April 2014 BOM - The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison

[Michelle]

So...what do you think?

[Marcella]

woot!

[Maria]

Too far in the series for me! I think I've read the first and maybe the second.

[Leiah]

Meh. I stopped reading the series a few books back, as much as it hurt to do so. She was losing her focus and Rachel was losing her moxie, becoming bland and uninteresting. I did an Evelyn Wood on this one, after it had so many rave reviews, and the first thing I noticed is that the dialog is wooden, Rachel is no longer strong and in charge but is now one of those kick-ass women who have turned into a knock-off of that "Fifty Shades of Pukedom" so-called heroine, "She Who Must Not Be Named." Whiny, self-centered, blushing and giggling over that ass Trent who really couldn't care less about her in the long run. Oh, woe is me, I am such a martyr.... (Insert big, breathy sigh here.)

My take on all the googly eyes over this hot mess?

On the reader's side, there seems to be a massive call for books with limited, wooden, uninspiring characters with very little development, poor story lines, blase world building, and an all around demand for books that revolve strictly around the sex. Paranormal sex and kinky sex get extra points, but heaven forbid the characters be interesting outside of bed (or floor, or kitchen sink, or the ground, etc.) Name your own compost pile worthy "woman-centric book" and it is easy to follow the decline in story lines.

On the author's side, it is a buyer's market. If what is making the money is poorly written garbage, well, that is what gets written. Also, with this being the, what, 60th or so, Rachel book, the author has GOT to be getting tired of the character and the storyline and must ache to write something fresh. It is sort of hard to keep your mind on your business when you are stuck on an assembly line.

Overall, I bow down to Ferdy on this one: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4...

Who uses these tags for "The Undead Pool":

abusive-love-interest, annoying-kids, awful-love-interest, bastard-hero, blah-romance, cheesy, cringey-romance, boring-crap-hero, demons, desperate-pathetic-heroine, die-hero-die, die-heroine-die, disappointing, douchery-afoot, doormat-heroine, fucked-up-romance, good-world-building, hero-dick-to-heroine, liar-hero, mary-sue-heroine, martyr-heroine, repetitive, tstl-heroine, ugh, unlikeable-characters, urban-fantasy, used-to-like-heroine, vampires, whiny-hero, whiny-annoying-blah-heroine, want-to-burn, witchy-shit, witches, wtfery, wtf

You tell it like it is, Ferdy!!! You are my heroine . . .

[thalassic]

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Meh. I stopped reading the series a few books back, as much as it hurt to do so. She was losing her focus and Rachel was losing her moxie, becoming bland and uninteresting. I did an Evelyn Wood on ..."

Wow. You should really work on not being so timid about saying what you mean. lol Seriously though, thanks for the dissenting opinions. Not only is this book deep in a series that I haven't read but it really does sound like exactly the kind of thing I don't like.

I did read the first book and it wasn't bad, maybe even good enough for me to read another one at some point. It's pretty far down on my list though. I had wondered how Trent changed enough to make him a reasonable romantic interest, but apparently he didn't change. Rachel did. I really don't see myself getting to this book any time soon.

[Maria]

Elizabeth wrote: "So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Meh. I stopped reading the series a few books back, as much as it hurt to do so. She was losing her focus and Rachel was losing her moxie, becoming bland and unin..."

Yes, Elizabeth, I agree. I was really having a hard time figuring out just where "So I read this book Today" stood on this series...

:>)

[Leiah]

LOL!!! Hey, Maria!!! That is why you L.O.V.E. me, right?!?!?!

Check out my other reviews, Elizabeth - I am not always a Raging Bitch From Hell! I just get really sick of losing my favorite series!

And, as the estimable Kurt Vonnegut says:

“I want to stand as close to the edge as I can without going over. Out on the edge you see all kinds of things you can't see from the center.” ― Kurt Vonnegut, Player Piano

And yes, I DID pull that from your favorite quotes list! LOL!!

[thalassic]

I hope you didn't interpret my sarcasm as criticism because it wasn't meant that way. I appreciate forthright opinions and I tend to agree wholeheartedly with your views on this topic. I just couldn't resist a little teasing. :)

It takes more than strong opinions to make me label somebody a Raging Bitch from Hell ... although we do all have out moments of that, don't we? Guys too. This book isn't for me but I'm sure lots of people have been eagerly awaiting it. Diversity rocks!

And ummm ... yeah, I knew that quote looked familiar. lol

[Leiah]

LOL.... Whew! I guess I am rather touchy at that. . . I guess I am a lot less patient the older I get, and the less time I have left on this planet. We have so much less time to waste. I see why so many people become less willing to put up with horse manure as they grow older! You have less time for beating around the bush, and for putting up with childish things like ooohing and ahhing over anything other than excellence.

And yes, diversity rocks, or it would be a dull old world, wouldn't it, everyone walking in lock step and never glancing left or right. I often wish I could go back and live backwards, like Merlin . . . so many things I would never have done, or said, (or put up with) if I knew what I knew now. But isn't that always the case? Ah, for a small blue box of my very own . . . ;-)

[Angie]

Love this book!! I read it as soon as it came out and did a review on it on my blog. This is perhaps one of my favorite series, but it didn't start that way. I remember when I started the first book I was like ... an imp? I hope this series isn't too *girly* or silly... but I fell in love with it. I encourage series newbies to give it a chance or give it a go. Rachel REALLY grows throughout the entire series.

As for this book in the series, I have to say I've been waiting so long for these things to happen. This is possibly my favorite of the entire series. I am sad to know there is only going to be one more book, but at the same time I am happy it won't go on and on--like some series do--and outlive itself.

[Maria]

Angie wrote: "Love this book!! I read it as soon as it came out and did a review on it on my blog. This is perhaps one of my favorite series, but it didn't start that way. I remember when I started the first bo..."

Nice wrap-up of what you liked!

[Tracy]

I'm with So I Read on this series. I *loved* it until Book 5 or 6. And then Rachel started to lose her moxy and became a bit of a whiner. I'm still reading, and will read the last book, but the sizzle has sizzed out. The mystics were silly and there were gaps in logic in the plot. The one potential saving grace of this book, the sex scene with the longest build-up in UF series history, was lukewarm. All this talk of erotic chi exchange in Rachel's past, and there wasn't even an allusion to it. Meh.

[Leiah]

Tracy wrote: "I'm with So I Read on this series. I *loved* it until Book 5 or 6. And then Rachel started to lose her moxy and became a bit of a whiner. I'm still reading, and will read the last book, but the siz..."

Yawn.... anyone want to point out any women heros in ongoing series that haven't become whiny, sexed up, miserable asses? I can recommend C.E. Murphy Kate Daniels is still a favorite, though her last worried me a bit . . . There are some on my blog that are chugging along - especially Sleight of Hand series, and J.K. Walker Glacial Eyes is new on the scene - if you haven't read his work you really need to.

[thalassic]

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Yawn.... anyone want to point out any women heros in ongoing series that haven't become whiny, sexed up, miserable asses? I can recommend C.E. Murphy Kate Daniels is still a favorite, though her last worried me a bit . . ."

Women in ongoing series who aren't whiny, sexed up, miserable asses (because I get really tired of those types too):

Harper Blaine in Kat Richardson's Greywalker series - Harper is as no-nonsense level-headed as she always was, even 8 books in

Maxine Kiss in Marjorie M. Liu's Hunter Kiss series - despite the kind of dreadful name and her emotional struggles dealing with the non-stop horror show her life has been, she's still my favorite female anti-hero and her 'boys' are the demons who are bound to protect her and have become her family. Incidentally, there is a romance in the books but its handled probably the best of any series I've read and the guy is nothing like the usual romance novels cliches

October Daye in Seanan McGuire's series of the same name - Toby bugs me sometimes but she doesn't fall into most of those irritating tropes that many other series do

Mercy Thompson in Patricia Briggs' series - I may gripe about the series not being all that I might wish it was sometimes, but I do really like Mercy overall

Siobhan Quinn in Kathleen Tierney/Caitlin Kiernan's series - I've only read the first one but there is no way I can see Siobhan ever falling into those issues. In fact, her problem might be that she's too much of a snarling anti-hero at times

[Leiah]

Elizabeth wrote: "So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Yawn.... anyone want to point out any women heros in ongoing series that haven't become whiny, sexed up, miserable asses? I can recommend C.E. Murphy Kate Daniels..."

Ah! My friend! Thank you.

Harper Blaine in Kat Richardson's Greywalker series: I read the first one then somehow mislaid the thread - will have to try that again.

Maxine Kiss in Marjorie M. Liu's Hunter Kiss series - YES! Forgot about this one, like Harper. I remember reading some of hers - the one where she goes back in time to the World War (don't remember which one) and meets her grandmother....good stuff. And yes, I remember the boyfriend - he walks with a crutch or cane, right?

October Daye in Seanan McGuire's series of the same name - I tried the first two books, and she just really irritated me with her whiny self. Does it get better?

Mercy Thompson in Patricia Briggs' series - If she would kick Adam's ass out of bed I would continue to read the books. Now HE is the whiny, miserable ass, IMO. He lets his pack walk all over Mercy.....

Siobhan Quinn in Kathleen Tierney/Caitlin Kiernan's series - looking that one up... hummmmm.... searching......Blood Oranges This one?

[thalassic]

Yuppers. Blood Oranges and then Red Delicious which I haven't gotten to yet. I'm a big fan of some of her other books so I was happy to see her try her hand at UF.

Maxine's boyfriend is a former priest who now runs a shelter/soup kitchen and he does have to use a cane. His character develops quite a bit over the series too. I was SO happy to see a new book in the series (Labyrinth of Stars )and hope there will be more.

October does get better as she moves past her issues over her past. Like I said, she still annoys me at times but she whines a lot less in later books.

As for Mercy and Adam ... Adam is ok, better than some just not really the way I'd write him if I wrote books. Basically though, I read the books for Mercy's adventures, not his.

[Dawn]

Wow tough group

I totally disagree with most of the comments about the book.

Rachel is a bit of a complex character which is why I like her so much. She has a ton of faults ...actually thinking everything must rest on her shoulders is one and always falls in love far to fast is the other. The later reminds me of a teenage girl who cannot figure out her head from her ass. But that makes sense considering she was sick for most of her youth.

Anyway the series has had its ups and downs like most have but I am greatly enjoying the last few books and I sad to see it come to an end.

As for this book though, we can clearly see characters are in preparation for what comes next for them which may or may not be on the same path as Rachel. I am also enjoying the crazy relationship between Rachel and Nix. While I thought the vampire politics where interesting in the first part of the series I find myself really into the demon/elf world and what is happening.

I liked the book and the series so it is one I still highly recommend.

[Leiah]

We are all entitled to our own opinions Dawn, and yours is no less valid, just not one that those of us in this group would agree with. To each their own however. I am glad you received pleasure from the book.

[JackieR]

I actually love this series. I agree with Dawn. The last few books have been the best in the series. This book however, although I still like the dynamics between the characters, and I am loving seeing Trent out of his element (ie waking up in Rachels church)...I am not buying or enjoying the mystic story line. It's just kind of dumb so far.

[Maria]

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "We are all entitled to our own opinions Dawn, and yours is no less valid, just not one that those of us in this group would agree with. To each their own however. I am glad you received pleasure fr..."

Hey, some of us in the group might agree with her! It's a very well-loved series. I haven't read to this particular book though. And I do like Mercy and Adam!!!

I think it's very difficult for guys who have super heroine wives. They know the woman can take care of herself and if they interfere too much, the wife smacks them upside the head. For the writer, it's probably an even harder balance. I haven't gotten to the last few books in the Mercy Thompson series though, so I can't specifically say whether Adam is doing his job. :>) I think Briggs writes some of the best characters and books out there. I am all caught up on the Alpha and Omega series and I've loved every single one.

[Brandy]

I see that a few of you don't love this series. I on the other hand find this to be one of the best series out there. Love all the books but I find that it gets really intense and the story take a turn during Black Magic Sanction. I loved Undead Pool and I will read it again this year before the new book gets released. Everyone has an opinion and mine is pro Undead Pool. I love the interaction between all the different characters, especially Trent and Rachel, I love Jenks and his crew of misbehaving kids.

[Moonlight]

About 5 years ago, I went to a signing appearance for Patricia Briggs and Kim Harrison was there also. Her book sounded interesting and I bought it. And there it sat for a long time on by TBR pile until one of my groups picked it for a group read. By the time I finished the first page, I noticed something. The author writes substantially better than most of the other writers in this genre. I take the ride the author offers. As long as she writes true to the character, I'm good.

Rachel can't continue to be as hard headed and reckless as she was in the first book. If for no other reason than setbacks and consequences she experiences have to teach her something. Most of us mellow with age. We learn to listen more and talk less. We learn to look before we leap. We choose our friends for characteristics we often didn't notice when we were younger. When this happens with a character, it makes the story more interesting.

[Maria]

Moonlight wrote: "About 5 years ago, I went to a signing appearance for Patricia Briggs and Kim Harrison was there also. Her book sounded interesting and I bought it. And there it sat for a long time on by TBR pil..."

Well said, Moonlight! I take it you feel Rachel grows and changes through the series? That's always something I enjoy in a series.

[Leiah]

Maria wrote: "So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "We are all entitled to our own opinions Dawn, and yours is no less valid, just not one that those of us in this group would agree with. To each their own however...."

SORRY! And I was trying sooo hard to be nice. See, this is why I can't be let out in public - I am about as likable as a dog with rabies.... sigh..

[Maria]

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "Maria wrote: "So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "We are all entitled to our own opinions Dawn, and yours is no less valid, just not one that those of us in this group would agree with. To each thei..."

No worries!

[Dawn]

JackieR wrote: "...I am not buying or enjoying the mystic story line. It's just kind of dumb so far. "

I kind of did not get the mystic thing. (view spoiler)[So if they were slowing the vamps to the point where all they could do is sleep could that later be used to help them from being dying or help the dead powerful ones manage their blood lust?

Also it seems like the Elves just get more and more evil. Starting to feel bad for the demons.

Then there was the part with the smut and the goddess and payment...I was like what so I just rolled with it. When I reread it hopefully it will make more sense.

Then there was a part about Newt and I wonder if she has her own mystics (hide spoiler)]

For me it was confusing.

[Dawn]

Brandy wrote: "... I love Jenks and his crew of misbehaving kids. "

I love Jenks but I am concerned about him in the last book. The comments about needing to find a new partner and being slow did not bode well. Then again Jenks has been like Rachel's mentor...wonder what will happen with him and Belle??

Also what happened to Jax? And is Nick still alive??

[Dawn]

So, I Read This Book Today wrote: "...SORRY! And I was trying sooo hard to be nice. See, this is why I can't be let out in public - I am about as likable as a dog with rabies.... sigh..
"

No worries it is like you said we are all entitled to our own opinions.

[IbNancy]

Dawn wrote: "JackieR wrote: "...I am not buying or enjoying the mystic story line. It's just kind of dumb so far. "

I kind of did not get the mystic thing. So if they were slowing the vamps to the point where ..."

Yep ladies I think that's the thing that bugged me about TUP was the mystics/Goddess/elves storyline as I really didn't get them and after all the build up about the "Free Vampire" movement they really didn't show up until more than halfway through the book! Then they were being virtually run by the one elf? as I said in my review, why wouldn't they have taken his ideas then had the elf for lunch?? like any self respecting vampire would have. I didn't get them keeping him around?

Maria and Brandy, I think it's not that some of us don't like the Rachel Morgan series, far from it! I have all of them,in hardback, except the one short story book, "Into the Woods" I still have to buy and even just got 2 books on my kindle when they were on sale to re-read again. All of them until now I gave 4 or 5 star ratings, this is the first one of Kim Harrison's I only gave a 3 star rating to!

It's just this book had left me with more questions than answers and I also didn't get why Rachel didn't take out the "pain in the butt" elf at some point when she's a demon?
(sorry bad short term memory and I don't always remember characters names when I write a review or comment)
I also didn't like her change of character into the whiny damsel in distress from a kick butt gal. I kept waiting for her to wake up that part of herself for herself other than just to save Trent from this or that. Yes, as characters and people, we all grow and change put that one part of us that we may have put on the back burner is always there if we need it. I really didn't understand that? Especially when the book started so great with her blowing up the golf course hole! That was fabulous!

So in general I would absolutely recommend this series to anyone who likes the genre!! But this book left me wanting and I think that's what the other nay sayers are referring to as well.