Fans of The Hollows series by Kim Harrison discussion

This will always be one of my favorite series. And I'm so glad Rachel got her HEA. But...

I hate that I have to agree with you. The last chapter was just corny. I feel like there was too much left unsaid, and other stuff was rushed. For some reason the fairy wings are still bothering me. Why didn't Rachel fix those fairy's wings she burned off a few books ago? I mean she healed Trents hand so she should be able to do it.

I didn't really get the title either and had the same questions about it too. The pacing was a bit odd as well and it seemed nothing really happened till near the end but overall, I liked it. I will say though, that I approached this final installment of the series with a different frame of mind after reading TUP.

As for the last chapter, I had to roll it around in my head for awhile before I decided how I felt about it. I've never read this series for the romance but I liked it. I read this series for Al and am not upset about his outcome but feel like KH has left some things for Sudden Backtrack. Which I'm really excited to read!

In that scene in Trent's office with Newt, Dali, Al, Trent, and Rachel, Al says he wants somewhere to belong and Trent gave him that by allowing Al into the lives of Lucy and Ray. It was then that I finally liked Trent. Yeah, the movie-star bit is corny but it kind of fits. Al makes lots of money without stealing souls, rather, they are freely given via fangirls, lol. He gets to party all the time, wear the latest clothes, and is adored wherever he goes. 27 years later at least. TBH tho, I don't know if he ever really forgives Rachel so much as he accepts her decisions and that to fit back into reality he must change too. Maybe its the same thing.

I had completely forgotten about Erica until you mentioned her.

There was no mention of a man next to Ellasbeth at Ray's wedding. Maybe she hung on to the idea of getting Trent to the bitter end and never formally tied herself to anyone. Which would be either sad or a fitting end, depending on one felt about her.

I think it was in EA that David got his HEA. He found himself an Alpha-bitch and Rachel stepped down while still staying a member of his pack. There was no mention of whether or not she still had the tattoo at the end tho. Another point to speculate over.

What disappointed me was not learning more about Al and the demons. Maybe that's a book unto itself.

And I didn't like that Trent and Rachel could have kids but have decided it was meant to show that anything could be accomplished when people set aside their difference and work together. Damn, it was a corny chapter wasn't it? :D

While this final book is not my fav in the series, it has some of my newly fav moments and I'm generally happy with how it all ended.

Having read this book twice I feel I can now say that I'm still undecided on the greatness of this book. There are elements of it I love and others that r just disappointing.

Firstly the last chapter I really liked. I am romantic at heart and have no objections a seeing a slice of the characters life after the main story ends. With out it we wouldn't know that Trent regained the control of the elves or that the demons had successfully made a place for themselves in reality. I also thought who Ray married was a nice, if not obvious touch.

I have said since TUP that KH couldn't possibly answer all the remaining questions in 1 book without it feeling rushed and in parts sadly that's true. It is a good book with a good story I just felt it wasn't on the same level as Pale Demon or EverAfter.

What really bugged me was the chrysalis. I know it shouldn't but she's had that thing since WWBC and she just leaves it in Trents garden. I can't be the only one who thought there was some significance to it and was disappointed to discover there wasn't. I also can't believe she created a whole new ever after and the only description we get of it is, it's smaller but more stable. For an author who is known for descriptive imagery that just isn't good enough.

Finally I would have like to have known what happens to Landon. Did the elves cover for him like last time? Did he go prison? Did demons catch up with him?

The chrysalis bugged me too. Especially since I'm an Al-fan. I really wanted to see it open.

I mostly agree with everyone's thoughts about the book. I've held off writing a review because I need to sit with this one awhile and sort out how I really feel. My initial reaction was that it wasn't everything I'd hoped it would be though, tbh, that may have been too much for any book to fulfill. There were parts I loved and others that seemed a bit disjointed. It felt like Kim tried to smash too much into this one book. With three races clashing (elves, vampires, demons) I think it needed more room to breathe than one book could possibly provide.

I'm also undecided about the last chapter. I like the idea of it but I think the execution was lacking and, yes, a bit saccharine which seemed out of keeping with the feel of the series as a whole.

I do wonder if Kim chose to move 27 years into the future to avoid the temptation to ever delve back into this world. I know she's anxious to write something different and show she's not a "one trick pony" (her words) and by showing where all these characters are 27 years down the road she sort of negates any need to come back to this.

As for Ellasbeth, I interpreted Rachel's inner comment about understanding why Ellasbeth chose a church wedding to mean that she had married someone somewhere along the way. And I seriously doubt she lives at Trent's. In the book she tells Trent that she'd let him know once she got a permanent address in Cinncinati, indicating that she was moving from Seattle but would have her own place.

I never gave much thought to the chrysalis though now that you mention it, it does seem odd that it wasn't explained better.

What I want to know is what happened to Belle???

All in all, I liked it. It's not my favorite entry in the series but it beats some endings to some other long running series I've read.

My thoughts were also on the unanswered questions that just weren't addressed. What happened to Landon, Belle, Ryan, Rachel\s cat and Mr. Fish? Why didn't Trent deal with Ellasbeth/Landon trying to kill them? Instead, he gives custody. I love this series but I think I had higher hopes as to what would happen. I swore I won't complain because at least Alice was in.

I enjoyed every fast passed, cliff hanging word until chapter 31 happened. In every book there is a point where the author should just stop writing. For me, Kim Harrison’s last novel in the Hollow series, should have ended at chapter 30. I don’t want to reveal too much about the book and spoil it for those that have yet to finish reading her series but there are some spoilers ahead. So you are warned.

Just about the whole crew is back and Harrison stayed true to her characters and the integrity of the storyline. However, some of the loose ends were just too quickly tied up. I still don’t feel that I truly understood Al’s hatred towards Rachel for her relationship with Trent. Yes, they talk about it but in an awkward, “He loves you but not romantically, but not really like a dad either” kind of way. I didn’t clearly understand Celfnnah’s role. Did she make the curse that made the vampires? What is up with Mark’s coffee shop?

I was hanging on every word until that chapter. It just seemed silly. I don’t know why I am so disappointed. It had all the elements that I wanted, mainly what happens after the characters all go home after the action is done. Everyone is leading a great and happy lives and milestones are being achieved. I just wanted Rachel to have gotten over her fears of relationships and commitment. I wanted Trent to get his moonlight wedding in the stable. I wanted little Kalamack’s running around. I wanted to understand why Trent is still pretending to be Ray’s dad. I want to know how many times Rachel has had to do the transformation spell on Jenks for him to still be hanging around. I want to know more about how Al knew Trent’s mom. Why is Rachel’s prayer hat was so important that it was mentioned 3 times by three different characters? Is Trent King of the Elves again?

In the end, I am left with more answers that I have questions. So I should be content that Harrison’s beloved characters are safely sent off into the future. It is sad to see a series end but I feel better knowing that it all worked out in the end.

Cher wrote: "My thoughts were also on the unanswered questions that just weren't addressed. What happened to Landon, Belle, Ryan, Rachel\s cat and Mr. Fish? Why didn't Trent deal with Ellasbeth/Landon trying to..."

Oh, no, I forgot about the cat! Did he survive the fire?

Overall pretty good but I think the last two haven't been as good as the rest of the series. I did enjoy this one more than the 12th though! My main issue is I really disliked the last chapter, it felt cheesy, an uninspired add on that was perhaps hard for the author to write, and false.

I'm looking forward to the October short story. Will miss The Hollows.

Has anyone given thought to the fact that there were blue butterflies everywhere at Ray's wedding, mentioned several times flying around with pixies? I think that's what became of Al's chrysalis. A blue butterfly that became many over the 27 years in between her leaving it there and the wedding to signify the growth that took place in Rachel's world.

I for one really enjoyed the whole book and liked the ending. It's always sad when such a wonderful series closes,and I'm sure we all have mixed emotions. But I enjoyed it and I think Kim wanted to show how the future would work for all our beloved characters.

I liked the ending but I felt it was a little rushed. I wanna know what happened to Rachel's werewolf bodyguard. I can't remember his name. it's like he was there for one book then he was gone. Plus how is Trent getting grey in his hair already he is only 40 something......

Wade(body guard Were) wasn't needed when Rachel got her magic back, so he left. Trent was in his late 20's so he would be in his early to mid fifties, but Rachel did "reset" his age when she gave him his fingers(and ears) back.

TWiser wrote: "Wade(body guard Were) wasn't needed when Rachel got her magic back, so he left. Trent was in his late 20's so he would be in his early to mid fifties, but Rachel did "reset" his age when she gave h..."

She did reset his age so that is curious. Also, don't elves have longer lifespans anyway, like the witches?

Well, I can't argue with that. ;)

Nicole wrote: "I enjoyed every fast passed, cliff hanging word until chapter 31 happened. In every book there is a point where the author should just stop writing. For me, Kim Harrison’s last novel in the Hollow ..."

Al's hate for Trent was demon hate for ALL elves due to what the elves had done to them. This is now remedied by NEWT becoming their new Goddess - which I freaking LOVED, it was awesome.

I liked this book and I thought the "skip to the future" was fantastic. For me, it was happy, resolved, all good.

Btw, heh, LONG time no see on here. So, Kim has another book or short story? Where? I must research that!