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1.9k reviews for:

The Hollow Boy

Jonathan Stroud

4.24 AVERAGE


My least favorite in the series so far, but that has to do mostly with Lucy's reactions to the newest character. I'm hoping that turns around in the next book.
adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

4.5 - It was faster the last half of the book, that part carried
adventurous mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really enjoyed this book. The best instalment in the series so far. I really liked Lucy finally using het Talent more.
The addition of Holly felt a little forced, and the jealousy subplot got old really fast. However, I would’ve been angry too if my team hired a complete stranger to work in the house that I live in too, behind my back. I would’ve been waaaay more pissed. Having to hide in my own house, not even having a little say in the decision?
No wonder Lucy doesn’t like her!
If you’re team only contains TWO other people, who LIVE IN THE SAME HOUSE, how can you not at least discuss it A LITTLE!?
I understood completely why Lucy would go out and try to use her Talent by herself (although no smart) and constantly being told that she should just simply “shouldn’t” isn’t going to help her. 
I also felt like the resolution of the “final battle” felt a little rushed. She just fell and the haunting stopped? Kind of a lackluster ending in my eyes, but it does make me excited to read the next installment in the series.

The books are clearly building up to something bigger and I am excited to see where the series is headed!
ticklemouse's profile picture

ticklemouse's review

5.0
adventurous emotional lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark emotional funny sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

There's nothing quite like throwing in a new character to create some drama in an already compelling premise. One thing I've been critical about in this series is how many of the characters find fault with personality traits of other characters that are quite surface. However, I am seeing a lot of growth and understanding happening between the main characters and their "adversaries" that I hope continues through later books and with other characters.
The resolution of the case in this book seemed a little lackluster and anti-climatic. With all of the disturbance happening in the story line I thought there might have been more explanation for the new ghosts that were present.

Re-read. Love the voices for the Skull and George. The Skull is probably my favourite character. Find Lucy a bit whiny in this one both the audio voice and her character in this one.  Good story but could have done without all the Lucy jealousy.  I'm probably not the target age group. Overall a cracking re-read. 
adventurous challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Starts out with what may be one of the funniest scenes in the whole series, and ends with a bit of a punch to the gut.