‘Pale Demon’ a wild, well-told ride

Road trip plus courtroom drama divided by multiple brands of magic equals "Pale Demon."

In the ninth installment of The Hollows series, author Kim Harrison stuffs a shunned witch, a witch that used to be a ghost, a devious elf, a mouthy pixie, and one very cranky living vampire into an old Buick for an asphalt journey of discovery and absolution the stretches from Cincinnati to San Francisco. Make that discovery, destruction and the unleashing of demonic forces in St. Louis. And the Tenderloin. I don't even want to mention what happens in Las Vegas. Throw in a constant stream of would-be assassins and a reluctant spy and, well, "Pale Demon" becomes Harrison's book to beat.

Rachel Morgan is desperate for the promised pardon from her coven's equivalent of the ethics police. They've found her guilty of practicing demon magic, which she has, and shunned her, which means it's open season on the red-headed witch until she can make it to San Francisco for the annual witches' convention to lodge her appeal.

She doesn't stand alone though — Ivy, her vampire partner, and Jenks, father of the pixie clan who lives in the garden of her deconsecrated church home, still have her back. Her wealthy elven nemesis Trent Kalamack is also in her corner, but Rachel questions his motives, especially when it turns out that he's on his own quest for something he won't disclose. She's maneuvered into taking him along for a ride that becomes a tipping point for the series' plot. No one's the same when the last page is turned. No one could be.

For Rachel, the journey and what is essentially her witch trial alter almost every relationship she has, especially her bond with Gordian Nathaniel Pierce, a witch who was buried alive in the 1800s and whose ghostly self was rescued by Rachel. Like Rachel, Gordian has practiced demon magic, and like Rachel, he's in a precarious relationship with a demon named Al.

Gordian has sworn to keep her safe, but when it becomes clear that coven officials have no intention of repealing her shunning, Rachel confronts the looming prospect of being consigned to the Ever-After where demons dwell, including the day-walking pale demon that has a taste for witches' souls.

You'll forget the time when you read this book. I did. You'll develop a sudden yearning for Milk Duds. I did. And you'll salute Kim Harrison when you reach the end of the story. It's not an easy thing for an author to consistently top herself. Good thing Harrison has the trick of it.