House of Hollow Review

Hi friends, I hope you’re doing well! This week I’m posting my House of Hollow Review! Honestly, I was a little disappointed in this book. The cover is gorgeous and the premise really intrigued me, but alas. Here we are. Let’s jump in!

The Personal Library Book Tag!

Title: House of  Hollow

Author: Krystal Sutherland

Rating: 2 Stars

CAWPILE: 4.7/10

Genre: Horror, mystery, fantasy

Content Warnings: A whole bunch, check them out here!

Format: Paperback

Publisher: Jonathan Ball

Date Published: March 30th 2021

Goodreads Description: Iris Hollow and her two older sisters are unquestionably strange. Ever since they disappeared on a suburban street in Scotland as children only to return a month a later with no memory of what happened to them, odd, eerie occurrences seem to follow in their wake. And they’re changing. First, their dark hair turned white. Then, their blue eyes slowly turned black. They have insatiable appetites yet never gain weight. People find them disturbingly intoxicating, unbearably beautiful and inexplicably dangerous.

But now, ten years later, seventeen-year-old Iris Hollow is doing all she can to fit in and graduate high school on time – something her two famously glamorous globe-trotting older sisters, Grey and Vivi, never managed to do. But when Grey goes missing without a trace, leaving behind bizarre clues as to what might have happened, Iris and Vivi are left to trace her last few days. They aren’t the only ones looking for her though. As they brush against the supernatural they realise that the story they’ve been told about their past is unravelling and the world that returned them seemingly unharmed ten years ago, might just be calling them home.

I received a review copy from Jonthan Ball Publishers. All opinions are my own.

Purchase Links

Find the purchase links here!

House of Hollow Review

Characters – 4/10

I feel very meh about the characters in House of Hollow. The only one that had a shred of potential was Tyler (poor Tyler). All three of the main characters, the sisters, were just such caricatures. They never evolved or moved forward.

I also felt like this book followed the wrong main character. We follow Iris’ POV, but honestly, Grey’s story was so much more interesting. All of the plot things happened to her, and I just felt frustrated being told and not shown.

Atmosphere – 4/10

The atmosphere was creeping in the beginning, but it got old fast. Sutherland used too much repetitive language to describe the setting and it desensitized me completely. Eventually, everything smelled like milk and death or looked like milk and death and I am not here for it.

Writing – 6/10

I don’t think the writing was bad. I flew through the book quite fast. It was repetitive in places but it was solid. I’m not sure if I’ll read some of Sutherland’s other books, we will have to see.

Plot – 5/10

To be honest, I’ve already forgotten the plot of this book. There wasn’t enough mystery and the plot twist was clear from the beginning. This would have made a great portal fantasy and I kinda wish Seanan McGuire would give this concept a go.

Looking for more book reviews? Check out my review directory!

Intrigue – 4/10

This is where House of Hollow and I really disagree. The three sisters are all skinny, beautiful and have ravenous appetites that allow them to eat without getting fat. The book hits you over the head with the “beauty is dangerous” theme. The three sisters have the power to compel people. This doesn’t sit well with me because the author also hits you over the head with the sexual assault discourse, and how awful it is to take away people’s consent. And then gives her characters the power to take away people’s consent.

I just didn’t like any of it.

Logic – 5/10

The twist at the end wasn’t difficult to see coming, but it worked well. It would have worked better with more lore, and with Grey as the protagonist.

Enjoyment – 5/10

I found this book tedious. The worldbuilding was lacking and I didn’t enjoy the atmosphere.

Chat with me about House of Hollow

Did you enjoy House of Hollow?

If you’d be interested in working with me or you want to advertise on this blog, click here!

Pin This!

+4

0