January 05, 2026
„Hollow” by Caroline Peckhamn & Susane Valenti
BLURB
Don’t listen to the whispers of the woods.
Don’t trust the man cloaked in shadow.
Don’t earn the wrath of the scattered spirits.
Don’t go out after dark.
The Great Hunt begins once every fifty years and only the Champions willing to face death to shatter the curse dare to enter.
The Champions…and me.
I’m no warrior, no swordsmith, and certainly no Fae, but the forest is my only hope. To enter those trees is to walk willingly to my demise. But I need the boon the forest will grant the winner and I’m willing to risk it all for a chance at claiming it.
I just never expected to face him beneath those trees. The beast who strikes fear into the desperate people of all lands. The monster who commands the legion of Hollows and makes our plight a thousand times worse.
The Hollows are empty of all things but none are so heartless as him.
Prince Bane intends to be the death of me. But I have an oath to fulfil before I’ll let him have me. And I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it.
I am Ferris Creed and I’m going to unite the lost spirits who once bound the wandering trees in place, return the scattered amulets to the core of its corruption, and use the winner’s boon to change my fate. Come wretchedness or torment, through trickery and deception, I will get what I came here for. And no one will stand in my way. Not even Prince Bane.
MY OPINION
„Hollow” is the first book in the „Crown of Hearts and Chaos” series — a new story by the authors of „Zodiac Academy.” The moment I saw the cover, this book went straight onto my TBR. And when I finally had some time, I picked it up and read it.
Now I want more.
Much more.
Give me „Lightwing” right now.
We follow Ferris Creed into the forest’s version of the Hunger Games — a brutal hunt for spirit amulets. Ferris isn’t a warrior or a hunter. She’s just a regular girl who wants her sister back, taken by the forest. But earning the Great Elm’s boon is dangerous and treacherous. Creed has to survive deadly trials… and one handsome fae who is also competing in the Great Hunt — and who is definitely not who she thinks he is.
„Hollow” is a fantasy with romance, but it’s hard to call it full romantasy. The romance is there, but it’s subtle. We get a beautifully written slow burn between the main characters, not an overwhelming love story. And honestly? I loved that. The verbal sparring between Hendrix and Ferris, and their rivalry during the spirit hunts, was written so well.
The story itself feels fresh. Okay — there’s a bit of „Hunger Games” energy, but with fantasy elements and a much better romantic tension. We start the Great Hunt with Ferris and the other competitors trained for this brutal event. We move through a dangerous forest, capturing spirits like Pokémon. And yes — it’s as awesome as it sounds.
If you decide to read Hollow, be prepared for a slow start. This story is like a long-distance run. At first, everything feels heavy and slow. But later? You sprint toward the finish line. After that magical 70%, I was reading this book everywhere. I needed to know how it ended.
And now… I have peace.
Just kidding.
„Hollow” ends with a cliffhanger — but not the kind that makes you want to throw the book out the window. It’s more like a half-open gate, teasing what lies beyond and daring you to step inside. I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely going through it.
I’m waiting for „Lightwing” with zero patience.