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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Libby (audiobook)
Would have preferred that the story revolved around Solomon, I did not care for Odessa.
Would have preferred that the story revolved around Solomon, I did not care for Odessa.
The Hollow Ones is the start of what appears to be a new series by Del Toro and Hogan after the success of their Strain trilogy. I both read and listened to the book and to get this out of the way, it was a strange experience given the changes to the book’s main character after the publishing of the ARC. The main character is originally named John Silence, a direct homage to the Algernon Blackwood detective. In the final version of the book, the character is named Hugo Blackwood as an homage and to separate the character from the Algernon Blackwood creation.
The book itself starts on an absolutely terrifying opening scene in which a spree killer attacks his family and the public and is killed by Odessa, an FBI agent. At the moment of his death, her partner goes crazy and attacks a surviving child with a knife before being shot by Odessa. It’s a shocking opening and sets a bar for energy the book fails to recreate.
This isn’t to say it is a boring book. We are introduced to Blackwood, a mysterious character also related to a 60 year old lynching case in the deep south. Throughout the book we learn about the history of Blackwood (who also appears in scenes set in the 16th century) and his mission. Needless to say, there are supernatural underpinnings both to him and his adversaries.
The book is relatively short and moves along at a good pace. The main plot is sewed up nicely, but it is certainly open to a series. Whether this is in another trilogy or an even longer series will probably be based on the authors and the success of this book.
It isn’t perfect, but it is very entertaining. Especially for a quarantine read or an early Halloween treat, Del Toro and Hogan give us an easy to read book that is a ton of fun.
A note on the narration. It is perfectly acceptable, but the narrator isn’t terribly skilled at differentiating characters beyond vocal pitch. Accents are rather cringeworthy. It is perfectly acceptable, but it certainly doesn’t add to the book.
Thank you to Netgalley to providing an audio and ebook version for review.
The book itself starts on an absolutely terrifying opening scene in which a spree killer attacks his family and the public and is killed by Odessa, an FBI agent. At the moment of his death, her partner goes crazy and attacks a surviving child with a knife before being shot by Odessa. It’s a shocking opening and sets a bar for energy the book fails to recreate.
This isn’t to say it is a boring book. We are introduced to Blackwood, a mysterious character also related to a 60 year old lynching case in the deep south. Throughout the book we learn about the history of Blackwood (who also appears in scenes set in the 16th century) and his mission. Needless to say, there are supernatural underpinnings both to him and his adversaries.
The book is relatively short and moves along at a good pace. The main plot is sewed up nicely, but it is certainly open to a series. Whether this is in another trilogy or an even longer series will probably be based on the authors and the success of this book.
It isn’t perfect, but it is very entertaining. Especially for a quarantine read or an early Halloween treat, Del Toro and Hogan give us an easy to read book that is a ton of fun.
A note on the narration. It is perfectly acceptable, but the narrator isn’t terribly skilled at differentiating characters beyond vocal pitch. Accents are rather cringeworthy. It is perfectly acceptable, but it certainly doesn’t add to the book.
Thank you to Netgalley to providing an audio and ebook version for review.
Great book in general, especially the first half.
I however I kinda dislike the old "Magic = Latin" trope. I wish people could be alittle bit more inventive with how they portray magic in their stories
I however I kinda dislike the old "Magic = Latin" trope. I wish people could be alittle bit more inventive with how they portray magic in their stories
An interesting quick read, although it seemed to move very quickly after the halfway point without resolving. But if it's a set up for a series then I could see why.
My Thoughts
I haven’t read any of The Strain trilogy, also by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, but I’d heard good things. So, when had the opportunity to grab an advanced copy of The Hollow Ones via Netgalley, I jumped on the opportunity. The Hollow Ones was a fast-paced story that held my interest well.
The authors use their words well. There were no parts where I felt the story was dragging. Everything was vital to the storyline. However, because they were so efficient with the story, I don’t feel like we got to know the characters very deeply. There was no room for character growth at all.
The chapters jump between the two settings, present-day (2019) New York/New Jersey and 1962 Mississippi Delta. This works well because you’re following both Odessa’s and Earl’s stories in a way that helps explain the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it definitely wasn’t a favorite. From the sub-title, “The Blackwood Tapes Volume 1”, I assume there will be more… I will keep an eye out for volume 2 and hopefully, we’ll get deeper into the characters next time.
Narration
This is the first book I’ve listened to from Brittany Pressley. Her voice is very neutral, able to fit all the characters well. I could identify all the main characters just by the change in her voice. Sometimes I have to speed up audiobooks a bit, but Brittany’s pacing was perfect. I was definitely pleased with the narration of The Hollow Ones.
I haven’t read any of The Strain trilogy, also by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan, but I’d heard good things. So, when had the opportunity to grab an advanced copy of The Hollow Ones via Netgalley, I jumped on the opportunity. The Hollow Ones was a fast-paced story that held my interest well.
The authors use their words well. There were no parts where I felt the story was dragging. Everything was vital to the storyline. However, because they were so efficient with the story, I don’t feel like we got to know the characters very deeply. There was no room for character growth at all.
The chapters jump between the two settings, present-day (2019) New York/New Jersey and 1962 Mississippi Delta. This works well because you’re following both Odessa’s and Earl’s stories in a way that helps explain the story.
Overall, I enjoyed the story, but it definitely wasn’t a favorite. From the sub-title, “The Blackwood Tapes Volume 1”, I assume there will be more… I will keep an eye out for volume 2 and hopefully, we’ll get deeper into the characters next time.
Narration
This is the first book I’ve listened to from Brittany Pressley. Her voice is very neutral, able to fit all the characters well. I could identify all the main characters just by the change in her voice. Sometimes I have to speed up audiobooks a bit, but Brittany’s pacing was perfect. I was definitely pleased with the narration of The Hollow Ones.
It may be the fault of my attention span that I dreaded starting this book knowing it was part of a trilogy and it would be a while before we got book two. That being said, the story was enjoyable enough. It didn't grab me like the strain, but I was interested enough in the characters and back story to want to finish. Worth a read.
Kliseinen ja ennalta arvattava mutta viihdyttävä kyttä-ja-yliluonnollinen-kyttä stoori.
I ended up DNFing this book after the first chapter. The writing wasn’t too interesting and would be detailed about things that didn’t move the story forward.
Could easily see this as a Del Toro movie, it's just as visual and beautiful in his signature macabre way!
Really loved the Hollows, quite intriguing monsters. Hugo Blackwood is an equally mysterious and somewhat tragic figure (more please!) and Odessa was a good protagonist.
Really loved the Hollows, quite intriguing monsters. Hugo Blackwood is an equally mysterious and somewhat tragic figure (more please!) and Odessa was a good protagonist.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No