Demon's Bluff

The Hollows #18

by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan must go on a deadly journey—into the past—in the next thrilling Hollows novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

What’s a witch to do when the coven of moral and ethical standards demands she untwist a curse—but an essential spell component no longer exists? There’s only one choice: go back in time.

Caught between self-exile and an Alcatraz cell, Rachel must find an Atlantean mirror to reverse the curse and prove to Cincinnati’s brand-new witch coven that, no, she does not practice illicit magic. Unfortunately, the only mirror of its kind in existence belonged to the insane demon Newt, forcing Rachel to go to the past to bargain with her for it.

But the time-travel spell goes awry, dragging Elyse, the young leader of the coven, into the past with Rachel. They expect to land five years in the past but instead arrive two days before Rachel’s long-lost love, Kisten, dies. Heartbroken and torn, Rachel knows she can't change the past.

Even with no allies, Rachel still has one thing going for her: Cincinnati is her city, now and forever. If she can find a way to work with Newt and prevent Elyse from becoming the demon’s next familiar, they might all get home.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Vampires, Time Travel, Magic, Demons

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 22, 2024

About the author

Kim 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

Reviews

[Nichole Marie]

Man I am torn, I love this series. I love the idea of bringing time travel into this but Kisten? Ok, I'll be honest here. I NEVER liked Kisten. The only time he has ever been interesting was his friendship with Ivy. Outside of that he is just a walking cliche that somehow is more boring then the cliche he represents. When he died I know I was suppose to be sad but honestly I was just relieved that I wouldn't have to read about him anymore. I honestly really like Trent. He has been built up into a interesting character that can stand on his own since book one and my biggest gripe with this series return is how Rachel is in regards to her relationship with him. Her "oh, no I ruined his life" despite the fact that Trent is very much is responsible for his own decisions and does not seem to regret any of them has gotten really aggravating. So this idea of her reuniting with her "dead love" is so cringy that I'm having a hard time getting excited. I want to be....I'm just crossing my fingers this book will be good because honestly if this whole book is her pining after Kisten I may just flip through it and wait for the next.

[☕️Kimberly (Caffeinated Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the troubles and hints at the end of Demons of Good and Evil, let’s just say I needed to devour Demon’s Bluff. I mean, Kisten. Need I say more? It took a lot of books and a whole lota growth from Trent to turn me, so the whole idea had me all topsy-turvy. Trust Harrison, this time traveling witchy tale is one you’ll want to devour.

The coven of moral and ethical standards demands she untwist a curse. She herself wants to undo the curse she was tricked into using, but to do that, she needs a specific item once owned by Newt. Of course, Rachel, with the unwilling help of Al she decides to go back in time and retrieve said item from Newt. It would have worked perfectly except an annoying snit, er I mean once of council hitches a ride thinking Rachel is making an escape.

They end up in the timeline where Kisten dies. Newt wants her witchy friend for a student and everything goes wrong. Or does it? Gads, I love this series and Harrison is magic in the telling. I am so glad to be getting more stories, as I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of Cincinnati and our witch demon.

I would be amiss if I didn’t recommend reading or listening to this series in the order of its release. The character friendships, romances, transformations and sheer shenanigans make it a necessity. However, once started I don’t think you’ll have any regrets. It’s one of my favorite urban fantasy series.

I laughed, got mad, cried and enjoyed every moment with these characters and the time travel storyline. We get hints about Rachel’s future and oh boy! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[Tyekanik · Rating 2 out of 5]

Please God, make it make sense. Why are we rehearsing old plotpoints that happened ten books ago?

[Trisha · Rating 1 out of 5]

* Minor Spoilers*

Why would KH think it was a good idea to Weekend at Bernie’s a beloved character?

This is where I part with the series. I should have left it where it was when it first ended.
Rachel has not grown as a character, in fact she’s regressed. She makes the stupidest choices (done to advance the plot) and whines constantly when she realizes how stupid she is.
It didn’t help that this book barely had any Jenks, Al , Ivy , Bis or even Trent. It was one long read with Rachel and the most annoying side character ever.
The book seemed like it was a rough draft also, many errors.
And since when does Rachel’s *Latin* cures all roll into Jenks kids names?
Arg 😖😑🫤😣

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say that I was anxious about this volume because it seemed like the usual bullshit when an author is forced to continue a series beyond the point they had wanted to and tehrefore having to correct certain things after having written certain characters into a corner.
While I still have a bit of a taste in my mouth about some aspects, the author did a marvelous job with the timey-wimey stuff and opening certain story elements back up while also ensuring there won't be too much repetition or time spent with one specific problem of Rachel's in future books. I respect that.

Rachel is once again blamed for damn near everything. It doesn't help that her boyfriend, the elf Trent, is in hiding. Even though she is the Demon Sub Rosa, the new Coven (despite them practically all being babies) is h(a)unting her, not taking No for an answer. And then there is the continued problem with the city's governance by the vampires.
All this leads Rachel to some quite desperate measures, up to and including time travel! The problem? An uninvited co-traveler who is obnoxious with her self-righteousness and hypocrisy. But maybe this "road trip" will teach her a lesson or twenty.

Quite riveting, the events being as action-laden as ever, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. The characters were as endearing and/or infuriating as ever, too. Though, like I said in my status update, Rachel's whining about Kisten did get on my nerves. Some things just should not be dragged out past a certain point. Luckily, this book should put that matter to rest (excuse the pun).

I always enjoy getting a closer look at one race or another, but I have to say that the witches (particularly the Coven) is sooo annoying! Not just making my teeth gnash but making me want to slap and hurt them all 'round the clock. Entitled pricks!

Naturally, the best person here was Jinx. Who else?! *lol* I just adore the little fairy and things just aren't right when he's not in the picture.

So yes, I'd call it another success. :D

[Emms-hiatus(ish) · Rating 2 out of 5]

It pains me to say it, but I’m quite sure this is the last book in this series & by RH that I read. With my whole chest out, the series should’ve ended @ #13 as planned. It was a solid ending to a beloved series.

#14 on has been downhill. Rachel has regressed as a character. I’ve never liked the FMC and the continuing series has made me loathe her. I love the world, I love all the side characters who have grown and evolved, yet Rachael is devolving into an even more TSTL whiny, immature, selfish witch.

Add in that this book was repetitive and full of typos- where was the editor???

Hate isn’t a strong enough word for the Kisten situation.

I’m done.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the pre-release copy of Demon's Bluff by Kim Harrison. Below is my honest review.

What an emotional rollercoaster, and good grief, Kim, why do I have to wait for the next one???

This one definitely dredges up some historical events in the world of the Hollows, and rips open some old wounds for Rachel Morgan and crew. With the Coven breathing down her neck and a ticking countdown towards their punishment for her cursing Brad, a city to run, and all sorts of supernatural factions to keep in line, her plate is definitely full. Her attempts to find the item needed to uncurse Brad lead to a special trip, one that ends up including an uninvited and unwelcome tag-along. Back in a past where many of her allies were still enemies and where she can't depend on herself, she's stuck with a huge rival and has to look out for the unexperienced coven member.

But there's also the unexpected consequence of someone she cared about very deeply still being around then...

I loved this one, and really can't wait to see the ramifications of this story's events in the next book.

Highly recommended, but this one SERIOUSLY involves much of Rachel's history, so it's not the best place to jump in. Your best bet is to binge the series. It's fun, I promise! :D

[Chrys Ink]

*Cough* *Cough* Oh, I think I'm coming down with something that will make me incapable of working on 10/22/2024. Yeah, you know how these these just give you 8+ months of random unrelated and totally indiscernible symptoms but then they become completely unbearable. Yeah. What can you do?

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

This was fantastic! If you have been following my reviews for any time, you probably already know that I am a big fan of Kim Harrison’s writing and have a particular soft spot for the Hollows series. This is book 18 in the series, so I feel like I know Rachel, Trent, and the rest of the crew, as well as some of my family, and I am invested in their lives. I was hooked by this story right away and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out.

I love it when a book can surprise me, and this book went in a direction I never saw coming. This book sends Rachel back in time, along with the new leader of the coven, Elyse. They didn’t go too far back so it was a time that readers of the series will quickly recognize. Rachel has her hands full with the impossible task of dealing with Newt, plus Elyse tends to make everything more difficult than it needs to be. My heart went out to Rachel as she worked to complete her mission while being forced to face a difficult time in her past.

Marguerite Gavin is the voice of this series. I couldn’t imagine listening to anyone else even attempt to bring this colorful cast of characters to life. She does such a great job with all of these characters and I love how consistent her voices have been throughout the series. She can add just enough emotion to her reading to make these characters feel read. I am positive that her narration added to my overall enjoyment.

I would highly recommend this book to fans of the series! This is the eighteenth book in the Hollows series which I would recommend reading in order since the character relationships grow and change throughout the series. I had a great time with this book and cannot wait to read more of Kim Harrison’s work.

I received a review copy of this book from Ace and Penguin Random House Audio.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Demon's Bluff is the 18th installment in author Kim Harrison's The Hollows series. Set in an alternative Cincinnati, Witch-born demon Rachel Morgan and her friends (Ivy, Trent, Jinx & Pike) fight to protect the inhabitants of the city of Cincinnati--including humans, werewolves, vampires, demons, witches, elves, and pixies. In recent developments, Rachel has taken up the mantle of subrosa for the city of Cincinnati while she tries to keep Constance from murdering everyone in sight. Rachel is also caught between the possibility of self-exile in the ever after or an Alcatraz cell thanks to the curse she put on Pike's brother.


*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite urban fantasy series, but I'm sad to say I found this latest installment lacking. It mostly left me either indifferent or slightly irritated. Starting with the fact that Rachel seems to be throwing up undrawn circles around other people left and right - when previously the established rule had always been that an undrawn circle always formed around the person casting it at its center. Then continuing with the fact that the main emotional arc for this book revolved around a character I had zero interest in seeing again.

To make matters worse, Rachel was alone with Elyse from the coven of moral and ethical standards for most of the book, and her character didn't bring anything new or interesting to the table. Also, I'm very sceptical about the choice of introducing time travel this late into the series... either it's going to turn into a fix-all for everything that goes terribly wrong from now on, or you're always going to be wondering why they don't use it again the next time something goes terribly wrong.

Also, there were two or three times I noticed, where a thought or line of dialogue was repeated almost verbatim a few chapters apart. It might have been poignant the first time, but repeating it kind of cheapened it. And the power levels of the characters - like who was able to break whose circle - seemed a bit all over the place and mostly based on what fit a specific scene.

So yeah, not even seeing Newt again could elevate this above 3 stars for me. I hope I'll like the next one better again, and depending on where the series goes next, I'm not saying it's impossible I might grow to like this as a necessary step along the way to something I'll end up loving again. (I did end up loving the first few books as necessary first steps in Rachel's character development, even though she really irritated me on my first time reading the series.) But for now, I found it underwhelming and disappointing.

[Tracett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very happy to go back into the world of Rachel Morgan! But I soon realized this story was missing something important: Rachel’s friends. Conniving witch Elyse was an annoying substitution for her pals.

[PJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I stopped the book and chapter 24. As an avid reader of this series, and someone who has been waiting for this book to come out. I even reread the entire series to ensure I didn’t forget anything before this came out. But as it stands right now, I cannot finish this book.

In the first place, having this character go back in time, and not do anything to change things, are you serious? Do we not know Rachel? She can’t help her blundering, meddling ways. I feel like every other paragraph is restating the same things, she misses Trent, doesn’t want to disappoint Trent, Jenks would have looped the cameras, etc. We get it. You rely solely on your friends to get things done. This is the time to put your big girl pants on and get it done by yourself. And trying to use Elise in place of your friends is not going to work.

Unless someone tells me that in chapter 25 Rachel punches Elise in the face and leaves her to find her own way back; I’m done. There is no way this character can be so ungrateful, whiny, bratty, and selfish at this point. Not to mention, she is the one that got her self into this yet she takes no responsibility for anything happening. She’s only thinking about herself. Even though Rachel is needed to get her home Elise fights her at every turn. She’s doing everything she can to alienate Rachel and make sure she gets left behind. Take the hint, Rachel, leave her. Or better yet, gift her to Newt. The brat deserves it.

This may have ruined me from reading any more of the series. Especially if Rachel is on her own. This showed me that I’m not a huge fan of Rachel herself. I read these books for the supporting characters and suffer through Rachel’s stupidity. There’s so much going on in their lives right now, but the book is solely about Rachel. I’m annoyed to not know how Trent is going to get out of his conundrum or if Jenks and Getty are getting closer. All in all, this book makes me feel as though the author really didn’t know how to get her characters out of their current situation and instead gave the audience a filler book. Or maybe she just doesn’t wanna write the hollows anymore

[Clarissa Labue-Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. So much that I initially owned the books in softcover but rebought everyone in hardcover. 18 books in and I am still hooked.

In this novel, Rachel goes back in time with Elyse, the leader of the coven of ethical and moral standards. Because Elyse messed with the spell, they only go back two years instead of the 5 years that Rachel had planned. This puts a hitch in Rachel's plans and trouble ensues. We see the return of an old character too. This book was everything, drama, action, and romance. The real star of this book is the relationship between Elyse and Rachel. You watch them go from barely cooperating cohorts to friends who understand each other.

Initially I found this book a little slow but once it picks up it goes fast. If you've kept up with this series I highly recommend this book. If you have yet to pick this series up then you need to order The Hollows book 1 right away. It is an absolute must read for urban fantasy fans.

[Ashley Basile · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hollows remains one of my favorite series, and Demon's Bluff is just as wonderful as all the others. I can’t get enough of Rachel and her ever-shifting world of friends, enemies, and (my personal favorite) frenemies. This installment delivers an especially tense, time-twisting adventure, and I loved getting another glimpse of Newt, a character I’ve always had a soft spot for.

Every page of this book had me smiling. The magic, for me, hasn’t faded one bit.

[MJ Codename: ♕Duchess♕ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF on chapter 4. It’s how many years in now and Rachel is still this much of a fuck up? I’m done with the series. I can’t anymore. And don’t get me started on her obsession with Kisten still. Or her refusal to put on her big girl panties and grow the fuck up.
Trent deserves better.
The demons deserve better.
The FIB deserves better.
Ivy and the rest deserve better.

[Jess]

If anyONE messes with Rachel and Trent, I'll riot. It's funny, at some point during this series I went from wanting Rachel to be happy to wanting it for Trent more than anyone. He was such a d*ck at the beginning of the series, and I still loved him. :)

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this story is just as good as any Ms. Harrison has penned in this series - an amazing feat considering we’re on #17! The reason I didn’t rate it higher is completely personal. I’m not a huge fan of time-travel stories where the plot revolves around jumping back and forth to correct wrongs (as opposed to staying within the time period and learning the era, which is more enjoyable for me).

Plus, I just didn’t like the bringing Kristin back storyline. Trent is so in love and devoted to Rachel, yet she hesitates to marry him, then is so bound and determined to bring her old love back? No, nope, NOPE! It just didn’t gel for me.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to win Demon's Bluff in a giveaway. I've been reading the Hollow's series for 16 years and I'm glad we are getting new books. I love Kim Harrison's writing and I love the characters in the series. To avoid self-exile or Alcatraz, Rachel has to go back in time to get an Atlantean mirror that is in possession of insane demon Newt. Al reluctantly helps her, but the spell goes as planned when coven leader Elyse hitches a ride thinking Rachel is trying to escape. She was expecting to land 5 years in the past but instead lands 2 days before her lost love Kisten dies. Rachel knows she can't change the past but she has to find a way to get the mirror, prevent Elyse from becoming Newt's unwilling familiar and get them home all in one piece.

I love Rachel and Trent together and I like how Trent has grown and changed through the series. I wish we had gotten more Jenks and Al in this story but I'm already looking forward to the next book. Hopefully we'll get another one next year. I highly recommend reading this series from the very beginning for those interested.

[ElaF · Rating 5 out of 5]

niesamowite jak rozwinela sie akcja i bohaterowie. jak sobie pomysle jak denerwowaly mnie niektore zachowania w pierwszych czesciach a teraz jak cudownie sie to czyta. chyba najlepsza czesc z wszystkich

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always a blast entering a world that Kim Harrison has created. As soon as I started reading DEMON’S BLUFF, I felt like I’d been transported into another world. Stunning worldbuilding and epic characters always keeps me coming back for more.

Normally, I don’t like first person narration just because it can feel a bit boring after a while. But I’ve noticed that I never tire of Harrison’s writing. Written with grit and spunk, this series continues to impress me with its worldbuilding, characters and plot.

With an interesting mix of all things magical, DEMON’S BLUFF is sure to have something for everyone. As one of my favorite urban fantasy series, you can’t miss this installment to the beloved Hollows series.

[Gator Girl Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook owned
4 stars
Spoilers Ahead

What made the book for me was the Kisten moments, the solid love between Trent and Rachel and that Epilogue! (Plus allll the moments we had with Bis, Jenks and Al)

Elyse and Rachel in the past? Enjoyable moments but frustrating as well. It was nice that Elyse finally got “who” Rachel was.

I really liked “how” Kisten was brought back. I really liked “how” Brad’s curse was lifted. And I knew that somehow Rachel was involved with that curse on Scott…and I don’t think I’m going to like what happened with the Goddess as Rachel was untwisting that curse.
Very ominous the words Rachel agreed to.
And the proposal? Hhmmm….. because the ring that Trent wants to resize? It does something. Quen knows.
** and now I sort of like Elyse and will wonder what happened with her “voluntarily” leaving the coven. **

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

After 18 books, this series may have run its course. Always nice to get a chance to check-in with Rachel et al. but this book didn’t contain much time with our beloved characters Trent, Ivy, Jenks and Bis. Instead, it involved a long, repetitive plot which pitted Rachel alone with the most annoying character ever, Elyse, the supposed head of the coven which is always trying to ensnare Rachel for one transgression or another. It was a slog but I finished it. If you deleted the phrase “shifted my bag higher up my shoulder” from the book, you could reduce the total length by about 10%. There were so many characters, I had to keep using the search function on my Kindle to remember who everyone was.
Thank you to The Goodreads Team for the free Kindle e-book.

[Silvia]

I’m on pins and needles about Kisten’s “return”. I was devastated when the author offed him. I loved Trent from the start but tbh, his relationship with Rachel seems to be going nowhere and has gotten stale. I long for the good old days of Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, and yes…Kisten.

[Patty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over it. Same old stupid mistakes.

[Austin (Weird)]

ngl I'm kinda interested in reread series just bc of this book (I love time travel lol)

[Barb Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY COW I LOVE THIS WOMAN

[¸.•*¨*•Gina *A Bookwyrm in Belgium*•*¨*•.¸ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun romp through time for Rachel. It is great to have some new character development in this series, and I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little worried that the time travel would ruin the essence of the plot, characters and books that came before it. I shouldn't have. Kim Harrison strikes again.

[Tamara Campo · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect end to the hollows series.