Hollows Read-along to AMERICAN DEMON discussion

An interesting motif throughout the series is Ivy's distaste for and/or fear of magic. In fact, in Black Magic Sanction, at one point Ivy straight out says to Rachel, "'You know I don't like your magic'" (454).

This isn't a vampire thing. Rachel has mentioned multiple times that vampires rely heavily on magic, especially once they are undead.

So what do you think is the root of Ivy's reluctance toward magic?

We have seen that there are many "colors" of magic in the Hollows, and Rachel manages to dabble in all of them at one point or another.

She starts out as an Earth Witch (with its White and Black variations), but when she is introduced to ley-line magic, she jumps on that bandwagon with both feet. Pierce introduces her to the idea that "black" ley-line magic is more in the mind than in the magic. Demon magic is ley-line based but has all sorts of rules and restrictions devised and enforced by the collective (which implies that the demons, not the magic, are the distinction*). Then Trent introduces her to Elvin (Wild) Magic. We then learn of the connections between Witches, Demons, and Elves blurring the lines even more.

And Rachel, being Rachel, also manages to become an Alpha n a Were Pack despite not being one.

Vampires don't use "magic", they use a force variously called charm, persuasion, pheromones, or power. But let's face it, it's all just magic. Ivy herself recognizes the necessity of "magic" when she asks Rachel for a pain amulet (We never did learn why she wanted it - perhaps it was for Glenn)

As we've seen in all sorts of Inderlanders, the connection of incantations and magic underline the concept that words have power. I think Ivy's objection is simply to the word "magic", which she has apparently been taught is something that Vampires don't do.

*And the "white" witches of the Coven don't hesitate to use lethal spells when it suits their purpose in prior books - Witches and Demons aren't so different, are they?)

I think Ivy only asks for a pain amulet because she knows Rachel will need one before the end of everything. Which she does and Ivy gives her the amulet.

No, it's mentioned several times that vampires, especially the dead ones, rely on witches and their magic. I think Ivy sees the temptation, how it can be an easy way out, and avoids it at all costs. She could have also seen what horrible things Piscary did with magic and doesn't want to be like him.

Crystal Parnell wrote: "It's mentioned several times that vampires, especially the dead ones, rely on witches and their magic."

Yes, thank you, Crystal! That is what I was referencing in my original post. Rachel mentions specifically that undead vampires use witches' magic so they will still look young. We also know Piscary used witches' magic to summon Al.

I think there has to be history with it. Piscary was an embodiment of power, time, using people- you know he used whatever tool available to him to become that powerful. I think that ‘power’ was used on and against Ivy. And I think she feels using magic leads down the road to becoming what Piscary wanted her to be.

Ivy doesn't like being out of control, and she can't control Magic. It's a force that can act on her without her permision, and thats also a big turn off. Adding that Rachel has dropped her a few times with magic (most notably in a short story of one of their early runner cases), and you find a vampire that is magic shy. At least, thats how I see it.