10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
GOOD START TO NEW SERIES BY GOLDEN, June 2, 2005
This review is from: Horseman #1 (The Hollow) (Mass Market Paperback)
Christopher Golden has got to be one of the busiest writers in the world. From comic books to Buffy novels to the Outcast series, one wonders where he finds time to do it all. Actually this one is co-written by Ford Lytle Gilmore. This is the start of a new series by Golden set in Sleepy Hollow. Three more books in the series are already planned. In this one, two teens move with their family to the little town of Sleepy Hollow, New York. Everything seems pleasant enough in the beginning but then soon the kids find out that the old legends of the mysterious Headless Horseman may be more than just a story to scare kids. As they attempt to solve the mystery they find themselves being pursued by the Horseman and hell itself.
Enjoyable story. Golden knows how to write for juveniles and teenagers as well as any writer with intelligent stories that never seem to campy or condescending. I would say the hollow is best aimed at middle-schoolers, maybe 11 - 14 age range with enough chills for reading on a couple of dark and stormy nights. Good start to a new series and looking forward to the second book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A thrilling and unique teen horror novel., May 20, 2005
This review is from: Horseman #1 (The Hollow) (Mass Market Paperback)
After their mom dies of cancer, Shane and Aimee Lancaster's dad decides it's best for the family to leave Boston and make a new start elsewhere. He accepts a job in the small town of Sleepy Hollow, New York. But from the time the Lancasters arrive in town, strange things begin to happen, events that seem to have no explanation outside the supernatural. Sleepy Hollow has always been a town of legend and myth, but now it seems that those legends are coming alive. And when an apparently headless horseman begins murdering people in town, Shane and Aimee begin to fear for their lives, and the two teens decide to try and uncover the truth, even though the adults insist it must be an ordinary murderer dressed up as the horseman.
This book was a lot better than most teen horror books I've read. I thought it had a very interesting and unique concept, a modern retelling of the legend of the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow. Shane and Aimee are releastic teen characters that act like real siblings do. Due to violence and some language, I would only recommend this book to readers ages 13 and up. I think teenagers who enjoy horror stories will enjoy this book a lot.
Reviewed by Rebecca Herman for Flamingnet Book Reviews, www.flamingnet.com.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Interesting New Take On The Sleepy Hollow Lore, July 17, 2006
This review is from: Horseman #1 (The Hollow) (Mass Market Paperback)
"The Hollow: Horseman" by Christopher Golden and Ford Lytle Gilmore, is a Young-Adult novel of suspense and horror adapted from the classic Washington Irving short story (That being "The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow"). For fans of the classic in any form (Disney's old cartoon version, the 1999 Tim Burton film, etc.), Golden's novel is a welcome addition.
The story follows brother and sister Shane and Aimee Lancaster as they move from Boston, MA to Sleepy Hollow, NY with their father Alan shortly after the death of their mother from cancer. Upon immeadiate arrival into the town, they are plunged into unnatural events. Street lights burst by themselves, pets bark and howl, etc. After the chaos ends, settling into their new town seems to be a bad choice. But life goes on: Alan becomes chief editor for the local newspaper and Shane and Aimee quickly make an odd assortment of friends at school, including Stasia Traeger, a girl obsessed wth everything supernatural and relating to the occult. However, other worldly beings control this area of New York. Shane and Aimee are taught to believe that while Sleepy Hollow is famous for the legend of the "Headless Horseman", there are plenty of other creatures and spirits haunting the local grounds.
But to say the Horseman isn't the star is a lie, because he is. Quicker than you can spin your head around, he makes his entrance and begins hunting for a fresh new head. The body count slowly builds up as local police and townspeople fear a more realistic approach and believe a madman is dressing up as the local legend when in fact it is Aimee, Shane, and Stasia who know better.
The novel manages to satisfy many needs: The first, and primary joy in the novel, is the fact that Golden gives the reader more than just the Horseman to think about. In today's age of over-the-top horror, a man without a head doesn't seem so scary. Golden solves this problem by making Sleepy Hollow the center of all things paranormal. Pixes and goblins are said to haunt the forests, a ghost drifts through Stasia's house, a dog out for blood strikes fear in all the locals. Even the trees of Sleepy Hollow seem to have a sinister side. Clearly, in Sleepy Hollow, anything and everything can harm you (Your coffee mug is no exception!). A second joy to the novel is that Golden doesn't add onto the original story, he rewrites the whole story over again and starts you fresh (You'll be suprised that Icabod Crane isn't the sweet and shy schoolmaster you thought he was)! Golden's interpetation is a darker and sinister version than Irving's original.
The plot and mystery of the novel is a bit predictable but it shouldn't upset readers. The characters are strong and individual , the dialouge manages to stay away from being too cheesy, and the suspense keeps you reading. I will say that if you're looking for a white-knuckle horror thrill ride, look elsewhere. "The Hollow", pun intended, is a bit hollow in its chill-factor. You'll really need to put your imagination to work to creep yourself out over this book.
But lack-of-chills aside, it's an enjoyable novel. Especially if you're a very big fan of the lore that is everything Sleepy Hollow. Golden manages to spin a fresh take into the old story, details just enough lore without being too boring, gives us enjoyable sub-plots we'll hope to see continued in books #2, #3, and #4 (Note: Don't read synopsis' of the sequels so as not to spoil the story of this first novel), and gives us a decent amount of gore as well.
Fans of the Horseman, make sure to check this one out.
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