A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows, Book 4) Mass Market Paperback – June 27, 2006

I've just loved this author's style ever since her first effort! I'd been reading Laurel K. Hamilton and Kelly Armstrong and enjoyed both immensely, but when I twigged to "Dead Witch Walking" I was hooked immediately!Harrison's books still have all the action you want, but because she has such a good mix of humor, romance, and irony, it makes the characters much more real for the reader. Her characters are vaugely familiar in a "you remind me of somebody I know" way rather than just being dark and dangerous like in other series. I like Rachel's irreverent, spunky attitude, Jenk's snide remarks, and Ivy's strong front with a vulnerable underbelly. The bunch really starts to solidify into a family unit (even though they won't say it) right down to the squabbling and sibling rivalry!Rachel gets a break from dealing with demons in this book, but is challenged by having to decide weather to use demon spells (technically dark curses that leave smut on your aura) to save Nick who has gotten himself into trouble and taken Jenks' son, Jax, with him. We see some new developments in Rachel's relationship with Ivy, and a touching reunion with Jenks' homecoming. Kisten continues to be a romantic interest for Rachel, but Nick's (unwelcome...I never did like him) return in the story puts some pressure on the relationship. Rachel faces more interaction with the werewolves and we see more light shed on her pack status with adopted packmember, David.All in all, a little bit of everything and another great contribution to the genre by Harrison. I can't wait to see what happens next!

I love to go visit the "Hollows" whenever Kim Harrison decides to take me there. I love the action, excitement and just plain fun. I wouldn't want to live there, but I sure do like to visit.Rachel Morgan, an earth witch, demon magic user, vampire lure, and all round woman, finds out her previous lover is in trouble. RAchel is an adrenaline junkie, she just hasn't realized it yet. So gathering up her partner, Jenks, a pixie, she sets out for Cincinati to rescue lover-boy. Not that she is in love with him anymore, she has Kistin for that. As a matter of fact the reason they go to Cincinati is to find Jenk's son Jax who ran off with Nick a couple of books ago. In any case they wind up saving Nick from three groups of weres. They are after the cursed charm Nick has stolen and won't stop till they get it.Jenks, has been a partner in the firm since she, Ivy and he had started it. However, he had never thought he would have to become 6 feet 4 inches of muscled man to do his job. But the cold in Cincinati could kill him or Jax in a few minutes. NOt to mention he is the hottest Pixie we have ever seen. So although he looks about 18 we must remember he has 54 children and we love his wife Matalina. Jenks is worried his old age is slowing him down and he will need to train a new partner for Rachel and Ivy.Rachel and Jenks are in the middle of a werewolf war when Ivy shows up. Ivy loves Rachel and has to fight to keep from taking her blood. While they are involved in finding a way to keep Nick alive, Ivy tells RAchel she is an adreniline junky and suddenly Rachel realizes it is true.Where this odd trio will wind up is anyone's guess, Only Kim Harrison knows for sure, but I will definitely be waiting to find out. Fresh, fun and fantastic. Do not miss it.

Review of A Fistful of CharmsThis is a tough review to do because I really love this series. The writing is above average and you can tell each character is more than what is written on the page.You can see that this series has a bible is more or less mapped out. It's not a series that the characters take full control. I believe each character has a destiny and no matter what they will reach that end, but along the way, there are milestones that are mapped out to ensure the destiny, but they do each have a bit of their own freewill along the way.I believe this was a necessary book in the series. It did further the journey of the characters and also gave some history to the characters, so as you would just about any acquaintance you get more of a person each time you visit and do things with them.For these reasons this book gets 4 stars.The negative in this book is that I have not committed to Kisten and Nick. They are not the fullest of characters and I don't trust what I see about them. Kim Harrison started these two characters out one way and now they are another and unlike Trent, these two don't seem as natural an evolution. What they are now doesn't seem as though it is what they will be and it's really frustrating. I don't trust them.There is, from what I can tell, no future for Kisten and he's still so very attached to Ivy and his vampire life, that his apparent love for Rachel comes across false.Nick has officially become a thief who is only after his own interests. To others this may have been very apparent, but I like Rachel didn't see it and to be honest I still don't see it. He's too bookish, too into information to be a true thief. A Mage is more of what I would expect from him. That to me makes more sense, because that's what they've always come across in books to me, always after information, no matter the form, book or demon.Nick's stealing the Wolf artifact and then, apparently, trying to get the best price possible from different Wolf Clans was just false to me. Going through a week of torture when there is apparently no hope for his life what so ever and not giving up the artifact, I'm not quite sure about. He's too intelligent to not be able to figure out a way to barter and save his own life, and ultimately that's what a thief wants, right? A good life.Nick taking Jax and or Jax choosing to be with Nick, I'm not really sure about either. With everything Jenks has provided his family would his son really go so against the strong family lessons of which thievery is not condoned?So, because of my distrust of two characters this story was not as enjoyable for me as the other books.Bottom line: This is a buy. The writing and the fullness of the story are important to the on-going story.

I had the whole series in paperback form then bought on kindle for long trip to NZ

What the hell is that about? Why is it significant? I still don't know, but I am really looking forward to solving that mistery!

I have to say, this installment in the series completely floored me. The promise of the previous novels is completely realized here; the story has serious momentum, character development, plotline, and sheer fun! I have to say (little semi-spoiler here) that if you were to compare this to LBK's Anita Blake, especially the recent ones, you'll be overjoyed to see Rachel kick Nick to the curb (and wish Anita would just kick Richard's self-indulgent behind the same way.) Rachel is absolutely getting her previously spacey brain into gear, and this book is the reward for everyone who's stuck with the series. As a side note, I love Jenks, and he gets limelight here that he completely deserves as a solid sidekick.

For me there is nothing better than the Hollows books. Its at the top of the game.....I rate all the books a 5. Kim Harrison knocks it out of the park with this series.

Fantastic yet again!!Action packed fantasy novel, I am seriously addicted to these books.Magic mixes with the real world as Rachael gets into more near misses and life on the line magic.Can't wait to get my head in the next book!! :)