Sudden Backtrack: A Hollows Short (The Hollows)

I was hoping for a more recent story of Al (post-end of Hollows series), and this was a pre-quel. It was interesting, and more about Newt than Al. I always enjoy Harrison's stories, and this was OK, just not her strongest one.

Can't believe I paid for this, but saw Kim Harrison's name and jumped on it. Had I read the reviews first like I normally do, I would have saved 99 cents and 10 minutes of my day. Yes 10 minutes! Very disappointed in Ms. Harrison and her publisher.

Way too short. I get the idea of selling short stories, but comparing quantity to cost, this was about a nickels worth of text. Guessing most of that money went to the cover artist, for something that really didn't need any art at all, just a free release on the author's site.
That being said, love this universe, this story was very limited however, I do get what it was trying to do, and it was done in a sort of 'artistic' sense. However, I do feel it could have been expanded on a bit more than it was, without even turning into a full-blown novella. Ultimately, I was just starting to like it, then it was over. The climax came and went so fast and happened right at the end, there was no feeling of completion, and it just sort of fell flat.

It was awesome, just thought it would be longer! It's nice to learn a little more about when Newt went crazy. I did think that this story was supposed to tell us why Gally changed his mind about Rachel.

So sad. I am a die hard Hollows fan. I was a bit upset at the end of the final book because it left so many unanswered questions for me. Then I was so happy to get an Al perspective! He is a great character and I was so interested in hearing his view point onto what I assumed would be the end of the series and what else happened to the characters.

So the story started from far in the past and I thought to myself, cool we're going to see the past and then jump forward to the future..... But then nope. The end. One of the shortest shorts I ever read and left me totally dissatisfied.

So upset that this was the last Hollows story...

What was the point of writing this story? Yes it did answer why Newt was crazy but it does it in a way that is confusing an leaves the reader unsure what is going on. I thought it was supposed to give us more answers to what happened with the demons, the lines and Newt becoming the goddess. This was a total waste of my time and money. I would give it zero stars if that was offered.

Kim Harrison's Hollows series has a host of interesting and complex supporting characters and this was a peek into the lives of two of the more important characters that affect the heroine of the stories.

I devour Kim Harrison books. This has been one of may favorite series. However, I was disappointed in this short. It was beyond short. I understand it was only $.99, but it was more of an article, not a short story. There really wasn't a story in the story.

I wished Kim had delved more into the demons and their beautiful ever after I know she touched on it in another book. I don't think she is finished writing about the hollows. Also more about the turn. More history. This story was great but too short!!!!!!

I loved the book. Although way to short!!! I live the entire Hollows Series! I would recommend every read it. It's funny and quirky and touching. I couldn't put the books down!! I was born in Cincinnati and loved that the series was based there.

If you are a Hollows fan, Sudden Backtrack is a MUST READ--it explains how it all started--but the story will make much more sense if you read it after you finish The Witch With No Name!

If you're not already a Kim Harrison fan, you are definitely missing out if you haven't read the entire Hollows series. You'll fall in love with Rachel, Ivy, Jinks, Trent and all the unforgettable characters in post-Turn Cincinnati--and you'll never feel quite the same way, again, about eating a tomato!

Now, that was fun. A rather short story (13 pages on my computer screen) that certainly explains Newt's mental health issues. It is always good to see Al, and I don't want to let him go.

Edited to include page count.

I found this to be very confusing. So let me try to recap for me. The elves are hunting those Who Live (d) in the everlaster. There`s about 5 elven hunters rounding up the last bit Of demons includinding
Newt and others as well

Not sure what I expected but it was more than this. I really hope Kim doesn't continue to make piece meal stories about some of my favorite characters all the time. Ugh. At least put all of the stories in one book. That way we can buy it ONCE.

Folks, it's $.99! Less than a dollar. Less than the amount you probably tip at Starbucks. Is that really going to break the bank?!? I don't think the store even sells any stories for less than that (excepting the occasional freebie).

Sudden Backtrack is well written, lays out some interesting back story, fills in Newt's history a lot more - including hints as to why she often presents herself without hair. It explains more about why the demons treat their familiars as they do, and why they hate the elves. A good acquisition for fans of the series.

Can't believe I wasted 99 cents on this. Really disappointed & so short! Wasn't expecting it to take place in the past either. Its about how they put a curse on the elves and how newt became crazy as they call her in the book. It was very very short.

I love Kim Harrison, but this short was just that a piece of work edited out of one of her great stories. It was unpolished and unintelligible. I knew the characters but had to give up about 2/3's of way through the book due to disinterest. I guess this was released just to make a buck?

WARNING: You can buy this as a stand alone short, but it is VERY SHORT! It does pack a punch, and I would have rather read it as the climax in a full-length novel, but it is a great little story, but only if you have already read most of the Hollows novels, so you know who's who and can figure out what's going on.

This story came with the paperback, but not the hardcover edition, of The Witch With No Name. I had bought my e-version of that book during the hardcover release, so I didn't get the story initially. I just redownloaded my electronic copy of The Witch With No Name to see if this short story had been added, and it had. You may have to remove your current copy and redownload, if you are in a similar situation.

It was nice to see Newt and Al (referred to here as Gally) as freedom fighters as they revolted against their elven masters. We get to witness Newt go from defiant, run-away slave to powerful, amnesiac demon as she releases the group-spun curse on the elves that would doom their reproductive success.

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

I really like the back stories in this series, in this case, how Newt and Gilly were *before*, when they were enslaved. It was too short to get their whole story in, but then, I think all the books in this series are too short...I want them to go on and on and on. Love this series.

Ms Harrison, I buy everything you write, and love them all, and read them more than once. That said, what the heck is this? Evil elves making slaves out of demons? Al and Newt at the end of their rope? Why? I will always remember Al at Trent and Rachel's tea table in the garden, charming the little girls with his magic. There was such hope there in that scene. Trent and Rachel get their HEA; couldn't Al?
Jgtimm

As I traveled with Rachel through her adventurous life, I have been curious about some of the characters along the way, Newt was one of them. My curiosity about this very unique woman isn't totally satisfied, however knowing Galli was there at the start, and it starting with a bang was a satisfying read. More please!

From a major Hollows fan - this is NOT worth buying! This wasn't even a complete story. It was a piece of a story with no begining and no ending! I would say only read this if free.. and honestly won't hurt if you never read it.

I don't feel that this really added to the whole series. I was wanted one last visit to the Hollows and this was not it. It did give some backstory to Al that was limited by the POV of the series but it was in the end not very fulfilling.

Good back story about hatred between the elves and demons, but there was a bit of a continuity issue. I spent a bit more trying to figure that out then enjoying the story at some points, but still a decent read

Good back story about hatred between the elves and demons, but there was a bit of a continuity issue. I spent a bit more trying to figure that out then enjoying the story at some points, but still a decent read

Was not worth the $0.99 I paid to read such a short story in less than five minutes. Should be free!! I do love her stories but here I felt cheated. I wish I would have read the reviews before purchasing but I trusted in the author as I have read all the other Hollows books. It gives you hardly any real good info on Newt. It was a smidegeon of a back story. Sad to say Unsatisfied!