Format read: ebook copy provided by the publisher through Edelweiss
Release Date: January 22nd 2013
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Number of pages: 512 pages
Formats available: ebook, Hardcover
Purchasing Info: Goodreads, Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Book Depository US | Book Depository (UK) , Author’s website

Blurb:

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…

My Thoughts:

I should warn you now that I am in deep LOVE with this book, I’ll try to rein in the squealing but I can’t make any promises. If I were to only buy 5 books a year, Kim Harrison‘s Hollows would be one of them. This series is even better now than when it started. Ever After is the 11th book in the series and I recommend you read the previous books before starting this one.

My main complaint about the last book was that we didn’t get enough Ever-After time. It seems my prayers have been answered because this book satisfied all my needs. I mean, with such a title I would have been disappointed if we didn’t get some quality time in the Ever-After!

I used to complain that Rachel was often too immature or stubborn, always doing what everyone told her not to do. Oh she’s still Rachel but she isn’t as impulsive. Her heart is always in the good place and she is still stubborn but she makes better choices. For once I haven’t felt the need to slap her silly while reading the book. I adore the fact that she accepts what she is. Gone the times when she tried denying her true self and feeling like she was lacking in some ways.  The reason I’m so emphatic about Rachel’s transformation is because it’s one of the best improvements in the series.

Of course it also helps that MY favorite character gets a bigger role in this book too. Yes, I love Trent. It’s been a bumpy road since we first met him and  he’s changed a lot since then! I didn’t think it was  possible but after this book I’m even more in love with this character. We finally see the true Trent and it’s glorious. I won’t lie, I always hoped he would become someone Rachel could love. I still hope! Until the last line of the last book, I will hope.

I love that this story ARC  focused on the ever-after and the demons. They are both unpredictable  and predictable at the same time. We never know what they will come up with but they do follow strict rules. Their society is based on  rules and paperwork. But what they do with these rules is most interesting, they know how to use them to their advantage.  Al is also one of my favorite characters, much like Trent he’s changed a lot since we met him for the first time. Remember the time he dragged Rachel on her ass in the street to get her to the Ever-after?   I think he didn’t change as much as we just got to know a different side of him.  In this book, the most emotional scenes were about Al. I cried at his sorrow, oh how I cried. We learn more about his past and the demons in general and it casts a different light on the whole story.

Since we’re talking about sadness… WHY??? Why, Kim, did you do that???? I’m obviously not telling you what, but something happens and I just couldn’t believe it. It was completely out of the blue and since we didn’t witness it, I had a hard time believing it was true. Until the last page I was secretly hoping it wasn’t true and everything would be alright. I feel sad at this turn of events. I’m sure the author has a good reason but right now I can’t see it.

I swear I’m nearly done. I just wanted to say that  am happy that Ivy and her drama wasn’t as important in this book. I’m done with her, I just don’t care about what happens to her anymore. It’s sad when you think I was rooting for her  five books ago. But I’ve given up and I’m glad to see that Rachel is ready to move on too. It wouldn’t be a Hollows without the awesome Jenks and his creative ‘Tinks’ swearing. He’s always bringing some humor to the most depressing situations. And we finally learn more about Gargoyles and their role in the world.

This book is really one of the best in the series (It’s a close call with Pale Demon in my opinion). Ever After is exactly what I hoped it would be, and so much more. It made me cry (a lot)  and laugh, it made my heart swell and it made me angry at characters I’d rather we’d never see again. In the end I was so elated I couldn’t close the book. It’s still haunting me now, weeks after reading it. Ever After is exactly what Urban Fantasy should be.  I can’t recommend this series enough. I just cannot wait for the next book.

I give Ever After 5 Stars

***FTC Disclaimer: Most books reviewed on this site have been provided free of charge by the publisher, author or publicist. Some books we have purchased with our own money and will be noted as such. Any links to places to purchase books are provided as a convenience, and do not serve as an endorsement by this blog. All reviews are the true and honest opinion of the blogger reviewing the book. The method of acquiring the book does not have a bearing on the content of the review.

About Caro The HEA Lover

Caroline is a HEA loving, yarn addicted French who's desperately hoping to get a HEA of her own. If she's not reading then she can be found knitting while listening to Audiobooks or watching Tv shows. Her secret addiction is reading websites that make fun at other people's expense (DYAC, Failbook)! Caroline also blogs at the Secret HEA Society with Susi.

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