As my title suggests, I have mixed feelings about this latest Hollows series volume. I found the plot fast moving and action packed almost to the point of fatigue. The main character seemed to move from one crisis to another leaving little opportunity to take a breath or develop insight into all the forces acting to move the story along.
There is this mysterious Coven that legislates the witches acting outside/above any social framework, using supposedly "white magic" that causes more harm than "black magic" without any explanation regarding how the regular coven members (the ones not corrupted by power) justify it; or how they have the authority to jail and perform medical procedures on individuals with impunity. It's never made clear what the political dynamic is between the Coven, the I.S., the vampires, weres, and Lee with his lawyers and wife's money; and how do the elves fit into this?
Almost no time is spent developing the mentor relationship between Rachel and Al, and the new cookie cutter character, Pierce(Nick/Kisten/Trent) seems superfluous. It would have made much more sense, and provided a richer opportunity to create dynamic tension between all the main actors, using the uneasy partnership between Al and Rachel to resolve the problems with the Coven, Nick's betrayal, Ivey's unrequited love with Rachel, well maybe not since she is suddenly straight and no longer interested or conflicted about Rachel.
Ceri has been developed as a forced to be reckoned with earlier in the series having set Trent straight on what would happen if he hurt Rachel, but when he does, the issue is not even dealt with...
Overall I would say this book has enough action for two good books and not enough plot development for one mediocre book. Its an okay read, but would have been better with a bit more editing.Get more detail about Black Magic Sanction.
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