Spiked with a "frothy fusion of romance, mystery, and fantasy" (Publishers Weekly), this "deliciously fiendish…increasingly riotous series" (Dallas Morning News) sends the supernaturally gifted cocktail waitress to New Orleans, where she has to deal with the legacy of one of her own family and a host of potentially dangerous characters.

Some parts (the relationship parts) of this series keep getting better.  Maybe because Sookie’s moving further away from Bill with each book?  I now feel totally justified in my dislike of him from the start, plus, I like Sookie with a shapeshifter. Unfortunately, the plot here wasn’t that great.  It seemed a little cobbled together, like the author just needed a reason to get Sookie out of town and to New Orleans for a while.  There’s a couple of small bombshells dropped that will impact later books, but overall, the plot didn’t do much to further Sookie’s story (and the reenactment stuff was just plain weird).  Though now that I’m thinking of it, what *is* Sookie’s story arc?  I’m really not sure. I’m not a fan of Bill, but I would like to see Sookie interact more with Eric and Pam again.

Other reviews:

Definately Dead (True Blood) by Charlaine Harris : Book Review
Review of “Definitely Dead” by Charlaine Harris « Rhapsody in Books
Review: Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris « I’m Booking It
Charlaine Harris – Definitely Dead « Fyrefly’s Book Blog
Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris « Scooper Speaks

Page count: 352 | Word count: 100,899

2009: For a Few Demons More (Kim Harrison)
2008: Exit Music (Ian Rankin)
2007: Dark Angels (Karleen Koen)
2006: Survivor in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: We’ll Meet Again (Mary Higgins Clark)

Used in these Challenges: Sookie Reading Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010; 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; E-book Reading Challenge; Pages Read Challenge Season 2;

Kick-ass bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan has crossed forbidden lines, taken demonic hits, and still stands. But the death of her lover struck her harder than she ever thought possible. She won’t rest until his murder is solved . . . and avenged.

But a new predator is moving to the apex of the Inderlander food chain—and now Rachel’s past is coming back to haunt her.

Literally.

Oh, Rachel Morgan series, how I love thee.  Let me count the ways:

1. You are full of rich, conflicted, and complicated characters.  Your good guys are just a little bad, and your bad guys are just a little good, which makes everyone a lovely shade of grey.  A reader can find themselves wondering if a demon or ruthless business man are really all *that* bad.
2. You are full of rich, conflicted, and complicated relationships.  In real life, there are layers to relationships, and Harrison knows how to show it in her novels. Rachel and Ivy are more than partners.  They’re best friends, and feel a deep loyalty to each other, often without thinking of the consequences to themselves (or thinking of them, and deciding they don’t matter).  Jenks has grown into much more than the spunky pixie side-kick.  He is a father figure packed into four inches of determination and love. Even Rachel’s relationship with the demon Al has many levels, from resentment to respect.
3. You take place in an incredibly different yet familiar world. Harrison has managed to build an alternate universe of sorts, one which might have been the same as our real world if not for some diseased tomatoes.
4. You seamlessly move the major series arc ahead while giving us an interesting immediate concern.
5. You don’t dilly dally with namby pamby background at the beginning of the story — you jump right in to the action! One thing that Harrison is especially gifted at is working the background information into the course of the story without it being overly intrusive.
6. You build upon current supernatural mythologies without changing too much and without adding cheesy elements. In Harrison’s books, the supernatural often feel more natural than the human.
7. You never ignore the past.  Events that happened in the first books in the series still have an impact in the last books.

This series is really one of the best paranormal series out there.  If you’re not reading it, YOU SHOULD BE.

Other reviews:

SciFiGuy.ca: Review – “White Witch, Black Curse” by Kim Harrison
Darque Reviews: Review – White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison
White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison : Book Review
Alpha Heroes: White Witch, Black Curse – Kim Harrison – Review
Beyond Books » Blog Archive » White Witch, Black Curse

Audiobook length: 18 hrs 33 min | Approximate word count: 144,000

2009: Breath of Scandal (Sandra Brown)
2008: Seduction in Death (J.D. Robb)
2007: Exile (Richard North Patterson)
2006: The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog (Elizabeth Peters)
2005: H is for Homicide (Sue Grafton)

Used in these Challenges: Four Month Challenge; 2010 100+ Reading Challenge; Audiobook Challenge;

When you dance with demons, you lay your soul on the line . . .

In the Hollows, where the natural and the supernatural co-exist—not always peacefully—desperate times often call for unorthodox measures. But bounty hunter-witch Rachel Morgan did the absolutely unthinkable to save the lives of her friends: she willingly trafficked in forbidden demon magic. And now her sins have come home to haunt her.

As Rachel hunts for the truth behind a terrifying murder, the discovery of a shocking family secret is about to throw her entire life into question. And the long-lost ancient knowledge she seeks resides in the demonic ever-after.

But there are some lines that should never be crossed—like the one Rachel Morgan’s stepping over . . . again!

This is one of the best series in paranormal fiction. It’s not full of camp or clichés or focused on a forbidden love; it’s just a young witch growing up and finding her way in the world despite some formidable obstacles. There’s depth and complexity here. Rachel doesn’t always make the best decisions, but she often makes them for what she feels are the right reasons. She cares deeply about her family and friends, often to her own detriment. In this book, I finally got a real sense of why she dislikes Trent Kalamack so much — before he seemed more of a nuisance, but here you really saw how cold and one-track-minded he could be. Her family secret was interesting and unexpected, and made a lot of sense.  I think that’s a situation that is going to work out really well in the long run.  Rachel’s maturing, and I love being along for the ride.

Other reviews:

Darque Reviews: The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
A Gaggle of Book Reviews | The Outlaw Demon Wails
Review: The Outlaw Demon Wails «
The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison

Page count: 544 | Approximate word count: 136,000

2007: Idyll Banter (Chris Bohjalian)

Used in these Challenges: Countdown Challenge 2010;

Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only practicing professional wizard, should be happy that business is pretty good for a change. But he also knows that whenever things are going good, the only way left for them to go is bad. Way bad.

Recent examples: A duel with the lethal champion of the Red Court, who must kill Harry to end the war between vampires and wizards…Hit men using Harry for target practice…The missing Shroud of Turin-and the possible involvement of Chicago’s most feared mob boss…A handless and headless corpse the Chicago police need identified…

Not to mention the return of Harry’s ex-girlfriend Susan, who’s still struggling with her semi-vampiric nature-and who seems to have a new man in her life.

Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed. No matter how much you’re charging.

I liked this a bit more than the last Dresden book. The plot felt more solid and easier to follow, though there still wasn’t enough Murphy or Bob.  I really like Murphy and Bob.  I’m not as big a fan of the Knights of the Cross and that whole side to the story.  And I’m hoping this whole vampires vs. wizards war ends soon, because it’s really being dragged out.  I like Harry best when he’s trying to figure out a mystery rather than running for his life.  I’ll continue with the series, but I’m definitely hoping for a sea change.

Other reviews:

bookshelves of doom: Death Masks: The Dresden Files #5 — Jim Butcher
Bitten by Books » Death Masks by Jim Butcher
Books Lists Life: Two Quickie Reviews

Page count: 352 | Word count: 108,216

2007: Sea Swept (Nora Roberts)

Used in these Challenges: Read Your Own Books Challenge; Countdown Challenge 2010

Despite dating one vampire and living with another, Rachel Morgan has always managed to stay just ahead of trouble . . . until now.

A fiendish serial killer stalks the Hollows, and no one living in or around Cincinnati—human, inhuman, or undead—is safe.

An ancient artifact may be the key to stopping the murderer—a mysterious relic that is now in the hands of Rachel Morgan, fearless independent bounty hunter and reckless witch. But revealing it could ignite a battle to the death among the vast and varied local supernatural races.

Rachel’s been lucky so far. But even she can’t hide from catastrophe forever.

Unfortunately, I ruined part of this for myself by reading about the next book on Amazon.  So if you don’t want to know what happens with Rachel and Kisten, don’t do that! Overall, this was a solid entry in a series I love, though I don’t think it was quite as good as the last one. There are a lot of surprises here, the first one coming immediately when Rachel wakes up in the process of being possessed by a demon… and it isn’t Al for once. The characters continue to show growth, but I have to say that I was really disappointed in Trent.  I was just getting used to thinking about him being a basically decent guy under the whole “running a drug cartel” thing when it turns out he’s much, much worse than we thought. When this book ends, there’s a fair amount of stuff that remains to be explained.  There’s been a big change in Rachel’s world, and I can’t wait to see how things shake out.

Page count: 560 | Approximate word count: 181,328

2008: Exit Music (Ian Rankin)
2007: Dark Angels (Karleen Koen)
2006: Survivor in Death (J.D. Robb)
2005: We’ll Meet Again (Mary Higgins Clark)

Used in these Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge 2009; 2009 eBook Challenge; The 999 Challenge;

Private detective/wizard-for-hire Harry Dresden is suckered into tangling in the affairs of Faerie, where the fate of the entire world-and his soul-are at stake.

It was a disappointing week in books for me, because this is yet another “meh”.  I’ve really enjoyed the prior books in this series, but this one was pretty flat for me.  Harry is even more of a mess than usual, and the faerie politics were just a little too complicated.  There are a few decent spots of action, and the climactic final faerie battle is written well enough that I could picture it in my mind, but overall I was left wanting more.  It may be that there just wasn’t enough of Harry’s supporting cast here… Murphy only plays a small part, and Bob, one of my favorite characters, is only in one scene.  I do plan on finishing this series, so I hope they pick back up!

Page count: 371 | Approximate word count: 111,300

2008: Mirror Image (Sandra Brown)
2007: The Cater Street Hangman (Anne Perry)
2006: A Caress of Twilight (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2005: The Ersatz Elevator (Lemony Snicket)

Used in these Challenges: 100+ Reading Challenge 2009; The 999 Challenge; Read Your Own Books Challenge;

The evil night things that prowl Cincinnati despise witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan. Her new reputation for the dark arts is turning human and undead heads alike with the intent to possess, bed, and kill her—not necessarily in that order.

Now a mortal lover who abandoned Rachel has returned, haunted by his secret past. And there are those who covet what Nick possesses—savage beasts willing to destroy the Hollows and everyone in it if necessary.

Forced to keep a low profile or eternally suffer the wrath of a vengeful demon, Rachel must nevertheless act quickly. For the pack is gathering for the first time in millennia to ravage and rule. And suddenly more than Rachel’s soul is at stake.

I love, love, love this series! It is easily in my top two that I’ve read in the last couple of years.  There’s tons of action, a little bit of romance, and more witches, vamps, weres, and pixies than you can handle. Harrison has created some surprisingly complex characters that grow, change, and adapt in book after book. Especially Rachel, who continues to find out that some people aren’t what they seem, and that it’s hard to live your life in black and white — sometimes those shades of gray are necessary.  Jenks takes a pretty (ahem) big part in this one as he searches for his wayward son, something that could have been really gimmicky but instead worked seamlessly.  There’s so much packed into this book, it’s hard to believe it only takes place over the course of a week.  I have a feeling I’ll be listening to the next book sooner rather than later.

Audiobook length: 17 hrs 5 min | Approximate word count: 170,054

2008: Sick Puppy (Carl Hiaasen)
2007: Judge & Jury (James Patterson)
2006: The Killing Dance (Laurell K. Hamilton)
2005: Rosemary’s Baby (Ira Levin)

Used in these Challenges: The Countdown Challenge; 100+ Reading Challenge 2009; 2009 Audiobook Challenge; The 999 Challenge;

It’s a tough life for witch Rachel Morgan, sexy, independent bounty hunter, prowling the darkest shadows of downtown Cincinnati for criminal creatures of the night.

She can handle the leather-clad vamps and even tangle with a cunning demon or two. But a serial killer who feeds on the experts in the most dangerous kind of black magic is definitely pressing the limits.

Confronting an ancient, implacable evil is more than just child’s play — and this time, Rachel will be lucky to escape with her very soul.

Man oh man, I like this series.  I really hated for this one to end!  I like Rachel, even if she tends to be bull-headed and downright stupid sometimes.  I can relate to some of her indecision and refusal to see what’s right in front of her. The supporting cast of Ivy, Jenks, Nick, and even Trent Kalamack are back in this one, and this is one of the only series I’ve read lately that really has a continuing storyline through the books. There’s a lot of danger and mayhem, and a little more sex in this one than in the last.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Rachel in the next books.  The return of Detective Glenn, perhaps? This may not be high quality literature, but it’s fast and furious and fun, and a lot of the time that’s all I need.

Page count: 453 | Word count: 145,818

2007: Death on the Nile (Agatha Christie)
2006: The Deep (Peter Benchley)
2005: Charleston (John Jakes)

All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party … and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining — and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ‘em back alive, dead … or undead.

Now this, I liked. Fun, suspenseful, dangerous, but not vulgar like a lot of books with vampires in them (not that I have an issue with sex and bad language, but it’s nice to have a break from it). The characters are colorful and interesting. I really look forward to continuing this series!

Page count: 432 | Word count: 135,043

2007 – Between Friends (Debbie Macomber)
2006 – The Rule of Four (Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason)
2005 – D is for Deadbeat (Sue Grafton)

I am Meredith Gentry, princess and heir apparent to the throne in the realm of faerie, onetime private investigator in the mortal world. To be crowned queen, I must first continue the royal bloodline and give birth to an heir of my own. If I fail, my aunt, Queen Andais, will be free to do what she most desires: install her twisted son, Cel, as monarch . . . and kill me.

My royal guards surround me, and my best loved–my Darkness and my Killing Frost–are always beside me, sworn to protect and make love to me. But still the threat grows greater. For despite all my carnal efforts, I remain childless, while the machinations of my sinister, sadistic Queen and her confederates remain tireless. So my bodyguards and I have slipped back into Los Angeles, hoping to outrun the gathering shadows of court intrigue. But even exile isn’t enough to escape the grasp of those with dark designs.

Now King Taranis, powerful and vainglorious ruler of faerie’s Seelie Court, has leveled accusations against my noble guards of a heinous crime–and has gone so far as to ask the mortal authorities to prosecute. If he succeeds, my men face extradition to faerie and the hideous penalties that await them there. But I know that Taranis’s charges are baseless, and I sense that his true target is me. He tried to kill me when I was a child. Now I fear his intentions are far more terrifying.

I’m impressed! I made it more than halfway through the book before there was any sex at all, and there were no freaky faerie orgies at all! I feel like there was actually some plot in this book.  I like that Hamilton has finally crawled out of that dark, sweaty hole she’d dug herself into with both this and the Anita Blake series.  There’s some heavy foreshadowing about Merry’s health, so it’s not a surprise when the truth is revealed, but leave it to Hamilton to put her own special twist on what’s normally seen as a pretty standard part of life.

Page count: 274 | Approximate word count: 102,785