House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland grabbed my attention with its interesting cover and eerie title and I enjoyed reading it. It was one of those books you think about longingly when it’s in the next room and you’re being forced to do something other than read it – like eat, or work.
House of Hollow is the story of three sisters who disappeared when they were children but were mysteriously returned one month later, seemingly unharmed. They came back different, though, their hair turned white and they had the power to manipulate people into doing anything they wanted.
The setup and the characters felt really refreshing to me, different and interesting. The two older sisters were well-defined and unique, and the pacing was quick enough to keep my attention. There was a lot of beautiful and interesting language-Sutherland is unquestionably a strong writer-but some of that language did become a bit repetitive throughout the book. Everything smells of rot-all the time. The first time Sutherland describes this it’s really interesting and grotesque, but as the book continues so does the rot and it becomes a bit tired.
I would be interested to hear from other readers about how they felt about the ending-part of it was rather predictable (in my opinion) but part of it I didn’t see coming so that helped. There were a lot of things that were never explained or just glossed over – their powers, for example. Why their hair turned white. There was enough left open-ended and unanswered that it felt like there must be a sequel in the works, A few things left unanswered, but nothing big enough to really bother me much. The end felt like it was leaving it open for a sequel, but in an interview I read with the author that, too, is left open-ended, “…if I ever decide to write a sequel…(no promises though).” So I wouldn’t expect a sequel any time soon, if ever. Which does make those unanswered questions a bit more nagging.
This interview, “Krystal Sutherland Reveals 5 Shocking Things that ALMOST Happened in House of Hollow” was really interesting to read, I highly suggest reading it AFTER you read House of Hollow. Loads of spoilers in that interview.
It was hard for me to nail down how I felt about House of Hollow-I loved so many parts of it, but those loose ends are a bit unforgivable if there isn’t going to be a sequel.
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