Reviews with content warning for Grief - The Hollow Places

As GR ate my original review, this is my attempt to fill one in for the time being. Perhaps in October I'll do a re-read and update accordingly:

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

On a whim, I decided to request a horror book. Me, requesting a horror book? It was surprising. At most I read R.L. Stine when I was a kid and even that scared me. And when it comes to movies I am a baby. So, for me to request one was hilarious, but I didn't think I'd actually get it and then I did. . . and here we are: loving. it.

This was my first time reading T. Kingfisher, and I can't wait to explore more of their works. The way they write is captivating especially when building the tension in regards to the atmosphere of the setting our character, Kara, finds herself in. Kara is just expecting a bit of a relaxed stay at her Uncle Earl's home, a place she enjoyed as a child and hopes will be less stressful to stay at as she starts her life anew than her Mother's place. However, Uncle Earl's home is also his business, the Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities, and Taxidermy, which comes with its own issues as she takes over running the place while her Uncle Earl is away for a little. Of course, some of these issues are definitely highly unexpected when she finds the hole in the wall. . . Kara is a great character, and her friend Simon from the coffee shop is as well. I love their dynamic throughout the book. While the story is a setting of horror, it doesn't forget that these two characters are people and that is delightful. The sense of humor, and the common sense the characters have at times, balances well with the unease that's introduced with each unnatural description especially in the other world. T. Kingfisher plays with all the senses in a way that can be uncanny. Even as the book left me feeling unsettled at times, I couldn't put it down for long. I just needed to know what would happen. And yes, unsettled is definitely a feeling encountered often as I read. There's a scene with a bus that will forever live rent free in my thoughts and visited my nightmares on more than one occasion. . .

But that won't keep me from reading more from this author or recommending it to everyone.

Content Warnings

jiji_'s review

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

For me, this is a perfect horror book. I read this in a single 24 Hour period - 336 pages!! A record! - as I just could not put it down. Whenever I had to, it followed me. It's hilarious, terrifying, full of dread and horror and genuine laugh out loud, hysterical bits. I long for horror novels that genuinely instill fear in me, and this one nails it. NAILS IT. perfect. 10 out of 10. Utterly horrible and wonderful. Creepy, original, and not to be missed.

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spineofthesaurus's review

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes

4.75

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