Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Demon's Bluff by Kim Harrison Series: Return to the Hollows #4, The Hollows #18
Published by Ace on October 22, 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 448
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
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.
So, The Hollows series was the very first Read-along I hosted in my early days of blogging at Yummy Men & KickAss Chicks. I chose it because I had heard so many great things about it but had never read the series. It was also 2014 and the year the “final” book was released, Witch with No Name.
I’m really enjoying the extension of this series. I almost like it more than the original books. Because so many of the characters and relationships have histories, I would read this series in order. There will likely be spoilers for the series here.
I always enjoy the books in this series. The beginning of Demon’s Bluff felt a bit slow and personally I felt frustrated with the situations. Trent is on the run from law enforcement and living in the ever after. Rachel is subrosa for the city where Constance is not a good leader. Pike and Ivy do the actual work.
The witch coven is young and wants to either have Rachel go to Alcatraz or work for them as an enforcer and do all their dirty work. I really am not a fan of Elyse or Scott, although they exchanged roles through the story. She needs to uncurse Brad to stay out of their clutches. Elyse has tempted her with a book that has a spell to bring Kisten back.
Rachel has less time with Trent and I really prefer when she works with him, Al, Jenks, Bis and Ivy to make things better. But Rachel figures out how she might uncurse Brad and sets on her own journey. It is risky and dangerous, but she is determined to undo the wrong done to Brad. Unfortunately, Elyse butts in and goes with her.
Rachel shows all her long experience and more patience than I possess with Elyse. Because things go wrong, she does end up seeing Kisten. That ends up being heartbreaking all over again, but with slightly better results. Her encounters with Newt are on the edge of disaster.
I loved the strength of Rachel tempered with patience and compassion. She’s very aware of how her actions may affect others, caring more than others do. The pace picked up well after the beginning. My personal irritation was just having to deal with the coven rather than working with the characters I already know and love. Things end up in a reasonably good situation but I doubt that will last.
About Kim Harrison
Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. After gaining her bachelors in the sciences, she moved to South Carolina, where she remained until recently returning to Michigan because she missed the snow. She’s currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, Kim is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or out on the links.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- 🎧 Heartwood by Amity Gaige #AmityGaige #JustineLupe #AlmaCuervo #RebeccaLowman #AliAndreAli #CaryHite #HelenLaser @simonaudio.bsky.social#LoveAudiobooks @SimonAudio - April 24, 2025
- 🎧 Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry #EmilyHenry @justjuliawhelan @penguinaudio.bsky.social @libro.fm#LoveAudiobooks @BerkleyRomance @BerkleyPub@PRHAudio - April 22, 2025
- Sunday Post – 20 April 2025 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - April 20, 2025
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
Wonderful that this spinoff is just as good as the original.
yes I think it’s better.
Hex the coven. They are annoying lol
It is tough to decide who I dislike the most.
I love that she’s done this for the fans.
It’s really enjoyable. The characters are certainly well known and well loved.
One day maybe. This sounds right up my alley.
I hope you try her. I’ve enjoyed these books.