Every Which Way but Dead by Kim Harrison
Narrated by Marguerite Gavin
Series: The Hollows #3
Tantor Audio (Audio)
Publication Date: January 2, 2008
Date Read: September 5, 2016
Source: Purchased – Audible
Length: 16 hours 4 minutes
★★★☆☆
Rachel Morgan is back! Best-selling author Kim Harrison returns with a new supernatural adventure that fans of Laurell K. Hamilton and Charlaine Harris won’t want to miss.
Some days, you just can’t win. Witch and former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan has managed to escape her corrupt company, survive living with a vampire, start her own runner service, and face down a vampire master.
But her vampire roommate, Ivy, is off the wagon; her human boyfriend Nick is out of town indefinitely and doesn’t sound like he’s coming back, while the far-too-seductive vampire Kisten is looking way too tempting; and there’s a turf war erupting in Cincinnati’s underworld.
And there’s a greater evil still. To put the vampire master behind bars and save her family, Rachel made a desperate bargain. Now there’s hell to pay: literally. For if Rachel cannot stop him, the archdemon Algaliarept will pull her into the sorcerous ever-after to forfeit her soul as his slave. Forever.
I liked this audiobook but it was bit of a disappointment after absolutely loving the first two books in the series. This was a re-read for me but I actually didn’t remember anything about it from my initial read years ago. I am actually pretty sure that this is the book that I stopped on when I started the series the first time. It was a good book but it wasn’t anywhere near as entertaining as the first two in the series were for me.
This book started out really strong with Rachel having to deal with Big Al. Things looked pretty bad for her and I had no idea how she was going to outsmart him. She ends up getting a bit of help from his familiar and a werewolf insurance agent. It was a close call for Rachel and while she is trying to recover a secret slips out and Jenks ends up mad…and leaves. I missed Jenks constant presence in this book.
This book really seemed a bit more focused on the character relationships. I can’t say that I really liked all of the developments in this installment. Nick can’t handle being near Rachel so he leaves town. Rachel starts dating Kisten and while they have chemistry it seemed to happen way too fast. Ivy is having her own struggles with Piscary and staying in control. Jenks needs some time away to cool down. This felt like more of a transitional book that may be laying the framework for future books.
I did enjoy the narration in this audiobook. Marguerite Gavin is really the perfect narrator for this series. She is Rachel in my mind but she also performs all of the different voices very well. I never have any trouble understanding who is speaking and her delivery really keeps my focus on the story.
I would recommend this book to others. This is the third book in the series and I really do think that this series needs to be read in order since everything builds from the earlier books. Readers who try to read this as a stand alone will most likely be quite lost. I am looking forward to starting the next audiobook in this series very soon!
About the Author
photo by Myra Klarman Photography Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. After gaining her bachelors in the sciences, she moved to South Carolina, where she remained until recently returning to Michigan because she missed the snow. She’s currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles and a Hollows prequel, and when not at her desk, Kim is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home or in the garden.
Sorry this didn't work as well for you as the first two books, Carole! This series is one of my favorite UF / PNR series, and I really hope you'll continue reading or listening! You may be right about the transitional feel of this one, I can't remember, as it's been a while. I, too, have it on audio for the pleasure of re-visiting Rachel and her merry band of friends in the future.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
I did still like it but it not as much as the first two. There were a lot of changes so that was probably a lot of it. I am looking forward to more of this series!
Oh, boo. Sorry this was a dud. I've always wanted to read her books but she has so many! It's daunting to pick. Lol. Hope you'll continue with the series despite this little hiccup.
I wouldn't say it was a dud. It as good but not the 5 stars I gave the last book. I plan to start the next book in the series soon.
I miss these characters so much. I want to eventually re-read the series. Hope the next one is better for you.
The characters are great, aren't they? I liked this book but I didn't love it like the earlier two. I can't wait to move on to the next book!