If you've read the first 5 books in the series, you know what to expect. If you haven't, don't start here.This volume picks up right after book 5, For a Few Demons More, which includes some shockers that I really don't want to mention here for anyone who hasn't read that one and it makes talking about ODW difficult without spoiling FFDM.ODW is similarly dense in twists, turns, and revelations. The official Hollows mailing list banned all discussion of it until six weeks after publication, an unprecedented move for the list. They opened the list for readers of advanced copies to everyone and moved any discussion of plot--or even reactions to the book as a whole--to there.So, with that caveat, I'll do my best to do this spoiler-free. I will mention things from the first chapter, which has been available in the paperback of FFDM and on Harrison's web site for several months, and anything from books 1-4 is fair game. I'll try to avoid major spoilers for book 5.ODW picks up where FFDM left off. Our protagonists are Rachel Morgan, witch and "runner" (PI-cum-"fixer") and her partners/roommates, Ivy (a vampire in love with Rachel and dealing with shakeups in the criminal underworld she's connected to and could choose to run if she pressed it) and Jenks (a roguish pixy who plays mediator and brings common sense to the team) and their assorted allies, friends, and regulars: the werewolf who has Rachel serve as on-paper Alpha Female of his pack, the elves-in-hiding Trent Kalamack (ally and enemy by turns), Ceri, and Quen, the mysterious witch across the street, and a by-the-book FIB (not a typo--FIB is not FBI) agent. Plus the three demons who have been harassing Rachel for books on end, now seemingly no longer restricted by the contracts that bound them and fighting desperately for their own lives, using Rachel as a bargaining chip.Oh, and her mom. Her mom's a major character in this one.And right there we see the major point of ODW. The series has always had a huge focus on family, both chosen and born. Rachel forms a family with her business partner and with a small werewolf pack, and recovers her ties to her blood family while driving herself to live up to her father's legacy. Ivy deals with the psychological damage the criminal and corrupt vampire community (run, like the agency that polices vampires, by her extended family) has done. Jenks fights from day one to protect his family against the day he dies, which is coming far too soon. And the elves are trying to rescue their whole species, which is so much in danger of dying that they've faked their own genocide to maintain their culture.So Rachel winds up having to work with her mother and reveal some of the dangers she faces in her daily life. In exchange, her mother reveals... well... quite a few things. Her mother is mostly doing well in this book; she has few of the lapses into confusion and dementia that have plagued her since her husband died and Rachel works to understand what her mother needs in her life, as well as leaning what her mother can do to help them both.Harrison is at her best when she focuses on the relationships between the characters(*) and how Rachel and Ivy are learning to connect with other people; this book has a lot of navel-gazing, but it's interesting navel-gazing and never gets in the way of the story. This is a book of revelations: secrets about Rachel's mother (and father) that go as deep as the ones revealed in books 1 and 2, secrets about the elves (although revelations about them are a staple of 5 of the 6 books), and even secrets about the demons. Harrison is revealing some of the history, convolutions, and even magical theory behind the Hollows. She's at her best when writing complex, interconnected storylines and pulling back the covers inch-by-teasing-inch(*).As the title suggests, the major action revolves around the demons. The "outlaw demon" is Big Al (her not-so-affectionate nickname for the demon who vexes her life the most), who was imprisoned in the last book for breaking laws and endangering all the demons' livelihood. Someone is summoning him out of the demons' custody and setting him free to do what he wants, which is to kill or kidnap Rachel. Rachel has to navigate demon politics (and legal system!), keep Al off her back, find the person summoning him and find out why s/he's doing it, and try to keep the deadly and enigmatic demon Newt from getting involved. And if she can learn something about why she is one of two witches in the world who can perform demonic magic along the way, all the better.On top of this, of course, Trent has "urgent" (and risky) business he'll cajole, threaten, or trick Rachel into doing for him. As usual.And, of course, deal with her family as her mom gets more involved than Rachel ever wanted.The book has the usual good action scenes--Harrison is at her best with the action(*)--with the chases, skulking, bluffing, magical attacks, and shoot-outs we've come to expect Rachel to get herself into. Every one makes sense and none get too long or convoluted. Harrison's writing on this has improved steadily across the series.We have the expected evolution of Rachel and Ivy's ongoing and messy relationship. It isn't as mesmerizing or intense as in the last two books and doesn't have the pyrotechnic writing of books one and five, but it works great and leads to a truly beautiful and heart-wrenching moment. As we saw in FFDM, Ivy is maturing emotionally at an amazing rate and we get a touching insight into her life, especially after the events in FFDM that turned her emotional life upside-down.So, net net. Is it a good book? Yes. Is it the best book in the series? Hard to say. It has the most information and advances the world story the furthest, but it's not the most "detectivey," "noir," or funny (although I wanted to read funny lines to my girlfriend all throughout, as usual; she forbade me to since they all had spoilers). If you're doing to read book 7, you have to read this one, of course, and you will enjoy doing so. It just may well have some of your favorite moments.* And I should clear one thing up. Kim Harrison is at her best when she's writing. At least, she is as a writer; I don't know about her personal life. The writing in this series started good, with moments of pyrotechnic genius, and it's just getting better as the characters and world settle in.
In a nutshell, this was one of the best I have read so far. Why...Rachael -- more matureIvy -- more saneJenks -- still keeping it realCeri -- big suprisesAl -- big suprisesKristen -- still deadRachael's Mom -- big suprisesTrent -- whoa is me. I love him but he doesn't give me much to work with.In this installment, Rachael has to face some rough truths. My heart went out to her as she struggled with so many variables. I didn't get frustrated with her decision-making process as in previous books because she actually took a minute to think. That was new and I embraced her as a woman who learned from her mistakes.Al is back and on a rampage. No one is safe from his constant attempts at vengence against Rachael. She has to deal with him and she does. Trent discovers there is dna in the Ever After that can help him restore fertility to the Elves. He hires Rachael to go with him as his protector. The journey doesn't take up many pages overall but what we learn changes things forever. Ms. Harrison put Rachael and her friends through some paces but I loved where it all ended. Although Rachael didn't hookup with Trent, I'm still hopeful but realize it would be a major plot development that won't happen overnight. There are plenty of demons in this book and we get to see more of the world they inhabit. Although Al is a sick puppy, I like the character and am glad he was such a big part of this story. A new character, Blis, has moved into Rachael's church. He is a gargoyle and we don't learn much about him in this book. I expect that will change going forward. Rachael has a new 'love' interest whose name I already forgot. He is boring but I am hopeful that shiny new penny is more than it appears. The biggest plot development for me was seeing the drama level go down a notch with Ivy. I actully understand her better and am hoping she continues to find a balance for herself and her friendship with Rachael. I am sure Ms. Harrison will make me eat those words at some point but I wanted to at least get it down in writing for the record. I am going to continue with the series as I am now addicted. I have 3 to go before I am caught up. Book 7 is not loved by the series fans so I expect to read that one slower. I have basically gobbled the others down.
Do You like book The Outlaw Demon Wails (2008)?
I'm not actually sure where to begin this review. There were a lot of revelations in this book that will have far-reaching effects on the books that follow it. It was definitely a turning point in the series. If you're looking for Rachel to find a new love interest, sorry, it doesn't happen in this book. I'm not entirely sure I *like* the way the book ended- but it's got me intrigued enough to continue on. I can't help wondering, though, if Harrison is starting to write herself into a corner. The changes in Rachel Morgan are significant due to her revelations, and those of us who want our heroines to remain "good" are starting to squirm in our seats a little. Now-- I feel it is very important to note this-- Morgan is NOT doing a complete 180 in moral values here, but she is changing. A good dynamic character changes based on experiences, etc. I'm just not sure I like HOW she's changing...
—Kat
Warning: This review contains major spoilers for this book and For A Few Demons MoreAccording to Kim Harrison, this was originally going to be the conclusion of the series and in some respects that really shows. Save for one or two things, the ending of the book could have been the sort of satisfying conclusion of the series. Kist's killer still hasn't been found, but considering that she didn't realize until she was writing book 7 that he needed to die in book 5 she did a remarkable job of wor
—Schnaucl
Sixth book in the Rachel Morgan series. Or possibly The Hollows series. Further adventures of our plucky witch as she faces down yet more demon trouble, resolves things a bit with her roommate, rescues an elf, and goes skating.Okay, here's the thing. I like these books. They're fun, and they have a genuinely artless sort of appeal. The series started out really rough clay, if you know what I mean, so it was clear from day one that Harrison has an instinct for what will satisfy emotionally, if not always intellectually. That's still true, and the writing took an exponential curve up through the first four books. But now it seems to have levelled out, and I'm . . . frustrated. I like them, so I want them to be better than they are. Less transparent, for one -- Harrison telegraphs most surprises before she means to, and she has this really annoying way of coming down on the beat stomp thump crash when she should be tap rest tap. At least there is a beat though, which is more than can be said for a lot of urban fantasy marketed to women. And still emotionally satisfying, even if yet again the person Rachel romantically dabbles with is epically less interesting than any other option on the table. The supporting cast is really great in a lot of dimensions, and the plot continues to clatter right along. I just wish Harrison would slow down, let her books mature longer, let herself start to think about things like rhythm and congruity and, you know, subtlety. Because I really think she could, and it's driving me a bit nuts.
—Lightreads
