Black Magic Sanction

By Kim Harrison

The eight stirring instalment of the urban fantasy-thriller series starring Rachel Morgan. A pacey and addictive novel of sexy bounty-hunting witches, cunning demons and vicious vampires.

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter – and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind… until now.

Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, Rachel’s best hope is life imprisonment – the worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned theif. It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Jul 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9780007537563

Kim Harrison

The only girl in a large family of boys, former tomboy Kim Harrison invented the first Brigadier General Barbie in self-defence. She shoots a very bad game of pool and rolls a very good game of dice. When not at her keyboard, she enjoys lounging on the couch with a bowl of popcorn watching action movies with The-Guy-In-The-Leather-Jacket. She plays her Ashiko drum when no one is listening, and is hard to find when the moon is new.

Reviews for Black Magic Sanction

[kassilem · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite of the series. I think it was the Coven that brought this book down a little for me. Something about them rubbed me the wrong way. Not sure why, since they weren't any more evil than the vampires, banshees, elves, etc. that we've come across in the last seven books. But there it is. I really didn't like them and thus I hesitated to pick the book up each time I put it down. Everything else was normal fine. Not sure what I think of Pierce yet, but I'm leaving my mind open. Trent still fascinates me, and Ivy, Jenks & Al are all still favorites. I'm looking forward to more!

[mlsimmons-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a great book. It seems that Rachel might actually be getting her life on track. Makes me really want to read the next book to see if she can continue on this path.

[boppie_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this book much more than I have the last several in the series, especially 5 through 7. I really like the implications of the last quarter of the book, and where things seem to be going, which is very unusual for a series of such length. They usually seem to lose strength and get pretty weak, plot-wise at this point. This one seems to have turned a corner and I'm looking forward to what comes next.

[capnrandm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Reading the opening chapter of PALE DEMON sent me back to re-read BLACK MAGIC SANCTION to tide me over until the next book in the series comes out. I was not disappointed, each reading of the Rachel Morgan books is a joy. I love re-reading the special moments that I remember, and feel like I discover anew details that had slipped my mind. Not only do I love the friendships, but Harrison is unique in making villains as compelling as the heros. Rachel's confrontations with Trent, Al, and Nick are riveting, and watching her grieve for Kisten while falling in love with Pierce is one of the most touching storylines I've ever read. Jenks once again steals the show, his character continuing to grow and deepen. Unfortunately, re-reading BLACK MAGIC SANCTION has only heightened my anticipation of PALE DEMON's release. It can't come soon enough!

[kc9333 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Paranormal treat that continues the Rachel Morgan story. Enjoyable.

[mesmericrevelation · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Where do I begin? Kim Harrison is an amazing writer. Her books pull you in before the end of the first chapter and this book is no different. I can not say enough good this about this book. I waited so long for it and I was not disappointed. I love every single character. Rachel is still the tough, bad ass she has always been. Ivy is still unbelievably sexy (my fictional girlfriend lol). Jenks and Al are hilarious as always. Pierce is unforgettable and Nick is back. The plot was brilliant and had a lot of action. This book had me laughing out loud, crying like a baby and I just could not put it down or read it fast enough. If you haven't read it yet, you MUST! This is the eighth book in the Rachel Morgan/Hollows series so you should probably start with Dead Witch Walking.

[brandy0101 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this series of books. I giggle, I gasp, and I can't wait to see what is going to happen next! I feel that even though we are on book 8 of this collection, the story is new each time, and I love the characters more and more. I always scamper off to the book store the day of release for a Hollows novel!

[mary1963_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Two Minute Review for "Black Magic Sanction" by Kim Harrison I think this series gets better as it goes along. Rachel is battling the coven of moral and ethical standards. The white coven leadership needs to gag Rachel one way or another. This means an all out war, because Rachel never gives up. All the characters are wonderfully complex. They are loyal, passionate, bigoted, unreasonable and forgiving in turn in otherwords, human. Al is interesting as the demon, sometimes his behavior is very alien and yet you see glimmers of something else. Rachel is accepting her gifts, but it is at a cost. What will she do to protect her family and friends?

[ncrainstorm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this series last year and have been steadily reading through it ever since. It's so exciting to find a new series that I love so much, especially one with so many books already written! In Black Magic Sanction, Rachel has to deal with being shunned and the Coven trying to destroy her (literally). There were some things in this book that I would have been as happy without. Such as the little skill/physical talent that Rachel discloses after she makes love to Pierce. I think that little tidbit was supposed to be funny, but just came off as stupid to me.As always, there is a lot of action in the book and things move along quickly. Bis, the teenage gargoyle, gets a larger role in this story. I really enjoyed that as he is so cute and sweet - and there aren't that many cute and sweet characters in this series!While not my favorite book in the series, Kim Harrison still has the ability to make me laugh and cry when I read her work. I'm still in love with her characters and hope to read the next book in the series soon.

[pacey1927 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I have loved the Hallows series for a very long time; its always been a favorite. But this book really annoyed me. As the series has progressed, many reviewers have complained that Rachel is whiny but I haven't seen. Until now. Positives: I really like how the Jenks/Matalina thing was handled. The entire sequence was painfully said but fitting. We knew this was coming but it didn't make it easier to bear. (Except Pierce going with Rachel to comfort Jenks...he had no business being there. Jenks doesn't even like him). I also really enjoyed the first several scenes of the witches's coven trying to capture Rachel. These were well written and fun. Unfortunately, there were too many of them. Seriously how many times in one book could Rachel and company pull out of these situations? I also want to stress how much I admire Rachel's affection and support of both Jenks and Ivy. They are a great trio...I hope they continue to be for a long time to come. I also thought the climactic scene at the end, during Trent's speech rocked. Very good stuff. Also the look back at Trent and Rachel when they were younger was nice and offered some new insight. Negatives: Pierce is completely unlikeable. He is a horrible match for Rachel and he isn't hero or even anti-hero material. She called him out for it in the book (yes!) but he drops the ball far too often. Plus he just comes off kinda greasy like a shady used car salesman. The fight with the fairies in the garden was really entertaining however, I hate that Ceri was used as an obvious plot device. She appeared out of nowhere only to do her thing and leave and not be heard of for the rest of the book. I hated Nick being brought back and Rachel trusting him only to end the way it did. Stupid and pointless. We've been there, done that. The trips down the ley lines don't seem as interesting as the did in the past either. I like Al, but something really needs to get moving with his plotline. And now my biggest pet peeve: Rachel all of a sudden has this horrible conscience where she can't kill or injury someone because she is a 'white' witch. She falters time and again. Her indecisive action has some pretty awful consequences in this book. She needs to realize sometimes to take care of the people you love (especially in sci-fi world :) you have to make sacrifices to protect the ones you love. Wishy-washy Rachel doesn't cut it for me. Still this book was the first one I really didn't care for and I am hopeful that things will pick back up and be exciting again in the future. Harrison has loads of talent and a lot of good characters to work with. This is an amazing world she has created

[kmartin802_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rachel seems to go from one crisis to another is this the eighth book in the Rachel Morgan series. We begin the book with Rachel shunned by the Coven - an association of white witches - for using demon magic. They want her dead or, if not dead, at least sterilized and lobotomized (which probably isn't a word even though it doesn't raise a spelling flag). Naturally, Rachel is not in favor of this action. She is also busy learning more about her demon heritage, discovering new talents, and frantically pretending to be "normal." Al, the demon who has taken Rachel as his student, assigns Pierce to be her bodyguard. Pierce is also a black witch and Al's familiar. He is way to eager to use black magic for Rachel's tastes but she likes him. She doesn't want to get close to him because of her previous bad experiences. The men she loves either die or betray her. Rachel is cautious in choosing those she can trust. Ivy and Jenks are the inner circle. This book kept Ivy as very much a side character but Jenks got a larger role. This is the story when his beloved Matalina dies. But unlike most pixies, Jenks doesn't follow her into death. Rachel isn't willing to let him leave her and uses extraordinary measures to convince him that she needs him.The story was exciting and twisty. It both resolves some old issues and sees Rachel learning and accepting her new powers. Fans of the series won't want to miss this one.

[auntieclio · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of the prevailing themes in Kim Harrison’s “The Hollows” series is prejudice. The main character, Rachel Morgan faces off against it in every book, often realizing that she is just as prejudiced as those she judges for being prejudiced. Always, Rachel faces the prejudice against her based on her abilities which don’t fit neatly into anyone’s categorized world. Is she witch? Is she demon? If she’s witch, why can she cast demon magic? If she’s a demon, how can she use ley line magic and “white” spells? How is it she can live with a vampire and a pixie? That Rachel Morgan is just plain dangerous with her friends of all different species and her weird skill set.More than anything, this is what drives the coven to shun her and try to put her in prison (nice re-purposing of Alcatraz) or give her a lobotomy so she can never use her skills again. As if escaping from that wasn’t enough, her ex-boyfriend scum Nick makes a return and demon Algaliarept tries to keep her on a short leash while she works off her mark with him. And she fights falling in love, again, as always.While I enjoyed reading this one, I thought it was the weakest of the lot. That does not mean, however, that I don’t recommend it. Even at her weakest, Kim Harrison still knows how to write a good adventure story.

[grapeapril75-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great series! Rachel is snarky and a kick a$$ chick! Jinx is hysterical and Ivy is a real bada$$! I may be crushing on Al, I know he is a demon but he is just so funny!

Terrific concept and truly entertaining tale!

[perpetualrevision · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was a little disappointed to see that Rachel and Ivy have adjusted to the status of "friends only," which significantly reduces what I'd found most compelling about their relationship. But I enjoyed the storyline more than the previous book in the series and was pleasantly surprised to discover that I can look forward to several more books before I read the last in the series, which was recently released. I've read a lot more urban fantasy since I first started this series, but it remains one of my favorites.

[krumbs_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very nicely done. The last few books have been building up to this climax, but there's still enough left over to allow for more growth in the series. I'm actually really looking forward to the next book this time.

[dswaddell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rachel is beginning to come to terms with who and what she is. Although she's being forced by various forces to grow she is beginning to gain the confidence in her abilities she needs. I really appreciate this series and find it an excellent and engrossing read. Kim Harrison is a very compelling writer.

[krau0098 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the eighth book in The Hollows series by Harrison. Last I head she was contracted for twelve books in this series. This book was better than the last book in the series but still a bit scattered, with Rachel making a lot of questionable decisions.In this book Rachel finds out that the Coven has not only shunned her but is out to incapacitate her for good. Now Rachel has to try and dodge the Coven, while saving her butt she gets increasingly drawn into Black Magic. She has a lot of help; her old flame Nick is back in the picture and the former ghost Pierce is a constant presence. Of course she will have Ivy and Jenks to back her up too. But, the biggest places where she gets help may be the places she least expects it, as her problems become tightly intertwined with two of her biggest enemies, Al (her demon teacher) and Trent (the business-tycoon elf).This book was better than the last book in the series; I was pretty disappointed in the last book (White Witch, Black Curse). This book is better. Rachel is finally getting herself back together, she doesn't whine as much, she is accepting what she is, and she doesn't make as many really stupid decisions. That being said, she still does quite a few stupid things and she is still a little bit confused about what she wants to do. This is a long book, and if Rachel had had it more together and been more decisive about certain actions it wouldn't have been as long. It also seemed like every single character from the previous books had to at least make a cameo appearance, and I think this was the other thing that drew the book out.The action scenes were excellent, but the plot was kind of all over the place again. Rachel wasn't really on a mission or trying to solve a mystery in this book. The whole book is dedicated to Rachel trying to escape the Coven. Along the way Rachel does begin to accept that she is not quite a witch and not quite a demon. Mostly to me this felt like another transitional novel; it ties up some loose ends that needed tying (Harrison had too many loose ends to make a coherent story in book 7). I am hoping that Rachel making some decent decisions and some decent life changes will continue in the next book. After White Witch, Black Curse I was seriously considering dropping this series, and while this book is an improvement...it still wasn't a joy to read, things were just too muddled and there is just too much going on.By far the most interesting characters in this book are Trent, Pierce, and Al. You learn a lot more about all of them and a lot more about what made Rachel's world the way it is. Jenks, Ivy, and Rachel aren't as tired and irritating as in the last book, but they still aren't all that interesting to read about in this book either. I am really hoping book 9 will have a more cohesive plot and show Ivy and Rachel *finally* settling their relationship. Yep, Ivy and Rachel still don't figure anything out in this book and, even though their blood-balance isn't visited as much in this book as it was in book 7, the issue still rears its head more than once.Overall, the book is okay. It is better than book 7, but the plot is still fragmented and nothing much is addressed outside of Rachel's issues with the Coven. It feels a bit like another transitional novel. Hopefully book 9 will get us back to the wonderful writing I am used to from Harrison. I have to say though this book didn't make me super excited to read the next one in the series.

[hoosgracie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rachel has to find a way to escape the coven, get her summoning name back, and get her shunning removed. Nick is back as is Trent. Pierce is still around. Exciting addition to the series.

[rritter504 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An unexpected whirlwind. I love a book that throws me. I loved the surprising actions and motivations of some unexpected characters. I think more time could have been spent in/on Alcatraz. Love the flowing development of Rachel, which always leaves you proud of her, and waiting for the next advancement.

[starlightmuse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I know some people love this book, and others are like me. The series has gone downhill, and I am rather tired of Rachel and her next big problem. I was frustrated with every character and ready to put the book down, but stuck it out. The story ended up absorbing me well enough to finish, but I am neither satisfied nor sure I will pick up another book in this series again.

[mlleehreen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I often find it difficult to review a new book from a favorite series because my feelings are pretty simple. They boil down to, "I love this series, I love this book, I wish I didn't have to wait a year for the next one!" That's how it is with Kim Harrison's books anyhow. I am totally hooked on The Hollows.

I figure if you're reading this review you're probably not new to Kim Harrison. The Hollows is not a series that can be read out of order (for any newbies who've found there way here: start with Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)). If you've enjoyed the direction that the series has been heading over the past few books, Black Magic Sanction will fill you with glee. If not, what's wrong with you?

What are some little plot teasers I can throw out. Well, the villain of Black Magic Sanction is the coven of ethical and moral standards. As judge and jury to the witch population, members of the coven tend to be ruthless and power hungry...so it shouldn't be any surprise that these ruthless, power-hungry witches have found a way to use white magic for dark purposes. I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel - seeing a witch with an aura as clean freshly windexed glass use white magic to do some pretty black deeds, for selfish reasons, really drives home the point that however ugly Rachel Morgan's sooty aura is, she's the one fighting the good fight. Sometimes appearances really are deceiving.

We see a lot more of Pierce, the former ghost, who serves as this book's dangerous love interest. We don't see enough of Trent, who makes a couple of brief yet crucial appearances. Nick turns up again, and boy, if you thought you couldn't hate Nick any more than you already did, you will find out that you were wrong. That little snothead is just about the most despicable fictional character I've ever encountered. But the sexy/evil enemy/ally that really shines in this book is Algaliarept. I've always thought Al was a great character; when he appears in a scene, I know it's going to be fun to read (even if I know Rachel won't enjoy what happens very much). But until Black Magic Sanction I was never even slightly tempted by him as a romantic interest for Rachel. That's right, I said "until," and no, I am not explaining any further.

There's one really major thing that happens in Black Magic Sanction that all of Harrison's devoted readers have been dreading for a while now. We know that pixies have short life spans - and Jenks and Matalina have reached the ripe old age of 20, the sunset years of their species. But just try to imagine The Hollows without Jenks. It's impossible, right? He's the magic ingredient. Him and his whole family. Well, we get a day of reckoning in Black Magic Sanction so keep your tissues handy. I cried big fat tears over this one.

That's about it. Ugh, another year until the next book!

[hopingforchange · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am not sure why I keep reading this books. I suppose they are fast and dependably entertaining. More of the same in this one... I am still sick of the whole Ivy bit, but there was less of that in this installment.

[flemmily · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A very solid Rachel Morgan book. Nicely balanced. Rachel is not as whiny as in the last book. She's not fully comfortable with who she is, but she's not crying about it either. A great mix of old plotlines and new developments, and a nice little underlying romance.I like these books and this world a lot. They're not the sort of thing you think about long after you read it, but they're very comfortably interesting.

[willowwaw · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kim Harrison you get me again! This series is the perfect one to grab your attention and keep you hungry for more. This book was a bit slower than others in the series, but still keep you aching to read. I would recommend this book to those loving fantasy, wit, and a strong female lead.

[jimmaclachlan · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another good, fun read. I'm glad some threads were tied up as there were too many hanging out there. The suspense was almost too much for a while, but it finally came together. She would have lost me if she'd dragged some of it out much longer.

[miyurose_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are few series that have captured me the way this one has. I’ve been thinking about this review for over a week, and I’m afraid the only way I can explain is in fractured points.I love that Harrison throws us directly into the action. We’re mere pages into the book when things start to go south for Rachel. This isn’t one of those series you can just jump into at any point and understand. And that’s perfectly alright.If you *do* jump in without reading the books before, Harrison is adept at weaving in the relevant back story without it feeling ham-fisted, forced, or completely out of place. It’s also a nice reminder for when there’s a year or more between the reading of volumes.I love that Rachel is far from perfect. She repeats her mistakes. She has questionable taste in men (though I happen to like Pierce). She’s protective of others to a fault. She has irrational attachments. She’ll push forward with plans she should know won’t work. She sometimes trusts in the wrong people. And she has an infuriating stubborn streak, not to mention her inability to see in shades of gray instead of black and white. Even though she sees that white magic can be just as dangerous as black, she still treats black magic (and those that practice it) as the scum on the bottom of her shoe. But a lot of the enjoyment of this series is watching what she does and then yelling at her for it. I wouldn’t have her any other way.I love Trent Kalamack. Yes, the ruthless, conniving elf is one of my favorite characters, even more than Ivy. His relationship with Rachel has many levels, and I’m not sure either of them really understand it. But he won’t rest easy until she’s under his thumb.I’ve even developed a certain amount of respect for the demon Al.Most of all, I love Rachel’s fight. Even when she’s misguided and wrong, tired and hungry, hurt and lost, she never stops fighting.A bonus is Marguerite Gavin’s incredible narration on the audiobook. She will always be the voice of Rachel for me.

[macygma · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rachel, Ivy, Jenks and crew are up against some powerful medicine in Black Magic Sanction. Shunned by the witches’ coven and being hunted by same, everything Rachel tries to do is coming unraveled. The coven has sent some of their best witches after Rachel and some did succeed only to have her broken out by Lee, Trent’s ex-witch. Spending some time in old Alcatraz is not Rachel’s idea of peace and quiet. Especially when threatened with a lobotomy and sterilization. Yes, she can do black magic (and does), yes, she has a demon teacher (Al) and yes, when pissed she can do things she shouldn’t but…..a black witch? Maybe not.Black Magic Sanction is filled with spells, sadness (we lose someone in this book) and happiness all at once. Does Rachel win out? Will Trent ever stop trying to kill her? What’s with Pierce, anyhow? Black witch, white witch, or….? Kim Harrison has us in her grasp again and it’s a good place to be.

[bellamiaow · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I remember the earlier books as being more fun, but this one certainly was better written and it felt like it mattered more. Rachel has grown up, as have her friends. The stakes are higher now than they were in the first books, she's grown in power, and now she's going up against a coven of powerful white witches who are determined to see her stripped of her powers and permanently confined in a solitary prison for life - or some of them are.Seeing Rachel try to figure out who she could trust and what her mistakes might cost the people she loves was touching. In earlier books she felt very young and fairly callow, and I really didn't care much for her. She's much more likable now, which surprised me. That speaks well for Harrison.

[crazybatcow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I think I preferred this book over the last couple in the series... While Rachel still suffered inner turmoil over the choices she was forced to make, she actually seemed to mature somewhat this time - choosing to be who she is rather than who she thinks she is.Though this is not to say there weren't moments when I wished I could reach through the pages and smack her for her stupid choices...I'm still mad at Trent. I've been mad at him for several books now and wish she'd left him with the demons, but anyway, that's a tangent...I'm starting the next book immediately because I need to find out what Rachel does next with her life.

[janetarmentani · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love Rachel Morgan! Now I can read Pale Demon and not have missed anything.