Review & Giveaway: Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

Thanks to everyone who shared your Valentine's Day with us all yesterday! I'm pleased to see several of you had more VD than me (hmm....that sounds kinda bad, huh?) and others were in the same boat of excitement with me.

Today, though, we have GOOD STUFF. I came slowly to Kim Harrison's Hollows series, and in fact started the first one, Dead Witch Walking, three times before I got to the part (spoiler alert if you haven't read book one, although shame on you) where Rachel turns herself into a minx so she can spy on the devious Trent Kalamack, who catches her, keeps her in a cage, and sends her into the rat-fighting ring. Well, that made me put the book down so I could laugh--and I'm a goner once that happens. I devoured the whole series, which was on number five at the time.

So, next Tuesday we'll see the launch of the ninth book in the series, Pale Demon. Whenever a series gets to this stage, I start kind of dreading the new releases, wondering if and how the author can keep it fresh and interesting.

You won't be disappointed, because this one is fresh and funny and un-put-downable. The title refers to a new demon on the scene, Ku'Sox, and all I'll say about him--because I really don't do spoilers--is that he can walk in the daylight, outside the Ever-After. Of course, he and Rachel have some dealings.

But he's not Rachel's only problem. She needs to leave Cincinnati and head to San Francisco for the meeting of the Coven. She's been told that if she confesses to doing black magic for good purposes and promises to be a good girl, she'll be pardoned and her shunning as a black witch will be lifted. Ah, sounds so simple, doesn't it? And that's before the demons Al and Newt get involved.

But Rachel isn't allowed to get on a plane, so she, Ivy and Jenks hop in her mom's blue Buick and start a cross-country road trip--with Trent Kalamack, who has his own mysterious agenda that requires him to get to the West Coast in a hurry. So here's a question for you: What happens when a sorta-black witch, a pixy, a living vampire, a corporeal ghost/demon familiar, and an elf walk into Margaritaville in Vegas for lunch? And a day-walking demon shows up? And don't even talk about what happened in St. Louis at the arch.

Yep, it's as funny as it sounds. This series is a perfect example of blending humor and drama--because there's plenty of that, too--and even heartbreak. (I won't even mention what happened to You-Know-Who a few books back.) Kim Harrison also treats us to a couple of interesting new twists for Rachel and her gang this time out, which gives me great hope that the Hollows series will be around for a good long time without losing steam.

Want a copy of Pale Demon? I have a hardback to give away to a commenter. You don't even have to tell me that Trent Kalamack is your favorite elf! Just tell me your favorite character from the series. If you haven't read the series and would like to win a copy of the first book, Dead Witch Walking, instead--just let me know--and make sure I have your email. As always +1 entry for comment, +1 for blog follow, +1 for Twitter follow @Suzanne_Johnson, and +1 for Tweet or Retweet. Go to it!