Took me a little bit to get into this book. They really just throw you in, head first. But, once I started treading water, I was hooked! Great book! ( )

Cover/Title: The title is what drew me in. I made me curious about the book.

Characters: I love the variety of characters in this book. Pixies, fairies, vampires, etc.

Plot: There is a bounty on Rachel's head. So, along with a motley crew of friends, she tries to save herself.

Overall: I really enjoyed this intro into the series. I am looking forward to getting to know these characters and their other adventures. ( )

You know the saying "just because you're paranoid that doesn't mean they're not out to get you." Well, that's Rachel the witch. She doesn't trust anyone, many people and creatures are out to get her yet she has an amazing ability to collect friends. This is the first in a series where the many different types of paranormals are almost equal in number to humans now that the tomato virus has killed off so many of them. It was ok. I don't know that I'll continue with the series unless I run out of things that really grab my attention. ( )

I listened to this on Audible during a long car trip and it was thoroughly entertaining and fun! Sometimes you just need some mind candy to relax. ( )

Fun enough, but I wanted the friendship between the two female leads to be more friendly and less angry.

I never did finish. ( )

I’m going to say this to my dying breath… but Ivy deserves better.

But this was better the first time through.... I’m rereading the series yet again, so maybe I can catch up and see where things end… and hopefully not like I’ve heard. ( )

I enjoyed this book ( )

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would at the beginning of the book. My wife gave me the thumbs up so I read it. Been on my to read shelf for a while. She is flying through the series, I will be following her soon, but a few new authors came in...I'm sure you all know how it is. ( )

Hörkuspennandi fyrsta bók seríu eftir Harrison þar sem mannkynið hefur komist að því að alls konar yfirnáttúrulegar verur eru þeirra á meðal. Rachel Morgan er ein þeirra, norn, sem gefst upp á því að vinna fyrir lögregluna sem sér um yfirnáttúrulega glæpamenn og ákveður að stofna sitt eigið fyrirtæki. Henni að óvörum ákveða 2 samstarfsfélagar hennar að halda út í óvissuna með henni. Þetta er þó léttara sagt en gjört því að lögregludeildin er þekkt fyrir að heita verðlaunum fyrir dráp á fyrrum starfsmönnum sínum sem yfirgefa hana gegn þeirra vilja.
Spennandi, húmorísk og full af óvæntum uppákomum. ( )

This was just so not for me. Idea sounded good, but the characters were so painfully horrible to have to read. One of very few I couldn't bear to finish. Took 2 weeks to make it about 43% in and just couldn't take it anymore. ( )

I remember starting to read this years ago, and I wasn’t able to finish it – I was bored before I got much beyond the 3rd chapter. Speaking to my sister the other day, she mentioned that it had taken her 3 tries to get through the first book, but after that got hooked on the series. So I figured I’d give it another try, since the ongoing UF series’ I enjoy are getting thin on the ground, and I checked it out from my library.

I got through it this time but as a first book, it’s weaker than most. Ultimately, it’s enjoyable, but Harrison makes you work for it by introducing an MC that’s supposed to be a badass witch, but is so timid it boggles the mind she survived her job as long as she did. She goes out on her own and partners with a living-vampire named Ivy and the two spend the book hovering in this weird quasi-sexual-assault dynamic that was chewing on my last nerve before the half-way mark. Hard to really get on-board with a heroine that acts like she’s about to suffer the vapours for most of the book. Jenks the pixie, was, as least, a consistent and delightful character and I was charmed by his entire family.

Things did pick up right towards the end, when Rachel finally found some spirit, but honestly I was on the fence about whether or not I’d read book 2 until I read a sneak peak at the end, for a book much further into the series, containing enough mini-spoilers to actually get me seriously interested in continuing the series. Guess that sneak peak paid for itself in this case. ( )

I couldn't believe it when I began this book on of the first urban fantasies I'd read. When into a bar walks a witch Rachael an investigator for Inderland Security (sort of a supernatural FBI) , with her pixy partner Jenks who works as her backup. She sits and drinks with another I.S. investigator, Ivy, a living vampire as she tries to spot the leprechaun who's " accused of fabricating a rainbow for the purpose of misrepresenting the income generated from said rainbow, failure to file the appropriate requisition forms for said rainbow, failure to notify Rainbow Authority of said rainbow’s end-" . Set in a fantasy modern day Cincinnati. ( )

Rereading this always a wild ride.

To be honest some things didn't stand the test of time. But as a minority I was glad to see characters (more than the tokens one) that were more than just their skin. And I'm still sorta am.

These kind of stories are my favourite. Well how the characters act within the story. Rachel is kind of a dumbass, Jenks is a tiny bastard and Ivy is one grumpy jerk. Together they are awesomeness.

I think what surprises me the most is that every character gets fleshed out. Yes, some of them are there at convenient times but they do have a life outside of Rachel.

I wouldn't recommend a new reader this in 2020. On the other hand people still read old crap and still enjoy it so maybe it is for someone. It's an Urban fantasy in which humans lost. And I'm okay with that.

About the relationship between Rachel and Ivy: I'm okay with what will happen but it does feels a bit like queerbaiting. Either go there or just don't write the "Ivy is being sexy" parts. ( )

Good, even if I look at the characters in abject horror for their stupidity at times. ( )

I'm rereading these books inorder to finish the series. A few years ago I went to a book reading/signing for what was supposed to be the final book released in The Hollows series so I know who Rachel ends up with. It's weird reading the series knowing that.
When these books were released I loved them. I was a huge fan of this genre and I liked the humor in the books. I still like the humor though I find Rachel annoying. My favorite character remains Jenks.
My favorite part of this series is the world building of The Hollows. I like the humor in the series and the characters and I like how the author handles the cannon around vampires, witches, werewolves, etc. I absolutely love the addition of pixies and fairies.
I removed a few stars as I had forgotten the author's tendency to use racist language and descriptions. At one point Dennon, Rachel's boss is described as having a deeply frightening voice 'like only black men and criminals' have or some such nonsense. Also for referring to Ivy as 'oriental'. Shudder, like how did that make it past an editor? Quick fact Kim Harrison/Dawn Cook or whatever your name is: orientals are rugs, Asians are people. Yikes. The author is too young and from Detroit which ain't a white city (though I'm sure her family fled after the 60's riots during the mass exodus known as White Flight) to not know how to handle diversity better. ( )

I really liked this urban fantasy. The characters were rich and the plot was interesting. Will definitely be carrying on with the series. ( )

This is my buddy read that I am doing with Moonlight Reader.

You can read her update and review at the following links:

Updated here.

Review here.

Wow. I think that if I was not reading this as a buddy read with Moonlight I would just skip this series. There are so many other well written urban fantasy novels out there by authors such as Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, and Jim Butcher that when you read a sub-par one it really sticks out like a sore thumb.

I think that due to this being the first book in the series I am sure that author Kim Harrison was trying to find her rhythm with this book. There was world building galore that needed to happen along with some introduction to some of the characters that I am sure the remaining series is going to follow.

My problem is that I disliked every character except for one and I adored the world building. The setting of the Hollows is a world in which man never reached the moon. Instead we have an alternate history where due to a genetic plague wiped out most of humanity outside of the United States. The humans that lived were surprised to find that they have been living right alongside witches, vampires, fairies, pixies, leprechauns, and a whole smattering of otherworldly species that they did not know existed. I loved the entire aspect of an alternate reality like this.

The main character in this book is Rachel Morgan, a runner for the I.S. (Inderland Security) working in Cincinnati, OH.

Yeah this is not the Cincinnati you grew up with.

Rachel decides to quit her job due to her boss continually giving her really crappy runner assignments. It doesn't make much sense why the boss is out for Rachel (in fact it is never followed up on at all) and wants her to quit. Unfortunately, when one quits a job at I.S. that means you are signing your own death warrant.

Rachel moves into a church with another former runner, vamp Ivy and takes along a pixie and his family, Jenks.

Rachel decides that if she somehow ties one of Cincinnati's top businessmen, Trent Kalamack, into selling illegal substances she may be able to deal for her life with the I.S.
I have to say that none of this plot makes any sense at all. I can see Rachel trying to stay alive by any means. But she keeps going after Trent who literally was okay with trying to have her killed. There is bravery and flat out stupidity and Rachel keeps acting with flat out stupidity the whole book.

Actually Rachel's character reminded me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books. The reason why I had to quit reading Janet Evanovich besides the world's stupidest love triangle that wouldn't die was that Stephanie was a TSTL heroine and I was tired of her lucking her way out of situations all of the time. There was no growth, no sense that she was actually good at her job. It didn't help that much of the books always involved Stephanie having dinner with her crazy family, her grandmother doing something outrageous, and her having multiple vehicles destroyed. I would just hope that Ms. Harrison does have Rachel grow. Because right now she is getting the TSTL title.

The character of Ivy was appalling. I mentioned some of this in my updates, but there was a scene between Ivy and Rachel where Ivy pretty much blames Rachel for Ivy having attacked her because Rachel was putting out signals. Yeah that happened. I was disgusted and appalled and it kept being brought up as a plot point throughout the book. That Rachel needs to change her entire sense of self since even though Ivy knows that Rachel doesn't want Ivy in anyway shape or form, Ivy is still getting "signals" from Rachel.

I really wanted Rachel to move the hell out, but the assassins tie her hands. It doesn't help that Ivy keeps getting offended by Rachel being cautious around her and worried that one wrong move Ivy is going to be on her again. I just hate this entire aspect of this book.

The only character that I really cared for in this book was Jenks. His family was awesome. I am now more interested about the ongoing fictional war between pixies and fairies than I have any right to be. Frankly if there was a spin-off book about Jenks I would be there in a minute.

We get some introduction into another character named Nick Sparagmos that I think is being set up as a potential love interest for Rachel. I think it's a bad idea just for the simple fact these two end up hiding a secret that I think is going to end up biting them in the butt.

Also we get some insight into Trent and I found myself intrigued about this character too. Weirdly I feel like he also may be set up as a potential love interest.

Do I smell a love triangle?

Or rectangle if you include Ivy?

Moonlight and I plan on reading book two, The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (The Hollows: Book Two) in about two weeks. ( )

3.5

It definitely took a little to get into this book. I enjoy the world Harrison has created. ( )

Finally got around to reading this one (my husband has been addicted to the series for years), and it was a lot of fun. Witches, vampires, pixies and more all living a 'normal' life in Cincinnati.

Rachel, the main character, reminded me a lot of Isabel Spellman in her personality.

NB: I'm not a fan of vampire books, but still enjoyed this one quite a bit ( )

I'd never read Kim Harrison before. I picked the book because Margaurite Gavin is the narrator and I normally enjoy what she reads.

By the end of "Dead Witch Walking" I was convinced that Kim Harrison had created the basis for a strong Urban Fantasy series.

Her imagining of an alternative earth where a bioengineered disease has accidentally wiped out enough of the human population to bring the weres, vampires, fairies, pixies and witches out of the closet is rich and original.

She has assembled a strong ensemble cast in an iconic location and taken them through trial by combat.

There are secrets and mysteries, murky motives, undisclosed back-stories and shifting agendas enough to feed a dozen books and enough acts of heroism and loyalty to give everyone something to win/lose/feel guilty about. The action scenes are clear and exiting. The vampire/witch dynamic has an instinct-driven frisson to it that remains unresolved.

Only two things marred the book for me: I didn't much like the main character, Rachel Morgan, at the beginning. She was meant to be a tough, wise-cracking, kick-ass-but-honourable witch with a past but, in the first few chapters, she came across as whiney, self-pitying and mistrustful of the people trying to help her; I also began to feel that Morgan's head-long rush into any situation wasn't a character flaw that was an attempt to disguise a weak plot.

Still, I'll be back for more. I think this is one of those series that will get better as it goes along. ( )

Really about 3.5 stars. Good start but the story stalls sometimes into 'Romance' territory. The mythology doesn't always feel completely fleshed out, but it is not too distracting. ( )

Awesome for the first in a series. ( )

In Cincinnati, the Inderlander Security polices all supernatural creatures of the city. Rachel Morgan is a runner for the I.S. and she hates every minute of it. Any job she does for the I.S. is either cursed with bad luck, or intern level work. She's a damn good runner, but her boss refuses to acknowledge it. It's time for something to change. When her latest job is to catch a leprechaun for tax evasion she calls it quits. Glad to see her go, her boss never suspects that his best runner, Ivy Tamwood will quit alongside Rachel. Furious, he puts a price on Rachel's head. With the help of Ivy and a four foot tall pixie named Jenks, Rachel has to dodge the I.S. assassins. The only way to make them stop is to buy out the contract she broke by quitting. While Ivy might have the cash to quit, Rachel is penniless. Rachel sets her sights on Trent Kalamack, a millionaire in the public eye who runs the Brimstone drug trade on the side. But no one has been able to prove his hands are dirty. If Rachel can pin him down, she'll be home free.

Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks have been a dynamic set of characters since I first read The Hollows series years ago. Returning to The Hollows to start the series from the beginning is just as fun as it was the first time around. The three just work well together. Ivy, the one who needs a set plan of action and multiple fail-safes in place. Rachel, the one who rushes into things with a half ass plan, and wings it. And Jenks, the wiseass companion who makes sure to never let them live down said mistakes. Sure they may bungle through some jobs, and mess up plenty of times, but you can't say it isn't entertaining to experience it with them.

Kim Harrison has created a vivid urban fantasy world that is only scratching the surface of the Hollows in this first novel. Even though I already know what happens, I found myself immersed in her world and chuckling at the antics of the three characters. This time around I did notice there is a lot of world building stuffed into the first novel. This might slow some people down, but it lays the groundwork for future novels to take off right from the start. Trust me, wading through the information dumps is worth it.

I can't wait to start the next!
( )

In Cincinnati, the Inderlander Security polices all supernatural creatures of the city. Rachel Morgan is a runner for the I.S. and she hates every minute of it. Any job she does for the I.S. is either cursed with bad luck, or intern level work. She's a damn good runner, but her boss refuses to acknowledge it. It's time for something to change. When her latest job is to catch a leprechaun for tax evasion she calls it quits. Glad to see her go, her boss never suspects that his best runner, Ivy Tamwood will quit alongside Rachel. Furious, he puts a price on Rachel's head. With the help of Ivy and a four foot tall pixie named Jenks, Rachel has to dodge the I.S. assassins. The only way to make them stop is to buy out the contract she broke by quitting. While Ivy might have the cash to quit, Rachel is penniless. Rachel sets her sights on Trent Kalamack, a millionaire in the public eye who runs the Brimstone drug trade on the side. But no one has been able to prove his hands are dirty. If Rachel can pin him down, she'll be home free.

Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks have been a dynamic set of characters since I first read The Hollows series years ago. Returning to The Hollows to start the series from the beginning is just as fun as it was the first time around. The three just work well together. Ivy, the one who needs a set plan of action and multiple fail-safes in place. Rachel, the one who rushes into things with a half ass plan, and wings it. And Jenks, the wiseass companion who makes sure to never let them live down said mistakes. Sure they may bungle through some jobs, and mess up plenty of times, but you can't say it isn't entertaining to experience it with them.

Kim Harrison has created a vivid urban fantasy world that is only scratching the surface of the Hollows in this first novel. Even though I already know what happens, I found myself immersed in her world and chuckling at the antics of the three characters. This time around I did notice there is a lot of world building stuffed into the first novel. This might slow some people down, but it lays the groundwork for future novels to take off right from the start. Trust me, wading through the information dumps is worth it.

I can't wait to start the next! ( )