Lately, I can’t stop looking for the unknown in storytelling. The unknown as twofold: as it relates to the plot (the spiritual, the mysterious, the concealed within a cloak of secrets, the supernatural) and as it relates to how a story is told (unreliable narrators, dreams, liminal space, deviating from the expected form). It is invigorating exploring that which lit a fire of passion for reading within me, a love that caused me to study literature and to focus on Postmodern lit specifically. But it is also exciting to see that type of exploration and experimentation that invigorates genres that have maintained their own formula—like that of fantasy.

A. J. Vrana’s iridescent debut, <b>THE HOLLOW GODS</b>, is the first volume in a series called The Chaos Cycle. A story weaving folklore, dreams, the complicated histories contained within families, and the demons that communities carry with them. It is a speculative novel that defies classification in just one genre: it is magical realism, it is literary, it touches upon fantasy, it gives us a glimpse at real horror.

<i>The Hollow Gods</i> is a story that follows three narrators: Miya, a floundering university student, let down by the institutions to which she had clung and who now faces the prospect of being the next victim of a legend that has plagued the town of Black Hollow. Kai, a dangerous and haunted young man, struggling to make sense of the death surrounding him and his fight to hold on to himself and his memory. And Mason, an Oncologist struggling to create meaning for the loss of a patient by debunking and rationalizing Black Hollow’s obsession with the Dreamwalker and the town’s dark past. We follow Miya as she experiences some truly horrifying dreams that blend with her reality as she tries to navigate what is happening to her and get to the bottom of the legend of The Dreamwalker. Kai is struggling against his own demons, trying to survive, when he and Miya come together and find solace in each other—their narratives becoming intertwined. Undergirding their journey is Mason, giving us the necessary history and circumstances to create a full picture of the town of Black Hollow, and elevating it to a character in its own right.

I am absolutely in love with innovative story structures, and I was entranced by this setup—in addition to sustaining that “but how did they get here” tension, the story swapping makes for exciting and snappy storytelling that propelled me through at a voracious speed. Beyond pacing, however, it also lends to a delicious ambiguity—a revealing of information that at once feels integral, but is also still mysterious. Storytelling like this reminds us that sometimes it is essential to not have all of the information and that the mystery of folklore is grounded in humanity itself—the most unexplainable of phenomena.

Perhaps what I appreciated most about this book is how it addresses themes that are genuinely relevant to understanding our own lives and history. It is a contemporary setting, but beyond time-period, it explores folklore as it relates to how we as people and societies rationalize our existence through the supernatural, and how that rationalization become the stories that we tell ourselves, and, perhaps most importantly, how those stories become a reality.

I loved reading this book. I loved the characters within it. I can’t wait to further immerse myself in this enthralling world with the people that I have grown to love.

This review can be found on my Goodreads as well!

5 stars

I was lucky enough to receive an E-arc for review.

I have no idea how I am supposed to articulate how much I loved this book but I will try!!
Also, to A.J Vrana, her support system, and writing team, Congratulations on creating an amazing world that is done in this debut book. It was phenomenal!!!

I am calling this now as my second favorite book of this year. Only one book has the potential to surpass it and that is Sarah J Maas's new adult fantasy. Very high praise from me for those who do not know me.

I do not read magical realism enough to state that this is what this book is categorized as but I deeply believe if you like magical realism and folklore that this book is for you.

Summary:
This book is about fictional folklore for a small village that believes there is a dream walker that abducts girls and when they come back they are missing something that makes them not themselves. The families believe this so religiously that the families are turning on them. The story also keeps the plot going with mysteries of who is the dream walker, and why is she abducting girls. There are other small questions introduced and followed as well but I do not wish to dull the potential of this book by saying too much. Vrana truly has created such complex lore and history to this village that it seems real in an overwhelmingly immersive and wonderful way.

Pros
There will not be many because when everything is good it is hard to pinpoint what good you appreciated most!

1. ALL THE CHARACTERS ARE STRONG! I cannot tell you how long it has been since I have overwhelming loved and been engrossed in a book. Each character was though out in my mind and I enjoyed all three. I won't lie I do have a preference for the prickly asshole though!! His rude humor made me giggle. Way to go Kai!

2. The ending was very satisfying. Yes, I have questions but it is going to have another book and it gave me all the feels.

Cons
I do not have a single one and as soon as I submit this I am going to preorder this and gush about it to anyone I can bring it up in conversation with.

Highly recommend

A very engaging and enjoyable read. The main characters are richly developed. It’s particularly important to have a nuanced narrative that weaves group psychopathology with myth.

"The Hollow Gods" is a genre-busting fantasy that blends fables, fairy tales, dark nightmares, and boundaries. You have the age-old motifs of the angry mob of villagers, the disappearing girls, the maiden on the creaky swing in the forbidden glade, the shapeshifting werewolf, the raven and the willow, and the haunted wood.

It takes place in a remote British Columbia village hours north of Vancouver. Yet, Dark Hollow could well be in some fell mountain region in Western Romania. The woods extending out from the village are a doorway into other dimensions where time and reality twist. And, where ancient gods do havoc. Yet, there are hints that maybe it's not real at all, just an overactive imagination. It's as if the characters will often awake from a dream. Some of it is firmly rooted in this reality, but much is in dreams, in mystery, in legend.

Not written in a classic expository format, The Hollow Gods is a bit loose plot wise and seems almost to circle around and around the myth, around the woods, around the cabin, around the willow. Perhaps not the epic fantasy for everyone, it does have some real treats for those brave enough to venture into this wood.

February was a bad month for me with books. Usually, I'm all 4-5 star reads but I got mostly 3 stars and maybe one 4. THEEEEEEN, I started an arc of HOLLOW GODS and I knew I finally had my five star read.

THE HOLLOW GODS is a book I think should be given out into the book community and praised. Granted, I did have high expectations because I've been drooling over the synopsis forever. I enjoy anything comped to The Raven Boys, but I was excited to see where the author would take me.

THE HOLLOW GODS is what I expected. Dark, violent, heart wrenching, funny, and unique. We have three very complex characters-Mason, Kai and Miya-a tragic town's history and themes such as finding yourself after grief and disappointment.

It's the real deep emotions that made this book a five star read for me. In essence, it gave me a strong Stephen King vibe, most recently the character of Ralph Anderson in THE OUTSIDER where he has to figure out this mystery all while dealing with the death of his own child. It's that realness that drew me in and made me fall for these characters. Vrana did great drawing out these emotions and gave us protagonists to root for. I realize this type of book isn't going to be for everyone for its graphic nature in some scenes and time leaps and big words that people don't understand that Kindle has a dictionary function for, but this is the sort of unbelievably out of the norm books I look for when I'm trying to get out my YA blackhole.

In closing, this book was everything I hoped it would. The writing is something to envy (TEACH ME YOUR WAYS) I am eager to get my grubby hands on the next installment.

Read if you want a dark, atmospheric read reminiscent of Stephen King.

The Hollow Gods was an unexpected treat. It’s loosely categorised as fantasy but what it really does is dissolve the boundaries between fairy tales, nightmares and folk horror. It’s incredibly successful at making you doubt the character’s ability to perceive reality whilst still keeping you engaged and rooting for them. Best of all, there’s a healthy dose of spookiness that has you questioning your own understanding of what’s happening. A gem of a book. I can’t wait for the next one.

There is something truly haunting about dark, creepy woods surrounding a small town. They are drawn in mystery, curiosity, and twisted tales of what lurks in the shadows. Only the brave venture into the dark, and if they’re lucky enough to find their way out, they are never the same.

For the people of Black Hollow, this is their reality. To those just passing through, it would appear to be a normal, small Canadian town. They would not hear the whispers about the young girls found dead or know the folklore that has haunted the town for centuries. What lurks in the dark of Black Hollow is the Dreamwalker and her wolf. The figure is said to lure young women into the woods and possess them. And history is repeating itself. The Dreamwalker has returned, girls are going missing, and the town grows more and more fearful of what lies ahead.

The story has three intertwining narrators: Miya, a struggling student who may be the Dreamwalkers next victim, Kai, a young man with his own demons and bloody instincts, and Mason, an Oncologist who escaped to the town for some peace, and instead found himself obsessed with solving the town’s mysteries. The character’s lives begin to intertwine as they overcome their own traumas, their own guilt, and you can’t help but feel for them.
There is a lot to unpack in The Hollow Ones, and while at times it can feel like maybe there is too woven into the plot, it’s fast-paced, charming, and touching.

Much like any good folklore, it’s truths are rooted in reality or day-to-day themes. They are not always easy to look at, but when you throw magic over it, its easier to manage. And Vrana’s writing is superb and humorous. The way she has weaved in ghosts, folklore, magic, and dreams into one story is pure talent.

The Hollow Gods is a striking debut about guilt, grief, and how the past sometimes finds a way to come back to haunt us. The roots of this story will be familiar to those who enjoy reading about fairytales and folklore, but Vrana has added her own touch to the genre that allows this novel to hold it’s own against the greats.

"F*ck this shit."
"F*ck everything."
"And f*ck that squirrel in particular."

Normally I don't include much cussing in my reviews, it just isn't necessary.. but the above pretty much sums up my favorite character in 'The Hollow Gods (The Chaos Cycle Duology #1)' by A.J. Vrana. Kai Donovan's so surly it's hilarious, but he's still capable of caring.. it just comes in the most prickly, aggressive, physical package possible.. and I am crazy about him. Did I mention he's an ass.. but also hot as hell? Yeah. That's in his wheelhouse too.

This story is about an old town, harboring a very dark legend and a lot of secrets. Miya, the main character, is a university student who's struggling to get by.. and beginning to think she might actually be in serious danger. Along the way she meets Kai.. a stranger.. who's more than a little rough around the edges and just happens to wake up next to a dead body to start his day.

Told from multiple points of view by Miya, Kai, and Mason.. an oncologist who's dealing with some demons of his own, the three end up on similar paths. Attempting to get to the truth behind the legend of the Dreamwalker and a history of girls who go missing only to return, then turn up dead later, it's a question as to whether or not they can figure out what's happening and make it stop before it's too late.

"Time to lose your way, she trilled.
The Hollow's still got hell to pay."

Honestly, this book was such a pleasure to read. It's common for authors, especially debuting authors, to bite off a little more than they can chew.. and multiple POV is especially difficult to execute well. There are plenty of seasoned bestselling writers out there who can't manage it, but that is not the case with Vrana. She shifts seamlessly between characters, successfully gifting each of them with distinctively individual voices.

The same can be said for her transitions from chapter to chapter. Her foreshadowing is handled with all the control of a master like King.. elegant allusions and glimpses of things just beyond sight. Miya, Kai, and Mason all begin their stories at very specific points, vastly distant from one another, and are deftly drawn toward each other in gradually tightening circles.

"Once upon a time, when the earth was formless and empty, and darkness stretched over the surface of the deep, we plunged one another into the abyss, and the world has trembled ever since."

As for the plot itself, it's beautifully dark. It's the kind of story you find in age old fairy tales full of things that go bump in the night and absolutely mean you harm. The worlds they inhabit are fraught with dangerous things and not all of them as we might expect.

There's sort of an 'in-between' and a place of 'otherness'.. both of which are as unique as the characters she introduces to us. I loved the way the 'in-between' often felt almost gauzy.. as if it was sort of a filter between the two. And the 'other' place.. wow. Talk about a nightmare.

"Cut the seams of reality, and chaos is bound to spill out."

Even her supporting characters, of which there are several we get to know, have very developed backstories.. making them feel all the more tangible and crucial to the tale she tells.
Initially, I had been a little uncomfortable with the dialogue style between Kai and his nemesis, but that was largely due to the fact it seemed as if something else was happening. As soon as I understood.. it made sense and I realized it was absolutely the right choice.

Truly, I can't say enough good things about this novel or this author. I'm so glad there's going to be more to this story.. and I look forward to seeing what Vrana has planned for us. I highly recommend grabbing this book when it releases in July 2020.

This dark horror novel drew me in from the start with its spooky atmosphere, compelling characters and well-written story. The pacing was strong as three main characters are drawn into a wild mix of supernatural events, quirky small-town folk with secrets to hide, and personal demons that conspire to end them all. Some great twists and characters that are nuanced and tough to figure out who is good and bad- some may be both! Recommended.

I love.

That is all.

:)

Ok but seriouslY? This was so good! It was an amazing read. I was drawn in by the summary alone, but I am totally on board to find out what happens in the next book! It was serious, funny, spooky, and yet also knew when to be lighthearted. I'm so glad this book held up to my expectations!

Absolutely loved this book. The storyline had me gripped from the first sentence. I think the characters were really well written and I thought the ending was good.

The author delivers a rapid-paced, suspenseful, gripping, well-written and perfectly executed fictional fantasy/ thrilling mystery.

Overall tells an interesting narrative with a complex main character and interesting surrounding characters. Most of the characters featured in the narrative are well fleshed out and have their own personality rather than just being the side-kick or bad guy.

I can highly recommend this book and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book in this series!

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. Wow! I really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the next book. I hope it's a continuous series.

The Hollow Gods is an incredibly in depth story that spans centuries, families, dreams and the waking world. If you want it, Vrana delivers in this title that defies genres and takes you on one wild ride.

This is a book I straight up devoured. The first probably 40% of the book follows three different narratives giving each chapter to a certain point of view. As the book progresses we see these characters story lines start to tie into each other and oh what a tangled web they weave!

You have Miya, who is in a rut as far as studies go and can’t figure out what path she wants to take in life. With odd occurrences happening both too and around her she’s beginning to loose touch with whats real.
Then there is Kai. A smart-mouthed, amnesiac who can’t figure out what’s going on with his blackouts, only that he has a sinking feeling they aren’t because of anything good. (If you’ve ever read Kadry’s Sandman Slim series he reads like a young Stark. I loved Kai)
Lastly you have Mason, an oncology doctor that feels like he’s failing at everything until a chance encounter with a patient that heals miraculously from a serious accident draws him into a dark land meant for scary stories and night time tales.

All of this revolves around Black Hollow. A town steeped heavily in folklore. Of a dream-walker and her wolves that take young women, warping time and returning their shells. The townspeople fear it, try to pretend it isn’t real. But the grip its history has on everything it touches in their little town speaks to something much darker.

There is so much going on in this story but I never once felt like it didn’t have room to breath. The dialogue was a lot of fun, especially later on in the book once everyone starts coming together and we get to see some side characters come into play. It could veer into cliche here and there. Most of my issue lay in the chapters where we were bouncing back and forth in the POV. The time line could get a little wonky but it was tolerable. Regardless, still a page turner that I could not put down.

*E-Arc kindly provided by BooksGoSocial via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

"The Hollow Gods" ist der Auftakt einer Dilogie, der spannender nicht hätte sein können. Durch das atemberaubende Cover bin ich überhaupt erst auf das Buch aufmerksam geworden und wurde von Anfang bis Ende in den Bann gezogen.
Wer spannenden und vor allem düstere Urban/Dark Fantasy mag, ist bei diesem Buch definitiv an der richtigen Adresse. Durch den flüssigen Schreibstil lässt sich die Geschichte sehr schnell lesen und da der Spannungsbogen konstant auf einem unglaublich hohen Level ist, möchte man das Buch auch gar nicht mehr aus der Hand legen, bis man am Ende angekommen ist.
Besonders hervorzuheben ist, dass die Charaktere hier keineswegs perfekt sind. Bei jedem einzelnen von ihnen handelt es sich um Randmitglieder der Gesellschaft, die von ganz oben ganz tief gefallen sind und nun zu den Außenseitern gehören. Doch sie lassen sich nicht unterkriegen.
Über die Handlung möchte ich an dieser Stelle gar nichts verraten. Der Klappentext gibt genügend Informationen und die Geschichte ist einfach zu gelungen, um hier gegebenenfalls zu spoilern.
Aber "The Hollow Gods" ist eine absolute Leseempfelung und ich bin gespannt auf den zweiten Band!

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book.
The Hollow Gods by A. J. Vrana did not disappoint at all. I finished this book in a day and it was hard to leave the book because it has everything that I love to read and write in a book: curses, superstitious people, flawed characters that at least try (finally someone gets anxiety attacks because I could relate to Miya a lot in this book), wolves that might be both (wo)man and wolf, dreamscapes, and fables wrapped around mythology.
The world-building is incredible and I was loathed to leave it. The characters had me wanting to hug them and protect them from the nasty villagers who let their own fears bring new life into the fables. Also, anything with reincarnation that has characters being other characters in a previous life will have me on my knees begging for more and I salute the author for being able to pull it off.
If you want to read more of my crazy fangirl talk, you can check out my full review at https://bookgirlreviewsbooks.blogspot.com/
All I will say is that Kai can be my Big Bad Wolf anytime he wants to be;) (but I will bow out graciously because of Miya)
If I could give it 500 out of 5 stars I would, but since the system doesn't go that high... 5 out of 5 stars times 100;)

The Hollow Gods by AJ Vrana is a beautiful combination of fantasy, horror, and fairy tale. This is a story of Miya, Kai, and Mason. These characters are all telling their story in the Canadian village of Black Hollow. Here the villagers speak of a legend involving the Dreamwalker and her wolves. This legend is in reality an integral part of the villages history and culture. But is the legend true? Is there a Dreamwalker stalking Black Hollow luring young women into the forest at night or is this just a fable?
Vrana creates a beautifully rich world with characters that the reader truly cares about. I love a good fairy tale and the concept of an entire village living as if they are real life characters in a fairy tale in absolutely intriguing.

Actual Rating - 3.5 stars, leaning towards the 4.

I recieved an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

I chose to read this book because of an interesting premise, however I didn't think I'd like it, because of the mini-reading-slump it sent me to in about 50 pages in. I'm here to tell you that this book is worth pushing through, and I'm glad that I did.

I'll be listing off thinks I dislike and then likes because it makes things easier.

-Setting up the character motivations ended up taking a bit too long. The beginning is just... so boring to me. I know it's a double sided coin, because the character motivation will be on my "likes" list. It ended up adding to the story more than I expected it would. To be honest, I did not care for it for the first 35% of it.

-I've been thinking about why I fell into the reading slump. I found out after some speculation that it's a mixture of pacing and tone. The book is like really intense. That's usually a good thing, but the problem here is that it is CONSTANTLY intense. It'd help if the pacing slowed down a bit, or if the tone lightened up after the intense scene. I physically had to stop reading to take a breather and actively sought out a lighter read. It's not a good thing because I just stop caring after 1-2 days pass. Then I had to force myself to pick the book up again. It can go on for only for so long.

- The metaphors. I'll be honest this is half my fault because I'm probably too stupid to get it. It's just a minor inconvenience , but it's there.

Onto the gushing,

- The love interest, Kai. It's sad that I have to say this, but Thank God that this book does not romanticize abuse nor the jerks. Kai just had a rough time and needs a hug. He knows his limits, he knows when he's being *actually* rude. What I'm trying to say is, that Kai is the bad boy trope done right.

- I'm happy to say that this book did NOT end up featuring the inescapable love triangle. Due to the circumstances in the last 30% of the book, with The First, I was dreading that it would end up in a love triangle. Thankfully [ and I cannot repeat this enough times] it did NOT.
Everything beats in cycles

-I haven't read much of horror-fantasy. I must say that this is done really well. The way the author has merged the two genres, is beyond praiseworthy. People have always feared the unknown. The have learned to fear everything magical. A great horror is always based on reality; the fears everlasting. This story actually reminded me of the witch hunts of the 1400s. I felt bad for the innocent souls, and I'm terrifies because this type of town mentality still prevails in many parts of the world. The girls of this town were MURDERED because they changed, because they were showing normal teenage behavior. Because they were not still smiling when the pressures we face growing up pushed them down.

Stories aren't told to convey the facts.
They're told to convey the truth

It is very realistic on what is going on these days. So... yeah the Horror part was done expertly, and it was blended in with the fantastic elements perfectly.

In conclusion, this book has some flaws, and it has some strengths. I'm glad I read it, and I'm interested in the next book. Read the book if you want to, and thank you if you've read this far into the review. Happy Reading :D

A solid book with strong prose and relatable characters. I wasn't sure if I would like it, but I'm happy to say I did. Vrana has a knack for characterization and the plot contains enough turns and twists to keep a reader guessing.

Have you ever read and you didn't want it to end because you loved it so much? This was how this book was for me! It kept my interest from beginning to end.

A. J. Vrana was able to create a town that was both creepy yet induring, Black Hollow felt like you were reading about an actual town that had a dark history, which terrorized its citizens by centuries of believing the Dreamwalker legend. When a young girls goes missing and is found wondering out of the woods after being missing for a week, the town is terrified because no one is supposed to come out of the woods alive.

Our main character, Miya, is the one who finds the missing girl. Miya frequents the park in which the girl stumbles into. Miya is a girl who have problems on her own and doesn't follow the societal rules that ban her from exploring more about the Dreamwalker's presence in the town. The Dreamwalker mystery intrigues her and she finds herself exploring the woods and frequenting the park where she goes to think.

One day, Miya meets a wolf at the park. She feels a sudden pull to the wolf that she's never felt before drawing her even farther into the legend of the town. When she meets Kai, she feels an instant pull towards him as well, something is familiar, which she quickly figures out, making her life change for forever.

The mystery that surrounds this book will pull you in and keep you guessing the entire time. To say I loved this book is an understatement!

I was compelled throughout the whole entire read. I could not put this book down!! I love a nice dark and gritty fantasy and this did it for me. 5 stars!!!

Miya is a struggling university student. She has been put on probation. Why? She goes to Black Hollow. She doesn’t know that the town has a dark, age-old secret. Black Hollow has been having a girl missing and the community is upset. They are afraid that the Dreamwalker has taken her. Yet when the girl comes back home, the father ends up killing her. Why would a father do that? Miya sees a wolf while swinging on a swing in an old playground. He leaves her and goes into the forest. Miya will meet a boy whose name is Kai. Where did they meet? Will she learn Kai’s secret? What is it? Meanwhile, a doctor named Mason has come to Black Hollows to recover from a patient dying. He learns about the Dreamwalker fable. He becomes infatuated with the story and wants to see if he can find the mysterious Dreamwalker. Who is she? Will Mason find her? What will happen if he does?

The novel is a horror novel that includes a dark secret, mystery and fantasy. It is fascinating. I liked the development of the story. I enjoyed watching Miya’s coming to terms with herself and her life. It’s an excellent horror novel.

I was taken with this story right at the start, the characters, setting and most of the pacing were spot on (there was just a few spots that the story got a little hazy/confusing). I would definitely read more from this author and recommend to fantasy/horror fans.

In a town where folklore becomes horror, three people are drawn into the ultimate fight against an ancient evil that threatens to repeat a cycle of death. Kai, a young man who continuously wakes up next to previously missing, and now dead girls. Miya, a young student who slowly starts seeing the connection to the supposed Dreamwalker, who's kidnapped girls in the small town of Black Hollow. Mason, an oncologist running from his guilt, who starts to tug at the thread of the town's bleakest fable.

I fully, and unabashedly loved this book. I admit, horror themes are difficult for me to read and judge. As it's rare to find something that leave me actually getting chills. Yet, here I am. From the first 10% of the book I was hooked and becoming drawn more into the fable of the Dreamwalker and her wolves. From 30% in I literally couldn't put it down till I finished it. I enjoyed each POV we were introduced to, which is rare for me as there is always one I end up fighting and struggling reading.

This book was absolutely chill inducing and brutal when it came to language, it made it feel so alive.

Time to lose your way
The Hollows still got hell to pay

And I can't wait to see what more hell A.J. Vrana has in store for this series.

Thank you Netgalley for this awesome ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Horror: 5/5
Fantasy: 4/5
Contemporary: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

“Only two reasons why people go looking for monsters,” Miya mimicked his didactics, and not without a touch of mockery. “Either they’re bored, or they want something from the monster.”


Blurb: This shifting perspective contemporary Horror-fantasy fiction cum Fairy Tale is a novel for ages with its ghastly setting, cryptic plot which all the protagonists are trying to solve, not knowing how deep this rabbit hole goes LITERALLY. Meet Kai, the big bad; Miya the damsel-not-so-much-in-distress and Mason the doctor who has a detective bug up his brain. They will keep meeting each other, but also not? What is happening? No one knows. Or no one who is from this realm knows. By the end, you will be gasping for air, which is ironical to say in the least.

Ease of language: written in very beautiful, to the point language, with NO WORDS WASTED. Kudos to Author who is also a fellow literature PhD scholar....Cheers!

Strength: Shifting perspective makes it interesting. This formula is although used by many, but its always a hit and miss. And here it was a hit. Also everyone gets equal screentime. Witty writing is topnotch as well. Take a look at this quote below
August was a bitch even the devil wouldn’t want to fuck.

Weakness: somewhat predictable end if you know this genre and is familiar with tropes. But even then the ending doesn't matter. Its the journey that counted.

Why to Read: Right amount of Horror, with enough spices to make a Lasagna. Not too sweet, not too salty and many layers.

Why not to Read: if Horror gives you creeps, and shifting perspectives make your head spin.

The Hollow Gods by AJ Vrana is my first ARC read. What drew me to this book is the promise of something dark and sinister lurking between the pages. Since this is the author’s debut novel and I didn’t read others’ reviews before starting this book, I was perfectly prepared to not like it that much. I have no idea what I expected but I definitely did not expect it to be this good!

The story was told through the eyes of three narrators: Miya, Kai, and Mason. I am usually wary of multiple POVs because I tend to pick a favorite and lose the connection with the other characters along the way. Fortunately, AJ Vrana was able to establish and maintain a unique voice for each character. Miya, Kai, and Mason noticed and cared about completely different things and it’s those little things that sold the switching POVs to me.

Nestled in a rural area, just at the edge of the forest, Black Hollow serves as the border between reality and fantasy, madness and sanity. I loved the idea of centuries-old lore holding the town and its people captive in its razor-sharp talons; and how the townspeople, subsequently, become the very thing they most fear.

One of the themes tackled in this story is facing and accepting mortality. I have never lost a loved one but this book made me feel the grief that Mason and Anabelle felt. It also made me wonder if the people who had lost loved ones would resent the existence of immortality if they discovered it was real.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Hollow Gods. However, there are a lot of questions left unanswered, or maybe it’s just me not realizing the answers were already given. I can’t wait to read the next installment and get the answers I desperately need!

Rich in myth, a wonderful tapestry of solid characters, great storylines and just overall amazing. This is, so far, my book of the year. I'll be writing more about it later on my blog, so will update the blog and this review as I go through it at https://reviewimiss.com

Thank you to Netgalley for connecting me with the publisher and giving me the chance to review the book.

So to be honest this book did not go the way I thought it would. I was expecting a "Little Red Riding Hood" type story but you get so much more in this book. The plot lines were a little hard to follow and I had to go back a few times to get back on the right plot line, but it was not horrible to go back. I normally found something I missed when I went back and that was why it was not making senses.

For this story you need to have an open mind about what nature can and will do. You will also find the issue of human mob mentality a cause in this book. It showcases the, sometimes, horrible aspect of human mob mentality. The villagers are a prime example of the bad side of mob mentality, in my opinion. The way they decide to do the things they do and all of it out of sheer terror without taking the time to determine what the actual cause was or is.

I am interested to see what the next book in the series is going to be about. The author left enough open to continue the story line yet at the same time closed the important ones to this book. I am curious to find out more back story to the main and secondary characters. I feel their stories need to be known and I hope we find them out.

The Hollow Gods is a dark dream like story of small town secrets playing out on a grand scale. The world building was excellent, Weaving folk tales with a gritty realism, the multiple points of view of the three main characters was well done and they sat well within the world. The pacing of the plot was good and has mystery and twists that has me eager to read the next book

I think I was really unsure about how I felt while reading this book. Overall, I loved the idea of it. A small town completely revoked around this fairy tale and believing that the dreamwalker was responsible for all the disappearing girls. This is the kind of stuff I love to read about.

Right off the bat the writing was great. I loved reading the chapters from Kai and Miya. I loved their characters and the relationship they were building. I also loved how completely different their points of view were, but then we got to our third main character, Mason. He just didn’t hold my attention as much as the other two. I liked the fact that it was a point of view who didn’t grow up in this town. Mason completely thinks the town folk are a little crazy and odd for believing in such things. It got to the point where I was just wishing Mason's part would go by faster so I could get to Miya and Kai.

Overall, it's a great story, I just wished I would have enjoyed Mason's part a little more. Then this probably would have been a five star book for me.

<b>4 stars</b>

Not what I expected yet what I expected at the same time.

Admittedly, it was a little slow at the beginning but then the pace did get better.

However, there were some issues. As there were three main characters, I expected all of them to play an equal role in the plot. But like with another book with three main characters, the female main character ended up being the main and there was an aspect of the "special snowflake" trope which I hated.
I'm also very confused as from one POV, it seemed there would be a sequel and from another, it seemed to be a closed ending?

I usually don't read horror books but this book got my attention. I am really glad that i gave this book a chance. It has definitely a unique storyline and strong characters. I can't wait to read more of this story.

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!

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.

*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 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.

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.

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!)

The Hollow Gods is about a folklore gone crazy. A small town has a kind of boogeyman story to keep everyone out of the woods. You'd think in the 21st century they'd dismiss it for what it is, just a story, but not this town. They still hold on to the myth that was started when the town was new. A visiting doctor is determined to prove them right, but can he in time to save them? This was an interesting story. It has folklore, romance, mystery, suspense and a bit of horror thrown in for good measure. The characters are fully fleshed, including flaws, which add to the realism. I enjoyed the story and the descriptions allowed me to see the story play out in my head like a movie. There was symbolism peppered throughout the story that makes the reader think.

Black Hollow ist nicht, was es scheint. Das verschlafene Dörfchen im kanadischen British Columbia wirkt auf den ersten Blick wie der perfekte Ort, um alle Sorgen hinter sich zu lassen: ruhige Landbewohner, ein Markt am Rand des Waldes, der Wald selbst ... Doch was im Wald angeblich lauert, das ist eine ganz andere Geschichte.

The Hollow Gods ist der erste Teil der Chaos Cycle Duologie von A.J. Vrana und versetzt uns in die Fußstapfen nicht eines, sondern gleich von drei Hauptcharakteren: Da wäre zum einen Miya, eine junge College-Studentin, die nach einigen Rückschlägen eigentlich bloß versucht, ihr Leben wieder auf die Reihe zu bekommen – wäre da nicht auch die Erinnerung an ihr Kindheitstreffen mit einem Wolf am Rande des Waldes von Black Hollow und die Geschichten rund um die Dreamwalkerin, die Wölfe nutzt, um junge Mädchen in den Wald zu locken.

Kai muss sich indessen nicht erst fragen, ob es so etwas wie übersinnliche Geschöpfe tatsächlich gibt – immerhin ist er selbst eines. Der Halbwolf hat andere Probleme: einen Dämon, der seinen Geist heimsucht, und eine Serie an unliebsamen Erwachen im Wald neben den Leichen junger Frauen – ohne Erinnerung daran, wie genau es dazu kam.

Und dann wäre da noch Arzt Mason, dessen fatale Fehlentscheidung über die Therapie seiner Patientin ihr Leben frühzeitig beendete, und der in Black Hollow eigentlich bloß eine Auszeit plant – nur um dann doch in die verworrenen Mythen und Legenden der Stadt gezogen zu werden. Umso mehr, da die Bewohner des Ortes bloß äußerst wenig Interesse daran zu hegen scheinen, ihre Sagen offen zu teilen – selbst dann, wenn diese zu einem schier unglaublichen Mord von einem ehemals liebenden Vater an seiner aus dem Wald zurückgekehrten Tochter führt.

The Hollow Gods spielt auf der einen Seite mit der Frage, wie sehr Mythen und Legenden unser Dasein prägen bzw. wie viel Wahrheit in ihnen tatsächlich steckt, wirft aber auf der anderen Seite auch jene Frage in den Raum, ob wir unserem eigenen Geist wirklich immer trauen können. Ist die Dreamwalkerin real? Oder vielleicht doch nur die Ausrede eines hysterischen Dorfes, ihren dunkelsten Seiten freien Lauf zu lassen? Kann man seinen eigenen Gedanken trauen, wenn diese von der Stimme eines Dämons heimgesucht werden? Sind Träume Portale in andere Realitäten oder doch nur ein Symptom des eigenen Wahnsinns? Und warum scheint ein ganzer Ort regelrecht darauf zu warten, vom Unheil heimgesucht zu werden?

Auch wenn die Story, die in The Hollow Gods erzählt wird, durchaus Essenz hat und vor allem gegen Ende hin so manche offene Frage beantwortet, liegt ihre größte Stärke dennoch darin, um die von der Autorin geschickt gesponnenen Mythen und Legenden eher herumzutanzen und nur hie und da handfeste Fakten zu liefern. Als Leser folgt man abwechselnd drei Charaktere mit drei vollkommen unterschiedlichen Blickwinkeln auf das Geschehen und weiß so stets mehr als diese selbst – und kennt dennoch nur einen Teil des gesamten Mysteriums. Das Spannende an der Geschichte ist somit vor allem, genau wie Miya, Kai und Mason selbst, mehr über die Dreamwalkerin und die Sagen von Black Hollow zu erfahren, um nach und nach herauszufinden, was real ist und was nicht bzw. wie alles miteinander verbunden ist. Der flotte Stil, den die Autorin A.J. Vrana dabei an den Tag legt, hält das gesamte Buch über bei Trab und sorgt dafür, dass man The Hollow Gods so schnell nicht weglegen möchte. Schön ist auch, dass sich der Stil mit jedem Charakter entsprechend ändert und man so nicht nur unterschiedliche Blickwinkel erhält, sondern auch die unterschiedlichen Persönlichkeiten der drei durchwegs gut geschriebenen Protagonisten beim Lesen wunderbar fühlen kann.

Der einzige kleine Wermutstropfen an The Hollow Gods ist, dass einem gegen Ende hin ein riesiger Berg an losen (aber doch durchaus spannenden) Infos geboten wird, die einen zwar näher an die Lösung von allem bringen, aber dennoch etliche Fragen offenlassen und letztendlich vor allem verwirren – aber auch das ist in Ordnung, handelt es sich schließlich um den ersten Band einer Duologie, die in Teil zwei hoffentlich noch weitere Antworten liefern wird.

Zwischen Mystik und Wahnsinn
The Hollow Gods hat eine ungewöhnliche und genau deshalb so spannende Erzählweise: Zum einen lässt das Buch von Minute eins an keinen Zweifel daran, dass Übersinnliches in der Story tatsächlich existiert, auf der anderen Seite wirft es aber durch die gesamte Geschichte hindurch immer wieder die Frage auf, wie viel von dem, was Übersinnlich ist, tatsächlich auch das ist, was die zugehörigen Sagen und Legenden vermuten lassen. A.J. Vranas Werk liefert dabei eher Indizien als handfeste Fakten und lässt die Leser somit in einem befriedigenden Limbo aus Erkenntnis und Neugier zurück – der im zweiten Teil der Duologie wohl noch seine tatsächliche Auflösung finden wird. Für alle Fans von Dark Fantasy bekommt The Hollow Gods von uns eine eindeutige Empfehlung.

Review published in Unaltered Magazine: https://unaltered.at/2020/06/02/review-the-hollow-gods/

This was a well written, good read! I had not read anything by this author so I'm glad I took a chance!

The Hollow Gods is an original story that has an engaging start and a strong foundation. My favorite aspect was the writing and how realistic it made the story feel. I love when writing style and world building mesh so well that I feel like I'm a character in the story.

Parts were too rushed however, creating an unsteady pace. It would have been nice to sense a deeper connection between Miya and Kai as there was a touch of instalove there, but I do understand that it was necessary for the plot. I'm not a fan of alternating POVs and would have liked the book more if it had stuck with Miya's perspective.

Overall 3.5 stars. I'll keep an eye out for new work by this author.

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.

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

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.

Digital ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review:
I was really impressed with this title. It had all the edgy, perspective changing, superstitious, paranormal shenanigans that I enjoy. I always enjoy the subtle plot shifts that come with a well-done shift from one character perspective to another. Also, I don't usually pick a favorite character (because they invariably die nasty deaths), but I love Kai's character. I think it's because he reminds me of my husband... which says a lot about my life when I think about it.

The lore and visual writing style is so impactful! The banter is an added plus, a touch of humor that breaks up the horror very nicely.

I Adored this book. It had me hooked from page one. Drawing me in and making me feel as if i was there living it myself. It is one of my top reads for this year by far

I absolutely love a good spooky story steeped in folklore, and The Hollow Gods delivers perfectly on that. Based on Slavic Folklore we stumble upon this quaint little town that has a dark secret at it’s core. It’s here in this town that we meet our three main characters Kai, Miya, and Mason. Each of their journeys leads us one step closer to the truth.

The world building and finite details of the setting and history are so beautifully crafted that I almost felt like I had stepped through time to an alternate universe and into a reality that was this book. You almost start to sink into the hysteria with the townspeople as young women start disappearing only to reappear and die shortly after. It’s hard not to suspect some grisly curse or fate settled on the town, or som other dark culprit.

Miya, Kai and Mason are fantastic characters! I truly felt for Mason and his story, he reasoning for escaping city life is truly heartbreaking. Meanwhile, can I just get a round of applause for the sizzling tension between Kai and Miya? I absolutely adored Kai’s character. Lone wolf, bad boy ego with a dark secret…. yess pleaseee! Excuse me while I drool a little. I felt that Kai’s character was so well crafted, I’d never read a werewolf character like him before!!

All in all I have The Hollow Gods a solid 4 stars!! I couldn’t put it down, it grasped my interest right and I simply cannot wait for the finale to this dark and fantastical duology!