Friday, March 8, 2013

Review: Ever After by Kim Harrison

Ever After
by Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows #11
Publisher: HarperCollins/Voyager
Publication date: January 22, 2013
Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy
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The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse. While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die. But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan...
After reading two heartbreaking, tear evoking contemporary novels I was eager to step into the Ever After for a bit of fun, adventure and chaos. As the eleventh book in the Hollows series, Rachel Morgan, Ivy, Jenks, Trent and Al all kind of feel like family and I was excited to see what kind of mess Rachel would find herself in this time. The day-walking demon took me by surprise and this is perhaps one of my favorite books in the series to date.

Rachel is adjusting to being a day-walking demon while awaiting citizenship, her training with Al is going well and things at the church are good. But we all know that cannot last. Quen wants her to work security for Trent, and while the jobs aren’t lining themselves up she is reluctant. Someone is stealing babies and the ley-line she created is sucking up the ever after. If she cannot fix it she will forfeit her life. Rachel is convinced the demon Ku’Sox is behind it and she is ready to do battle. The tale that unfolds was action packed, filled with world building and growth for the characters.

Harrison has created characters that have evoked many emotions from me; love, hatred, anger, frustration, happiness and tears. In this eleventh book we get all of those emotions and more. Rachel’s growth continues and she continues to thinks before she acts. At her core she is good and fair; qualities I have come to admire in her. She still has heartfelt, anger driven moments of wanting to rip people’s throats out but that is Rachel in a nutshell! Trust has never been one of her strong points but finally we are beginning to see her move from depending on herself to realizing others are there for her. Those she loves are in danger and Rachel is a force to be reckoned with. Ivy is absent for most of the novel but we do get an interesting thread about her. Trent is very present in this novel and the interaction between these too is intense and sweet. We see an overall shift in relationship dynamics involving most of the characters and it was exciting and a tad bit scary!  Al and several of our favorite demons are present, and Rachel is fearless and even a little cocky when interacting with them. We see loss, and betrayal like only Harrison can deliver.

Epic world building delighted me in this addition of the Hollows. We finally get answers about the ever after, the elves and the demons. *happy dance* Harrison beautifully captures and describes the ever after and its history. If I ever doubted her intentions with the overall arc or wondered at times if she was flying by the seat of her pants those doubts have been abated. Harrison has been to the ever after and I am confident she knows exactly how this ends! The dilemmas and timelines kept me on edge the entire time I was reading. If I had not forced myself to savior the novel it would have been easy to lose myself from the first pages and not resurfacing till the bitter end. I am anxious to see where Harrison takes us next, and if there is hope for a certain couple. I have secret wishes about the world and cannot wait to return again.

Ever After is a must read for fans of the Hollows. If you haven’t tried this series I highly recommend it as it's one of the best urban fantasy series out there. Harrison will keep you entertained and like me you may never want to leave the Hollows. The next book is still untitled and we will have to wait until 2014 to return. *collapses*

Five cups of Rachel’s coffee out of five (with some of her homemade cookies)
Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba The Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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36 Comments:

At July 17, 2013 at 9:12 PM , Anonymous NovaReylin said...

I've only read one of her books! I keep meaning to pick more up and sooner or later I will. Great review, I'm glad you enjoyed this!!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:07 PM , Anonymous Barbara Walker said...

I'm sad you didn't work in a reference to fairies farting. SMH Between your amazing review and love of the series and Kristin's, I *want* to start this now, but 11 books in? 11! Unless I break a hip and am on bedrest, I don't see where I'm going to find that kind of time. Evil people loving books I don't read. >:)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 10:34 PM , Anonymous Jenea Whittington said...

This is a series that I haven't read any of. :( I'm glad you enjoyed this so much. Awesome review.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:08 PM , Anonymous Nyx @ Unraveling Words said...

I really liked this one as well. Trenttt! xD

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Aww, I know exactly what you mean though

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM , Anonymous A Voracious Reader said...

I'm trying! However, I have so many to review that the ones I've bought for ME are on my shelf. Staring at me. Reproachfully. *averts eyes*

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

*swoons*

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:48 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

one a month...and you will get caught up!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous Sharon - Obsession with Books said...

I have only read the first 2 books in this series and I quite liked them, I might just have to pick them back up after seeing you rate book 11 with 5 stars, it's good to see the series is still going strong :) I love a good UF.

A fab review Kimba!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

the characters get their hooks in you!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous Jennifer Bielman said...

AHHH So excited. I have the book but haven't gotten to it yet. I know what you mean about the characters. They make you feel so many emotions because they are all perfectly flawed. So excited for more Trent.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

and to think I started out loathing Trent..LOL

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous Liviania said...

I liked this one, but I hate that a certain big event happened offscreen. I kept hoping that meant SPOILERS weren't really SPOILERED.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

i guess we will have to wait and see how it all works out!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous A Voracious Reader said...

I'm 3 books behind in this series. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:55 PM , Anonymous Lauren said...

I'm so behind in this series! Every time I see another amazing review of Ever After, I get super excited (and anxious, I'm like REALLY behind—I need to catch up)! Glad to hear the world-building is excellent and that you got some long-awaited answers. One day I'll catch up, and I'm sure I'll be excited to get them too. Fabulous review!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

oh Lauren, make a commitment to read one a month till you are caught up!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

ok...since you promised!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Candace's Book Blog said...

I didn't read your review since I'm two (well, three now) behind in the this series. I was very happy to see your rating though! This is probably my all time favorite UF series. The reason I'm so far behind is because I don't want the series to end. EVER. I just want to save them up so I don't have to freak out about it being all over.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

hurry and catch up woman...we have much to discuss and I know ..i do that with the last book in series.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

thank you and I am kinda jelly you are still just entering the hollows!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Christy (Love of Books) said...

Must... resist.. reading... review. I'm not even going to read the blurb before reading the book. I read it many months ago, but totally forgot what it said. But 5 stars? Hell yeah! Seems like I remember you giving the last one 4.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

yeah, this is the highest rating I've given this series..i think?!?

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Sarika @ The Readdicts said...

Oh, I haven't read this series but after your praise worthy and lovely review I guess it's high time I started it! So glad you enjoyed this one. I feel the same sometimes... When you read sad contemporaries back to back, a fun novel is a MUST! Great review, Kimba! :)

Sarika @ The Readdicts

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

Agreed, and I guess the best way to tackle a series like this is to read one a month or every other month. I think it's well worth it

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Blodeuedd said...

I still have not started this series, but a long series scares me. so much to read

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kimbacaffeinate said...

I know I want to start a few like Brotherhood and Chicago Vamps..but i am so far behind!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Heidi said...

I adore this series and I cannot believe I have not read this one yet. I want Trent and Rachel to hook up already! I really need to go spend some time with my friends, I need a laugh as well. I just two dark books. Ashen Winter was tough!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous GRgenius said...

Now see once upon a time we had a HUGE fan of this author at our local store. She's moved away now but her love of her work continues. Gotta admit, the cover is eye catching...all that power!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Andrea @The Bookish Babe said...

I had to skim this, b/c I'm tragically behind in this series. I'm so excited you have it 5 cups. I must make time soon. So happy you loved Ever After!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Jenny Zemanek said...

*sigh* This series Kimba. I have ALL THE FEELS ABOUT KISTEN! I was just never able to get past that, and now I'm about 7 or 8 books behind. I do want to get caught up, but my lingering feelings for Kisten stop me every time. One of these days I'm going to suck it up, put on my big girl panties, and get back in there:)

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I've only finished book 2 and I already like Trent, although he didn't give me a single reason to so far. I think he's an excellent character, very intriguing, always balancing between good and evil.,
I'm enjoying this series a lot. It's great to know it's still good.

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous kindlemom1 said...

This really is a great series and one I am sadly way behind on! I need to play catch up here really soon with all of my series.

Have a great weekend Kim!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous brandileigh2003 said...

Rachel's character growth sounds great in this one. So much fun to watch characters we love grow so much!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Kristin Clifton said...

Here here!!! *clicks fingers vigorously in a circle* Serve with homemade ginger snaps!!!! Woot woot!! LOVE your review and highly concur!

 
At July 17, 2013 at 11:56 PM , Anonymous Sam @ Realm of Fiction said...

This series sounds exactly like my sort of thing... though I haven't actually started yet! I'm glad to hear it's still going strong, though, 11 books in. Great review, Kimba!

 

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