Title: Holly’s Balm
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Holly & Andrew #2
In: Hex Appeal (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Strong women, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I felt abandoned, nevertheless.

Another great short Holly & Andrew story, but this time, it’s their relationship that is tested. Hanging on to life for the sake of someone you love is admirable, but it also means that there can be some pretty severe consequences if something goes awry. Caine uses Holly’s Balm to test the limits of love and trust in a uniquely trialled way.

Caine showed in her previous short story, Death Warmed Over, that she has an amazing grasp on the ways in which death and legal legislation was able to work in a world where raising the dead is a reality. It is always a pleasure when such seemingly minor details are worked out so intricately and fully that it is incredibly fulfilling and satisfactory to read.

This non-ambiguity within Caine’s world further lends itself to the serial killer theme within this tale. The idea of re-killing the dead left goosebumps marching up my arms in uncomfortable anticipation of the story’s climax.

Image source: Succubus