Every Which Way But Dead (The Hollows #3)
There’s no witch in Cincinnati tougher, sexier, or more screwed up than bounty hunter Rachel Morgan, who’s already put her love life and soul in dire jeopardy through her determined efforts to bring criminal night creatures to justice.
Between “runs,” she has her hands full fending off the attentions of her blood-drinking partner, keeping a deadly secret from her backup, and resisting a hot new vamp suitor.
Rachel must also take a stand in the war that’s raging in the city’s underworld, since she helped put away its former vampire kingpin – and made a deal with a powerful demon to do so that could cost her an eternity of pain, torment, and degradation.
And now her dark “master” is coming to collect his due.
~ Goodreads
Review
The world of The Hollows series is spectacular, rich in all kinds of paranormal and fantasy goodies, not to mention the ever-after tangent which I’m sure we’ll explore more in the next books. I’ve talked about it, you know about it, this has kickass worldbuilding.
Now, the MC, Rachel Mariana Morgan ( so Big Al of me, huh? xD ), has a fabulous knack for getting in trouble. I mean, all kinds of trouble. From having to escape the before-mentioned Big Al, to dealing with vamp drama galore, to coping with the token boyfriend, Nick, making a run for it with his tail between his legs (did I sound bitchy? probably because I am, lol), to yet more vampire drama of the fabulous smex variety, to almost being blown into bits, to almost getting stuck in another world… I mean, this chick just keeps on blundering into the most deliciously effed up situations π Gotta love that. And yes, there may have been some spoilerish commenting in there, but come on, it’s out almost 10 years, chances are you’re ahead of me with reading the series anyway π If you’re not, this is just sneak-peek-like enough to get you pumped to want to read this baby. You should, you definitely should.
As I’ve said in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead‘s review, Rachel does tend to do stupid-ish things, spur of the moment kind of reactions, she’s sometimes a bit immature in her reactions and often times bratty in fact, imo, but she’s also a very passionate, independent, caring, and rather loyal woman, and I respect her a lot for it. I love how she braves into all these new situations, and she does manage to end up in trouble, true, but she deals with it, makes it out alive, and moves on. That’s what a strong, independent woman is to me: someone who’s not paralyzed by the fear of taking chances and risking things to do/get what she wants, someone who goes by her feelings, thoughts, wishes – even if they’re a bit kiddish at times, or they might get her in a spot of trouble, someone who deals with the aftermath and just keeps on going, never losing her charm, spirit, independence and most importantly, without becoming emotionally unavailable. Rachel Mariana Morgan is a strong woman, in my opinion, and I admire her, even if at times I might feel tempted to poke her for a choice or two. She’s authentic, feels alive and real, and I love her to bits.
I’m still loving Ivy hardcore, and though the way she hunts Rachel is a bit creepy, she is a vampire, they’re creepy by nature, and I love it, so to me that’s a plus π I also love Kisten, and even if he might not be long-term boyfriend material, what with wanting so bad to be Piscary’s scion and all, he’s definitely hot interlude material π Hell, I don’t dream of a relationship with lemon ice-cream, but I refuse to contemplate not indulging in it every now and then, you know I mean? Just because it won’t stick to your tail and drag tin-cans behind you for the rest of your long, most likely by-large miserable life (you can totally see my outlook on marriage here, right? :)))) ), it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Enjoy it while it lasts, and if it’s a short time, then get over it and move on π
There was too little of Jenks, which made me sad, I love the little monster guy to bits, but a promising David (do you, or do you not totally get the feeling he’s a still-closeted-gay-lone-wolf feeling? just think about that ending there, the pack thing, the ex-partner though he refuses to work with anyone by large…I’m getting a vibe here, lol, don’t you?) shows up, Trent becomes more layered and interesting as a character, an annoying Lee shows up too (and ends up just where I’d want him *mwaahahaha*) – I have a feeling we’ll be seeing more of him and Big Al, I mean Al is such a deliciously evil thing, I refuse to contemplate not getting more of him soon, though Newt ain’t half-bad either (though half nuts, I get the feeling…). I’m loving Ceri too, and I am dying to see how everyone does in the next novel.
The story is a whirlwind of action, quite a bit of drama and romance-ish goings-on, lots of adrenaline pumping and FEELS and it’s just all so damn good!! First person narrative from Rachel’s POV is just so hilarious that I keep snorting, loling, and talking at my computer as I read – you know it’s a good freaking read when you start talking to the computer as you read π
I’d barely finished reading this one, and I jumped into the next (deja-vu much?), and I have a feeling I won’t be able to resist finishing it by the end of the week, lol (it’s Thursday as I’m writing this, in case you’re wondering…the plan was to read one a week, more or less. myeah…I think I’ll have read 3 this week only…maybe 4…I make no promises I’ll stop at 3 :))) ).
Total page-turner delicious reads, every freaking one of these babies.
If you haven’t read the series yet, just drop whatever you’re doing and read it. It’s that good.
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This series really does have a lot of great secondary characters that are easy to like.
Wonderful review!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review: Renegade by Cambria Herbert
I know, right? I love them all, even the ones I hate, lol!
I have to check if <i did have book 1 or not
blodeuedd recently posted…Book Blog Walkers Weekly Check-in July 25 2014
Totally worth getting it, imo π plus, each book has a good size to it too π I like that in a series I love, hehe
Oh i hadnt even heard of this series but you’ve got ,e interested LOL! I mean your saying you’ve got the feels with this book AND it has tons of action? I MEED TO READ IT!
Lily recently posted…Renegade(Mila.20):Review
Haha, Lily, you do totally need to read it π
“even if he might not be long-term boyfriend material.”<—–thank goodness you're aware of this, LOL. I cannot tell you how many people are like, "Kisten + Rachel = true love 4-EVAH," and I'm just like . . . really? Another fantastic review, Livia. And don't you worry, there is PLENTY of Jenks in book 4 π
Haha, come on, Kist is lots of drama waiting to happen, haha! The really obvious kind too, but a delish interlude anyway π
And OMG, I know, Jenks galore happening in #4, I’m like halfway through π Though I’m worried about something he keeps insisting on, like… haha, gotta stop here, will air my worries in the review for #4 π
Oh Trent. How I hated him in the beginning. But then loved him later.
Jennifer Bielman recently posted…Kindle & Nook Freebies #90
I loved him pretty much from the beginning, because villains lover here π Shameless too :3
I agree Rachel is hilarious, and I have a soft spot for Ivy. I am so glad you are enjoying the world of the Hollows!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #118 – Tick Tock
I am sooo bummed that the TV series deal fell through! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to read and catch up with this series esp as I DNF’d book 1. I was hoping to catch it on the small screen instead. So happy you love this though and it seems like the series has great staying power!
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Cocktails with The Page Girls
Oh I really love this series but I’m a little late I confess. I bought the book in French until book 5 because they stopped them (I loved the French cover) and I only read book 6 in English but I have book 7 so I need to get into it now.
Melliane recently posted…Cinder by Marissa Meyer