Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)
by Kim Harrison
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Book Reviews of Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)
Book Review: Dead Witch Walking is a Dead Bang Winner
Summary: 5 Stars
I had accidentally picked up the second book in the series, having found it used. After the first 20 or so pages I was hooked, but I also realized that Harrison was referencing stuff that had happened in a previous book. After a little search, came across Dead Witch Walking and greedily read as fast as I could.
Right from the beginning Harrison drew me in with a Run involving Lucky Charms. Yup, you read that right. You know, like the cereal? Ha, this was and is great writing with a melding of a great story with contemporary insights thrown in. What does this do? It takes situations that we know of and are aware because of cartoons, stories, fables, poems, you name it. Lucky Charms? Vamps being staked? Pixies? Demons? Werewolves? Witches and Warlocks, Wizards and Sorceresses?
Nothing is off limit with Harrison as she touches on just about everything that is paranormal. And she does it with style, with nothing coming out cheesy or lame (okay, explanation needed: some seems cheesy but Harrison writes it in a way that makes it fun and believable and is an essential part to the storyline and Harrison's style of writing). Now one might wonder if she is merely re-writing what others have written, and I would have to say no. She changes the typical notions behind Vampires, their blood lust, their strengths and their weaknesses. How about what we would normally think of as a Witch and Warlock? Immediately we would assume that one is a man and the other is a woman, but Harrison changes this idea and makes it her own.
Harrison does this over and over again, constantly creating a story that is unique and fun, and definitely believable (if you can suspend your doubt about the paranormal). I am happy that I stumbled upon Harrison and now have a new fantasy author to look forward to. I can't wait to read the next in the series and whole heartedly recommend this book and author to everyone.
5 stars.
Book Review: So many good things to say.......
Summary: 5 Stars
Dead Witch Walking is Kim Harrison's first novel and she certainly comes out of the gate running full speed. At first glance, Harrison's novel is likely to be lumped in with a few other authors' works that run in a similar vein. Like Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, and Laurel K. Hamilton, Harrison creates a world where the "real world" and the supernatural world mix, a world where all the magic we have ever envisioned and all the creatures who go bump in the night that we have ever feared are solid realities. There are many aspects of this novel that will distinguish Harrison, even among such stellar writers, though.One of the bright spots of DWW is Harrison's ability to create characters who fascinate the reader. Sure, lots of writers can create protagonists that the reader will care about but that kind of attention is given to just about _all_ of the characters in this work, even including the ones we aren't supposed to _like_. A novel is really only as memorable as the characters who inhabit it, regardless of how good the story it tells is.
And story is definitely another of DWW's many strong points. Harrison effortlessly passes the first hurdle of being able to make the fantastic seem credible... and then she takes a left hand turn and leaves the track entirely. The story that DWW presents is as well thought-out and as well written as the characters are. Just about the time I thought that I had things "figured out", DWW would go in a different direction. And the best part is that in the end, it all made perfect sense.
Well, that is not exactly true. The BEST part of DWW is that it made me hungry for MORE. I want to know more about Rachel and the world she inhabits and I will anxiously be awaiting more.
So, if you are a lover of mysteries or genre fiction or of good writing in general, don't fail to pick up this novel. I am certain that you won't be disappointed.
Book Review: Magical monsters get a much needed makeover...
Summary: 5 Stars
Dead Witch Walking is the first in Kim Harrison's `Hollows' series that features the witch Rachel Morgan.
Forty years ago a genetically engineered virus ravaged the population of the earth. Living among humans for centuries and immune to the virus, the Inderlanders (supernatural creatures) found themselves at an equal number with the remaining humans and decide to make their presence known.
Now, in the present day, Rachel Morgan is a runner with the I.S. (Inderlander Security) and is about to do the unthinkable; quit her job and go independent. Her decision causes ripples across the Inderlander community and leads to multiple death threats and a trail of clues that could uncover the secrets that the Inderlanders don't want reveled.
Following Rachel out of the I.S. and into an independent runner service (sort of like a bounty hunter/private detective) is Ivy Tamwood a self hating vampire who appears to have hidden motives for helping Rachel, and Jenks a four inch tall pixie who acts as Rachel's back-up and security expert and who just happens to steal the entire book. Jenks is one of the most creative and enjoyable characters created in the past decade and I just can't get enough of him.
And that, dear reader is what makes this book so much fun; Jenks, Ivy, and, Rachel are the living embodiments of the Id (Jenks), the Ego (Rachel), and the Super Ego (Ivy). Separately they are so much less than they are together. Together they make the perfect team. Add Jenks' entire family (50 plus kids) and they are almost invincible.
The first chapter or two are not easy to get through, but once the team is together and trying to keep from getting killed you will be rewarded with a great story that gives a much needed makeover to the mythical creatures we remember from fairy tales.
This is a great beginning to fun series. Enjoy!
Book Review: Absolutely delicious!
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't remember the last time I had this much fun reading a book. Every page drips with action, humor and mix of creatures that are good, bad, some in between and also those walking on both sides of existence; dead and the undead. Kim Harrison has created a magnificent world of witches, vampires, demons, pixies, fairies, leprechauns and all sorts of shape shifters. This is the first book in the Rachel Morgan series and I'm in luck to have them all waiting for me on my shelf.
Most of the time I stick to straight horror, no pixy dust and warlocks for me but I just couldn't help myself and jumped into Harrison's world of mischief, mystery and magic. Rachel Morgan plays a bounty hunter working for Inland Security where magical creatures rule with iron laws. Fed up with her cruel boss she decides to leave only to end up with a death contract on her head, thus the title. With help from friends of mighty talents she decides to plan a way out to set herself free and to help he IS catch biodrug lord in order to have them cancel their call on her head. Little does she know what a tough task it proved and ends up getting chased by more than one bad guy. The story leaves the reader ready for the next book in the series so everything does not wrap up completely.
I adored reading about Rachel's magic and her charms, they were her main way of practicing spells and were used to save her skin a few times. The reader is send on a wild ride as Rachel transforms herself, battles animals and demons, fairies and avoids getting bitten by some charming vamps. This was a blast to read, if only all the books were written this way, the world would probably have riots in front of the bookstores and TV's would cease to exist.
- Kasia S.
Book Review: Decent first book
Summary: 3 Stars
This book was pretty enjoyable, and was a nice first try by Harrison, but it had some problems.Rachel left her job to freelance but she never even has a chance to work on her own! She first has to take care of 'someone' before she can start working, and thats what this entire book is about. I guess we have to wait until book 2 or 3 to see Rachel actually start her job...
And the main baddie in the book is probably one of the dumbest villains i have ever seen. He falls into the movie category of dumb baddie who would rather torture, and give his victim a chance of escape, then kill outright. But i guess if he had half a brain, and killed Rachel quickly, then we wouldnt have a book, now would we?
And if Anita Blake is rated R and Charlaine Harris is PG then this book is PG 13. It is pretty tame with its violence and subject matter and i wish it would be a little more darker and grittier. And that leads to our next problem...
Some parts in the book were pretty childish, like half of Jenks jokes, and some seemed a bit more adult, like Rachel wishing her male friend would 'shift' in his seat so she can check out his package. The book goes from a steamy sexual encounter in one chapter to a childish fight in the next, which looks like it was plucked from a Disney movie. Not consistent at all and it seemed to want to cater to adults and young teens both at once, and failed.
I did enjoy the book in the end and pretty much enjoyed the whole crew of Rachel, Jenks, and especially Ivy (wish she was in it more). And that mink was way too cute!
But thats another thing, the book was too 'cute.'
Maybe its just my taste but i would rather Rachel be a bit tougher and have a stronger stomach, like the book as a whole.