Ever After ( Hollows #11)

Kim Harrison

Publication Date: January 22, 2013 

Publisher: Harper Voyager

Hardcover:  435 pgs

~Adult~

Summary:

The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking. If it disappears completely, so does all magic. It's up to witch-turned-daywalking-demon Rachel Morgan to avert catastrophe and keep life from changing... for the worse.

While saving the world is important, it isn't Rachel's only motivation. There's also the small fact that she caused the ley line to rip in the first place, setting off a chain reaction of unfortunate events. That little mistake has made her life forfeit unless she can fix it. It's also made her more than a few enemies, including the most powerful demon in the ever after—a terrifying entity who eats souls and now has an insatiable appetite for her. He's already kidnapped her friend and goddaughter to lure her out, and if Rachel doesn't give herself up soon, they'll die.

But Rachel has more than a few impressive and frightening skills of her own, and she isn't going to hand over her soul and her life without one hell of a fight. She's also got a surprise: elven tycoon Trent Kalamack. With this unlikely ally beside her—a prospect both thrilling and unnerving—she's going to return to the ever after, kick some demon butt, rescue her loved ones... and prevent an apocalypse before it's too late. Or, at least that's the plan. (Goodreads)

Review:
     Ever After is the 11th installment in the Hollow series. I have been addicted to this series since I first started reading it a couple of years ago. It's intense, the characters are complicated, intriguing and the story has kept me completely entertained. I couldn't wait to get my hands on this latest installment. I can definitely say I was not disappointed by this book. Rachel is once again forced to fight for her life, which of course makes for an exciting action packed read. In each book I have thoroughly enjoyed how Rachel has evolved and has started to learn who she is. She's comes to terms with being a demon and now she's focused on trying to survive being a demon.

     One of my favorite parts of this series is the ever evolving relationship between Rachel and Trent. I like that we we are getting to know Trent, bit by bit through his interactions with Rachel. Trent has always been one of my favorite characters. It's interesting  to see all these sides of him and how unpredictable he can be. Any Hollows book would not be complete without Jenks, the adorable wisecracking pixie. He always makes me laugh at least once and keeps me smiling throughout these books. Ivy doesn't play a big role in this book, since she's gone for a majority of Ever After. I'm a little sad that some of the characters that I've come to enjoy weren't really in this book, such as Glenn, David and Captain Edden.

     All in all, I have to say Ever After is a great addition to the Hollows series. It's an exciting read full of surprises that I didn't want to put down. I'm eager to see what is next for Rachel in book 12.

Cover:
I love this cover!! The colors as well as the power Rachel is displaying.

Most Anticipated (26)

My Most Anticipated Release of the Week is: Apollyon (Covenant #4). I'm a huge fan of this series. I love the mythology and how the series has evolved from the first book, Half-blood. After reading Elixir (which is told from Aiden's POV) I wanted to find out what happened next, NO I needed to know what happened next. Of course I then realized there would be a ton of waiting involved. But now I will finally be able to read what happens next with Alex, Aiden and Seth. Technically this book is already out but B&N still has it up for pre-order so it should be shipping on the 9th. I can't wait to get my hands on this one!!

Summary:

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.(Goodreads)

Apollyon (Covenant #4), Jennifer L. Armentrout. Published April 4(9th) 2013; Spencer Hill Press. Paperback, 360 pages

That's what I'm looking forward to this week. Are there any books you really want to get this week?

Most Anticipated (8)

My Most Anticipated Release of the Week is Hidden ( House of Night #10)  by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. I have been reading this series for awhile and I really want to know what happens next. I'm not going to say I have loved every book in this series but I've liked them enough to stick with the HON series  But with so many books in one series I guess that can be expected. These books are usually action packed, so I'm sure Hidden will be as well. 

Hidden (House of Night #10), P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, Expected Publication: October 16, 2012, St. Martin's Griffin, Hardcover, 320 pgs. 

Summary:

Neferet’s true nature has been revealed to the Vampyre High Council, so Zoey and the gang might finally get some help in defending themselves and their beloved school against a gathering evil that grows stronger every day. And they’ll need it, because Neferet’s not going down without a fight.Chaos reigns at the House of Night.(Goodreads)

That's what I'm looking forward to reading. Any books make your list this week?

Why (6)

This week the question I have been thinking about is Why do I prefer a series over a stand alone?

     For me the answer is simply. I love getting attached to characters and watching them triumph over the supernatural obstacles that get thrown at them in each book. We get to watch them grow and develop while they come into their abilities. Plus, I like the character development that can be achieved in a series. They go through repeated heartbreak only to find that they have grown stronger in the face of all the difficulties they have come up against. I also like anticipating what is going to happen in the next installment of a characters supernaturally charged life. Though usually I'm wrong and surprised by what actually happens next. Complex worlds can develop over time and new information and characters can be introduced.

     Yes, I realize that most of what I mentioned above could happen in a stand alone but I don't get as attached to the characters in a stand alone as I do in a series. I think that's my main issue, I love seeing how a character will handle the next supernatural situation that comes up. But with a stand alone it's a one and you're done. With a stand alone I feel as though you only get a brief look into a character's life and then the door is closed on that world. 

     As I look around at my bookshelves I realize that most of the books I own are part of a series, though I do have the occasional stand alone mixed in with my other books.

So where do you fall on this issue? Do you prefer a series or are you into stand alone novels?