Black Magic Sanction

This review is also featured on Behind the Pages: Black Magic Sanction

Rachel is trying to keep her life as normal as she can despite being shunned. But every time she turns around, another person is gunning for her. She's come to terms with the paths she's chosen, but most don't believe a witch can walk the line between white and black magic and not be evil. To the coven of moral and ethical standards, shunning isn't enough. They would prefer Rachel to be tucked away in their prison and magically neutered. While they don't expect her to go quietly, they have no idea what they are in for when Rachel's team fights back. She's gained quite a few allies, and she won't go down without a fight.

Each book in The Hollows series continues to escalate the situations Rachel must face. Kim Harrison isn't afraid to put her in tough situations, and Rachel is going to have some heartbreaking and eye-opening experiences this time around. Black Magic Sanction is one of those books that makes you step back and realize just how much Rachel has progressed throughout the series. Having been through so much, the long term toll on her is reflected in her behavior and actions. But even with all the experience under her belt, nothing ever goes according to plan and Rachel might be in over her head this time.

There is never a dull moment in Black Magic Sanction. Some of the better known members of Rachel's team will take a back step, but this allows for a fresh mix of conflict and tension. Past and present characters will collide to force Rachel to make decisions on who to trust in the blink of an eye. I will never tire of The Hollows series. It has the perfect blend of action, romance, and humor to keep me reading as long as Kim Harrison keeps writing books in the series.