Black Magic Sanction (The Hollows Book 8)

Black magic sanction is book 8 in Kim Harrison's Hollows series. I have to disagree a bit with the book description above, about this being the most complex or emotionally charged adventure. That does not mean it was a disappointment, however. Does the book have it's tear jerker moment? Yes. Get a box of tissues ready. But, we've had a few equally as heart wrenching for Rachel and her friends.

Adventure wise, I would say this one is less action packed than other novels in the series. Mostly, Rachel just wants to escape the covens efforts to sterilize her, or imprison her in Alcatraz. Again.

There are quite a few interesting developments as far as Rachel's interactions with Al, who is a big part of this book. They are in the beginning stages of ACTUALLY trusting one another. Could be interesting...

Rachel's plan to get the coven off her back is equal parts ingenious and humiliating, but that is what she's great at, right?

I don't want to give away too much of this novel, as I feel there are only a few noteworthy points in this novel. It's just one of the slower novels in the series.

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As a writer and a reader both, I generally tend to focus on the character development when things turn into series; there are certain interpersonal dynamics that must change, as all relationships do. People change; so must the characters. That is why the main character is the dynamic character. They evolve, for the better or for worse.

So at this point, I am sick of Rachel.

I am sick of her involving everyone else into her trouble. I am sick of her spitting out some ethics while thinking about sleeping with anything that comes along her path. I am sick of her using Ivy and Jenks, and I really am sick of her making selfish choices and then chalking it up to her moral codes. Let's face it, she has no right to say "I am not a Black Witch"; she's caused enough harm for those around her to be tagged the herald of death for the Hollows.

What disgusted me was Rachel not even THINKING for a moment when Ceridwen told the fact about the pixies. She caused a death, then she has the temerity to YELL at Ceri, demand her to do things, and then force longevity on a grieving husband? Does she EVER truly think about someone other than herself? It's also amazing how she can hop from one man to another like a hopscotch, all the while moaning and whining about how none of her boyfriends manage to stick around. Gee, I wonder why.

Evidently everyone MUST live in Rachel's world and no other kind of priority/moral can be accepted, because Rachel is always right and others are wrong wrong WRONG! Personally, I found it cruel for Rachel to demand what she did to the fairy captain or to Jenks. It was cruel of her to drag Pierce around, or Bis. She really needs to start thinking for someone other than herself.

Ok, so i'm doing this review for books 1 to 12
I absolutely love this series, it has everything, just everything, Kim sucks you in and never let go and you don't want to leave this world she created. I love every secondary character, even though they all have murderous tendencies, every single one of them but deep down they all have good in them and Kim shows that to you.
My favorite characters are Jenks, Al, Kisten and Trent and i do hope that Kim does something with Al,it just about broke my heart that he left me *sobs*. I have not reat book 13 but i am going to start as soon as i get it.
I started this series very late in the game but i do not regret it because i got to read all the books one after the other without stopping, so, if you haven't started, do it now, you won't regret it. Rachel is the heorine you want to read, she makes so many mistakes and you want to slap in the face every character but you fall in love with all of them

I have a lot of favorite quotes, but to quote them will be to reveal a lot, however, i do have one that stayed with me
Kisten put an arm around me, soggy clothes and all. "I told you, Rachel," he said in my ear to start a warm spot in me. "I've got your back. Nothing alive will ever hurt you if i have breathe in me. And nothing dead will hurt you if i don't"....
*starts crying*....Kisten!!! Come back to me

This was the best Rachel Morgan book yet! I felt that White Witch Black Curse was a little slow or maybe it was just that Rachel was down and depressed for a lot of the book. She finally accepts herself for who she is in this book, which is nice. The denial was getting old.

Nick's true nature is finally revealed, which we suspected all along but it was nice to FINALLY have Rachel get it. I love the drama surrounding Trent, I can't help feeling that Trent secretly likes Rachel.

And let's not forget Al. I started to sense Rachel's grudging respect for him in book 7 and it is confirmed here. She treats him like an equal whereas others treat him like the demon that he is. I think that Al likes Rachel too and like Ivy, hopes for her to redeem him somehow. Don't ask me how, it's just a hunch.

I really missed hearing more about Ceri. A spinoff series focusing on Ceri and the elves would be great. I'd love to read about her and Quen and the baby.

I'm so happy that the should we or shouldn't we dilemma between Rachel and Ivy seems to be resolved. I was getting tired of hearing how great the vamp phermones are...

Can't wait for the next Rachel Morgan book! Now that I've read them all I'm going to have to wait for the next one to be released...

Just One Gripe:
I really can't think of one, this was a great book.

The Best Thing About This Book:
Everything!

Spoiler alert== Not trying, but there could be a slip up in this review.
I started reading these books, in order a few weeks ago. I am really enjoying them, but Rachel is getting annoying, as to how her character doesn't seem to grow. She is a demon, and won't admit it. She lets her friends be killed, instead of killing the assassins herself. She's totally fickle about love, thinking she's in love at the end of the last book, then in the beginning of this one, she's totally changed her mind. What the heck, was that about? And what about Nick? He's scum, but Rachel will most likely forget it, if he shows up again (which he most likely will). I do hope the Ivy attraction is settled, but she keeps that hanging on. Really, let's get Rachel straightened out, and get a descent storyline going. Trent needs to be explained. I've read all the books, and it's time to get a true bearing on this character.
I do like the series, and enjoy the non stop action, but the characters need to be more defined. It also, seems that the only characters that actually get killed off in this series, are the ones we like, or basically innocent. The evil ones just keep on ticking. I guess, I can't say that, because Ms Harrison can't decide who's really evil. She has Trent kill off people every now and then, cold bloodily, but keeps putting him on Rachel's side, as some kind of avenging angel.( ex. Jonathan)
I'm on to "Pale Demon", hoping Ms, Harrison figures out what she wants her characters to be, and sticks with it.

Black Magic Sanction was better than book 7, but for me it is still falling short of the success of earlier books in the series. Remembering the earlier books, Rachel was the hunter in search of the bad guys - she wouldn't give up until she put the bad guys behind bars and got paid. It's hard to remember that Rachel anymore because now she is always the one being hunted and must remain on the defense instead of the offense.

I was glad that this book gave more time to the core characters I've liked from the beginning - Al and Trent. I was pleased that there FINALLY was no relationship defining junk between Ivy and Rachel for once (and even more pleased that Ivy has a healthy romantic relationship of her own finally.) I was glad not to have any more of the repetitive vamps-playing-on-Rachel's-scar storyline from any vamp. I liked that there was an acceptable way for Jenks to extend his life that tied into his actions from a previous book. I liked that Ceri was back in action for a while even though it was short lived. I also like that Rachel is chosing a witch for a boyfriend instead of a human or a vamp because at least there is a potential for a future (even though I think the relationship itself is lame.) These were the positives in the book for me.

I was sort of neutral about Nick's presence in this book. He is a character that I love to hate, and of course he did not disappoint in that respect. I didn't mind him being back in the story again, but since he never changes, it isn't exciting having him there either. It's just the same stuff. Repetitive.

On the negative side, I'm not thrilled about Rachel's relationship with Pierce because it seems like a repeat of Marshall. Once again, we find a man who is falling all over himself to save Rachel and prove his feelings to her even after she rejects him over and over again. I guess we know that if someone follows her around like a puppy for long enough, he'll eventually get her to cave. Maybe that is why Pierce didn't give up - he saw first hand as a ghost that Marshall and Kisten both wound up in a relationship with Rachel eventually just from following her around enough. He must have realized that it was just a matter of time for him as well. We know that Al feels that way too.

***************spoiler alert***************

I thought that Matalina's death was very sad. We've been expecting this for a while since she has been ill for a few books. I'm not really clear though why she was unwilling to take the curse that would prolong her life. I don't believe she would make that choice because Pixies would not leave their partner by choice - that was made very clear - so I don't think Matalina would leave Jenks behind if there was a way that she didn't have to.

Also, in reference to Matalina's death, I almost laughed out loud at Rachel's attempts to comfort Jenks. I really can't believe she dared to compare her mourning of Kisten (a man she dated for about 3 months) to Jenks' loss of his his wife (a woman he had been married to for his entire adult life, had dozens of children with, and couldn't live without.) This was a joke. Rachel hasn't had a single relationship that would compare to the emotional connection of Jenks' marriage by any stretch of the imagination. Kisten was one of many men in Rachel's life, she never thought of him in terms of forever. Matalina was the one and only woman in Jenks's life. I think Rachel was treating Jenks like he had lost a pet rather than his wife, and this really bothered me.

Overall, I think I'm just getting tired of this series. I read this book because I had hoped Kim Harrison could bounce back from book 7 being so terrible. It was better. But I am ready to wrap this up now. I'm ready to find out exactly what Rachel's fate is and how she is going to react to it. I'm ready to find out if she is going to end up in a lasting relationship or end up alone. It's time for some real answers, and I don't want to read any more books that drag this out for (seemingly) no other reason than to sell more books. Making a series longer isn't the same as making it better. Long doesn't equal quality. So for that reason, I've decided not to read any more books in this series until the last book is published. I'll buy the last book to see how it wraps up, but thats it for me.

This week I finished the eighth book in the Hollows series and I think Black Magic Sanction might tie with Fistful of Charms as my favorite book in the series. My only only after the audiobook finished playing was WOW.

Black Magic Sanction has it all: drama, action, tragedy, comedy, romance, and a high stakes caper. In Black Magic Sanction Rachel has been shunned and the Council of Witches is after her to put her in jail and will take all the strength and cunning Rachel has to keep herself out of prison and remove the shunning.

I listen to audiobooks mostly at work and I think I freaked my coworkers out because this book had me on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was smiling because something was funny and the next I had to excuse myself to the restroom to dry my eyes because I was crying. I love a good book that can make me cry one moment and have me laughing the next.

I love how in this book there was some more back story on Al and Pirece. I find their chararters intriging but as I have said before I am still holding out for a Trey and Rachel match. I do like how their releationship is maturing into mutal respect and maybe friendship. Being a sucker for a good western I loved the ending of this book.

That is all I am going to say about Black Magic Sanciton except that is a supernova and out of this world installment in an excelent series and I give it five laser pistols. As far as the narration it was stellar as always. I can not stress this enough but read Kim Harrison's Hollows series because you won't be disappointed.

I like when an author can make me feel emotions while reading a book. With all the disgust at the main character I felt Kim Harrison was able to do that and thats why I gave it 2 stars instead of 1 that it earned. What started as a fun unique book series with an interesting main character who was a strong kick butt girl who knew what she wanted has turned into a book that makes me openly root for the bad guys.

Rachel Morgan is worse than a battered wife always going back and trusting the people who try to kill her in every other book. Through out the series every character around Rachel has betrayed her or tried to kill her except Jenks and she ends up screwing him over. How can you like a character when the author writes her to make every bad decision possible just to further the plot. Why make the correct and obvious choice and solve the problem in 3 chapters when I can drag out the story for another 30.

She is supposed to be a powerful Witch who can do all this magic that no other Witch can but always seems to lose every magical encounter. So many authors seem to fall into this plot trap where they make the main character too powerful so they have to balance it out by having them make all the wrong choices or be trapped by some moral code that is only there to stop them.

Would like to say im excited about the next book in the series but i cant.

I found this series last year and have been steadily reading through it ever since. It's so exciting to find a new series that I love so much, especially one with so many books already written! In Black Magic Sanction, Rachel has to deal with being shunned and the Coven trying to destroy her (literally).

There were some things in this book that I would have been as happy without. Such as the little skill/physical talent that Rachel discloses after she makes love to Pierce. I think that little tidbit was supposed to be funny, but just came off as stupid to me.

As always, there is a lot of action in the book and things move along quickly. Bis, the teenage gargoyle, gets a larger role in this story. I really enjoyed that as he is so cute and sweet - and there aren't that many cute and sweet characters in this series!

While not my favorite book in the series, Kim Harrison still has the ability to make me laugh and cry when I read her work. I'm still in love with her characters and hope to read the next book in the series soon.

Eighth in the Hollows or the Rachel Morgan urban fantasy series revolving around the Vampiric Charms Agency consisting of Rachel, Ivy Underwood, and Jenks.

My Take
It's a tricky in and out twisting through this story as Rachel desperately attempts to figure out how to get the coven off her case and lift the shunning.

Rachel can be such an idiot at times...look at how she forgot what she was doing at Big Al's! Although, she does gain some interesting concessions from Al and the coven. I think this is where we begin to discover that Rachel likes Trent...as in like-like. Her relationship with Pierce also undergoes a sea change.

The Story
Big Al has set Rachel up with this latest spell and Pierce takes advantage of it, talking Newt into sending him back to Earth as Rachel's backup. Of course, Newt was doing her own bit of setting Al up. A betrayal that is reflected in the mortal world with the coven of moral and ethical standards as they pursue Rachel with illegal intent. The treatment to which they subject Rachel spurs her on to forcing Big Al to swap summoning names with him for Rachel refuses to take any more chances on the coven's idea of restraint: lobotomies, sterilization, and lifelong imprisonment. Of course there's the "freedom" of becoming a brood mare for the coven...

It all prompts Rachel to come up with a bizarre plan to get both Trent and the coven off her back. All it takes is trusting Nick, stealing an artifact, and giving it back very publicly while ensuring the media hears all about it.

Quite the hunting experience.

The Characters
Rachel Morgan has been getting in so much trouble with the coven and the accusations of her dealing with demons. Ivy is a living vampire and plays a role in the background this time while Jenks is a pixy and is somewhere in between in this story. Although the whole pixy family does have some major action. Matalina is Jenks' wife. Rex is Jenks' cat who only recently decided to accept Rachel. Bis, the teenage gargoyle who lives with them, discovers some new powers.

Gordian Nathaniel Pierce is the coven ghost buried alive who has been following Rachel for some time. Al found him a body, Tom Bansen's to be accurate and now he's Big Al's familiar. Algaliarept, "Big Al", is a demon who has been after Rachel since the beginning. Treble is Al's gargoyle ordered to teach Bis. Newt is the crazy, nutcase demon who rules over all the others and would love to get her own hands on Rachel. Krathion is a crazed demon soul whom Newt slipped to Al. Nick Sparagamos is a lying thief who uses everyone around him; he really digs himself a hole in this one. Sidereal is the leader of the attacking fairies.

Trent Kalamack is an elf, a drug lord, a billionaire, and now he's running for mayor in Cincinnati. He's also constantly trying to force Rachel to work for him exclusively; it certainly doesn't help that Rachel owns Trent as a familiar. Their adversarial relationship has been in place since they were children. Mr. T is his horse with an interesting secret. Ceri is a 1000s-of-years-old elf whom Rachel rescued from imprisonment as a familiar for Big Al and now she helps Rachel with the curses she needs. Quen is in charge of Trent's security and is Ceri's lover, the father of her child. Jonathan also works for Trent and he hates Rachel. Stanley Saladan is another of Trent's dad's successes in reversing the Rosewood syndrome; Trent, Rachel, and Lee were at the same children's camp. He managed to escape Big Al's service and actually comes in useful here.

Detective Glenn is having it off with Ivy; he's also Captain Edden`s son (both are with the FIB). David is the alpha of the pack to which Rachel belongs and makes his appearance primarily through references by other characters. Rynn Cormel also plays offstage and very sub rosa refusing to help Rachel and holding Ivy back. Those belonging to the so-self-righteous coven of moral and ethical standards include Vivian with her white curses that are destroying people; Brooke; Oliver; Amanda; and, Wyatt.

Federal Inderland Bureau (FIB) is the human policing agency. Inderland Security (I.S.) is the supernatural policing group.

The Cover
The black, white, and royal blue of the cover really pops the red of the title. It showcases a Rachel wearing a low-cut, cropped black tank top with hip hugger jeans with a studded bicep brace and chainlink belt as she holds an extremely sharp blade. Rachel is in a watching stance next to an angry, red-eyed Bis perched atop the church steeple, a full moon shining behind them.

The title refers to Rachel's trouble with the coven and the order of shunning, a Black Magic Sanction.

Narration: 5 stars
Story: 3.5

Kim Harrison brings back the characters we love in book eight of The Hollows series, plus the ghost that made an appearance in book seven. (Though I do miss David, Rachel's werewolf friend.) As always I love the writing and get caught up in the story with such ease. I'll be adding this book to a short list of books that made me cry real tears. I'd say I'm up to about seven or eight books now, which will give you an idea of how rare it is for an author's writing to have such a profound influence on me.

Marguerite Gavin, the narrator of Black Magic Sanction, did a fantastic job with the voices. Her accents, inflections, emotions, and voices were spot on. This series is a complicated story with a wide and wild variety of characters; Marguerite manages to give each and every one of them their own voice, no matter how small their role is in the book. Every audiobook I listen to that she has narrated impresses me. Beautiful job.

Okay, okay. "You love Kim's writing, the characters, and the story, and the narration was fan-freaking-tastic. Now what the hell is up with the three star rating?" you ask. First, I don't give five star ratings out lightly, so the fact this series has stolen several from me is saying something. Second, I'd say this book was more of a 3.5 than a three. Kim doesn't skimp on plot, which is one of the reasons I love this series so much, but in this book Rachel started to do something that made me want to strangle her. She started to whine and bitch more than her usual self.

So, the reason for the 3.5 stars? Pierce, the ghost who became a real boy and Al's familiar in book seven, is in love with Rachel. He's haunted her for over a year, and all he wants to do is keep her safe. Instead of Rachel accepting his help and being civil to him, she's constantly yelling at him and telling him to go away. Pierce treats her with more respect than she deserves considering her attitude, while Rachel treats him as if he's fairy crap smeared on the bottom of her boots. Of course part of this is because he made a deal with Al to get a body, but another is because of her heartache over Kisten. Regardless, Rachel's approach to Pierce made me lose respect for her as a character. I personally think Rachel went OOC in this book with her over-the-top hypocrisy with Pierce's dealings in black magic.

At this point in the series, Rachel shouldn't be so damned blind. A person performing or being involved in black magic doesn't automatically make them evil or immoral. I mean isn't that the whole point of the plot in this book? Rachel's shunned for dealing in black magic, even though she's only performed it for selfless reasons. Even though Rachel's covered in smut from black magic and demon magic, she still has a hard time grasping the concept that black magic doesn't equal immoral. Am I the only one who got tired of her going all Bitch Monster when it came to Pierce for that? I personally think Kisten should come back from the grave, but it's obvious that isn't going to happen. If Rachel's going to move on and date someone it should be someone who understands her. Pierce, I believe, is perfect for her in that respect. He's been shunned, he's dealt with black magic to kill demons, and he's currently Al's familiar. He's practically the manly version of Rachel.

Now I'm just ranting. Moving on . . .

Jenks's tragedy in this book is what had me balling my eyes (and more than once). My heart broke right along with Rachel's and Jenks's. The only thing I didn't understand about the attack on their church was the fact no one from the coven showed up afterward. I found that lacking, which is odd because I normally think Kim does a fantastic job pulling her story and plot together without any holes.

Time to wrap this puppy up. Another wonderful story (besides the Rachel hypocrisy) by Kim Harrison accompanied with the delightful voice of Marguerite Gavin. I would recommend this series to all my paranormal junkie friends.

Rachel Morgan has been shunned and labeled a demon summoner by The Coven of Moral Standards and Ethics. Rachel doesn't even know how to jump ley lines and stuck relying on others such as Big Al, Pierce, and Bis to do this. When Rachel is summoned while driving Ivy and Jenks home all the way to California. Rachel knows she's in big trouble yet no one believes that she doesn't practice black magic and is a good witch. When Rachel realizes that it was Nick, who summoned her, before The Coven Witches she's furious with him and them. The Coven wants to do hidden trial away from everyone denying Rachel's rights as the accused. Trent claims that he can control Rachel in an attempt to stop The Coven. Yet The Coven doesn't believe Trent or his claims doing things their own way. Vivian is a coven member much like Pierce was and sets out to take Rachel down no matter the cost or who gets hurt in the process. Pierce tricks Newt into letting him follow Rachel around as a babysitter because Rachel can't seem to stay out of trouble. Big Al is furious with these turn of events yet powerless to stop it either. Can Rachel prove she's a good witch? What about Nick and Jax? What does Pierce really want? Is Rachel still Big Al's student? Can Trent really help Rachel? Will Jenks and Ivy stand by Rachel? Will The Coven allow Rachel to live? Your answers await you in Black Magic Sanction.

This book was like one long game of fight-or-flight, mixed in with multiple escape plans when Rachel could not avoid getting caught. Being Rachel Morgan must be quite exhausting. Being eight books in now, I have been able to come up with many reasons why I enjoy reading this series so much. For starters, I love how Kim Harrison plays off of Clint Eastwood films for her book titles. I also love how each race of supernatural beings are so creatively developed to be both unique and intriguing, right down to the intimate biological makeup. I especially love how Rachel operates "by the seat of her pants" so to speak. Her instincts are nearly always spot on, and she's got reflexes that put a cat's to shame. Even though her deceased father inadvertedly put her in this position of power, able to change the course of history on her version of Earth, she still strives to be "normal" and refuses to be anyone's puppet.
This book was all about crossing moral lines for the right reasons and how far Rachel is willing to cross them to protect those she loves and be free herself. The plot was exciting and fast-paced almost from cover to cover, except for a sad note that had me shedding a few tears - even though the series has given the reader fair warning of what would eventually happen - as well as a hot-and-heavy interlude - because it wouldn't be a Rachel Morgan book without it. I love the mental, unvoiced quips that Rachel dreams up to convey her thoughts, which are so much more entertaining than just base cussing. Case in point: "Are frogs coming from the sun in shapeships, too?" How can a person not laugh at that? Jenks' frequent quips about Tinkerbell can be quite hilarious, too. The ending to the book holds quite a bit of promise for the next one, Pale Demon, especially in regards to Rachel's relationship with the elf, Trent. Speaking of relationships, I am rather intrigued by Al's obsession with Rachel, especially after he changed his appearance with his gargoyle Treble. While I admit my interest may be heavy on the icky, one must admit the potential for certain interludes is strong and highly possible, given what Rachel is becoming. Plus, Al makes no secret of his interest in Rachel, trying three times to convince her to move in the ever-after, though I have my suspicions that his interest is more than just physical. The close look that the reader got of the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards shows some interesting possibilities given that Pierce is a past member of it. Oh the havoc that Rachel can cause will keep me interested in this series for as long as Kim Harrison keeps writing it!

I was not wild about White Witch, Black Curse. I was afraid that Harrison was falling into the trap of having a main character who refused to accept what she was (like other unnamed coughHamiltoncough authors). I also found White Witch, Black Curse odd in terms of the timeline Harrison had created. So, I was a bit skeptical when it came to reading Black Magic Sanction. I went into it with fairly low expectations, but those expectations were exceedingly surpassed.

I really enjoyed BMS. I found that Rachel seemed to really mature as a character, whereas I found her whiny in WW, BC. I thought the development of the story was intriguing - dropping just enough information to satisfy, but still leaving questions to be answered. I was, frankly, dreading the Jenks/Matalina/20-yr-life span story line, and I think the way Harrison handled it was brilliant. SPOILER -As a writer myself, I cannot imagine creating such a likeable character and then killing that character off - even if it was something initially planned - and I could clearly envision Harrison struggling with that as that factor of the storyline was wrapped up with both tears and relief.

I second some of the other reviewers in that I wish Trent was in BMS a little more, though I anticipate that will happen in the next book. Given Rachel's new elf-like abilities along with her witch/demon abilities, I think it would be interesting if Rachel and Trent spent a bit more time *close* together. I also would like to see more of Al, who I have always found to be a likeable character - in a "I shouldn't like him" sort of way. He has that attraction that serial killers have - Harrison has done a wonderful job of creating a character who is fascinating and not in the best way.

As for Pierce: I'm still not sure of him, and I'm not wild about his character. On one hand, he certainly contributed to Rachel's growing maturity; on the other hand, something about his character - maybe a lack of depth - disturbs me about him. He doesn't really have a purpose that I can see, yet.

Finally, Ivy: maybe I missed something, but the relationship between Rachel and Ivy seems surprisingly shallow in this novel. I think I miss some of the subtext that seemed to previously be in their relationship. I would also like it if Harrison would shed a little more light on the vampire culture post "Turn."

I think most readers of this series will be pleased with Rachel Morgan's latest adventure.

One thing you can say about Kim Harrison and her main character Rachael Morgan, is the character is in a constant state of emotional downers. I believe there isn't a page in the book that she isn't saying "What am I doing", "What was I Thinking", "Who am I", etc. She is constantly expressing self doubt, that is when she isn't consumed by fear, loathing, lust, and other emotional swings, always to the extreme. She intentionally puts herself in dangerous situations and of course escapes. After all if she didn't you wouldn't have a book. She shares a house with a vampire, who she really fears, had a boyfriend that used her, sleeps with a vampire that she also fears. She wants some kind of relationship with her vampire "friend" that isn't really well defined, but spells danger. She taints her soul by the use of black magic while promising herself that she will never do that again. But, she does.
It gets a little tiresome after awhile. I guess I like my heroes to be a little more heroic at least now and then. Our heroine just goes from one crisis to another, mostly of her making. I little of this kind of story is alright, but a constant bombardment of emotional downers is not all that enjoyable.

Rachel Morgan is a bounty hunter and a witch living in Cincinnati, but she isn't just a `regular' witch. She can do almost no one else can - spindle demon magic. Now everyone is after her and all she wants is a normal life. In this book, Rachel is forced to confront and accept the truth about her life and powers. Rachel discovers that the coven of witches who ordered her shunned is trying to capture her for their own purposes - and that's not all.

I love Kim Harrison's writing and the world she's created. As the book progress, hard truths and ugly lies come to light and we discover that nothing is black and white. I loved how Rachel really seemed to come into her own and grow up more - even if it causes heartache. She realizes who she can trust and who her true friends are - which is something she's going to need in the times ahead. This was a well-written novel, with a great plot which tied up a number of loose ends, but doesn't signal the end of the series (thankfully!!). This is one of my favorite series and I highly recommend this book as a great addition to it!

The Hollows Series: Dead Witch Walking (1), The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (2), Every Which Way but Dead (3), A Fistful of Charms (4), For a Few Demons More (5), The Outlaw Demon Wails (6), White Witch, Black Curse (7), Black Magic Sanction (8), Pale Demon (9), A Perfect Blood (10)

Having defeated various paranormal criminals and resolved the Kisten case, detective Rachel Morgan finds out she has been betrayed to a white magic coven who shun her for using black magic as a witch-born demon whose offspring will be demons. Stunned by the declaration and the sentencing, the coven offers her a choice of solitary incarceration at Alcatraz or sterilization.

Drug kingpin Trent Kalamack the elf offers Rachel a deal that would get the coven to back off of her but the cost is high. Her former boyfriend Nick Sparagmos arrives to make her situation worse as only he can while she wonders what game he is playing this time. Only her demon teacher Al seems to be on her side, but Rachel trusts no one as she realizes the coven that she has paid annual dues to for years can be bought and sold regardless of the buffoon announcements of the coven's Oliver to the contrary.

There is a lot going on in the Hollows as Kim Harrison shows her bewitching skills with a strong entry that follows up fresh and nice after all that occurred in the super The Outlaw Demon Wails and White Witch, Black Curse. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Rachel learns of the shunning sentencing and never slows down as she battles her "allies" who prove corrupt. As she and readers learn more about the coven and its history, fans will regale in the heroine's latest urban fantasy as the escapades keep coming at Rachel.

Harriet Klausner

I liked Black Magic Sanction, just like I liked all of the previous installments in this series. I was entertained throughout, and I love the characters, but some things are starting to get to me. First, Rachel. She doesn't seem to be growing, maturing, or progressing. She makes the same mistakes over and over again and she is still in the same place with her trust issues. I also miss the beginning of the series where each book had a well defined plot and mystery. Now the plot is all over the place. I didn't mind the last book and it's lack of cohesion because I loved the characters so much and enjoyed reading about them, but this time it's bothering me. I found myself skipping sections of dialogue because it felt like the same discussion the characters have had multiple times in the past. Truthfully, there is only a small amount of real progression in this book. The rest is running from baddies, fighting baddies, and talking. Still, I liked it, and I will continue to like the series even if it doesn't improve. The cast of characters is unique, races are well defined, the magical enforcement agencies are interesting, and of course there is the demon Al. I do find myself caring less and less about the Ivy and Rachel relationship and about who Rachel wants to be with. I miss the original books and the investigative aspect. Fans of the series will enjoy this, and I think it has more of a concrete plot than the last book, but it didn't blow me away.

Shunned by the white witches, tutored by a demon, and caught in the eternal war between elf and demon, Rachel Morgan thinks she has it rough. But when a member of the white witch enforcers tries to snatch her at the neighborhood grocery store, Rachel learns that there are a lot of things worse than being shunned. One of those is to be locked in Alcatraz, the prison where witches are held. Another is to become an egg donor to the effort to raise a new race of demons.

The white witches are hostile, the vampires undependable, the demons caught up in their own games and the one elf in Rachel's life willing to offer his protection only if Rachel will become his thrall. Fortunately, however, Rachel does have friends, including her roommate/vampire and the pixies who live in a stump in her back yard. Whether the demon familiar who plays with her hormones is one of those friends or something else remains to be seen.

Compared to the other Kim Harrison books I've read and reviewed BLACK MAGIC SANCTION ups the ante. Rachel continues as an interesting, sympathetic and conflicted character trying to do right even if it means breaking the rules, concerned that her hormones attract her to exactly the wrong men, and anxious over the demon marks she's taken on herself. SANCTION kept me reading, without the saggy middle I've found in some other Harrison books. Harrison kept twisting the plot, adding difficulties to Rachel's life but doing so in ways that were consistent with the character and the world she's created.

It's hard to create a character and a world that is worth a multi-volume series. Kim Harrison has done so and I'll look forward to getting my hands on the next in the Rachel Morgan saga.

Review Via [...]:

Urban Fantasy is a new genre for me, at least in the realm of adult fiction. I like to do a little research before investing my time in a new book series, spending countless hours reading reviews. Once I learned that not only did Kim's books about witchcraft come highly recommended, but their titles were derived from Clint Eastwood movies, I was sold.

Fast forward two weeks, and I've read the entire 8 book (so far!) series. So many urban fantasy and paranormal romance series feature a kick ass heroine who can beat the crap out of an opponent and/or seduce them in ten seconds flat. It gets old rather quickly. Bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan's imperfections make her stand out. She's not a flawless warrior goddess. She makes mistakes. A lot.

Black Magic Sanction starts with a bang, with Rachel escaping once again from the hands of an angry demon. Now working as the demon Algaliarept's student, Rachel (one of the only witches in existence who can kindle demon magic) catches the attention of the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards for being a "black magic" practitioner. Shunned by Inderlander society, and wrongfully imprisoned and sentenced to sterilization, Rachel escapes with the help of her friends, and spends the rest of the book trying to prove her innocence. In typical Rachel fashion, nothing goes according to plan.

What made Black Magic Sanction one of my favorite books of 2010 (and of the series so far) was the character development. Some fans complain that Rachel "never learns" and makes the same mistakes over and over again. I think the mistakes Rachel makes are necessary for her to figure out who she is, and develop her own sense of right and wrong. Rachel leans painful truths about herself and her world, and finally starts to take responsibility for at least some of her actions. By embracing her dark side, she finally accepts herself as she really is. Yes, she can kindle demon magic, but she still refuses to outright kill another living being. Nothing is ever black and white.

As the books "big bad", the Coven could have been scarier and more dangerous. But their indiscriminate use of "deadly" white magic provided an interesting contrast to Rachel's sometimes use of demon magic. Who decides who is truly evil? Shouldn't one's actions, and beliefs be more important than the means in which they carry them out? Aren't people who use "good" magic to cause harm just as bad as demons?

What didn't I like about the book? Pierce. I found the ghost, and his wordy, old world language a bit tiring. I understand the benefits of having another witch around to help Rachel, but kept wishing any other character would take his place in the story. I'm hoping the next book features more of Trent helping Rachel learn about herself instead. I don't think we know nearly enough about their backstory. And don't even get me started on Rachel's thieving, demon summoning ex-boyfriend, Nick. Rachel needs to let Al kill him already, before he causes some permanent damage to her or her loved ones. I'd also like to know more about Bis, and gargoyles in general too.

A few of my favorite things:
Al. His character has turned into one of the most developed of the entire series. His journey from a terrifying demon taking any and every chance to kill Rachel, into a (almost) trusted teacher adds depth to the books, and what could have quickly become a boring plot point. After the truth about her origins are revealed (earlier in the series) Al comes to an understanding with Rachel, and almost seems to respect her. But he does so without losing the ability to genuinely terrify. He may be "on a leash" now, but won't ever let anyone forget his true motivations.

Overall, Black Magic Sanction is one of my favorite books in the Rachel Morgan series. I was on the edge of my seat, wondering how Rachel would keep herself alive. Nowhere is safe, which becomes more apparent than ever after tragedy strikes, leading to one of the saddest, tear inducing moments of the series so far. The stakes are higher now, and Rachel has more to lose than ever.

I can't wait for 2011's Pale Demon to see how Rachel progresses. And I've got my fingers crossed, hoping for a little more Trent and Rachel interaction next time around.

I gave it a 4 because I love the series and how it is written, it is most enjoyable. But, heh, I HATE Rachel! I can't freaking stand the girl - and oh, I've known people like that in real life. Keep away keep away. They obstruct themselves, have cluttered minds, lack any clear thinking, and are frack-ups that CAN NOT learn to be otherwise. You have seen her in maybe 2 years (despite number of books) - but the prequil shows you what she was like as a teen, and so does her flashback at Make a Wish camp. She's frakked up.

SPOILER STARTS HERE (I'll put END SPOILER below and continue):

OK, in the middle of an extremely tense scene, the Leprachaun she met in book 1 offers her a wish, knowing she could use a good wish about now. DUH. Instead of TAKING it and thinking about a good wish, she passes it up after briefly cluttering her head up with "Ivy keeps her soul, Jenks lives forever" other people's needs. OH SMACK HER! That is why I can not STAND people like Rachel. The wish she could have made to fix everything: "I wish I was NOT born with Rosewood Syndrome, just born a normal witch." Done. ALL problems solved. Literally - ALL problems solved, including her psychology. Of course, that would also undo the entire series :) Can't do that!

END SPOILERS

I think readers need to pay a LOT more attention to what is going on and what is actually said - passively read and carefully read. Kim is not boring the readers with a chapter worth of psychology in any book, but readers SHOULD have caught on by now - and I don't see that ANY of them did, including others that hate Rachel, or wonder if all women are that screwed up. You DO get a psych explanation of why Ivy is frakked up. And you sort of DO get one for Rache - but nobody seems to have caught it! Kim didn't give a whole chapter on it.

Rachel was born very sickly. She spent her entire formative years so sick, she could barely walk across the kitchen, let alone the street. Yet she wanted to DO, like so many people born disabled, "I can do it, let me do it" is par for the course. They can NOT accept their limitations. This IS their psychological makeup and there are a LOT of people, real people, just like this. As adults, they might go from job to job, insisting that they can "do it" and repeatedly getting fired because they just can NOT do the job. They refuse to be disabled, even when they are very disabled. This is such a situation that now there are laws against firing disabled people, and companies have to make changes to allow for whatever they need to do the job! This is good, but it can also be pretty bad. And when/if such people (eg, Rachel) do get cured somehow, they end up JUST LIKE HER - physically healed, but mentally still "back there" and frakked up.

Her father is a major hero to her, she wants to be a hero, too. In the prequil, (which I read before reading the series, I also read Ivy's prequil where we meet Art - and I KNEW he killed Kisten! I freaking KNEW it!)... where we meet Pierce, she gets a chance to do the hero thing, and OH BOY, the adrenalin rush is the Big IT. Now, not all disabled people are like that. Others would have said "I can NOT do this, OK, I need to change my plans" and that would be that (and we'd have no Hollows series...). Despite her illness and infirm condition, she ignores brother Robbie's suggestion that she give up this I.S. dream and go with him to college. Note that Robbie is a stable, very ordinary witch and he certainly knows her dangerous tendencies to get herself into fixes. Had Rachel done the sensible thing, she'd have been a college grad or more - an earth witch. But that is not our Rachel....

More on the formative years. After Dad dies, she's stuck with an unstable mother while brother Robbie goes out west. Not good. She is sent to Make a Wish camp, they are given drugs to make them forget things - but nonetheless, these "things/events" are going to SUBconsciously affect their lives, whether they know it or not. We get a glimpse. Right there, young Rachel is arrogant, defiant in the face of her infirmity. She oversteps her boundaries - blasting Trent when he is teasing a girl he likes, Jasmine - who likes him back! And sure, Jasmine gets mad at Rachel. Rachel SHOULD have kept her nose out. There she is, frakking up right there, butting in, concerning herself with things she needs NOT be concerned about - and frakking up. She gets on a horse (that's CRAZY given her condition) - and falls. DUH.

But that right there sets the tone, that IS Rachel. She IS a frack-up - and will always BE a frack-up - and NEVER listen to anyone (including her own seldom voice of reason) that says "you can not do this." She is unable to be aware that her stupidity is painful to herself - AND TO OTHERS. Like, she does NOT want that damned coven to summon the real Al, when they switch names back, and get STOMPED TO DEATH for what they did to her by a real demon? Oh no, not our Rache. (I'm reading, go ahead, he he he, SUMMON the real Al, KILL THEM ALL AL. KILL THEM ALL, TEAR THE SELF RIGHTEOUS PISSANTS TO PIECES YAY! KILL VIVIAN. KILL KILL KILL BROOKE - KILL THEM ALL!!! YAY - Anita Blake WOULD!)... oh no, not Rachel (SMACK HER). She does NOT want Ivy to kill Nick? Oh no, not our Rache. And I want to beat her, smack her, kick her in the head for being THAT STUPID. Her brain is cluttered up with guilt and other STUPID feelings that get in the way of clear logic. It is exasperating! I start yelling at her (while I sit on the beach, reading!!). Heh.

TRENT is logical (so far). Yes, he's a killer, he's ruthless. His entire race is at stake. He makes logical sense!

Nick was always shady and crappy - Rachel JUST finds that out - as do some inattentive readers. It was obvious the first time Nick shied away from the cops! He's a CRIMINAL! Kim didn't "just drop that" into the plot. Nope. It was there. PAY ATTENTION! Read carefully. He knew Al - Rachel saw this - and so did the readers! WELL?

Cormel spelled it out for the readers (I like him!). Rachel is seeing in a very short-sighted way. She is not seeing ahead and she needs to see ahead. What she has done so far is HUGE - it is BEYOND huge. Does she realize it? OH NO, she is just the big hero that saved the Elves and other Rachel non-think. The Elves can rejuvinate their race due to her, the Weres can make more Were's due to her (forget David! that's short sightedness - David is not going to FOREVER have that Focus! - it WILL change hands!). And herself - she is the potential MOTHER of all Demons that can live in reality - NOT in the everafter. That is HUGE. I can see the Coven wanting to sterilize her. But WHY do the rest? Why lobotomize her, or etc? THAT part I don't quite get.

Yet, Rachel being Rachel, she can't think to USE THAT WISH to fix her genes? AGGGH! Rachel IS stupid because of her formative years, because of OBSCURING passions (not clear simple ones) that drive her actions. She does the insane and takes on a Banshee, eg. That goes right back to "I can do it, I can do it" when she can't walk across a room without falling. It's STUPID, and it's a kind of stupidity driven by obscuring emotions - i.e., it's not due to low IQ - it's WORSE.

As for the Ivy Lesbian thing, I'm glad that's over. Rachel is NOT gay, simple as that. She at least realizes the danger she put herself in playing with ANY vampires - and while she just loves being in danger (but has no CONSCIOUS notion that she is putting herself in danger, it's never clear thought for her), she does NOT want to be a shadow. THAT is the end of that.

SO - that is the character. That's Rachel. I think it's odd for a writer to make a main character that is just NOT likeable - or even people hate her. It's hard to make a main character like that in a series that at least I DO like very much.

Anita Blake (I read up to Circus of Damned - am awaiting next book and POS SOB so slow readers that 3 copies are overdue at library...ach FINE FINE FINE them...) at least - when she gets a chance to KILL KILL KILL an adversary - she does it. GOOD. That makes her likeable! VENGEANCE.

As powerful as Rachel Morgan has become over the course of this series, it is easy to forget that she is not the most talented witch out there. But now that she is shunned and the witches' council is after her, it's a truth that cannot be ignored. The council kidnaps Rachel in retaliation for her dealings with demons. Some just want her imprisoned; some want her stripped of her magic; and some want to steal her eggs to make more witches who can kindle demon magic. Fortunately, Rachel still has Al's summoning name and makes it back home to mount her defense.

Rachel's ties to Al are closer than ever. In fact, it looks like our resident demon is developing quite a fondness for her. And while I don't think Rachel considers him a BFF, the tide may be turning on how she thinks about him too. The whole teacher-student thing is giving them something of a bond.

Pierce is back and moving with great swiftness into the boyfriend category. We still get some reminders of Kisten (and they still tug on my heartstrings) but Rachel seems to be ready to move on. Of course, as our hearts begin to mend from his wrenching death, Kim Harrison is standing by, ready to crush us again with another beloved character death. It's not a big surprise, but it packs a big emotional punch.

All of this happens as Rachel struggles to come to terms with what she is. A demon? A witch? It really doesn't matter, as she looks inside herself and starts to judge right and wrongs without the labels and preconceptions she's had all her life. Another great Hollows installment. 5 stars.

Black Magic Sanction is a big improvement over White Witch, Black Curse, but wasn't quite worthy of the 5 stars I wanted to give it.

The major problem for me was that Kim didn't make the coven who's up against Rachel a big enough threat. They're introduced as a small group of white witches who, granted, can cast some pretty strong spells, but they're not much of a scare when pitted against our heroine. Rachel is not only a strong and capable witch herself, but she's also one of only two witches on the planet who can do demon magic, lives with one of the most powerful vampires in the city and 50+ warrior pixies, has an alliance with a demon, and her current love interest is an extraordinarily talented witch who used to be a member of the squad that's after her. So a handful of white witches doesn't really have me all that worried for Rache. When you give your character that much power and resources, you need to up the ante for who they go up against.

This is all magnified by the fact that we know they're not going to succeed in doing what they want to Rachel, which, **minor spoiler** is lobotomize and sterilize her; firstly because her potential to breed a new generation of demons is her #1 source of revelance in the overall plot of the series, and secondly because who really thinks the author is going to turn the main character into a drooling vegetable?

The next issue I had was a novella-length scene about halfway through in which we are really supposed to feel the tension and threat when our characters **minor spoiler** go poking around Trent's compound looking for something, acting as if they're sneaking into Taliban headquarters and run the risk of decapitation. I don't know about you, but Trent, no matter how much Kim and Rachel keep trying to make us feel like he is, is just not a worrisome threat. Yeah, he might spell Rachel or threaten her or lock her up, but really, when all is said and done, nobody believe's he's a terrifying monster who would skin Rachey and her buds alive or roast 'em on stakes. He's a rich pretty boy businessman with a jerk streak.

Which brings us to the final criticism...lack of resolution. You're in for a good bit of entertainment in the finale, but ultimately the beefs aren't settled and Rachel's grand gesture just leaves us not knowing where she stands.

NOW, for all the complaining (9/10ths of which just stemmed from unbelievable threats), there is definitely a bright side to this story:

There's a ton of action thrown at you scene after scene and the pacing is nice and quick. You may question how much danger Rachel's really in, but I guarentee you'll never get bored. From arrests to assassination attempts to running through the woods with hounds on their heals to public fiascos, the book doesn't skip a beat.

Secondly, it's a full-cast episode. All of our favorites are on the guest list and we get great interactions between them, complete with all the emotional dynamics we've come to expect from Harrison. It hits highs and lows and everything in-between.

And then there's the fact that the world itself is so well-crafted and full of life that you feel you could just step right into it, which is a trademark of the Hollows series and one of the reasons I keep coming back for more...and will continue to do so. This installment may have showed up with a burnt turkey, but every side dish was delicious. It was a meal worth having.

Another amazing book from one hell of a writer!
Kim Harrison out did herself once again. Black Magic Sanction is the 8th installment in the amazing Hollower series. I've been a fan from book one and was hooked from page one.
Each book just keeps getting better, and after Rachel's hard trials I'm glad to see her getting past her devastation.. Kisten will be deeply missed and I bet I'm not alone in saying that.
Rachel's still not out of the hot water. Rachel wouldn't be Rachel if she wasn't in some sort of trouble. And what a trouble she is in this time..

Rachel finds herself in a showdown with The Coven.
The Coven are technically committed to practicing only white magic.. but that doesn't make them any less dangerous. Because of her relationships to demons, The Coven attempt to lock her away in the witch prison of Alcatraz, guarded by violent guards who feed the inmates food that is drugged.

Black Magic Sanction expands on Rachel's relationship with the demon world. Al is a bigger character in this story (which I was so happy about) and we finally get a bigger glimpse of his world. Al is my favorite!
I honesty love the demon. I know he has his many faults, but Al is someone I can't stop thinking about. In this novel you can see he truly cares for Rach, even if it's not in the typical caring way. We see more of his personality and what it is to be a demon.

This story may have lots of action and suspense but it also have strong emotion. There were times where I laughed out tears and times where I truly cried my eyes out. We finally get to see the outcome of the pixies, of whom make the story what it is and what the past was like between Rachel and Trent.

A funny thing about the series is that Kim Harrison names her Hollows books after Clint Eastwood movies. Which really makes me laugh..not that I'd ever laugh at Clint Eastwood..but the thought is funny..
Another hilarious thing is Rachel, stoned.
Well not "stoned", but drugged. She is a very funny person when she open and free. Ever Al truly enjoyed her while stoned. He he!

If you have yet to read this series, I cannot stress the utter most importance in starting it! :P It truly is an amazing read. You will not be disappointed!

I've been addicted to this series from the start and I think that this was probably the best book so far. As others have said, though, if you haven't read the rest of the series, this book isn't for you. It's for fans of the series.

First thing first.. This book is nonstop action, from the very beginning, until the end. I've read a review or two that said that this book lacked a real plot, but I don't agree. This book is about people's reactions to Rachel's use of black magic and of the knowledge that she's more than a witch. Most of the time, the people trying to kill her seem like complete tools but they cause more than enough trouble in Rachel's life. Not just in their attempts to kill her (and the people that she loves) but by simply shunning her.
Rachel's acceptance of who and what she is also plays a large part in the story.. Though she may not like that she's different, she has come to accept that she'll never be like other witch's to a much larger degree than she had before and she's also begun to realize that black magic, despite what others may think, may not always be bad. In addition she's also started to accept her place in the ever-after as well as the world that she grew up in. Rachel grew a lot in this book.

***Spoiler***

Someone mentioned in another review that not enough time seemed dedicated to the death of Jenks' wife and his mourning for her.. But I think that it was. Given that this book, the entire series really, centers around Rachel's life, I think that it was done very well. Even after the chapter surrounding her death and trying to keep Jenks from dying as a result, it's mentioned many, many times that he's still depressed. Rachel observes changes in his personality, the way that he holds himself and even the color of his wings/dust, which are a result of his wife's death. He is busy and I think that being kept on his toes has a lot to do with him not breaking down again or holing himself off. Everyone deals with death differently and as we should all know by now, the lives of pixies are very different from the lives of others, which has a large effect on how they deal with emotions.

Rachel Morgan's life is not going well: she's been shunned, she's Al's student, and any kids she has will be demons. And after the fragmented storyline of "White Witch, Black Curse," the eighth book of Kim Harrison's Hollows series slips into a very different style -- explosive action, old enemies, a terrible choice, and a tragic loss.

A simple trip to the grocery store goes horribly awry when Rachel is approached and attacked by a strange witch -- who turns out to be a white-magic witch from some sort of moral-police coven. But Rachel doesn't have much time to worry about it: she ends up being summoned using Al's name, and learns that they found out about her connections to the demons.

They also offer her a nasty choice: stay in the witch prison Alcatraz, or be lobotomized and neutered. Trent and Al are trying to nab her powerful, unusual self as well.

While Rachel manages to escape (with the help of Bis and Pierce), she's now being attacked from all sides by the coven. Fairy attacks, demon summonings and full-out pyrokinetic attacks on the church are among the problems she has to deal with. But even if she stops their fanatical leader, Rachel will have to fight back with (almost) everything she's got.

Maybe it's just me, but a lot of urban fantasy hero/ines seem to be able to do morally/legally questionable stuff all over the place, but never suffer any consequences. Fortunately, Kim Harrison doesn't do that. "Black Magic Sanction" is all about the consequences of Rachel's black magic/demon activities -- and more precisely, what the other witches are gonna do about it besides just shunning her.

The narrative is still rather choppy in places (such as Rachel's daylong stint in Alcatraz... boom, it's over!). But Harrison's prose is smooth and muscular -- most of the book is a sort of Ludlumesque thriller, with Rachel and all her friends (and a few enemies) racing around frantically trying to stay alive. And while her quirky sense of humor is still firmly in place (Ivy's secret vice: Nancy Drew books!), Harrison dips into tragedy about halfway through the book -- and she makes you feel every stab of grief.

Rachel continues to be a likable, down-to-earth heroine who basically gets inundated in trouble of all kinds -- she's trying hard to keep herself as free and morally clean as possible, but it's becoming harder all the time. Al is still delectably nasty and funny ("Ooooh! Books!"), Pierce is stalkerishly creepy and somewhat annoying (Rachel can do better than this guy), and more facets of the elusive Trent are revealed. And Bis... is simply adorable. Love the gargoyle!

A whole lot of nasty stuff falls on Rachel Morgan's head in "Black Magic Sanction," and despite some choppy moments Kim Harrison's latest is a solid fantasy-thriller.

Kim Harrison has done it again! Rachel's journey continues in this 8th book of the series and is so far the best one of the series. As Rachel's personal growth continues, so does Kim's writing, and I find I am getting more entrenched in the series and closer to her world as her writing continue's to improve. A must read!

This is my first review written on the store... I really wanted to write about this series because it's my favorite.

This book was very good... my favorite in the series is still Outlaw Demon Wails but this one is definitely up there.

I agree with some of the reviewers that Jenks' morning seemed very short-lived... but I also understand that he wanted to take his mind off of it with a job. He was looking for a reason to live and it was to be needed by others... and rachel needed him.

As for Rachel and Al??? Yes please!
Everyone is like "he's too evil" blah blah blah. Isn't that what this series is about? Finding the good among the bad and forgiving people because there is an understanding of their often horrific circumstances? Demons survive with what they have and need familiars to take their smut because they can't do their magic without, well, being a demon. I agree that they don't need to abuse their familiars, but maybe after everything else bad that happened to them that became a part of the demon culture. And there are NO WOMEN demons. at all. not counting Newt obviously. and after one of Al's comments in this book it seems as if the male demons can't get, well, intimate without killing their partner.

The demons were forced into the Ever After and live under horrific circumstances. Imagine this world without women? terrible. no wonder the Ever After is so messed up. I just can't blame Al for that.

I was all about Rachel and Trent but after the last book I think he's a wuss and a child. talk about a shockingly large ego. I really just don't like him or think he's attractive anymore.

And does everyone forget that Trent abused Rachel as a mink and put her into a rat fighting pit? Sent dogs on her? Killed people point blank? If Al is "evil" then Trent definitely is.

Oh and can Pierce please go away? He really bothers me. He should be able to speak in modern English after hearing it for years. Seriously. Please let him die. again.

I have read over 50 urban fantasy novels and this is my favorite series. If are questioning whether or not to start reading it, don't.

This is another great installment to the Rachel Morgan Hollows series. I loved the book start until well, the finish. I am left with a discomforted (almost empty) deja vu feeling. It feels like DWW except replace Nick with Pierce and well, Trent is still Trent. It is well written, as all Kim Harrison's books are. I laughed, I cried and found myself unable to put the book down. But I think after 8 books, you try not to see where you want the book to go and instead see where the authors leads you. For those of us who would like Rachel happy - this book does not fulfill in that category but it is still a great book.

I really enjoyed BMS. SO much better than WWBC! The action in BMS was fast-paced, there was more Al and Trent, and we got a charmingly described tour through a pixie stump (although the reason for the visit to the stump was a very sad one). Pierce grew on me in this book, though his awful idioms persist (even if people in the 19th century used those phrases I don't think they'd use them ALL the time). But he is scrappy and a little crazy, so he grew on me. It was also fun to be able to hate Nick even more, though something in me is proud of him for always getting away. Other characters constantly put humans down, but somehow Nick always gets the better of them. He's an evil jerk, but still - he always gets away. Speaking of admiring someone you shouldn't, I loved the scenes with Al. I'm not one of those who want to see Rachel and Al together (he is very evil...okay, maybe I do want to see them together a little) but whatever your opinion of him, he is a very compelling character. And I'm so glad Harrison didn't revisit the Ivy/Rachel thing! There were a few paragraphs about it, but not as much as in other books. That storyline was beat to death and I'm glad it seems to be over. Ivy and Rachel are such wonderful friends; they had great scenes in this book. I wish there had been more Ceri and Quen and Minias (is he dead?) but maybe we'll see them in the next book.

Harrison creates such a richly textured world and characters. Only JR Ward comes close. No wonder they are both best-sellers. I feel like everyone in the Hollows actually exist and can't believe I have to wait over a year to read more about what happens to them.

I have loved the Hallows series for a very long time; its always been a favorite. But this book really annoyed me. As the series has progressed, many reviewers have complained that Rachel is whiny but I haven't seen. Until now.

Positives: I really like how the Jenks/Matalina thing was handled. The entire sequence was painfully said but fitting. We knew this was coming but it didn't make it easier to bear. (Except Pierce going with Rachel to comfort Jenks...he had no business being there. Jenks doesn't even like him). I also really enjoyed the first several scenes of the witches's coven trying to capture Rachel. These were well written and fun. Unfortunately, there were too many of them. Seriously how many times in one book could Rachel and company pull out of these situations? I also want to stress how much I admire Rachel's affection and support of both Jenks and Ivy. They are a great trio...I hope they continue to be for a long time to come. I also thought the climactic scene at the end, during Trent's speech rocked. Very good stuff. Also the look back at Trent and Rachel when they were younger was nice and offered some new insight.

Negatives: Pierce is completely unlikeable. He is a horrible match for Rachel and he isn't hero or even anti-hero material. She called him out for it in the book (yes!) but he drops the ball far too often. Plus he just comes off kinda greasy like a shady used car salesman. The fight with the fairies in the garden was really entertaining however, I hate that Ceri was used as an obvious plot device. She appeared out of nowhere only to do her thing and leave and not be heard of for the rest of the book. I hated Nick being brought back and Rachel trusting him only to end the way it did. Stupid and pointless. We've been there, done that. The trips down the ley lines don't seem as interesting as the did in the past either. I like Al, but something really needs to get moving with his plotline. And now my biggest pet peeve: Rachel all of a sudden has this horrible conscience where she can't kill or injury someone because she is a 'white' witch. She falters time and again. Her indecisive action has some pretty awful consequences in this book. She needs to realize sometimes to take care of the people you love (especially in sci-fi world :) you have to make sacrifices to protect the ones you love. Wishy-washy Rachel doesn't cut it for me.

Still this book was the first one I really didn't care for and I am hopeful that things will pick back up and be exciting again in the future. Harrison has loads of talent and a lot of good characters to work with. This is an amazing world she has created.

[CAUTION MAY CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS] Since this book has already been reviewed in great detail by others, my review will be based solely on my personal perspective. I strongly recommend you read this series in order (Dead Witch Walking, The Good, The Bad and the Undead, Every Witch Way but Dead, A Fistful of Charms, For a Few Demons More, The Outlaw Demon Wails and White Witch Black Curse) prior to reading this book.

I have been hooked on the Hollows series since the very first book. However, I must say, this installment is my most favored yet. Kim Harrison has definitely raised the bar from her last installment; and has done a fantastic job of juggling and including most of the secondary characters. We get a whopping dose of Big Al, Pierce and Jenks, a splash of Ivy and Glen, a dollop of Bis, a smear of Trent, Ceri and Lee, a slew of maddening encounters with Nick and Jax and a whole lotta of angry and conniving white witches; regrettably though, not one iota of David and his pack of betas.

The maturity and levelheadedness that Rachel displays in this installment is more than she's ever exhibited. However, there is one matter that just irks me; Rachel's hero complex is beyond irritating. It seems like no matter what someone has done to her (i.e.: kidnapping and shackling her, physically beating her, trying to castrate her, just to name a few) she still tries to save them from their own consequences. Sometimes people just need killing; it will be relieving when Rachel can let go, stand aside and let people take the punishment they have coming to them.

This installment was an entertainingly hilarious thrill ride, from the first page with Rachel twisting a curse in Al's spooky kitchen in the ever-after, until to the very end. To all the fellow die-hard fans of the train-wreck that is Rachel Morgan; who can withstand the brunt of Rachel's boundless shenanigans and still enjoy the series, this installment is exciting and creative and will capture your attention and keep it. Needless to say, I greedily devoured this book. When, on the rare occasion (ya know like sleep and work) where I was forced to put it down, the story obsessively stayed on my mind, until the next time I could steal a moment to fall back into the natural disaster that is Rachel's life, and be swept away by her bravery and strong heart.

I frequently anticipate various book releases each month, however, this book has been my most anticipated since last year's book. I can't seem to get enough of the Hollows series. This installment really takes the series to another level and I'm impressed with how much Kim Harrison was able to pack into this one book. I highly recommend this book to fellow dark urban fantasy readers and impatiently await the next book.

I also recommend:
Spellbent
Blood of the Demon (Kara Gillian, Book 2)
City of Souls (Sign of the Zodiac, Book 4)
Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, Book 2)
Magic in the Shadows: An Allie Beckstrom Novel

While this is my first Rachel Morgan book to read, I found it totally enjoyable. While there were dynamics between various characters it took me a while to fully understand, I didn't think I was totally lost either. This book has loads of action, but I must confess there were times I was wondering what was happening to advance the plot. The lack of plot advancement was one of two minor complaints I had. The other was the amount of whining Rachel Morgan does. She is a part of many life-and-death situations throughout the book, and goes toe-to-toe with a demon everyone seems to be especially frightened of on more than one occasion, and yet there were too many instances where comparatively mundane circumstances saw her come totally frazzled. While it may seem strange to call anything in a book with witches, demons, fairies, pixies and a great assortment of other creatures unrealistic, that's the best term I can find to describe her reaction to some comparatively docile situations. Still, I found the book to be immensely entertaining, and look forward to reading more.

The book picks up with Rachel Morgan still grieving over the loss of her vampire boyfriend Kisten. She quickly becomes distracted when she is shunned by a white witch coven that continues to viciously attack her. Rachel seems wimpier than usual in this book. She turns the other cheek when the coven steps up its attacks. She makes excuses for Trent the elf and still believes he is basically a good person even though anyone with an ounce of sense would stay out of his way. Finally she naively believes she can trust Nick her former boyfriend who in past books sold her to a demon in a manner of speaking. I hope the Rachel Morgan character gets a little tougher and less trusting in upcoming books.

I listened to the audiobook which was wonderfully read by Marguerite Gavin.

This book did not disappoint! I've been waiting to get the insight on what Rachel's lessons in the ever-after are like and I am loving the character development in Al. He started off as the villain of the series, but now he's become one of the most interesting characters. I can't wait to find out more about Al's past. I was glad that Trent and Ceri were back in this book too, and even a little bit for Nick too, as readers can always count on him to throw some plot twists into the storyline.

Let me start out by saying that I am a huge fan of this series so this review might sound a little biased! While I enjoyed Harrison's previous book it was definitely not one of my favorites in the series. Black Magic Sanction, however, was everything I look forward to in these books. For me this installment had the perfect mix of both action and drama, with enough down time that the book didn't feel rushed. Rachel is still a little on the morose side of the spectrum, but this has never bothered me. In point of fact, one of the many aspects of the series that I love is that characters are imperfect and do what they can within their situations. The same can be said of Black Magic Sanction, where Rachel is once again forced into an impossible scenario without much hope of doing things the way she would like to. Al is a bigger player in this book as well which is always enjoyable. His dialogue never fails to make me laugh, and his penchant for chaos always keeps the plot interesting. Some of the scenes are a little predictable, but not enough to where it takes away from the overall enjoyment of the book. On the contrary, Black Magic Sanction has several twists that I had not seen coming at all. The ending is fantastically written and creates a foreboding that left me anxious for the next. Long time fans of the series who were let down by the last book should definitely give this one a chance! You won't be disappointed.

If you were worried about the lack of plot development in the previous book, don't fear. The plot does move in this book. I do have to warn you though, that several key plot elements (the Ivy factor) remains unaddressed in this book.

The plotline of this book deals heavily with Rachel's shunning by the witch council. She manages to fill her days with lessons from the demon Al, although she soon finds that she is being summoned via Al's name by people who may not have her best interests in mind.

I kept the plot synopsis short because in truth, that is the whole plot. There's some sub-plots, but they all predominantly tie into the shunning. I have to say, if not for the more serious & sad plot element in this book (I can't say anything without it being a spoiler), there wouldn't be much moving forward in this book. While the Ivy plot point continues to remain unresolved, we do see some closure to one or two plot elements.

I liked this book overall. It was far better than the previous book & it made for a quick read. I did get a little bored with some parts of the book (mostly the parts surrounding Pierce), it does keep a nice steady pace for the most part. I just really don't like Pierce that overly much as a character, I must admit. He just doesn't seem as well fleshed out as he should be & I can't entirely put my finger on the reason why. (I understand slow back story reveals, but he just seems a bit one-dimensional.) I can't help but feel that the series is hitting a huge lull. While I love Rachel Morgan & her crew, I can't help but occasionally feel like the series needs to conclude so Harrison can work on a new character (maybe even one set in the Hollows world).

If you liked the last one, you are pretty much guaranteed to like this one. If you didn't like the last one all that well, I recommend renting this from the library first. It's a good read, but I have to admit... I'm waiting for this one to come into paperback before purchasing it for my collection.

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.

I love this series and I did not even realize there was another one out until after X-mas when I went to B&N with my gift cards. I'm glad I picked it up. It was a page-turner, as most of Harrison's books are, and I loved it. There were a few times where I found myself wondering when the book was going to end. It did seem that it went on quite long in the middle. I will not write spoilers, but let's just say, I got to the middle, expecting things to be over, and realized it was far from over. I realy like the reintroduction of Pierce and Nick the theif. Great writing as always!

While it took me forever to read this book it is still a very good book. It makes you want the next in the series. I felt so bad for Jenx almost thought he wasn't gonna make it but then again he's a main character can't write him out and think she story will go on. I like the ending of Rachel and Trent can't wait to see if it holds up.

Well I made it to this book which is unbelievable. Believe me, if I had not recieved the whole series used, I would never have made it this far. Plus, I liked the story line when I read the first two books. It was after that that things went downhill.

First off, I was so excited with the one improvement in this book that I gave it 2 stars instead of one this time. The one improvement is the fact that Rachel didn't have her fixation with her hair in this one like all the others. Oh geeze....it was every other paragraph that she was slinging someone's hair out of their face. Bravo....maybe Ms Harrison actually listened to all her reader complaints on that one. I like to think that authors do actually read their comments so they can improve their writing.

HOWEVER, (Yes, a very big however) she replaced the hair with another irritating description and of course, guess what?? Yes, she uses it on every other page, literally.

Almost every character she uses in this book has a fixation with holding their middle. Come on, please. All experienced authors will tell you, do not be over descriptive, and do not use the same thing over, and over, and over and over.....! Once or twice of using this description was enough. All of the places it was used, nothing like that was necessary to move the story forward anyway. I can understand the author is trying to put a picture in the reader's mind but this is not the way to do it. It really does distract from the story and the readers find themselves, doing a lot of skipping over sections.

With, what is it now, 9 or 10 books under the belt, this author and her editor, publisher, etc., should be well versed on what makes good writing.

Now, as for the story itself. Rachels fixation with not being a black witch, not killing anything or anyone, was just absolutely rediculous. While it's great for your characters to have morals, it's not great to do it at the expense of the other characters. You have to shake your head while reading this and wonder, how anyone could stand by and watch their friends and loved ones being attacked by assasins and not do anything.

Then there was the story of Jenks and Matelina. What a great opportunity to really hook a reader with emotion. But, that was completely blown out of the water with Jenks' almost, "so what, life goes on" attitude. I was so very disappointed in that. A very big missed opportunity to have the reader glued to the book.

I hope that if this series continues after the Pale Demon (which I got for free from a disgusted reader), that Ms Harrison will completely redo the way this series is written. Please Ms Harrison, read the comments; learn from them. Your writing needs to mature. You have such a talent that you are wasting by not following better literary guidelines. The talent and writing skills are there, please use them. Plus, you have such a wonderful story line going that it could be a book that is remembered for years to come if only you would listen to what "all" your readers want. Listen to the critiques and not just the praise.

PS: Tell your editor they need to do a better job of editing your story; lots of mispelled words in this one as well.

As for any good comments about this book, I honestly do not have any. Nothing about it was well done. Nothing has changed in it other than Rachel is now Homophobic (however you spell it), and she has grown such an adversion to killing things that she should be singing Kum Ba Ya around the camp fire. Oh, and everyone now clutches their middle instead of moving their hair out of their face.

I read each book, hoping it would be better, but sadly, they're not.

Harrison is really good at giving her characters distinct, vivid personalities. A lot of authors seem to have a problem with their character development. They are either too flat or rely on too many stereotypes. Harrison doesn't do this. She also has a good balance between the action and "down-time". Also, I like Pierce. Other reviewers seem to hate Pierce, but I think he and Rachel go well together. I'm really disturbed by the person that wants Al to get with Rachel. I mean, he beats her and is a murderer, rapist, and sells people as slaves. There were a couple of things I didn't like about the book... SPOILERS!!!! DON'T READ PAST HERE IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET!
I didn't like how when M. was dying, the reason she didn't want Rachel to save her was because she was tired. She was eighteen and had a good life. Why was she tired?! I thought her death was too forced. I also agree that Jenks didn't seem to grieve enough for her, and I thought it was dumb that Rachel wouldn't kill the faeries that were ATTACKING them. Yeah, it was a black spell, but there are white ones that kill too, so what did it matter? If people are trying to kill you and your friends, then yeah, it's okay to kill them. Otherwise, your friends, like M., are going to die. All in all though, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait for the next one to come out.

Generally I am a huge fan of Kim Harrison, but lately she's taken the same stance other writers have taken, such as Laurell K. Hamilton and Rachelle Mead in they create this great female heroine, but they give her no character maturity at all and even though you expect a character in the beginning to be slightly naive and immature, you fully expect that eventually she'll wise up to her own mistakes and develop into a more versatile individual; that isn't happening here.

Ms. Harrison's character Rachel Morgan is supposed to be this tough bounty hunter / jack-of-all-trades woman for hire whose gone into business for herself with a `living' vampire named Ivy and a pixie named Jenks, and in the beginning books it was amusing to see all of them stumble and fall over each other as they became use to working together in their business "Vampiric Charms".

Plus, Ms. Harrison over the course of the series has given Rachelle more and more abilities, not only to do Earth magic, but ley-line magic and now we discover that she can kindle demon magic as well since she's not really a witch or demon for that matter, but she is demon-kin and therefore half-demon or as the book describes it a stunted demon who through genetic manipulation was able to survive and if she ever has any children they would be full-fledged demon progeny.

Yes to our disappointment, Rachelle continues to whine that she has to do demon magic, she continues to whine that nothing in life is fair, she continues to whine that "Al" her new demon teacher/master wants her to grow up and use the abilities given to her, and she continues to whine, whine, and whine because she keeps getting beaten up and abused by people she wants to leave her alone, but if she would just stop whining and use her abilities to fight back they would indeed leave her alone.

In short I expected more from the author and didn't get it and as an avid reader if the character doesn't shape up soon, Ms. Harrison is going to lose one more fan just as Laurell K. Hamilton then. Remember, writers, nobody likes a whiner!

The best way in which I can describe this book is as follows:
A lot of fun parts and scenes, but no real sense of direction with a weak plot.

Now, don't get me wrong--this is still among my favorite series I've ever read, but it seems to have gone a bit downhill since Book 7. I was hoping Book 8 (Black Magic Sanction) would pick up again, but alas, I am yet disappointed again for a number of reasons.

***BEGIN SPOILERS***

Rachel Morgan, our protagonist, IS NOT DEVELOPING. Or rather, she is not developing to a point that's reasonable for this far in a series. We're eight books in and she is STILL whining and worrying about the same things since Book 1! Oh no, not more smut on my soul. Oh no, not another dangerous male (which seemingly surround Rachel everywhere since she's a horny little thing) that I shouldn't get involved with yet, OH! Look at those muscles! Oh no! I must not be a good person blah blah. And my favorite: NO HOMO! Rachel does develop a bit during Books 3 - 5, but then she plateaus--even back-tracks. Will this girl never learn? It annoys me to no end that she cannot learn from the same damned (multiple) mistakes! She is an immature, little girl who all but whines all the time (which gets taxing because it's from her POV). How can this woman be 26 years of age? I find it increasingly difficult with each book that Ivy, a most mature and strong individual would not only fall in love with Rachel, but look to her as her superior. What?! *Sigh* Rachel, you are not a leader. Please refer to Commander Shepard for advice on this matter.

I am almighty upset that Rachel has such 'convenient' morals that somehow makes her a good person. The spell to kill the fairies to save Jenks and his family--who are protecting her [...] in the first place--is retracted by Rachel because all of a sudden, she's the naive Captain Janeway and her morals are more important--nay, superior--than those around her risking their lives to save her. It is extremely puerile and selfish. And then what does Rachel do afterward? Throws a pity party for herself in her room while her wounded loved ones are scraping back together. Rachel needs to start watching some more Criminal Minds or something because her aversion to killing axe murderers and Jeffrey Dahmers to save her family is plain warped. Thank God Rachel will never have to take on Collectors or the Reapers; she'd never get anything done. No! Must not kill aliens bent on the destruction of the galaxy! That's not who I am!

I liked Rachel for the first half of the series, but her lack of maturity is now just grating. Her thoughts are becoming increasingly one-dimensional. The only reason I put up with her now is because I wait for the cool magic scenes--and the demon Al, who is, in my opinion, the greatest character in the entire series because he has not only developed steadily and remarkably throughout it, but is fun, witty, and great to read.

Now, I will say it: I HATE Gordian Pierce. With all of my being. And I want him dead. Again. Rachel is almighty impressed with him in Books 7 and 8, with an understanding and bond since she was a teenager. Unfortunately, as the reader, we cannot even begin to see Pierce with even a modicum amount of respect because we first learn of him in a SHORT STORY. A short story cannot properly develop a character--not enough time, pages, and background. He was just some guy to me while Rachel was squeeing with joy. In Book 8, I am glad that Rachel pushes him away (and all seemed right with the world) until she does her slutty Rachel routine and ultimately sleeps with him. SHOCKER!

It pissed me off to no end that Pierce (as opposed to Ivy) goes with Rachel to comfort Jenks in a great time of need. It was wrong in so many ways that I literally dropped the book at that point and started reading an Adam-Troy Castro novel. I find it hilarious and disturbing that Rachel is able to point out the faults of Pierce: "You're a dangerous, threatening witch . . . You use black magic too quickly, you tell me what to do as if you're in charge, you're way too cocky with Al, and people around you die."--yet, she ultimately doesn't heed her own warnings.

The only reason I am okay with Nick still being alive is because I hope to God in Book 9 that he will get what's coming to him, in an almighty fire-vengeance sort of way.

Al, Ivy, Jenks, Trent, Ceri...these characters are far more interesting than our protagonist can hope to be at this point, yet their page time is brief. I find that a sad waste.

The overall book had a lot of what-was-the-point-of-that scenes? Rachel goes to Alcatraz--FOR A DAY. Here, I was thinking this was a great chance for her to evolve and learn, but no. It served no point except to tell us that Alcatraz is a horrid place! Which is a bit difficult to grasp since Rachel is only there for barely a day and we don't really see anything that bad.

***END SPOILERS***

In any case, to sum up, my main gripes with Black Magic Sanction are with Rachel Morgan, herself, Gordian Pierce, and a solid plot. The biggest reason to read this book is Algaliarept. Wonderfully entertaining character and he effectively steals ANY scene he is in.

I think this series is a lot of fun! However if you just stumbled on this book and haven't read the others you will still enjoy it, but you will also be missing a LOT. Much of the character development not to mention the foundation for the plot was done in other/earlier books. So do yourself a favor and start The Hollows/Rachel Morgan series at the beginning!

If you have read the others you will love this one. As usual Kim Harrison's characters make you laugh, and even cry (not telling you why - that would give it away & I don't want to spoil any part of this book for you!) Loved it!

Just a warning - recommendation: read it on the weekend!!! It is really hard to put it down and I was reading till 2 am before I found a place I felt I could stop for the night!

Black Magic Sanction (2010) is the eighth Fantasy novel in the Rachael Morgan series, following White Witch, Black Curse. In the previous volume, Rachael found Mia and Holly, but they fled. Ford followed them and Rachael followed Ford.

The banshees were trapped in an old tunnel. Ford was able to touch Holly, but Tom died as she drew in his aura. Rachael regained her memory of Kristin's killer from the smell of concrete dust and recalled the death. Then Rachel, Ivy and Edden found his remains.

In this novel, Rachel Morgan is now Al's apprentice. She spends each Saturday in the ever-after learning demon magic. She has been shunned by the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards.

Ivy Tamwood is a living vampire. She is also Rachel's roommate. They have been living together for a few years, learning how to avoid angering each other.

Jenks is a pixie. He is a partner in the firm of Vampiric Charms and is now the owner of the church where they are living. He is married to Matalina and has about four dozen children at home in the old church.

Algaliarept is a demon. Al has been after Rachel for some time now, but never got her back to the ever-after. Yet he has marked her. Now he is her instructor in demon magic.

Pierce had been a ghost, but was installed within the body of Tom Bransen after he died from Holly's touch. Now Pierce is the familiar of Al. He is quickly learning black magic.

Matthew Glenn is a Federal Inderland Bureau detective. He is the son of Edden, the local FIB Captain.

Trent Kalamack is a wellknown philanthropist in Cincinnati. His father had developed the genetic treatment that fixed Rachael's deadly DNA. Trent now carries a demon mark as Rachael's familiar.

In this story, Rachael is learning how to capture an aura. She finally finishes writing the name to the satisfaction of Al. But then Al has second thoughts and goes off to discuss the aura with Newt.

Al leaves Pierce to watch Rachael. Naturally, Rachael accidentally sets fire to paper inscribed with previous attempts to write the name and then puts out the fire with water from the charmed bowl. The spell is activated and the aura is released, but it isn't just a tame field of energy.

The aura -- or is it a soul -- possesses Rachael and she finds herself trapped within her own mind. As she fights back, Al reappears and blames her for the fiasco. Then Newt appears and both of them are able to return the aura to the vial.

Al is angry at Rachael and Pierce. Newt is angry at Al and is ready to take on Rachael as her own apprentice. Rachael would rather remain as Al's apprentice. When everybody calms down, Rachael returns to the church after only four hours in the ever-after.

Ivy is concerned about the abrupt return. Rachael explains, but wonders if she is cutting into Ivy's plans. They go to the grocery to buy food for the coming week.

While Ivy is talking to the butcher, a woman asks Rachael if she is Rachael Morgan. Rachael avoids answering her, but she keeps pushing for an answer. Finally, Rachael admits her identity and the woman tries to take her into custody.

Although the woman gets a charmed zip strip on Rachael, she does not have the fighting skills that Rachael has. Then Ivy gets into the conflict and the woman loses. As she leaves, the woman mentions the Coven of Moral and Ethical Standards.

Glenn answers the call from the grocery store and takes Rachael back to FIB headquarters. Then Trent shows up. Now Rachael is convinced that Trent had put the Coven on her case.

Ivy and Jenks take Rachael back to the church. There she confronts Al once again. Then the demon leaves Pierce as her babysitter.

Vivian Smith really works for the Coven that shunned Rachael. She is a plumber -- stops leaks -- for the Coven. Vivian keeps trying to take Rachael, but fails. Then the Coven starts using other means to capture Rachael.

This tale has Rachel fighting the corrupt leader of the Coven. Pierce was a member of the Coven in his day, but they had buried him alive more that a century ago for his dealings with demons. Now they assume that he is just another black witch.

Rachel continues her usual chaotic efforts to redeem her reputation, remove the demon marks, and protect her friends. She learns more about her friends and adversaries in this novel, but suffers another tragedy.

As usual, Rachel is up to her eyebrows in trouble. The next installment is coming soon. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Harrison fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of various magics, preternatural creatures, and a very stubborn witch. If anyone has not previously read this series, the initial volume is Dead Witch Walking.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Alright, first of all, I am in love with the Rachel Morgan series. Rachel Morgan is seriously badass, which reminds me of the first few Anita Blake books before Anita became an uber slut. Anyway, there is never a dull moment in this book, as well as in the entire series. We really get to see a side of Jenks in Black Magic Sanction that we've never seen before in all the other books. I heart Jenks! Pierce is kind of interesting, but I don't think he's the right guy for Rachel Morgan. The right guy will come along in another book, I think. Although it's kind of cute that he watched over her as a ghost, you have to admit it's a little creepy. But I think my favorite thing about this book is the relationship that Rachel's beginning to develop with Algaliarept, the demon. I didn't think that I could ever like a demon, but, hey, the guy's growing on me. He's pretty likeable for a demon. I could not turn the pages fast enough in this book. It's a seriously amazing series and I absolutely can't wait for the next book to come out. The plot's always thickening and the action's nonstop. Kim Harrison definitely knows what she's doing, and the world that she's created is just superb.

I actually think this might be the best book in the series so far. I remember being blown away in previous books when we found out Rachel could work demon magic and in this book she really explores that capability. I love the building trust between Al and Rachel which Harrison has masterfully been hinting at for a couple books. I know he's a demon, but I can't help liking him at times and hoping that Rachel continues to warm to him. I think that's a compliment to Harrison for being able to create characters that are likeable despite their flaws. I was intrigued by the character Pierce and in this installment I was happy he is one of the main characters. Also, if you are a fan of Nick the thief, you have quite a few scenes to look forward to. I'll leave it up to other reviewers to talk about the story itself, but I would recommend not reading any that list spoilers. The surprises in this book were so much fun. I can't imagine anyone who is a fan of the genre not loving this book.
The day the book went on sale, I was standing outside the bookstore when they unlocked the doors and hurried home to read it in one sitting. So often I've been disappointed by a book that I've been waiting for, and it was such a thrill to get a book that lived up to all my anticipation.

~Jillene~

To start with, I cannot believe it's Book 8 and that I am still into this series. Kim Harrison has done a great job keeping readers engaged. If you happen to be randomly reading this review and actually haven't gotten into the series yet, GO FOR IT! Starting with Dead Witch Walking. If you're into the supernatural genre, I have no doubt you'll fall in love with the characters in the Hallow stories as I have. There is never a dull moment, including Black Magic Sanction! Overall, I found Book 8 is quite different from previous books because it is less focused on Rachel saving the day to protect the people she cares about. In this book, Rachel finds herself on the run from the hypocritical lunatics from the Coven of Ethics & Morality, who are trying to imprison, lobotomize, and sterilize poor Rachel. So she finds herself in a much more vulnerable position than in previous books. What I liked about it though was that it sort of solidifies Rachel's transformation into a "real" adult. With this transformation, you see the nature of her relationship with certain characters is changing (i.e. Ivy, Trent, and even with Al). You'll also find that her view of wielding different types of magic is changing as well. It's kind of funny thinking back to the beginning of the series when Rachel had a very black & white type of approach to magic. Although Rachel's thoughts about magic have been in the process of changing for sometime now, in Black Magic Sanction, you really start to see more acceptance about this from Rachel. One thing I really is appreciate is how Harrison has made this process of change gradual because I can't stand it when authors have their protagonist abruptly change into a completely different person. Not to worry though folks! Essentially, Rachel is still Rachel. I'm happy to share that her indomitable spirit and her uncanny ability to persist through all the craziness she encounters remains the same :)

Wow...What a good read. This installment features Rachel at her best. I laughed, cried and read fast. I couldn't put it down. Rachel finds a boyfriend in Pierce the ghost with a body now. Helps Jenks by being there for him and she and Ivy keep working on friendship. Nick aka Crap for brains makes another appearance and gets even more on the wrong side of Rachel. I love these books!

Read it in one sitting. Harrison manages to use all her main characters (including Nick and other witches from previous novels) in various roles, and the book starts with the demon teaching session I found missing from the last novel. Fantastic story, unlike practically every other heroine in the genre, Rachel doesn't go it alone. She depends upon and needs her friends to back her up. To me, this makes her real. This is especially apparent when she is facing the Coven's Morality commission, who lock Rachel's magic up in zip strips extremely quickly whenever they have confrontations. This brought about an impression the central witch authority was both professional and efficient, despite their antagonism of the main character. I can't tell you how many Urban Fantasies can't paint official authority well; I guess that's why Harrison is one of the best.

The plot flowed well, with twists, action, and heartbreak. I won't spoil it, and simply advise you to read (and buy) this yourself.

Maybe I am the wrong gender for this book but I have finally reached my limit here, I found myself turning pages and skimming just to get past all the "but I'm not a black witch" or the "oh gosh which of the handsome men will i finally give myself to" just to find some semblance of plot here.

So many things wrong here. For one, Ivy, easily the most interesting character is relegated to background prop. I guess Pierce is the new major character. Jenks, Glen, everyone else falls to the background. Such was a shame, the full cast of characters is great but we literally get just Rachel and Pierce. And don't get me started on Pierce. He did not even exist until the short story that was recently written and now suddenly he is the Victorian hero Rachel forgot she had fallen in love with? Shenanigans I say! Talk about lazy writing. Why bother introducing and exploring a new person in Rachel's life - just invent an old flame Rachel forgot about, mix water and then poof - instant love interest and major character without all the messy writing and such. .

There really is no plot to this book. Rachel is on the run from the coven who wants her dead or in prison so the entire book is one fight with the coven after another, separated by nail biting angst over Rachel's relationship problems and then her deciding what to wear to the fights with the coven. The ending comes with a sitcom inspired quickie ending where Rachel talks her way out of the life threatening situation with the most contrived solution possible.

Don't get me started on the horrible incident with Jenks' wife! I don't to spoil but there is such a thing as honor and respect for people's culture. Rachel talks Jenks out of a centuries old pixie tradition just to have her pal by her side longer? How insensitive is that?! I think the author just didn't want to lose a popular major character. This is what I detest about some book series - the author treats it like their meal ticket. They don't want to write anything in the books (end a plot line, kill a major character, etc.) that might cause readers to stop buying the books.

The author has created a fairly unique and interesting world, a shame she writes about mundane trivialities rather than explore some of the fascinating aspects of the world Rachel and her friends inhabit. Farewell Rachel, I wish you well.

Rachel Morgan is still dealing with the emotions and confusion over whether she is white or black. Good or evil. It doesn't help that this time around the bad guys she's facing are her own kind. The Coven, who first shunned her, but now want her jailed in Alcatraz. Or worse to have a lobotomy which will take away her powers and her ability to further her species. Although the Coven uses white magic that doesn't make them any less deadly, they use spells that will kill people and get away with it because it is "white." Rachel only wants them to see that her using black magic and consorting with demons doesn't make her a bad person, but that these things were done out of necessity. Rachel must seek the help of those close to her and those most unlikely to help her: the notorious Trent Kalamack, demonic Algaliarept, and worst of all her ex jerk of a boyfriend Nick.

Black Magic Sanction opens up fast paced and does not slow down. Rachel is in trouble right off the bat, and this is a great way to start off the eighth book in the series. This is a true allstar cast with every character known in the series is at least mentioned once and most show up some time through out the book. The favorites Ivy and Jenks are obviously there, hilarious as usual, and Ivy has a new possible love interest in her life. Jenks is still as youthful and feisty as ever. He will have you laughing and crying many times this go around. He's good like that.

Rachel is still dealing with her bad decisions on who she dates and the loss of Kisten is still a wound in her heart. She's so afraid to get hurt or to lose someone she loves that she's not willing to let someone in easily. Pierce is there for her every single step of the way, and it's very noble (and obvious) how deeply he cares for her. They share many touching scenes, but she's constantly pulling away. She takes issue with his easy use of black magic, but with everything that happens in this book she's one step closer to accepting that he uses it when needed as does she. I don't think it will be an easy road, but it never is with Rachel.

I have a bad feeling about Al in the future, not that he ever gives me the warm fuzzies. He's hysterical and so good at being evil, so good that you love him for it. He wants Rachel in the Ever After, and he definitely wants her all to himself. He's all too willing to help Rachel out and do things for her to not throw it in her face later, and show up dragging her ass into the Ever After.

Every scene in this book has a purpose, there is not a single word that is filler. Everything has meaning, emotion, and direction behind it. There are many pieces to the plot, and it makes you think...is Harrison really going to pull this off? She does. Everything flows, every moment is special, and falling in love with these characters all over again is easy.

Overall I'm so happy with this book. So happy in fact that it's been difficult to read anything else. It just doesn't compare. I've picked up and started three books and with a heavy sigh sat them back down. I might just read Black Magic Sanction again.

I enjoyed this book, quite a bit. It was worth the wait.

I enjoyed the new developments, aka Glenn/Ivy, Al/Pierce/Rachel. As much I like Al, I guess I can' really seeing Rachel, ever, ever hooking up with him. Al may like Rachel, but Al will always be about Al and power.

I guess I'm one of the few that like Pierce. I think his devotion to her is great. She needs and craves stablity. I think many haven't given him a chance because they are too consumed with Al/Rachel or Rachel/Ivy. As much as I loved Kirst, he was not strong enough(emotionally) for Rachel. I think Rachel/Pierce are good for each other and Rachel still hasn't decides if she wants kids. I think after this book and the reality of a handmaid's tale coming true is gonna be something she's gonna have to address.

I think Trent is great villian but I'm not sure if someone who wants to own you, who's tried to kill you, thinks you're a demon and prevents your friend "Cerri" from having contact with you truly has your best interest at heart. I know folks think Nick is scum, but wow how many times has Trent double crossed her? Yet some folks just bypass that :( I'm sure some of these folks fall in the category of "Mr Darcy Syndrome" aka the guy treats you like crap because deep down he really likes you.

I enjoyed the book, Kim's witty writing style continues to intrigue and excites.

Oh my God I'm continually blown away by this series!! I'm amazed by Kim's imagination and writing skill! I just can't get enough of these books!! Poor Jenks, I cried and cried. This was the best Hollows book so far.
2nd time thru this really is the best book she's written so far it pulls such a depth of emotion from you! This one has got sadness to it we loose a beloved character and its heart breaking!

I really enjoyed the beginning of this series, but it seems like the more of these books I read, the less I enjoy the story. This book was so dull that when I picked it up again after a week, I actually thought I'd finished it, only to realize I was barely half way through. It's that anticlimactic and forgetful. The one and only sex scene was so pitiful it should have been taken out in the editing process. The characters of Nick and Trent are set in stone, and Rachel is surprised yet again, that both of them have betrayed her. It's just frustrating.

Kim Harrison started off strong with the first six books of this series. I read them so fast (1 day and a half) because they were so good! Book 7 was a bit annoying but I stuck with it. This book just sucked for me! I hated it and I actually hated Rachel. I kept wishing they'd have given her that Labotomy and ended the damn book at Chapter 18 with her death. I was so turned off by her in this book.

She's suppose to be this kick-ass witch that everyone wants and is after because she's such a threat and half demon, yet the woman can't defend herself without the help of her immortal friends. Then the loser is a smart mouth and bitching/wining all the time. She doesn't want to use Black magic because she's a White witch but if she's soooo powerful how come all these "White Witches" kick her butt and she doesn't know any useful White Magic. Also, her friends are always coming to her defense and then when they need her most she suddenly gets a conscious and can't kill the f'ing people that are trying to kill her and instead are about to kill her friends. She aggrevated me so much I almost dumped the book, but one of my biggest faults is that I refuse to close a book until I've finished it.

Also, the whole memories of Kristen is such BS. Harrison has never been good at the romance department and Rachel's so called "romance" with Kristen once so short and uneventful you could have blinked and it would be over. Kelly Armstrong may not have a lot of sex in her Paranormal books but she sure does romance well. Maybe Harrison should study her contemparies how to do it right. That's one of the things I also hate about Rachel, she suppose to be so sexy yet she has no sex appeal and her romances are null in void!

I'm so glad I didn't by this book at the store like I was going to. Instead I bought it at a used bookstore in Manhattan for $2.00 and that's what it's worth. I really think I'm going to drop the series now, so I won't be reading "Pale Demon." It's a shame because the first 5 books were really good. Another series does bite the dust...I agree with many of the posters who say this series is dead.

Alright, first of all, I am in love with the Rachel Morgan series. Rachel Morgan is seriously badass, which reminds me of the first few Anita Blake books before Anita became an uber slut. Anyway, there is never a dull moment in this book, as well as in the entire series. We really get to see a side of Jenks in Black Magic Sanction that we've never seen before in all the other books. I heart Jenks! Pierce is kind of interesting, but I don't think he's the right guy for Rachel Morgan. The right guy will come along in another book, I think. Although it's kind of cute that he watched over her as a ghost, you have to admit it's a little creepy. But I think my favorite thing about this book is the relationship that Rachel's beginning to develop with Algaliarept, the demon. I didn't think that I could ever like a demon, but, hey, the guy's growing on me. He's pretty likeable for a demon. I could not turn the pages fast enough in this book. It's a seriously amazing series and I absolutely can't wait for the next book to come out. The plot's always thickening and the action's nonstop. Kim Harrison definitely knows what she's doing, and the world that she's created is just superb.

I actually think this might be the best book in the series so far. I remember being blown away in previous books when we found out Rachel could work demon magic and in this book she really explores that capability. I love the building trust between Al and Rachel which Harrison has masterfully been hinting at for a couple books. I know he's a demon, but I can't help liking him at times and hoping that Rachel continues to warm to him. I think that's a compliment to Harrison for being able to create characters that are likeable despite their flaws. I was intrigued by the character Pierce and in this installment I was happy he is one of the main characters. Also, if you are a fan of Nick the thief, you have quite a few scenes to look forward to. I'll leave it up to other reviewers to talk about the story itself, but I would recommend not reading any that list spoilers. The surprises in this book were so much fun. I can't imagine anyone who is a fan of the genre not loving this book.
The day the book went on sale, I was standing outside the bookstore when they unlocked the doors and hurried home to read it in one sitting. So often I've been disappointed by a book that I've been waiting for, and it was such a thrill to get a book that lived up to all my anticipation.

~Jillene~

To start with, I cannot believe it's Book 8 and that I am still into this series. Kim Harrison has done a great job keeping readers engaged. If you happen to be randomly reading this review and actually haven't gotten into the series yet, GO FOR IT! Starting with Dead Witch Walking. If you're into the supernatural genre, I have no doubt you'll fall in love with the characters in the Hallow stories as I have. There is never a dull moment, including Black Magic Sanction! Overall, I found Book 8 is quite different from previous books because it is less focused on Rachel saving the day to protect the people she cares about. In this book, Rachel finds herself on the run from the hypocritical lunatics from the Coven of Ethics & Morality, who are trying to imprison, lobotomize, and sterilize poor Rachel. So she finds herself in a much more vulnerable position than in previous books. What I liked about it though was that it sort of solidifies Rachel's transformation into a "real" adult. With this transformation, you see the nature of her relationship with certain characters is changing (i.e. Ivy, Trent, and even with Al). You'll also find that her view of wielding different types of magic is changing as well. It's kind of funny thinking back to the beginning of the series when Rachel had a very black & white type of approach to magic. Although Rachel's thoughts about magic have been in the process of changing for sometime now, in Black Magic Sanction, you really start to see more acceptance about this from Rachel. One thing I really is appreciate is how Harrison has made this process of change gradual because I can't stand it when authors have their protagonist abruptly change into a completely different person. Not to worry though folks! Essentially, Rachel is still Rachel. I'm happy to share that her indomitable spirit and her uncanny ability to persist through all the craziness she encounters remains the same :)

Wow...What a good read. This installment features Rachel at her best. I laughed, cried and read fast. I couldn't put it down. Rachel finds a boyfriend in Pierce the ghost with a body now. Helps Jenks by being there for him and she and Ivy keep working on friendship. Nick aka Crap for brains makes another appearance and gets even more on the wrong side of Rachel. I love these books!

As reads go, it was okay with a few funny spots and a few sad spots. However compared to the series's earliest novels, which were awesome, this one is a little disappointing. It repeats the same plot lines of the first couple books so it feels like a ripoff of itself. Sort of the author didn't have any new ideas so she just took the earlier novels and rewrote them with a few cast changes and threw in some nonsense cultural bits about Pixies. Hated the whole bit about how Pixies culture deals with the death of a land owning pixie because it was exceedingly WTF. The reason I'm giving this only two stars instead of a mid level 3 stars is the Pixie culture add on. It was very very stupid. Also how Rachel totally does not seem to have learned ANYTHING from previous experiences. In the current book 8 she effs up spells in a way that is criminally dangerous and if there was a real good reason to for the Witch Government to take her out it should be because she is criminally dangerous in how she effs up spells (example one the opening, example two the fight with the fairies, two big reasons that female should NOT be a professional magic user and aught to have her magic bound before she kills innocent bystanders with it. Otherwise the book was okay and passes the time pleasantly enough. To make up for the WTF parts, we get a generous helping of character interaction with the main cast, and can feed our Ivy, Jenks, and company fix. Basically I'm still reading this series because I like the cast that I grew to love in the earliet books. I love Ivy and Jenks, and I liked Rachel initially but I'm beginning to think she may be too ditzy and dangerous due to ditz to be likable anymore. Little bit ditz can be cute, but overwhelming ditz that can get you killed is really off putting. The plot was a bit lame, the way a bad remake is often lame, but there are some fun moments that save the story from being a total drag. Don't so much hate Pierce, who is a step above Nick, but find him rather blah. What's worse? Creepy like Nick, or just blah? Don't know yet.

Read it in one sitting. Harrison manages to use all her main characters (including Nick and other witches from previous novels) in various roles, and the book starts with the demon teaching session I found missing from the last novel. Fantastic story, unlike practically every other heroine in the genre, Rachel doesn't go it alone. She depends upon and needs her friends to back her up. To me, this makes her real. This is especially apparent when she is facing the Coven's Morality commission, who lock Rachel's magic up in zip strips extremely quickly whenever they have confrontations. This brought about an impression the central witch authority was both professional and efficient, despite their antagonism of the main character. I can't tell you how many Urban Fantasies can't paint official authority well; I guess that's why Harrison is one of the best.

The plot flowed well, with twists, action, and heartbreak. I won't spoil it, and simply advise you to read (and buy) this yourself.

Maybe I am the wrong gender for this book but I have finally reached my limit here, I found myself turning pages and skimming just to get past all the "but I'm not a black witch" or the "oh gosh which of the handsome men will i finally give myself to" just to find some semblance of plot here.

So many things wrong here. For one, Ivy, easily the most interesting character is relegated to background prop. I guess Pierce is the new major character. Jenks, Glen, everyone else falls to the background. Such was a shame, the full cast of characters is great but we literally get just Rachel and Pierce. And don't get me started on Pierce. He did not even exist until the short story that was recently written and now suddenly he is the Victorian hero Rachel forgot she had fallen in love with? Shenanigans I say! Talk about lazy writing. Why bother introducing and exploring a new person in Rachel's life - just invent an old flame Rachel forgot about, mix water and then poof - instant love interest and major character without all the messy writing and such. .

There really is no plot to this book. Rachel is on the run from the coven who wants her dead or in prison so the entire book is one fight with the coven after another, separated by nail biting angst over Rachel's relationship problems and then her deciding what to wear to the fights with the coven. The ending comes with a sitcom inspired quickie ending where Rachel talks her way out of the life threatening situation with the most contrived solution possible.

Don't get me started on the horrible incident with Jenks' wife! I don't to spoil but there is such a thing as honor and respect for people's culture. Rachel talks Jenks out of a centuries old pixie tradition just to have her pal by her side longer? How insensitive is that?! I think the author just didn't want to lose a popular major character. This is what I detest about some book series - the author treats it like their meal ticket. They don't want to write anything in the books (end a plot line, kill a major character, etc.) that might cause readers to stop buying the books.

The author has created a fairly unique and interesting world, a shame she writes about mundane trivialities rather than explore some of the fascinating aspects of the world Rachel and her friends inhabit. Farewell Rachel, I wish you well.

Rachel Morgan is still dealing with the emotions and confusion over whether she is white or black. Good or evil. It doesn't help that this time around the bad guys she's facing are her own kind. The Coven, who first shunned her, but now want her jailed in Alcatraz. Or worse to have a lobotomy which will take away her powers and her ability to further her species. Although the Coven uses white magic that doesn't make them any less deadly, they use spells that will kill people and get away with it because it is "white." Rachel only wants them to see that her using black magic and consorting with demons doesn't make her a bad person, but that these things were done out of necessity. Rachel must seek the help of those close to her and those most unlikely to help her: the notorious Trent Kalamack, demonic Algaliarept, and worst of all her ex jerk of a boyfriend Nick.

Black Magic Sanction opens up fast paced and does not slow down. Rachel is in trouble right off the bat, and this is a great way to start off the eighth book in the series. This is a true allstar cast with every character known in the series is at least mentioned once and most show up some time through out the book. The favorites Ivy and Jenks are obviously there, hilarious as usual, and Ivy has a new possible love interest in her life. Jenks is still as youthful and feisty as ever. He will have you laughing and crying many times this go around. He's good like that.

Rachel is still dealing with her bad decisions on who she dates and the loss of Kisten is still a wound in her heart. She's so afraid to get hurt or to lose someone she loves that she's not willing to let someone in easily. Pierce is there for her every single step of the way, and it's very noble (and obvious) how deeply he cares for her. They share many touching scenes, but she's constantly pulling away. She takes issue with his easy use of black magic, but with everything that happens in this book she's one step closer to accepting that he uses it when needed as does she. I don't think it will be an easy road, but it never is with Rachel.

I have a bad feeling about Al in the future, not that he ever gives me the warm fuzzies. He's hysterical and so good at being evil, so good that you love him for it. He wants Rachel in the Ever After, and he definitely wants her all to himself. He's all too willing to help Rachel out and do things for her to not throw it in her face later, and show up dragging her ass into the Ever After.

Every scene in this book has a purpose, there is not a single word that is filler. Everything has meaning, emotion, and direction behind it. There are many pieces to the plot, and it makes you think...is Harrison really going to pull this off? She does. Everything flows, every moment is special, and falling in love with these characters all over again is easy.

Overall I'm so happy with this book. So happy in fact that it's been difficult to read anything else. It just doesn't compare. I've picked up and started three books and with a heavy sigh sat them back down. I might just read Black Magic Sanction again.

I enjoyed this book, quite a bit. It was worth the wait.

I enjoyed the new developments, aka Glenn/Ivy, Al/Pierce/Rachel. As much I like Al, I guess I can' really seeing Rachel, ever, ever hooking up with him. Al may like Rachel, but Al will always be about Al and power.

I guess I'm one of the few that like Pierce. I think his devotion to her is great. She needs and craves stablity. I think many haven't given him a chance because they are too consumed with Al/Rachel or Rachel/Ivy. As much as I loved Kirst, he was not strong enough(emotionally) for Rachel. I think Rachel/Pierce are good for each other and Rachel still hasn't decides if she wants kids. I think after this book and the reality of a handmaid's tale coming true is gonna be something she's gonna have to address.

I think Trent is great villian but I'm not sure if someone who wants to own you, who's tried to kill you, thinks you're a demon and prevents your friend "Cerri" from having contact with you truly has your best interest at heart. I know folks think Nick is scum, but wow how many times has Trent double crossed her? Yet some folks just bypass that :( I'm sure some of these folks fall in the category of "Mr Darcy Syndrome" aka the guy treats you like crap because deep down he really likes you.

I enjoyed the book, Kim's witty writing style continues to intrigue and excites.

Oh my God I'm continually blown away by this series!! I'm amazed by Kim's imagination and writing skill! I just can't get enough of these books!! Poor Jenks, I cried and cried. This was the best Hollows book so far.
2nd time thru this really is the best book she's written so far it pulls such a depth of emotion from you! This one has got sadness to it we loose a beloved character and its heart breaking!

I really enjoyed the beginning of this series, but it seems like the more of these books I read, the less I enjoy the story. This book was so dull that when I picked it up again after a week, I actually thought I'd finished it, only to realize I was barely half way through. It's that anticlimactic and forgetful. The one and only sex scene was so pitiful it should have been taken out in the editing process. The characters of Nick and Trent are set in stone, and Rachel is surprised yet again, that both of them have betrayed her. It's just frustrating.

Kim Harrison started off strong with the first six books of this series. I read them so fast (1 day and a half) because they were so good! Book 7 was a bit annoying but I stuck with it. This book just sucked for me! I hated it and I actually hated Rachel. I kept wishing they'd have given her that Labotomy and ended the damn book at Chapter 18 with her death. I was so turned off by her in this book.

She's suppose to be this kick-ass witch that everyone wants and is after because she's such a threat and half demon, yet the woman can't defend herself without the help of her immortal friends. Then the loser is a smart mouth and bitching/wining all the time. She doesn't want to use Black magic because she's a White witch but if she's soooo powerful how come all these "White Witches" kick her butt and she doesn't know any useful White Magic. Also, her friends are always coming to her defense and then when they need her most she suddenly gets a conscious and can't kill the f'ing people that are trying to kill her and instead are about to kill her friends. She aggrevated me so much I almost dumped the book, but one of my biggest faults is that I refuse to close a book until I've finished it.

Also, the whole memories of Kristen is such BS. Harrison has never been good at the romance department and Rachel's so called "romance" with Kristen once so short and uneventful you could have blinked and it would be over. Kelly Armstrong may not have a lot of sex in her Paranormal books but she sure does romance well. Maybe Harrison should study her contemparies how to do it right. That's one of the things I also hate about Rachel, she suppose to be so sexy yet she has no sex appeal and her romances are null in void!

I'm so glad I didn't by this book at the store like I was going to. Instead I bought it at a used bookstore in Manhattan for $2.00 and that's what it's worth. I really think I'm going to drop the series now, so I won't be reading "Pale Demon." It's a shame because the first 5 books were really good. Another series does bite the dust...I agree with many of the posters who say this series is dead.

I was eager for this book to come out and I am certainly happy I read it.
What stops me from giving it a higher rating?

I think it comes down to the fact that the lead character never develops and we go through all the same relationships over and over.
She has apparently learned nothing from her experiences and makes the same mistakes and reacts the same way she did in the first books.
So we are just going through the same problems and the same issues: Ivy (of if only, no, no I shouldn't), Nick (how could he betray me), Trent (my judgment of him was formed when I was a kid and I am not going to examine it to see if it was valid), ....

Its a little like spending time with a whiny teenager, who is insisting they know everything and then keeps making the same amazing errors in judgment again and again (and again and again).

So while the plot is fun and interesting, and the book moves along at a nice rapid clip, at this point Rachel has become so annoying and certain plot developments so repetitive that it diminishes my pleasure in the book.

Rachel Mariana Morgan isn't just your run-of-the-mill witch. She can do what very few others can - spindle demon magic. Now, white witches want to stop her, demons want to use her, an unhappy elf bearing her familiar mark will stop at nothing to see that mark removed, and Rachel just craves a normal existence with her best friends in her church. Thrust into events which place her unwillingly under the protection of demon familiar Pierce, Rachel is forced to finally confront and accept the truth about her life and powers. With back-up pixie Jenks dealing with his own life-changing issues, and best friend and living vampire Ivy unable to help, how will Rachel get herself out of this mess before the Witch's Council gets their hands on her?

Get your hankies ready ladies and gentlefolk. Despite having me in tears for about 50 pages, I loved this book. We finally get to see something we've been teased with for books, and we get some interesting insight into characters which we previously only saw the way Rachel wanted us to see them. This is a really jam-packed book that ends on a hopeful note. I love how our understanding of Rachel's world grows as Rachel's' understanding grows. These books always have me hooked from the first word, and this one was no different.

I question the choice, starting with this audiobook, to only make it available through audible.com. I purchased the preceding 7 volumes through a variety of sources, but I draw the line at subscribing to audible to get this volume. Too bad, I've really enjoyed the series so far, and have read all the ebooks, but I refuse to subscribe to audible to get the rest of the series. Audible gives you the option of canceling after a couple of books, but I consider it a cheat to do that just to get the most recent releases of Ms. Harrison's excellent books on audio. Pity, I'd give this five stars if I could get it on disc like all of the previous releases.

I have been waiting for this book and so i tried my best to take my time when reading it.
Pros- Rachel is finally coming to terms with using "black Magic" although she still whines about being a white witch still.
Pros- I am very interested to see how her relationship with Al will develop because this book it did evolve more then others
Pros- This book was less vampire heavy which i loved, but that is just a personal thing for me

cons- Jenks is one of my favorite characters PERIOD and without spoiling it there are reasons but i felt he fell flat in some ways in this book, he must have said "Tinks titties" "Tinks a disney whore" 10 times in this book and i love this but i also want more from him.
Even with that said the cons are very little. i liked the story overall but tome the general storyline wasnt one of her best but she makes up for it with her imaginative writing and character development. Overall i loved it and will be reading the next installment!

I was so excited when I saw Kim Harrison had written another RAchel Morgan book. I really enjoyed the other 7. Unfortunately, it looks like I may not get to do that. I need the unabridged CD version...which it appears they are not producing. My daughter tried to download the MP3 version on her MP3 player. While her computer recognized the player and played the player, Audible did not. It told her she needed a firmware update. She attempted that, and it fried her MP3 player. She tried loading it on another MP3 player -- one made by Creative -- and it seemed to load fine. When we tried to play it, the player screen went black and it would not play. With much searching (you can ONLY contact Audible by e-mail), it seems, at least according to Audible, that Creative will NOT play any licensed material, period. She has spent almost $25 for a book she can not play. A refund will be requested.

I wish I could get the CD version as I really need to be able to listen in my truck. I also will never try to get an audible MP3 version (which my current truck can not play anyway) as this seems you need to be clairvoyant to get it to work. There was no clear help available at all. My daughter works with computers all day (she teaches drafting) and has to install many different products and trouble shoot all 24 computers in her class room. She is very computer savvy. If she can't get it to work --- or if it only works on certain MP3 players, what hope do many of us have in making an MP3 version work.

As a longtime Hallows fan, this is the most miserable and insufferable the lead and narrator has ever been. I’m completely befuddled and confused by her shortsightedness and selfishness throughout the book. She has become thoroughly unlikeable and that’s a shame.

I enjoyed this book much more than the previous installment, however I think I would have been happier had Harrison stretched plot out over two books instead of dragging it out in book 7 (which I can hardly remember anything important happening) and then cramming a million and one things into this book. On one hand it is fast paced which I like, but on another it's a big mess.

I am with the lot that does NOT like Pierce. I had Gary Stu vibes at the beginning which raised flags but it only got worse and worse as the book progressed as he got more and more clingy and now I can stand him less and less. He is officially the least tolerable boyfriend. He has to be at Rachel's side every second and it's nauseating. He has a lot of knowledge, but just leave it at that. Maybe I could stand her other boyfriends better because they weren't on every freakin page. Kisten I loved to vampy bits though, rest is double dead soul. It is a sad day when I can say I preferred Nick!! Why is it that Rachel's boyfriends (save for Kisten) have 0 chemistry with her? Kisten could make chemistry with a cardboard cut out, so he just might be an exception to anything.

I really hope Harrison limits Pierce's presence significantly in the next books because after a while I found myself skimming and outright skipping pages that involved him...which was a lot. I was enjoying the book 20 times more when he wasn't there. I'm just not feeling the retcon of how he gets dibs so fast because he was "there all along." Especially at the expense of Ivy looking cool. She was such an afterthought in this book and that was a real shame.

-----SPOILER------
I don't know about anybody else, but I was EXTREMELY disappointed that Pierce was the one to go with Rachel in Jenks' time of need instead of Ivy. That was Ivy's place, not his and it angered me a lot. It's a very private time that should be shared with those CLOSEST to that person and Pierce does not fit the bill. I was really disgusted by that.
-----SPOILER------

Of course, I am a huge Trent fan so I enjoyed seeing him a bit more in this book than the last. I hear book 9 should be a real treat for us, so I am looking forward to it! There were definitely some priceless scenes here. I was glad we got a glimpse into their past as well. They have their own bond that is complicated and hard to explain, but it's oh so important at the same time! Definitely liked what I saw here as a Trent fan and a Trent/Rachel fan. I do hope they explore a relationship at some point. (next book please please please please please)

And of course, Al has completely stolen the show. I would have never thought around book 1 that I would ever want to see Rachel and Al together, but by golly I wouldn't mind it now!! I love Trent/Rachel and Al/Rachel. I still like Trent/Rachel a bit more (probably because I have liked them since book 1), but way to turn on the heat with Al!! I started to like him a bit more in WWBC (probably because there wasn't much else to like in that book), but here he really began to stand out. I couldn't help but enjoy him knocking Pierce around like a rag doll.

So all in all, there were times I loved the book, and then times I hated it, so I will have to give it a 2.5 and round up to 3. One star for Trent and one star for Al. The plot being all over the place knocks it down half a star, and then Pierce knocks it down 2 more. Books 3 and 6 are still my favorites. Here's hoping book 9 can bring it back to that 5-star mark that I know, love and miss with this series!

I started reading this series after I got the first one for free on Kindle. After I read it, I was hooked, and I downloaded and read the rest of the books in a week. I have really enjoyed the series, however this book was nothing but a repeat of the previous one. Harrison uses the same expressions for her characters over and over and over again, and although Rachel continually dwells on her "life lessons" in order to better herself, after 8 books the song is getting pretty tired, especially since she makes the same stupid decisions over and over again. The conclusion to Kisten's murder? SOOOOOOO anti-climatic. The conclusion to the book? Same. Read it if you are into the series, if not for just continuity, but borrow it- don't buy it. Maybe Harrison should start thinking of wrapping up "The Hollows" series; she seems to be having trouble with changing the plot and characters enough to be interesting.

Hot ****, this book was SO GOOOOODDD!!!! This read deserved 6 stars - fun, excitement, adventure, action, conspiracies, and outwitting opponents. Finally Rachel put her big girl boots on with steel caps metaphorically speaking.

The other books in the series were good too, but it's like each book is different and gets better and better.

I'll write a full in time - but I just wanted to spread the love while the Rachel Morgan buzz is still going :))

Kim Harrison is a good writer and h e r ongoing story of Rachel Morgan, a witch that can twist demon curses is always interesting and an adventurous ride. I thoroughly enjoy this series including Jenks and his pixy family.

I loved this edition of the Hollows, especially since the last installment was so dissappointing. Is Rachel still annoyingly whiny- yes, but the action moves quickly and the engaging set of side characters keeps you interested. I agree with the oher reviewers- characters with shades of gray like Al and Trent are defintely interesting,. I too am not a huge Pierce fan.

I am on team Trent, so there was enough here to keeping me satisfied. The ending was awesome- what a cliffhanger! Looks like all of us Trent fans will be in for a treat in the next installment.

After reading White Witch, Black Curse, I was really hoping this book would bring the Hollows back on track, but it just falls flat. I was bored with the plot and Rachel just whines. The characters do stupid things, such as trust and even hire Nick. One scene Rachel is in a grocery store with Ivy and notices a woman following her. Rachel assumes the woman is a lesbian because the woman sees Rachel shopping with Ivy. Give me a break. Ivy has a new relationship with a recurrent character, but Harrison never showed Ivy and this character as having chemistry. That just showed up out of the blue. Rachel's new love interest, Pierce, is about as sexy as a brick. The love scene in this book is lame and lack luster. What happen with the steamy scenes Rachel had with Kirsten? Did Harrison forget how to write them? The only sexy man this series has left is David, and he has been missing for two books now. Good bye Hollows.

I was getting a little tired of how the plot jumps all over the place and not much was happening in each book really. I felt that way starting this installment, but it held my interest and had some good twists. I really like the characters Kim Harrison has created.

~~SPOILERS~~

BMS was wonderfully engaging and an excellent addition to the series, which is good, because I hadn't felt the same about WWB. In BMS, Rachel is struggling for her life, as she finds herself in a precarious situation. She's being pursued by the coven, and her only options are to either accept help from Trent (who, of course, wants her perpetually in his service in exchange) or to accept help from her boyfriend, Nick. Rachel, however, chooses to resolve her problems in an unexpected way (my eyes were wide as I was reading BMS)... a solution that forces both Trent and the coven to get off her case. We also see more of Al, who's beginning to play a more interesting role in the series and is also developing as a character. Is he showing interest in Rachel? Why? Is it because she's the only one who can bear a demon child? (besides Newt, but she doesn't seem to be approachable) To me, he has the most amusing personality of the series.

Trent, who is probably still the biggest enigma in the series and one of my favorite characters, brings rise to even more questions. Why did he give a Pandora charm to Rachel, and why that particular memory? And why, after he did that, was he enthusiastic to speak to Rachel later? What are his real motives for offering her his help? To really capitalize on it, or because of genuine concern for her welfare? Etc. Etc. Sometimes it seems that Trent is of two minds when it comes to Rachel. It's not made clear how he truly regards Rachel, but he does acknowledge her later on as someone who is "honorable". I'm also glad that he and Rachel have come to a sort of... truce at the end. The memory the pandora charm contained was of a younger Trent and Rachel in the make-a-wish camp, who later goes horseback riding together (though not ending well, but I thought their little childrens' quarrel was extremely adorable), and BMS ends with them at a sort of truce, also going riding together with Ceri and Jonathan. Rachel, from the pandora charm, realizes that Jasmine had actually liked Trent. The reason why Trent had wanted her to have this pandora charm isn't clear, but the question is still there!

We also have to deal with Jenks, who is threatening to fall apart because of his wife's death. And what can I say about Jenks? I love him, and I love his little memorable dialogues even more. I can say that I was really happy that Jenks is still with us readers.

Rachel's ex boyfriend seems to show his true colors in the end, and if I disliked him before, that dislike turned to extreme dislike for his little ratty character (that stuffed rat of Glen's being extremely fitting for him).

Pierce who I had qualms about and who I still have qualms about becomes more lovey dovey with Rachel. Still I cannot warm up to his character, and that might be attributed partly to his stilted (and very, very annoying) way of speaking. He comes from the 1800s, I believe? Well, I do know that people, at least in the 1800s, don't use the few expressions and idioms that he knows so........ liberally. VERY liberally. You can go back and count how many times Pierce has probably said... "I'm of a mind" or "I opine", and as a reader of historical novels or novels written during earlier periods and by authors from those periods, I can say the dialogue is nothing like that. Maybe I'll come to accept him later, or maybe not. What I disliked most was that he was not introduced earlier. Granted there was a short story about him and Rachel, but you cannot expect the reader of the main series to have already read the short stories. I just hope that Rachel's happily ever after man isn't Pierce, but someone the reader has grown attached to (Ivy? Trent? though it seems as though Harrison shies away from these couplings, they are by far the most popular). It's difficult to take Pierce seriously, and also- I just don't see any chemistry between the two.

Overall, I really enjoyed BMS and I cannot wait for the next addition of the series.

I stopped buying the series after book 4, but this is the book where I stopped reading about Rachel et al. How many more occasions could there be of Rachel getting knocked out and waking up surrounded by handsome admiring men vying to save her. Dear Ms. Harrison, Please review the Wikipedia entry for "Mary Sue". Here, I'll give you the short version: The term is more broadly associated with characters who are exceptionally and improbably lucky. The good luck may involve romance ("Mary Sue" always gets her man); adventure ("Mary Sue" always wins a fight or knows how to solve the puzzle) and popularity (the "right people" seem to gravitate towards the character).

Kim Harrison has created a world which is exceptional and enthralling. This book was one of the best so far, there really wasn't a dull moment in this story. I love the development of Al, he is an essential character and he personifies the ultimate bad boy that Rachel has a love/hate relationship with...without Al the story would suffer monumental proportions. Also Trent, he is a complicated character that is constantly switching sides...I would love to see Rachel and Trent end up together; although, I am pretty sure that will never happen. Pierce is irritating and I just don't feel the chemistry between Rachel and Pierce. I am excited to see where Kim takes the next book!

Harrison is one of the best authors in the supernatural thriller for chicks genre. Watch out Charlaine Harris. This series cranks up the action and gives you a tough n cool character who is endearingly faulted and has plenty of really rotten days that she punches her way through with the most foul mouthed pixie around as her partner.

I am not a fantasy fan. I mean, I disliked _The_Lord_Of_The_Rings_ until they movie-ized it. However, I do like Urban Fantasy when it is done well. Laurell Hamilton, John McCammon, Kelley ArmStrong, Patricia Briggs, and Kim Harrison all do a good job on Urban Fantasy.

BMS is the 8th book in the series about Rachel Morgan and her band of not so merry mischief makers. And as usual, they get into more trouble but they can handle it - barely. Rachel's life get more and more complicated ... in a complicated sort of way.

Most series of books that I have read seem to begin to fizzle out after the third book or so . This is not true of The Rachel Morgan series !(in our house they'll always be the dead witch series) Each book is more riveting than the last , and I put it down saying "This was by far the best ." Only to have it happen again with the next new Morgan release !

I simply can not wait to have the next one in hand ...Please Kim ! I beg of you ! Make us another one soon !!!

I have read all of Kim's books on Rachel and the gang and I have to say this book ended a little bit on the weak side. The fix to all Rachels' problems end up being just to steal and then poof all her problems for now are gone. I'm hoping the next book will be better!

If you like vampires, witches, etc. then these are a fun read!

I could not put this book down, lost sleep, was bleary eyed from wanting to know what was going to happen next. Up to now, Outlaw Demon Wails was my favorite book, but this is better. The book grabs you from page one and doesn't let go. There were parts that made me smile, laugh, and then cry at the death of a beloved character. Lots of good action moving the plot forward and making you want to know what comes next.

Kim Harrison is officially my favorite author and I wholeheartedly recommend this book (and the preceding ones).

Harrison is the female Jim Butcher, but with more sappy romance and without all the `Fuego!' spouting. This installment of the Rachel Morgan series badly needs an editor, but the story is solid. Not her best effort, though, as she's completely helpless throughout the novel, only taking the initiative until the end.

What happened to kick ass Rachel? She cries and whines throughout the entire books. She is in multiple life or death situations. Us or them situations. Instead of picking us she is ambivalent and that is insane. It is also a shift in character that is so dramatic that it ruins the book for me. This isn't a game, at least it hasn't been up until now. She doesn't just risk her own life she risks the life of everyone she supposedly loves. She isn't being heroic she is being whinny. It is kind of annoying. She is shunned, she is under death threat, her people are risking everything for her and she won't risk anything for them. The Pixie fight is too much for me. It just is too far out of character.

Generally, the book is well written, but the plot is unrealistic even for a imaginary universe.
The main character keeps making wrong decisions, which almost certainly would let her get killed, and keeps surviving the consequences.
Also, the longer i read on The Hollows, the less i like the main character. Overall, she strikes me as a person, who would die to conform to social norms, which are depicted in the book as null and void.

I am a huge fan of the Hollows series, but this book felt like a let down. The plot felt jumpy and disjointed with seemingly every still living character in the series trying to make an appearance. It also felt like every other chapter was devoted to Rachel angsting about whether or not she was a black witch for using curses. The reader doesn't really learn anything new from this angst, which is a repeat from the previous past books.

As for the plot, the action seemed stilted at time and scenes just kept putting Rachel in trouble while she managed to learn magic that should take fifty years to learn, yet took her a serious conversation and two tries to figure out. This unbelievable ability to learn advanced magic is offset by the fact that she and others lament her sub par ley line skills.

*Spoiler*

It was great to see her decide to become Jenks's size. But instead of being something that really added to the story, she only was small for two short parts, the second of which didn't seem necessary.

The conclusion felt forced and not something the reader could see Rachel building to, like she had in the past books.

While I realize Glenn and Ivy's relationship is probably going to feature in the next book, in this book it served no purpose. I am used to Harrison inserting only things that build the story, but if Glenn and Ivy being together wasn't mentioned, it wouldn't change anything in the book.

Overall, the book was okay. It had some really good scenes, but a large part of it fell flat while listening to Rachel angst and promise to "make smarter choices" like she has for the past few books. Either do it or don't.

If this was my introduction into the series, I probably wouldn't continue reading. Hopefully this was just a fluke and the next book will be as good as the last 7.

I often find it difficult to review a new book from a favorite series because my feelings are pretty simple. They boil down to, "I love this series, I love this book, I wish I didn't have to wait a year for the next one!" That's how it is with Kim Harrison's books anyhow. I am totally hooked on The Hollows.

I figure if you're reading this review you're probably not new to Kim Harrison. The Hollows is not a series that can be read out of order (for any newbies who've found there way here: start with Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)). If you've enjoyed the direction that the series has been heading over the past few books, Black Magic Sanction will fill you with glee. If not, what's wrong with you?

What are some little plot teasers I can throw out. Well, the villain of Black Magic Sanction is the coven of ethical and moral standards. As judge and jury to the witch population, members of the coven tend to be ruthless and power hungry...so it shouldn't be any surprise that these ruthless, power-hungry witches have found a way to use white magic for dark purposes. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel - seeing a witch with an aura as clean freshly windexed glass use white magic to do some pretty black deeds, for selfish reasons, really drives home the point that however ugly Rachel Morgan's sooty aura is, she's the one fighting the good fight. Sometimes appearances really are deceiving.

We see a lot more of Pierce, the former ghost, who serves as this book's dangerous love interest. We don't see enough of Trent, who makes a couple of brief yet crucial appearances. Nick turns up again, and boy, if you thought you couldn't hate Nick any more than you already did, you will find out that you were wrong. That little snothead is just about the most despicable fictional character I've ever encountered. But the sexy/evil enemy/ally that really shines in this book is Algaliarept. I've always thought Al was a great character; when he appears in a scene, I know it's going to be fun to read (even if I know Rachel won't enjoy what happens very much). But until Black Magic Sanction I was never even slightly tempted by him as a romantic interest for Rachel. That's right, I said "until," and no, I am not explaining any further.

There's one really major thing that happens in Black Magic Sanction that all of Harrison's devoted readers have been dreading for a while now. We know that pixies have short life spans - and Jenks and Matalina have reached the ripe old age of 20, the sunset years of their species. But just try to imagine The Hollows without Jenks. It's impossible, right? He's the magic ingredient. Him and his whole family. Well, we get a day of reckoning in Black Magic Sanction so keep your tissues handy. I cried big fat tears over this one.

That's about it. Ugh, another year until the next book!

I can't believe that I would be enjoying a teen read book! This series is amazing, and keeps you on your toes wanting to know what is going to happen next...I have not enjoyed a good series in awhile.

I will preface my review by saying that I listen to these audiobooks while I run, because I'm busy, and I run a lot. Didn't Rachel used to run? What happened to that?

Anyway... Here's my overall perspective, then I will award points, based on people in the story and whether they were excellent or pissed me off.

I felt like this book was lacking in what makes the series special and fun for me. Rachel is still shunned, and as a result, the plot keeps her isolated much of the time, backed into a corner, trying to stay alive. Much of the time she is away from Jenks and Ivy. She bemoans the fact that she has to be away from them and her church and that it feels wrong --- well, it does to me, too, Rachel. I think the plot is a little thin and contrived, particularly the climax, which just seemed ludicrous. It just doesn't seem as deeply fleshed out and believable as the other books. The magic in the series, as we get away from earth magic, is confusing and a little contradictory. It seems like the rules for magic are always changing and infinite, which is frustrating.

So, the awarding of points.

1) Jenks is great, and I can never hear "Tink's little red thong" enough. We get some good news regarding Jenks's future, which I think we all knew we'd get. +15

2) Ivy. Ivy gets left out of the action at the end. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? -10

3) Glenn. Haha. Loverboy. +7

4) David. My favorite werewolf. Mentioned. Not present. Boo. -3

5) Pierce. I despise him in myriad ways. He is the anti-thesis of Kisten, whom I loved, like most people. His language is stilted, repetitive, and obnoxious. He is bossy, controlling, and he reminds me of Edward Cullen (NOT a compliment) in that I felt like he was STALKING ME. He was around for a LOT of the book, and because of this, I was annoyed for a LOT of the book. However, it seems like maybe this will be short-lived relationship (crossing my fingers), and he'll go away. Let's just hope she doesn't spend another two books pining over his loss. -12

6) Nick. I don't like him, and I find his role in this novel contrived and unbelievable. Hasn't EVERYBODY learned by now that YOU DON'T TRUST NICK? Apparently not, because people are still hiring him, and shocked, SHOCKED, when he betrays them. It's frustrating. He makes Rachel look like an idiot over and over, and she is forever making vacant internal threats. I am tired of this storyline. I keep praying that Ivy will just whack him. -20

7) Al. I love Al. He cracks me up. He's scary and hilarious all at the same time, and this book develops his and Rachel's relationship significantly. I think that is one of its saving graces. Unfortunately, Pierce, being the stalker he is, tries to undermine Al's relationship with Rachel, and again, I find this annoying, as it almost gets her killed. Repeatedly. I wish she'd stand up for herself and tell him to go jump in the river, but no. Al, however, gets +10

8) Trent. Oh how I wish we'd get more Trent. We get a little back story, which is nice. I found the flashback scene particularly amusing, given that I have horses and a barn and hoof picks. I am hoping that Trent and Rachel will, at some point, heal each others' hurts to some extent and form some sort of relationship. I think that would be incredible. +8

9) Ceri. She was creepy in this book. Wicked creepy. Abrupt and wicked creepy. Like Superman, she shows up out of the blue with her creepiness, tries to save the day (emphasis on the "tries"), and then... nothing. She gets used for her awesomeness, and plays no other role. -3

10) Matalina. I will not spoil this, but I thought this major storyline was awkwardly done and lacking in emotion. And CERTAIN PEOPLE (ahem, Pierce) need to GO AWAY. -7

11) Quen. I kinda like Quen, and he is barely there. Previous novels show Rachel and him developing some manner of... positive relationship, and here he is reduced to being merely a bodyguard again. -3

12) Bis. Aw... Bis. Bis will one day be helpful, and hopefully NOT in 50 years. Yes, his aid seems maybe a little too convenient at times, but he's cute. +8

That leaves us with -10, but given that the series has been so great up to now, I'm still giving this 3 stars, partially because I'm blaming some of Pierce's annoying-ness on Marguerite Gavin's slightly grating vocal interpretation of him. I love her as a narrator, but God, Pierce has GOT to GO.

Bottom line: This book gets Rachel un-shunned, but in kind of a hokey way and with people I don't particularly care for. I miss the days of Rachel, Jenks, and Ivy doing runs, tagging criminals, and generally getting into mischief. This book is just not that.

Another nice addition in the Rachel Morgan series. Introduced another somewhat missing aspect of her life being the coven and the different factions were very well done. Also liked that while it seemed settled towards the end there was still a tie in to be completed in the next book.

A shame about Jenk's wife, she was one of my favorite, though back-storied, characters as generally a voice of reason to compliment Jenk's hot-headedness. Ivy and Glenn would appear to make an interesting pairing.

Al... sometimes I felt like he and Pierce were trying to one-up the other early in the book. I think he cares for her, in a way, but wouldn't hesitate to rip her heart out either if he had to. Thought it was odd that the book towards the end mentioned Minias, as I thought he was dead but I guess he could still be dead and have been talking to people prior to his demise.

Never liked Nick. As for Pierce, I just don't like him. He almost seems stalker-like the amount of attention he pays to Rachel and how he inserts himself into her life. Part of it might be because of Al, etc, but I just don't like him. There was a short story but I just think that she should be with a somewhat more regular character in the series, someone readers have grown attached to, but oh well...

Trent is probably my favorite in the series. He and Rachel have a love/hate or maybe not love but there's something. He's concerned for her, then trying to own her. She wants to trust him, but thinks he's scum. They appear to have come to an understanding somewhat towards the end of the book, maybe finally accepting each other as they are.

After reading the sample chapters put out by Eos, I was crazy excited to get my hands on this book. Having finished it, I'm happy to report that I'm not disappointed.

The whole story revolves around the fact that Rachel has been shunned by her own kind, the witches, for being able to kindle demon magic - which, since it's demonic, must be bad - and because any children she has will be demons - again, demonic babies = bad. Now everybody and their mama wants to control her: Trent, the coven, Big Al, even Pierce. Trent is angry because he's her nominal familiar and says that if she owns him in the ever after, he wants to own her in reality. The coven wants to either lobotomize and sterilize or lock Rachel away in Alcatraz Prison because she's a black magic practitioner. Al wants Rachel because, well, why does a demon want anything? I suppose he wants her for the prestige and for sexual reasons (or so he hints) and because any child she produces will be "demon spawn." Pierce is interested in Rachel because he thinks he loves her and could love her forever. Bleh.

**** One little spoiler ****

I really enjoyed this book. It gets going and doesn't stop. However, there's just something that I can't put my finger on that is annoying me about this book. Maybe it's Pierce and his antiquated vocabulary. Maybe it's Nick and his god-awful douche bag-ness. Maybe it's Rachel herself and all her whining and trust issues. Actually, there's something about the plot that just gets on my nerves - things are just a little too convenient and easy sometimes. For instance, Matalina, Jenks's wife, dies in this book trying to save Rachel from another fairy assassination attempt. To get him out of his funk, Rachel and Pierce "get small" and go into Jenks's stump and convince him to come out. Apparently, pixies usually don't survive long after the death of their mate. However, all we really get out of Jenks is, "I miss her so damn much," six lines of poetry, "Tink's titties, I miss her," and that's basically it. Later, Rachel comments that, "I was surprised he was talking about her already. Maybe the pixy psyche was like that, live hard and fast." I mean, come on! That's it? I guess Matalina didn't really mean that much to Jenks if she was that easy for him to get over. Jenks says, "Just tell me where to fly, Rache. That's what I'm here for." Yeah. He's only there as a prop for Rachel. I kind of wish he was given more time and space to mourn. Instead, he's at Rachel's convenience, making things easy for her - like bailing her out at the FIB in the first couple chapters. There are more instances of "Gee whizz, that was easy...too easy", but I won't harp on.

I'm looking forward to the next book and I hope Al plays a bigger role - which is not to say he wasn't big in this book, I'd just like more Al! Pierce is okay, but, I've got to say, I think Al is much better! And, certainly more fun! I used to like the idea of Rachel getting together with Trent, but the more I read of Al, the more I hope the two of them hook up. Pierce just seems too good to be true, even though he is a black magic practioner. He's just...well, just too perfect for Rachel. Ultimately, she should be with Al. As he says, "One night, itchy witchy, you'll come to me."

So, in conclusion, I've taken the one star because I feel that, sometimes, the plot is just a little too contrived and things are just a little too convenient. I recommend you read this series sequentially so you don't get confused about the back story and I definitely recommend you buy this book. Gentle updrafts!

First, Rachel is an idiot and thank GOD her friend's have much more sense than she does.
Second, I HATE Pierce he's such a, uh I don't know maybe a space filler. No REAL chemistry between him & Rachel, he may be hot but let's face it Rachel was just horny(Yeah, I said it).
Third, An AL & Rachel hookup would be a GOOD bit of juicy reading.
Fourth and FINALLY, Trent & Rachel forever. I soooooooooooo want them to hookup, they'll be "Trenchel". LOL!

I am half way through this book and I am so tired of her saying she's not a Black Witch. Does the author not realize she's been doing black curse's for awhile now. She doesn't have to kill people but utilizie her skills. She's not even a talented Layline witch. Everyone seems to do magic better than she can, so I'm confused about this power she is suppose have because she's always lacking. It's bothering me. Rachel will have to learn some magic to protect herself from Al and I don't see this progessing. She would of let Jinx and his family get slaughtered rather than kill the Fairies. They get killed trying to take over gardens, gardens! So what the heck!!!!!

I'm just disappointed at this point that she's still holding back regardless of who gets hurt.

Well back to the book hoping that it gets better, not worse.

You know the relationship you are in is in trouble when you start to be annoyed by your partner... a lot. They probably aren't doing anything different than they were doing a month ago, but one morning you wake up and think to yourself, "Man, the way she baby-talks to the dog is annoying" or "Oh my God, if he clips his toenails in the living room one more time I'm going to scream." I'm not saying your relationship is doomed, but you are now past being blinded by how great you feel when they smile at you, and you'd better hope there was more there than initial chemistry or it's over.

I woke up this morning and realized Rachel Morgan and Kim Harrison have begun to really annoy me.

Now, to be fair, I came to Black Magic Sanction pre-annoyed at having to wait an additional month for the Kindle edition. Yes, I realize that Ms Harrison had no control over that, but I was never-the-less annoyed. I also understand that this is the eighth book in the Hollows series, and that any review of something this far along is more to vent than anything else. My secret fantasy is that Ms Harrison reads all of these reviews and takes them to heart.

Bottom line. If White Witch, Black Curse already had you questioning Ms Harrison's abilities, then I would borrow her latest from a friend or the library. If you've been enjoying the series up until now, then a bunch of negative reviews aren't going to mean a whole lot. They wouldn't have stopped me from getting it. Until now, I've been a big fan. Black Magic Sanction is strike 1. I've not gone back to re-read earlier Hollows books to see if the bloom is off the rose or if this is really the first failure in the lot. I really hope it's the latter.

And now, a rant-ish list of spoiler-filled grievances...

**** MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT ****

I am annoyed that the rationale Rachel uses to not be with Ivy is "I don't swing that way, Pierce" when the far less homophobic, and compelling explanation is that to consummate the relationship with Ivy would mean to be essentially become enslaved to Ivy -- especially when (if) she turns. If the goal is to make Rachel a homophobe, fine, but just do it already. All Rachel's mewling and whining about wishing she could be the friend she wanted to be got old a while ago.

I am annoyed that Nick is still alive. Not because I find his character loathsome -- in that regard Harrison does a great job -- but because Ivy, Trent, and/or Al should all have killed him by now. We know that Rachel won't because we learn in this book that she is so adverse to taking a life that murderers go free, loved ones go unavenged, and she probably loses sleep at night for all the micro-organisms she kills from respiration.

I am annoyed that Nick is apparently a Master Thief, capable of figuring out Trent's vault: "I've been trying to get into my father's vault since he died... I didn't even know I could do it until Nick suggest you could.", arranging an insanely elaborate play of Trent versus Rachel, and when found out and captured by Trent, escaping as a trivial matter: "Nick is gone... he slipped my guards yesterday." He slipped my guards?! Really? How... eff'n lame. Why don't you check his mommy's basement. That's apparently where Master Thieves live when they're not stealing priceless magical artifacts, cracking impenetrable vaults or running elaborate cons.

I am annoyed that Pierce, who is essentially hundreds of years old with more tragic experiences than someone twice even that age, is apparently hopelessly in love with Rachel. Let me explain something to you, Ms Harrison, because you make the same mistake every other female author I have read makes when hooking up really old (steamy vampire, reincarnated spirit, angel, etc) men with twenty-something, kick-ass heroines. Take it from a man in his 40s, after Pierce (or Bill, or Dante, or Dracula...) is finished enjoying being with a way younger woman, he will grow annoyed to the point of aneurism with her because what he has in common with the person in his bed is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. In fact, the whole dynamic of you-aren't-even-10%-my-age is at best a creepy "I'm super-experienced and you're not" power play, and at worst, smacks of pedophilia.

I am annoyed that Ms Harrison's solution for how to get the Coven off of Rachel's un-shunned back is to have Trent and the Coven essentially go on record with a hastily concocted lie so preposterous that no one in their right mind would believe it. Never mind that just a few pages prior to the unveiling of Rachel's ridiculous plan, we learn that lie-detection rings are standard issue among reporters so the public statements Rachel needs to have made by Trent and the Coven will be known to be false.

I am still annoyed (prior book carryover) that Jenks is alive. Don't get me wrong, I love the Jenks character. It was with almost dread that I approached his (seemingly) inevitable demise, but at the same time I was wholly impressed by Ms Harrison's choice to make a pixy's life span so short and was really looking forward to how she would handle so traumatic an event in the dynamic of her characters. Oh, never mind. Silly plot contrivance and Jenks gets to live... apparently indefinitely... given how trivial the secret to pixy longevity is.

And on the subject of pixy death, I am annoyed... scratch that... enraged at the handling of the death of Jenks' wife, Matalina. As someone who found themselves a widower at 39, trust me when I say that a few heartfelt platitudes do not transform someone from suicidally-grief-stricken to I-miss-her-a-bunch-but-I'm-wholly-functional. I especially loved Rachel's whole, "I know what you're going through because my dad died when I was 10 and my boyfriend of... what was it?... a few months also died." But it was when Rachel said "Jenks, it's my fault that Matalina is dead. I'm the reason they attacked." instead of "Jenks, it's my fault that Matalina is dead because I was unwilling to kill the assassins that your family was defending me from" that I actually started to despise Rachel. I think, Ms Harrison, that either you or your editor need to have your world shattered by loss before attempting another such subplot. As it is, I found your handling of Jenks and Matalina sophomoric and offensive.

I am annoyed with Rachel's seeming inability to learn from repeatedly making the same mistakes.

I am annoyed with trying to understand why Rachel's cadre see her as some sort of leader when she is portrayed as an immature, serial screw-up.

I am annoyed the most interesting characters (Al, Trent, Jenks, Ivy and Ceri) are not the leads. Instead, we get Rachel, I never stop whining, Morgan and Gordian, I'm a one-note control-freak, Pierce.

And finally, out of the myriad other plot failings of Black Magic Sanction I've not mentioned, I am annoyed lawyering is apparently more binding that magic. "If you own me in the ever-after, I'm going to own you here, " says Trent who then produces not some arcane blood-drawn contract on human flesh, but rather some legalese that he wants Rachel to sign. Or how about the Coven? "Never mess with a witch. Never. They fight with magic and red tape." Hey Rachel. We want to abduct you, give you a lobotomy, and then use you as a vegetative baby maker... please sign this release. And let's not forget that the primary tension device in the climatic end-scene is whether or not David will show up on time with... a magic sword? a pack of werewolves? the power of love? Nope, a bunch of legal papers. I assume Matlock will be showing up as some sort of guardian wraith in the next book.

Please, Ms Harrison, find an editor who has both the intellect and the stones to tell you when what you are writing is stupid.

Okay here we are on book 8... And Rachel is still as stupid as a 5 year old. I want my main character to grow up eventually doesn't seem to be happening in the Hollows... Think I'm done with this series.

I have followed this series, which is great, but will not be reading this book. I own a kindle, for the sake of not colecting books all over my small apartment, but the kindle release is two months later. One of the selling points for the kindle is that new releases will be available. Will not be buying ANYTHING from this publisher and am very dissapointed with the store.