Slow start to the book and the series, but overall a good read
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I started the 'Rachel Morgan' series in completely the wrong order and to be honest I'm glad I did. I first read 'Every Witch Way But Dead' and found it a gripping and unique book. After finishing it I decided to come back to the beginning and read 'Dead Witch Walking'. I did not like 'Dead Witch Walking' as much as 'Every Witch Way But Dead' but I did enjoy it. Had this been my first foray into Kim Harrison's writing I doubt I would be as interested in the second book in the series.
This book is very much an introduction to the series. The setting Kim Harrison creates is very ambitious in that Humans now live side by side with paranormal species in their day to day lives. Bio-engineering caused a disease to run rife throughout humanity causing a pandemic, but this exposed all paranormal species as they were immune. Now, non-humans have been outed to the world and labelled as 'Inderlanders' and are mostly either feared or disliked. The web Harrison weaves in this novel is very cleverly done, she balances a steady plot with enough information to make this new world believable.
However, if the world created doesn't manage to grip you then the plot in itself is more than a little thin. Rachel Morgan (a witch) is a runner (agent) in the IS (Inderland Security) chasing down Inderlander criminals. She quits because her idiot boss is holding her back and leaving her to clean up after petty criminals. Fellow runner Ivy (a living vampire) leaves with her to start up an independent runner company. The big difference is, Ivy can afford to pay her contract with IS off where as Rachel can't. A contract is put out for Rachel's death and the book follows Rachel as she tries to avoid certain death at every turn. Now this sounds exciting and in places it is, but if I was as lucky in my day to day life and Rachel is in escaping her enemies, I would have won the lottery 7 times over by now. My only complaint is that very little of plot involves any skill on Rachel's part and relies heavily on chance, and being saved by MANY other people. Now I know this not to be true of the character form future books in the series, she has some serious skills they are just not showcased well in this book.
Would I recommend this book ? Yes. It's very different from a lot of the paranormal books out there and it will keep you interested for that fact alone. Will you be able to put it down? Yes but you will return to it. Is it Paranormal or Paranormal Romance? This book is very much on the paranormal side of things, but future books in the series have far more romance in them.
It is very much worth reading as a start to what is a good and ever improving series. I hope you enjoy...
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Dead Witch Walking
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-No Spoilers -
Like most readers I found this book difficult to get into - in fact I started reading the first few chapters and it didn't grab my attention so I put it down and I gave up on it! I started reading another book instead and went back to this as I run out of books to read - and I'm glad did!
Despite the slow start the story actually gets a lot better and in the end it turned into an addictive read they only way I can sum it up the first chapters are like a 1st movie that is good but the rest of the book is like a sequel which is even better but won't be so good with out watching the 1st movie!
I think the problem is in order to appreciate the character or the story you need to know her background story but the author takes her time to explain the ins and outs but once you have got through that the real fun begins!
The story is about Rachel Morgan who is a witch without giving it away has a bounty on her head and is trying to survive from the old company she quit from and trying to bring in a known drug lord down to clear her bounty!
If you have read Anita Blake - I have to say the story is similar to Anita Blake novel but not a complete rip off and has it own originality to it -I liked the concept of the ever-after which is featured in the book!
Sorry If you haven't read Anita Blake but I can't help compare the two. The book is taken from Rachel point of view like Anita! She always gets traps in situation she can't get out off like Anita! And the writing is so similar to L.K Hamilition if I didn't know I would have said that she wrote this!
The fact is I prefer Anita to Rachel as she is more kick-ass and where Rachel relies on others to save the day! Don't get me wrong I did enjoy this book!
To be honest I'm a fan of vampire literature and thought this was a vampire book through internet recommendations but it really isn't! It features a vampire but the story is not based on vampires so if you are looking for a vamp book try Anita Blake, Anne Rice or The Twilight series!
The book is really focus on Rachel and her being a witch! If anything this is like Charmed to Buffy with Anita Blake being the Buffy of books! If you want to read about witches this is highly recommend as it is a cool witch book instead book about spells and naff stuff - it has action! If you're a fan of Buffy & Charmed I would recommend this to read!
On the plus side once it gets going the action is non-stop as Rachel tries to survive not getting killed and bring down the big bad! As far as the character goes Rachel is ok but nothing brilliant as first point of view she never makes me laugh as compare to Mary Janice Dickson Betsy - who is sarcastic and witty or Anita - who is kickass and hard as nails!
To be honest I prefer the supporting characters like her roommate Ivy the vampire I would like to read a book from Ivy's point of view!
The author herself doesn't do a bad job at narrating from Rachel's point of view and this is the first time I have read a Kim Harrison book I will carry on with the rest of the series I just hope they don't start as bad this one did!
It is a good book once you have paced through the beginning if you are looking for a book full of action, supernatural fun and some kick-ass this will be right up your street! Worth-checking out!
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Late to the party
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Given the book is four years old, I'm rather late to this particular party. The author was recommended by someone who shares my love of the Sooky Stackhouse stories (Charlaine Harris) so I knew what to expect - more or less. In fact, this book is hard work. The story itself is well reviewed elsewhere but, for me, the pace slowed with so many pages of detail (for example, dealing with Rachel's injuries after a tussle with a demon) that I decided to skip a few pages at other points in the book.
The premise is good; the fantasy world created by the author leaves several doors open for the following books and I shall be buying number 2 in the hope that a solid base has been built from which to develop these characters - and my understanding of who can do what to whom and why!
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Brilliant
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This book has everything sexy vamps funny pixes and stubborn witches. really good defo worth a read
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A Wicked Bit of Fun
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I picked this out whilst making a last minute book choice for the holiday read, mainly cause of the pretty yellow colour, and was pleasently surprised. Whilst not a future classic in any shape or form, it's a peppy, compellingly descriptive book.
Of course while there are the occasional shaky moments within the plot, Harrison manages to conjure up strong, likeable characters (my favourite being the pixie) within a provokatively imaginative, alternative world, that is reminiscent of the Buffyverse, without being too samey.
While it is likely to be slipped into the guilty pleasures section of my bookcase, it's direct, amusing prose makes it a very enjoyable and captivating read, and I can't wait to read more.
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