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The Hollows #13.1
Sudden Backtrack
The origins of the elf and demon war have been shrouded – until now. Told from a demon’s point of view, join Al as he helps Newt spin the curse that caused the elven downfall… and perhaps holds the beginnings of their own reclamations.
21 pages, ebook
First published October 28, 2014
374 people are currently reading
4546 people want to read
About the author
Kim Harrison
82 books18.8k followersKim Harrison is best known as the author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, but she has written more than urban fantasy and has published over two-dozen books spanning the gamut from young adult, thriller, several anthologies, and has scripted two original graphic novels. She has also published traditional fantasy under the name Dawn Cook. Kim is currently working on a new Hollows book between other, non related, urban fantasy projects.
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimHarrisons...
Instagram
https://instagram.com/kim_harrison_au...
and her blog http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/
other pseudonyms: Dawn Cook
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimHarrisons...
https://instagram.com/kim_harrison_au...
and her blog http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/
other pseudonyms: Dawn Cook
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
November 10, 2014
Well, I was excited to read this and was looking forward to what Al had to say but it's incredibly short! Amazon says twenty-one pages but I'm not even sure about that.
The blurb basically says it all and if you're not willing to pay ninety-nine cents, well, you're not really missing out on much. It would have been really nice for this to be offered as a freebie for the fans.
The only ones we know are Al and Newt and then there's several Elves. It's possible somewhere in the series they could've been mentioned but I sure don't remember them.
The one positive thing I can say is I did love how innocent Al was and it was interesting how Newt came into her powers.
I am glad I read it...I just wish it was more.
April 11, 2015
Nice story, but way too short and nothing special. The synopsis says it all. It is told from Al's POV and written in third person. You won't lose much if you don't read it. Nevertheless, it was good to learn more about the roots of the war between the demons and the elves, how the ever-after once looked, how cruel the elves were and how innocent Al was back than.
August 9, 2018
Really short story to show the evil of elves in the everafter while Newt and Gally try to escape from them.
Newt before...
Gally before...
Yeah. Slavery is despicable in any world or dimension.
Or why the curse was formulated.
Newt before...
Gally before...
Yeah. Slavery is despicable in any world or dimension.
Or why the curse was formulated.
March 29, 2015
I had been hoping when Kim Harrison said at the recent book signing that Al would get the last word, that it would be in the present/future times, not a past memory. It certainly shows how cruel the elves were and how the demons became so tainted and cruel. This was as much as a story from Al's perspective as Gally to a story of Newt's changing. The ending felt very abrupt and cut-off.
September 5, 2015
This was super short but it was a great glimpse into the hollows world before the demons cursed the elves. I really love this series, I'm so sad it's over. Poor Newt!
April 10, 2015
This was a very tiny short story. It took us back through time to the moment the Demons cast their curse upon the Elves. It is told from Al's POV and despite its shortness it manages to show why the Demons and the Elves have been enemies for so long.
I was hoping for something a bit more than this incredibly short glimpse into the distant past!
Rating: 3 stars.
I was hoping for something a bit more than this incredibly short glimpse into the distant past!
Rating: 3 stars.
February 29, 2016
So excited for this. And its only fitting Al gets the last word!
May 20, 2015
Glad I read it because it contains, what I consider to be, a brief history of how the war between the elves and demons began as well as much needed insight into the beginnings of Newt as we know her today. My complaint, the length, maybe you could consider it a snippet or blurb. Extremely too short!
April 14, 2015
I liked this short little unexpected addition to this now finished series. It explained a lot about how the war between elves and demons started and quite frankly pissed me off a bit(against one of the two parties). Also explains what happen to Newt. Then again after all the years of crap they did to each other neither party is completely guilt free in that regards. It does give us a glimpse of what the ever-after once looked like and how it ended up ruined. For $.99 this is totally worth the download. It left me with more questions thought and hope someday Ms. Harrison might consider a spin-off demon based story in the ever-after. Just a thought. I am still longing to know more about Al, and wish this would have given us a better idea of his H.E.A., but then again maybe he didn't get one... Still my favorite character out of the whole series though.
Oh and I don't think it ruined anything in book 13. For those just starting the series it could even be read first.
Oh and I don't think it ruined anything in book 13. For those just starting the series it could even be read first.
December 17, 2014
FINALLY! AL's POV!
August 3, 2016
My TBR works a little different than most people’s since I just never could afford to buy that many books. So it is mainly just a Goodreads list and the books I am waiting for holds to catch up from the library. And I don’t tend to lag on series. So this was a hard one, my options were Kim Harrison’s Sudden Backtrack, Hannah Howell’s If He’s Noble (2 people ahead of me), or Mary Balogh’s Only a Kiss (6 people ahead of me). So that clarified what I would read pretty handily because I waited till the last minute and those people just wouldn’t finish and return those books.
Of course there is a reason I hadn’t read this. When I read The Witch with No Name, I was…ambivalent toward it. It was good enough for a finale to not leave me screaming in rage, but not exactly something that let me leave this series on a happy and high note. So when I heard Harrison was putting out something else, I had mixed feelings to say the least. But it has stayed on my TBR because I am curious about Al and Newt’s history.
So, here we are,and I am reading a book I am not sure I actually want to read, in the midst of one of the biggest reading slumps in my history (heck I am following politics and social media politics instead of reading much right now).
The particulars: this is NOT for someone who hasn’t read the series. If you haven’t read the series yet, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy and doesn’t mind not having much romance…and now I suppose I have to add a lackluster series finale. But overall, it is a series I enjoyed very much. The biggest mystery, and one that was never tied up, is how exactly did demons come to be what they are?
Dang this is just heartbreaking though. Demons are painted as very morally ambivalent throughout the series, and we get just peeks into the history that set up the final confrontations.
There isn’t truly much I can say without spoiling things, but it does answer some very significant questions about how the elves and demons came to be how they were, and especially how Newt became what she was.
My thoughts? I wonder why the heck Harrison waited until after the series was over to share this. I think it would have changed to tone of the series in a small, but significant and positive way. And I don’t think it would have spoiled anything either. But after it is all over, this 22 page snippet just leaves me feeling frustrated. I’d have been thrilled to get this any time before the series ended, but now I am just glad I borrowed it from the library rather than wasting $1.07 on it. But I am glad to finally get it off my list, so thanks to Wendy Super Librarian for that at least.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
Of course there is a reason I hadn’t read this. When I read The Witch with No Name, I was…ambivalent toward it. It was good enough for a finale to not leave me screaming in rage, but not exactly something that let me leave this series on a happy and high note. So when I heard Harrison was putting out something else, I had mixed feelings to say the least. But it has stayed on my TBR because I am curious about Al and Newt’s history.
So, here we are,and I am reading a book I am not sure I actually want to read, in the midst of one of the biggest reading slumps in my history (heck I am following politics and social media politics instead of reading much right now).
The particulars: this is NOT for someone who hasn’t read the series. If you haven’t read the series yet, I recommend it to anyone who enjoys Urban Fantasy and doesn’t mind not having much romance…and now I suppose I have to add a lackluster series finale. But overall, it is a series I enjoyed very much. The biggest mystery, and one that was never tied up, is how exactly did demons come to be what they are?
Dang this is just heartbreaking though. Demons are painted as very morally ambivalent throughout the series, and we get just peeks into the history that set up the final confrontations.
There isn’t truly much I can say without spoiling things, but it does answer some very significant questions about how the elves and demons came to be how they were, and especially how Newt became what she was.
My thoughts? I wonder why the heck Harrison waited until after the series was over to share this. I think it would have changed to tone of the series in a small, but significant and positive way. And I don’t think it would have spoiled anything either. But after it is all over, this 22 page snippet just leaves me feeling frustrated. I’d have been thrilled to get this any time before the series ended, but now I am just glad I borrowed it from the library rather than wasting $1.07 on it. But I am glad to finally get it off my list, so thanks to Wendy Super Librarian for that at least.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
January 12, 2025
Interesting.
This book is technically a prequel, but it won't make much sense if you're unfamiliar with The Hollows series.
It's a bit too early for me to read this, too, since I haven't reached book 13 yet, and I don't even remember where I left off in the series. However, I'm a completist; I just reread the first main novel; I prefer to read in chronological order; and I know just enough about the storyline to be dangerous, so here we are.
I plan to continue breaking the rules by reading the other prequels chronologically instead of in the published order. Hopefully, I won't spoil too many things for myself.
This book is technically a prequel, but it won't make much sense if you're unfamiliar with The Hollows series.
It's a bit too early for me to read this, too, since I haven't reached book 13 yet, and I don't even remember where I left off in the series. However, I'm a completist; I just reread the first main novel; I prefer to read in chronological order; and I know just enough about the storyline to be dangerous, so here we are.
I plan to continue breaking the rules by reading the other prequels chronologically instead of in the published order. Hopefully, I won't spoil too many things for myself.
February 27, 2020
I've only read the first two novels in the Hollows series, and that was...years ago. And I am terrible at remembering things. Still, while my Internet has been extremely limited this month, I've been reading my eBooks offline, so if ever I would read this story it was now, or possibly never.
Elves and demons, and I just did not care at all.
Elves and demons, and I just did not care at all.
December 9, 2021
Disjointed
November 7, 2014
I'm still trying to figure out why this was $0.99.
This was a 21 pg. short story (that's being generous what with the title page and all), told from Al's POV but way way in the past at the origins of the demons twisting the curse which I guess leads to the corruption of future Elven DNA.
It features about a half second of Al and Newt in some kind of unclear situation where they are meeting with Elven slavers who, despite being slavers, seem to be willing to listen to two demons? I was completely unclear as to when and where this situation was dropping us off.
I think it was inexcusable that this wasn't included as a bonus extra in the final book, or even as an extra add on between Undead Pool and Witch With No Name. In my opinion, no, it DOESN'T explain why Al goes all mental and angry on Rachel at the end of Undead Pool because we already knew everything this short story "reveals."
The writing is clunky and it reads like something Kim Harrison found on the floor of her office and said "oh hey I make money on things now I bet this is worth some change. People will eat this right up!"
I don't like feeling taken advantage of as a reader, especially after having purchased every other book in this series including the world book and the collection of short stores, Into The Woods. This is not worth a dollar. In fact I'd almost bet that dollar that when Witch With No Name goes mass paperback this will be in there for free.
Ridiculous.
This was a 21 pg. short story (that's being generous what with the title page and all), told from Al's POV but way way in the past at the origins of the demons twisting the curse which I guess leads to the corruption of future Elven DNA.
It features about a half second of Al and Newt in some kind of unclear situation where they are meeting with Elven slavers who, despite being slavers, seem to be willing to listen to two demons? I was completely unclear as to when and where this situation was dropping us off.
I think it was inexcusable that this wasn't included as a bonus extra in the final book, or even as an extra add on between Undead Pool and Witch With No Name. In my opinion, no, it DOESN'T explain why Al goes all mental and angry on Rachel at the end of Undead Pool because we already knew everything this short story "reveals."
The writing is clunky and it reads like something Kim Harrison found on the floor of her office and said "oh hey I make money on things now I bet this is worth some change. People will eat this right up!"
I don't like feeling taken advantage of as a reader, especially after having purchased every other book in this series including the world book and the collection of short stores, Into The Woods. This is not worth a dollar. In fact I'd almost bet that dollar that when Witch With No Name goes mass paperback this will be in there for free.
Ridiculous.
April 1, 2015
I was under the impression that this was going to be Al's story, like him having the last word after all was said and done. This was nothing like what I expected. I was actually kind of bored while reading it, something that has never happened with one of Kim Harrison's books. This just seemed like an after thought more than anything else, not a thought out short. I didn't mind the length but I did mind that it was not a better short. It gets 3 stars because I love the characters even if I do not particularly like the story being told.
Newt and Gally (Al) have escaped but are trying to spin a curse on the elves which will effect their future children and they have chosen one of their hunters to be the one to spread it.
This was more about Newt than Al and it did give me the reason that she felt so close to Rachel. This I would say to read if you just want one more look at the world of the demons. It is very limited.
Newt and Gally (Al) have escaped but are trying to spin a curse on the elves which will effect their future children and they have chosen one of their hunters to be the one to spread it.
This was more about Newt than Al and it did give me the reason that she felt so close to Rachel. This I would say to read if you just want one more look at the world of the demons. It is very limited.
October 29, 2014
Much Much too short, and frankly a bit disappointing. Granted when I pre-ordered, there was no book description. I was expecting something from Al's perspective at the END of the series, as this was supposed to be his last word. Not something set at the beginning. Even so, if the blurb had of been there when I pre-ordered, I probably still would have as I've read everything set in this world, and I probably wouldn't have been disappointed as I feel right now.
All that aside, this did give an interesting insight into Al and Newt and where all the animosity between the elves and demons stemmed from. And I would purchase it again if only to complete my hollows collection, but I still think due to the shortness, it should have been included in the back of The Witch with No Name rather than charging for it.
All that aside, this did give an interesting insight into Al and Newt and where all the animosity between the elves and demons stemmed from. And I would purchase it again if only to complete my hollows collection, but I still think due to the shortness, it should have been included in the back of The Witch with No Name rather than charging for it.
November 1, 2014
This was really short and wasn't at all what I'd expected. Al is my favourite character so when I'd heard about this I was really excited to read something from his POV. The problem is this wasn't so much about Al as it was the demons against elves storyline which was interesting and gives a good bit of insight into Newt's character, but it didn't tell me anything more about Al. I was left frustrated with it because of this. Overall it's a decent short story but I wish it had just been included at the end of the last book rather than released separately. I felt let down after having to wait for it and then finding out it wasn't what I'd thought it was going to be.
October 28, 2014
This one threw me at first, I kept wondering who the heck Gally was and wondered where Al was as I knew this was supposed to be about Al. Once the light bulb popped on and I remembered Gally was Newt's pet name for Al things started to make more sense.
It was weird seeing Al and Newt so vulnerable, not used to that, or to see them ground down. It sort of makes their actions as we know them understandable. I love that we got to know how Newt got to be so Newt like and maybe even got a glimpse of why her actions at the end of A Witch With No Name made sense for her.
It was weird seeing Al and Newt so vulnerable, not used to that, or to see them ground down. It sort of makes their actions as we know them understandable. I love that we got to know how Newt got to be so Newt like and maybe even got a glimpse of why her actions at the end of A Witch With No Name made sense for her.
October 31, 2014
It was lovely to revisit the world after thinking it was all done, particularly visiting from Al's perspective.
But it was quite short and the topic heart breaking given we know where it will lead. Getting a glimpse into how the elves treated the demons was great, too.
Things are never exactly as they seem, are they?
But it was quite short and the topic heart breaking given we know where it will lead. Getting a glimpse into how the elves treated the demons was great, too.
Things are never exactly as they seem, are they?
February 15, 2015
I respect Kim Harrison's right to do anything with her work and to charge anything for her work, but this felt more like something an author would have posted as a freebie on their blog. I'm guessing this story will be included in the print version of the last book, and I would suggest you wait until then to read it. Don't waste your money.
October 29, 2014
VERY short prequel story from the Hollows which takes place at the time the elves were cursed by the demons, and why. Both Newt and Al (Gally) are involved and I’m now left wondering…okay, I won’t go there.
It seems there is so much more we can learn about their history.
It seems there is so much more we can learn about their history.
October 31, 2014
Sudden Backtrack is a very short story, showing how Newt lost her memory, how the demons got back at the elves, and Gally / Al working with Newt.
October 28, 2014
I had no idea what to expect in this short story but I liked it. There's some intense moments and I enjoyed getting some insight as to why Newt and Galley seem to be close. I love you, Al!
May 6, 2020
While this is 13.1 in the publication order, it's more like .00001 chronologically in The Hollows paranormal fantasy series.
My Take
It's a brief peek-in at two demons who appear prominently in The Hollows with Harrison using third person protagonist point-of-view from Gally's perspective.
The best I can say for it is that we finally discover how Newt becomes so deranged. It also shows the elves in a very black, soured, and rotting light.
The rest I can say is that Harrison has made the most confusing collection of words that really doesn't say anything that makes much sense. I think I've read this story four times trying to make sense of it...and parts of it even more!
It appears that the demons need to have contact with the ley lines to have any power. And I'm wondering if Harrison saying that the demons traveled the lines means they actually used them as a type of transport or it's a metaphorical way to say the demons used the power of the lines.
I'm also thinking...maybe...that the Everafter is beginning to transform. Who knows???
The Story
It could be a deal, if Kalla accepted Newt's offer...to let the demons walk away from their chains.
The Characters
Newt is a demon on the run with her son, Gally. Dali is another demon.
Celfnnah is someone whom Gally loves and who loves Gally, but who was taken.
Kalla is the elves' best slaver and a hunter tracking down escaped demons.
The Goddess is worshipped by the elves. Someone whom the demons believe as well. Much to the dismay of the elves! Sa'han is a title indicating respect.
The Cover and Title
The cover is split between the flaming red sky above a black ground with its silhouette of trees — the Everafter. With a pink mottled moon to the upper right of a flaming circle of yellow. At the very top is an info blurb in white with the author's name immediately below it, in white. The title is below the fire circle with a gradated orange-yellow-black fill. Below this is series info in white.
The title is what Harrison does, a "Sudden Backtrack" to show us how awful the elves are and how/when/why Newt goes nuts.
My Take
It's a brief peek-in at two demons who appear prominently in The Hollows with Harrison using third person protagonist point-of-view from Gally's perspective.
The best I can say for it is that we finally discover how Newt becomes so deranged. It also shows the elves in a very black, soured, and rotting light.
The rest I can say is that Harrison has made the most confusing collection of words that really doesn't say anything that makes much sense. I think I've read this story four times trying to make sense of it...and parts of it even more!
It appears that the demons need to have contact with the ley lines to have any power. And I'm wondering if Harrison saying that the demons traveled the lines means they actually used them as a type of transport or it's a metaphorical way to say the demons used the power of the lines.
I'm also thinking...maybe...that the Everafter is beginning to transform. Who knows???
The Story
It could be a deal, if Kalla accepted Newt's offer...to let the demons walk away from their chains.
The Characters
Newt is a demon on the run with her son, Gally. Dali is another demon.
Celfnnah is someone whom Gally loves and who loves Gally, but who was taken.
Kalla is the elves' best slaver and a hunter tracking down escaped demons.
The Goddess is worshipped by the elves. Someone whom the demons believe as well. Much to the dismay of the elves! Sa'han is a title indicating respect.
The Cover and Title
The cover is split between the flaming red sky above a black ground with its silhouette of trees — the Everafter. With a pink mottled moon to the upper right of a flaming circle of yellow. At the very top is an info blurb in white with the author's name immediately below it, in white. The title is below the fire circle with a gradated orange-yellow-black fill. Below this is series info in white.
The title is what Harrison does, a "Sudden Backtrack" to show us how awful the elves are and how/when/why Newt goes nuts.
August 1, 2020
I like that it explained enough about what the elves did, mentioned in passing how they stole demon's children - and we know they altered them - let the elf brats torture them as slaves after they got turned into weaker witches (which we know from the series) - and how Newt got crazy - we know she GOT crazy, but what exactly did she SEE at the bottom of the lines, or what exactly does she KNOW "what the elves REALLY are"? Well? What are they? What did she see? Oh, she doesn't know. UGH. This part I do not like.
Kim NEEDS to write a time line of the ever after starting from the beginning, perhaps before there was any war.
It is implied in The Turn that Kallimack's ancestry goes back to the beginning. OK. I think Kalla is his ancestor, but that is far from the beginning. Again, in "the Turn" the dark elves are healthier, but implied or stated is that demons bred the fair haired ones? Elves even in the 60s are racist against dark elves. why? Demons, we know from series, were these kind of weak very non human looking beings. Perhaps they were also kind. Elves, as as I can see, and always saw, were egotistical snobs, petty, hateful.
In the series I never liked Trent and could not fathom fans liking him for Rachel after all the crap he did to her. UGH. I liked Al from the get go.
Kim NEEDS to write a time line of the ever after starting from the beginning, perhaps before there was any war.
It is implied in The Turn that Kallimack's ancestry goes back to the beginning. OK. I think Kalla is his ancestor, but that is far from the beginning. Again, in "the Turn" the dark elves are healthier, but implied or stated is that demons bred the fair haired ones? Elves even in the 60s are racist against dark elves. why? Demons, we know from series, were these kind of weak very non human looking beings. Perhaps they were also kind. Elves, as as I can see, and always saw, were egotistical snobs, petty, hateful.
In the series I never liked Trent and could not fathom fans liking him for Rachel after all the crap he did to her. UGH. I liked Al from the get go.
July 12, 2020
Saddening as I loved Newt but a good short.
July 4, 2015
Well hello Al's POV!!! I'm going to admit it. As soon as I saw the email from Kim's blog about a new short for the Hollows I preordered it! And, I'm so glad I did. Its a short... so its short. But in the short little pages here you get to learn a lot about what happened between the Elves and the Demons. Something that's hinted and talked around throughout the Hollow's series. Gally (Al) and Newt face off against a hunting team of Elves. But what happens next makes it all too clear exactly why Newt, female demon, and one of Gally's friends goes nuttier than a basket of walnuts.
One of the biggest questions I had running through my mind since we meet her in the Hollow's series. And... I was right about it. Yes, I guessed it thanks to my detective skills and paying close attention to the series. But, I can't spoil it for y'all. You'll have to read and figure it out.
One of the biggest questions I had running through my mind since we meet her in the Hollow's series. And... I was right about it. Yes, I guessed it thanks to my detective skills and paying close attention to the series. But, I can't spoil it for y'all. You'll have to read and figure it out.
March 21, 2016
Original review: Sudden Backtrack is considered The Hollows #13.1 and is from Al's POV. I have to say that though very short, Sudden Backtrack was very much appreciated. It was nice to finally see what happened to change the balance between the Elves and the Demons since it's only been mentioned throughout the The Hollows series. To see it in depth was an unexpected surprise since the series ended a couple of months ago.
I guess Ms. Harrison was right, Al had to have the last word, but this wasn't what I expected when she talked about it at the signing I went to. I was expecting a little Al POV after the events in The Witch With No Name. Instead we got a prequel of sorts to the whole series. Thank you, Kim, for taking the time to share this story with us. I'm thrilled to know what a bad ass Newt was before she went bat shit crazy.
I guess Ms. Harrison was right, Al had to have the last word, but this wasn't what I expected when she talked about it at the signing I went to. I was expecting a little Al POV after the events in The Witch With No Name. Instead we got a prequel of sorts to the whole series. Thank you, Kim, for taking the time to share this story with us. I'm thrilled to know what a bad ass Newt was before she went bat shit crazy.
October 29, 2014
I'm not sure yet how I feel about this story. On one hand, it was great to have one last visit to the Hollows world and it featured two favorites (Newt and Al). It was also an action packed and intense story,despite being so short. I loved finding out more regarding a big part of the Demon/Elf war and why Newt is the way she is. On the other hand, it was soooo short (to be fair, the author warned about this) and we jump in during the middle of a scene, during a time fans have only speculated about. It took a bit to figure out what was going on. I think I'll need another read to really soak everything in.
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