Rachel Morgan returns as Cincinnati's subrosa, or demon leader. She secured her position in Million Dollar Demon (2021) by secretly transforming the city's master vampire, Constance, into a mouse, keeping her caged while Rachel's ally Pike runs the city in Constance's name. Unfortunately, the vampires' ruling council believes Rachel killed Constance permanently (which is actually illegal), and they send another vampire, Finnis, to seek proof that Constance is still undead. Meanwhile Hodin, the demon Rachel has been protecting from other demons, shows his true colors as he tries to steal her subrosa position. With her allies distracted by a variety of missions, Rachel ditches one plan after the other for sending Finnis back to the vampire council in DC, scrambling to keep her friends and home safe. Harrison expertly captures the human side to her supernatural creatures, emphasizing their common goals through Rachel's attempts at keeping the peace. Trouble with the Cursed is another delightful read in the Hollows series for urban-fantasy and supernatural fans.

Rachel Morgan has stepped into the role of subrosa for Cincinnati: a role that makes her responsible for all of the supernatural beings in the city, not just herself. Her life is going well, for once: her relationships with her loved ones and allies are firm; demons are starting to respect her (mostly); and her best friend, Ivy Tamwood, is coming home. But with Ivy comes trouble, in the form of a master vampire whose job is to prove that Rachel murdered the city's master, (which she did not--she just transformed her into a mouse). Hoping for assistance from her new ally, the demon trickster Hodin, Rachel soon discovers that Hodin has his own plans. Adding to the complications, her former teacher Al, the only one who may be able to save Rachel and the rest of the city, would rather see her fail. Harrison's character and world development is showcased once again with Ivy and Rachel's relationship; the shadowy Washington, DC, vampire council; and the interplays of hope and horror in the plot. VERDICT "The Hollows" continues its solid supernatural storytelling, and fans will celebrate the return of its sarcastic witch-born demon.--Kristi Chadwick

Following 2020's Million Dollar Demon, the 17th installment of Harrison's Hollows series proves that heroine Rachel Morgan's adventures are far from over, with a new set of complications expanding her circle of influence and magical skills. After transforming the vampire Constance into a mouse, witch-born demon Rachel acts in her name while secretly running Cincinnati with her partner in crime, Pike. As the demon subrosa, Rachel is responsible for keeping the city's supernatural population in line, but her position remains tenuous. When a vampire representative from D.C. arrives to meet with Constance, Rachel must find a way to cover Constance's absence without revealing her own involvement and while avoiding accusations of murder. Meanwhile, the local demons start acting up, with Rachel's housemate, Hodin, behaving suspiciously and another apparently kidnapping mortals. And with her closest friends distracted by their own lives, Rachel is especially vulnerable when an unexpected foe makes their true agenda clear at last. More personal subplots--including Rachel's upcoming wedding to the elf businessman Trent Kalamack--move forward at a leisurely pace, while the return of Rachel's best friend, Ivy, offers a welcome adjustment to the cast dynamic. Fans will be pleased to see plenty of life left here. Agent: Jennifer Jackson, Donald Maass Literary. (June)