Book Review: Kim Harrison’s Every Which Way But Dead

I received this book for free from my own shelves in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Source: my own shelves

Every Which Way But Dead

by

Kim Harrison

It is part of the The Hollows #3 series and is a paranormal fantasy, urban fantasy in Paperback edition that was published by HarperTorch on June 28, 2005 and has 501 pages.

Explore it on Goodreads or Amazon


Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Dates from Hell, Pale Demon, Unbound, Something Deadly This Way Comes, The Good, the Bad, and the Undead, A Fistful of Charms, For a Few Demons More, The Outlaw Demon Wails, White Witch, Black Curse, Black Magic Sanction, A Perfect Blood, "Pet Shop Boys", "Trouble on Reserve", Into the Woods, Holidays are Hell, Ever After, The Drafter, "Waylaid", The Operator, The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death, "Sudden Backtrack"

Third in The Hollows urban fantasy series set in an alternate Cincinnati revolving around Rachel Morgan, a witch in partnership with a living vampire and a pixie all of whom live in a church.

My Take

I do so enjoy this series. Tons of action from the great to the small, family to deadly enemy, friendship and love. You can’t help but get involved with the characters.

It’s the incident on the riverboat that allows Harrison a lovely opening for getting Saladan, legally, but it all goes belly-up when Lee follows through on his plans. Only. Poor Lee, baby didn’t know what hit him…*snicker*

There is a great love scene a little over halfway through the book which is so beautifully written. And very implicit. Nice work.

The Story

Rachel is desperate for a way to enforce that bargain she made with Algaliarept in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead, 2 — and deal with the fallout from it as well as her partners’ discovery of her bargain.

With Piscary in jail, Ivy is tormented by his entering her head, pushing at her to deal with Rachel, and take up the reins as his visible scion.

There’s a Were following her and, well, after that incident with the fish, Rachel’s not too sure what the Howlers are thinkin’.

Then just for the cherry on top, Jonathan and Quen stop by to insist upon Rachel accompanying Trent as security to a riverboat benefit complete with drug lords — and Trent’s fiancée.

The Characters

Rachel Morgan is a witch who manages to live on the edge without really meaning to. Ivy Tamwood is a living vampire and Piscary’s scion. A role she so totally does not want. A role Piscary is determined she will take on. Erica Randal is Ivy’s younger sister. Rachel figures Erica is why Ivy tolerates Jenks’ chattering kids so very well.

Jenks and his family, pixies, are living in the church this winter. Well, they are until Jenks quits the partnership and moves out.

Dorothy “Skimmer” Claymore is a lawyer and Ivy’s old girlfriend. She’s returned from the West Coast to join Piscary’s camarilla if she can win his appeal.

Trent Kalamack is a billionaire elf who deals in illegal drugs and is out to get Rachel. Jonathan is his chief bootlicker with a nasty side to him. He hates Rachel. Quen Hanson is the head of Trent’s security.

Stanley “Lee” Saladan is an old, old friend of Trent’s having met through camp. With an ego the size of Mt. Everest, he is intent on a takeover.

David Hue is the Were insurance adjuster we met in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead over the Howler fish incident.

Nick is a weasley shit of a boyfriend who, in spite of all the demon-summoning he so blithely undertakes, doesn’t like it when he’s on the other side. Algaliarept is the demon with whom Rachel made the bargain. Ceri is an elf leashed to Big Al. Keasley is Rachel’s neighbor.

The Cover and Title

The cover is so Rachel. It looks like the mini-skirted and cloaked (with a red lining no less!) Rachel in her over-the-knee, high-heeled black boots is in her church graveyard in front of the surrendering angel.

The title is what Rachel could well be, Every Which Way But Dead.

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