A Fistful of Charms is the fourth book in the urban fantasy series The Hollows by Kim Harrison. The book follows the adventures of Rachel Morgan, a witch and bounty hunter who lives in a world where supernatural creatures are out in the open. In this installment, Rachel has to rescue her ex-boyfriend Nick, who has stolen a powerful artifact from a group of werewolves. Along the way, she has to deal with her complicated relationships with her vampire roommate Ivy and her pixy partner Jenks, as well as the dangers of using dark magic.
The book has received mixed reviews from readers, who have praised the author’s writing style, humor, and world-building, but have also criticized the plot, the characters, and the romance. Some of the common complaints are:
- The book is dull and tedious, with too much angst and drama from Rachel and Ivy, and not enough action and excitement.
- The werewolves are portrayed as weak and stupid, and their behavior is inconsistent and illogical.
- Nick is a selfish and unlikable character, who does not deserve Rachel’s loyalty and affection.
- The book lacks fresh ideas and originality, and rehashes the same conflicts and scenarios from the previous books.
- The book is too long and could have been edited down to a shorter and tighter story.
Some of the positive aspects of the book are:
- The book has some funny and witty moments, especially from Jenks, who provides comic relief and sarcasm.
- The book explores some interesting themes and concepts, such as the nature of magic, the consequences of choices, and the meaning of family and friendship.
- The book has some thrilling and suspenseful scenes, such as the boat chase, the fight with the werewolves, and the final showdown with the demon.
- The book has some emotional and touching moments, such as the reunion with Kisten, the bond between Rachel and Jenks, and the sacrifice of David.
Overall, A Fistful of Charms is a decent-enough fantasy book, but hardly mind-blowing stuff. It is worth reading as part of a series of general merit, but it may not satisfy the expectations of some fans of the genre.
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A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows, #4) by Kim Harrison | Goodreads
