Series Read: The Hollows series by Kim Harrison

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I love seeing all of you experiencing this series for the first time.

If you guys like this, you really need to check out Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files series. /swoon

[Lauren]

I'm finishing my current audio either today or tomorrow and then I'll start listening to book #2.

[K~Terror]

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

Chapters 1-15
I'm definitely enjoying the second book even more than the first book, probably because I'm not starting from scratch so there is more story and less information to assimilate.

(view spoiler)[
Ivy is really freaking me out. I'm amazed at how calm and forgiving Rachel is with her. Ivy's been so aggressive towards Rachel, I'd want to keep my distance..

Jenks is such an awesome character and I love how he's narrated on the audio.

Nick makes me swoon!

(hide spoiler)]

[Storm]

I just got from the library the short story that was written between books 2 and 3.

I started it last night, I'll post some of my thoughts once I've finished.

This is the short story collection:

[K~Terror]

Storm wrote: "I just got from the library the short story that was written between books 2 and 3.

I started it last night, I'll post some of my thoughts once I've finished.

This is the short story collection: ..."

Good to know - I'll track it down

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Lyndsay Sands vampire series (I think the short story in that book belongs to that series and I can't remember how to spell the name of the series) is really good too.

[Stacie]

Every Which Way But Dead


Chapters 1 to 6: (view spoiler)[Nick and Rachel are breaking my heart. I'm terrified for Rachel and I don't trust Ceri. I love the way Jenks takes care of Rachel but I'm just really worried that things are going to get bad bad bad. (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Finished today.

This one moved at a much better pace for me. I love the characters and the plot was interesting me... so had a real hard time putting this one down.

Enjoyed it so much more that I had to roll on to the next one!

[K~Terror]

Chapters 1-6

Sooooo..... (view spoiler)[ what the heck is going on with Nick????

Wow. Jenks just calls it as he sees it... Too much honesty?? Ouch. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

I finished Every Which Way But Dead last night. Here are the thoughts I had while reading:

(view spoiler)[Nick's a jerk. I hate him. No, I don't hate him but he's a jerk. Jenks come back. Just what/who is Keasley anyway? Rachel don't be stupid. Stop making deals with demons. Ohhh Kisten is kind of sweet. Lee seems nice. Wait, Lee is most definitely not nice. Go Rachel you get you some. I kind of like this Kisten/Rachel pairing. This was way better than the first two, I need #4 now. (hide spoiler)]

I liked this one a lot better than the previous two. Glad it's moving faster for me.

[Stacie]

I started A Fistful of Charms this afternoon and I'm about 42% in. Rachel and (view spoiler)[Jenks just saved Nick's butt on the island and he knows she's alive. Prior to this I was thinking that Kisten and Rachel made sense together and I kind of liked them together. I really am tired of the whole two guys in love with one girl trope so I'm hoping that it doesn't come to that.

I'm loving Marshall and Rachel's dialogue as he tries to figure out if she's for real or not. I hope he comes back later.

Glad Jenks is back and I think it's hilarious that Rachel can't stop looking at his butt.

Worried about Ivy. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I finished Every Which Way But Dead last night. Here are the thoughts I had while reading:

[spoilers removed]

I liked this one a lot better than the previous two. Glad it's moving ..."

Stacie,
(view spoiler)[I FUCKING HATE NICK. loath him. Detest him. The rage I have for him would make the Hulk look like he's throwing a temper tantrum. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

Heather wrote: "Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I finished Every Which Way But Dead last night. Here are the thoughts I had while reading:

[spoilers removed]

I liked this one a lot better than the previ..."


So it's not just me? This is my first time through the series and right now I just kind of wished they would (view spoiler)[leave him on the island. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Stacie D-Struction wrote: "Heather wrote: "Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I finished Every Which Way But Dead last night. Here are the thoughts I had while reading:

[spoilers removed]

I liked this one a lot bette..."

No, you're not the only one. (view spoiler)[The hate is strong with this one. (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I started A Fistful of Charms this afternoon and I'm about 42% in. Rachel and Jenks just saved Nick's butt on the island and he knows she's alive. Prior to this I was thinking that K..."

I finished Every Which Way But Dead today too & now I REALLLLLLLY want to start the next one!! I am reading another book for BR but will be back!

(view spoiler)[ I was SO disappointed in Nick. What a little sissy baby. Jenks cracked me up though - he has no filter. He has to come back! Kisten is definitely growing in me... Woo-woo!

Kind of wondering what's going to happen with Rachel & Ivy though... Ivy isn't taking to the Rachel-Kisten relationship too well...

Trent keeps changing his personality... He's evil. He's ok. He's evil. He's ok. Wth??? Medication?

(hide spoiler)]

Still love the name Stacie-D!!! LOL!!

[Stacie]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I started A Fistful of Charms this afternoon and I'm about 42% in. Rachel and Jenks just saved Nick's butt on the island and he knows she's alive. Prior to..."

Hehe, Thanks Kristin and I completely agree about Trent. WTF?

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I love Trent. He's one of my book boyfriends. I don't know how the series ends yet, I have to read the last 3 still, but in my mind, Rachel and Trent are married with babies.

[K~Terror]

Heather wrote: "I love Trent. He's one of my book boyfriends. I don't know how the series ends yet, I have to read the last 3 still, but in my mind, Rachel and Trent are married with babies."

You're way ahead of me - so it's good to know there's some hope for the dude!

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Haha. In keeping my fingers crossed so hard, you have no idea. I'm saving the last three books for March cause I'm doing my trilogies and series catch up then.
Like, Trent is an ass, but as you get more and more into his (brilliant) backstory, it's really understandable why he is the way he is. Especially when it comes to Rachel.
(view spoiler)[has their complete past and how they're connected come up yet? (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

Heather wrote: "Haha. In keeping my fingers crossed so hard, you have no idea. I'm saving the last three books for March cause I'm doing my trilogies and series catch up then.
Like, Trent is an ass, but as you ge..."

Yes. (view spoiler)[ apparently they met at a camp when they were kids & talked about how Rachel & Lee were both saved from a terminal blood issue by Trent's dad. Apparently Rachel made an example of trent for bullying too at the camp! Lol! But I think that's all we know so far! (hide spoiler)]

[K~Terror]

I really can't wait to read more!!

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Okay. That story gets more and more involved. Man, now I'm thinking I need to read the series over again. Lol. I miss it so much!!! Gha!!!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

C'mom, Heather! Read book 2 with me on the 1st! It'll be fun!

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I just might do that! Since I doubt I'll have any problem getting my other Feb reads in and it's been years since I've read the second book.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Awesome! I think we have a few more joining in, so it'll be a blast. I'm eager to get back to the series.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Same here. Especially since I can fall in love with Douchamack all over again with no regrets, haha.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Oh, and I'm not spoiling anything for anyone....just going to throw it out that anyone currently reading or about to start book six....have some tissues with you AND DO NOT READ WHAT BOOK SEVEN IS ABOUT.

Trust me on this. It will spoil parts of book 6 and make it really hard to pick up book 7.

That is all.

[Lauren]

Kristin ~ Experiment in Terror Junkie wrote: "The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

Chapters 1-15
I'm definitely enjoying the second book even more than the first book, probably because I'm not starting from scratch so there is more ..."

I love Gavin's voice for Jenks too. He always makes me laugh out loud. People look at me funny when I'm walking with the dog, lol!

[Lauren]

I'm halfway through :

Comments up to chapter 17 (including):

Rachel and Ivy - (view spoiler)[Their relationship really freaks me out. I get that Rachel feels some sort of loyalty to and sympathy for Ivy, but Ivy is constantly overstepping the boundaries ostensibly because she is trying to help, but it is more like she wants to seduce - it is really creepy! If Ivy drinks from Rachel it might just be the end of the series for me. (hide spoiler)]

Vampires - (view spoiler)[definitely NOT the sparkly kind. *shudder*. Their ability to subsume another's will is revolting and disturbing. It is sort of like mind rape *shudder* (hide spoiler)]

Rachel's mother - (view spoiler)[is a riot. I was expecting her to come out with something really spectacular after Rachel's warning but she is really just a loving mother. (hide spoiler)]

Rachel's father - (view spoiler)[so he knew Trent Kalamack's father. Hmm...obviously they did something to cure Rachel of her genetic disease but what? And why were their deaths so close together and does it have something to do with whoever sent a demon after Rachel and Trent?

He also suspected that Rachel's Ley line abilities were very powerful and wanted to nip them in the bud. (hide spoiler)]

The interspecies thing (view spoiler)[was interesting. I wonder if Witches can have children with other supernatural species (hide spoiler)]

Nick - (view spoiler)[I'm definitely not a fan. He has his own agenda and the fact that he is messing with demons in not a good thing. The fact that he is now Rachel's familiar is very troubling and does not bode well at all... (hide spoiler)]

Dr. Anders - (view spoiler)[its kind of weird that she and Rachel are bonding now. Not sure its a good idea to give her the book of demon magic.

On the other hand, something tells me she isn't going to live much longer... (hide spoiler)]

Trent - (view spoiler)[Rachel is definitely fixated on him (even before the mink episode). She is determined to prove he is the witch hunter even though there is hardly any evidence - not very professional. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

I made it a bit further in A Fistful of Charms last night and I really really hate (view spoiler)[Nick now. Using Rachel. Why didn't I see this as big before? (hide spoiler)]

[Stacie]

Lauren wrote: "I'm halfway through :

Comments up to chapter 17 (including):

Rachel and Ivy - [spoilers removed]

Vampires - [spoilers removed]

Rachel's mother..."

My (view spoiler)[ Nick hatred has grown by leaps and bounds as I progress. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Stacie D-Struction wrote: "I made it a bit further in A Fistful of Charms last night and I really really hate [spoilers removed]"

Told you! There are not enough deaths in the world. Everything would be too good.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Heather wrote: "Oh, and I'm not spoiling anything for anyone....just going to throw it out that anyone currently reading or about to start book six....have some tissues with you AND DO NOT READ WHAT BOOK SEVEN IS ..."

Thanks for the heads up! I hate it when that happens so I'll stay away from the book 7 summary. All these great posts are making it hard for me to wait until the 1st! Ah....the life of a challenge addict.

Dying to know Trent's backstory. I may have to binge on this series.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

I'm going to read book two with a couple/few someone's next month and in March I'm reading the last three. As long as my reading challenge is complete before September, I'm going to sit down and read binge the whole series. Or, maybe in March if I get the other two trilogies I want to read finished.

[Marla]

I wish I had read this when everyone else was commenting...

Chpt 6-17 (halfway): (view spoiler)[I liked Rachel cooking up charms. I've really warmed up to Jenks and I like his wife too. Jenks and his family are doing an impressive job protecting Rachel against fairies and charmed splat balls. Rachel being incompetent and very lucky reminded me of a paranormal Stephanie Plum written by Janet Evanovich.

The whole friendship and awkward relationship with Ivy disturbs me. Vampires are very, very dangerous and sometimes their hunger overwhelms their good intentions. Ivy's been non-practicing for three years, but abstinence is not neutered.

I agree with Ivy that Rachel could do with more planning. No one addresses why Denon wanted Rachel to leave the I.S. It almost seems like the attempts on Rachel's life were for show, because she was not skillful enough to avoid death.

I LOVE the vampire guide to dating. But after partnering with Ivy, shouldn't Rachel have known what not to do? I guess living together is much more intimate than partnering. I don't like the attraction and sexual tension. (hide spoiler)]

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

Marla wrote: "
I wish I had read this when everyone else was commenting...

Chpt 6-17 (halfway): I liked Rachel cooking up charms. I've really warmed up to Jenks and I like hi..."

It's okay!

I love Jenks so much! He's amazing. As for the Stephanie comparison, I did too at first, but unlike Plum, Rachel's storyline advances with each book. Does she mess up? Yes. But, for the most part, she learns. Unlike Stephanie who does the same mistakes over and over again because apparently she doesn't know the definition of insanity.

(view spoiler)[ You'll learn why Ivy is the way she is. It all goes back to her uncle. As for Denon, he hates Rachel because he sees her as a screw up. He's also a vampire lacky and scion. He wants Rachel to quit on her own so that way IS can't go after her. Which is also why Ivy pays off her contract. As for the sexual attraction; Ivy is bisexual. And I think it also has to do with Rachel's blood that Ivy goes nuts for. I can't remember, it's been years since I've read the first book. (hide spoiler)]

[Marla]

Heather wrote: " Marla wrote: "
I wish I had read this when everyone else was commenting...

Chpt 6-17 (halfway): ..."

Thanks for the insights, Heather, that actually explains a lot. Stephanie Plum making the same mistakes over and over is why I have almost totally given up on that series. I may listen to one book a year, if it meets a challenge requirement that I need.

I am halfway through the book, but I am forcing myself to keep reading. Because I have to tear myself away from Prodigal Son which is really good!

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

This one is honestly, the weakest in the series. After this, they all go full throttle and get better and better.

As for Plum, I'm all caught up now but the last few have been so bad which is depressing cause the first 10 books were great.

[Marla]

Heather wrote: "This one is honestly, the weakest in the series. After this, they all go full throttle and get better and better.

As for Plum, I'm all caught up now but the last few have been so bad which is dep..."

That seems to be the consensus for The Hollows series, so I will probably read the next book.

I've read 5 Stephanie Plum books and I might read my one for the year. She's too silly for me, but I love Grandma Mazur and hunky Joe Morelli. Ranger is a cool character, but not my type. Oh and I love Lula too.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕]

The first 10 Plum books are the best but then they get ridiculous. And yes, keep reading Rachel!

See, Kim did right with this series by not throwing everything at you at once and allowing Rachel to make mistakes without it being ridiculous. She lets Rachel be human, even though she may or may not be. And that's what I love about her. She messes up at work, at life, with her relationships, and friendships but in a way that, if you took the supernatural stuff out, everyone screws up as.

Unlike Stephanie who keeps making the same mistakes over and over again and still hasn't learned from them. I like both Joe and Ranger, but neither are really a "book boyfriend".

Unlike Trent Kalamack.

[Steven]

Well, this was converted to a series buddy read after I had already blew past book one... so I'm going to attempt to comment on each book a little bit to share my thoughts.

[Steven]

The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

This one seemed a lot like the first to me. It was good, but not OMG GREAT! Know what I mean?
(view spoiler)[
I like that we find out a tiny bit more about Trent's history (including that mystery of what he is, which is brought up a few times in the first book). He becomes a much more complicated and character.

I liked the serial killer storyline. It was like a paranormal thriller. :)

I really love the storylines involving Rachel and demons/Al. So far, the demons are some of the most interesting characters, being evil AND suave/smooth/slick and tricksters and manipulative.

We see a little more of her family.

Also, Nick. More Nick. Meh. Not a fan. Wasn't from the beginning. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Every Which Way But Dead

Book three: Too many potential love interests, but so much fun!

(view spoiler)[ So, she's put Piscary away for what he did, with Al's help... but Al isn't done with her. He's coming to collect.

I mentioned before that I love his storylines. Yep, I do. Can't help it.

Still disliking Nick. Adore Kisten, but only after a few more books. In this book he was just meh.
(hide spoiler)]

This is where the story really picked up, in my opinion, and made me want to read the next one almost immediately.

[Steven]

A Fistful of Charms

More Nick. NICK NICK NICK. *smack*

This is one of my favorites so far, because of JENKS. I ADORE JENKS. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

More werewolf lore. Awesome, I love world building done right. Plus, a cool artifact!!!

(view spoiler)[

So, she has to go save Nick. Jenks goes along. But he gets to be BIG Jenks. Human sized Jenks. And he's awesome. He's sexy. He's slick. He's strong. He's brave... everything he normally is, but on a human sized, we get to see his abs, kinda level. Heck yeah.

I wish Jenks could get bigger more often... but then it wouldn't be special, I guess. :P

And the storyline with the dying vampire... heartbreaking!!!

(hide spoiler)]

Like I said, I loved book four.

[Steven]

For a Few Demons More

(anyone else think the Clint Eastwood movie book titles are strange? Just me???)

Okay, so I just finished this one a day or two ago. Seriously, this one kicked the series up to a whole new level.

There's so much in this book: Love, Vampires, Lust, Friendship, Loyalty, Confusion, Loss, Intrigue, Discovery, Badassery, Hilarity...

DO NOT READ SPOILERS UNTIL YOU'VE FINISHED THE BOOK.

(view spoiler)[

Omg, Kisten. I didn't realize how much I liked you until you were gone. It's been two days since I finished the book, and I'm still reeling in sadness. I just didn't expect that loss, at all. I thought she'd be able to save him. Heartbreaking. RIGHT IN THE FEELS. :(

Ceri totally got more interesting in this one. WAY WAY WAY more interesting.

We learn more about Trent and Quen, both of whom I think are very intriguing characters.

Plus, so much Al being hilarious, creepy, strange, wacky, entertainingly evil Al.

(hide spoiler)]

It definitely won't be long before book six is in my hands.

[Lauren]

:

Comments up to chapter 25 (including):

Rachel and Trent - (view spoiler)[I just knew there was more to the animosity between them. I was wondering at the time if Trent might not be the boy that Rachel flung in the tree, lol!

The fact that Rachel and Trent have similar auras, is getting my spider sense going. I wonder if it is related to the camp - something very fishy was going on there. (hide spoiler)]

Nick - (view spoiler)[the fact that his aura is black does not bode well and I really don't know why Rachel is so accepting of his summoning the demon.

I'm also concerned about the fact that he is now Rachel's familiar. I know it seems like the advantages are all on Rachel's side and that Nick could really be harmed by it, but I have this niggling suspicion that Nick could use it to his benefit and not in a good way for Rachel.
(hide spoiler)]

Sara Jane - (view spoiler)[ I was really shocked by her vicious reaction to Rachel's involvement with Trent's arrest. It seemed to me at that moment to be totally uncalled for given that she asked the FIB for help locating her boyfriend.

It was also a surprise that Sara Jane actually barely knew Dan. Even though Rachel had hinted at something fishy going on when they searched his apartment, I didn't put it together at the time. (hide spoiler)]

Trent's secret identity - (view spoiler)[So I'm guessing that Trent is not the short, kind and helpful "Elves and the Shoemaker" type of elf, but rather the tall, powerful and haughty "Lord of the Rings" type.

Of all the possibilities, I didn't think of an elf. I was thinking some sort of genetically engineered human/witch hybrid *shrug*

I wonder why he fears Rachel - its more than just her knowledge of what he is.

Are Jonathan, Quen and Trent the only Elves left? Why are they keeping their existence secret? Why did Jonathan want to kill her outright when they discovered the extent of her ley line abilities (other than the fact that he's a jerk)?

Lots of questions. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Lauren, you'll find out more history/answered questions about the (view spoiler)[elves (hide spoiler)] as the books go along. And you will (view spoiler)[meet another (hide spoiler)]!

I wish I'd had your forethought on the Rachel and Trent spoiler and the Nick spoiler. I didn't really expect either of those things! :) (ETA: Not saying either/or are true... just saying, apparently my brain wasn't trying to figure it out early or think of possibilities, just went along for the ride haha)

[Stacie]

Heather wrote: " Marla wrote: "
I wish I had read this when everyone else was commenting...

Chpt 6-17 (halfway): I liked Rachel cooking up charms. I've really warmed up to Jenk..."


Jenks is amazing. He's continued to be one of my favorites. Marla, I was less than impressed with books 1 and 2 and then when it got to 3 I was blown away by how much they improved.

[Stacie]

Steven wrote: "The Good, the Bad, and the Undead

This one seemed a lot like the first to me. It was good, but not OMG GREAT! Know what I mean?

I like that we find out a tiny bit more about Trent'..."

Yes! I know exactly what you mean. And what is it about Trent that is so alluring? Is it the bad boy thing? Book boyfriend wise it's between him and Kisten (who is somethings Kristin in my head). I'm surprised I haven't had demon nightmares yet.

[Lauren]

Steven wrote: "Lauren, you'll find out more history/answered questions about the (view spoiler) as the books go along. And you will (view spoiler)!"

Looking forward to finding out more :0)