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.