For a Few Demons More

There are a few plot points I'm withholding opinion on until I see where they go in the next book (were they for plot convenience or were they just for the compelling emotional factor?) but overall, I thought the action and plot of the book was as good as any in the series. I was hooked from the beginning and really enjoyed the characters, setting, and interactions. Of course it's a little far-fetched and some of the things that happen are unbelievable, but then, you're reading a story where the main characters are a witch, a pixie, and a vampire. Some suspension of disbelief is required, and I do think the story is believable in the context of the setting and characters.

And as much as Rachel comes off as either lucky or blessed with good friends despite some really stupid decisions, I still really like her. Perhaps because she recognizes her faults and does try to work them out and deal with them, she seems more realistic and likable. She's not perfect, and she messes up big time now and again. But unlike some stories, she not only realizes her mistakes and agonizes over them, she pays some pretty big prices. And it's good to see consequence played out, even in fiction.

I still take issue with some of the writing and descriptions (she's still using 'grey silk voice' and 'wire-tight' far too often), but overall it's a pretty well-done (as in, easy to read) story.

If you're a fan of the series this is, of course, a book for you. If you haven't read any of the others in the series, I'd suggest you go back and read from the beginning. It's possible to read this as a stand-alone, but you won't get nearly as much from the story without the background and the setting could be a little intimidating if you haven't been eased into the storyline. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one...

AUDIOBOOK NOTE: This is narrated by the same woman who did the first four, and if you can overlook the slightly hitching style of reading (some awkward pauses in the middle of sentences, mostly) her voice is very soothing and her character voices are outstanding.

I read most of [[ASIN:0060572965 Dead Witch Walking (Rachel Morgan, Book 1)]] in paper but never really cared enough to finish it. I decided to listen to this one because a friend had purchased it and I was a little low on listening material on a trip. I was pleasantly surprised. The story dragged in places and I'm still a little confused about something that happened near the middle, but I have to say I am very, very impressed by Ms Gavin's reading of this novel.

She gives the story a buoyancy that seems to overcome the depressive effect that some readers have complained about. She moves easily from character to character without forgetting the accents and she had created believable accents for the various nonhuman characters that populate Ms. Harrison's fictional world. I particularly liked her rendition of Rachel's pixie friend.

Among the things I found a little tiresome was Rachel's commentary on every male character's sexual attractiveness. Because I haven't read so many of the previous books I don't know if this was an ongoing theme or connected somehow to the Ivy thread. I'm going to go back and some give some of the previous books a shot because it appears Ms Gavin has been the reader on the lot. This is not necessarily something I would do if the reader and the story had been a less perfect match.

Post Script: I cannot complain about the character who leaves the series. I did not read the book because of the one character but for the overall story. In fact, I actually thought the character was more than a bit lacking in interest and I do think that the author needs to be given the right to thin her cast down if a character has served his or her purpose. Another paranormal author's books are becoming a bit of a joke because (for one reason) she cannot bring herself to take control of her cast.

I read the books and now am glad to find the CD's for longer drives in the car!