Oh what a fabulous read. Dear Writers of Young Adult Trilogies/Series, please take notes. THIS is how you write an installment in a series/trilogy. So I took an unplanned year off reading The Hollows series. I don’t know why I didn’t. I think I just got distracted reading too many other books to give attention to what remains after 10 books my favourite urban series ever. Kim Harrison’s YA series? Does not hold a handle to her adult series. I’ve been waiting for this novel ever since I found out that Rachel and Trent were going on a road trip together. Of course I didn’t realize that there would be so many other passengers in the car along with them but I didn’t really mind in the end.I’ve compared reading The Hollows novels to riding rollercoasters and Pale Demon was no exception. There are car chases, assassin Elves, creepy day-walking demons, kidnapping pixies and Jenks, who remains my 4 inched hero. His curses remain awesome (Tink’s a Disney whore the most common of them yet) and he makes up for what he lacks in size (being a pixie) with his presence and contribution to the novel as well as his enduring relationship with Rachel and Ivy. There are some awesome moments between Ivy and Rachel that were a long time coming and I am glad that they finally talked about it and things happened. I think this book gives the first hint that the series is reaching its conclusion (and it will be a very sad day when I read the last book).There are also those heartbreaking moments where your heart wants to fold into itself – when Rachel realizes she has been betrayed albeit unintentionally and the sheer stupidity of the Council will make you want to aim some arrows a la Katniss. However, what I most want to talk about is Trent and his, dare I say, non-relationship with Rachel. I have had my suspicions that Harrison would go this route for the longest time and in this book, I get the first inkling that my suspicions may have been founded. Trent is as flawed as they come but that is okay because Rachel probably wouldn’t fit perfect even if it was custom made for her. The sexual tension has been between them since the first book but this is the first time there was something more involved. I am still cautious about it though I hope that Harrison takes it forward to its natural conclusion. Rachel’s romantic entanglements have never been the focus of the novels and I liked how neatly it was woven into the narrative this time around too. And that kiss. Swoon city, you own me.Also the ending was ace too. I love it when books in a series are still standalone books that can be read and enjoyed. Some YA authors should be taking notes about how to end an installment in a series too. If you leave a reader satisfied, she is more like to come back and read the second book. Cliffhangers do nothing but frustrate and aggravate.Pale Demon is, I believe, my favourite out of the series so far. So, so, sooo good.
