Pale Demon

www.kimharrison.net/BookPages/PD/PD.html

I've been following the evolution of Rachel Morgan since Dead Witch Walking was released in 2004. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. Rachel is very much Rachel. She grows and learns yet is still somehow amazed by the actions of those around her. Jenks and Ivy are back, naturally, and I find them to be more aware of the need for change and the danger Rachel finds herself one again the center of. So, little unexpected there. Or is there?

Halfway through the book, I began getting pissed with the sexual tension between Rachel and Trent. Talk about a situation that is well past it's self life. It's time that those character's either hook up or get over it. I know I'm to the point. About three quarters through, Rachel gets a bomb shell. One I'm not going to disclose here. It's an explosion I wish the author, Kim Harrison, would have introduced into the story sooner.

Overall, I found this book a pleasurable read but I am disappointed. I think this book had too many distractions from the heart of the plot. The heart of the plot being a discussion of identity, trust, and self-awareness. Tent hides his identity and trust. Ivy, though self-aware, hides herself from Rachel. Jenks, is trying to find his new identify, tries to build trust, because he is aware of his needs and fears. Rachel on the other hand, is forced into trusting, denies her identity until she's forced to acknowledge it. While I commend those ideas, I wish Ivy's bomb had happened sooner. That Trent had confided in Rachel sooner. I wish Rachel had actually answered the phone when Bys called. Poor frightened gargoyle.