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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hollowed was inspired by The Legend of Sleepy Hollow but it’s more romantic. Katrina lives in Sleepy Hollow, her mother leads the town but despises Katrina, to keep the town safe, every year one person is sacrificed to the headless horseman and this year it’s Katrina's turn, she runs away and in doing it, she discovers the secrets of the town, her whole life has been a lie.
It’s a paranormal romance standalone with gothic vibes and inspiration in the Welsh/Irish folklore. It’s atmospheric, mysterious and keeps you in suspense. When Katrina runs away she is rescued by the Headless Horseman, who turns out to actually have a head and he is not the one demanding the sacrifices, instead he is dashing and handsome man called Alexander, he is the guardian of Sleepy Hollow and when Katrina tells him about the strange shadows she has seen, they both team up to investigate and protect the town.
Katrina is a likeable character, She hasn't had an easy life, her parents are the worst, she just wants to be happy and she deserves it, she is brave, and kind, she will help the town even if some of them don't deserve it, she and Alexander make a good team. Alexander to be a figure of fear and death, he's not moody or grumpy, he was kind of cute.
The romance is slow burn, lots of tension, there is attraction but they are focused on solving the mystery, the pacing was good, there's action and some cool twists and I like the magic system, although I would have liked to know a little more about it, it was so interesting, witches, Irish Folklore, and The Horseman.
Overall is a perfect autumn story, a bit spooky with gothic atmosphere, brave characters and romance, its a story that hook up, there is magic, secrets and action, so good.
Read it if you want:
- Gothic Romance
- Fantasy Standalone
- A little Spooky & Witchy vibes
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5⭐️
Hollowed was a great Sleepy Hollow reimagining that will really put you in the fall mood (even if Mother Nature refuses to drop the temp and let the leaves get crispy 🙄). Jessica S. Taylor has taken the setting and characters we know and love and given them a new life.
The FMC, Katrina, has spent her entire life being assured of her lack of value. Her parents and even the town itself have done nothing but hurt her, so when Katrina learns she could be either the savior or downfall of the small town of Sleepy Hollow, she’s understandably anxious. She’s a better person than me because I can’t even tell you how fast I would leave them all to their doom and not look back. You really couldn’t even blame her if she chose that with all that town and its inhabitants have put her through.
Our MMC, the infamous Headless Horseman, is the protector of Sleepy Hollow. I was delighted and kind of shocked to learn more about his personality, as I went in with preconceived notions of him. I had expected your typical grumpy, dark, and broody MMC, but that is not at all what he is. He honestly gives golden retriever energy, and I think that’s a fun twist on the character!
I really enjoyed the story of Katrina and her quest to save the town that probably doesn’t deserve it. Watching Katrina overcome everything she’s been through was really great, and I enjoyed seeing the FMC be her own savior. I also really loved the sweet romance we saw blooming. My only drawback was that I wanted more of it! I think this book probably could have been a little longer without suffering at all. It’s a standalone, so I just wish we got to see a bit more of Katrina and Alexander.
Thank you so much Jessica S. Taylor for the ARC! Hollowed is a perfect spooky season read, and I would highly recommend it!
Hollowed was a great Sleepy Hollow reimagining that will really put you in the fall mood (even if Mother Nature refuses to drop the temp and let the leaves get crispy 🙄). Jessica S. Taylor has taken the setting and characters we know and love and given them a new life.
The FMC, Katrina, has spent her entire life being assured of her lack of value. Her parents and even the town itself have done nothing but hurt her, so when Katrina learns she could be either the savior or downfall of the small town of Sleepy Hollow, she’s understandably anxious. She’s a better person than me because I can’t even tell you how fast I would leave them all to their doom and not look back. You really couldn’t even blame her if she chose that with all that town and its inhabitants have put her through.
Our MMC, the infamous Headless Horseman, is the protector of Sleepy Hollow. I was delighted and kind of shocked to learn more about his personality, as I went in with preconceived notions of him. I had expected your typical grumpy, dark, and broody MMC, but that is not at all what he is. He honestly gives golden retriever energy, and I think that’s a fun twist on the character!
I really enjoyed the story of Katrina and her quest to save the town that probably doesn’t deserve it. Watching Katrina overcome everything she’s been through was really great, and I enjoyed seeing the FMC be her own savior. I also really loved the sweet romance we saw blooming. My only drawback was that I wanted more of it! I think this book probably could have been a little longer without suffering at all. It’s a standalone, so I just wish we got to see a bit more of Katrina and Alexander.
Thank you so much Jessica S. Taylor for the ARC! Hollowed is a perfect spooky season read, and I would highly recommend it!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Hollowed is a good read for the upcoming spooky season. In this book, you'll find a new spin on well-known characters Katrina Van Tassel, Ichabod Crane, and the Headless Horseman. In this version of Sleepy Hollow, the residents are all paranormal and magical, adding to the already ominous setting of the original tale. I very much enjoyed seeing all the new magical elements woven into the story.
Katrina is a relatable FMC who struggles to see her own value, something that I think many young women can relate to. She's spent her whole life in this town trying to prove herself, only for them to turn their back on her and change their fates forever.
The main plot was engaging and exciting with a sweet romantic side plot. I got sucked into this world and this story pretty quickly. I was invested in the outcome and trying to solve the puzzle before Katrina did. I even found myself wanting to message my bookclub with theories, only to remind myself that I was reading an ARC and so none of them have the book yet.
I came very close to giving this book a four-star rating because I truly really enjoyed the development across the first three-quarters of the book. My concern with the last part of the book is that it felt rushed and a little anti-climatic as a result. I think this easily could have been a duology. I would have loved to see some additional scenes after the big reveal and before the climax to help build a sense of dread, fear, and anticipation.
Don't let that turn you off from the book though, and despite feeling rushed, I was satisfied with the ending of the book - even if it could have used a little more groveling from certain characters. It is absolutely worth a spot on your shelf this fall.
Thank you to Jessica S. Taylor for sharing your world with me. I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review of Hollowed.
Katrina is a relatable FMC who struggles to see her own value, something that I think many young women can relate to. She's spent her whole life in this town trying to prove herself, only for them to turn their back on her and change their fates forever.
The main plot was engaging and exciting with a sweet romantic side plot. I got sucked into this world and this story pretty quickly. I was invested in the outcome and trying to solve the puzzle before Katrina did. I even found myself wanting to message my bookclub with theories, only to remind myself that I was reading an ARC and so none of them have the book yet.
I came very close to giving this book a four-star rating because I truly really enjoyed the development across the first three-quarters of the book. My concern with the last part of the book is that it felt rushed and a little anti-climatic as a result. I think this easily could have been a duology. I would have loved to see some additional scenes after the big reveal and before the climax to help build a sense of dread, fear, and anticipation.
Don't let that turn you off from the book though, and despite feeling rushed, I was satisfied with the ending of the book - even if it could have used a little more groveling from certain characters. It is absolutely worth a spot on your shelf this fall.
Thank you to Jessica S. Taylor for sharing your world with me. I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review of Hollowed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
This book depicts emotional abuse by mother to daughter
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So atmospheric from the start
After learning she is to be the yearly sacrifice to the headless horseman Katrina plots to leave sleepy hollow - on leaving she is apprehended by one of her ‘friends’ and thrown into the river to fulfil the sacrificial prophecy. However everything she has known about the headless horseman - the dullahan - isn’t exactly truth when a charming bit mysterious man saves her life and pulls her from the river, taking her back to his house he begins to answer questions and reveals who he actually is and what he actually does for the town. Katrina is actually seen as a saviour rather than the destroyer her mother drilled into her. Something is being summoned to the town - by the townspeople - and it’s that which will be the end of the town or the beginning of a new future. Katrina and Alexander embark on a journey - not only to rid the town of the evil stalking it but also in discovering what is fizzling between them. Secrets are revealed and events unfold which no one could’ve predicted. The twist was well done and came out of nowhere! I loved how gothic and atmospherically creepy it was, I actually felt like I was a part of Sleepy Hollow witnessing this story unfold.
I can’t wait to read more from Jessica and I feel so honoured to have been part of the arc and release team.
dark
mysterious
tense
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book 😍 I think it was a good spooky read to start out into the fall season. It was a quick and easy read. I recommend this book if you like dark academia, witchy, spooky vibes. I will definitely be watching the movie too.
I loved Katrina and Alexander together. I hope that they get a book two and we get to see more of their love life flourish.
I’m so proud of Katrina overcoming her fears and with how she grew up. She deserves her happy ending with Alexander.
Spice: 🌶️/5
I loved Katrina and Alexander together. I hope that they get a book two and we get to see more of their love life flourish.
I’m so proud of Katrina overcoming her fears and with how she grew up. She deserves her happy ending with Alexander.
Spice: 🌶️/5