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elwirax's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Trigger Warnings: body horror, disordered eating, suicide, sexual harrasment and assault, self harm, death and grief
This is exactly the type of books I absolutely adore: atmospheric, dark, magical/ fairytale-esque and horror. Therefore, it came to me as a surprise when "House of Hollow" didn't become a favourite.
PROS:
Imagery was intricate and dark in the most beautiful way. This made for a very engaging atmosphere.
Loved the body horror, it made the whole novel that much more twisted.
Good depiction of sister dynamics and close relationship (that are albeit rather toxic at times though)
Great overall concept and worldbuilding.
CONS:
Relied heavily on repetition especially regarding the body horror aspect, slightly negated from the impact.
Too much emphasis on the beauty aspect and it's your bog standard white and skinny type. Also the protagonists would binge eat and never feel full, hence the trigger warning for disordered eating.
I wanted more POC. While we do get a great Asian character most of the other characters were just white.
The mystery itself was quite basic and convenient at times. Plot twists and the ending were predictable and unsatisfactory.
It was too long. I think it would've been more impactful as a novella or short story.
It didn't sit right with me that Iris pined for and kissed a boy her sister loves. The attraction seemed forced and served no purpose.
Vivi and Tyler were by far my favourite characters. I wish there was more from their perspective as truthfully I didn't like anyone else. Tyler deserved a better ending.
There seems to be something fundamental missing and I can't quite put my finger on it but it makes the book seem incomplete in a way.
I was expecting "House of Hollow" to be a 5 stars and although this didn't turn out to be the case I still thoroughly enjoyed it for the beautiful and dark Imagery.
This is exactly the type of books I absolutely adore: atmospheric, dark, magical/ fairytale-esque and horror. Therefore, it came to me as a surprise when "House of Hollow" didn't become a favourite.
PROS:
Imagery was intricate and dark in the most beautiful way. This made for a very engaging atmosphere.
Loved the body horror, it made the whole novel that much more twisted.
Good depiction of sister dynamics and close relationship (that are albeit rather toxic at times though)
Great overall concept and worldbuilding.
CONS:
Relied heavily on repetition especially regarding the body horror aspect, slightly negated from the impact.
Too much emphasis on the beauty aspect and it's your bog standard white and skinny type. Also the protagonists would binge eat and never feel full, hence the trigger warning for disordered eating.
I wanted more POC. While we do get a great Asian character most of the other characters were just white.
The mystery itself was quite basic and convenient at times. Plot twists and the ending were predictable and unsatisfactory.
It was too long. I think it would've been more impactful as a novella or short story.
It didn't sit right with me that Iris pined for and kissed a boy her sister loves. The attraction seemed forced and served no purpose.
Vivi and Tyler were by far my favourite characters. I wish there was more from their perspective as truthfully I didn't like anyone else. Tyler deserved a better ending.
There seems to be something fundamental missing and I can't quite put my finger on it but it makes the book seem incomplete in a way.
I was expecting "House of Hollow" to be a 5 stars and although this didn't turn out to be the case I still thoroughly enjoyed it for the beautiful and dark Imagery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, and Gore
Moderate: Death, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Grief and Toxic relationship
blissofalife's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve read YA, I’m not usually a fan of all the tropes that run rampant in the genre. House of Hollow is not that book. The one tripe I was worried it was developing was the “chosen one” trope but it didn’t! Hooray!
A good, twisty, quick read. Wouldn’t recommend reading at night alone if you scare easily, it put me on edge.
A good, twisty, quick read. Wouldn’t recommend reading at night alone if you scare easily, it put me on edge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Stalking
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicide, and Vomit
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
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