The Witch with No Name by Kim Harrison
My Rating: 3.5 Stars
I’ve been putting off my review of this book, hoping my feelings about it would come up a notch, but since that hasn’t happened, I guess it’s time to give it a go. First, I want to say kudos to Kim Harrison for writing a series that kept me coming back for thirteen books. That’s a huge accomplishment, and she must have been doing something right. Her fans are legion, and the series has been a best seller from Day One.
For me, it has never been a 5-star series, but it has always been a steady, reliable 4 stars, book after book. The things that kept me from giving any of the books a full 5-stars related most often to several characters I just did not like. And they were characters I was supposed to like, so they were featured often and extensively. I was caught up in the overall world and complicated plot lines, but those particular characters always stopped me from giving any of the books more than 4 stars.
Having said that, there were also several characters I loved. Rachel Morgan, herself, could be fun and interesting, though a flawed character, to be sure. Still, her flaws made her relatable, and I liked her. Trent Kalamack was a favorite of mine long before it was ever hinted that he might become a love interest. The pixie, Jenks, was always consistently funny and clever, and a staunch ally of Rachel, though never afraid to tell her when she was doing something stupid. And the demon, Algaliarept, was a wonderful draw. Always scary, always complicated, and often funny. Once in a while, he was even touching. Those four characters kept me coming back over and over.
The vampires in this book were not among my favorites. None of them. I wasn’t into the whole mythos, so when the final book, which I had long anticipated, featured them for a huge chunk of the book–probably more than half of it–it was bound to leave me feeling unsatisfied. I really didn’t care a lot what happened to any of them, I’m afraid, so that part of the last book just didn’t work for me.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD
What I wanted most was a satisfactory ending to the relationship between Rachel and Trent. And actually, I got it in a way, so you’d think I’d be happier. But to me, it felt rushed and crammed into the last part of the book, and left me wishing I had been along for the ride as they worked out their differences. So. I got the outcome I wanted, but not the fun of sharing it with Rachel. Honestly, it felt like it should have been spread over two books, with the resolution of the vampire story line in one, and the resolution of Rachel and Trent’s story in another. That, I could have enjoyed a lot more.
This is the first book of the series I’ve given less than 4 stars, so you can surmise from that, I consider it the weakest of the thirteen. It was the one I enjoyed the least, anyway. If you’ve read the series so far, you will definitely want to see how it all turns out, and you might have a completely different take on it than I do. So be sure to get your copy. If you haven’t read any of the series, but are a fan of Urban Fantasy, you probably should give it a try. As I say, Harrison’s fan base is enormous, so she had to be doing something right to create that kind of loyalty. I know I kept on reading, even when there were characters and occasional plot lines that didn’t thrill me. And I’m glad I did. It was a good series, overall, and mostly fun. But it deserved a stronger, better-written ending, especially to the long-awaited Happily Ever After for Rachel and Trent. Just my opinion, as always.
Hum… I got away from the series a few books back. The whole Trent thing didn’t work for me – I just never learned to like him – at. all. Maybe he got better later on? The whole condescending, Holier-Than-Thou attitude always gets under my skin and has me throwing books across the room! 🙂
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Trent turned out to be a very unhappy man. Without giving away too much, let’s just say he’d tried for years to live the life he thought he was supposed to, and he paid a heavy price for it. It took Rachel to open his eyes, and help him see there was a better way. (Isn’t that always the case?) I loved him from the start, even when I thought he was insufferably pompous, because I always thought there was more going on than met the eye. And there was. So I’m glad I stuck with it, even if this last book didn’t really do what I wanted it to.
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Ah – I was limited I suppose, I never looked beyond the selfish, self-centred Jerk aspect! Maybe I will check it out again later. The first couple of books I really liked, but it just got weird on me and with so many books to read, it went by the wayside. “A Fistful of Charms” is where I stopped. I do have the anthology, “Into The Woods” and enjoyed that. Oh, and apparently I own book 11 (I only have them on Audible format). Hum… we will see – when I get time to listen again. I still owe YOU a read, and that comes first! ❤
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Don’t worry about me, for gosh sakes. I’m so far behind on my reading, it isn’t funny, so I know how it goes. I’ve been so busy editing A Boy Named Rabbit that my reading time is down to about 15 minutes a night, most of the time. GAH. Instead of reading 2 or 3 books a week, I now I’m LUCKY if I finish ONE in TWO WEEKS! Eeep.
SO much good stuff out there. I’ve dropped series before myself, when it wasn’t grabbing me soon enough. It happens. Especially today, when readers like a faster pace, with action right up front. I tend to enjoy a slower build up than many, and I write that way, too. Probably old-school, but that’s how it is. 😉
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My editing schedule has fallen back until after the first of the year. It is giving me some time to read – thank goodness I keep a dry erase board!
I understand about you liking a slower pace – though I am the opposite. Grab my attention and make me hold on tight – that is what keeps my mind engaged. “Ice Limit” by Rollins comes to mind! Action, adventure and suspense are all good for me – add in paranormal fantasy and a touch of romance and I will be your friend for life! Well, as long as your “heroes” are not big self-important bullies and your “heroines” aren’t whiny losers! LOL! 😉
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Well, MY heroes aren’t self-important bullies…they tend to lean towards damaged souls who need redemption, usually coming from the woman they fall for, in spite of themselves. But then, it’s sort of the opposite in my second book. So, I guess I haven’t written enough books to have a “usual,” yet. 🙂
I like high action books, too, in some circumstances. Just not all the time. I also like thought-provoking, slower paced books, with lyrical prose. Depends on my mood. Monster Hunters International comes to mind as a recent high action series I really enjoy. While a beautifully written love story like Falling Together speaks to me on a different level.
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Is it odd to like for even my action books to have lyrical prose? My favorite “lyrical” author of today is James Lee Burke….
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