Ugh ( )

I just could not get into this book. I think it's a combination of people behaving badly in general and acting horribly to each other and the 1960s women in science scenario in which women are treated badly. The world hasn't changed that much and it just pisses me off. Also, I finally kinda came around to Trent as a good guy in the regular Hollows series. Seeing his original utter jackhole personality does not make me want to read more. I hate books where the main characters are unlikeable and this one is all about that. I'm sure it will resolve. I'm sure it will get better. There's a human plague in the middle there, though, and I just can't hack the drama. ( )

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. :)

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Finally, finally we get to see how the Turn started!

It's nothing like what I expected going on from the hints spread throughout the rest of the series. I loved the introduction of a new type of elf; though I'm kind of saddened we never got to see her type throughout the rest of the books.

It was interesting reading a book in the Hollows series that takes place from the perspective of the elves instead of from a witch. The furry tomatoes were a nice touch.

I'm hoping for a book that follows up on this one; one that shows what happens during the aftermath of the Turn. That was my main complaint with this book; we don't get to see what happens afterwards, just what happens to start it all. ( )

Did you ever wonder about what caused the world to change in the Hollows series? This book tells how the virus that attached itself to tomatoes and killed so many humans and outed the supernaturals to the rest of the world.
Set during the 60’s, fashion and music do play a part to the story and how attitudes towards women pushed the plot a bit but for the most part this is petty revenge of a childhood rivalry gone way out of control. There are some cameos sprinkled in the book and I enjoyed each and every one of them. The nice thing about the book being a prequel is no prior knowledge is needed for a reader so it does appeal to the fan of the Hollows and a new reader picking it up for the first time.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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