Author: Kim Harrison
Publication: Harper Voyager (February 22, 2011)
Description: Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches’ conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after . . . forever after.
But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.
For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight—freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.
My Thoughts: What happens when a witch, a pixy, a vampire and a fairy take a road trip? Sounds like a setup for a bad joke. Rachel, Trent, Jenks and Ivy have to get to the West Coast in three days. Rachel has to get to the annual Witches' Meeting where she is supposed to have the sanctions on her lifted. Trent has his own secret reasons for needing to go to the coast too. Jenks and Ivy come along to help Rachel and Rachel agrees to help Trent with his journey in exchange for his positive testimony at her hearing.
I loved the family dynamics and the sly humor of the road trip. I cracked up when Trent asked the universal question, "Are we there yet?" But it wasn't an ordinary road trip. Along the way they are joined by Coven witch Vivian who was following along to report to the Coven if Rachel did any black magic and Pierce who is sent by Al to keep Rachel alive even though he currently hates her for preventing him from killing Al.
They also have to deal with a group of pixies kidnapping Jenks and a day-walking demon named Ku'Sox who has the nasty habit of eating souls and who is more than a match for Rachel's skills. I liked that Rachel is learning more about her demon powers and coming to some self-acceptance. I also liked that the long-running conflict with the Coven looks like it is coming to some sort of resolution.
The most interesting part of the story for me was Rachel's changing relationship with Trent. She has always had sort of a love-hate relationship with him. Trent doesn't make it easy to love him as he is extremely guarded and shifty. We get more of a chance to see into his character in this one than we have in previous books. I look forward to continuing on in the series to find out what happens next with that relationship.
This story had a lot to do with changes. Rachel grows and changes throughout the series but this one seemed especially to focus on her growth. Rachel wants to have her life back and resume the activities she did earlier in the series. She is kind of blind about what is happening to her. It takes Ivy talking to her for her to realize that she isn't the same anymore and has to find a new normal.
This story was well-written and engaging but not a good entry point for readers new to the series. Fans will love it and not want to miss it though.
Favorite Quote:
My eyes narrowed, and I turned up the heat even more. "Trent, you are a stiff-necked, overbearing, cold--"This is the ninth book in the Rachel Morgan series. I bought it. You can buy your copy here.
"I'm not cold."
"--impersonal son of a bitch. Try making a decision by looking at something other than logic. You might have more friends that way."
Jenk's mouth shut, and he looked surprised. Trent, too, seemed taken aback. "Just because I don't wear my heart on my sleeve--"
"You don't even wear your heart in your chest," I interrupted. "But one thing you aren't is stupid." I flung a hand in the air, exasperated with him and not even knowing why I was trying to help. He'd given me nothing but grief. And a chance to save myself.
I definitely want to read the series.
ReplyDelete(I'm still get a threat detected from your site too. It's saying it's the hosting. I'd check it out if I were you.)