Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan, Bk. 8) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This is the eighth book in The Hollows series by Harrison. Last I head she was contracted for twelve books in this series. This book was better than the last book in the series but still a bit scattered, with Rachel making a lot of questionable decisions.
In this book Rachel finds out that the Coven has not only shunned her but is out to incapacitate her for good. Now Rachel has to try and dodge the Coven, while saving her butt she gets increasingly drawn into Black Magic. She has a lot of help; her old flame Nick is back in the picture and the former ghost Pierce is a constant presence. Of course she will have Ivy and Jenks to back her up too. But, the biggest places where she gets help may be the places she least expects it, as her problems become tightly intertwined with two of her biggest enemies, Al (her demon teacher) and Trent (the business-tycoon elf).
This book was better than the last book in the series; I was pretty disappointed in the last book (White Witch, Black Curse). This book is better. Rachel is finally getting herself back together, she doesn't whine as much, she is accepting what she is, and she doesn't make as many really stupid decisions. That being said, she still does quite a few stupid things and she is still a little bit confused about what she wants to do. This is a long book, and if Rachel had had it more together and been more decisive about certain actions it wouldn't have been as long. It also seemed like every single character from the previous books had to at least make a cameo appearance, and I think this was the other thing that drew the book out.
The action scenes were excellent, but the plot was kind of all over the place again. Rachel wasn't really on a mission or trying to solve a mystery in this book. The whole book is dedicated to Rachel trying to escape the Coven. Along the way Rachel does begin to accept that she is not quite a witch and not quite a demon. Mostly to me this felt like another transitional novel; it ties up some loose ends that needed tying (Harrison had too many loose ends to make a coherent story in book 7). I am hoping that Rachel making some decent decisions and some decent life changes will continue in the next book. After White Witch, Black Curse I was seriously considering dropping this series, and while this book is an improvement...it still wasn't a joy to read, things were just too muddled and there is just too much going on.
By far the most interesting characters in this book are Trent, Pierce, and Al. You learn a lot more about all of them and a lot more about what made Rachel's world the way it is. Jenks, Ivy, and Rachel aren't as tired and irritating as in the last book, but they still aren't all that interesting to read about in this book either. I am really hoping book 9 will have a more cohesive plot and show Ivy and Rachel *finally* settling their relationship. Yep, Ivy and Rachel still don't figure anything out in this book and, even though their blood-balance isn't visited as much in this book as it was in book 7, the issue still rears its head more than once.
Overall, the book is okay. It is better than book 7, but the plot is still fragmented and nothing much is addressed outside of Rachel's issues with the Coven. It feels a bit like another transitional novel. Hopefully book 9 will get us back to the wonderful writing I am used to from Harrison. I have to say though this book didn't make me super excited to read the next one in the series.
In this book Rachel finds out that the Coven has not only shunned her but is out to incapacitate her for good. Now Rachel has to try and dodge the Coven, while saving her butt she gets increasingly drawn into Black Magic. She has a lot of help; her old flame Nick is back in the picture and the former ghost Pierce is a constant presence. Of course she will have Ivy and Jenks to back her up too. But, the biggest places where she gets help may be the places she least expects it, as her problems become tightly intertwined with two of her biggest enemies, Al (her demon teacher) and Trent (the business-tycoon elf).
This book was better than the last book in the series; I was pretty disappointed in the last book (White Witch, Black Curse). This book is better. Rachel is finally getting herself back together, she doesn't whine as much, she is accepting what she is, and she doesn't make as many really stupid decisions. That being said, she still does quite a few stupid things and she is still a little bit confused about what she wants to do. This is a long book, and if Rachel had had it more together and been more decisive about certain actions it wouldn't have been as long. It also seemed like every single character from the previous books had to at least make a cameo appearance, and I think this was the other thing that drew the book out.
The action scenes were excellent, but the plot was kind of all over the place again. Rachel wasn't really on a mission or trying to solve a mystery in this book. The whole book is dedicated to Rachel trying to escape the Coven. Along the way Rachel does begin to accept that she is not quite a witch and not quite a demon. Mostly to me this felt like another transitional novel; it ties up some loose ends that needed tying (Harrison had too many loose ends to make a coherent story in book 7). I am hoping that Rachel making some decent decisions and some decent life changes will continue in the next book. After White Witch, Black Curse I was seriously considering dropping this series, and while this book is an improvement...it still wasn't a joy to read, things were just too muddled and there is just too much going on.
By far the most interesting characters in this book are Trent, Pierce, and Al. You learn a lot more about all of them and a lot more about what made Rachel's world the way it is. Jenks, Ivy, and Rachel aren't as tired and irritating as in the last book, but they still aren't all that interesting to read about in this book either. I am really hoping book 9 will have a more cohesive plot and show Ivy and Rachel *finally* settling their relationship. Yep, Ivy and Rachel still don't figure anything out in this book and, even though their blood-balance isn't visited as much in this book as it was in book 7, the issue still rears its head more than once.
Overall, the book is okay. It is better than book 7, but the plot is still fragmented and nothing much is addressed outside of Rachel's issues with the Coven. It feels a bit like another transitional novel. Hopefully book 9 will get us back to the wonderful writing I am used to from Harrison. I have to say though this book didn't make me super excited to read the next one in the series.
I was wondering if the series would start to slow up at this point, I can happily say it keeps on going!
The main idea of this book is that Rachel is in trouble for being a black witch. It deals with her coming more to terms with being demon kin. So for her the whole "black witch" thing is different than if she was a full Witch. I can imagine someone going through the things she is as they discover what they really believe about themselves and their abilities.
The interactions between Rachel and Trent, Rachel and Pierce, Rachel and Jenks, and of course Ivy are all furthered dramatically in this book.
Instead of slowing down the series is actually settling in and getting real feet. As long as Kim Harrison wants to write about Rachel's adventures I'll be reading!
The main idea of this book is that Rachel is in trouble for being a black witch. It deals with her coming more to terms with being demon kin. So for her the whole "black witch" thing is different than if she was a full Witch. I can imagine someone going through the things she is as they discover what they really believe about themselves and their abilities.
The interactions between Rachel and Trent, Rachel and Pierce, Rachel and Jenks, and of course Ivy are all furthered dramatically in this book.
Instead of slowing down the series is actually settling in and getting real feet. As long as Kim Harrison wants to write about Rachel's adventures I'll be reading!
Ashley (ashleyhoffenberg) -
Why can't I choose more than 5 stars? Seriously. This was my favorite book of the series, thus far. Or maybe it just seems like my favorite because of my sincere disappointment in WWBC. The first 100 pages were a friggin whirlwind of action, and it doesn't ever slow down. There were great highs and serious lows in this book, and it made for an all around fantastic journey. I couldn't have asked for better Al scenes, and I am LOVING the relationship between he and Rachel. Al is a sneaky, devious demon though, and I think he is cooling his heels until the right opportunity comes for him to claim Rachel completely. Jenks had some great lines, as always. I must say that I didn't mind too much that Ivy wasn't as present in the book. I like Ivy, and think her relationship with Rachel is important, as is her involvement in Vampiric Charms, but I've been eh lately about her. I do look forward to the budding romance she has going with a certain character though. I was glad to see Rachel try and move past Kisten in this book. His memory still haunts her (and me!) and she deserves to be happy. I really enjoy Rachel/Pierce. Hope it continues to become something significant. I really like Pierce, and I do find him sincere in his use of black magic. I hope I'm right about him! I am also VERY intrigued by the Rachel/Trent interaction at the end of the book. I could go on...
Loved it!!!!
Rachel Morgan has an interesting life but I'm not digging all of the characters Kim is killing off. They just keep dying and after 7 other books, there are a lot that I've grown to love. I skipped a lot of this story because I just didn't want to read how Harrison destroyed them all.
Much better than the last two books. She is taking the typical story line and twisting it into a new direction. Usualy characters can be a bit annoying, but overall a good read.
I think this qualifies as my favorite Hallows book so far. Rachels whining and woe is me attitude was beginning to get on my nerves. I just wanted her to grow up and accept that though she didnt choose to be in her situation, some of her crazy choices put her there. Well she eventually got it together and when she started to accept herself things started popping! I absolutely love Pierce and what he forces Rachel to see about herself. The ups and downs of Ivy, Rachel and Jenks throughout the whole series has made their bond with one another extremely tight and it has never been more apparent than in this book. I think I might have even liked Trent in this one!
A great series! A mix between Laurell K Hamilton and Rachel Marie Moning that makes you want to read them over agin! I still own all of these books and am re-reading them now.
Keeps getting better and better!
Sherri B. (sharalsbooks) reviewed Black Magic Sanction (Rachel Morgan, Bk. 8) on + 259 more book reviews
Alot of interesting plot twists greet Rachel and her friends in this installment of the series. Some good and some quite sad and some extremely unwanted and disappointing. The longer the series goes gives me more curiosity to the direction the author will take Rachel and Trent's relationship. In this book, the reader is given a glimpse of their childhood past and, for me, a little bit more understanding of their history. Jenks remains my favorite character in the series with his Tinkerbell expletives that keep me laughing until my sides hurt.
This was another great book by Harrison. I was glued to the pages when I had the time to read, and when I wasn't I was thinking about what was going to happen next. I still love Jenks for a laugh. His Tinkerbell exclamations will always be priceless. :)
Best book in this series so far! I am totally in love with this series. Kim Harrison is by far, my favorite author. I really loved that this book had non stop action and really kept you into it. I read it within 2 days, it was great! A must read if you are a fan of this series!
Ronnie (wordwitch) -
Kim Harrison only keeps getting better, and this is no exception
