The Hollow

The Hollow by Jessica Verday

Publisher: Simon Pulse

August 2010

ISBN: 978-1-4169-7894-7

Pages: 509

Contemporary, Sleepy Hollow

Abbey’s best friend Kristen vanishes suddenly at the bridge near Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and everyone is quick to accept that Kristen is dead and that it might not have been an accident.  Abbey publically goes through the motions of mourning but privately she refuses to believe that Kristen is really gone.  Out of nowhere at Kristen’s funeral she meets Caspian, a gorgeous boy that keeps appearing in Abbey’s life.  Caspian has secrets of his own but with Caspian Abbey feels normal again.  He also makes her feel special. 

As Abbey starts to accept things she learns a secret about Kristen that has her question whether or not she ever really knew her best friend.  How when they shared everything could Kristen keep silent about so much?  While reeling from what seems as a betrayal on the part of Kristen Abbey learns some more truths that nearly undo her completely.  Truths that will challenge her new love for Caspian and doubting her own sanity.

This is a wonderful twist on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  This story is contemporary but the original legend influences the current story and makes this one a must read.  The town comes to life for readers in ways that will have the reader able to completely picture the town and characters in this story.  With every word that is read the reader will be drawn more and more into the story until the very end.  It will also have the reader wanting the next book in the trilogy just to see what will happen next and just how many more twists the story will take.  This has a wonderful mystery woven seamlessly with the romance and will keep the reader engrossed to the point of hating to put the book down for any reason.  This is a Young Adult book that will have readers all ages completely enthralled with the story.

I give this one 5 red roses