Things seem to have gone wrong with the magic in the world and of course witch and day walking demon, Rachel Morgan, blames herself. But as she investigates more of the magic world goes awry...

The Undead Pool (2014. 389 pages) is another in the ongoing Hollows series of books, written by Kim Harrison.

Oh! What to say? I didn’t enjoy this book at all. From the opening line:

How does the man make checkered shirts and pastels look good?

Harrison appears more concerned by her main characters amorous predispositions than providing a good plot. Not that there is not a plot struggling to get out, but if you do not buy into Rachel’s love life, this is going to be a very long read. As far as his clothes or how the light shines through Trent’s hair, personally I really couldn't have cared less.

Now, I’m sure that if you are a female with many a romantic bone in your body, you may well enjoy the book, but I fail to see how anyone over the age of sixteen will not be turned off with the imagery and constantly banging on about Rachel’s feelings.

Now, I know I’m an old codger and probably the wrong sex and age as the book's target audience so I got a couple of adult female friends to read the first three chapters. The universal response was not particularly positive.

Taking the content aside, the book shows good writing skills and there must be something going for the series as this is the twelfth book that has been released set in this world, so someone is buying them.

Rachel spends far too much time acting like she is fourteen, when she is around Trent and maybe that’s the point. Maybe you also have to be fourteen to appreciate the novel. Unfortunately I am not.

6

Charles Packer