For a Few Demons More (The Hollows, #5) in MobileRead Book Challenges

May 02, 2014 Kribu rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, witches, urban-fantasy, weres, read-in-2014

It seems that The Hollows is a series that might just be a bit like crack: I don't find it that particularly awesome, and there's a lot about it that I don't in fact like, but overall, it's addictive and hard to stay away from - and dammit, I want more.

First, the bad: honestly? Pretty much the same things I've complained about in my reviews for the previous books. Epithets. Dear god, the epithets. There were long stretches where I either didn't notice them or an editor had got hold of some chunk It seems that The Hollows is a series that might just be a bit like crack: I don't find it that particularly awesome, and there's a lot about it that I don't in fact like, but overall, it's addictive and hard to stay away from - and dammit, I want more.

First, the bad: honestly? Pretty much the same things I've complained about in my reviews for the previous books. Epithets. Dear god, the epithets. There were long stretches where I either didn't notice them or an editor had got hold of some chunks of the manuscript and removed them, but .. eurgh. Also, at least the UK edition seemed to have switched from Ceridwen to Cerdiwen consistently for Ceri's full name, and ... no. Just no.

Various writing issues aside, I just... Rachel drives me up the wall. At least her characterisation has been consistent through the books, but dear god, how stupid can she be? This time we get her constant thoughts about her adrenaline-junky-ness and ... she still rushes to danger. All. The. Fucking. Time. ARGH. Add to that her questionable dress sense (shouldn't she by now have some inkling about what's appropriate for what occasion and what not??) and her still bloody drooling after every single man/vampire/were/witch/demon she meets (while having a steady boyfriend) and it's just. Argh. I like Rachel, in spite of everything, but god.

Also, Ivy. This entire thing with Ivy. Thing is, I don't like Ivy. I've yet to find any reason whatsoever to like her, other than Rachel and Jenks and Kisten etc liking her. She's completely bland. Flat. No personality at all. I have no idea what she's about (other than really really really wanting to have sex with Rachel and drink her blood and what not). And frankly - while I appreciate having an urban fantasy series that has some diversity in the sexuality of the protagonists and has the protagonist consider that there might be some fluidity in her own sexuality - the entire Rachel/Ivy thing is just... not handled in a way that makes me like it, even the least bit. Blegh. On the plus side, at least Rachel is also aware of it possibly being just Ivy playing on the scar/vampire pheromones, but ... that is also really what bothers me. Ivy's basically drugging her every time she comes close and plays on the pheromones, and, eh.

Also, Trent. I'm starting to get tired of how easily, all things considered, everyone - everyone who knows! - is brushing off his murderous tendencies.

Good things: the plot, and Rachel's battling with the issues of demons, using demon curses, and the such. I like how she's starting to accept that things aren't always so black or white, and I'm curious to see where this is going.

Also, Quen. And Minias! I loved Minias. I want more Minias. If the next books had nothing but Quen and Minias and Takata (I also want more Takata!), I'd be one happy camper. Sadly, I expect they won't, but hey, a girl can hope. And I was glad to see Glenn return, if in a smaller role! Actually, that is one thing I really appreciate about the series - minor/secondary characters from earlier books not just disappearing but remaining a part of the core cast's lives, returning or being mentioned now and again. Makes them feel like real people and not just props for the plot of a specific book.

Will I be reading on? Absolutely. In spite of all my issues, I am enjoying the series. Just with a lot of headdesking involved. ...more

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May 13, 2025 Nyssa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, mystery, speculative-fiction, witches-and-wizards, vampires, shapeshifters, 2025, dark, grg-fantasy-buddy-reads, age-adult

I have mixed feelings about this installment.

Rachel really demonstrated her TSTL (too stupid to live) tendencies throughout most of the book—she jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire as if it were an Olympic sport! She is gradually realizing (and accepting) that her emotions, logic, and actions don’t always align in coherent ways. She is an adrenaline junkie who often makes decisions based on how much she can irritate others, even those she loves. And when she loves, she loves fiercely! ...more

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