Series Read: The Hollows series by Kim Harrison

[Greta]

Imke wrote: "Chapter 7-17

The story is getting better with every chapter I read. I love that there is a lot of witch stuff and that Rachel has to work to make spells and potions work. I really like Jenks and h..."

I also like Jenks! I think the story started to grow on me more and more as I went too.

[Greta]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "That reminds me. Is this thread going to be turned into a series read? *Asks on bended knees*

I'm willing to stick around for the long haul. I'm planning to read them anyway and will start book..."

I would also like to read the second book in February at some point. I think several of us are interested in it being a series read.

[K~Terror]

I'm interested in joining for book two and on!

[Jackie]

Imke wrote: "Chapter 7-17

The story is getting better with every chapter I read. I love that there is a lot of witch stuff and that Rachel has to work to make spells and potions work. I really like Jenks and h..."

I'm through chapter 21 and I agree. The story is getting more interesting the further I read. I like that Rachel is making her spells and making use of her skills. Jenks is my favorite character so far.

(view spoiler)[This transformation thing has me a little freaked right now. Stuck in a cage for days! And now she's going to have to fight rats. I'll be glad when she gets back to her own body. (hide spoiler)]

[Storm]

I'm also interested in doing a series read (I must confess, I've already started book 2), but I'm not too far into it.

I also love Jenks! He's so funny and I just love his antics.

[Imke]

Jackie wrote: "Imke wrote: "Chapter 7-17

The story is getting better with every chapter I read. I love that there is a lot of witch stuff and that Rachel has to work to make spells and potions work. I really lik..."

(view spoiler)[The rat fight has a good thing she meets Nick, maybe a romantic interest in future books? I really like Nick, but there is something about him that may bring a risk to Rachel. (hide spoiler)]

[Imke]

Finished today. This was a great read and I like to do a series buddy read. I think February for the second book would be great. I can't wait to see where Rachel, Ivy and Jenks will end up with their venture. Also I am curious to see if the relationship between Rachel and Nick will develop further.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

@Jackie re: you're spoiler - That was a different twist on things! (view spoiler)[Kind of like having a witch/shapeshifter combo. The whole section where she's captured and forced to fight the in the ring as a minx was a real page turner. I really, really liked that part of the plot. Pretty creative thinking on the author's part. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

QUESTION: Has anyone requested that the mods change the thread to a series read? If not, I'd be happy to do it.

I'm set to start the next book the first week of February.

Edit: DONE! Requested 1/16/15

[Greta]

That would be great, Becky!!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Greta wrote: "That would be great, Becky!!"

I'll go and ask them now! : )

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread has been changed to series buddy read


When commenting, please state the book you are discussing and use spoiler tags!

[Greta]

Thanks Becky and Mod!!

[Storm]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "@Jackie re: you're spoiler - That was a different twist on things! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I really loved the time when she was a mink. I know some people have mentioned that when she's in the cage it was a slower part of the book (which is true) but I thought it was so interesting!

And I loved how when she was deciding what animal to be, she talked about how she couldn't be a bird because she would have to learn to fly. I thought that was so original to include that aspect of shape-shifting. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Totally agree with you, Storm. The author really thought all of that through. I really enjoy series that challenge my intelligence a bit, if that makes sense. I get a kick out of looking at the different angles and what makes the characters work. If the world building is unoriginal or boring, it takes away from my fun. Granted, it sucks to have so much detail and/or plot bunnies that you need a flow chart. If I wanted to study, I'd take a class, right?

So now, Kim Harrison is officially one of my top five favorite UF authors, along with Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Patricia Briggs and Anne Bishop. Sooo many series....sooo little time!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Many thanks for creating the series read, Mods!

[Steven]

Oh good! I'll discuss each book as you go along! I'm reading book five now ;)

[Stacie]

Book two disappointed me and I switched series for a while but I'll be back to this one soon.

[B'burg Linda]

This is one of my favorite series. I have read all of them (13 in all - isn't that a fitting number) and hope to start a reread soon. Even though some books were better than others, I thought that the overall quality of the series was good. I just didn't always like where Harris took the characters! Enjoy!

[Beth]

About 65% through first book now. While I am enjoying it, I can't say it's my favorite UF series yet. I did enjoy the (view spoiler)[rat fight and subsequent escape scene where Nick was introduced (hide spoiler)].

I have put book #2 on reserve & hopefully will get it by the time you guys start discussing it. Looking forward to the series read.

Does this series conclude for sure with book #13?

[Jackie]

I finished Dead Witch Walking. I really like the characters and look forward to continuing the series.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Beth...I've seen that happen with so many series that I've almost come to expect it. Lol! I enjoy World of the Lupi series but each book is hit or miss. Drives me a little nuts. It's like the author loses her focus or is being rushed at times. Mortal Danger was great, but the next book could've been written by a ghost writer.

At least I have something to hold me over while I wait for the next Kate Daniels or Mercy Thompson installment!

[Tara]

Pushed through and finished Dead Witch Walking up today. Wasn't as big of a hit with me as I'd hoped...I've heard a few people say the first book or two were a little slow but they get better after that.

(view spoiler)[I agree that it was hard with the world building....I was trying hard to really visualize some things and just couldn't at times which makes it harder for me to read urban fantasy type books....I need to have a strong visual in my mind and I just didn't get that with this one for whatever reason.
(hide spoiler)]

Glad I finished because I really hate not finishing a book but I don't think I'll continue on in this series. Although I do want to find out (view spoiler)[what happens with Nick??! (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Sorry it wasn't a favorite for you, Tara Jo. It happens to all of us. I had just finished a book that had serious problems; to many characters, to many subplots, to much confusion...*sigh*...so this world was a piece of cake compared to that. LOL! Kate Daniels was a hard world for me to get into. I read the first book and waited a long time before I moved on. It was book 3 when I became a mega-fan.

About Nick...(view spoiler)[He was very interesting. Obviously he's run up against the law before. I'm wondering if they've been spelled to forget him? What I really want to know is how did he get into the rat ring in the first place!? (hide spoiler)]

[Lauren]

Glad this has turned into a series read. I'll join in with the 2nd book in February :0)

[Beth]

Finished book #1 this morning

It gets 3 stars from me.

Things that struck me as kinda dumb:
(view spoiler)[the tomato angle
Jenk's too-cuteness and pixies in general, though I liked Matalina
Storyline is not excessively hard-core. Not into "cute" UF fantasy lines particularly (hide spoiler)]

I will be sticking with the series at least for awhile, because
(view spoiler)[ I LIKED the mink/rat fight scene - thought that was very creative
Wonder what Trent will turn out to be
Want to know more about Nick, but don't overly like him yet
But mostly, I'm interested in finding out more about the old black neighbor across the street - now THERE's an interesting character (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

@ Beth...(view spoiler)[The neighbor across the street has me super curious! I have a feeling he comes from some pretty old and powerful magic. He doesn't pull punches with Rachel either. I like that.

I still haven't quite figured out the tomato thing. I get the virus aspect, but it just seems weird that the human characters can't figure out that the danger is in the past. When Nick was staring at the tomato in the kitchen I wanted to scream, (hide spoiler)]

I bet they cancelled "Veggie Tales" in Rachel's world.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

These books are AMAZING. Trent is my book boyfriend, I don't care. I still have to finish the series, which I'm going to do this year. I just don't want to because then it'll be over.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Steven wrote: "Greta wrote: "Steven wrote: "Well, I'm partway through book three, and nothing on that front so far, Greta! :("

Oh ok, you would think they'd tell us!!"

I do believe I recall someone telling me t..."

There are short stories between a few of the books. They're all published in anthologies and worth reading.

[Beth]

@ Becky the Bookworm: lol - personally, I am not a raw tomato fan either. . .but seriously?

@ Heather: you picked TRENT for your book boyfriend? Wow - and I thought I have a thing for bad boys!
Trent is interesting to me only because there is a HINT of mystery about him (i.e. - what is he going to turn out to be in the end?) Otherwise, after book #1 he's just a class-A d*****bag (in my son's words, pardon my French).

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Like I said, I haven't read the last three books, but yes, Trent is totally my book boyfriend. I'm obsessed with him. He is a DB, not going to lie, but I understand his reasonings. Everything he has to keep secret and protect. It doesn't excuse him, but I get it.
I wouldn't want a relationship or to marry him, but I wouldn't say no to some nights here and there. ;)

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

For those just starting the series; book one is EXTREMELY slow. It's not the best, but it builds up Rachel's world perfectly. After that, the books continue to build and the characters flesh out.
Yes, it does end at book 13. There are short stories between some of the books as well.
I'm starting 11 at some point, but I'm waiting until I have all three in my hands. I know I'll want to read them back to back. Having to wait between books in this series was torture.

[Beth]

Ok Heather, now you've got me thinking Trent is some kind of New Age Rochester, and if that's the case (because you are an advanced Hollows reader - so not fair!), then I totally get it. I think I've been looking for Rochester since I was 17. Such restrained fury & angsty protection. Jane Eyre was so fricking lucky. People gripe over Bella/Edward being codependent and dysfunctional but there are literary precedents. Seriously, Heathcliff and Cathy were totally screwed up. Those Bronte sisters were all repressed heaving bosoms. So okay, I'll reserve judgment on Trent for a couple more books at least. Cause Nick for some reason just doesn't do it for me.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I don't know how far you are to comment on Nick.
Bella and Edward's relationship has nothing on the Bronte sisters characters relationships.
Trent and Rachel are...interesting, to say the least.
And, tbh, I really want them to end up together. I have no idea if they do or not, but I'll find out either next month or in March. It depends on if I get through the small list I made out for next month to read.

[Blakely]

Heather wrote: "For those just starting the series; book one is EXTREMELY slow. It's not the best, but it builds up Rachel's world perfectly. After that, the books continue to build and the characters flesh out.
..."

I keep hearing this from fans, and I had the same experience with the Women of the Otherworld series, which I now love, so I'm gonna hang in there, but it's definitely sloooow going.

Chapters 7-14 (view spoiler)[ Oh I want Rachel to work for the biodrug lord SO BADLY. Why do I keep wanting her to do all the bad things? I also want her to just be ravished by Ivy...naughty. Jenks is definitely growing on me too. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I think it's what makes the Rachel books work. It's a slow and steady build instead of trying to cram too much into a book. It's what ends up being the downfall of so many books (YA and Adult alike).

[Storm]

I just finished book 2.

(view spoiler)[
I really loved it and the series definitely picked up in this book. I think it really set up what the whole series is going to be about.

I'm also so thrilled I was right about Trent!

I think there might be a short story to read before book 3, so I'll probably move on to that. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Heather...I agree completely. YA isn't my favorite genre for that very reason. Kate Daniels was another slow build when it came to relationships, but by the time things fell into place there was so much character growth that I felt really connected to the story. It does make a difference. I guess I'm one of those who likes a bit of angst and delayed gratification!

I have to admit that I am wondering what might happen between Trent and Rachel. Yes, he's a bad guy, but there was a bit of...something...when they first met. He's definitely a mystery, although so is Nick. Talk about different personality types! Light and dark, sweet and ruthless...

I'm a bit behind on my reading schedule, but I'll pick up book 2 around Feb. 1st. Looking forward to it.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I won't say anything about Nick. Or Trent. Or any of the guys in Rachel's life because it'll give a lot away.

I'm still in my little bubble world that Rachel ends up with who I want her to end up with and everything is all glitter and rainbows and unicorns and they're raising fat babies with Jink's kids as nanny's.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Lol! Can I come visit your bubble someday, Heather?

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Absolutely!!!!

[Marla]

Is it okay if I still read book #1 with you? I'm just starting 3 buddy reads that I'm behind on...

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

even if they say no, read it anyway. Everyone needs to experience these books.

[Marla]

Chpt 1-5: I'm not sure if I like this or not. Rachel Morgan is a little rough around the edges for me. (view spoiler)[And why did Ivy decide to quit with her? I'm glad that Jenks decided to go along for the ride. So Rachel really didn't get any benefit out of the leprechaun's 3 wishes, since she wished not to get caught, but then gave the other 2 wishes away. Rachel doesn't seem to be very good at her job, but maybe if her boss was sabotaging her, she's better than she seems. Though, Jenks and the old neighbor man both saved her already. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

See, you're in the first book which is setting everything up. It's also the weakest in the series.

[Marla]

True, Heather...I'll keep plodding along...

I looked at everyone's post's and it seemed they got into the story around Chpt 7 for most people, so I won't expect much until then. :D

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Pretty much. I think it was around 7 or 8 that I really got into it. It took me three tries to get there as well, buts it's one of my favourite series and in glad I pushed through.

[Stacie]

I'm about to start #3

[Beth]

Just got #2 downloaded from the library today. Will start it as soon as I finish the book I am currently reading.

[K~Terror]

Just starting