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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
The Hollow Ones is a quick, fun mash-up of The X-Files and Evil Dead. It’s not nearly as revolutionary as either of those titles, but definitely borrows a significant amount from both. The Hollow Ones follows Odessa, an FBI agent, who, after an incident that involves her turning on her own partner, is tasked with taking down a supernatural being. The pacing is spot on, as you are quickly thrown into the narrative and it never lets up, but my only wish is that they had left one particular storyline, involving a former FBI agent and his run-in with the same entity, for a different novel. There are a lot of themes touched on in this plot that, when rushed as it was here, felt underdeveloped and almost insensitive, but if it had been given its own complete novel could have been a really great idea. Otherwise, I highly recommend this if you love gory, supernatural horror/thriller novels.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Easy to read, liked the vibe of the detective guy, but I think that two non black men writing about using slave graveyards as a font for energy to use in evil purposes and naming Hoodoo and Palo as religions that are very susceptible to being misused is a real hm :T from me. Like yeah the priest was a Christian one but he was using Hoodoo, come on are we not past using African and Afrian diaspora religions like this yet?
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was an interesting book but kind of droned on for a while towards the end. I think it could’ve been a few chapters shorter. Other than that, good and quick read. Would recommend!
This was an enjoyable romp, the characters were good and the setting was interesting. The story revolved around three characters, set in three different time periods over 500 years or so. To be honest though, there was absolutely nothing about the story that I hadn't heard before, and while I liked it, I'm not sure I'll continue with the next book. The narrator, on the other hand, was terrific, and definitely a saving grace.
The Hollow Ones by Guillermo del Toro is without a doubt one of the best books I've read in 2020. I did not want to put it down after I started reading. It had me grasped within the first few chapters. Unfortunately (for me), I did have to put it down in order to sleep. I finished it quickly the next day.
Odessa Hardwicke is a rookie FBI agent, who under unusual circumstances is forced to shoot her partner. As the inquiry into the shooting takes place, she is assigned to desk duty and cleaning up a retired agent's office, only to discover many things and events that are inexplicable. What is really going on?
This book is labeled as a thriller, which definitely fits the bill. It can definitely be labeled with fantasy as well, however. There are many elements of the supernatural, especially in regards to the religious practice of Palo Mayombe. Odessa, in one of the above-mentioned inexplicable events, meets a man named John Silence, who seems to be 'hunting' evil spirits brought about by in the uneducated/excessive use of Palo Mayombe. The evil spirits mean you never know what crazy event will happen next. It was lots of fun trying to keep up.
The book is narrated by Odessa, John Silence, and one of these evil spirits. My only complaint with the story was not being able to connect with the characters. Silence seemed lacking in development at first, but was actually, by the end, the best developed character in the book; he just had layers, like an onion. I wanted to know more about Odessa than I was given in this book. It's a good thing this will be a series, as I will anticipate learning more about her in future installments.
So good! Recommend to fans of thrillers, supernatural occurrences, and a combination of the two!
Odessa Hardwicke is a rookie FBI agent, who under unusual circumstances is forced to shoot her partner. As the inquiry into the shooting takes place, she is assigned to desk duty and cleaning up a retired agent's office, only to discover many things and events that are inexplicable. What is really going on?
This book is labeled as a thriller, which definitely fits the bill. It can definitely be labeled with fantasy as well, however. There are many elements of the supernatural, especially in regards to the religious practice of Palo Mayombe. Odessa, in one of the above-mentioned inexplicable events, meets a man named John Silence, who seems to be 'hunting' evil spirits brought about by in the uneducated/excessive use of Palo Mayombe. The evil spirits mean you never know what crazy event will happen next. It was lots of fun trying to keep up.
The book is narrated by Odessa, John Silence, and one of these evil spirits. My only complaint with the story was not being able to connect with the characters. Silence seemed lacking in development at first, but was actually, by the end, the best developed character in the book; he just had layers, like an onion. I wanted to know more about Odessa than I was given in this book. It's a good thing this will be a series, as I will anticipate learning more about her in future installments.
So good! Recommend to fans of thrillers, supernatural occurrences, and a combination of the two!
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m giving up on this one halfway through. The beginning was more or less interesting, but I mostly wanted to continue because this is the second book I’ve come across that is releasing this year and inspired by Algernon Blackwood. I thought it would be an interesting comparison. However, the pacing was odd and just got worse once John Silence finally showed up. And then we got to talking about other religions and... it’s just not very culturally sensitive.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No