It turns out I didn’t remember most of this book, and I think that’s because, well, it’s not really that memorable? Unfortunately this has turned out to be the one book in the series so far that I haven’t liked more on re-read. In fact, I may have liked it a little less, what with not listening to the audio this time around, and it feeling sort of sloggy. It’s not that what’s here is bad, just, I don’t know . . . not super compelling? I’m not even sure I can put my finger on why, just that, meh, it was fine.
I still love spending time with the characters. I really like how the dynamic between Molly and Harry is developing. It’s a nice thing to see Harry mature as he teaches Molly how to handle her power responsibly (and to see how he tries to teach her that), but also how teaching her allows her (and other people in his life, like Murphy) to point out some things about himself he’s been ignoring for a while now. And even though I think the main plotline involving the murders and all the White Court machinations is convoluted and a bit confusing, what it leads to is pretty great. The confrontation at the Raith estate ends with Lash, the demonic presence in Harry’s head who has been affected by living in Harry’s head as much as he has been affected by her, sacrifices herself to save Harry. I mean, that is just crazy cool.
I’m sure it’s been done before having a demon be just as affected by a possession as the person she is possessing, but I haven’t seen it done as well as it’s done here. Plus also, SPOILERS the consequences of this moment are so fucking cool, what with it causing Harry’s brain to become pregnant with a spirit of intellect (like Bob the skull) that he and Lash are the parents of; I love it so much END SPOILERS.
Mostly, though, this book feels a lot like filler. Ah, well, Small Favor up next, and I frickin’ love that one.