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redefiningrachel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal cruelty, Gaslighting, Animal death, Child death, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, and Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Bullying
lyssb's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Stalking, and Body horror
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Gun violence, Death of parent, and Stalking
Minor: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Vomit
halfelfschollar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the type of book that if I had read it in my teen years would have consumed my life. It's dark, mysterious, and hugely atmospheric. Combining a forever loved concept of mine, the liminal, with dark fairytale features made for an exciting read.
The twists weren't too hard to see coming as someone with a lot of knowledge on writing rules and mythology who was looking for clues to the answers. But this didn't dissuade me from reading on.
The twists weren't too hard to see coming as someone with a lot of knowledge on writing rules and mythology who was looking for clues to the answers. But this didn't dissuade me from reading on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicide, Stalking, Drug use, Drug abuse, Body horror, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Child death, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Vomit, Death of parent, Bullying, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
bookishkale's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am not one for horror, but 'tis the season, am I right? I picked up House of Hollow on Libby this past week for a little spooky season read, and it did not disappoint! I had fun reading it!
First of all, I enjoyed all of the characters! I found them endearing, and I was desperate to know what happened to the Hollow sisters, where did they go so long ago? Vivi is a little grating at the beginning but I really enjoyed her character in contrast to Grey and Iris by the end of the book. Vivi is also queer, but it's done in a super casual way, which is nice to see every once in a while. Tyler is a highlight, and he adds a great dynamic to Vivi and Iris as they search for their sister. Iris' characterization makes so much sense. She's the youngest of three girls, the older two were rambunctious and rebellious, and in turn, Iris was quiet and well in order. She grapples with her identity vs her sisters, wanting to be like them, but also, trying to find herself. She's not naive like the book almost makes her out to be, since she is not as cool and interesting as her older sisters, but I never found her to be. She's the smartest one in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this world through her eyes. Her character growth by the end was well worth it. One of the best narrators I've read in a while.
For the plot, this is where I docked points. I loved that the story was centered around the three girls and their relationship with each other. I have two older sisters, so Iris, I get you. The book does not shy away from the grotesque body horror elements that a story like this needs. I just felt the pacing was off, I don't know how to explain it. I felt like the last half of the book was fantastic, but the beginning is a little slow. I just feel like it takes too long to get where they were going and the plot suffers a bit from that. But overall, everything ties up in the end, (really well, might I add!), and that's really all that matters to me. I did predict one of the mysteries, but for the question of the Hollow girls... I wasn't expecting it, and it was really well done! I applaud the choice! I think this story could have been better if Sutherland upped the age range for this book, and just went all in, no whammies.
And I cannot end this review without gushing about the imagery! Krystal Sutherland does a fantastic job of putting you right there with Iris as she experiences these horrific events. I was obsessed with each disgusting thing that she describes. I had to gag at some points because it was so realistic. I'll be thinking about the imagery in this book for a while. The book wraps you up in this nightmare with them, as it swallows you whole.
Overall, highly recommend this book for the spooky season! I'd avoid it if you can't handle any amount of horror. I can handle some so I think this book is fine if you like to watch the occasionally scary movie with friends but don't watch anything scary by yourself. It's mostly just super creepy, but I know people can be super sensitive to things! This book does not shy away from the creep factor. Be sure to check out the rest of the trigger/content warnings for this book!!
I look forward to what Krystal Sutherland releases next!
First of all, I enjoyed all of the characters! I found them endearing, and I was desperate to know what happened to the Hollow sisters, where did they go so long ago? Vivi is a little grating at the beginning but I really enjoyed her character in contrast to Grey and Iris by the end of the book. Vivi is also queer, but it's done in a super casual way, which is nice to see every once in a while. Tyler is a highlight, and he adds a great dynamic to Vivi and Iris as they search for their sister. Iris' characterization makes so much sense. She's the youngest of three girls, the older two were rambunctious and rebellious, and in turn, Iris was quiet and well in order. She grapples with her identity vs her sisters, wanting to be like them, but also, trying to find herself. She's not naive like the book almost makes her out to be, since she is not as cool and interesting as her older sisters, but I never found her to be. She's the smartest one in the book and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing this world through her eyes. Her character growth by the end was well worth it. One of the best narrators I've read in a while.
For the plot, this is where I docked points. I loved that the story was centered around the three girls and their relationship with each other. I have two older sisters, so Iris, I get you. The book does not shy away from the grotesque body horror elements that a story like this needs. I just felt the pacing was off, I don't know how to explain it. I felt like the last half of the book was fantastic, but the beginning is a little slow. I just feel like it takes too long to get where they were going and the plot suffers a bit from that. But overall, everything ties up in the end, (really well, might I add!), and that's really all that matters to me. I did predict one of the mysteries, but for the question of the Hollow girls... I wasn't expecting it, and it was really well done! I applaud the choice! I think this story could have been better if Sutherland upped the age range for this book, and just went all in, no whammies.
And I cannot end this review without gushing about the imagery! Krystal Sutherland does a fantastic job of putting you right there with Iris as she experiences these horrific events. I was obsessed with each disgusting thing that she describes. I had to gag at some points because it was so realistic. I'll be thinking about the imagery in this book for a while. The book wraps you up in this nightmare with them, as it swallows you whole.
Overall, highly recommend this book for the spooky season! I'd avoid it if you can't handle any amount of horror. I can handle some so I think this book is fine if you like to watch the occasionally scary movie with friends but don't watch anything scary by yourself. It's mostly just super creepy, but I know people can be super sensitive to things! This book does not shy away from the creep factor. Be sure to check out the rest of the trigger/content warnings for this book!!
I look forward to what Krystal Sutherland releases next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Stalking, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Death of parent, Eating disorder, Bullying, Death, Child death, and Murder
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
taelights's review against another edition
This book should have been a hit for me because I love horror, thrillers, fantasy, and queer books so much. Those are my top read and loved genres. So between loving a lot of the elements and the high average rating I thought I'd love this book bit I'm so disappointed. It's only a 9 hour audiobook so it should have only taken me two shifts max at work to finish listening to yet it's a week later since I started and I'm only 40% in and the idea of listening to it again is literally exhausting to me. I don't like the writing style, not a single character interests me, the plot isn't holding my attention, and also I think the relationship between the sisters feels weird and almost incestuous despite this book not containing any incest.
Also the sisters basically having to sexually assult people for their magic to work is not it.
TW if you have an eating disorder because there are frequent mentions of possible triggers that I'm putting under spoilers if you want specifics: main characters binge eat food with frequent descriptions of that and mentions about how they don't gain weight and stay skinny despite how much they eat in a day.
Also the sisters basically having to sexually assult people for their magic to work is not it.
TW if you have an eating disorder because there are frequent mentions of possible triggers that I'm putting under spoilers if you want specifics:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Kidnapping, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Gore, and Sexual assault
gladys_enmarte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
3.5
La noche de año nuevo las tres hermanas Hollow, Grey, Vivi e Iris, iban de paseo por una calle de Edimburgo junto con sus padres. Estos se distrajeron solo un segundo y las tres niñas desaparecieron. Un mes estuvieron perdidas pero cuando regresaron no eran las mismas: sus ojos azules se tornaron negros y su cabello pasó del negro al rubio platinado. Su padre sospechaba que no eran sus hijas, que habían sido cambiadas, las que regresaron eran otras criaturas que tomaron la fisonomía de sus hijas. Las niñas no recuerdan absolutamente nada pero tienen nuevas habilidades.
Años después, cuando Grey tiene diecinueve y es una reconocida supermodelo, vuelve a desaparecer. Sus hermanas empiezan a juntar las pistas que su hermana mayor les fue dejando para resolver dos misterios: uno, dónde está ella, ¿ha sido secuestrada de nuevo?, dos, ¿qué les sucedió aquella noche en Edimburgo cuando estuvieron un mes desaparecidas?
Este libro, mitad fantasía urbana, mitad cuento de hadas oscuro está ambientado en Londres y Edimburgo. Su ambientación es un 10/10, a medida que vas leyendo vas imaginando mentalmente las callejuelas estrechas, las casas antiguas del 1800, la neblina, etc. por donde los personajes se van moviendo. La historia es bastante oscura y retorcida. Tiene algunos trigger warnings como suicidio, violencia explícita, muertes, abuso de drogas y alcohol y ataque sexual, así que vayan con eso en mente si deciden leerlo.
Me sorprendió el misterio, no me esperaba ese desenlace, sin embargo, me vi venir algunos giros y en partes se torna un poco repetitivo y cíclico, como las descripciones o la búsqueda de Grey. En la primera mitad del libro no pasa mucho y se alarga el misterio de la desaparición y las nuevas habilidades. Tiene algunas otras cosillas pero para un juvenil así está bien. El puntaje que le doy es mayormente por la ambientación y por los temas raros relacionados con la muerte.
Si buscan un libro dark academia vibes, con misterio, bastante oscuro y perturbador, que te mantenga enganchada hasta el final y se lea rápido de seguro es este.
Sobre la edición de Gran Travesía: tiene algunos problemas de puntuación, como el de la página 183 donde hay una coma faltante y se distorsiona el contenido de la oración. En otras partes hay comas sobrantes: delante de "y" no corresponde, a no ser que sea un inciso.
Años después, cuando Grey tiene diecinueve y es una reconocida supermodelo, vuelve a desaparecer. Sus hermanas empiezan a juntar las pistas que su hermana mayor les fue dejando para resolver dos misterios: uno, dónde está ella, ¿ha sido secuestrada de nuevo?, dos, ¿qué les sucedió aquella noche en Edimburgo cuando estuvieron un mes desaparecidas?
Este libro, mitad fantasía urbana, mitad cuento de hadas oscuro está ambientado en Londres y Edimburgo. Su ambientación es un 10/10, a medida que vas leyendo vas imaginando mentalmente las callejuelas estrechas, las casas antiguas del 1800, la neblina, etc. por donde los personajes se van moviendo. La historia es bastante oscura y retorcida. Tiene algunos trigger warnings como suicidio, violencia explícita, muertes, abuso de drogas y alcohol y ataque sexual, así que vayan con eso en mente si deciden leerlo.
Me sorprendió el misterio, no me esperaba ese desenlace, sin embargo, me vi venir algunos giros y en partes se torna un poco repetitivo y cíclico, como las descripciones o la búsqueda de Grey. En la primera mitad del libro no pasa mucho y se alarga el misterio de la desaparición y las nuevas habilidades. Tiene algunas otras cosillas pero para un juvenil así está bien. El puntaje que le doy es mayormente por la ambientación y por los temas raros relacionados con la muerte.
Si buscan un libro dark academia vibes, con misterio, bastante oscuro y perturbador, que te mantenga enganchada hasta el final y se lea rápido de seguro es este.
Sobre la edición de Gran Travesía: tiene algunos problemas de puntuación, como el de la página 183 donde hay una coma faltante y se distorsiona el contenido de la oración. En otras partes hay comas sobrantes: delante de "y" no corresponde, a no ser que sea un inciso.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Child death, Death, and Suicide
slvt4b00ks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’m obsessed with this book. I was sucked in from the first page. I read this in two days. If you like dark twisted themes and gruesome imagery this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Suicide, Body horror, Child death, Vomit, Grief, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Death
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5. I was REALLY pleasantly surprised by this one. It was super spooky and mysterious, and Sutherland's prose was beautiful and descriptive. I loved the focus on the sisters and their relationship. Also, the ending was incredibly satisfying. I will say there was a little too much retrospective monologuing on Iris' part. Also, the kiss between Tyler and Iris was so unnecessary! It completely undermined Iris' character, who up until this point was completely dedicated to Grey. If she truly was dedicated, she wouldn't have kissed her boyfriend !!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual assault, Death, Vomit, and Death of parent
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Stalking, Drug use, Suicide, Child abuse, Cursing, Body horror, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Violence, Child death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Misogyny, Animal death, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Infidelity, Sexual violence, Car accident, Excrement, Physical abuse, Bullying, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Self harm, Sexism, Mental illness, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
HP reference. Moderate warnings for loss of a loved one, missing child, drowning, self injury, insects. Minor warnings for stillbirth, internalised misogyny.jbird_reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Vomit, Violence, Gore, Grief, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
trixtabella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
One month later the girls reappear on the same street naked and seemingly unhurt except for a crescent shaped cut which has been neatly sewn together with no memory of where they have been or who had them.
10 years later and we're with the Youngest Hollow sister Iris, and the story follows what has happened since that fateful night and how it has affected all of their lives and now her older sister Grey has gone missing without a trace and Iris and her sister Vivi know they need to find her.
As you move through the story you start to realise that the girls didn't come back the same as they left on that fateful NYE. Strange things happen to them, they seem to hold a power over people, wispers and rumours of them being witches and a father who went mad convienced that his daughters never returned that night.
Follow the Hollow sister as they uncover what happened to their sister and who exactly they are.
I really enjoyed this story but it was just lacking in a little extra punch for me I'd have liked it to be a bit scarier especially the scenes with the man in the bull mask and when they eventually go the the half world, it had loads if potential to be a 5 star for me, I don't know if it was because the book is YA and that's why the scare factor was dialed back a bit but I was just looking for a bit more scare factor.
I enjoyed the premise of the story the folklore aspect was brilliant a nice addition to the changeling myth. I'd have liked to explore the sisters powers a bit more and understand who and what they were. I'd really be interested in a sequel to this to answer those questions for me and to learn more about Iris, Vivi and Grey.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit, Drug abuse, Gore, Addiction, Blood, Child death, and Death