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A review by thesigilwitch
Every Which Way But Dead by Kim Harrison
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A turning point in Rachel’s story.
In “Every Which Way But Dead”, the relationships between the main characters deepen and develop further. Ivy, a member of the core cast, grapples with embracing her vampiric nature while upholding her personal boundaries after they were shattered by Piscary. Jenks, another core character, craves to be seen as an equal member of the firm and struggles to come to terms with Rachel withholding information from him, even if it was justified. Rachel's romantic life takes an unexpected turn as she gives Kisten a chance while waiting for Nick to choose her. Additionally, Trent and Rachel make their first tentative steps towards forming a friendship. Every Which Way But Dead also introduces readers to several new characters who will play significant roles in later books in the series, including Takata, David, Ceri, and Lee. Beyond character exploration, "Every Which Way But Dead" also contributes to the series' rich world-building. Author Kim Harrison expands our knowledge of the Ever After and the Hollows’ diverse Inlander species with emphasis on the Vampires and the differences between living and Undead Vamps. This installment in the series offers readers a deeper look into Rachel's ongoing journey of self-discovery. Subtle hints scattered throughout the narrative tease at revelations about her past. The small details in this book that point toward the truth of Rachel’s past are why this is one of my favorites in the series.
Favorite Quotes
"Look," I said, my finger jabbing out to point at him. "I don't like you. Jenks doesn't like you. And Ivy wants to eat you. Start talking.” - Rachel to Quen
“I'll always be here," he said softly. "You can never fill my need, never drive me away, no matter how much you give me. The good or the bad. I'll always be hungry for emotion, always and forever, and I can feel you hurting. I can turn it to joy. If you'll let me.” Kisten speaking to Rachel
"Most people," he said, "are desperate to be needed. And if they don't feel good about themselves or think they're undeserving of love, some will fasten upon the worst possible way to satisfy that need to punish themselves…” -Kisten
Conclusion
This book dives deeper into the relationships between characters and the intricacies of the world's magic system. It's a reread for me, and while it feels transitional compared to the later books, it still plays a crucial role. It would be easy to skip this book and not realize all the small pieces that are set up here to fall into place later. Knowing the characters undergo significant growth – often fueled by trauma – in later books, gives this one a nostalgic air, a reminder of ‘the good days’ or ‘back when things were easy’. I always recommend this series.
This review was written based on a yearly re-read / re-listen of this series and so I was considering things I knew that someone would not know on the first read through of the series. All that to say if this is your first time reading the Hollows, just give it a chance and push through it's all worth it.
In “Every Which Way But Dead”, the relationships between the main characters deepen and develop further. Ivy, a member of the core cast, grapples with embracing her vampiric nature while upholding her personal boundaries after they were shattered by Piscary. Jenks, another core character, craves to be seen as an equal member of the firm and struggles to come to terms with Rachel withholding information from him, even if it was justified. Rachel's romantic life takes an unexpected turn as she gives Kisten a chance while waiting for Nick to choose her. Additionally, Trent and Rachel make their first tentative steps towards forming a friendship. Every Which Way But Dead also introduces readers to several new characters who will play significant roles in later books in the series, including Takata, David, Ceri, and Lee. Beyond character exploration, "Every Which Way But Dead" also contributes to the series' rich world-building. Author Kim Harrison expands our knowledge of the Ever After and the Hollows’ diverse Inlander species with emphasis on the Vampires and the differences between living and Undead Vamps. This installment in the series offers readers a deeper look into Rachel's ongoing journey of self-discovery. Subtle hints scattered throughout the narrative tease at revelations about her past. The small details in this book that point toward the truth of Rachel’s past are why this is one of my favorites in the series.
Favorite Quotes
"Look," I said, my finger jabbing out to point at him. "I don't like you. Jenks doesn't like you. And Ivy wants to eat you. Start talking.” - Rachel to Quen
“I'll always be here," he said softly. "You can never fill my need, never drive me away, no matter how much you give me. The good or the bad. I'll always be hungry for emotion, always and forever, and I can feel you hurting. I can turn it to joy. If you'll let me.” Kisten speaking to Rachel
"Most people," he said, "are desperate to be needed. And if they don't feel good about themselves or think they're undeserving of love, some will fasten upon the worst possible way to satisfy that need to punish themselves…” -Kisten
Conclusion
This book dives deeper into the relationships between characters and the intricacies of the world's magic system. It's a reread for me, and while it feels transitional compared to the later books, it still plays a crucial role. It would be easy to skip this book and not realize all the small pieces that are set up here to fall into place later. Knowing the characters undergo significant growth – often fueled by trauma – in later books, gives this one a nostalgic air, a reminder of ‘the good days’ or ‘back when things were easy’. I always recommend this series.
This review was written based on a yearly re-read / re-listen of this series and so I was considering things I knew that someone would not know on the first read through of the series. All that to say if this is your first time reading the Hollows, just give it a chance and push through it's all worth it.