Review:

Perfect for the season!

A haunting, emotionally charged tale of family, love, and the supernatural, The Hollow and the Haunted will appeal to readers who enjoy gothic horror with a psychological twist.

The story is set in Thistle, a town filled with psychics. We follow Miles Warren, who is an empath. He can vividly feel and absorb the emotions of others, but recently, his abilities have grown more intense. He begins having premonitions of someone’s death, disturbing flashes that leave him shaken. These visions lead him to Gabriel Hawthorne, a member of the rival family that his own has loathed for generations. As Miles learns more about Gabriel, he realizes that there is more to his facade. Gabriel is grappling with his own fears and uncertainties but is determined to do what is right.

The world opens us to a decaying grandeur of the Hawthorne’s estate, the eerie woods that surround it all contribute to novel’s mystique and brooding atmosphere. The prose is both lyrical and sharp, the palpable tension between the characters all contribute in keeping the reader hooked as the mysteries of the past slowly unravel.

There are moments when the pacing feels uneven. The build-up to the final confrontation is effective, but some of the early chapters felt slow especially if they have anticipated the supernatural action. Although, for those who enjoy a slow-burn mystery with emotional depth, the pacing has opened up the opportunity for greater immersion in the world that was created.

The Hollow and the Haunted is an engaging and atmospheric novel that combines supernatural thrills with a deeply personal story about identity, legacy, and forgiveness. Miles’ journey is not only about saving Gabriel from his cursed fate but also about finding the courage to embrace his true self in the face of familial expectations. The novel’s themes of hidden secrets and the burden of the past resonate powerfully, making it a great read for fans of gothic horror and character-driven narratives.

Disclaimer: ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest and fair review.

Remarks:

• Slow burn romance
• LGBTQ+
• Young Adult
• Mystery
• Paranormal