The Good, the Bad, and the Undead (The Hollows, #2) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Mar 15, 2012 Elizabeth rated it did not like it

Shelves: returned-to-library-before-finishin, urban-fantasy

I'm unable to deal with stupid characters (or when characters make such obviously stupid decisions that you want to kill them quickly to put them out of everyone's misery). The plot point, 'it's a horrible idea and I'll lose myself (will, soul, whatever) but I can't say no because I'm so horny around this person (or people, or usually vampire(s)) I've lost all coherent though' makes me want to hurl. This book hit both elements in a few pages of each other.

From here I went to a dystopian story th ...more

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Aug 29, 2007 Lou C rated it really liked it

Genetic engineering has wiped out a large portion of humanity in this modern day novel. The carrier of the virus was tomatoes. Humans find out next that supernatural creatures such as vampires and witches have always lived among them. They were immune to the virus and come out in an event called “the turning” to take their place in the population. Humanity still recovering from the virus reluctantly agrees to integrate these “people”. Those who are not human seem to have the blanket term “Inderl Genetic engineering has wiped out a large portion of humanity in this modern day novel. The carrier of the virus was tomatoes. Humans find out next that supernatural creatures such as vampires and witches have always lived among them. They were immune to the virus and come out in an event called “the turning” to take their place in the population. Humanity still recovering from the virus reluctantly agrees to integrate these “people”. Those who are not human seem to have the blanket term “Inderlander” applied to them. The book takes place around Cincinnati, and the area where Inderlanders live are called “the Hollows”.

Sequel to “Dead Witch Walking”, Rachel Morgan is adjusting to going into business for herself. She is also adjusting to her new personal life now that that she has business partners and a boyfriend. The book takes place a few months after the first. There is a killer murdering ley line witches. She is hired by the FIB to help find the killer. She butts heads with the FIB because of her obsession with Trent Kalamack who is a suspect in the killings. Can Rachel be objective in her investigation after his treatment of her in the first book?

Ivy, the living vampire that Rachel lives with adds to the drama as she fights her vampire nature. She has abstained from drinking blood for three years, but her living arrangement has temptation across the hall. Jenks, the pixy that lives in the garden continues to add comic relief to the story. There is also the potential for several reoccurring characters.

Like the first book, the story is fun and easy to follow and the characters are likeable. The character appears to be developing into a likeable underdog who despite her best efforts has a hard time getting by. “Its not fair” is a line used by Rachel in both books and has the potential to be a tag line for her. Harrison has done more to explain magic since part of the story explains the differences in various types of magic. Harrison still seems to have a tendency to make a statement about something and not explain it however. The story also touches on Rachel’s past. There is little violence, but there is a disturbing scene that is similar to sexual assault. The description is given in the aftermath in the form of a conversation and is not graphic. The most graphic parts are that of the descriptions of the victims found. Sexual tension and innuendo also seems likes something that will be present in the series.
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Sep 02, 2009 Kati rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2010, in-english, urban-fantasy, work-translations

Much better than book #1 in the Rachel Morgan/The Hollows series. I don't even know why. Maybe because this one read more like a mystery? Because Rachel didn't behave like an idiot for once? Sure, she did have several spazzy moments - like when she tipped over the jar with Bob - but she didn't behave outright stupid this time. On the other hand, she blamed Nick for his recklessness in dealing with demons, but it was she who made the biggest, most awful blunder of all.

Though there were a couple o ...more

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Apr 14, 2008 Kimberly rated it really liked it

In this, the second book in the Rachel Morgan series, Rachel finds herself searching for a serial killer of ley line witches, heading back to school in the process. Rachel is sure she is watching the wrong person, that the crimes are somehow linked to Trent Kalamack, tycoon of mysterious Inderlander nature, who knows more about Rachel's personal history than he's willing to admit. Meanwhile, Ivy is increasingly tempted to break her blood-fast, and Jenks is, well, just Jenks, copping an attitude ...more

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