The Witch with No Name audiobook

GIVEAWAY! Autographed Copy of The Witch With No Name (Hollows, #13) by Kim Harrison (Giveaway)Thanks for the memories! (Site Review)New Hollows Day is probably as good as Christmas Day for many of us.  Not to mention this one has come much sooner than expected!  But if I'm being honest, this is probably my toughest review yet.  It's taken me so long to get it together because I just keep drawing a blank. Part of it is because this is the end of my favorite series ever.  But I have accepted that this must happen to all good things, or else they could risk not being so good anymore.Kim Harrison brought this novel back around to be about the vamps. She made good on her promise compared to other recent books where they sat more on the back burner.  It appears to be for good reason though because vampires are the key to changing everything. There were some revelations that truly surprised me and the unpredictable twists kept me at the edge of my seat the whole time.I was happy to see the demons and elves get a healthy dose of focus as well.   Over the years I have grown very attached to their story lines and was happy to see they wouldn't have too many loose ends.Rachel and Trent. Yeah, if you're a fan I don't see why that would stop now!  They display great teamwork and definitely turn up the heat as they're settling into their relationship together.  It's satisfying to see but still hard to believe it's happened considering the long road they took to find one another.  Of course it still isn't easy for them.  They have very complicated lives, but their determination to make it work just gives a girl all the feels in the world. Rachel takes her relationships seriously and her friends and family are as strong as ever.  We get the answer to the question  of whether she is able to save Ivy's soul.  That alone is worth the price of admission if you've stuck it out with this series for as long as I have.The thing is, I was expecting to have the waterworks ready after finishing this final book. I mean, I was expecting this 9 years is the longest I've stuck it out with a series. But I finished it feeling satisfied and believing that the characters would be okay. Kim has done her characters justice and she should pat herself on the back for being able to give them what they deserve. And it truly feels deserved with a very fitting ending. They've worked hard and sacrificed so much.I enjoyed every page from beginning to end in this last installment. We received a lot of answers and many things were wrapped up, but at the same time it also feels like a new beginning so I still want more! I just don't know what I am going to do without my favorite witch, demon, elf, pixy, and vampire team to look forward to once a year.And now I'm gonna lay the sap on extra thick. Honestly, reading for me won't be the same again, at least for a while. This is the first series to really introduce me to the adult urban fantasy genre and it's set the bar so high that nothing else can scratch that itch quite like The Hollows can. Everything else fights for second. This is the first series I have followed for so long so it will always carry a special place for me for that reason alone. Of course I'm looking forward to what's next, but it's always hard to say goodbye to history, especially as I've gone through the ups and downs with the characters year after year and made quite a few friends in my life along the way, including Ms. Harrison herself. So goodbye Hollows! Thanks for the ride! Thanks for the memories! Thank you, Kim Harrison! I'll be first in line for your next book! In the meantime...*Review also posted to Amazon. *ARC Provided by the Publisher.

3.75 to 4 StarsDAMN....This took me so long to read....I LOVED AL in this book....but I didn't like the ending....(cleaned up too quickly in the last chapter)I'm still sad to see the crew go....but it just didn't click for me like the others. :-(

It took me while to read the end of The Hollows series...I'm not sure why. Maybe because I didn't want it to end. After all, Jenks, Trent, Rachel have been characters I have read for years now. In the end, I'm pretty happy with the end. I liked that Rachel is with Trent. She had some trouble processing his love for her. A couple of instances she wasn't sure what to do because she cared for Biz, Jenks and Ivy too. I was super worried about how to keep Ivy alive without making Rachel her scion. Cormac was pretty clear, he wanted Rachel to figure a way for vampires to keep their soul. He threatened everything Rachel cared about in order to get her to do it. The best part of this book were the demons. Al is one of my favorite characters in the series and I was happy he was back in this book with many scenes. I do wish he and Jenks could have found some love to keep them company in the later years. One thing that bothered me: Rachel believing she wasn't enough for Trent. I didn't understand why she felt that way. She was a strong witch/demon. I mean she has saved their world so many times, why would she doubt that she was enough for him. Don't get me wrong, I love Trent but I think he was the lucky one. She made him better.Overall, I was happy...bittersweet ..but happy.Cliffhanger: No4/5 FangsMrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

The ARC landed in my lap yesterday... I hadn't come up for air since. I have no words to describe it. Kim Harrison has been holding out on us more than we ever knew and I love her writing so much more for it, more than I ever thought possible. Ten years, has it really been? Since that first day I stumbled across that lonely copy of Dead Witch Walking on the shelves, and have been escaping into the Hollows ever since. This book... I call it The World Breaker, fitting as it is both an ending to an amazing series and an a new beginning for both author and audience, it will amaze you, steal the very breath from your lungs, then give it back to you somehow sweeter, more cherished than it was before. "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."If I could write a personal note to Kim Harrison right now, it would read.Thank you Kim Harrison. For every heart wrenching moment. For every beautiful soul you've written into existence. For ten years, 13 books, 2 graphic novels, an anthology of novellas and a world book. But most of all, Thank you for that last chapter for those of us reading the ARCs. Much like you're writing well in advance can have its drawbacks, reading in advance makes it end that much sooner for us. Thank you for giving us something to hold onto for just a little bit longer.I want to post a more in depth review here, but I have no words. I really don't. I'm still processing, in MY opinion, the greatest book ever written and honestly don't want to foul it up by posting a review that may set expectations for anyone else's reading. Those of you looking for spoilers, please don't. It's worth the wait, I promise you.

5 I can't believe it's over, stars!! “I liked beginnings better than endings.” Well ladies and gents, this is the end of an era for me. I've always loved the urban fantasy genre and this is one of my all time favorite series, in the genre and out of it. I initially read this series at the urging of a coworker of mine (the same dude who made me read The Maze Runner and other awesome books). After reading the first book Dead Witch Walking I wasn't super impressed and I gave the book a 3/5 stars. I continued to read the series when my coworker promised they would get better. And HOLY SH** did they get better. It's really true, this is one of those rare series of books where with every book I became more enthralled with the world it's placed in. In this final installment, Cormel places an ultimatum with Rachel. She must find a way to help vampires keep their souls when they die the first death, or else. This evolves into a power battle between the vampires, demons and elves which have dire consequences, and Rachel and her trusty group of friends and allies are stuck in the middle of it. “Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination.” It took me a while to read this book because a huge part of me didn't want it to be over. Over the past couple of years of reading these books Rachel, Ivy and Jenks feel like friends to me and I didn't want to say goodbye. And Trent, oh Trent. I want a cookie maker of my own! This man (elf) was absolutely perfect, and he and Rachel complement each other beautifully. Surprisingly, the scenes with Rachel and Trent were very emotional, but I felt it worked as they were fighting side by side in dire circumstances and fighting to stay together despite the insurmountable odds stacked against them. Trent is a best book boyfriend in my world. “Love died in the shadows, and it shouldn’t cost so much to keep it in the sun. But as Trent would say, anything gotten cheap wouldn’t last, so do what you need to do to be happy and deal with the consequences. That if love was easy, everyone would find it.” I have very few issues with how the book ended, but one big one would be Nina. I'm sorry but I saw absolutely no redeeming qualities in Nina and found it hard to believe that Ivy could stand being around her, let alone being in love with her. There was no connection! I'd rather Kim Harrison (view spoiler)[ kill Nina off than tie her soul to Ivy forever, but whatever. Not every ending can be perfect, huh? (hide spoiler)]. That was quite possibly one of the best epilogues ever. I'm sad this series is over :(((((((( "Give up? Leave? echoed in my thoughts as his lips met mine, holding both a promise and a desire. Never, I answered myself as we parted and, hands still connected, turned to those who meant most to us and were welcomed in between the pixy dust and the blue butterflies. THE BEGINNING." ["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

Buddy read with Gavin "Because for all the changes, some things were immutable truths: friendship transcends all barriers, understanding trumps fear, and great power can always be surmounted by determination." Yeah, baby! This was a perfect ending to the series. Full review later(probably after Easter).March 20th, 2015Starting this on Thursday or Friday at the latest after two hours. It's the final book in the series, guys! I is both sad and excite! ^_^ Can't wait to see how Kim has closed the story & characters arcs.

My, what a finale! (Yes, this was meant as the last book in the series, it was the fans that persuaded the author to return to the Hollows eventually.)Elsbeth is trying to get custody of the girls (yes, even Ray, who isn't actually hers) still/again. This time, her brilliant plan is to team up with the religious leader of the elves. Yep, the arrogant asshole trying to get Trent's power, who considers Rachel unnatural and thinks that all demons have to be eradicated.An opening presents itself for both of them when Ivy's master threatens to kill her if Rachel doesn't finally find a way to return the vampiric souls. The mystery where the souls go after the first death was actually very interesting (it had been staring us in the face for a long time) but when Rachel succeeds, people find out that they should have been careful what to wish for.The problem is that a plot has been set in motion to destroy the Ever After and thus all magic. And Trent no longer has the finances or power to stop it. Moreover, Al is not really in the mood to talk to Rachel (just like the other demons). In short, Rachel's and Trent's relationship isolates them - except for from their true friends. And it is these friends that will band together and even twist other people's arms to do the same and fight for everyone's survival.Demons in our reality, the goddess back with a vengeance, more mystics, sunciding (suiciding by sun) vampires, a babysitting demon, the church getting destroyed, ... this was indeed a finale and it has been fulminant! From annoying-as-fuck Nina and infuriating Elsbeth, to formidable enemies and a gargoyle begging to be allowed to keep a puppy - I had immense fun!Most impressive was to be reminded of Rachel's core, which is also why I like her so much: she doesn't like bullies. It's why she does what she does.And then there was this:"...You all think that security and peace are born from destroying everything stronger than you? There is no safety. There is no peace but what you make, every day, every second, with every choice."This, in combination with the racial unrests and distrust, made for one powerful message (I was 100% on board with Rachel (view spoiler)[about keeping the demons mixed with everyone else - one world for everyone (hide spoiler)].Did I mention that the author is impeccable at sneaking in such timely and utterly important observations in a supposedly shallow genre?She also made that be reflected in the mixture of the different kinds of magic - witchcraft, demon magic, elven magic, wild magic, the ley lines and mystics - and (view spoiler)[the thought of a new world order where the species are forced to work together actively or perish together (hide spoiler)], effectively ending the fear and hatred that had caused the war(s) as well as their results, made me feel all cozy and warm (view spoiler)[despite or maybe exactly because of the "becoming" of the goddess / Newt when Rachel made a new Ever After (hide spoiler)]. :)The culmination of every decision made, of every encounter, of all the magic in its different forms was wonderful - though at times I wasn't sure I could survive all the thrill and tension. So yes, this was a worthy end to one of the best fantasy series I can imagine, but I am more than glad that the author decided to return to the Hollows.P.S.: I was so nervous when I figured out there was (view spoiler)[a time jump of 27 years (hide spoiler)] in the end and (view spoiler)[started tearing up about Ray calling Rachel "mom" (touched) and when I heard that Rachel no loger lived with Jenks (sad) (hide spoiler)].

This was the 13th and final book in The Hollows series and it did not disappoint. Everything I wanted to happen did so I'm quite pleased. The story was pretty exciting with Rachel seeking a way to finally save the souls of the Vampires while also struggling with the eternal war between the Elves and the Demons. All our old favorite characters were back for one last exciting outing and I was happy with the way things ended for most of them. This was a great finale to a really fun series. I'm going to miss Rachel and the rest of the bunch!Rating: 4 stars. Audio Note: This was narrated by Marguerite Gavin. She gave a great performance as always and is definitely the "voice" of the Hollows series.

Update 2017:Just done re-reading the whole series for probably the 4th time and I still love it. And yes, I'm still sad it's over but I do love how it ended and I keep re-reading it because this author grew with the characters and it shows in her writing. It's and utter joy to read it and enjoy such a well built world. I'm so glad I've found this series and I'm so glad dear Kim made 'a fist of it' :DThank you thank you thank you, this is one of the best comfort blankets ever created! Peace, A.--------------------------me sad it's over, I miss them all already :(

Great Hollows Re-read continues! 4/24/21Back to the official first ending of the series, with all the plot wrap-ups, huge stakes, and whiny bitch-ass undead vampires crying that they want their souls.Of course, nothing ends right here, but the first time we all read this, we were dreading and preparing ourselves with a big box of tissues. And when I HAD read it, I was thrilled and immensely pleased with the whole mix of different kinds of magic, the extreme ends they all had to take to not only fix the vamps, but fix those sucky elves, save the Ever After, and just find a BALANCE. You know?And I finished this again with not quite as much anticipation -- mainly because I've already read the sequel -- but when it comes to the overall story-arcs and the character progressions, I'm VERY pleased.Kim Harrison pulled it off. And coming back to this, one of my old favorite story-homes, was a real pleasure. *rubs hands together* Of course, we're not done yet. :)Original Review:Such sadness. I'm really sorry to see the series come to a close, but I'm certain that all of the fans will be satisfied by the end. The wonderful Itchy-Witch has had her share of crap storms, and I'm more than willing to see her get a happy ending.I've been dreading and heavily anticipating this novel for some time, wanting it with such cravings that might put a vampire to shame. The fact that it has finished with such a wonderfully huge bang is only icing on the cake, but I have to say that I loved it all.Mind candy? Hell yes, but of a caliber much more interesting and emotionally engaging than the most urban fantasy that I've read. Will I always think of these books fondly? Hell yes. Will I reread them in the future? Hell yes. They deserve more than that, though... they deserve to be studied by other urban fantasy authors and emulated, even improved upon, but above all, they need to be cherished.Thank you for the gift of these wonderful novels!

Initial Thoughts: So sad to see this series come to an end. The Hollows series was my first foray into the world of urban fantasy and because of that series, I've discovered so many other wonderful authors. So thank you Kim Harrison for writing such a wonderful series. It was so nice to revisit my favorite characters and to see how much Rachel has grown and matured throughout the series. I'll miss you Rachel Morgan. And...I'll miss Al, Newt, Jenks, Trent, Ivy, Bis, and the rest of the gang.Joint Review:Christal and I do a joint review/series farewell on Badass Book Reviews. Oh, by the way - why only 4 stars and not 5? Well, I had the ARC copy provided by Edelweiss and Harper Voyager and my copy had the epilogue redacted, with a note from the author. That was diabolical of you, Ms. Harrison! Minus 1 star for messing with us.

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/I liked this book! This book is where the series originally ended and I may have looked at it a little differently if I read it thinking that it would really be the last book. Since I waited, I know that the series has continued and I will only be waiting a couple of weeks to read more instead of years. I did think that things were wrapped up well. I found this to be a very entertaining read.Rachel needs to figure out how to help the vampires keep their souls without wanting to walk into the sun. This is no easy feat but Trent, Jenks, Al, and the rest of the gang are there to help her out. I have really enjoyed watching this group of characters grow and change over the course of the series and I think that Trent is a good match for Rachel. The highlight of this for me was Al. I loved the part that he played in this story and I think that he has shown the most growth over the course of the series. This book had all of the action and excitement that I hoped for plus a whole lot of heart.Marguerite Gavin does a phenomenal job with this series. I love the various character voices that she uses which really helps to bring this story to life. I thought that she added a lot of emotion and excitement to her reading which increased my enjoyment of the story. I definitely feel like audio is the way to go with this series, at least for me.I would recommend this series to others. I had a great time watching this group of characters that I have grown to love over the years tackle another impossible situation. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.Initial ThoughtsSo, this was the original ending to the series but I know that it has since been continued. I did think that this wrapped up things nicely. The story was exciting and I loved seeing the whole gang, including Al. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic.

There is no way for me to review this book without turning into a blubbering emotional sap. So I apologize in advance.This was the first Urban Fantasy series I have EVER read and the ONLY one I followed through the years. Before being an avid reader, before discovering other long series and Paranormal Romance books, before goodreads, before blogging, before fb reading groups or fan pages etc. Before everything else, there was Rachel and her unusual witty, kickass team. Of course, I read other series throughout the years, some I loved, some I lost interest in, but this was the only one I followed almost religiously, no matter how hectic my real life was when the new book came out. So of course these characters became part of my life, like family. Rachel, the stubborn, reckless, trouble making witch; Jenks, the smart mouthed, sarcastic, all capable pixy; Ivy, the sexy, scary, somewhat withdrawn vampire; Al, the wicked, up to no good demon and of course, Trent, the delicious, powerful, devious drug lord billionaire elf. (