As I mentioned at the end of my last review, I decided to purchase the paperback of The Outlaw Demon Wails, the 6th novel in Kim Harrison’s popular Hollows series, rather than listen to the audio. I didn’t know if I could bear to listen to the different reader’s strange voices and odd pronunciations for even this one book, again. I’m happy that I did so, as I was able to hear the fantastic voices that I’ve listened to Marguerite Gavin use to bring life to each of Harrison’s motley group of characters while I read the text. It was quite enjoyable.

That being said, here’s a blurb from the back cover:

In the Hollows, where the natural and the supernatural co-exist -not always peacefully- desperate times often call for unorthodox measures. But bounty hunter-witch Rachel organ did the absolutely unthinkable to save the lives of her friends: she willingly trafficked in forbidden demon magic. And now her sins have come home to haunt her.

As Rachel hunts for the truth behind a terrifying murder, the discovery of a shocking family secret is about to throw her entire life into question. And the long-lost ancient knowledge she seeks resides in the demonic ever-after.

But there are some lines that should never be crossed – like the one Rachel Morgan is stepping over… again!

I’ve never quite understood why the book covers describe Rachel as a ‘bounty hunter’ unless it just seems like a good translation for ‘runner’. *shrug* Just an oddity that I’ve wondered about from time to time. Prepare for mild spoilers!

It’s Halloween and Rachel is a busy little witch. She fights with and then makes up with Ceri, is given a clue by Quen which causes her to have a revelation, works with Trent once more and remembers a few things about the night Kisten died while coming to a decision about her bizarre relationship with Ivy. She also learns an astounding secret about her past and comes to a horrifying realization about her future as well as making a rather mature and long-awaited (by myself, if by nobody else!) decision about the way she lives her life for the thrill of the adrenaline rush. Busy, busy, busy!

We see a couple of characters who made short appearances in previous books come back for a bit more face time as well as meeting a new character. Marshall, the scuba-diver from Mackinaw has moved to Cincinnati and starts to hang out with Rachel. As friends, of course… because neither of them is looking for a relationship. *wink-wink-nudge-nudge* Tom Bansen, the demon summoning IS agent from the Arcane division is back being annoying as ever and we meet the new master vampire in Cincinnati and enjoy seeing Rachel insult him the first time she meets him, thinking he’s Trent in costume.

The whole witch/demon storyline really begins to unfold in this 6th installment of the series and by the end, Rachel has come to something of an understanding with the demon Algaliarept after she walks a mile in his shoes, so to speak.  All in all, there’s a whole lot of information pouring off the pages and the storyline is wrapped up nicely once you get to the end while still leaving a lot for you to look forward to in the next book. Which I’ll be starting now, on audio with Marguerite Gavin!

Fave lines: “No one in the movies ever looks up until the saliva starts dripping down.”  “I shouted as I leapt to my feet, cursing my habit of talking during fights and righteous sex.” And of course Jenks gets a mention with this awesome rant: “Tink’s contractual hell, you did it! You’re here! God almighty, you stink. I wish you were smaller; I’d slap you so hard you’d land in next week!”