Fantasy
![Kim Harrison - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_kim_harrison.jpg)
Trouble with the Cursed (Hollows)
Rachel Morgan must keep her friends close-and her enemies closer-in the next Hollows novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison.
Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, has one unspoken rule: take chances, but pay for them yourself. With it, she has turned enemies into allies, found her place with her demon kin, and stepped up as the subrosa of Cincinnati-responsible for keeping the paranormal community at peace and in line.
Life is . . . good? Even better, her best friend, Ivy Tamwood, is returning home. Nothing's simple, though, and Ivy's not coming alone. The vampires' ruling council insists she escort one of the long undead, hell-bent on proving that Rachel killed Cincy's master vampire to take over the city. Which, of course, Rachel totally did not do. She only transformed her a little.
With Rachel's friends distracted by their own lives and problems, she reaches out to a new ally for help-the demon Hodin. But this trickster has his own agenda. In the end, the only way for Rachel to save herself and the city may be to forge a new understanding with her estranged demon teacher, Al. There's just one problem: Al would sell his own soul to be rid of her. . . .
Rachel Morgan, witch-born demon, has one unspoken rule: take chances, but pay for them yourself. With it, she has turned enemies into allies, found her place with her demon kin, and stepped up as the subrosa of Cincinnati-responsible for keeping the paranormal community at peace and in line.
Life is . . . good? Even better, her best friend, Ivy Tamwood, is returning home. Nothing's simple, though, and Ivy's not coming alone. The vampires' ruling council insists she escort one of the long undead, hell-bent on proving that Rachel killed Cincy's master vampire to take over the city. Which, of course, Rachel totally did not do. She only transformed her a little.
With Rachel's friends distracted by their own lives and problems, she reaches out to a new ally for help-the demon Hodin. But this trickster has his own agenda. In the end, the only way for Rachel to save herself and the city may be to forge a new understanding with her estranged demon teacher, Al. There's just one problem: Al would sell his own soul to be rid of her. . . .
Editorial Reviews
"'The Hollows' continues its solid supernatural storytelling, and fans will celebrate the return of its sarcastic witch-born demon."-Library Journal
"Rachel Morgan's adventures are far from over, with a new set of complications expanding her circle of influence and magical skills. . . . Fans will be pleased to see plenty of life left here."-Publishers Weekly
"Kim Harrison's creativity and great world-building stand out in this novel...If you enjoy urban fantasies, then I recommend that you check out this series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next."-Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Praise for Kim Harrison and the Hollows series
"I wouldn't miss a Kim Harrison book for anything."-Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
"Blends the best qualities of Anita Blake and Stephanie Plum. . . . Kim Harrison carries it off with style."-Jim Butcher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files series
"The world of the Hollows is fast-moving, funny, harrowing, scary, and-the greatest compliment to a fantasy-absolutely real."-Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series
"Movie pitch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Tank Girl. . . . Personal growth, series-altering revelations, and a lot of humor make it inviting."-Entertainment Weekly
"Rachel Morgan's adventures are far from over, with a new set of complications expanding her circle of influence and magical skills. . . . Fans will be pleased to see plenty of life left here."-Publishers Weekly
"Kim Harrison's creativity and great world-building stand out in this novel...If you enjoy urban fantasies, then I recommend that you check out this series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next."-Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Praise for Kim Harrison and the Hollows series
"I wouldn't miss a Kim Harrison book for anything."-Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series
"Blends the best qualities of Anita Blake and Stephanie Plum. . . . Kim Harrison carries it off with style."-Jim Butcher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files series
"The world of the Hollows is fast-moving, funny, harrowing, scary, and-the greatest compliment to a fantasy-absolutely real."-Diana Gabaldon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series
"Movie pitch: Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Tank Girl. . . . Personal growth, series-altering revelations, and a lot of humor make it inviting."-Entertainment Weekly
Readers Top Reviews
Kindle WalshMetals
As usual, a fast paced, compelling story with a soft-hearted, extremely skilled, but still learning, female witch-born demon and her friends. The ethical and practical conundrums she has to solve add depth, and the sexy elf adds a deep spark. Well worth the read!
Nicole Busillo
I really loved this book. Ivy is back for this book and it was great to see her, Rachel, and Menos back together. The memory of Kisten was there, which made me a little sad. There were several things that shocked me and a few that made me cry. Amazing book. Can't wait for the next one.
Mondana
This is my favorite book so far in the series. This book picks up the threads introduced in the previous book, with all of the threats to Rachel’s new status as subrosa at the forefront. Which I loved seeing the resolutions to. Rachel as subrosa is something I’ve been so excited to see more of, considering everything that has lead her to the role. Rachel Morgan has come a long way, and its about time we get to see her finally transitioning from always being three steps behind to someone capable and confident. I loved this and I’m so excited to see what’s next.
Sara Martin
Personal bonds are strengthened all around with Rachel and her amazing team, and I love how her relationship with Trent quietly continues to grow with age and experience. It was wonderful to see the group together yet moving in new directions. Packed with action, this is another book that I had to read nonstop cover to cover, all the while with a single thought sitting at the back of my mind. hoping.. waiting.. wishing.. until the very last sentence made my wish come true. One of the top 3 books in the series from an amazing writer.
Kindle
I enjoyed this book so much. It's Kim Harrison at her finest. I couldn't figure out the ending was which I usually do. There was suspense, fighting, laughter and in the end a well earned curse. I couldn't put it down. I just loved this book so much. Hoping for another well written Hollows Book.
Short Excerpt Teaser
CHAPTER
1
It wasn't even ten yet, and the cicadas were already screaming in the hot, muggy air. Uncomfortable, I fidgeted, my sandals scraping the time-warped porch boards as I impatiently waited for Pike to pick the lock of the dilapidated Victorian he'd tagged as an unregistered blood house. It was stifling under the overhang and scraggly street trees. My camisole and shorts seemed woefully inappropriate to be kicking vampire ass in, but Pike had promised it was a five-minute thing. In, out, iced coffee and Band-Aids before noon.
Traffic was a distant hum, the bars and restaurants a comfortable two blocks away. It was a perfect location for a blood house where consenting vamps could finish out their evening or, more often, where others could hide from unwanted attention. Working on all levels, blood houses gave the highly charged, highly dangerous vampires a secure place to indulge and find refuge-often at the same time.
The age-old dichotomy didn't make sense until you saw it in action, but vamps, both living and dead, had an unfailing need to protect the distressed even as they endangered those they professed to love. When it went bad, the abuse went bone-deep, fueled by the trust these houses engendered. Why it was up to me, a witch-born demon, to ferret out and "gently" correct the problem was a long story with a short motive. I didn't like bullies.
Tired, I tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. The humidity was breaking through my anti-curl charm and the red mass was frizzing right out of my braid. "I thought you had a key," I muttered, and Pike, crouched at the lock, softly swore.
"Yeah. Me too." Pike's low, intent voice pulled an unexpected pulse of libido from me, and I shifted to put more space between us in the hopes he wouldn't notice. It was the pheromones he was unconsciously kicking out, not a real attraction. It didn't help that Pike wasn't your usual living vampire, his unerring, classic beauty still showing under a disturbing number of scars. There was a hint of gray in his short-cut hair, evidence of his early-thirties maturity. His light shirt and slacks were cut for ease of movement, his languid grace held a definite pull, and when his eyes went black? Da-a-amn.
But it was Pike's confidence that elevated him beyond the usual living vampire, and I was secure enough in my relationship with Trent to admit that he was . . . well . . . mmmm. Most vamps were confident on the outside, but Pike was truly comfortable in his skin. It set him apart, as did his numerous scars, most of which had been gained from his brothers trying to kill him as opposed to bedroom fun. Working under my protection was safer than him being on his own, but that's not why he had agreed to do it.
In contrast, my few scars were recent, almost hidden behind what passed as a tan for me. I missed my old ones-scars, that is-the ones that had real meaning. My almost-dormant vampire bite hidden under the curse-virgin skin tended to drive the undead wild, something that wasn't actually advantageous in my line of work.
"I got up early for this," I grumbled, tucking my sunglasses into my bag before gingerly sitting on the edge of the dusty porch chair. The residential street wasn't busy, and my eyes narrowed as I tracked the passing car, frowning as the black Crown Victoria parked at the curb.
Doyle.
Pike glanced up, his incredible senses attuned to my sudden unease. Doyle worked for Inderland Security, an I.S. detective now if I remembered right. That the living vampire was watching us break into an unregistered, and therefore illegal, blood house didn't bode well.
"So . . . did you ask me to help this morning because Doyle is following you?" I said.
Frowning, Pike returned to picking the lock. "He's not following me. He's watching the house. Same as I am." Pike's weight shifted as he tried a new angle. "He's probably waiting for us to do the hard part, then swing in and take credit for it. The I.S. wants this place shut down as much as we do."
True. I stood, hands on my hips as I stared provocatively at Doyle. Vampires were weird contrasts. The undead ones did ugly things thinking it was love, the living ones endured ugly things thinking it was l...
1
It wasn't even ten yet, and the cicadas were already screaming in the hot, muggy air. Uncomfortable, I fidgeted, my sandals scraping the time-warped porch boards as I impatiently waited for Pike to pick the lock of the dilapidated Victorian he'd tagged as an unregistered blood house. It was stifling under the overhang and scraggly street trees. My camisole and shorts seemed woefully inappropriate to be kicking vampire ass in, but Pike had promised it was a five-minute thing. In, out, iced coffee and Band-Aids before noon.
Traffic was a distant hum, the bars and restaurants a comfortable two blocks away. It was a perfect location for a blood house where consenting vamps could finish out their evening or, more often, where others could hide from unwanted attention. Working on all levels, blood houses gave the highly charged, highly dangerous vampires a secure place to indulge and find refuge-often at the same time.
The age-old dichotomy didn't make sense until you saw it in action, but vamps, both living and dead, had an unfailing need to protect the distressed even as they endangered those they professed to love. When it went bad, the abuse went bone-deep, fueled by the trust these houses engendered. Why it was up to me, a witch-born demon, to ferret out and "gently" correct the problem was a long story with a short motive. I didn't like bullies.
Tired, I tucked a strand of hair behind an ear. The humidity was breaking through my anti-curl charm and the red mass was frizzing right out of my braid. "I thought you had a key," I muttered, and Pike, crouched at the lock, softly swore.
"Yeah. Me too." Pike's low, intent voice pulled an unexpected pulse of libido from me, and I shifted to put more space between us in the hopes he wouldn't notice. It was the pheromones he was unconsciously kicking out, not a real attraction. It didn't help that Pike wasn't your usual living vampire, his unerring, classic beauty still showing under a disturbing number of scars. There was a hint of gray in his short-cut hair, evidence of his early-thirties maturity. His light shirt and slacks were cut for ease of movement, his languid grace held a definite pull, and when his eyes went black? Da-a-amn.
But it was Pike's confidence that elevated him beyond the usual living vampire, and I was secure enough in my relationship with Trent to admit that he was . . . well . . . mmmm. Most vamps were confident on the outside, but Pike was truly comfortable in his skin. It set him apart, as did his numerous scars, most of which had been gained from his brothers trying to kill him as opposed to bedroom fun. Working under my protection was safer than him being on his own, but that's not why he had agreed to do it.
In contrast, my few scars were recent, almost hidden behind what passed as a tan for me. I missed my old ones-scars, that is-the ones that had real meaning. My almost-dormant vampire bite hidden under the curse-virgin skin tended to drive the undead wild, something that wasn't actually advantageous in my line of work.
"I got up early for this," I grumbled, tucking my sunglasses into my bag before gingerly sitting on the edge of the dusty porch chair. The residential street wasn't busy, and my eyes narrowed as I tracked the passing car, frowning as the black Crown Victoria parked at the curb.
Doyle.
Pike glanced up, his incredible senses attuned to my sudden unease. Doyle worked for Inderland Security, an I.S. detective now if I remembered right. That the living vampire was watching us break into an unregistered, and therefore illegal, blood house didn't bode well.
"So . . . did you ask me to help this morning because Doyle is following you?" I said.
Frowning, Pike returned to picking the lock. "He's not following me. He's watching the house. Same as I am." Pike's weight shifted as he tried a new angle. "He's probably waiting for us to do the hard part, then swing in and take credit for it. The I.S. wants this place shut down as much as we do."
True. I stood, hands on my hips as I stared provocatively at Doyle. Vampires were weird contrasts. The undead ones did ugly things thinking it was love, the living ones endured ugly things thinking it was l...
