Pale Demon by K. Harrison

Pale DemonI’m conflicted. I was able to snag a copy of Pale Demon, the new Hollows book by Kim Harrison, and it was probably the wrong thing to do. It doesn’t come out until February 22nd and now I have to wait fourteen months for the next novel and I want it now. What can I say, Pale Demon was freaking fabulous.

Condemned to death for black magic and shunned, Rachel Morgan has three days to somehow get to the annual witches convention in San Francisco and clear her name. If she fails, the only way she can escape death is to live in the demonic ever after . . . for ever after.

Banned from the flight lists, Rachel teams up with elven tycoon Trent Kalamack, headed for the West Coast for her own mysterious business. But Rachel isn’t the only passanger along for the ride. Can a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car survive for over 2,300 miles? And that’s not counting the assassin on their tail.

A fearsome demon walks the sunlight, freed after centuries of torment to slay the innocent and devour souls. But his ultimate prey is Rachel Morgan. While the powerful witch with nerves of steel will do whatever it takes to stay alive, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

This is the other bad part, there is so much I want to say, but I know I can’t.  There is just so much fabulousness going on that you have to read it for yourself.  Seriously.  There are two events that occur that I’ve been dying for and they finally happen.  I want to say I mentioned a little of it in my review for Black Magic Sanction, so if you want to find out, you can read that; but the whole novel is like Merry Christmas!.  Everything you want to see happen will happen in Pale Demon.  Well, not everything.  I will tell you this – Nick doesn’t make an appearance and this fact tells me there are more books in the series.

Seriously, I was actually getting concerned that Pale Demon could be the end of the Hollows.  Harrison is tying up some loose ends and it really gave me that feeling for a bit.  However, I’m pretty sure it’s not because there are quite a few things that are left behind that I want to know about.  But let’s talk about what I can say.

Yes, Rachel has to get to San Francisco within three days by car.  Do you really think the Coven wants her in San Francisco for the convention?  If she doesn’t make it, they don’t have to deal with her and back to Alcatraz she can go.  So they are doing their damnest to make sure she doesn’t have an easy trip.  This actually works in her favor since Vivian has to get back to San Francisco as well and guess who else is driving.

Why is Trent going along for the ride?  The reason is something I didn’t see coming and it’s going to have a major impact on his future.  This is one twist I am so curious to see more of.  Especially considering the fact that it’s going to influence Rachel’s future dealings with Trent as well.  That’s all I’m going to say.  Trust me, you’ll be shocked to see the reason behind Trent’s reason for tagging along to the west coast.

It’s not a Hollows book without some hijinks going on and for once, Rachel isn’t at the center of them.  She’s in the middle of them, yes, but she’s not the reason for them and this really works well for the plotline.  The whole reason Trent is going with Rachel is because Quen can’t go with him – and that should say a lot.  I can’t remember if it’s a known fact in BMS, but I think it is – Ceri is due to drop the first elven baby any day and Quen needs to stay with her, but Trent has to go.  So they rope Rachel into being his babysitter and after this road trip, I can now see why Quen is always along for the ride.  Let me tell you this, we see a whole new side to Trent Kalamack, right along with Rachel, and it’s quite amusing.  If it wasn’t for Trent, over half the obstacles they encounter on the road trip would be gone.  No, that’s wrong, all of the obstacles, minus one and Rachel’s travel arrangements, would be gone.  Yes, if you’re a Trent fan, then you’re going to love Pale Demon.  He is a major player this time around and nothing goes on without him having a hand in it.  Even with the Coven.

The one obstacle that doesn’t involve Trent, and actually involves Jenks, is where we find the villain for Pale Demon.  I’m not going to tell you who the villain is or what kind of beef he has with Rachel, because that would be a spoiler.  So deal with it.  *grin*  However, I will tell you this – I am not surprised that he’s there.  That Rachel is facing this particular individual, and I can tell you he’s completely new to the series, it makes sense that he would have a presence.

I really don’t want to say too much more for fear of giving something away, but Pale Demon is going to have readers talking about it for months.  The plot is full of little things that affect Rachel in such ways that everything is going to change for her.  Everyone’s life is going to be different after Pale Demon, and what Rachel ends up going though, and I have no clue what is going to happen next.  Like I said earlier, there are so many loose ends that have been tied up that the Hollows series could go anywhere after this. Yes, there have been some over-arcing storylines that are tied up, but there is definitely a new story arc in the works. The changes are going to make a huge impact on Rachel and I totally cannot wait to see what happens to her, Ivy, Jenks and even Trent.  Especially Trent.  With the way Pale Demon ended, I totally want it now. Seriously…argh!  I want to say something but I can’t because it is totally a spoiler and god have I been waiting for it.  I saw it coming, and now that it’s here, I want to see more now.  I want to see how it will play out.  The next fourteen months are going to be agony, I just know it.

Changes – that is what Pale Demon is about and I cannot wait to see how these changes affect Rachel and her friends.  Even though I finished it just an hour ago, I keep going back to it and re-reading different passages.  Pale Demon is going to stay in my mind for awhile and it’s going to kill me until we can actually talk about it.

Overall, Pale Demon is amazing.  There’s no other way to describe it – it’s simply amazing with the way everything flows together.  There’s never a dull moment and Rachel handles herself perfectly.  She still shows a little of the naiveté we know she has, but it’s not a destructive naiveté anymore.  When Pale Demon hits the shelves on February 22nd, make sure you are at your bookstore of choice and you have the next four hours free because you will not be able to put it down.  Pale Demon will suck you in and not let you go until you are begging for more.  This I will guarantee you.

Read Order:
Dead Witch Walking
The Good, the Bad, and the Undead
Every Which Way But Dead
A Fistful of Charms
For a Few Demons More
The Outlaw Demon Wails
White Witch, Black Curse
Pale Demon

Also reviewed by: Book Goggles

Want to preorder Pale Demon? Here, let me twist your arm: Amazon / Book Depository / Barnes & Noble

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

16 Comments

  1. Well I loved your review without any spoilers, but I wanted some spoilers! I now wish I had your ARC but I don’t want to wait 14 months for the next one, too. I hate the fact that I have to wait two months for Pale Demon!

  2. I loved loved loved this book!! My review is probably going to be long haha but man..

    This is probably the best book I have ever read.. ever.

  3. evil, evil book review blogger!! I have so many ideas zooming around in my head now! She has always said there will be 12 or 13 books in this series. I am going to go cry on a big pile of chocolate now ;)

  4. I’ve been on the fence on whether I want to start this series and I still can’t decide. I picked up the first book for free awhile back but it’s just sitting in my TBR pile. Right now, the second book is being offered for $1.99 so I’ve been debating buying it. Maybe I’ll finally take the plunge.

  5. @JenM- JUMP IN THE FREAKING POOL . It is wonderful in there. Harrison has created an amazing world with characters you will love to hate (Trent).

  6. @JenM – WOW!!

    I can’t believe you are on the fence about it! May I ask what is making you not take that plunge? It’s the best UF series out there IMO, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

  7. Wow, you guys have definitely got me interested in reading this series. I obviously have a lot to catch up on! LOL

    • @Sharon – I’m hoping there’ll be more than 12 or 13 novels – I love this series.

      @JenM & Lisa – MUST. READ. NOW! The whole Hollows series is fantastic. I totally need to re-read the series just so I can see Kisten again. I second Tricia’s question…what’s the holdup?

      @KittNLuv – It took me two requests to get my hands on Pale Demon and that was after a few days wait. So can’t wait for the next Hollows now.

  8. Now you’ve got me going rabid as well with that review Jackie! Damn it…why can’t I have your awesome connections ?? Lol. Although, you’re gonna be hurting for 14 months when the rest of us only have to wait 12. I guess that’s a plus…..

    …who am I kidding ? I want it now. Bad. *drools*

    ;)

  9. This is true Melissa hehe, it really is a double edged sword for us.. as we get to read them early but at the same time its that much more of a wait because we are not guaranteed getting the next early as well.

    It’s a good thing there are a ton of great authors out there to keep myself busy or I would literally go insane with the wait! lol

Comments are closed.