual type scene happened, but it wasn't "sex" per se), a fair amount of cussing and violent and gory scenes. I would say that this book is definitely for 16 year olds and up.
I found the plot well thought out and forward moving, the characters like old familiar friends, and the
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tension in the book was palatable.The basic plot is that Rachel ends up helping out a friend to rescue his son, who is involved with Rachel's ex-boyfriend. While on task she learns about herself, her ex-boyfriends, and her situation at home. I think that the story was well crafted, and had a great (and appropriate) ending. It wasn't a great cliffhanger, nor was it a closed ending, but left a terrific segue to the next book.
This book had the regular cast of characters, Rachel, Ivy, Kisten, Nick, Jenks, Ceri, etc. No Trent or Big Al, so that was interesting. I can't wait to see what happens with those two next!
Anyway, this was a pretty good book, with no major sex (a sexual type scene happened, but it wasn't "sex" per se), a fair amount of cussing and violent and gory scenes. I would say that this book is definitely for 16 year olds and up.
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LibraryThing member bookishjoxer
I really enjoyed this book. I have been waiting for quite a while to read it and I don't feel at all dissappointed, There are a few parts to the book which did leave me a bit troubled. Rachel Broke her own rule and It sort of put me off.
I can't wait to read what happens in the new book when it
I can't wait to read what happens in the new book when it
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comes out. Show Less
LibraryThing member hoosgracie
A good outing for witch Rachel Morgan and her partners Ivy (vampire) and Jenks (pixie). Rachel heads to Mackinaw Island, MI along with a human size (due to a demon charm) Jenks to rescue Jenks' son Jax and Rachel's former human boyfriend Nick. They end up embroiled in a werewolf plan to take over
Harrison's books are reminiscent of early Anita Blake novels. Very action packed, with a touch of romance and sex.
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the world.Harrison's books are reminiscent of early Anita Blake novels. Very action packed, with a touch of romance and sex.
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LibraryThing member sdtaylor555
Another Great Addition to this wonderful series! Drop Anita Blake and Grab on to Rachel Morgan!
LibraryThing member SimonW11
Ms Harrison is starting to find her stride now. Her world is developing nicely,there is good plotting and reasonable characterisation. Jenks' eldest son Jax has been recruited to help steal something by Nick. And its gone wrong . Rachel and Jenks ride to the rescue
LibraryThing member Homechicken
I've read the first couple of Kim Harrison books, but this one was difficult for me to get through. The almost-constant references to how "yummy" every guy was really got on my nerve, and I finally just had to put it down. This book, more than the first ones, is written by a girl, FOR a girl.
LibraryThing member lewispike
More Clint titles... more sassy writing, more high paced action, plus a couple of thoughts about why and some indications that Rachel just might be growing up a bit. Some big, big issues, use and abuse of power and killing people who want to die because they're in constant pain and have a terminal
More long term stuff resolved, more potential long term stuff thrown up. And almost no Trent, in fact he's mentioned by name and that's about it.
This is the first one not set in Cincinatti and the Hollows (although it starts and ends there) and I have to say I miss it. I'm guessing Ms. Harrison lives there... she writes it almost alive, a character or perhaps two in the books. The out of town location makes a lot of sense to the plot, but like Rachel it feels like we're tourists to the place which leaves me feeling a little bit like missing an old friend. If I ever go there it will be interesting to see my reaction to the place.
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condition... not necessarily the easiest read on these topics, but wonderfully handledMore long term stuff resolved, more potential long term stuff thrown up. And almost no Trent, in fact he's mentioned by name and that's about it.
This is the first one not set in Cincinatti and the Hollows (although it starts and ends there) and I have to say I miss it. I'm guessing Ms. Harrison lives there... she writes it almost alive, a character or perhaps two in the books. The out of town location makes a lot of sense to the plot, but like Rachel it feels like we're tourists to the place which leaves me feeling a little bit like missing an old friend. If I ever go there it will be interesting to see my reaction to the place.
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LibraryThing member cequillo
One of Harrison's better novels in the series. The action is non stop and the main characters are brought to the forefront in ways they've never been before.
LibraryThing member chennpug
A very good series, but I'm finding it harder to get through than Harrison's previous books. The development of Rachel and Ivy's relationship (always a thorny mess) feels contrived, as if it's something the author wanted to write about originally but has danced around it for so long, that she
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doesn't know how to handle it gracefully and naturally now that it's being discussed. Or, perhaps that's the point. Rachel always rubbed me the wrong way before, and it's worse in this book, I must say. I only hope Harrison takes this opportunity to develop her as a character, unlike certain other authors we know. Show Less
LibraryThing member Arctic-Stranger
To me this was the most powerful of the series. (I have not read part 5 though.) Reading this is like sitting and talking with Rachel at a coffee shop...Rachel being one of those people you find interesting, but mostly at a distance. Here Harrison takes a bit deeper into Rachel's twisted pysche. We
Rachel goes with Jenks to pull his son out of Nick's grubby paws. Nick is in trouble with Weres over an item he stole for them, then decided to keep for himself. Rachel throws herself into danger, first to find Jenks son, then to save Nick. And then she throws herself into danger to undo the damage Nick did.
Nick is the surprise here, and right up to the end. He is a minor character in this book, but at the end you realize why Harrison keeps him off the to side, emotionally speaking.
This book is a great guilty pleasure.
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see her agonizing about her relationship with Ivy, and about the extent to which she is drawn into circumstances which include practicing black magic, using her friends, and eventually planning a mercy killing. Rachel goes with Jenks to pull his son out of Nick's grubby paws. Nick is in trouble with Weres over an item he stole for them, then decided to keep for himself. Rachel throws herself into danger, first to find Jenks son, then to save Nick. And then she throws herself into danger to undo the damage Nick did.
Nick is the surprise here, and right up to the end. He is a minor character in this book, but at the end you realize why Harrison keeps him off the to side, emotionally speaking.
This book is a great guilty pleasure.
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LibraryThing member tuffstuff08
Not the best of her books, but it was ok. It was nice to see Nick again...but it wasn't cool to find out that he is a total jerk.
LibraryThing member TheLibraryhag
In this book they go on the road to save Jenk's son, and leaving town should be a good thing for the series but it did not work that well for me. Rachel is a bit more broody and thoughtful. I really did not like that either. Overall the story is good and continues to build the mythology. I think I
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need a break from the series. Show Less
LibraryThing member AuntieClio
First, Ms. Harrison and / or EOS needs to get a better proofreader. There were several grammatical mistakes which slowed the flow of reading. Also disconcerting, in what I thought was a big mistake but isn’t, was the difference between Mackinac Island (pronounced Mackinaw) and Mackinaw City. As
Harrison characters continue to evolve in rich and complex ways. Rachel encounters her own pattern of emotionally destructive relationships when she confronts her ex-boyfriend. She also adds Were alpha to her roster of titles. She continues to learn new and interesting things about her powers and her friendships with Ivy and Jenks become deeper and more complex. Nothing’s easy in Rachel’s life but she handles them, if not with grace and aplomb, very well all the while admitting she often has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Harrison’s Rachel Morgan is an all too human witch and that’s a bit part of her appeal. I enjoyed this one as much as the previous books in the series, although I teared up unexpectedly at several points on the story.
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the characters moved between the two, the subtle difference was lost on me. I’ll put that down to ignorance on my part.Harrison characters continue to evolve in rich and complex ways. Rachel encounters her own pattern of emotionally destructive relationships when she confronts her ex-boyfriend. She also adds Were alpha to her roster of titles. She continues to learn new and interesting things about her powers and her friendships with Ivy and Jenks become deeper and more complex. Nothing’s easy in Rachel’s life but she handles them, if not with grace and aplomb, very well all the while admitting she often has no idea what she’s gotten herself into. Harrison’s Rachel Morgan is an all too human witch and that’s a bit part of her appeal. I enjoyed this one as much as the previous books in the series, although I teared up unexpectedly at several points on the story.
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LibraryThing member redderik
If you like to cheer for the underdog, this is your series. She just keeps making these crazy choices, and never backs down. Makes for an interesting life, that's for sure!
LibraryThing member youthfulzombie
Rachel snorts.
Ivy snickers.
Jenks gets big.
The good guys win.
Ivy snickers.
Jenks gets big.
The good guys win.
LibraryThing member FutureBestSeller
I will admit I am more of a werewolf fan than vampire fan. This book finally brought out more Were's! Yippee...but it also brought out more the Vampy politics and rules! Not so Yippee!
I liked the plot and especially liked that Jenks got to be a McHottie for awhile! But I am so over the Ivy thing
I really is a good book and if you're a fan, you'll like it! And, if you've never read a "Rachel" book, by all means pick it up! The characters are colorful and likable, the story fast-paced and the Hollows are awesome!
I liked the plot and especially liked that Jenks got to be a McHottie for awhile! But I am so over the Ivy thing
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and hate the whining by Rachel! I really is a good book and if you're a fan, you'll like it! And, if you've never read a "Rachel" book, by all means pick it up! The characters are colorful and likable, the story fast-paced and the Hollows are awesome!
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LibraryThing member ConnieJo
I really liked this book, but I probably should have written this before reading the two after it, which were pretty fantastic and far better.
This one deals mostly with werewolves that Rachael winds up confronting in Michigan in order to save Nick. Somehow, Nick has turned into a total jerk between
Easily the most awesome thing about this book was the fact that Rachael does this entire mission with Jenks, and uses magic to make Jenks... more useful. The novelty of this through the entire book never quite wore off, especially since Jenks is easily one of my favorite characters.
Also, I believe the final confrontation takes place on the Macinac Bridge, something I have a bizarre obsession with. The setup for this con, both on Rachael's end and Nick's, is pretty impressive.
This one deals mostly with werewolves that Rachael winds up confronting in Michigan in order to save Nick. Somehow, Nick has turned into a total jerk between
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the last book and this one, which is something I don't quite understand since he didn't really display all these criminal tendencies before... he was just a little shady.Easily the most awesome thing about this book was the fact that Rachael does this entire mission with Jenks, and uses magic to make Jenks... more useful. The novelty of this through the entire book never quite wore off, especially since Jenks is easily one of my favorite characters.
Also, I believe the final confrontation takes place on the Macinac Bridge, something I have a bizarre obsession with. The setup for this con, both on Rachael's end and Nick's, is pretty impressive.
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LibraryThing member dragonfairy
Harrison's fourth book was just as engaging and exciting as the previous three. It left me frustrated that I did not have the fifth book to move on to. Harrison's ability to tell a story continues to improve, and delving into Rachel's world continued to be just as much fun as before. Even upon a
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second reading. The twists and turns of the plot continue to keep me fixed in place, and reading the entire book in one sitting is bound to happen sooner or later. I found that I had trouble putting it down...hence the second reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member willowwaw
Another great book by Kim Harrison. Very fun continuation of the series. I would recommend this book to others, a nice fun fluff read.
LibraryThing member pacey1927
This is an entertaining, engaging read. I absolutely have grown to adore Jenks, Ivy, etc. Rachel does some self-realization in this book that we, the readers, realized a long time ago. Unfortunately Rachel comes across more as a self-pity party than anything else. The action is packed, and the
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scenes of her with her friends are among the best. Here she reunites with her estranged partner Jenks to rescue her ex-boyfriend Nick, who has turned into a class A jerk. (Ok, maybe he has always been a jerk, but now even Rachel can't deny it) Her feelings for Nick ring true, as many women will tell you. Even when a relationship is beyond done, even when you know your ex isn't a good person, there are still those past flames that you would go through hell and high water for, and Rachel does. Jenks and his son Jax provides some much needed comic relief. Kiston is missing from most of this book and Rachel's relationship with Ivy takes a turn. We are left with some teasers for the next books, but they aren't exactly uplifting. I will go into her next book eagerly, if slightly apprehensively. Show Less
Awards
P.E.A.R.L. (Nominee — Science Fiction/Fantasy — 2006)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-06-27
ISBN
9780060788193