Released: 5/24/2011                 256 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins

Format: Hard Cover

ISBN: 978-0061718199

Madison is back again in her third outing as a Dark Time Keeper, with her reaper team of Nakita and Barnabas and her boyfriend Josh. Some things remain the same: her fighting the seraphs and the light reapers to give true choice a chance, her being dead and searching for her body, and of course the danger of breaking curfew.

Since her death she may be in charge of the dark reapers, but really they aren’t the bad guys, and being good isn’t without its consequences. She’s working hard to change a system no one else cares to change, and she’s having to fight against her own fate to do it. And when she finally locates her body, whole new dilemmas pop up, like what it means to take it all back. There are no reset buttons in real life, and Madison is quickly learning that sometimes even with the best intentions things and people get “ruined” in the process.

Again the story centers on one reap and potential death of a soul, that can make all the difference and show that the reaper system is truly broken. Alliances are tested further, and a sad goodbye takes place. It may be for the better, to further the story, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it. Kim Harrison is good at giving us what we need, but may not want at the time. I only hope that we get more out of this departure than we did out of Kisten’s death in her Hollows series. Madison is excelling at mastering her powers, even if she’s banking more on luck than skill at the moment, but atleast she’s learning and new reapers are introduced.

The pace at which the story is accelerating is amazing, especially in a genre that gets bogged down with the teenaged angst. And the character growth is phenomenal. I loved the debate on whether or not the angels had souls, if only for the interaction between Madison,Barnabas and Nakita. And finally, the reason that Barnabas fell from Earth is talked about, barely more than in passing, but satisfactory none the less.

On the other hand, Josh, the whole perfect boyfriend is lost on me, especially when there are so many other characters whom are more interesting to me than he is. Maybe its because he’s too normal, maybe its because Madison is struggling so hard to be “normal.” I’m not sure, but I feel like he didn’t really have anything to do here except provide Madison with food and a cover for her dad.

Some big questions are answered, and some bigger ones are posed. Ms. Harrison has again weaved her magic and captivated, building a complex story of auras and timelines, fat and choice but making all the information thrown at you easy to digest and enjoyable.  It leaves the series in the perfect position for another novel, which seems to be the biggest problem. It’s billed as a trilogy at the moment, and as such it feels wholly incomplete, unless there is another jaunt into Madison's world even if she is not at the helm. A wonderful read, but it doesn’t wrap up the series.

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Released: 5/25/10, 240 pages

Publisher: Harper Collins

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 978-0061718175

Madison emerged as the dark time keeper in Once Dead, Twice Shy, and now she's trying to find a delicate balance between Fate and choice. And she's not alone, to help her, both Nikita the dark reaper and Barnabas the not quite light reaper.

This time instead of the story revolving around a bunch of reaps it revolves around one, which Madison is desperately trying stop. A computer virus that was just suppose to be a little fun ends the lives of many as it is unleashed upon a hospital.

This one was much better than Once Dead, Twice Shy. The writing feels cleaner, the plot tighter and most of this is because of the careful world building of the first. Madison grows a little and begins to understand that its not all black and white, and sees that she may not be the best person for the job, but its still her job. She doesn't believe in Fate, but instead choice, but both are intertwined.

The characters continue to grow and adapt to the changes around them. Nikita learns to see the value of fear, and Barnabas is struggling to find his place again after learning that everything he knew was a lie.

There isn't as much action as in Kim Harrison's adult novels, but the heart and the humor remains consistant.

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Released: 5/26/09 240 pages
Publisher: Harper Collins
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 0061718165

The wit and depth that Kim Harrison has brought to her Hollows series is superb, however a young adult series.... I have my reserves. The short story that introduced us to Madison and her death, was good and showed plenty of promise, but was it enough to kick off an entire book? An entire series?

Ye of little faith. This is Kim Harrison we're talking about, and if there was any doubt, with a few strokes of her mighty pen she demolished all my fears.

Madison is equal parts determined, and scared. She's willing to risk herself to protect someone else, all while trying to be a regular teenager. Well, almost regular since Madison is anything but normal. She's dead.

Reapers, Grim and otherwise, Guardian Angels, Seraphs, and Time Keepers all come to play in this fun romp where the lines between good and evil are blurred. Madison just wants her body and life back, but she may get more than she bargained for.

This book is about as perfect as first books can be. There's realism in the characters, you actually care what happens to them. The struggles are not so far fetched even blanketed in fantasy. It's a great read.

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