Oh. My. God.

[fembuck]

I enjoyed the first seven of Black Magic Sanction.  Well, I enjoyed chapters 2-7 of Black Magic Sanction.


(Click here to read)

Rachel ... and I can't believe I'm typing this ... Rachel Morgan has gotten smarter.  Seriously, like chicha has actually matured and is on occassion displaying good judgement in this book.  I mean she's still kind of dick at inopportune times, but compared to her previous dickishness she's a fucking wallflower this book (and when she is a dick it's often actually amusing instead of aggravating, ex. her busted, can't even walk ass being all like, "that's Ms. Morgan to you").

I think ... no, I do sympathize with her so far. 

I ... I ... I think I like her again.



You guys, I don't know what to do with myself.  I honestly can't work up a rant.  I haven't felt this way in like books and books you guys.  I ... I ... I ... want to read more!

Like, the story is actually focused on the plot.  PLOT!  Not Rachel's dumbass romantic woes.  Not the beautiful and wonderful and amazing Ivy Tamwood getting screwed over in new and heart-breaking ways.  But on actual honest to god plot! 

And ... and ... and Rachel and Ivy are acting like honest to god fucking friends! 

WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!?! 

I mean, Rachel is still all like, "Look at Ivy's ass in those jeans!  Dayum.  No homo" but I like don't even care because they finally listened to the great philospher Mary J. Blige and there's like no more drama.  TBH, even though I wish they were all:



by now, I am enjoying their interactions. 

Like, you guys ... Rachel Morgan has wanted and asked for other people's help numerous times.  Rachel Morgan.  Asking for help.  Especially from Ivy.  Ivy Tamwood.  Rachel Morgan.  You guys.  I don't think my brain can handle this.  Asking for help ... from Ivy *brain explodes*

Seriously, even though the gay is less obvious (though by no means unexistant), that means that there is less angst ... and I kind of ship more because they seem like they actually like each other and add something positive to the others life. 

I'm still feel rather fun-spongey



about Ivy/Glenn, but it's not that bad.  And Ivy got a couple good little digs in there about Rachel being a notrustnik, pansy-ass who's afraid of her fangs. 

Honestly, my problem with the Ivy/Glenn thing is more that I wish she was with a girl.  After how Kim trashed Skimmer in the last book, I want to see Ivy with a sane woman who has a positive influence on her, instead of the F/F relationships in the series being different versions of Ivy getting mind-fucked, emotion-fucked and fucked over. 

In my mind I had decided that the hot foresenics vampire chick from that one book would be Ivy's rebound/time killer until Rachel smartens up, so me is ambivelent to Glenn (who btw, did we know his name was Matthew before this?  I just saw that and I was like O_o.  I mean I know he had to have a first name, I was just like ... really?). 

Also, just from a pure numbers point of view, Ivy has gotten/chased far more cock than she has pussy so I wanted the playing field to be evened out.  She's becoming one of those sweeps week bi-sexuals on network tv that are usually played by Olivia Wilde (Mm, Olivia Wilde).

Also, Rachel still is able to smell Ivy on shit, which never ceases to amuse me.  She's like a fucking bloodhound when it comes to Ivy's scent.  I dig it.

Wow. 

Before reading this I honestly couldn't imagine genuinely being excited for the continuation of this series and I put off reading these chapters cause I was sure they were going to piss me off ... but I am very pleasantly surprised.

Warning:  To  ye who do not read through all of the comments.  My enthusiasm for the book has been thwarted.  I am back in RANT mode.  The first seven chapters are a smoke screen and rant inducing shenanigans follow. 

Buy/Read this novel at your own risk!

Comments

[rainydaygirl11.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! The first 7 chapters got me excited too! I'm still holding on the the hope for some femslash action, but I'll take an improved Rachel in the mean time!

When I read that Ivy is dating/fooling around with Glenn I immediately thought of "Burning" (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE). There was a moment in the car where Rachel sounded a liiitle jealous--or maybe that's just wishful thinking?

FYI, you can download the audio version using via torrents if you use them. http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/156005013/?tab=summary

[angharad_gov.livejournal.com]

you're gonna make me pick this series up again, aren't you? argh! i stopped reading it after outlaw demon wails. interlibrary loans it is then...

[trancer21.livejournal.com]

Lol, okay, I'll say something negative - I HATE that cover!! Much prefer the one on Harrison's site.

I haven't read the chapters yet but I was kinda amazed that they offered *seven* chapters to read!! Heh, I'm assuming it's to lure back readers who went all flouncy-flouncy over the Dawn Cook reveal.

Anyway, after reading your mini-review I'm like 'oooh, it's so nice to get excited over a new Hollows book again!'. Rachel acting smart? And like an actual FRIEND? HOT DAYUM!! That's almost as good as revealing her gay feelings for Ivy!

Heh, and I will NEVER get tired of that Trixie/Hel .gif. NEVER!!

[madndizzee.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's amazing. And I'm excited that you're excited. It's contagious. And the gifs are used very aptly. I shall go read those chapters now...

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I'm still holding on the the hope for some femslash action, but I'll take an improved Rachel in the mean time!


I know it's not gonna happen this book, but I'm still holding out for a Rachel/Ivy ending. I am grateful for an end to the continuous angst that was there relatinoship for most of the series though. I would rather see them acting like real friends and supporting each other and being in the same room as each other than that consistant bullshit sexual tension that just ended up with Ivy hurting all the time. At least this way I can just ship them without fucking hating Rachel.

There was a moment in the car where Rachel sounded a liiitle jealous--or maybe that's just wishful thinking?

heh, I loved that Ivy called her on it too. Rachel definitely wasn't as okay with it as she was pretending to be. And I think she was definitely chagrined by the idea that Glenn could handle a blood balance and she couldn't. Despite her saying she doesn't want one any more she still totally does (as we saw in the supermarket when she got all hot and bothered thinking about Ivy at her neck)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Heh. Maybe. If anything I would just say skip WWBC and go straight to this one. Bascially nothing interesting happened in WWBC and it was aggravating as hell for the first 2/3rds of the book.

Kim does a good job recapping the major info you need to know in BMS, and it has been fun to read (the first chapter dragged a bit for me because I don't like Pierce or Al that much, but the other chapters I read were good).

White Witch Black Curse (http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?nyom5zlkylm) (if you want to torture yourself, lol)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

Lol, okay, I'll say something negative - I HATE that cover!! Much prefer the one on Harrison's site.

lol, if that's the most I have to complain about I'll be a happy camper. Also, you're right, that cover sucks. I got tired of looking at it as well and changed it to the one on Harrison's website.

but I was kinda amazed that they offered *seven* chapters to read!! Heh, I'm assuming it's to lure back readers who went all flouncy-flouncy over the Dawn Cook reveal.

I was really surprised by it too, and I think you're right about the motivation. I know I was all flouncy (though not over the Dawn Cook thing). My problem was the last two books sucked, so I think this really was a way to show people that the series was back on track and worth spending money on. Cause truly, I wasn't gonna buy it until I read this.

Rachel acting smart? And like an actual FRIEND? HOT DAYUM!!

I know. Miraculous. I remember why I liked her now.

Heh, and I will NEVER get tired of that Trixie/Hel .gif. NEVER!!

heh. me either. It truly is a gift that keeps on giving (much like Trixie, lol)

[angharad_gov.livejournal.com]

thank you! dl'ing right now. like this nanosecond.(obviously, i love torturing myself...)

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I am amazed that I am excited as well, but this book is good so far. I can recommend you go read them without any guilt. I've felt like an asshole telling people about the series for a while given how much I loathed the last two books, but this one is actually enjoyable.

Happy reading!

Also, mmmm, Cara.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

lol, good luck. You'll need it. Most of that book is just fucking brutal. I had to stop reading it for weeks because it annoyed me so much.

But, take heart in the fact that the end is less annoying than the beginning, but more so in the fact that BMS will be an enjoyable book that is so far almost completely devoid of the elements that made me HATE ODW and WWBC

[angharad_gov.livejournal.com]

just put in a request for BMS via interlibrary loans so hopefully, it'll be heading my way soon. i suppose i should just take your advice and skip WWBC altogether, but... unfortunately i think because you seem so positive about BMS, kim might have her claws in me again and i'll go through the torture of WWBC 'cos, y'know, i'm insane that way.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

i suppose i should just take your advice and skip WWBC altogether

You really, really, really should. It is such a painful read.

Or I would say, at the very least read the beginning of BMS first so that you are feeling affection and love for the characters then go back and read WWBC knowing that you can finish BMS after and be caught up with the series while also liking the characters.

Honestly, I hated WWBC so much.

I promise, I'm not gonna peer pressure you any more though ;) If you read it just stay strong because the pain does lessen!

[sav8801.livejournal.com]

I'm a third of the book in, and all I can say is, if you're annoyed at Pierce's manner of speech, you will be VERY annoyed at BMS. Way, way, wayyyyyyyy too much of the guy. And Trent. And Al (though Al I don't mind as much. He's a right bastard, but he doesn't hide from that fact.). Ivy also takes a hike pretty early on(typical), but so far she got a nice amount of screen time.

I was dreading this too. So far, it's better than I'd feared and worse than I'd hoped (in spite of myself).

[angharad_gov.livejournal.com]

I promise, I'm not gonna peer pressure you any more though ;) If you read it just stay strong because the pain does lessen!

lol. if you read that out of context, it sounds like you're trying to convince someone to do something naughty that they've never tried before. ::evil grin::

seriously, though, have the characters become positive enough for you in BMS that you might consider writing rachel/ivy again since we know kim is never, ever, ever gonna get these two together?

[karatam.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for the second book from the library and I'm 7th in line (and have been 7th for fucking ages) and this is just making me antsy.

I want that book NOW please! :D

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

all I can say is, if you're annoyed at Pierce's manner of speech, you will be VERY annoyed at BMS.

I was pissed at the beginning of BMS because of Pierce's bullshit, but then he disappeared and I felt better. Are you saying that Pierce and his irritating speech habits show up prominently after chapter 7? Cause if so *epic sigh*

Way, way, wayyyyyyyy too much of the guy. And Trent. And Al (though Al I don't mind as much. He's a right bastard, but he doesn't hide from that fact.)

Trent doesn't bother me that much. As long as Rachel doesn't fall head over heels in love with him and want to have his elf babies I can deal with his smarmy ass. And Al I can deal with in small chunks, I just doesn't need to read chapters and chapters about the guy.

I am getting worried that Rachel's return back to Cincy from the West Coast is going to lead to lots of those guys now and less Ivy and Jenks *bites nails nervously*

Oh why Kim, we were just getting along again. I was actually feeling hopeful. *sob*

and worse than I'd hoped (in spite of myself).

I feel ya on this. It's like, I bitch and complain and rant, but there is always a part of me that really hopes the new book is gonna be awesome and that my doubting ways were wrong. And then I read it. I though, I have to say there's no way this book could be as disappointing and aggravating to me as the last two, so that's something at least.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

I don't know whether I'm actually doing you a favor by doing this since the series gets really, really irritating at a certain point, but ...

The Hollows - Books 1-7 (http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=601ac5b89fdeef368066db0503cf4f2c475785b49467e5d0)

[(Anonymous)]

I cannot get over that Bitch Slap gif.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

You know I have to admit that I don't care about the newest book at all EXCEPT THAT IT MAY BRING MORE JANINE IVY/RACHEL FIC! Srsly. I'm so, so shallow. I just want more of your(!) ass-kicking, hot as hell vampire and the witch who cannot help but love her. And have sex with her. Often. I couldn't care less about this Kim person's version of the story. *g*

[lostingeekdom.livejournal.com]

How long have these chapters been available? BTW ... I've pre-ordered the kindle edition of this .. maybe some magic might make it available to interested folks *g*.

[sav8801.livejournal.com]

Half way through. Abandon all hope, ye who enters here. Seriously Pierce, just SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!

I can't stand the guy. When you ranted about him, I giggled, thought you were maybe a little rash, but now I know you were prophesising. You thought the tiny glimpses of him were bad? Wait 'til you have to put up with him (and Rachel with him) for (too) many chapters straight. Check your sanity at the door.

I almost can't stand the book. It's stagnating sooooo bad. Other books I couldn't put down, this one it's a strain to keep going. It's going around in circles so far. Huge WTF? moment too (consistant characters? Where?! Not in this book). No, sorry, Kim, you're just free falling to me now. I don't know if I can finish this. It burns, burns I tell you!

There's one (tiny, and I do mean tiny) Ravy moment so far that made me smile and could possibly be heavy with implications, but fuck this, been there, been burned before.

(Do note that I'm only halfway through and it might get better. I'm just venting a little insanity, but I really don't have much hope left.)

*Whimpers* Don't wanna keep reading... *keeps reading*

[karatam.livejournal.com]

LOL Thanks!

I'm used to reading series that get irritating in the middle *stops to wonder about that* so I think I'll be good :D

[dollfleshdecay.livejournal.com]

I just got the book, I will start it tonight. Glad to hear that at least the first few chapters are promising! I'm encouraged!

omg that bitchslap gif. Guh. *I'll be in my bunk*

In my mind I had decided that the hot foresenics vampire chick from that one book would be Ivy's rebound/time killer until Rachel smartens up

YES.

She's becoming one of those sweeps week bi-sexuals on network tv

This. It's why Ivy/Glenn annoy me so much.

[domino2kk.livejournal.com]

OT: I was watching the unrated version of Bitch Slap, and the scene with Hel and Trixie goes on and on and on and on...specifically that .gif get's another 20 seconds added to it.

JUST SAYING.

[dartxni.livejournal.com]

I figure you aught to know, it was your fanfic that introduced me to the Hollows and your fault I just spent the last 7 days feverously devouring every book up to and including White Witch, Black Curse.


I am glad to hear that in the next book it looks like Rachel is actually having character growth.

What I fear most is that Ivy will have her moment with Rachel, and then there will be some sort of Kill the Lesbian/bisexual moment and Ivy will sacrifice herself for Rachel. (pleads no)