Magic, sexual tension, bloodshed and convoluted plotlines color this urban-fantasy road trip, the ninth in the series featuring Cincinnati witch/incipient demon Rachel Morgan (Black Magic Sanction, 2010, etc.).

Rachel's ability to invoke demon magic has gotten her shunned by her fellow witches, and put her at risk of life imprisonment—or worse. Since she's on the no-fly list, she's forced to drive to the witches' convention in San Francisco for a slim chance at a pardon, accompanied by her vampire roommate Ivy, her pixy sidekick Jenks and, unexpectedly, the elven druglord Trent Kalamack, who has promised to plead Rachel's case, and (as always), also has his own agenda. En route, they're pursued by rogue pixies, the only coven member sympathetic to Rachel's predicament, assassins targeting Trent and a mysterious demon, who, unlike others of his kind, can appear during the daytime. It's always fun to watch Rachel outthink and outfight what appear to be overwhelming odds. Those who have followed the complex love/hate relationship between Rachel and Trent through several books will be glad to see it finally making some significant progress. However, the method Trent employs to help Rachel retain her liberty is stunningly ruthless. It's amazing, given her rock-solid sense of morality, that she can still be attracted to him, particularly since the core of the series concerns Rachel's retention of that morality through her extensive travails and personal transformations. Although Trent exerts himself and suffers significantly to redeem the horrific consequences of his actions, readers may be somewhat put off—probably not enough to skip the next volume, however.

An exceptionally enjoyable ride, if at times somewhat ethically and logically questionable.

Rachel Morgan must get to the witches' convention in San Francisco—fast. She's been condemned to death for reputedly using black magic and needs to clear her name. Since she's prohibited from flying, she teams up with an elven tycoon, a living vampire (what?), and a pixy to drive cross-country. Alas, there's a would-be assassin slowing them down. The one-day laydown on February 22 says it all, and the 250,000-copy first printing is nice, too. Buy lots.

What do you get when a witch, a pixie, a vampire, and an elf go on a road trip? If the witch is Rachel Morgan (Black Magic Sanction), chaos is likely to ensue. Rachel's headed to the annual witches convention in San Francisco to defend herself against charges of using demon magic, and her friends Ivy and Jenks aren't going to let her travel alone. Rachel's longtime frenemy, Trent Kalamack, needs to get to the West Coast for his own purposes—an elf quest to take back something that was stolen by his ex-fiancée. The unlikely group bands together for a cross-country trip that is anything but a cheery jaunt down Route 66. Harrison's alternate America is creepy and desolate, with large swaths of abandoned territory and ghost towns galore. And trouble, in the form of a dangerous demon named Ku'Sox, follows them wherever they go. VERDICT As in Harrison's previous books, this one features plenty of action and a strong central character, but it is a little bit lighter in tone than the last few installments in the series. Urban fantasy and paranormal romance fans will undoubtedly place plenty of holds, so purchase accordingly. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/10.]—Nanette Donohue, Champaign P.L., IL

Harrison's intriguing ninth Hollows novel (after 2010's Black Magic Sanction) lives up to the earlier books, which established Harrison as a major urban fantasy player. Witch and bounty hunter Rachel Morgan needs to get to her brother's wedding. This leads to an uneasy alliance with her elven frenemy Trent Kalamack, who's being pushed toward Seattle by a quest. Meanwhile, Jenks the pixy is recovering from the loss of his wife, Matalina, and needs distraction. The result: "A witch, an elf, and a pixy on the Great American Road Trip" through a landscape reworked by magic, facing down terrifying foes en route. Elegant and taut as a gymnast's cartwheel, Harrison's polished prose drives a story that will have readers swerving in their seats every time Rachel turns the wheel. (Mar.)