Reviews

Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison

Only show reviews with written explanations

cleverclaw's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kathydavie's review against another edition

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5.0

Third in The Hollows paranormal/urban fantasy series set in an alternate Cincinnati revolving around Rachel Morgan, a witch in partnership with a living vampire and a pixie all of whom live in a church.

My Take
I do so enjoy this series. Tons of action from the great to the small, family to deadly enemy, friendship and love. You can't help but get involved with the characters.

It's the incident on the riverboat that allows Harrison a lovely opening for getting Saladan, legally, but it all goes belly-up when Lee follows through on his plans. Only. Poor Lee, baby didn't know what hit him…*snicker*

There is a great love scene a little over halfway through the book which is so beautifully written. And very implicit. Nice work.

The Story
Rachel is desperate for a way to enforce that bargain she made with Algaliarept in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead, 2 — and deal with the fallout from it as well as her partners' discovery of her bargain.

With Piscary in jail, Ivy is tormented by his entering her head, pushing at her to deal with Rachel, and take up the reins as his visible scion.

There's a Were following her and, well, after that incident with the fish, Rachel's not too sure what the Howlers are thinkin'.

Then just for the cherry on top, Jonathan and Quen stop by to insist upon Rachel accompanying Trent as security to a riverboat benefit complete with drug lords — and Trent's fiancée.

The Characters
Rachel Morgan is a witch who manages to live on the edge without really meaning to. Ivy Tamwood is a living vampire and Piscary's scion. A role she so totally does not want. A role Piscary is determined she will take on. Erica Randal is Ivy's younger sister. Rachel figures Erica is why Ivy tolerates Jenks' chattering kids so very well.

Jenks and his family, pixies, are living in the church this winter. Well, they are until Jenks quits the partnership and moves out.

Dorothy "Skimmer" Claymore is a lawyer and Ivy's old girlfriend. She's returned from the West Coast to join Piscary's camarilla if she can win his appeal.

Trent Kalamack is a billionaire elf who deals in illegal drugs and is out to get Rachel. Jonathan is his chief bootlicker with a nasty side to him. He hates Rachel. Quen Hanson is the head of Trent's security.

Stanley "Lee" Saladan is an old, old friend of Trent's having met through camp. With an ego the size of Mt. Everest, he is intent on a takeover.

David Hue is the Were insurance adjuster we met in The Good, the Bad, and the Undead over the Howler fish incident.

Nick is a weasley shit of a boyfriend who, in spite of all the demon-summoning he so blithely undertakes, doesn't like it when he's on the other side. Algaliarept is the demon with whom Rachel made the bargain. Ceri is an elf leashed to Big Al. Keasley is Rachel's neighbor.

The Cover and Title
The cover is so Rachel. It looks like the mini-skirted and cloaked (with a red lining no less!) Rachel in her over-the-knee, high-heeled black boots is in her church graveyard in front of the surrendering angel.

The title is what Rachel could well be, Every Which Way But Dead.

karrama's review against another edition

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2.0

Admittedly, I read this before the rest of the series. In spite of that, I'd happily go back and read more of a series that is well ended. This one was predictable and the characterizations were not well thought out but archetypal and violent. I read a lot of this genre and was not impressed. That being said, I finished it, so "it was OK."