Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter—and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment—at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.
It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.
From Goodreads.
- Publisher: HarperCollins | Eos
- Release Date: February 23rd, 2010
- My Copy: Kindle Edition | Bought.
- Pages: 487
- Series: The Hollows | Rachel Morgan Series
- Genre: Urban Fantasy
- Author's Website
- Buy This Book:
 | Black Magic Sanction (Hollows) |
*contains spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books in the series
I waited a long time before finally reading this 8th installment in this awesome series and one of the main reasons for that, is that I am still having a hard time dealing with the death of one of my favorite characters ever, so much so that I still tear up at the mere mention of his name. I have yet to decide if killing him off was a touch of genius of Kim Harrison’s or if it was the worst thing she could have done, only time will tell.
Against all odds, I actually really enjoyed Black Magic Sanction. The action was literally none stop , so much so that I felt I was reading more than one book and not in a bad way. Rachel is more kick-ass then ever and at the same time she is more vulnerable than ever. Not only people are still trying to kill her, the Coven {Witches’ Group that controls and regulates all witches} has shunned and are actively trying to erase her off the map.
A lot happens in Black Magic Sanction, even though that for the overall arc of the series there isn’t much evolvement, I am still reeling from another incredible sad loss and I am trying to cope with the fact that Kim Harrison keeps killing people that I love off, even though it is understandable considering the extremely dangerous world Rachel lives in.
I got to see all my favorites in this book… Trent, Jenks, Ivy, Pierce, Al, Ceri and even some people that I didn’t care to see again LOL. I really enjoyed seeing how much most characters have evolved and how some relationships that seemed doomed, have come to be very interesting and important for the series.
All in all, Black Magic Sanction is a great read, but it does feel like a transitional book and I have very high hopes for Pale Demon. I do have to say though, that I hope Ivy is Rachel’s HEA, even though it is looking less and less likely; It’s one of the only ways I can accept Kisten’s passing… Here is hoping!
Next in The Hollows Series:
Coming Out February 22nd, 2011!
Stay Tuned for my Early Review Coming VERY Soon!
Previously in The Hollows Series:
Check Out My Series Review HERE or click on the image above!
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I absolutely know how you feel about moving on in the series after the death of that particular character...I was in shock for about a week over it. I still have yet to read this one, but I cant wait till I get to it. Thanks for doing this review!
it was my pleasure! I hope you enjoy this one! =D
Just the mention of Kisten's name makes me sad! I loved him so much and was very distressed with that turn of events and that's why I stopped reading. I always did like Rachel though, she's a great heroine:)
Pale Demon promises to be good I hear! How can a road trip with a vamp, a pixie and Trent (left his origin out incase some people still haven't read the books yet) be bad? I mean technically it will be bad for Rachel, but reading it is going to be fun! As soon as I finish Last Sacrifice that's the next one I'm tackling!
Great review though! And I'm with you in missing Kisten. Although still not sure where I stand with Ivy and Rachel being together in the end. Kind of in the middle ground on that one.
What a great review, I haven't read this series yet but from your reviews of this whole series I moved it to the top to buy .
@Jenny
Me too!! Its so hard to deal with his death! but Hopefully Kim will, if not make it better, make the books and Rachel's character good enough that we'll be able to love the series again =D
@BLH
Thanks! I do hope you enjoy it! =D
@Jessica
Pale Demon change a LOT for me, including my stance on Ivy and Rachel LOL
Cant wait to see what you think!
I love this series... But bad me, I haven't read the 7th book yet. I think I should probably reread the other books before I read this (since it has been quite a while since I last read them- too many books to read, too little time)... ;)
* sweat? Eew.
I meant 'swear'.
Really glad you liked it! I can't wait for 'Pale Demon' now.
"even though that for the overall arc of the series there isn’t much evolvement,"
- I had a problem with that. It felt like nobody (least of all Rachel!) progressed in this book. And I sweat the Ivy/Rachel thing has so much TENSION it drives me mad! I want them together already!!
@Avery
I know what you mean, but there is the catch 22, I dont have time to do a re-read LOL
=D
@Danielle
hehe so true! I think you'll like Pale Demon... its def a game changer!
Im not so sure Im an Ivy/Rachel shipper anymore... I feel like if something was to happen it would have already happened...
I just read the 1st paragraph b/c I have only read the first. one. I liked it but didn't love it. But the premise of this book sounds really good. Maybe I'll have to continue with the series.
@Midnyte
I had a hard time with the first book too! Dont give up! it gets awesome! =D
Hello again!
Great review - I keep thinking this is my fav series.:))
*my comment might be spoilery*
I'm sad about Kisten too...*sniff*
Even Kim Harrison felt that way, but she talked about the reasons behind his death on her FAQ page: "And if you felt unsatisfied and bitter . . . My gosh, you felt just like the characters did. I did my job, even if it left you unsatisfied. Hard? Yeah. True to life? Yup. But the series isn't over yet, and because I like happy stuff, there will be a Hollywood happy ending."
Anyways, I'll keep reading.:D
Oh, and since we clearly have the same feelings about Kisten and Nick, what about Trent?*drools* Or Pierce?
xo
@Deea
I saw that too! i understand that, but im still sad lol
oooh i love Trent, even more so after Pale Demon!!!
Im not a huge fan of Pierce, but he's alright LOL
=D
@Larissa
OMG, really? *dies* Oh, I wanna read Pale Damon NOW! *stomps foot* LOL
You see, I love Trent (like for me, not for Rachel LOL). And I've never been a big fan of Pierce, but after rereading Black Magic Sanction he started growing on me.:P
xo
It's been so long since I read the last book in this series I'm sure I've forgotten some major plot points. Black Magic Sanction is in my TBR, if Pale Demon's coming out soon I really need to catch up!!!
Ms. Harrison totally rocks my sock off with her books. I just started buying her adult series and so far so good. Also looking forward to Pale Demon. I saw that cover and was wowed. Totally wicked!!
@Deea
LOL oooohcant wait to see what you think of them in Pale Demon =P
xx
@Patti
I hate when that happens =/ hope you can catch up in time =D
@Savannah
I havent read her YA, but love her adult ones =D
hmmm I dont love the cover for Pale Demon, but its a great book!
I have read Kim Harrison's young adult books too. I loved them!:D (of course)
The series is addressed to younger readers, so it seems to be 'lighter' on the plot and not so hearth-breaking. But it's really, really fun! :D
xo
Wow, that is a lot of books..ok not a lot, but still. Enough for me to wait and see how many they will be before I start
@Blodeuedd
hehe I know what you mean!! =D
@Deea
really??? hmmm I gotta check them out! =D
Kisten. *sniff* What a blow to us all. :/
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, much better than White Witch, Black Curse, which I was totally not interested in. I thoroughly look fwd to Pale Demon!