Hollow by Brian Catling

I don’t usually write reviews, but Hollow has been out for nearly 4 years with only 182 ratings on Kindle so I think it deserves a bit more attention.

Why you should read it:

  • Interesting premise and setting in the Dutch lowlands circa the 16th-17th centuries. An oracle at a reclusive monastery dies and the Church sends a new oracle to defend a secret the Church cannot allow to be exposed.
  • Two good main storylines:
  • A group of mercenaries are entrusted to bring the new oracle to the monastery. They were specifically selected due to their evil deeds as the oracle will feed off their sins.
  • A monk at the monastery researches the cause of demons springing forth in the area.
  • One is a discount fellowship of the rings and the other is a detective piece.
  • It doesn’t beat you over the head with religiosity, it’s just used as a setting.
  • Quick read that respects your time at ~250 pages
  • Well written and realized world with a definitive conclusion.

Why you shouldn’t read it:

  • This is horror adjacent as the setting and world are horroresque but there are few scary moments.
  • Not much action other than detective work and traversing the mountain formed from the ruins of the Tower of Babel. Only one real battle scene that’s short.
  • There’s a third storyline about a disgruntled housewife that wasn’t really exciting even with witchcraft added.
  • Uses Ye Olde English and archaic definitions of words that can slow down reading.

Although this doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement, I still really enjoyed it. I just found it a unique read and wanted to raise awareness so people can research further if it’s a book for them.