White Witch, Black Curse

This is the seventh book in the Rachel Morgan series, set in the Hollows, a fictional Cincinnati suburb populated primarily by witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Harrison once again works her writing magic, providing plenty of action and a roller coaster of emotions to sweep readers up for a fast paced ride.

Rachel, a witch and private investigator has gotten a bad rap. Despite all the good she has done, she is quickly being labelled as a black witch because of her dealings with the darker side of magic, demons. It seems like one thing after another happens, she just can't catch a break. One of the characters sums it up best when he gleefully says, "Watching Rachel work is a wonder of one catastrophe after another."

*********SPOILER ALERT ******************
If you haven't read previous novels, I'm about to comment on something that has happened to a major character from earlier books.

In this addition to the series, Rachel can't let go of her search for Kisten's killer, and she refuses to stop until someone pays. With the help of Ford, a psychiatrist with the FIB, she's beginning to unlock her memories and is getting closer to discovering the shocking truth.

Meanwhile, after FIB agent Glenn Eddings is seriously injured, it is discovered that there's a banshee and her family causing deadly trouble around town. Rachel and Ivy are called in to help stop her, but even Rachel may not have the kind of power it will take to see that happen. Banshees are apex predators, feeding on emotions they can kill by a single touch as they suck away the auras of their victims. When Rachel is almost killed, her aura is left severely damaged making her dealings with Al difficult and near impossible for her to pull the ley line magic she needs to defend herself.

One drawback with this story is that events in this novel tie directly back to a couple of Harrison's earlier novellas (Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil in the Dates From Hell anthology and Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel in the Holidays Are Hell anthology). Having not read either short story, I felt at a slight disadvantage. Still, Harrison hasn't assumed that everyone will have read the novellas and these past events and characters are for the most part well integrated into the current timeline. Since the story features a new character from the short stories, some of the other secondary characters fans know and love don't get as much 'screen time'. Delightfully devilish Al, does make an appearance, but it is not nearly enough. Ceri is missing in action altogether and Trent is merely an awkward moment in a elevator.

My other complaint is that Rachel seems to be wallowing just a bit too much this time out. Rachel is generally a strong, independent character. Yes, she has some personality flaws, but that only helps to make her real. Rachel has not had the best of luck in the love department, and having started a 'friends only' relationship with Marshall, she is understandably hesitant to take their relationship to the next level. The main reason for this is because she feels like she can only bring bad things to the relationship or worse, endanger Marshall's life. She is continually thinking negatively about the relationship and it got rather tiresome reading how she is the 'black plague' or 'an albatross' to the realtionship.

Complaints aside, I still think that Harrison's Hollows novels are some of the best in the dark urban fantasy genre. The magical setting and alternate history display a consistency that makes them believable and enticing. Harrison is adept at weaving a world that will charm and thrill fantasy fans. Original mythology, passionate characters and constant action - combined with quality writing and great dialogue - ensure that they stand out from an increasingly crowded field. I highly recommend the series and I can't wait for the next book due out this month (Feb 2010)!

2010-030

This is the 7th book in the Hollows series.

This book starts off with Rachel being asked to help investigate murders and attempted murder of her friend Glen, who is FIB agent. He was almost killed by a Banshee and Rachel and the FIB try to track her down. They very soon realize that the banshee has a baby and someone also wants to care for the baby and will stop at nothing to get her.

Rachel struggles in this book making her weekly appointment with Al. She has been going into the ever-after since their agreement. I was very disappointed that we didn't get to see her interactions with him in the ever-after. I was so looking forward to it.

She also continues her relationship with Marshall. Then Rachel realizes she has been shunned by the witch community and the ramifications of that threaten her relationship with him. I am guessing that this story will continue into the next book.

We meet a new character named Peirce. He is a ghost who Rachel has history with (he was introduced in a short story) and is attempting to give him a temporary body until Al shows up and snatches him away. I'm not sure if I like this character. I don't know very much about him and was annoyed that Rachel was making goo-goo eyes and acting like a teenager around him.

I love the Rachel and Ford dynamic. Ford can read emotions and he is attempting to help Rachel remember who killed Kisten. I am pleased to read the conclusion of who killed Kisten storyline, although I didn't find much resolution from it. I felt that the killer was just placed there to give us a name and end the storyline. I would have much preferred it be Skimmer or even Ivy. I adored Kirsten's character and missed him since he was killed off. I still wish somehow she can bring him back, but I know it's just wishful thinking. When Rachel finally remembers, seeing what Kisten did to save her and the tender moment they shared before he died had my crying like a baby.

I am giving these book 4 stars. I was hooked into the book but I am also disappointment in who killed Kisten but besides that it was a great ride, and I am excited to see what's next in the Hollows series. I did however; feel it lacked its usual "magic".

Before you read this book, if you haven't read Kim's novellas in Dates from Hell and Holidays are Hell, I highly recommened you read those before you read this book. Characters from those novellas are included in this book.

In White Witch, Black Curse you finally get some answers for questions that have been around for a few of the previous books. However, new questions arise at the end. Rachel's life is a rollercoaster and you never know when you can get off.

I was devastated when Kistan was killed off in an earlier book but this was a wonderful closure to that dramatic event and opened the door for more new adventures to come. Loved the ending!

Wow, If you haven't read the Dead witch walking series by Kim Harrison, you haven't lived! The books leave you thinking what is going to happens next? or I wonder why this Happened...?? but as you go along the series , your questions will be answered! This book White Witch Black Curse is a amazing wrap up of this series so far. Rachel Morgan (Independent Runner) , is weighed down from stress, she needs to go into the Ever-after every Saturday to be taught by a Demon, has to Figure a way to save her friend's soul after she dies, has to figure out who killed her love Kisten, has deal with the majority of population thinking she is a black witch and to top it off she now has to Capture a Banshee who is accused for Murder.... Will she ever have a break or normal life?? you will just have to read to find out! If you haven't had a chance to read these books , you are missing a great opportunity. Here are the first three books series:( down below and listed in order... and don't worry there are more books after these). Happy Reading!

**SPOILER ALERT**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

Rachel can't take it anymore. She needs to know who killed Kisten. Her determination leads her back to the boat with her psychiatrist, Ford, who is trying to help her remember what happened that day. Ivy's investigation is going nowhere, and Rachel is determined to get a new lead. She remembers a thing or two and can't wait to get back to Ivy to tell her what she remembered. But as they leave the boat, Ford receives a phone call. While investigating a case on the side, Glenn was badly beaten and left for dead. And his stepfather, Captain Edden of the FIB, is asking for Vampiric Charms for help. And while she's accused of having no crime scene etiquette, Rachel's unconventional methods find clues that crime scene techs missed, and blows the case wide open.

For banshees are what Glenn had encountered. A human couldn't have beaten him so badly without the use of a weapon. And to make matters worse, a banshee child is part of the case. Banshees drain energy and emotions, and if they latch on, can literally kill a person by draining their life source.

Emotions ride high as Rachel's brother, Robbie, comes to town to visit - and brought news with him: he's getting married.

And the roller coaster doesn't stop there. Rachel is nearly killed more than once, a ghost named Pierce is back from her past, Al is up to his usual tricks, Ivy not only blames herself for Kisten's death but for their new banshee problem, Rachel is being called a Black Witch and is shunned, and now her mother is moving to Portland, then her full memory of what happened on Kisten's boat comes back. Can things get any worse?

** An emotional roller coaster to say the least.

Rachel is one hell of a character. Strong, she pushes herself to the max to do what is right, what is necessary, regardless of what happens to her. And no matter how she plans it, the repercussions come back to bite her in the ass, leaving her to defend herself, all while no one is listening.

Emotions roll right through the reader. Ms. Harrison writes it in such a way that you feel it, feel everything, that the characters feel, whether it's guilt, desperation, determination, you feel it all.

Filled with mystery, action, suspense and emotions, White Witch, Black Curse is more than your typical roller coaster ride with characters that you love - and love to hate. Descriptions so clear and concise, you feel everything, see everything. In my opinion, her best book yet!

****And I'm going to make this interesting. Now, everyone who knows me knows I don't buy hardcover - too expensive, and I've already planned on buying the paperback for my collection. However, I got this copy to read and review, along with the T-Shirt and Tomato-seed packet for the contest. I'm upping the contest. Would you like my copy of White Witch, Black Curse? Don't forget to email me daily at bookaholicsreview@hotmail.com for a chance to win one of the three items up for grabs! The contest runs from now until March 31st.****

I laughed, I cried, I was moved to homicidal rage. I wished that I could've crawled between the pages of the book and opened a can of whup *ss on the heads of some of the characters who desperately needed it. So engaging is this author's style that the reader isn't merely a passive observer but actually a participant, or at least it feels that way.
A truly stellar read.
More please!

I thought this was a great continuation of the series. It had me laughing and crying, and Kim Harrison did a great job of closing off some plots she has started, while introducing more. Great new characters join the plot, and others get their moment of glory. Might have needed more Jenks, though. :) Loved it!

This book was so great, I cannot put it into words. Funny, well written, ingrossing, captivating, and infuriating, this book pushes all the buttons in all the right ways. A worthy continuation of Rachel Morgan's story, and a wonderful read.