What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hollows #0.1
The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death
"#1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison returns to her beloved Hollows series with The Turn, the official prequel to the series that will introduce you to a whole new side of Rachel Morgan's world as they've never seen it before! Can science save us when all else fails? Trisk and her hated rival, Kal, have the same goal: save their species from extinction. But death comes in the guise of hope when a genetically modified tomato created to feed the world combines with the government's new tactical virus, giving it an unexpected host and a mode of transport. Plague rises, giving the paranormal species the choice to stay hidden and allow humanity to die, or to show themselves in a bid to save them. Under accusations of scientific misconduct, Trisk and Kal flee across a plague-torn United States to convince leaders of the major paranormal species to save their supposedly weaker kin, but not everyone thinks humanity should be saved, and Trisk fights the prejudices of two societies to prove that not only does humanity have something to offer, but that long-accepted beliefs against women, dark magic, and humanity itself can turn to understanding; that when people are at their worst that the best show their true strength, and that love can hold the world together as a new balance is found"--
448 pages, ebook
First published February 7, 2017
About the author
Kim Harrison
81 books18.3k 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews
February 7, 2017
First, let's get the pesky tidbit out of the way -- I received this book as an advanced reader copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now, down to business. Kim, darling, I know that all good things must come to an end, but this book proves that you're at your best when you're in the world of the Hollows. Don't get me wrong, I adore Peri Reed and the cast of that series. The premise is neat and you add lots of fun twists and turns and bad boys and good boys and cats and a badass lead... but the Hollows is just BETTER. I mean honestly, the Hollows has PIXIES like Jenks and, newly introduced in this book, Orchid. I ADORED her, almost as much as I did Jenks - who happens to be one of my favorite book characters of all time.
A little backstory (see what I did there? this book is a prequel, so it's all backstory!) -- remember in the Hollows when we are introduced to this Urban Fantasy world? Yep, tomatoes + virus = human population decrease and supernatural creatures coming out of the hidden in plain sight closet. This book tells that story. It did such a good job that now I'm hankering for a reread of the entire 13 book (plus myriad shorties) series.
Even though we knew the inevitable ending, the path to get there was fun, the characters were well developed and lovable (for the most part), and we got more Hollows out of the deal. Side note here: we also get some cameos! I won't tell you who, because spoilers, but I loved the cameos!
I think there's enough material for another prequel to get us to the start of the Hollows, Kim, darling... even if it's just a series of shorties or a novella. Don't make me beg (because I will, and it will not be cute).
Now, down to business. Kim, darling, I know that all good things must come to an end, but this book proves that you're at your best when you're in the world of the Hollows. Don't get me wrong, I adore Peri Reed and the cast of that series. The premise is neat and you add lots of fun twists and turns and bad boys and good boys and cats and a badass lead... but the Hollows is just BETTER. I mean honestly, the Hollows has PIXIES like Jenks and, newly introduced in this book, Orchid. I ADORED her, almost as much as I did Jenks - who happens to be one of my favorite book characters of all time.
A little backstory (see what I did there? this book is a prequel, so it's all backstory!) -- remember in the Hollows when we are introduced to this Urban Fantasy world? Yep, tomatoes + virus = human population decrease and supernatural creatures coming out of the hidden in plain sight closet. This book tells that story. It did such a good job that now I'm hankering for a reread of the entire 13 book (plus myriad shorties) series.
Even though we knew the inevitable ending, the path to get there was fun, the characters were well developed and lovable (for the most part), and we got more Hollows out of the deal. Side note here: we also get some cameos! I won't tell you who, because spoilers, but I loved the cameos!
I think there's enough material for another prequel to get us to the start of the Hollows, Kim, darling... even if it's just a series of shorties or a novella. Don't make me beg (because I will, and it will not be cute).
March 15, 2017
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
2.5 stars
I . . . am a fickle broad.
I spent the majority of the last two days bitching and moaning about this book. I have the screenshots to prove it:
I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I hated THE TURN right up until the very end.
Literally. The very end.
The last four pages are what kept me from one-starring this book.
You: Whoa, one star, that's really bad.
Me: Yes. It is. Typically reserved for horror shows of books like Red Queen and Winter .
You: Why were you going to one star THE TURN?
Me: So. Many. Reasons.
1. The first 40% could've been condensed into, oh, around 5 - 10%, leaving us with a surplus of I'm-a-female-scientist-in-the-1960s-hear-me-RAWRRRR stuff and nonsense that was ultimately pointless given the outcome of the book.
You: What does that mean?
Me: If you want to know, you're going to have to suffer through it, same as me. #notevenalittlebitsorry
2. Drama Queen, thy name is H A R R I S O N.
As you've undoubtedly gathering from the above screenshots, Harrison's prolific use of cliché phrases and sentiments was a great source of amusement/disdain.
There were peaks and valleys, but I never made it more than a few chapters without some variation of this happening:
Or, you know, there was an explosion. *shrugs awkwardly* Certainly not an everyday occurrence, but "the hand of God"?
Pfffffffffft.
3. I hate this story.
Harrison could have written a book about a tragic accident, the perpetrators rife with the guilt of what their tampering with nature had wrought. She could have revealed to us how a small-minded man sought the ruination of a competitor and unwittingly unleashed a plague on humanity, his avarice equaling his DOOM.
She could have told told us any number of tales with any number of satisfactory outcomes.
Instead, she gave us a story of the hapless and the narcissistic and zero accountability.
Booooooooo.
BUT.
Those last four pages. *gnashes teeth*
I hated Kal.
Hated.
Hated, loathed, despised, and abominated.
Justifiably too. The man was a stubborn stupid blind megalomaniac who, albeit accidentally,
*throws head back and shrieks with rage*
Then with a glance and few well-chosen words, Harrison had me wanting to believe he could be a better man.
Whiskey . . . Tango . . . Foxtrot . . .?
No matter how messed up my reaction, Harrison was the one who elicited it, and that was nothing short of miraculous.
Also, the additional background on dark elves (of the brunet Quen variety) vs. light elves (blond-haired, green-eyed Trent Kalamack of HOLLOWS fame) was interesting.
Maybe the distinction was made in THE HOLLOWS, but if it was, I don't remember it.
Also, also, there were those periodic moments of brilliance that kept me reading THE HOLLOWS loooooong after I'd lost patience with Rachel Morgan:
And so . . . I am a fickle broad.
Not really recommended, but I won't blame you if morbid curiosity draws you down this infuriating path.
2.5 stars
I . . . am a fickle broad.
I spent the majority of the last two days bitching and moaning about this book. I have the screenshots to prove it:
I'm not going to sugarcoat it, I hated THE TURN right up until the very end.
Literally. The very end.
The last four pages are what kept me from one-starring this book.
You: Whoa, one star, that's really bad.
Me: Yes. It is. Typically reserved for horror shows of books like Red Queen and Winter .
You: Why were you going to one star THE TURN?
Me: So. Many. Reasons.
1. The first 40% could've been condensed into, oh, around 5 - 10%, leaving us with a surplus of I'm-a-female-scientist-in-the-1960s-hear-me-RAWRRRR stuff and nonsense that was ultimately pointless given the outcome of the book.
You: What does that mean?
Me: If you want to know, you're going to have to suffer through it, same as me. #notevenalittlebitsorry
2. Drama Queen, thy name is H A R R I S O N.
As you've undoubtedly gathering from the above screenshots, Harrison's prolific use of cliché phrases and sentiments was a great source of amusement/disdain.
There were peaks and valleys, but I never made it more than a few chapters without some variation of this happening:
And then her ears exploded as the hand of God reached down and slapped her.
Or, you know, there was an explosion. *shrugs awkwardly* Certainly not an everyday occurrence, but "the hand of God"?
Pfffffffffft.
3. I hate this story.
Harrison could have written a book about a tragic accident, the perpetrators rife with the guilt of what their tampering with nature had wrought. She could have revealed to us how a small-minded man sought the ruination of a competitor and unwittingly unleashed a plague on humanity, his avarice equaling his DOOM.
She could have told told us any number of tales with any number of satisfactory outcomes.
Instead, she gave us a story of the hapless and the narcissistic and zero accountability.
Booooooooo.
BUT.
Those last four pages. *gnashes teeth*
I hated Kal.
Hated.
Hated, loathed, despised, and abominated.
Justifiably too. The man was a stubborn stupid blind megalomaniac who, albeit accidentally,
*throws head back and shrieks with rage*
Then with a glance and few well-chosen words, Harrison had me wanting to believe he could be a better man.
Whiskey . . . Tango . . . Foxtrot . . .?
No matter how messed up my reaction, Harrison was the one who elicited it, and that was nothing short of miraculous.
Also, the additional background on dark elves (of the brunet Quen variety) vs. light elves (blond-haired, green-eyed Trent Kalamack of HOLLOWS fame) was interesting.
Maybe the distinction was made in THE HOLLOWS, but if it was, I don't remember it.
Also, also, there were those periodic moments of brilliance that kept me reading THE HOLLOWS loooooong after I'd lost patience with Rachel Morgan:
“His horse’s nostrils flared when he was angry, and his ears? His ears showed his mood, which was mostly bad, so they lay flat against his head.”
April clutched her glass unicorn to her. “Did he hurt April’s horse?” she asked.
Trisk shook her head, and even the boys at the fire relaxed. “No. Princess April wouldn’t let him, but the prince wanted her to come with him. He gave her presents, and food, and kittens."
And so . . . I am a fickle broad.
Not really recommended, but I won't blame you if morbid curiosity draws you down this infuriating path.
January 2, 2017
Thanks goes to Netgalley for this ARC!
And maybe that should be double because I fell out of my chair when I discovered that I was approved. So here comes the total honestly: I'm a total fanboy of the series. I always have been. So when the series ended and I had nothing new to look forward to in this universe, I felt so sad. So sad.
But now? So happy!
We're in the sixties now. Yup, too early for most of our favorite characters to show up, but here's a little surprise for you: soooooo many of the supporting cast happens to be worked right into the tale. I didn't even have a single qualm about any of them showing up. Not even Rachael's teenager dad. :)
This is a backstory novel in the very best sense of the word. We get all of the downfall of humanity and the rise of the tomato-immune peoples, the elvish and vampire involvement in the tragedy, but more importantly, we get to learn all about another certain MC's parents. I can't say it's a particularly happy tale despite the ongoing need to put a brave and optimistic face on things from Trisk's PoV, but she's having to fight many battles on many fronts and my heart goes out to her. Mysogyny rears its nasty 60's head.
And then, of course, is the supernaturals deciding to come out of the closet and we get that story as well.
But there's one main character from all of the Hollows series that gets a nice big chunk of a role in this one that I just had to squeeeeee about.
And I refuse to reveal his/her/its name here.
But I loved it. I really really really loved it. :)
The whole novel was a perfect companion to the rest of the series and there's a lot to connect with even though most of the characters are either seen in new light or are fleshed out a ton. I geeked-out about it all. This goes well beyond nostalgia. It's a real Hollows novel. :)
And maybe that should be double because I fell out of my chair when I discovered that I was approved. So here comes the total honestly: I'm a total fanboy of the series. I always have been. So when the series ended and I had nothing new to look forward to in this universe, I felt so sad. So sad.
But now? So happy!
We're in the sixties now. Yup, too early for most of our favorite characters to show up, but here's a little surprise for you: soooooo many of the supporting cast happens to be worked right into the tale. I didn't even have a single qualm about any of them showing up. Not even Rachael's teenager dad. :)
This is a backstory novel in the very best sense of the word. We get all of the downfall of humanity and the rise of the tomato-immune peoples, the elvish and vampire involvement in the tragedy, but more importantly, we get to learn all about another certain MC's parents. I can't say it's a particularly happy tale despite the ongoing need to put a brave and optimistic face on things from Trisk's PoV, but she's having to fight many battles on many fronts and my heart goes out to her. Mysogyny rears its nasty 60's head.
And then, of course, is the supernaturals deciding to come out of the closet and we get that story as well.
But there's one main character from all of the Hollows series that gets a nice big chunk of a role in this one that I just had to squeeeeee about.
And I refuse to reveal his/her/its name here.
But I loved it. I really really really loved it. :)
The whole novel was a perfect companion to the rest of the series and there's a lot to connect with even though most of the characters are either seen in new light or are fleshed out a ton. I geeked-out about it all. This goes well beyond nostalgia. It's a real Hollows novel. :)
March 19, 2017
[4.5 stars] For all of you Rachel Morgan fans wondering if The Turn is worth picking up, the answer is an emphatic YES!!! Even though the story takes place at least 50 years before Dead Witch Walking, it still managed to bring all the magic that made The Hollows series so great. Trisk was an amazing main character, comparable to Rachel, herself. In fact, all of the characters in this prequel were great – don’t be surprised to see a few familiar faces along the way (after all, we are dealing with a few of the more long-lived supernatural.) It was that infusion of old and new that made The Turn seem so special. It brought me back to when we first met these characters, and I now appreciate more than ever their individual growth arcs throughout the series and marvel at how far they’ve come. Notice I haven’t mentioned specifics? The surprise is half the fun! Although I’m sure you already have some theories…
I’m so glad Harrison decided to tell this story. Dead Witch Walking felt a little like jumping aboard a series already in progress, so it’s nice to see what came before, and I’d wager she’s been hoarding tons of notes for this backstory ever since that first book. It’s such a compelling segment of this world’s history. The basic premise is telling the tale of “The Turn” where a tomato-hopping virus kills off most of humanity and, as a result, the supernatural community comes out of hiding. It set the framework for The Hollows series and I was super impressed at how many other creative ways Harrison found to tie the entire thing together. It was masterfully done, loads of fun, and everything a Hollows fan could hope for. I loved every moment!
After finishing The Turn, I feel confident that there will be more to come in this prequel saga. I, for one, cannot wait!
If you haven’t read The Hollows series, you’ll still enjoy The Turn, but that’s like taking a single bite out of a cookie and putting it back on the tray. Dead Witch Walking takes a little time to get going, but once it does, it doesn’t let up!
I’d like to thank Gallery Books, Kim Harrison, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of The Turn.
Other books you might like:
Blood Engines - T.A. Pratt
Moon Called - Patricia Briggs
Hounded - Kevin Hearne
Ill Wind - Rachel Caine
Storm Born - Richelle Mead
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com
I’m so glad Harrison decided to tell this story. Dead Witch Walking felt a little like jumping aboard a series already in progress, so it’s nice to see what came before, and I’d wager she’s been hoarding tons of notes for this backstory ever since that first book. It’s such a compelling segment of this world’s history. The basic premise is telling the tale of “The Turn” where a tomato-hopping virus kills off most of humanity and, as a result, the supernatural community comes out of hiding. It set the framework for The Hollows series and I was super impressed at how many other creative ways Harrison found to tie the entire thing together. It was masterfully done, loads of fun, and everything a Hollows fan could hope for. I loved every moment!
After finishing The Turn, I feel confident that there will be more to come in this prequel saga. I, for one, cannot wait!
If you haven’t read The Hollows series, you’ll still enjoy The Turn, but that’s like taking a single bite out of a cookie and putting it back on the tray. Dead Witch Walking takes a little time to get going, but once it does, it doesn’t let up!
I’d like to thank Gallery Books, Kim Harrison, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of The Turn.
Other books you might like:
Blood Engines - T.A. Pratt
Moon Called - Patricia Briggs
Hounded - Kevin Hearne
Ill Wind - Rachel Caine
Storm Born - Richelle Mead
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com
August 8, 2018
^ ^ ^ ^ ^
That's me 90% of the time reading the book.
Here're the reasons why.
1. Gender equality is far from perfect even in 2017, but 1963 is just ridiculous.
2. Kal is an asshole.
3. Kal is a thumb-sucking slug turd.
4. Kal is a fairy's dung heap.
5. Kal is a troll's bahoogy, etc., etc., etc.
Well, you get my point. It being that I hate Kal. I can't believe Trent came from that asswipe. Guh!
Now that my rage is somewhat under control - let's talk about some other things, ok? The tomato thing for example. We (and by we I mean everyone who read The Hollows series, not a royal we) knew the aftermath of the Big Tomato Bang and how Inderlanders came out of the closet to save humanity. We knew that BTB was an accident. What we didn't know is that the accident was a direct result of one jelous insecure twat tempering with a researcher's work to make her look bad and claim her other work. Now, did we need this story to be told? Sure. Did we want 43% of it to be lab research based? Hell, no! I was dragging my feet for almost half the book, with almost no escape from mundane talk about seeds, crops, tomatoes and viruses. That's not what made me fall in love with The Hollows series. Sure there were elves and magic and even a pixie, but it took a backseat to tomato. How could that have happened?!
Yes, if you are curious, the second half of the book was pretty awesome. That's where all the action started. If you're wondering why I had my raging pants on 90% of the time instead of 43%, it was because Kal was keeping me enraged every time he was in a scene. And he was in the book a lot. What I would have liked to do was give him to Gally right after Trent's conception and never look back.
I also have to come clean about something. At first I thought Kal was Trent. You ask how did that happen? Well, it was really stupid of me. Of course it all fell into place eventually, but for the life of me I still can't fathom why, oh why, Trent was named after his father. Moving on.
I would love to tell you all the things I loved about this book, but it would spoil too much. Rest assured, it wasn't all that bad and my rating woud have been much higher if it wasn't for the first half. My Kal rage also doesn't mean that I hated the book. I actually think it's good when you have such intense feeling over a character, it means author did a great job with it. So perk up! You will get to hang out with a few familiar faces, like Gally and Rachel's dad, and some of the others too. And of course there is a pixie, and aren't they just the best? So just go ahead and read it for yourself already!
Over and out
March 28, 2017
Being a huge Hollows fan I was very eager to get the story behind the turn which is why I didn't even hesitate to pick The Turn up.
With it's familiar world and characters, it wasn't hard to jump right in. And while it did take me a moment or two to adjust to the different characters and the point of view not being Rach's, it really was fun seeing some familiar faces and some familiar places.
I absolutely loved seeing where is all began and how exactly it all began and of course seeing some familiar faces (Al!) was just so much fun.
It was so interesting to see the rivalries and the relationships that came about and of course where the Hollows was (or wasn't yet as this case may be) in the 60's versus when the first book takes place. Trent's parents were...well interesting and while I can't say I ever liked his dad, I will say that I liked Quin and his mom more so than ever and of course Al! So good to see that he was the demon we've all come to know and even love from the very beginning.
This was a fun addition to the series and I'm so glad we got this glimpse into it. It really does make me want to go back and read them all over again, or at the very least, to finally finish the series.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
With it's familiar world and characters, it wasn't hard to jump right in. And while it did take me a moment or two to adjust to the different characters and the point of view not being Rach's, it really was fun seeing some familiar faces and some familiar places.
I absolutely loved seeing where is all began and how exactly it all began and of course seeing some familiar faces (Al!) was just so much fun.
It was so interesting to see the rivalries and the relationships that came about and of course where the Hollows was (or wasn't yet as this case may be) in the 60's versus when the first book takes place. Trent's parents were...well interesting and while I can't say I ever liked his dad, I will say that I liked Quin and his mom more so than ever and of course Al! So good to see that he was the demon we've all come to know and even love from the very beginning.
This was a fun addition to the series and I'm so glad we got this glimpse into it. It really does make me want to go back and read them all over again, or at the very least, to finally finish the series.
*ARC copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
February 6, 2017
This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life.
I really liked this book a lot. I have only read a few of the early books in this series but I knew that I had to read this book as soon as I saw it. I always thought that the history of the world we saw in Dead Witch Walking was extremely interesting. I didn't even know half the story. This book really grabbed my interest right away and held it until the end.
How did a simple tomato kill a large percentage of the human population? We finally find out in this book. Trisk and Kal are both elves and are geneticists at the top of their class. Oh yeah, I should mention that they don't like each other...at all. Trisk ends up working at a human lab working to tweak a virus that is going to be used a weapon so that it cannot harm interlanders. She has also engineered a tomato plant that can survive in almost any condition and is hoped to help solve the world's hunger problem. Kal is asked to also take a look at her work to make sure it is safe before it is released on the world. Let's just say that things go horribly wrong.
The events in this book take place in the 1960's so there aren't too many characters that appear in the series. Every time a character I knew showed up in the story, I found it very exciting. Since I haven't read the whole series, there may have been more well known characters from the series that I just didn't recognize.
The main characters in this story were mostly new to me and I really liked most of them. Trisk was pretty awesome. She works hard and does what is right. When things don't go her way, she makes the best of whatever situation she finds herself in. Daniel is a human working closely with Trisk at the lab. He is actually the man who designed the virus. Daniel became more likable for me the more I read. I absolutely loved him by the end of the book. Orchid is a pixie in a world without a lot of her kind. She's not Jenks but she is pretty awesome. Kal was the kind of character that I love to hate. He is really pretty horrible in just about every way imaginable.
This was a book that I found myself liking more and more as I read. The beginning of the story was interesting but I really got hooked once things started going wrong. I had to know how they were going to deal with what was happening. The characters really proved what kind of person they were during the tragedy. The pacing of the story was well done and once I hit the second half of the book, I had a very hard time putting it down.
I would recommend this book to others. I enjoyed it a lot even though I am nowhere near caught up with this series. I think that it could be read as a stand alone although readers of The Hollows will get a little more from the book. I actually think it is possible we may see more books in this time period. Maybe? I hope so. In the meantime, I will continue to work my way through the original series.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I really liked this one a lot. I haven't read all of the books in the Hollows series (I know that I really need to fix this soon) but I have read enough to know how things change in the world. As soon as I saw that this book was about that change, I knew that I would have to read it. It turned out to be a great story.
I really liked this book a lot. I have only read a few of the early books in this series but I knew that I had to read this book as soon as I saw it. I always thought that the history of the world we saw in Dead Witch Walking was extremely interesting. I didn't even know half the story. This book really grabbed my interest right away and held it until the end.
How did a simple tomato kill a large percentage of the human population? We finally find out in this book. Trisk and Kal are both elves and are geneticists at the top of their class. Oh yeah, I should mention that they don't like each other...at all. Trisk ends up working at a human lab working to tweak a virus that is going to be used a weapon so that it cannot harm interlanders. She has also engineered a tomato plant that can survive in almost any condition and is hoped to help solve the world's hunger problem. Kal is asked to also take a look at her work to make sure it is safe before it is released on the world. Let's just say that things go horribly wrong.
The events in this book take place in the 1960's so there aren't too many characters that appear in the series. Every time a character I knew showed up in the story, I found it very exciting. Since I haven't read the whole series, there may have been more well known characters from the series that I just didn't recognize.
The main characters in this story were mostly new to me and I really liked most of them. Trisk was pretty awesome. She works hard and does what is right. When things don't go her way, she makes the best of whatever situation she finds herself in. Daniel is a human working closely with Trisk at the lab. He is actually the man who designed the virus. Daniel became more likable for me the more I read. I absolutely loved him by the end of the book. Orchid is a pixie in a world without a lot of her kind. She's not Jenks but she is pretty awesome. Kal was the kind of character that I love to hate. He is really pretty horrible in just about every way imaginable.
This was a book that I found myself liking more and more as I read. The beginning of the story was interesting but I really got hooked once things started going wrong. I had to know how they were going to deal with what was happening. The characters really proved what kind of person they were during the tragedy. The pacing of the story was well done and once I hit the second half of the book, I had a very hard time putting it down.
I would recommend this book to others. I enjoyed it a lot even though I am nowhere near caught up with this series. I think that it could be read as a stand alone although readers of The Hollows will get a little more from the book. I actually think it is possible we may see more books in this time period. Maybe? I hope so. In the meantime, I will continue to work my way through the original series.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books via NetGalley.
Initial Thoughts
I really liked this one a lot. I haven't read all of the books in the Hollows series (I know that I really need to fix this soon) but I have read enough to know how things change in the world. As soon as I saw that this book was about that change, I knew that I would have to read it. It turned out to be a great story.
February 7, 2017
Sometimes, when a book is highly anticipated, the actual story doesn’t meet your expectation. This is absolutely NOT the case with The Turn. Hollow fans have guessed, speculated and surmised ourselves crazy but the wait is over. Harrison has gifted us with the undiluted truth about the tomato plague, as well as Kal’s, Quen’s and Trisk’s beginning…not to mention that amazing cover with soul smut. Not only did I want to re-read the entire series over all over again, I was left wanting more.
For any Hollows fan, The Turn is a must read. If you never picked up a Hollows story, this would be a great time to check it all out and you get to start from the very beginning.
I received this ARC copy of The Turn from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
ISBN-10: 1501108719
ISBN-13: 978-1501108716
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-t...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Hollows-B...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Reviewed for:
http://tometender.blogspot.com
For any Hollows fan, The Turn is a must read. If you never picked up a Hollows story, this would be a great time to check it all out and you get to start from the very beginning.
I received this ARC copy of The Turn from Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books in exchange for a honest and voluntary review.
My Rating: 4 stars
Written by: Kim Harrison
Series: The Hollows
Hardcover: 448 pages
Publisher: Gallery Books
Publication Date: February 7, 2017
ISBN-10: 1501108719
ISBN-13: 978-1501108716
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-t...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Hollows-B...
Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-...
Reviewed for:
http://tometender.blogspot.com
February 7, 2017
Ok if you are already a fan of the Hollows series than this prequel is a must read as so much is revealed. If you are new to these books than shout hip hop hooray because it's a fabulous introduction to a world that is frankly addictive. Like many I'd always wondered just how the humble tomato could cause so much damage and be vilified until the pretty ordinary fruit became public enemy number one! Open this book and get pulled into a story of pride and vanity that leads to catastrophe but with a hint of greater things to come as there's always hope.
Briefly this book tells of the rivalry between two elves Trisk, a dark elf and Kal, the supposed golden elf. It's set in the sixties but the sexism and belittling of females in general in the elven society means Trisk is never given the acclaim her work deserves. Trisk is sent to work undercover with humans enabling her to make huge scientific strides. Unfortunately Kal is sent to make sure the projects Trisk has worked on are safe but sadly his blinkered ideas and selfish attitude sets in motion something that will necessitate those who are paranormal stepping out of their hidden world before everything is lost.
I was hooked from the first page but it's not exactly black and white and frankly the end left a nasty taste in my mouth. Trisk is truly gifted with a strong backbone but her choices at times just amazed me but then I live in 2017 with all its freedoms so perhaps shouldn't judge too harshly. Kal is very hard to like admittedly but he does have one or two things that help save his character. One he really wants to help his fellow elves although I couldn't help but think he wanted all the credit and two he clearly has an emotional tie to someone who perhaps lacks physical stature but not courage. I've no wish to spoil this book but will state that I so enjoyed spotting characters who I'm used to reading about in later years. With its elves, witches, vampires, shifters, pixies and even demons this turned out to be a fabulous book. Perhaps though it was the willingness of so many to sacrifice that made it a standout story for me but alas to say more would ruin the fun.
A copy of this was provided with no requirement for a review and I voluntarily read it which means my comments are my honest opinion
Briefly this book tells of the rivalry between two elves Trisk, a dark elf and Kal, the supposed golden elf. It's set in the sixties but the sexism and belittling of females in general in the elven society means Trisk is never given the acclaim her work deserves. Trisk is sent to work undercover with humans enabling her to make huge scientific strides. Unfortunately Kal is sent to make sure the projects Trisk has worked on are safe but sadly his blinkered ideas and selfish attitude sets in motion something that will necessitate those who are paranormal stepping out of their hidden world before everything is lost.
I was hooked from the first page but it's not exactly black and white and frankly the end left a nasty taste in my mouth. Trisk is truly gifted with a strong backbone but her choices at times just amazed me but then I live in 2017 with all its freedoms so perhaps shouldn't judge too harshly. Kal is very hard to like admittedly but he does have one or two things that help save his character. One he really wants to help his fellow elves although I couldn't help but think he wanted all the credit and two he clearly has an emotional tie to someone who perhaps lacks physical stature but not courage. I've no wish to spoil this book but will state that I so enjoyed spotting characters who I'm used to reading about in later years. With its elves, witches, vampires, shifters, pixies and even demons this turned out to be a fabulous book. Perhaps though it was the willingness of so many to sacrifice that made it a standout story for me but alas to say more would ruin the fun.
A copy of this was provided with no requirement for a review and I voluntarily read it which means my comments are my honest opinion
February 7, 2017
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2017/02...
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing a free copy of The Turn By: Kim Harrison in exchange for an honest review.
The Hollows is a series that I have been wanting to try for a while. I own the first book in the series, but I still haven't read it yet. Still I was very intrigued to read this full length prequel novel since it sounded so great!
#SeriesI'veBeenMeaningToTry
Well even though I haven't read the other books I really enjoyed The Turn! I liked the MC Trisk quite a bit and I really felt for her throughout the whole book. Even when sometimes I thought she was making some dumb decisions, I still felt for her. Trisk is just very likeable and she really made the whole book for me. I also love that she is a dark elf because I don't read books about elves often.
#LovedTrisk
Another thing I really enjoyed is all of the science and genetics in the novel. I think that is a very interesting take on a book about supernaturals. I feel like that is something that I normally wouldn't like, but it is so well done in this book.
#VeryWellDone
Overall I liked The Turn quite a bit even though I haven't read any of the other books. After reading this one though I definitely need to read the first book in the series as soon as I can.
#AddingTheFirstBookToMyOutrageousTBR!
I recommend The Turn for anyone interested in a supernatural book with a touch of science, even if you haven't read the rest of the series yet! Also, I think if you have read the other books in the series and enjoyed it then you would probably like this one as well.
#DefinitelyRecommend
Thank you to Gallery Books for providing a free copy of The Turn By: Kim Harrison in exchange for an honest review.
The Hollows is a series that I have been wanting to try for a while. I own the first book in the series, but I still haven't read it yet. Still I was very intrigued to read this full length prequel novel since it sounded so great!
#SeriesI'veBeenMeaningToTry
Well even though I haven't read the other books I really enjoyed The Turn! I liked the MC Trisk quite a bit and I really felt for her throughout the whole book. Even when sometimes I thought she was making some dumb decisions, I still felt for her. Trisk is just very likeable and she really made the whole book for me. I also love that she is a dark elf because I don't read books about elves often.
#LovedTrisk
Another thing I really enjoyed is all of the science and genetics in the novel. I think that is a very interesting take on a book about supernaturals. I feel like that is something that I normally wouldn't like, but it is so well done in this book.
#VeryWellDone
Overall I liked The Turn quite a bit even though I haven't read any of the other books. After reading this one though I definitely need to read the first book in the series as soon as I can.
#AddingTheFirstBookToMyOutrageousTBR!
I recommend The Turn for anyone interested in a supernatural book with a touch of science, even if you haven't read the rest of the series yet! Also, I think if you have read the other books in the series and enjoyed it then you would probably like this one as well.
#DefinitelyRecommend
August 9, 2018
A cautionary tale against GMO tomatoes, evil scientists working with military and government, and how an elven lady behaves like if Molly Ringwald would have chosen James Spader . Of course Steff was way more clever than Trisk, about men I mean.
rtc
rtc
March 22, 2017
The Hollows series with Rachel Morgan and her crew is one of my all time favorite UF series. It occupies the top shelf of my bookcase and I own most of the series in hardcover, paperback, audiobook, and ebook. That's all to say that I think Kim Harrison crafted a world and characters that mean a lot to me. But, never let it be said that I allow love for one series and admiration for the author to bias my opinion of any of the author's other works. I have to call 'em like I see 'em and, for me, this prequel story just didn't have the same magic. Oh, the author can still craft a sentence with the best of them but the actual plot held little that was interesting and the new characters, with one exception, failed to impress.
I think the main problem I had is the same one that plagues most prequels. There was never a question or suspense whenever a character was in a certain situation because I already knew how it was all going to turn out for everyone. So rather than being drawn into the story and the plights of the characters, I felt like I was just spinning my wheels waiting for the characters to catch up and hit their already marked places on the stage. Even leaving the prequel issue aside, as an early days post-apocalypse story it was pretty tame.
There are a handful of Hollows characters who make appearances. One of them is the only real highlight of the book but I'm just not convinced that that's worth the hardcover price.
I think the main problem I had is the same one that plagues most prequels. There was never a question or suspense whenever a character was in a certain situation because I already knew how it was all going to turn out for everyone. So rather than being drawn into the story and the plights of the characters, I felt like I was just spinning my wheels waiting for the characters to catch up and hit their already marked places on the stage. Even leaving the prequel issue aside, as an early days post-apocalypse story it was pretty tame.
There are a handful of Hollows characters who make appearances. One of them is the only real highlight of the book but I'm just not convinced that that's worth the hardcover price.
February 5, 2017
As a huge "Itchy Witchy" fan, I was dying to read The Turn. First, there was the cover lust. Can you believe how awesome this cover is? I just had to have it!
The Turn is a prequel to the Hollows series. It probably starts about fifty years before we meet Rachel Morgan in Dead Witch Walking, so there's no Rachel. Instead, we get to meet Trent's parents: Elyotrisk Cambri (who goes by Trisk) and Trent L. Kalamack (who goes by Kal).
Trisk and Kal hate each other. They were classmates and Trent made her life miserable. Trisk's a very smart dark elf and due to Kal's interference in school, she almost doesn't get offered a job after graduating. In the end, she's sent by the Elven Enclave to spy on Dr. Daniel Plank's research. Daniel's a human who has created a virus which can make people sick without killing them and the Inderlanders (supes) want to make sure it's safe for them as well. After three years of Daniel and Trisk working together and both succeeding in their research, Trent is sent to oversee the procedure.
For those who have read the Hollows and have met Trent (the son), we know he can be selfish, power-driven and arrogant. Well, his daddy is ten times worse. Only a couple of times, he wasn't a total bastard. His jealousy and desire for recognition were his downfalls.
Trist was not very different from Rachel. She was living in the sixties and she was trying to get her name out. It was hard for her because she was a woman but also because she was a dark elf. It didn't matter that she was a geneticist. She still had to break down biases and fight in a world dominated by men. She wanted to help the world. She created the T4 Angel Tomato which could end famine since it was immune to drought and disease. She cared for Quen and Daniel and I do believe in a strange way she cared for Kal.
It was wonderful going back to the Hollows world and revisiting such great characters like Al and Quen. The Turn also introduces a very cool pixie, Orchid. She didn't have as much of Jenks's foul language but she was feisty.
I hope we get more books!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Gallery Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
September 19, 2017
When you are away from a beloved series for a while, it’s easy to forget just how much you loved it. And boy, do I love The Hollows. I was so sad to see it end, but Kim Harrison did such an amazing and satisfying job it was hard to argue with the results. She ended it so well, in fact, that I questioned whether I wanted to give this book a try. What if it didn’t measure up? How could it measure up? I am so very happy to report that it absolutely measures up. And it has left me hungry to return to this world again and again.
Obviously, this is not a Rachel Morgan story. It is a prequel and takes place long before she’s born. But don’t let that turn you off. There is no mistaking that this is anything but a Hollows book. Trisk, the new lead, is absolutely worthy of carrying the book. She is a dark elf. She is brilliant, but it’s the 1960s and the contributions of a woman, especially a dark elf considered substandard to her golden counterparts, are made something less by the circumstances of her birth. At the same time, Kal is blonde and male and everything the elves think is right and perfect. He’s not as smart as her. He’s not as worthy as she is, but sometimes society isn’t fair. She’s sent off to work with the humans, but her brilliance shines through anyway.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that this is the origin story of the tomato debacle that nearly destroyed his humanity. And Trisk and Kal are at the center of it all. This book completely sets the stage not only for the big reveal of supernaturals living among the humans in this world, but it also sets up the people and families that are so vital to the rest of the series. Remember, Inderlanders are very long lived, and people that series fans already know are very much in force in the story.
I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen, but I was totally wrong. There is so much happening, and though you know how much of it ends, it doesn’t take away from the journey. It’s fast-paced. The world building is phenomenal. There is some sexy and hint of romance. Betrayal. Action. Just everything.
For people who have not read The Hollows books, I would not advise you to start here. It will spoil so many wonderful surprises for you later in the series. This is the perfect gift for people who have read the series from beginning to end. It ties all of the pieces together beautifully. Strands I did not even realize that needed to be tied together.
My hat is off to Kim Harrison. She is a master. I loved this book and I’m going to stop talking now before I embarrass myself.
Rating: A
*ARC provided by publisher
Obviously, this is not a Rachel Morgan story. It is a prequel and takes place long before she’s born. But don’t let that turn you off. There is no mistaking that this is anything but a Hollows book. Trisk, the new lead, is absolutely worthy of carrying the book. She is a dark elf. She is brilliant, but it’s the 1960s and the contributions of a woman, especially a dark elf considered substandard to her golden counterparts, are made something less by the circumstances of her birth. At the same time, Kal is blonde and male and everything the elves think is right and perfect. He’s not as smart as her. He’s not as worthy as she is, but sometimes society isn’t fair. She’s sent off to work with the humans, but her brilliance shines through anyway.
I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that this is the origin story of the tomato debacle that nearly destroyed his humanity. And Trisk and Kal are at the center of it all. This book completely sets the stage not only for the big reveal of supernaturals living among the humans in this world, but it also sets up the people and families that are so vital to the rest of the series. Remember, Inderlanders are very long lived, and people that series fans already know are very much in force in the story.
I kept thinking I knew what was going to happen, but I was totally wrong. There is so much happening, and though you know how much of it ends, it doesn’t take away from the journey. It’s fast-paced. The world building is phenomenal. There is some sexy and hint of romance. Betrayal. Action. Just everything.
For people who have not read The Hollows books, I would not advise you to start here. It will spoil so many wonderful surprises for you later in the series. This is the perfect gift for people who have read the series from beginning to end. It ties all of the pieces together beautifully. Strands I did not even realize that needed to be tied together.
My hat is off to Kim Harrison. She is a master. I loved this book and I’m going to stop talking now before I embarrass myself.
Rating: A
*ARC provided by publisher
February 24, 2017
That was excellent, and vindicating. I always thought Trent was a dick. This is proof that he was ALWAYS a dick. I actually feel sorry for Rachel that she's ended up with him. What a horrible excuse for a being.
I guess you can tell I was completely caught up in the story. I really like Trisk as a MC, too.
This had the feel of the start of a trilogy. Does anyone know if there are to be more? There are questions left unanswered that are delightfully tantalizing the way a non-cliff hanger ending should be.
ETA: Apparently this is Trent's dad, Trent. As you may have surmised from my above review, that wasn't very clear or I was completely oblivious about it. Trent's dad being this world class asshole makes The Hollows' Trent more understandable, though.
Apparently Harrison has mentioned it at book signings and on social media, but I don't really follow authors that much so I missed it. It's not clear from the writing, though. I just assumed it was the same old Trent because they are so long lived that it seemed like it could have been. I was confused about the "Trent wasn't married nor did he have children before Rachel so what's up with that" issues. Those were the "unanswered questions."
I guess you can tell I was completely caught up in the story. I really like Trisk as a MC, too.
This had the feel of the start of a trilogy. Does anyone know if there are to be more? There are questions left unanswered that are delightfully tantalizing the way a non-cliff hanger ending should be.
ETA: Apparently this is Trent's dad, Trent. As you may have surmised from my above review, that wasn't very clear or I was completely oblivious about it. Trent's dad being this world class asshole makes The Hollows' Trent more understandable, though.
Apparently Harrison has mentioned it at book signings and on social media, but I don't really follow authors that much so I missed it. It's not clear from the writing, though. I just assumed it was the same old Trent because they are so long lived that it seemed like it could have been. I was confused about the "Trent wasn't married nor did he have children before Rachel so what's up with that" issues. Those were the "unanswered questions."
January 21, 2017
3.5 stars
Finally an explanation for how tomatoes almost wiped out the human population! It makes more sense getting the whole story rather than getting bits and pieces in the Hollows. I still question why tomatoes, but then again it's not like any other food would have been less ridiculous.
Trisk was an elf in the sixties. She had two strikes against her: being a dark elf and being a woman. At that point in time all supernatural creatures were still in hiding. Trisk, despite being the smartest in her class, was sent to work in a human lab. She managed to do two amazing things while there. She made the T4 Angel tomato which was helping to feed the hungry around the world and perfected Daniel Plank's virus so the biological weapon could not harm the inderlanders.
Kal had picked on Trisk for her whole life. An argument between them caused Kal to lose his shot at getting a prestigious job. After a while he was tasked with the job of verifying Trisk's work would work as she claimed. If there were fault with her work, Kal would be able to take it over and make a name for himself when he perfected it. He was determined to find fault with it whether it was there or not.
I liked Trisk. She made the best out of what she was given. Sometimes she made some stupid decisions but it made her seem normal. They weren't of the TSTL variety. She was strong, caring, and determined to do what was right regardless of the odds being against her. Kal OTOH was a self serving bastard. It's easy to see where Trent got his ruthlessness and superiority complex from. Kal would have done anything, manipulated anyone to get what he wanted. Despite being privy to his thoughts, I didn't like him. Regret and self doubt weren't there, so it was hard to see him as redeemable. I didn't hate him, but there sure as hell wasn't much to like either.
I enjoyed the book, but it took me a while to get into it. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few characters from the Hollows series like Al. I'm not sure if this is a prequel series or simply a novel. The storyline about killer tomatoes was wrapped up, but I want to know more about Kal, Trisk, and Quen. Things weren't settled between them, and I'm hoping they end up better for them at some point.
Thanks so much to Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
Finally an explanation for how tomatoes almost wiped out the human population! It makes more sense getting the whole story rather than getting bits and pieces in the Hollows. I still question why tomatoes, but then again it's not like any other food would have been less ridiculous.
Trisk was an elf in the sixties. She had two strikes against her: being a dark elf and being a woman. At that point in time all supernatural creatures were still in hiding. Trisk, despite being the smartest in her class, was sent to work in a human lab. She managed to do two amazing things while there. She made the T4 Angel tomato which was helping to feed the hungry around the world and perfected Daniel Plank's virus so the biological weapon could not harm the inderlanders.
Kal had picked on Trisk for her whole life. An argument between them caused Kal to lose his shot at getting a prestigious job. After a while he was tasked with the job of verifying Trisk's work would work as she claimed. If there were fault with her work, Kal would be able to take it over and make a name for himself when he perfected it. He was determined to find fault with it whether it was there or not.
I liked Trisk. She made the best out of what she was given. Sometimes she made some stupid decisions but it made her seem normal. They weren't of the TSTL variety. She was strong, caring, and determined to do what was right regardless of the odds being against her. Kal OTOH was a self serving bastard. It's easy to see where Trent got his ruthlessness and superiority complex from. Kal would have done anything, manipulated anyone to get what he wanted. Despite being privy to his thoughts, I didn't like him. Regret and self doubt weren't there, so it was hard to see him as redeemable. I didn't hate him, but there sure as hell wasn't much to like either.
I enjoyed the book, but it took me a while to get into it. I was pleasantly surprised to see a few characters from the Hollows series like Al. I'm not sure if this is a prequel series or simply a novel. The storyline about killer tomatoes was wrapped up, but I want to know more about Kal, Trisk, and Quen. Things weren't settled between them, and I'm hoping they end up better for them at some point.
Thanks so much to Netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
February 9, 2017
Five reasons to grab The Turn
Tomatoes and familiar faces. While I don't necessarily think one needs to read the Hollows first, those who have will certainly enjoy seeing how the world we know in the Hollows began and everyone's role in it. We get answers and enjoy many ah-ha moments. There were many tidbits that have you craving more.
It's a full-length novel. Often prequels are novellas, but Harrison treated us to an entirely fleshed out story. The tale takes place in the sixties and long before Rachael comes into the picture, but we do see familiar faces like Quen and Al. The tale begins when Trisk and Kal are at an event hosted by their University. Top graduating students interview with alumni for jobs in their fields. Here we get our first taste of problems Trisk faces as both a female and dark elf. We also see Kal's hand in Trisk's woes, and oh man, you will love to hate Kal. We then fast forward and spend time with Trisk as she works on a drought resistant tomato.
Kal and Trisk are both interesting characters. While not without flaws I liked Trisk from her career goal to personality. The elf is a real jerk and had me thinking evil thoughts. I wanted him tarred and feathered.
Secondary characters from humans to pixies add interest and will keep you flipping the pages. Harrison added depth to them giving them a strong presence as events unfold.
The story that unfolds was fast-paced. Kal is asked to double check a project that Trisk's made safe for Inlanders. Betrayal, summonings, and more await you! Harrison will have you yelling at the characters. I know I found myself muttering aloud and trying to warn Trisk. Of course, there are also moments that will have you bursting with laughter. Al was a hoot, and reading The Turn brought back memories of the series, and it's characters. Heck, I wanted to reread them all! I will warn you, while the story is complete it did leave me wanted more.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
Tomatoes and familiar faces. While I don't necessarily think one needs to read the Hollows first, those who have will certainly enjoy seeing how the world we know in the Hollows began and everyone's role in it. We get answers and enjoy many ah-ha moments. There were many tidbits that have you craving more.
It's a full-length novel. Often prequels are novellas, but Harrison treated us to an entirely fleshed out story. The tale takes place in the sixties and long before Rachael comes into the picture, but we do see familiar faces like Quen and Al. The tale begins when Trisk and Kal are at an event hosted by their University. Top graduating students interview with alumni for jobs in their fields. Here we get our first taste of problems Trisk faces as both a female and dark elf. We also see Kal's hand in Trisk's woes, and oh man, you will love to hate Kal. We then fast forward and spend time with Trisk as she works on a drought resistant tomato.
Kal and Trisk are both interesting characters. While not without flaws I liked Trisk from her career goal to personality. The elf is a real jerk and had me thinking evil thoughts. I wanted him tarred and feathered.
Secondary characters from humans to pixies add interest and will keep you flipping the pages. Harrison added depth to them giving them a strong presence as events unfold.
The story that unfolds was fast-paced. Kal is asked to double check a project that Trisk's made safe for Inlanders. Betrayal, summonings, and more await you! Harrison will have you yelling at the characters. I know I found myself muttering aloud and trying to warn Trisk. Of course, there are also moments that will have you bursting with laughter. Al was a hoot, and reading The Turn brought back memories of the series, and it's characters. Heck, I wanted to reread them all! I will warn you, while the story is complete it did leave me wanted more.
Copy provided by publisher. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
February 7, 2017
While this is a prequel to the Hollows series, I'd recommend that you start with book 1 Dead Witch Walking. Then read the series in order and come back to this one last. No, I am not messing with you OCD-must-read-it-in-order types, it's just that The Turn will mean so much more to you.
The Turn is set before the events of The Hollows series. It describes exactly why tomatoes are the villains (no, nothing like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, but it could be....). We meet some of our Hollows favorites, some new characters, and there are a few interesting cameos.
It's a fascinating story that Hollows fans will eat up. Please pass the ketchup!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.
The Turn is set before the events of The Hollows series. It describes exactly why tomatoes are the villains (no, nothing like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, but it could be....). We meet some of our Hollows favorites, some new characters, and there are a few interesting cameos.
It's a fascinating story that Hollows fans will eat up. Please pass the ketchup!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.
February 10, 2017
Two elves, a vampire and a human walk into a genetic research facility and...
No wait; I know it sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke, but hear me out:
Thinking back to the very beginning, when I first developed an (almost unhealthy) obsession with the Hollows, I remember thinking that the killer tomato storyline was sightly... ahem ... silly. Like, well... you know:
*Ahem... Clears throat* Guess who got the last laugh?! This is Our beloved Kim Harrison after all, a woman who can turn fuzzy, red killer tomatoes into pure gold... storywise.
Behold; the real T4 Angel tomato:
(Cute and innocent little thing, isn't it?)
The Turn takes us back to the simpler times; when humanity was blissfully unaware of the supernats who shared their world. When men were men and women were women... to be kept barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen... Even if the female in question is in reality an elf, seeking gainful employment in a field normally reserved for men: NASA (Secretly run by Elves, of course;-)
Elyotrisk; a young and brilliant dark elf, is dismissed not ony because of her coloration, but also her gender. She is not, however, content to stay in the shadows and let men hog the glory. Even if that means working under cover in a low tech human run facility while developing her (in)famous fuzzy tomato that's secretly meant to solve the genetic decline of the Elvish race.
Just like Rachel, Trisk, our brilliant dark elf scientist is about to discover that petty minded men named Kalamack are the bane of every self-assured woman's existence.
As a fan of the Hollows, you most likely know what happens next, but this time you will learn exactly why things went so catastropically wrong. Characters you love (and hate!) will make cameo appearances as their younger selves.
Will *he* make an appearance, you ask? *Cough, cough – tries to get rid of the stink of sulphur and brimstone* Well, you will just have to wait and see, won’t you? ;-) *wink, wink*
The Turn was truly a wonderful page-turner. Frankly, I coudn’t care less if humans were dying left and right as long as I got the chance to reaquaint myself with Kim Harrison’s wonderful world full of pixies, vampires, shifters, witches and elves. In fact; seeing how some of the races struggled to survive prior to the outing I almost felt the human carnage was for the best;-) (Sorry, not sorry!)
I’m not going to spoil you any further, but let me just tell you right now that you're in for a February treat. And remember; beware the tomatoes, people!
Actual rating: 4.5 red - completely disease-free and delicious - red tomatoes!
I was gifted an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review~
No wait; I know it sounds like the beginning of a really bad joke, but hear me out:
Thinking back to the very beginning, when I first developed an (almost unhealthy) obsession with the Hollows, I remember thinking that the killer tomato storyline was sightly... ahem ... silly. Like, well... you know:
*Ahem... Clears throat* Guess who got the last laugh?! This is Our beloved Kim Harrison after all, a woman who can turn fuzzy, red killer tomatoes into pure gold... storywise.
Behold; the real T4 Angel tomato:
(Cute and innocent little thing, isn't it?)
The Turn takes us back to the simpler times; when humanity was blissfully unaware of the supernats who shared their world. When men were men and women were women... to be kept barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen... Even if the female in question is in reality an elf, seeking gainful employment in a field normally reserved for men: NASA (Secretly run by Elves, of course;-)
Elyotrisk; a young and brilliant dark elf, is dismissed not ony because of her coloration, but also her gender. She is not, however, content to stay in the shadows and let men hog the glory. Even if that means working under cover in a low tech human run facility while developing her (in)famous fuzzy tomato that's secretly meant to solve the genetic decline of the Elvish race.
Just like Rachel, Trisk, our brilliant dark elf scientist is about to discover that petty minded men named Kalamack are the bane of every self-assured woman's existence.
As a fan of the Hollows, you most likely know what happens next, but this time you will learn exactly why things went so catastropically wrong. Characters you love (and hate!) will make cameo appearances as their younger selves.
Will *he* make an appearance, you ask? *Cough, cough – tries to get rid of the stink of sulphur and brimstone* Well, you will just have to wait and see, won’t you? ;-) *wink, wink*
The Turn was truly a wonderful page-turner. Frankly, I coudn’t care less if humans were dying left and right as long as I got the chance to reaquaint myself with Kim Harrison’s wonderful world full of pixies, vampires, shifters, witches and elves. In fact; seeing how some of the races struggled to survive prior to the outing I almost felt the human carnage was for the best;-) (Sorry, not sorry!)
I’m not going to spoil you any further, but let me just tell you right now that you're in for a February treat. And remember; beware the tomatoes, people!
Actual rating: 4.5 red - completely disease-free and delicious - red tomatoes!
I was gifted an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review~
February 10, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
The Turn was very enlightening on many points, even as it brought me to question many others.
There is something so very special about The Hollows, and reading more about what actually happened prior to the action in the main series was quite thrilling! The reason why humans were so afraid of tomatoes, and what happened to make the paranormals come out, so to speak. The Turn was more than 'just' a way to explain the world and those living in it, though. True to form, Harrison painted some very vivid characters who evolved in a storyline that was well done and quite complicated. And there were some sightings of characters who were part of the series as well.
Trisk was a strong-minded and smart character, one who knew she had to fight twice as hard as the men in order to be taken seriously. Added to this, she was a dark elf, and she was not afraid to use her magic in order to further her agenda, and keep both humans and paranormals safe. The Turn was nicely paced, not too fast, even if the plot managed to move forward fairly quickly anyway. There were no downtimes, and there was a little bit of everything to make a great story. There was a hint of romance, a lot of action, a fight, a mystery, loyalty and - my favorite - there was a pixie!
If you have enjoyed The Hollows, The Turn is a must-read! Even without Rachel and Ivy, there are characters who will make you want to know more, and as you get to know them better, you might even hope there will be more books set in the prequel-era of the series. I enjoyed a trip back to The Hollows before it was The Hollows I came to love and know, and I loved how everything was tied together with the main stories of the future, and how it set up some characters to go on the path we found them on there.
Written in third person point of view, past tense, with dialogues and some inner thoughts from Trisk's perspective, The Turn left me both satisfied and wanting more at the same time.
Trisk and her father had entertained only three employers at her table, all of them more interested in her minor in security than her major in genetic research.
A witch, a vampire, a were, and an elf go out for lunch, he thought sourly, hoping he wasn't the punch line. That he was by far the youngest man at the table didn't bother him half as much as the fat that all four major Inderland species were represented.
The Turn was very enlightening on many points, even as it brought me to question many others.
There is something so very special about The Hollows, and reading more about what actually happened prior to the action in the main series was quite thrilling! The reason why humans were so afraid of tomatoes, and what happened to make the paranormals come out, so to speak. The Turn was more than 'just' a way to explain the world and those living in it, though. True to form, Harrison painted some very vivid characters who evolved in a storyline that was well done and quite complicated. And there were some sightings of characters who were part of the series as well.
Trisk was a strong-minded and smart character, one who knew she had to fight twice as hard as the men in order to be taken seriously. Added to this, she was a dark elf, and she was not afraid to use her magic in order to further her agenda, and keep both humans and paranormals safe. The Turn was nicely paced, not too fast, even if the plot managed to move forward fairly quickly anyway. There were no downtimes, and there was a little bit of everything to make a great story. There was a hint of romance, a lot of action, a fight, a mystery, loyalty and - my favorite - there was a pixie!
If you have enjoyed The Hollows, The Turn is a must-read! Even without Rachel and Ivy, there are characters who will make you want to know more, and as you get to know them better, you might even hope there will be more books set in the prequel-era of the series. I enjoyed a trip back to The Hollows before it was The Hollows I came to love and know, and I loved how everything was tied together with the main stories of the future, and how it set up some characters to go on the path we found them on there.
Written in third person point of view, past tense, with dialogues and some inner thoughts from Trisk's perspective, The Turn left me both satisfied and wanting more at the same time.
Trisk and her father had entertained only three employers at her table, all of them more interested in her minor in security than her major in genetic research.
A witch, a vampire, a were, and an elf go out for lunch, he thought sourly, hoping he wasn't the punch line. That he was by far the youngest man at the table didn't bother him half as much as the fat that all four major Inderland species were represented.
February 14, 2017
It's no secret that I've been a huge fan of this series, and I admit, I've missed the characters so much since the series came to an end. As much as I was very happy with how the series ended, on such a high note and without dragging the plot, I was extremely giddy to be getting more from this world. While THE TURN didn't give us Rachel Morgan, it was just as amazing as any of the previous novels in this world had been. A page turner from the moment I started.
This story centers around Trisk, and Trent. If you don't know, they are both elves. Ruled by their society and traditions while Trisk has been trying to have more of a role in her field of work (it is the 1960s after all) and Trent has been her lifelong nemesis. The actions they take during this story sent the world as they knew it out of control. While taking a peak at their relationship was an interesting look back. It was so very nice to get to know more about Trisk and it really made me admire her!
Fans of The Hollows series, THE TURN is another can't be missed novel by Kim Harrison! While this is actually a prequel, detailing how The Turn actually happened causing the human world to know about supernatural beings and ban tomatoes, if you are new to the series I would recommend you wait until you've actually read the series and read this in the order it was released. You'll enjoy it so much more! Why, you may ask? I think knowing what this story will tell you about the characters involved will be a disservice to how the actual first few books should make you feel about them. So that's my suggestion.
Kim Harrison continues being one of my favorite urban fantasy authors. Her ability to creative vivid, complex and imperfect characters while weaving such a magical tale sucks me in every time. No matter what. I wasn't sure how THE TURN was going to be, but I should've just trusted her completely. It was riveting, interesting and eye opening. As much as I thought I would struggle without Rachel and Jenks being included, there was not one page where I felt anything was missing as I was reading. Excellent job! And as happy as I was to revisit them, is it bad to hope that we can get even more in the future? I just can't let go.
*ARC provided by publisher
Reviewed by Francesca
❤ ♡ Don't want to miss any of our posts? Subscribe to our blog by email! ♡ ❤
February 9, 2017
eARC for The Turn (The Hollows #0.1) by Kim Harrison was kindly provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
This is likely an unpopular opinion but I was incredibly uninterested in this. It simply could not keep my attention. I could care less about the characters & without being interested in the Kalmak story well... spoiler alert I feel I know what will happen with the virus. DNF @35
This is likely an unpopular opinion but I was incredibly uninterested in this. It simply could not keep my attention. I could care less about the characters & without being interested in the Kalmak story well... spoiler alert I feel I know what will happen with the virus. DNF @35
July 5, 2020
A great addition to the Hollows series.
I adored Trisk and I loathed Kal, it was a great battle they had.
I hope Kim Harrison does more prequels, I'd love to see how the world dealt with the Turn.
I adored Trisk and I loathed Kal, it was a great battle they had.
I hope Kim Harrison does more prequels, I'd love to see how the world dealt with the Turn.
March 14, 2017
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Great paranormal with a kick-ass heroine! This is a wonderful prequel to The Hollows series. Trisk proves you can't keep a good girl down no matter what life throws at her. One of the things I like about her is that she is tough but also kind, and is still cautious about trusting others. Ms. Harrison does a great job of giving her fans the beginning of it all to their favorite series.
Great paranormal with a kick-ass heroine! This is a wonderful prequel to The Hollows series. Trisk proves you can't keep a good girl down no matter what life throws at her. One of the things I like about her is that she is tough but also kind, and is still cautious about trusting others. Ms. Harrison does a great job of giving her fans the beginning of it all to their favorite series.
March 24, 2018
Es war so gut!
Jetzt hab ich Lust bekommen alle Bücher nochmal in richtiger zeitlicher Abfolge zu lesen.. aber das ist leider einfach zu viel. Muss mich momentan mit kürzeren Aufgaben über Wasser halten um überhaupt zum lesen zu kommen.
Jetzt hab ich Lust bekommen alle Bücher nochmal in richtiger zeitlicher Abfolge zu lesen.. aber das ist leider einfach zu viel. Muss mich momentan mit kürzeren Aufgaben über Wasser halten um überhaupt zum lesen zu kommen.
July 28, 2017
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
THE TURN takes Hollows fans back to where it all began, a world where witches, vampires, and all sorts of magic are hidden away behind the sexism, racism, and revolution of the 60's. Trisk Cambri, a brilliant young geneticist, has to work three times as hard as the slick, spoiled Trent Kalamack, and still racism and sexism slam doors in her face. The Good Girls' Revolt meets Urban Fantasy, THE TURN is an interesting glimpse of where the beloved characters of The Hollows all began.
Seeing all the links between this closed world and Rachel Morgan's Cincinnati was fascinating. An intricate clockwork of pride, circumstance, and folly clicking away towards the apocalypse Hollows fans know is coming. Unfortunately, watching dominoes fall isn't quite as satisfying when you know the characters you're falling in love with don't have much of a future. And while the confusingly named Trent Kalamack (called simply "Kal" to differentiate him from future, redeemed Trent Junior) does have emotional vulnerabilities, his spoiled, self-righteous, "Nice Guy" spite is an added dark spot on an already bleak ending.
Harrison leaves cookie crumbs of happiness for her characters, even those whose stories we eventually see alongside Rachel Morgan, but for the most part, THE TURN focuses on the elegant disaster that will recreate the world into one we know and love.
Sexual content: Non-explicit sex scenes.
THE TURN takes Hollows fans back to where it all began, a world where witches, vampires, and all sorts of magic are hidden away behind the sexism, racism, and revolution of the 60's. Trisk Cambri, a brilliant young geneticist, has to work three times as hard as the slick, spoiled Trent Kalamack, and still racism and sexism slam doors in her face. The Good Girls' Revolt meets Urban Fantasy, THE TURN is an interesting glimpse of where the beloved characters of The Hollows all began.
Seeing all the links between this closed world and Rachel Morgan's Cincinnati was fascinating. An intricate clockwork of pride, circumstance, and folly clicking away towards the apocalypse Hollows fans know is coming. Unfortunately, watching dominoes fall isn't quite as satisfying when you know the characters you're falling in love with don't have much of a future. And while the confusingly named Trent Kalamack (called simply "Kal" to differentiate him from future, redeemed Trent Junior) does have emotional vulnerabilities, his spoiled, self-righteous, "Nice Guy" spite is an added dark spot on an already bleak ending.
Harrison leaves cookie crumbs of happiness for her characters, even those whose stories we eventually see alongside Rachel Morgan, but for the most part, THE TURN focuses on the elegant disaster that will recreate the world into one we know and love.
Sexual content: Non-explicit sex scenes.
February 15, 2017
I was nervous to read this, as I loved the original hollows books so much, I was worried that this would in some way let it down or not be at the standard I'd come to expect from the series.
I'm so relieved my fears weren't founded. The book was great. Even though I knew how it would end (being that it's a prequel) I still felt glued to the pages and wanting to know more.
I feel like Kim could definitely do another book on these characters and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will. (As there's definitely a lot of content between this prequel and the original series she could write about)
The return of some of the characters from the original series was great. Some of the pop ups were unexpected and I loved reading the characters as younger versions of themselves.
I'd say this would easily be enjoyed by everyone who's read the Hollows books and even those who haven't read them yet, as it does stand on its own very well.
I'm so relieved my fears weren't founded. The book was great. Even though I knew how it would end (being that it's a prequel) I still felt glued to the pages and wanting to know more.
I feel like Kim could definitely do another book on these characters and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she will. (As there's definitely a lot of content between this prequel and the original series she could write about)
The return of some of the characters from the original series was great. Some of the pop ups were unexpected and I loved reading the characters as younger versions of themselves.
I'd say this would easily be enjoyed by everyone who's read the Hollows books and even those who haven't read them yet, as it does stand on its own very well.
February 11, 2017
5 out of 5 beautiful golden starts!!!
Oh yes! Oh My Gawd, yes please! This book was exactly what I needed! Something new created from something old!
Let me say that at first I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy reading the beginning of it all. Of course when I saw it fist that dear Harrison is releasing another book for her “The Hollows” series I was thrilled!!! But then I saw it was a prequel… suddenly I wasn’t so sure at all. Y’all probably are wondering why? It’s simple, really. I have read and re-read this whole series more than once, 3 or maybe 4 times. I know and love and hate the characters, some I’ve learned to love. I KNOW THEM. And it was over, although I was really, really sad when the series ended. I’m still missing Rachel and her crew. In my opinion this is one of the best series ever written, hands down. The world building, plots, everything is perfect. It reflects the author’s creativity and just leaves you in awe. And after missing these books for a long time I almost came to terms with the idea that it’s over.
But yes, I gave it a shot and I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC to give my honest review.
And I couldn’t be more honest than to say that I LOVE IT! It’s perfect! This book gives us an insight of what was happening before the turn. How ‘the turn’ even happened, and why. Another thing that I loved was recognizing the key players that will appear in the series as it progresses. SPOILER ALERT! ----> it was so nice seeing Al! loool
Another thing I would recommend is that if you only now joining us, the die hard “The Hollows” fans, this book should not be read as a first in the series. Maybe the author won’t agree, but in my humble opinion, this book explains a lot that you only learn while reading the series. And I think you should not know some stuff before you know it, if that makes sense! :)
It will be more fun to learn it as you go, I promise.
So get your copy of this book and start reading!
Peace,
A.
More reviews here:
My blog:
February 6, 2017
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/turn...
I’m a huge fan of Kim Harrison’s Hollow series so I really looking forward to this book when she announced it. And now finally got to read it.
I have to say I was a little worried because I read her Peri Reed Chronicles after the Hollows series and sadly was not a fan so I really was hoping I would like this one.
And I was not disappointed. Fan of the Hollows series finally get to see what actually went down with the Turn. We meet people we only ever heard of and of course some really familiar faces.
I should say that even if you have not read the Hollows series, you can still read and enjoy this book. You don’t have to have read the Hollows book and it would actually be a great book to start the series.
While fans of the hollows are familiar of the world it was still a bit different since a major part of the book humans have no idea about the interlander community.
I really liked the flow of the story line. It started out a little slow but picked up pretty fast. It was really interesting, suspenseful and funny at times. It made me not want to put the book down.
I really liked Trisk she is smart, strong and can stand her own against people and demons alike. I think Rachel would have loved her and could have maybe learned a thing or two. Kal ….. Ugh I really disliked him, he is such a manipulative little elf. I really would have liked to hit him once or twice. He made Trent look like a unicorn or steroids, but we cab defiantly see where Trent got his mean streak.
Of course we also get to see Quen, which I must say I like much better in this book. There is Al ….. Well Al is Al and he and some other faces familiar or not, or even some people just mentioned make me miss the Hollows and really made me want to re-read the entire series. I think it be interesting to read it now after this book.
Overall really great book and if you are a fan of the Hollows this book is a must have.
I rate it 4 ★
October 17, 2018
3.5 stars
This book started out pretty slow in the first 35-ish %, but once the tomato disaster gets under way it picks up, and at that point I enjoyed it a lot more. It's provides an interesting background to the world of the Hollows. While the whole death-by-tomato thing seemed weird and almost funny in the Rachel Morgan books, actually seeing it all unfold here gave that aspect of the story a much more serious flavor for me. And knowing where the story was going suffused the slow first part of the book with this feeling of this is going to bite you in the ass dread, which made it enjoyable even if it dragged a little.
Where the Rachel Morgan books were all in Rachel's 1st person POV, this one is 3rd person POV of three characters: Trisk (Trent's mother), Kal (Trent's father) and Daniel (a human geneticist who designed the virus that's responsible for the T4 Angel tomato disaster). My favorite of the three is probably Daniel, but I also really liked Trisk - even if she did the occasional bone-headed thing that made me think she almost deserves to end up with the horrible excuse for ahuman elvish being that is Kal. Seriously, he's got to be one of the least redeemable characters I've ever come across.
One of the best parts of the book for me were the cameos of characters we know from the main series: first and foremost Al, but also Quen, Takana, and some other familiar faces.
This book started out pretty slow in the first 35-ish %, but once the tomato disaster gets under way it picks up, and at that point I enjoyed it a lot more. It's provides an interesting background to the world of the Hollows. While the whole death-by-tomato thing seemed weird and almost funny in the Rachel Morgan books, actually seeing it all unfold here gave that aspect of the story a much more serious flavor for me. And knowing where the story was going suffused the slow first part of the book with this feeling of this is going to bite you in the ass dread, which made it enjoyable even if it dragged a little.
Where the Rachel Morgan books were all in Rachel's 1st person POV, this one is 3rd person POV of three characters: Trisk (Trent's mother), Kal (Trent's father) and Daniel (a human geneticist who designed the virus that's responsible for the T4 Angel tomato disaster). My favorite of the three is probably Daniel, but I also really liked Trisk - even if she did the occasional bone-headed thing that made me think she almost deserves to end up with the horrible excuse for a
One of the best parts of the book for me were the cameos of characters we know from the main series: first and foremost Al, but also Quen, Takana, and some other familiar faces.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,010 reviews