The Hollow Gods
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an eerie, dark book with some interesting twists. This was a book I found that I could not put down after the initial confusion I found with trying to get my head around the different character perspectives. Once I did that I loved it.
Miya lives in Black Hollow and feels lost and like a failure. There was so much that she was struggling with but did not feel able to talk to anyone as she did not want to disappoint them. She was there to study journalism but she was finding that the subject matter was not what she was looking for and so was failing big time. To get away she goes to an abandoned playground at the edge of the forest. On one of those visits she finds a girls who has been missing, still alive. A few weeks later the same girl is found dead. Killed by her own father who said she was not her daughter.
Mason wanted to get away from his work as a doctor after losing his first patient and he is blaming himself for wanting to try everything to fix her. He comes to Black Hollow to get away for a while but discovers that the legend of the Dreamwalker is front and centre for the town. Not that he believes in it and he decides to become an amateur sleuth to find out just what this legend is all about and why young women are dying at the hands of their family members after returning from being lost in the forest.
Kai is on his own and fighting something inside of him that wants to hurt him. He lives in the forest near Black Hollow, the same forest that the young girls of Black Hollow go missing in. The same forest that the Dreamwalker is said to haunt. I loved his character. His dark sarcastic humour has me laughing out loud regularly. He was tough and had a hard protective shell that he used to protect himself but there were soft compassionate bits that poked through during the story.
Mason initially was someone that you could feel pity for given he had just lost a patient but as his character evolved, I found him to be quite annoying as he was looking for an answer to his problem and thought he could solve that by discounting the legend of the Dreamwalker.

The Hollow Gods was a fascinating book. It focused on Miya, a local girl in the town of Black Hollow. She feels like something is missing from her life until she meets Kai, who is what we know as a werewolf. He identifies as a wolf though and often thinks of humans as a species separate to him. However, upon meeting Miya, he slowly starts changing his mind. Mason, a disillusioned doctor who just had a tragic end to a case, decides to play detective and banish the belief that the town has in a supernatural being, the Dreamwalker, who lures young ladies out to the woods and possesses them. However, certain events occur which make Mason wonder if maybe there is some truth to the superstitions after all.

I think my favorite part of this book was Kai's bluntness and the fact that Miya was not having it. The repartee between them was quite amusing, especially when Mason was introduced to them together. My only grouse was a scene where Kai was extremely crass and I found it a bit much.

The plot moved quickly and it was interesting. I was engrossed from the beginning. All in all, I think this author is someone who work I wouldn't mind reading more of

4 1/2 "Chaotic" Stars

I absolutely love it when a book can so flawlessly blend folklore, fantasy, real world issues and character introspection. Yes, I grouped all that into one sentence. Don't judge me...just wait.

First of all, the folklore woven into this book was absolutely perfect. Of course, to believe that those folklore stories could be real, you have to take a trip into a world of fantasy since that isn't real world stuff, right? The world Ms. Vrana created was really ideal for this tale. She described real world issues and problems and tucked in the fantasy elements just like they belonged there. Her descriptions and attention to detail were wonderful. It all felt very effortless to the reader. It never felt like she was over the top or reaching for something that didn't fit. Everything really flowed very easily and kept me engaged the entire time.

This story is told from three perspectives. The first is Miya, a university student who is struggling to stay in school. Her grades aren't what they should be and she's having money issues. As the story begins, she is trying to figure out where she really belongs and what she's doing wrong. The second is Kai. You know instantly that there is something different about him. He isn't quite human but isn't 100% animal. He's some kind of mixture but it's never clearly labeled. You do know he is a deeply troubled soul who is haunted by voices and possibly memories. Lastly, there is Mason, an oncology resident who is "taking a break" after recently losing a patient. Mason is struggling with grief and remorse and isn't sure how to deal with it. Everything he believed in feels as if it's crumbling around him. He is searching for something when he arrives in Black Hollow, but he has no clue what it is.

Meanwhile, Black Hollow has a history of young women going missing. The lore of the area is that they are taken by the Dreamwalker. When these girls are found, they are rumored to be changed (possibly thought to be possessed) and they always end up dead within a few days of their return. The villagers of Black Hollow are very superstitious people and this belief isn't something they are willing to be convinced isn't true.

The Hollow Gods was really well done. I was invested in the characters and the storyline. I had to see how the issues resolved themselves. Ms. Vrana did a great job with this novel and I look forward to reading her future works.

"Creation...destruction...we think of them as opposites and yet they are like brothers...two sides of the same coin."

Thank you to NetGalley, The Parliament House Press and Ms. Vrana for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I tried, but The Hollow Gods just wasn't for me. I hate to admit it, but I'm afraid I might have gotten fooled into thinking The Hollow Gods was my kind of book by its beautiful cover. But it became clear to me after slogging through the first 100 or so pages that I just wasn't invested in the story at all.

The beginning was just a little too slow to me. I have a pretty short attention span as it is, so I've always been partial to books that drop me in the thick of things at the very beginning and just expect me to catch up along the way. This is especially true for books, like this one, that I'm already on the fence about reading. I want to know within the first couple pages whether the book is worth investing my time in or not. This book failed to capture my attention in the first 25%, and, quite frankly, I wasn't up for slogging through the remaining 75% in the hope that I would eventually get invested in the plot, so I decided to DNF it.

From reading other reviews, I am aware that I am in the minority and that most other readers enjoyed this fantasy novel quite a bit. Perhaps, later, I'll come back to it and pick up where I left off with an open mind. In the past, I've come back to books I originally had a hard time getting into and some of them became favorites of mine. Maybe that will happen with this book. Anything's possible. Only time will tell.

It took a bit for me to get into it, but then I did. But then it all fell apart at the end and I wasn't satisfied with the ending.

I picked up this book on NetGalley mainly because the cover caught my eye and the blurb sounded interesting. And this book was interesting, even though it’s definitely different from my usual fare.

I was fascinated by the folkloric aspects of the story, but must admit that it was also very easy for me to set this book aside in favor of other reads. In fact, I started this book over two months ago, and while it is over four hundred pages long, it usually doesn’t take me that much time to finish a book that I’m invested in. This obviously means I wasn’t very invested in this story.

Not that it wasn’t well-written! Vrana is very obviously well-versed in folklore and myth, and she masterfully created a story brimming with atmosphere. This felt like a fleshed-out version of a campfire story, meant to both entertain and make the listener more aware of the dangers around them.

Unfortunately, it felt a bit too fleshed-out at times for me, as if the climax of the story would never actually arrive, which is likely why I could set it down without fear of missing out. So for these reasons, I’d probably give it 3.5 stars.

If folklore and contemporary fantasy is your jam, I would recommend you check out The Hollow Gods by A.J. Vrana. Thanks to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the digital copy of this novel for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own! 🙂

This was stunning! I can't even find words to describe how amazing this book was. It was so whimsical, so fairytale-like. I was sucked into the story immediately. I took my time with this, because I was forcing myself to.

The characters were amazing, the legends, the way the dreams were described. This is a new favorite for sure.

Now to start the hunt to find a copy of this book that ships to Belgium without breaking my bankaccount...

The Hollow Gods by A. J. Vrana is not what you'd expect, even with the blurb giving next to nothing away.

I went into it expecting a small town mystery (even murder mystery by the sounds of it) and got a supernatural tale with a stubbornly logical doctor and some supernatural romance sprinkled on top. And what a ride that was.

Seen through 3 point of views. A. J. Vrana tells the story of a town obsessed with a local legend, that has very real consequences. Kai, Miya and Mason each set out, in one way or another, to figure out the truth behind the legend, leading to their paths eventually colliding right before the climax. Due to the rather vague blurb, there isn't much more I can say on the plot without spoiling but it's much more interesting than I initially thought.

As for the writing, it was good. Very straightforward, if a bit dry at times, but that just made it a breeze to read through. Vrana has quite a distinct style of writing, with interesting, even unusual, metaphors, which makes her stand out as an author that much more.
Her characters are also something special. Each has a strong personality that easily comes through which is a plus when juggling three perspectives. Kai is head strong, doesn't mince words, and unpleasant at times. Miya is chaotic but curious, with a thirst for the unknown. Whereas Mason is driven and headstrong, but definitely a man on a mission.

Unfortunately I found the book a bit confusing, from how the plot was laid out and paced, to the climax. I didn't really understand the resolution because of all the moving parts that were only vaguely referred to earlier. I would've liked to have more of the story or world laid out previously, instead of it crammed alongside the ending.

All in all, I enjoyed The Hollow Gods by A. J Vrana. It was a strong story with memorable characters, if a bit messy in its execution.

I made it to 10% but was struggling to do so. The story started out engaging and interesting, with our heroine finding a missing girl in the eerie woods and recalling the strange legends of her town. Her memory of seeing the wolf from the tale as a child instantly hooked me, and I was needing more to find out what exactly the secret was!

But then we have our first POV switch.

When the reader is introduced to Kai, I immediately thought "Oh perfect, our brooding and mysterious love interest with a chip on his shoulder".

*Puuuurrrrr*

But Kai was an instant turn-off for me. There's a way to write brooding male characters with hard exteriors and execute it flawlessly, by showing a a slight sensitive side straight away so they can be relatable and desirable. But Kai was instantly cursing up a storm and written in a way that made my face scrunch up in disgust. I am NO stranger to cursing, and that isn't even the issue here. It's the execution of his personality that was an immediate repulsion for me. It's as if the author was trying too hard to make him some super cool badass, but instead, he just comes off like a D-bag.

And THEN we get ANOTHER POV switch, but this time...a doctor?

*Sigh* Please no. It seems that as soon as I start getting comfortable or used to a character, the POV switches and then I have to start all over. If the story stayed between Miya and Kai, I could have probably stayed with it. But adding the doctor in just sent me over the edge and I had to DNF.

This just isn't the story for me, and there are too many other great ones for me to read instead of having to suffer through this.

(Not posting to blog or Goodreads, as I did not finish)

For centuries, it has been foretold the return of the Dreamwalker, the folklore says she lures young woman into the forest, possess them, and they almost always end up dead.

The Hollow Gods follow three perspectives. Miya a struggling uni student, that might be the next Dreamwalker’s victim. Kia who wakes up next to the lifeless body of the latest girl found dead, his memory blank. Mason who runs away from the city filled with guilt of losing his patient, to find that his sanity might be tested.

This book was creepy, atmospheric, mystery-filled, and kept you on your seat. If you scare easily don’t read with the lights off.

What made this book stand out for me and made it rememberable was the folklore of the Dreamwalker. The amount of detail Vrana put into creating this fable was remarkable and it paid off. I feel like I could look up with lore right now and find it. It went into so much depth and everything that was mentioned came back around in the end.

The characters were really fleshed out people. They all had their demons like us real people do. I liked all three of their perspectives but found Kia’s to be more interesting to start with. I felt like I related to Myia the most out of all the characters, she was struggling with normal day to day issues, while wanting to get away, I do that my reading. She was not a person to reckon with as she will not shy away. Mason’s self-journey was great to read about. He went running away from his guilt only to find it is hard to run away from something that follows you. Kia had to deal with a literal demon haunting him making his life hell. Kia was a badass guy and he also doesn’t know how to deal with people.

There was rep for grief and guilt that I can’t say was good or not. But there was rep of anxiety in here, and I felt like Vrana did a good job with it from personal experience. The way she described the panic attacks, or how your anxiety makes you feel, I was reading it and was like she has just described what I feel like. Of course, everyone’s anxiety presents in different ways so that might not be the case for everyone who reads this book.

Overall it was a great read, and definitely a very strong debut novel. I gave this 5 Stars. I really can’t wait till the sequel to come out and Hollow Gods haven’t even been released yet.

Thank you to NetGalley, A.J Vrana and the publishers for approving me a copy.

I was directed towards this book by a friend. I probably would have over looked it otherwise because i haven’t seen this book being talk about or shared. It’s also a debut novel for this author. I went into this book with very low expectations but was very surprised to find myself enjoying it.

Briefly summarized: A town with a deep seed history and folk lore talk about the Dreamwalker. The Dreamwalker lures in girls from the town into the dark hallow forest where the girls are lost and return different or they don’t return at all.

This story has three POVs. The first being Kai who is a snarky asshole who wakes up next to a dead girl in the woods. (Mmmhhh seems odd already) The second character is Miya who is college student. She starts seeing signs that maybe she will be the Dreamwalker’s next victim. Lastly, there’s mason the doctor which is a skeptic but gets twisted up in his own personal gain from the Dreamwalker lore. I honestly would have been happier with less of this character. He put a real damper on the fun time I was having with the other two characters. I’ve read a couple of multi POV books with different story lines that eventually lead into one another. They all left me only caring about one story line the whole time or only had them merge/ connect towards the end. I think this book did a great job in only making you wait 30% into the book before they were starting to connect. After that 30% mark I was devouring this book. I wanted to know more about the towns mystery and legends. I felt like this book was dark twisted version of the little red riding hood fairy tale. Which I enjoyed the little references to it through the story. I also felt a little nostalgia from when I use to read ya fantasy but I was happy to find this book had many dark elements that complemented the genre I read now. So if your looking for something with that ya fantasy feel but with a dark side than I’d pick this book up!

You can find this review and all of my others over at www.readbookrepeat.wordpress.com

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, BooksGoSocial, and the author via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Actual rating of 2.5

The town of Black Hollow definitely has it's share of secrets. The townsfolk's fear is rising, the mass hysteria is beginning, they have foretold the return of the Dreamwalker; a strange figure that lures young women into the woods bordering the town, and possesses them. The problem lies in the inability to distinguish fact from fable, as in reality, young women do go missing in the forest, and once they return, they always wind up dead. Kai, a young man, wakes up next to the dead body of the latest 'kidnapping' victim, she's dead, and he can't remember if he did it or not. Miya is down on her luck, she's broke and she is failing university, but she refuses to ask her parents for help, yet things go from bad to worse when it seems as though she has been targeted to be the next victim. When her and Kai's paths cross, can she trust him to lead her out the other side unscathed? Or is he doomed to lead her to her demise? And Mason Evans, a doctor on a 'vacation' that he is hoping will help him deal with the grief of losing a patient, finds himself enamored with the town's superstitions, but can his mind handle the truth?

I requested this book because, as usual, the premise sounded super interesting, and I loved that it had an air of mystery along with the supernatural element that I so crave in my reading. But I feel like I may have expected too much from this story to the point that I feel a bit let down and dare I say, confused?

The story is told from three alternating point's of view. We have Miya, who I deemed as the main protagonist. She's a university student who is broke to the point of worry that her land lady is going to kick her out, and she's failing university miserably and has been put on academic probation. She's also an amateur 'psychic' for lack of a better term. She reads cards, and her fleeting best friend that is in the story for a whole of thirty seconds mentions how uncanny Miya's ability to accurately tell her fortune is. One thing that really stuck out for me here, was that Miya wasn't just doing tarot readings, she was practicing cartomancy which first originated with the Romani people as a game of sorts, the long and short of it is, that cartomancers use a deck of cards that looks like a regular playing card deck to 'tell someone's fortune'. I absolutely LOVED that Vrana included this small detail and I also love that in my experience of card reading, she actually knows what she's talking about, I have learned to read cards, and the meanings of the cards that were brought up, were actually incredibly accurate to what I know. So this just really stuck in my mind. However, I felt that Miya didn't really matter to the story as such, like, she did, stuff happens and things come to light and you kind of go "ohhhhhhhhh, I get it now" but I just felt like she was a very boring character to be honest and didn't really lend much to the progression of the story in how she technically should have, with how things turned out in the end, I'm being super vague here because I don't want to give anything away haha. Kai is an interesting character, a bit too broody and moody for my liking but I guess I can understand why as we learn things through the story progression, I didn't really like his character that much though to be honest. And Miya and Kai's relationship? Nope, not for me. It had an instalove kinda feel, but I know that it wasn't exactly like that, there's history there and it's twined in with the story as a whole so I can't really go into it without giving too much away, but I just really didn't feel their relationship at all I'm afraid. At times it felt incredibly forced and I just couldn't jive with it. I felt like it was a young adult relationship, but it kind of went beyond that? I just don't know how to describe it at all besides the fact that it just wasn't for me.

Now, our third narrator, Mason. I LOVED this guys character and I honestly wish that the whole story had been written from his point of view. I found myself enjoying his parts of the story more than anything else, and was super sad when it went back to the other characters because I felt like they didn't do anything for the narration of the story. I love that Mason was trying to heal from a traumatic loss and in turn lost himself in the weird history of Black Hollow. I just wish we got to see more of him.

The story itself, while I understand why Vrana wrote the story in the way that she did - three point of views - I also don't get why she did it. I feel like the way that the story was written made it so that the story didn't quite know what it wanted to be exactly. Mason's point of view lends the story an air of mystery and discovery, while Miya and Kai's points of view makes it read like a young adult paranormal romance of sorts and it just clashed a bit, in my opinion. In turn, I believe that the story ends up quite convoluted and I found myself feeling confused more than anything. It felt like the story tried a little bit too hard to come across philosophical and in turn became quite monotonous and unengaging for me. I'm still not a hundred percent sure I understand what I just read and I hate going away from a book feeling confused and not knowing if I 'got it', it takes away the enjoyment of reading when this happens. I'm pretty sure I get it, but I am the King of second guessing myself, so now I'm left feeling stupid and confused.

I must say, I am super glad that I'm in the minority in my opinion, I just wish that I could have enjoyed it as much as others did. This book sounded so far up my alley but it just didn't work for me. If you like a book that has an air of mystery and supernatural, that looks at the impact of history on present day events and people and that deals with deep seated familial issues, then give this one a go.

I didn’t expect the depth of storytelling that was present in this novel. The jaded feeling comes from the glut of fantasy novels on the market today. Some lack originality while others are good but should be receiving a necessary rewrite. There are a few that almost reach the top, clinging and praying not to experience the inevitable fall. And then there are books like “The Hollow Gods” by A. J. Vrana.

The author has created something original, beginning with a legend similar to those in many small towns. From there it became more than a story to scare children with as there are actual deaths, proof that something is going on. Ms. Vrana then proceeds to take the story to the next level, and then the one after that until she brings us to an ending that was totally unexpected.

The characters of Miya, Kai, and Mason are all connected to the legend (or at least they feel that way), and their perspectives are explained to us as they swap the storytelling duty. With this method, Ms. Vrana is able to fill in all the current events as well as the back story, thus providing a seamless stream of events that lead us closer and closer to the truth.

If there was anything that I felt intruded on the quality of this book, it was the overuse of vulgarities. These do not automatically turn me away from a book or cause me to stop reading, and there are plenty of books on my shelves that could be considered greater in quantity than Ms. Vrana’s novel. If these words add to a story or are necessary to better establish a character, I am in agreement concerning their use. I did not feel that way while reading “The Hollow Gods.”

The author’s powerful writing is always present, exposing what we need to see (and how to see it) and guiding us to an ending that gives a feeling of conclusion and ensures this book – even though it is the first in a series – can identify as a standalone. Recommended for fantasy and horror fans. Four-and-a-half stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *
3.5

The Hollow Gods is the story of a small town who has been haunted by the folklore/myth of the Dreamwalker. A suspicious entity who lures women into the woods. We follow 3 perspectives in the story; Miya, a young college student trying to stay afloat while dealing with feelings of being a disappointment, Kai, a cursed alpha male and Mason a doctor who is dealing with his first loss of a patient.

I really enjoyed the folklore that surrounded Black Hollow. It was very atmospheric and gave off a spooky, fairytale vibe. However, it felt more like a paranormal YA book than an adult horror (Which isn’t a bad thing!) I was, however, expecting scarier, anxiety-inducing scenarios and whilst the book had a lot of atmosphere it felt more like an ‘old-world’ fairy tale told in a modern setting. I really enjoyed the writing and look forward to A. J. Vrana future books. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the folklore/storytelling that went into the world-building. I did find at times that the story dragged and the pacing fell of course. I think the representation of grief, guilt, and anxiety were all handled with care and accuracy. I am looking forward to where the story will go in the next book.

Thank you so much to BooksGoSocial via NetGalley for the eARC of The Hollow Gods in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own!

The Hollow Gods is a solid debut from author A.J. Vrana. I feel like the mood of this book is the most important aspect. It is a dark, atmospheric read, and fits right in to the block of literature that tackles ancient legends in small towns, superstition, possession, and dreamscapes.

The book tackles three unique points of view. Kai is definitely my favorite, the man who is a wolf, because his moods and foul mouth are just so memorable. He has a lot of reasons to be angry, not even to mention an ancient spirit that likes to run him in front of buses and the like. I did not like Mason at all, honestly if you can’t handle death don’t be a doctor, especially an oncologist. All I heard was WHINE whine WHINE and I wanted to smack him. It must be different in Canada because in the United States, a resident doctor wouldn’t be left in sole custody of a patient like that. It might have also been an artistic stretch but I spent the entire book wanting to smack him.

The legend of the Dreamwalker was brought out in small bits and pieces throughout the story. I think the townspeople are definitely crazy but what can you do when an evil entity is influencing mass hysteria? Miya is the third character and she grew on me, especially once she truly became a main character and began interacting with Kai. I hope that the second novel talks more about how Kai and Ama (the other wolf) even exist, they definitely aren’t werewolves … they are just what they are. The raven was an interesting character too, there is a lot of ground that could be potentially covered in the next book.

Vrana’s writing is perfect though, she spent the entire novel capturing the dark atmosphere required for a book like this. It was never creepy, and I was never scared, but still managed to capture that ancient wisdom and brash moody feel. I think it is super interesting too that the author studied supernatural literature related to violence for her doctorate – the interest and accuracy and thoughtfulness for which this is captured throughout the pages is quite evident.

Additionally, all of the characters have to deal with their own tough issues of personal inadequacy, grief, and discovering their places in the world. If they like it or not, they are tied together and I did enjoy watching them all work through their issues.

So why am I only giving it 3.5 stars? I can’t explain it but I tuned out a few too many times. There was a lot of dreamscape action before I figured out what was going on that made me lose interest, and I felt like she took a long slow approach to get there. I am 100% definitely going to read the next book though and have no problem recommending this to fans of legends, supernatural, witch hunts, and animals in folklore. It releases July 28th so add it to your TBR now if it sounds up your alley!

Review can be seen on my blog at https://onereadingnurse.com/2020/07/21/arc-review-the-hollow-gods-by-a-j-vrana/

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A dark tale with a folklore flavor and a modern setting, The Hollow Gods carries you along through dark woods and dreamscapes as young women disappear throughout the years, lured away by the mysterious Dreamwalker.

Caught up in a cycle that repeats itself, seemingly driven by an ancient evil, Miya and Kai fight to put a stop to the disappearances, and break the curse that lays over the town of Black Hollow. Skeptic Mason, running from his own tragedy, finds himself drawn into the struggle even as he tries to debunk the myth of the Dreamwalker and prove it to be nothing more than superstition.

This was a very enjoyable read. The main characters were interesting and well developed for the story. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoy’s dark fantasy, especially one with a bit of a shifter element to it. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book.

WHOA.

This book blew me away on so many levels. Unique and mind-bending, I felt like Alice in Wonderland plunging into the rabbit hole while reading this. Or Neo in The Matrix. Because am I reading a dream or a reality?

It tells a story of Black Hollow, a small town obsessed (or possessed?) with a folklore about a Dreamwalker who lures young women into the woods and possesses them. We get introduced to Miya, a depressed college student who tries to stay afloat of her circumstances; Kai, a rugged handsome man with a blurred memory and a short temper; Mason, a doctor running away from guilt after losing a patient; and Ama, a mysterious but intriguing woman with blinding white hair.

We also get introduced to the townsfolk and their strong belief to the lore -- so strong that it can be seen by their vehement reactions when the topic came up. They do not like hearing about the story of the Dreamwalker, about how the young women who got lost in the woods change when they return.

"I think the villagers feel terrible about their own history... They're ashamed. All these signs that the Dreamwalker's coming back--it's just their fear and guilt talking. They have to believe the Dreamwalker is evil to justify all the violence that's happened. And now they're paranoid. They see her everywhere, in everything.

Through these characters, we get to know more about the folklore and the superstitions that the townspeople are afraid of. This isn't a story of only one person. This is the story of Miya, of Kai and Mason and Ama. This is the story of Black Hollow and its people, and how reality meshes with fiction.

I admit, I found it hard to follow the story... It is deep. It conveys a lot of meanings. But in the same way that the characters try to find answers to this folklore, I just let myself get immersed in the story, damned about interpretations. "Stories aren't told to convey the facts. They're told to convey the truth", says the book. And it rings true.

More than these observations, I love the prose and the characterization of the key players. I love how Miya found strength beyond her depression, and her undeniable chemistry with Kai. I love Kai's sharp and soft edges. He's all alpha-male (no pun intended, LOL), but he's like a puppy on things he couldn't control that involves Miya.

But take note, this isn't a love story. This is Inception-like fantasy... with a sprinkle of romance. Mind-boggling, hard to keep up, but I still enjoyed it. I like a good puzzle.

(Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this before the official release!)

I couldn’t get into this book.. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the plot didn’t keep me interested. The creepy atmospherical books aren’t for me. If you are a fan of those books, you may enjoy this one.

This book completely blew me away! If you're looking for a story that is fast paced, all consuming, and open to a little interpretation, this is the book for you! Definitely some gothic horror vibes going on, which is so fun.

Like I said, you have to be ready for a little interpretation and confused. BUT it's all in good fun. Vrana does an amazing job at twisting fantasy and reality, and it is quite the ride. As long as you hold on tight, you shouldn't fall off the ride!

My favorite thing about this book is that we have three main characters: Miya, Kai, and Mason. All three are on different paths to the same points, and it gets messy very fast. I adored going on each individually journey with them and experiencing all the tangles and chaos with them!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Hollow Gods is a shivering story about a town that is afraid of the Dreamwalker and if their own daughters would be the next victim. It's about small town vibes and storys that comes to life - and about wolves and dreams.

The beginning of this story had me hooked and also the ending. But somewhere in the middle it lost me. It felt very long with a lot of info dumping and stories. It was important for the story, but it felt like it dragged on and on - which made me not want to pick up the book.

A J Vranas writing style is so compelling and hard to not continue to read. She spot the atmosphere perfectly in this story and you can feel with the characters. The long road of the middle of the book really makes you invested in the characters and you learn to care about them. My favorite was Kai and I would've liked to have more chapters about him. The chapters with Mason often felt a little repetetive due to that you got information from the other two main characters.

But once the story picked up again it was so hard not to put down and I read the last 30% in one sitting and all my fingernails are bitten down. I can't wait for the sequel!