Hollow by Caroline Peckham and Susanne Valenti is the first in a new dark romantasy series from the authors of Zodiac Academy and the Ruthless Boys of the Zodiac. This book is set in a whole new world, with an entirely different magic system and vibe.
In a world plagued by monsters, with a cursed forest threatening the lands of humans and Fae alike, Ferris Creed has a secret plan, one that just might get her killed.
She’s going to join the Great Hunt, the only chance the realm has to defeat the cursed forest. But no one has ever returned. She has not trained like the other Champions set out to conquer the forest, but she has knowledge on her side.
With thirteen spirits to defeat, not to mention the dangerous Fae participating in the Hunt, the forest is worse than Ferris could have ever imagined. But for her, it’s more than just saving her lands. It’s personal.
She will do anything to get back what the forest took from her, even tolerate an uneasy alliance with Hendrix, an outcast Fae who exudes darkness.
Immediately, these characters sparked my curiosity. Both main characters are written in an intriguing way, with an air of mystery about them that keeps the reader hooked.
Henrix is a villain, but very self-aware about it, which is a different twist on the morally grey anti-hero that is so common in romantasy. He also falls first, without question, quickly obsessing over Ferris.
I had no choice but to follow in her stead, a wild laugh escaping my chest as I raced to catch her. Clever thing, there she went again, surprising me after all.
Ferris fulfills the classic “she’s human but not like the other humans” trope, but she’s also brave and reckless, two valuable qualities in a fantasy heroine. In some ways, she reminds me of Rogue, the heroine from a why choose contemporary series by this same author duo.
Hollow is an excruciatingly slow burn, but in the best way. It fits perfectly with the enemies-to-lovers storyline, and the reader gets to know Ferris well before her love interest is introduced.
The slow burn leads to a lot of angsty tension, and when it finally breaks, the results are wildly hot.
This book has a far more serious tone than previous books by these authors. Hollow is less campy, and while it feels different, it definitely works for this story.
With expansive world-building and an intriguing premise, this story is detailed and descriptive with a beautiful magic system. The pace is slower than you might expect, thanks to the intricate details, but the high stakes keep the reader invested.
Hollow might not be what readers expect from the authors of the Zodiac Academy, but it delivers nonetheless. If you liked One Dark Window, you will love this moody and atmospheric romantasy.
Leave a Reply