House of Hollow

Wow! Reading this book was an experience like nothing I've ever had before. When I first started this book, even though I was extremely intrigued, I worried that the fantasy components of this novel would put me off from finishing this book or maybe even liking it. I am not the biggest lover of fantasy so you can understand why I would have this fear. While I was reading it, I kept asking myself if it was too much for me and if it was rooted in enough reality for me to continue it and love it as well. And I just have to say- it totally blew me away and knocked my socks off. When I finished it, even though I knew this book was way outside of my comfort zone, I knew that I couldn't give it anything less than five stars because it was extraordinary from beginning to end.

First of all, House of Hollow is about these three sisters, who have gone missing when they were children and have returned later to the same place where they went missing from. Years later, when the oldest Hollow sister goes missing again, the other two team up to find her and unravel a whole chest of secrets that may have been better left locked away. If this isn't the definition of an amazing, creative and extremely unique plot, I don't know what is. It was so different from anything I've ever read and was full of twists and turns and countless layer after layer that kept being unraveled all the way through. If you want something that will captivate you with a very action packed and twisty plot, this novel is definitely for you. And even though I guessed a few reveals right, there were so many others that I couldn't even begin to fathom or comprehend the answers for.

Secondly, the characterization in this mostly action driven novel was beyond amazing. We went on a journey with these characters and I felt myself transforming and changing right along with them as all the things kept happening. But what's even more beautiful is the relationships that the characters have with each other and how those transform and change all throughout the book. I really grew attached to these characters and even though they were flawed through and through, I couldn't help but root for them in the end regardless. I will definitely be checking out Sutherland's future works because this novel was like an earthquake that shook me to my core and I will never be the same.

Finally, the writing style was simple, yet had a sophisticated tone to it. It wasn't just super straight forward or oversimplified and yet I understood things as they were happening very vividly and fully, the first time reading the paragraphs. This is definitely a very atmospheric read and even though sometimes that can be a little too much for my liking, I thought that it was masterfully done in this story. It painted the setting vividly and I never grew tired of reading about all these amazing places and imagining them in my mind.

In conclusion, this novel was so far outside of my comfort zone and yet I am beyond happy that I gave it a chance and picked it up. I would recommend it to lovers of fantasy and even those that love a good mystery, as wicked and twisted as that mystery may be. And even as a thriller lover, I absolutely loved every second of this book, so maybe other thriller fans would love it too! Give it a shot, you never know if you might love it, just like I did!