Hollow by Rhonda Parrish

-

I got this book as part of the "Crossing the Veil" bundle from StoryBundle.com.

In the span of only a few months, Morgan has suffered through two life-altering traumas. One is a car accident that killed her young brother and paralyzed her mother, as well as a second incident that is revealed later in the story. One day, Morgan finds an old Polaroid camera that changes its subjects into darker versions of themselves. She has to find a way to break this curse before it's too late.

Right away, I was captivated. The book opens with Morgan running, her main coping mechanism, when Keith, her ex-boyfriend and his friends start to harass her. The author does an excellent job of capturing Morgan's terror. The book carries this momentum throughout and the tension stays high. This is an excellent YA horror. There is a haunted camera potentially stealing people's souls, but that horror pales in comparison to the real-life trauma and bullying that Morgan has to face every day in her life. Morgan is a strong, sympathetic character and I was invested in how things would turn out for her.

However, I did knock a star off of my review because the ending, while imaginative and only partially predictable, feels unfinished. There are a number of threads that need more resolution and the story feels cut short. The main story is wrapped up, but there are a number of smaller characters that definitely need more closure - Stacey especially.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Monthly Microfiction - December 2021 - Billy's Special Blanket

-
Billy's Special Blanket       Billy tightened the blanket his mother made him around his head. She promised no monsters could hurt him through his special blanket.    The closet door creaked open and all of the monster’s legs spilled out. It crawled across the floor and up onto the bed. A multitude of legs prodded Billy. The monster roared when it could not breach the blanket’s power.  In fury, the monster flailed about, destroying Billy’s room.   His parents charged down the hall and through the door. Then screamed in terror when the creature attacked.    Billy was safe under the blanket, but his parents were not.       Originally published in Beneath from Ghost Orchid Press on May 5, 2021  
Read more

Monthly Microfiction: Under the Ice

-
 Under the Ice  I came to the lake to rescue my sister. Ice covers its surface and I drop to my knees. Together, we bang against the icy barrier between us as I spout useless apologies. Her angry eyes gut me. I didn’t mean to condemn her to this when I brought her body here. Local legend claimed she would come back on the thirteenth day of winter. It did not mention the ice. With a loud crack, her hands break through. Joy fills me but quickly turns to terror when instead of escaping, she pulls me down under the ice with her.   Originally published in Beneath from Ghost Orchid Press on May 5, 2021
Read more

Review: It Calls from the Veil by Eerie River

-
Image
“Eighteen terrifying tales of what lurks behind the veil.” I’ve now read several collections from Eerie River and even with one theme, they always deliver a wide variety of stories, characters, and chills. In our daily lives, the veil separating us from death seems strong, but in this collection, the curtain is little more than thin gauze and dark creatures have no problems creeping through.   Typically when I review an anthology, I try to pick my favourite three stories to highlight, but there were five stories that really stood out for me.   Little Feet by RB Kelly   Alison, her husband, Ben, and their daughter, Mia visit an isolated cabin for Christmas. Setting this tale in the heart of winter, far from their home, added the element of isolation. When they arrive, little Mia finds a creepy doll and becomes obsessed with it. The doll terrifies Alison and begins to torment the family. Alison has to face her seemingly irrational fears to keep her family safe. I appreciated
Read more