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Ravenfall #2
Hollowthorn: A Ravenfall Novel
Jewish magic and mythology take center stage in this spellbinding sequel to Ravenfall, in which two kids with supernatural powers must venture beyond the veil to protect the Tree of Life from a terrifying foe—or risk losing the magic of Ravenfall forever.
It’s been over a month since Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce defeated the King of the Dead on Halloween night, saving the magical Ravenfall Inn they call home. Now, with Hannukah approaching, the kids are looking forward to some peace and quiet—and maybe a little challah and peppermint cocoa, too.
But peace and quiet will have to wait, because a Raven—a guardian of the supernatural world—named Salem shows up at their doorstep with a warning. A demon from Jewish lore is hunting the Tree of Life, a source of untold power and immortality. If they can’t stop him, they risk losing the magic of Ravenfall forever.
Both Anna and Colin jump at the opportunity to prove themselves—Anna, to her eternally distracted father, and Colin, to a mentor who might finally take his own Raven powers seriously. As they venture into the Otherworld, they discover a wondrous, menacing realm full of mythological creatures… But is the true danger closer than they think?
It’s been over a month since Anna Ballinkay and Colin Pierce defeated the King of the Dead on Halloween night, saving the magical Ravenfall Inn they call home. Now, with Hannukah approaching, the kids are looking forward to some peace and quiet—and maybe a little challah and peppermint cocoa, too.
But peace and quiet will have to wait, because a Raven—a guardian of the supernatural world—named Salem shows up at their doorstep with a warning. A demon from Jewish lore is hunting the Tree of Life, a source of untold power and immortality. If they can’t stop him, they risk losing the magic of Ravenfall forever.
Both Anna and Colin jump at the opportunity to prove themselves—Anna, to her eternally distracted father, and Colin, to a mentor who might finally take his own Raven powers seriously. As they venture into the Otherworld, they discover a wondrous, menacing realm full of mythological creatures… But is the true danger closer than they think?
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2023
45 people are currently reading
3315 people want to read
About the author
Kalyn Josephson
11 books956 followersKalyn Josephson is the NYT bestselling author of THE STORM CROW duology, RAVENFALL series, and upcoming THIS DARK DESCENT. By day, she's a Technical Writer, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. She lives in the Bay Area with two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an even tinier owl).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 9, 2023
Let me just start by saying how grateful I am for the little summary of the first book, it’s been a year since I read Ravenfall and my memory is not that great so I was super happy for the little throwback, more authors should do that, it would certainly make my life easier.
Hollowthorn continues following Anna, Colin and the Ballinkays, but this time there’s a new danger in the horizon, a powerful demon is looking for the Tree of Life, the source of all magic, so Salem an old friend of the family comes to Ravenfall asking for help from Henry, Anna’s father and they all embark in a journey through the Otherworld to try to find and protect the tree from the demon.
I have such a deep love for this characters and I’m glad this book only made it deeper, Anna is trying to learn more about her powers and I loved seeing her journey to discovering more about herself and understand more about her relationship with her dad and Colin.
Max, as always is my favorite character, I love that Jabberwocky! And I was so happy we got to see more about his past, it was very surprising.
Overall it was a very good book, I can’t wait to see what new adventure Anna and Colin are going to embark in the next book.
Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children’s, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
Hollowthorn continues following Anna, Colin and the Ballinkays, but this time there’s a new danger in the horizon, a powerful demon is looking for the Tree of Life, the source of all magic, so Salem an old friend of the family comes to Ravenfall asking for help from Henry, Anna’s father and they all embark in a journey through the Otherworld to try to find and protect the tree from the demon.
I have such a deep love for this characters and I’m glad this book only made it deeper, Anna is trying to learn more about her powers and I loved seeing her journey to discovering more about herself and understand more about her relationship with her dad and Colin.
Max, as always is my favorite character, I love that Jabberwocky! And I was so happy we got to see more about his past, it was very surprising.
Overall it was a very good book, I can’t wait to see what new adventure Anna and Colin are going to embark in the next book.
Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children’s, Delacorte Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review
November 30, 2023
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“I felt that way about Ravenfall too,” I tell him. “I didn’t think I belonged here, and it took me a really long time to realize that Ravenfall didn’t need me to be like everyone else: it just needed me to be me.”
Kayln Josephson returns to her fantastical world of Ravenfall with her highly-awaited Middle Grade sequel, Hollowthorn - well, by me anyway. And while I did very much enjoy the first book, I also appreciated the little recap that she included at the start of the book to remind us exactly what was at stake for our intrepid adventurers - Anna and Colin.
“They’re a part of me, just like these new powers, and trying to lock them away isn’t the answer. But if I want to use Fin’s magic—my magic—to protect Ravenfall, I have to accept that it’s a part of me too.”
Having it told in dual POV was not only helpful but enlightening. Colin had always been a favorite character of mine from the previous book, so I loved learning more about him and his feelings towards his abilities. 'It’s like he was born for this, though sometimes I don’t think he sees himself that way.' 🥺 He has a lot weighing heavily on his shoulders - burdened by living up to his parents' name - not wanting to be a burden to his older brother - and still wanting to prove himself and master his own abilities and unique talents.
Anna was also a pleasure to revisit; she's facing her own battles with the absence of her father. It's that own poignant portrayal of how teenagers want to be accepted and acknowledged by their parents, and hoping that they can simply be enough to keep them at hand. She was feisty and determined and plucky, and I felt that her frustrations for not being enough for her father to stick around was both believable and relatable. 👍🏻
“I can disagree and have my own opinion while still listening to Colin’s, and just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we can’t get along.
I just have to listen, like I always want people to listen to me.”
Ravenfall has always been such an enthralling place. I love that the house has a mind of its own. I enjoyed the magical blends that the author was able to weave into the story, and the darker and more sinister turn the plot took this time. Max, the jabberwocky was always a treat; I love the testy, prickly characters, and this cat was right down my alley! 😆 The plot was also a lot more action-packed and I appreciated all the back history we got into the importance of Ravenfall, itself. And while it was only touched upon briefly, I liked that we also learned how much of their lives have already been entwined from the start.
There was a lot more intrigue to the development of each of the duo's respective powers and hidden talents. I especially liked how Anna and Colin actually butted heads this time. It was a friendship that had been forged unexpectedly, but months later, they're still learning to be themselves around each other. They have their own thoughts and judgment of one another, and while they push each other away, they're still looking out for each other - in their own way. I liked the honest portrayal of it, I liked that they gave each other space when needed, but still rushed to each other's aid when needed. 🫂🤍
“We can both be a little right, and we can both be a little wrong,” he says. “Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
I also appreciated how the author was able to weave Jewish folklore into Celtic tales - it was an interesting blend and I liked how it affected Anna and Colin's views on their family lifestyles and how much more they were willing to be involved in the dangerous challenges afoot. They were slowly rekindling their powers and developing a better understanding of them, while being thrown into the heat of a battle and embarking on a perilous mission, and still learning about their own heritage along the way. It was a magical story, still with a lot of heart for family, that makes me look forward to the 3rd book already. ☺️
“I felt that way about Ravenfall too,” I tell him. “I didn’t think I belonged here, and it took me a really long time to realize that Ravenfall didn’t need me to be like everyone else: it just needed me to be me.”
Kayln Josephson returns to her fantastical world of Ravenfall with her highly-awaited Middle Grade sequel, Hollowthorn - well, by me anyway. And while I did very much enjoy the first book, I also appreciated the little recap that she included at the start of the book to remind us exactly what was at stake for our intrepid adventurers - Anna and Colin.
“They’re a part of me, just like these new powers, and trying to lock them away isn’t the answer. But if I want to use Fin’s magic—my magic—to protect Ravenfall, I have to accept that it’s a part of me too.”
Having it told in dual POV was not only helpful but enlightening. Colin had always been a favorite character of mine from the previous book, so I loved learning more about him and his feelings towards his abilities. 'It’s like he was born for this, though sometimes I don’t think he sees himself that way.' 🥺 He has a lot weighing heavily on his shoulders - burdened by living up to his parents' name - not wanting to be a burden to his older brother - and still wanting to prove himself and master his own abilities and unique talents.
Anna was also a pleasure to revisit; she's facing her own battles with the absence of her father. It's that own poignant portrayal of how teenagers want to be accepted and acknowledged by their parents, and hoping that they can simply be enough to keep them at hand. She was feisty and determined and plucky, and I felt that her frustrations for not being enough for her father to stick around was both believable and relatable. 👍🏻
“I can disagree and have my own opinion while still listening to Colin’s, and just because we don’t agree doesn’t mean we can’t get along.
I just have to listen, like I always want people to listen to me.”
Ravenfall has always been such an enthralling place. I love that the house has a mind of its own. I enjoyed the magical blends that the author was able to weave into the story, and the darker and more sinister turn the plot took this time. Max, the jabberwocky was always a treat; I love the testy, prickly characters, and this cat was right down my alley! 😆 The plot was also a lot more action-packed and I appreciated all the back history we got into the importance of Ravenfall, itself. And while it was only touched upon briefly, I liked that we also learned how much of their lives have already been entwined from the start.
There was a lot more intrigue to the development of each of the duo's respective powers and hidden talents. I especially liked how Anna and Colin actually butted heads this time. It was a friendship that had been forged unexpectedly, but months later, they're still learning to be themselves around each other. They have their own thoughts and judgment of one another, and while they push each other away, they're still looking out for each other - in their own way. I liked the honest portrayal of it, I liked that they gave each other space when needed, but still rushed to each other's aid when needed. 🫂🤍
“We can both be a little right, and we can both be a little wrong,” he says. “Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
I also appreciated how the author was able to weave Jewish folklore into Celtic tales - it was an interesting blend and I liked how it affected Anna and Colin's views on their family lifestyles and how much more they were willing to be involved in the dangerous challenges afoot. They were slowly rekindling their powers and developing a better understanding of them, while being thrown into the heat of a battle and embarking on a perilous mission, and still learning about their own heritage along the way. It was a magical story, still with a lot of heart for family, that makes me look forward to the 3rd book already. ☺️
November 15, 2023
What I loved about this book:
* Anna and Colin. What great main characters. SO true to what real life might be like with magical friends.
* The recap of book 1 at the beginning of this story. I wish ALL books that are direct sequels would do this; even though I didn't read this all that long ago, I DO read at least 4 books at a time and a recap of one I read 10ish books ago was absolutely fantastic. I cannot thank the author enough for this treat.
* The Jewish mythology and mysticism. There was so much I didn't know [and even more I WOULD like to know], and it was very cool to see that be a vital part of a story and in how the group used it to learn which in turn helped them defeat the monsters.
* Max. Always and forever.
* The House. It was SO cool to have little chapters from the House's POV and I loved that. It could have been gimmicky in any other hands but our fantastic author and it becomes a very cool part of the story.
* Reconnecting with family.
What didn't work for me:
* There wasn't enough about the Jewish mythology/mysticism. I would have loved a lot more.
* I knew what was going on pretty early in the book so the whole reveal wasn't much of a surprise. I felt there could have been more to the story before we realize what is going on, but that is just my take.
* I would have liked more time in the Otherworld. That felt too short [and the whole Anna/Henry thing felt a teeny bit rushed] for me and I hope they go back there and explore some more.
Overall, this was an outstanding read - I love this world and again the MC's and the surround characters are just fantastic and I was so happy to learn there will be another book next year!!! I cannot wait to dive back into the world of Ravenfall. I highly recommend this series; so so so good.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kalyn Josephson, and Random House Children/Delacourte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
* Anna and Colin. What great main characters. SO true to what real life might be like with magical friends.
* The recap of book 1 at the beginning of this story. I wish ALL books that are direct sequels would do this; even though I didn't read this all that long ago, I DO read at least 4 books at a time and a recap of one I read 10ish books ago was absolutely fantastic. I cannot thank the author enough for this treat.
* The Jewish mythology and mysticism. There was so much I didn't know [and even more I WOULD like to know], and it was very cool to see that be a vital part of a story and in how the group used it to learn which in turn helped them defeat the monsters.
* Max. Always and forever.
* The House. It was SO cool to have little chapters from the House's POV and I loved that. It could have been gimmicky in any other hands but our fantastic author and it becomes a very cool part of the story.
* Reconnecting with family.
What didn't work for me:
* There wasn't enough about the Jewish mythology/mysticism. I would have loved a lot more.
* I knew what was going on pretty early in the book so the whole reveal wasn't much of a surprise. I felt there could have been more to the story before we realize what is going on, but that is just my take.
* I would have liked more time in the Otherworld. That felt too short [and the whole Anna/Henry thing felt a teeny bit rushed] for me and I hope they go back there and explore some more.
Overall, this was an outstanding read - I love this world and again the MC's and the surround characters are just fantastic and I was so happy to learn there will be another book next year!!! I cannot wait to dive back into the world of Ravenfall. I highly recommend this series; so so so good.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kalyn Josephson, and Random House Children/Delacourte Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2024
“Why is everyone in your family always so excited to see things that want to kill us?”
rating: 4.25★
this was an excellent sequel to the first book!
hollowthorn takes place during hanukkah and dives way more into anna's jewish heritage, with them casually partaking in some hanukkah traditions as well as jewish mythology taking center place in this story! anna also learns how to find stability in her own identity as someone half jewish who can't help but feel not jewish "enough", as well as her somewhat distant relationship with her father.
“But there’s a lot to be learned by a contradiction. It forces you to really think and try to understand something.”
it also deal's with colin's conflicted feelings of trying to step up as a raven while battling with his own newfound heritage. he learns about the fine line of good and evil intentions.
“We can both be a little right, and we can both be a little wrong,” he says. “Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
this was a fun adventure as they go on a quest in the otherworld, with some fun (and ominously mysterious) POVs from the ravenfall house while they're away. it also featured lots of jewish magic and mythology and of course many delectable food descriptions.
“He’s not quite what I imagined. Oddly polite for an evil fellow. Strangely enough, many stories present him as a wise or benevolent figure, which I suspect is related to the complex nature of demons in Jewish texts. Demons weren’t always thought of as bad.”
i thought this was even more enjoyable than the first book and i can't wait to read book 3!
“The inn needs all of us, and we all need each other.”
rating: 4.25★
this was an excellent sequel to the first book!
hollowthorn takes place during hanukkah and dives way more into anna's jewish heritage, with them casually partaking in some hanukkah traditions as well as jewish mythology taking center place in this story! anna also learns how to find stability in her own identity as someone half jewish who can't help but feel not jewish "enough", as well as her somewhat distant relationship with her father.
“But there’s a lot to be learned by a contradiction. It forces you to really think and try to understand something.”
it also deal's with colin's conflicted feelings of trying to step up as a raven while battling with his own newfound heritage. he learns about the fine line of good and evil intentions.
“We can both be a little right, and we can both be a little wrong,” he says. “Sometimes that’s just the way things are.”
this was a fun adventure as they go on a quest in the otherworld, with some fun (and ominously mysterious) POVs from the ravenfall house while they're away. it also featured lots of jewish magic and mythology and of course many delectable food descriptions.
“He’s not quite what I imagined. Oddly polite for an evil fellow. Strangely enough, many stories present him as a wise or benevolent figure, which I suspect is related to the complex nature of demons in Jewish texts. Demons weren’t always thought of as bad.”
i thought this was even more enjoyable than the first book and i can't wait to read book 3!
“The inn needs all of us, and we all need each other.”
November 29, 2023
#1) Ravenfall ★★★★★
thank goodness we're getting more anna & colin 💛
➸ Trigger warnings for .
▷ Representation: Anna (mc) is Irish-American, Jewish & aroace; m/m & f/f side couple.
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
October 9, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advanced copy of this one!
It's out October 17, 2023.
--
Hollowthorn takes us back to Ravenfall Inn and it's good to be home!
If Ravenfall was Anna's book, Hollowthorn felt more about Colin, growing into his role as a Raven while navigating the traces of the King of the Dead still lingering within him, sending spooky visions.
Anna's dad is back in town, but when he immediately decides to go back out to assist family friend Salem to find a magical artifact, she cons her way on the trip to spend some valuable quality time.
Meanwhile, the Inn is overbaking bread, it's not responding to requests. Something's awry and the woods seem to be creeping closer.
This was such a fun little follow-up to Ravenfall. I loved this world and loved that for it's wintry series entry the book discussed Judaism and Chanukah and brought stories from Jewish lore to live. Because of that, it felt like something that I'd might expect to be under Rick Riordan's mythology umbrella.
The plot felt a little one note and linear so that's why I went four stars instead of five, but I loved this follow-up to one of my favorite books of 2023.
It's out October 17, 2023.
--
Hollowthorn takes us back to Ravenfall Inn and it's good to be home!
If Ravenfall was Anna's book, Hollowthorn felt more about Colin, growing into his role as a Raven while navigating the traces of the King of the Dead still lingering within him, sending spooky visions.
Anna's dad is back in town, but when he immediately decides to go back out to assist family friend Salem to find a magical artifact, she cons her way on the trip to spend some valuable quality time.
Meanwhile, the Inn is overbaking bread, it's not responding to requests. Something's awry and the woods seem to be creeping closer.
This was such a fun little follow-up to Ravenfall. I loved this world and loved that for it's wintry series entry the book discussed Judaism and Chanukah and brought stories from Jewish lore to live. Because of that, it felt like something that I'd might expect to be under Rick Riordan's mythology umbrella.
The plot felt a little one note and linear so that's why I went four stars instead of five, but I loved this follow-up to one of my favorite books of 2023.
December 11, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up. I love this series - and I loved the Jewish history & myth infused into this story! This one didn’t have quite the same something as the first book, but I’ll absolutely continue on in the series.
May 21, 2024
I loved ravenfall and was very excited to jump back into this world! This was very good, despite being predictable. I love the relationship between Colin and Anna.
July 30, 2023
Really enjoyed this sequel middle grade fantasy!!
Hollowthorn picks up shortly after the events of book one, and gets the action going quickly. I loved seeing Anna and Colin grow into their powers more, and to learn more about Anna's magical house, who is a character in their own right.
The Jewish mythology is really interesting and the book was paced well.
Excited to continue on this series!
Hollowthorn picks up shortly after the events of book one, and gets the action going quickly. I loved seeing Anna and Colin grow into their powers more, and to learn more about Anna's magical house, who is a character in their own right.
The Jewish mythology is really interesting and the book was paced well.
Excited to continue on this series!
September 15, 2024
4.5* I really hated how long I waited to read this one!! It was so sweet and fun to read. It really gives a blend between Halloweentown and Harry Potter. I can’t wait for the next one!! I really love Max and the House. 🥹🫶🏼
May 13, 2024
Tohle bylo zas vyborny.😍 Nejaka ta zidovska mytologie a zvyky a zaporak na presdrzku, kterymu chtel clovek zakroutit krkem celou knihu.
December 23, 2024
Such a good children's book. Strong messages throughout while keeping the reader entertained within the magical world.
November 5, 2024
3.25 star
December 15, 2023
It was a little flat. I like the first book so much better. I am hoping the third book picks up and we have more of the house and characters that were initially introduced.
April 13, 2023
I enjoyed Hollowthorn more than the first book, Ravenfall. Getting a POV from Ravenfall (the house) was a delight and the angry teen trope is always one of my favorites to watch play out. I felt the characters got more depth in this book as well. Overall, a magical MG novel that manages to pack a lot of culture in around the edges!
November 20, 2023
4.5 rounding up to 5 stars - Kalyn Josephson wrote a marvelous fantasy middle grade in Ravenfall, and I think she outdid herself with the sequel, Hollowthorn. Our protagonists Anna and Colin return for another adventure a couple of months after the events in Ravenfall, just in time for Chanukkah, this time going on a quest in the Otherworld to find a magical object that, in the wrong hands, could wipe out all of magic - forever.
Ravenfall focused on Celtic mythology, and Hollowthorn explores in pretty good detail Jewish mythology, folklore, traditions, food, and even some Hebrew linguistics. This is probably my favorite part of the entire series, and while in Ravenfall I thought the folklore was at times in excess, here I think it's more spread out and subdued while still remaining highly informative.
I also think that Hollowthorn adds layers and depth to both Anna and Colin, Anna in particular was a bit one-note in Ravenfall, but here she and her growing confidence in herself and powers, while exploring other elements to her personality and relationships with her family members, flowed naturally in the text and storyline.
Colin, though, has a much darker trajectory, and perhaps the most brilliant aspect of this book is that it accurately portrays the dark paths young boys can take when exposed to the wrong influences, and also creates a PERFECT allegory for the dark paths many people went in relation to Jewish history as well. For a middle grade novel, it's incredibly nuanced, and I appreciate Josephson made at least one direct reference to it in the text.
Simply put, Josephson has put in an incredible effort here - this is heartwarming with some great winter vibes while still having some scenes of fantastic tension and moments of anxiety, the humor spread throughout is effective, and Hollowthorn touches on so many important themes not just for children but adults too. I LOVED this.
My biggest critique is that the book promises a quest with riddles and challenges along the way - there were only two direct riddles/challenges while on the quest, and I would have loved to have seen more of those interspersed with the creatures we met in the forest, or have them be more directly connected. And some of the internal dialogue from Colin and Anna was a bit repetitive, but these are minor qualms.
I still have a few more MG reads from 2023 to pick up, so I can't say yet if this is my favorite, but what a shame this book couldn't be nominated for best children's/middle grade this year. Please read this series.
Ravenfall focused on Celtic mythology, and Hollowthorn explores in pretty good detail Jewish mythology, folklore, traditions, food, and even some Hebrew linguistics. This is probably my favorite part of the entire series, and while in Ravenfall I thought the folklore was at times in excess, here I think it's more spread out and subdued while still remaining highly informative.
I also think that Hollowthorn adds layers and depth to both Anna and Colin, Anna in particular was a bit one-note in Ravenfall, but here she and her growing confidence in herself and powers, while exploring other elements to her personality and relationships with her family members, flowed naturally in the text and storyline.
Colin, though, has a much darker trajectory, and perhaps the most brilliant aspect of this book is that it accurately portrays the dark paths young boys can take when exposed to the wrong influences, and also creates a PERFECT allegory for the dark paths many people went in relation to Jewish history as well. For a middle grade novel, it's incredibly nuanced, and I appreciate Josephson made at least one direct reference to it in the text.
Simply put, Josephson has put in an incredible effort here - this is heartwarming with some great winter vibes while still having some scenes of fantastic tension and moments of anxiety, the humor spread throughout is effective, and Hollowthorn touches on so many important themes not just for children but adults too. I LOVED this.
My biggest critique is that the book promises a quest with riddles and challenges along the way - there were only two direct riddles/challenges while on the quest, and I would have loved to have seen more of those interspersed with the creatures we met in the forest, or have them be more directly connected. And some of the internal dialogue from Colin and Anna was a bit repetitive, but these are minor qualms.
I still have a few more MG reads from 2023 to pick up, so I can't say yet if this is my favorite, but what a shame this book couldn't be nominated for best children's/middle grade this year. Please read this series.
March 26, 2023
When I got approved for this ARC, I dropped everything to read it. Ravenfall was a perfectly cozy five-star read for me last year, so my expectations were high, and Hollowthorn lived up to all of them. It's an all-new enchanting adventure with the same magic of the first book. I had been hoping for more of Anna's dad and Max, and this book delivered on both counts! It also meant the world to me to see Anna start to reconnect with her Jewish identity, and I think we're going to see more of that in book three.
If this series had existed when I was a kid, I would have been absolutely in love with it; I'm so happy to have it now. I'm excited to see what's in store for future books!
CW: injuries (including an injured animal), manipulation by a mentor figure, past parent deaths
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
If this series had existed when I was a kid, I would have been absolutely in love with it; I'm so happy to have it now. I'm excited to see what's in store for future books!
CW: injuries (including an injured animal), manipulation by a mentor figure, past parent deaths
I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
October 17, 2023
In this spooky sequel to Ravenfall we join Anna and Collin as they venture to the otherworld with a new Raven and Anna’s mysterious father. There they must seem out the Tree of Life to keep Ashmedai from erasing all Magic forever. But things are never as clear cut as them seem and neither are people always who they say they are.
I adored this return to Ravenfall. And I loved and appreciated the recap of book 1, in a format that read as a recap on a tv show. I love the Jewish mythology and representation, especially from Anna’s point of view. Anna and Collin are such great characters and it was really nice to get to know Henry and more of Max’s backstory. I can’t wait for the third installment to the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review.
I adored this return to Ravenfall. And I loved and appreciated the recap of book 1, in a format that read as a recap on a tv show. I love the Jewish mythology and representation, especially from Anna’s point of view. Anna and Collin are such great characters and it was really nice to get to know Henry and more of Max’s backstory. I can’t wait for the third installment to the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Netgalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children’s in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2025
Ravenfall is more cozy than this one. But I think I'm finally getting the hang of the pov switches, so I enjoyed the reading experience more this time.
December 29, 2023
Still enjoy this magical world! Really liked the inclusion of Jewish folklore and mysticism. The story had a different flow and pacing due to each character being off on their own adventures.
Tarot card: 5 of wands
Tarot card: 5 of wands
July 30, 2024
I didn't love it like the first, but by the end it got better. It just felt rushed and like it was trying to match the energy without the depth.
May 21, 2024
I found it very distracting when Anna calls her parents by their names instead of mom and dad.
Petty but here we are.
This story moved so quickly but it was entertaining.
Petty but here we are.
This story moved so quickly but it was entertaining.
July 19, 2025
This book is so awesome. I love the ending, and the plot twists are crazy! It’s so full of magic and fantasy that was written so well that it might has well been real. Can’t wait for the next one!
May 12, 2023
What worked:
The author skillfully crafts a creative story that makes readers anticipate what’s in store as events develop. Ravenfall Inn has its own personality and typically fulfills most of the roles of a typical hotel staff. However, the opening chapter finds the inn acting strangely so readers don’t know if that will become something significant. In the same way, Max, a jabberwocky usually appearing as a cat, always has a testy attitude toward certain characters so his behavior is unpredictable. However, animals in stories often sense secrets that human characters can’t. Anna’s father is typically absent from Ravenfall, off searching for magical artifacts, but he reappears in this book while his wife travels off to Ireland. Anna is eager to prove to him that she has more abilities than visions of death but she’s still learning to magically connect with inanimate objects. She’s starved for her father’s attention and becomes frustrated and angry with him.
A new character is introduced as Simon, an old, experienced Raven, who’s seeking help from Anna’s father. Colin’s only recently discovered his own abilities as a Raven so he’s excited to learn from such a talented veteran. Colin’s older brother never lets Colin do anything on his own but Salem encourages him to trust his powers and kill every magical creature they find in the Otherworld. Anna is okay with Colin learning to master his abilities but she has some reservations about some things he’s being told. Max, on the other hand, clearly doesn’t like Salem and everyone chalks it up to a grudge from the Raven stepping on Max’s tail. Salem leads the group in search of the Tree of Life but something seems off with the quest, especially once they enter the Otherworld. Colin’s internal struggle dealing with the death magic inherited from his father adds another uncertain element to the story.
The Jewish religion is a big part of the story but it’s not overdone so much that it becomes a distraction. The setting is around the time of Hannukah but Anna notes that she uses it to keep track of time and not necessarily a celebration of the holiday. She also realizes she’s growing up Jewish but doesn’t really understand what it’s all about. Her father makes a connection between Hebrew letters and numbers and Anna hopes her father will teach her more about the Hebrew alphabet once their adventure ends. Jewish demons, gods, and bible references are part of the plot, and protecting the Tree of Life is the goal of Anna and Colin’s quest. A Hebrew prayer plays an important role at a critical moment in the plot.
What didn’t work as well:
The story is told from two points of view which isn’t typically a problem. For some reason in this book, I need to remind myself when Anna or Colin is narrating a particular chapter. It’s not a big issue and it lessened as the plot move along. Periodic chapters share concerns from Ravenfall and it’s nice to be reminded the inn is still part of the story.
The Final Verdict:
You might be able to read this book on its own but I recommend reading Ravenfall first. It will be especially helpful in understanding Colin’s turmoil. This book takes readers on an exciting adventure to the Otherworld and they’ll sense an underlying problem that’s waiting to explode. Overall, this book and series are quite entertaining and I recommend you give them a shot.
The author skillfully crafts a creative story that makes readers anticipate what’s in store as events develop. Ravenfall Inn has its own personality and typically fulfills most of the roles of a typical hotel staff. However, the opening chapter finds the inn acting strangely so readers don’t know if that will become something significant. In the same way, Max, a jabberwocky usually appearing as a cat, always has a testy attitude toward certain characters so his behavior is unpredictable. However, animals in stories often sense secrets that human characters can’t. Anna’s father is typically absent from Ravenfall, off searching for magical artifacts, but he reappears in this book while his wife travels off to Ireland. Anna is eager to prove to him that she has more abilities than visions of death but she’s still learning to magically connect with inanimate objects. She’s starved for her father’s attention and becomes frustrated and angry with him.
A new character is introduced as Simon, an old, experienced Raven, who’s seeking help from Anna’s father. Colin’s only recently discovered his own abilities as a Raven so he’s excited to learn from such a talented veteran. Colin’s older brother never lets Colin do anything on his own but Salem encourages him to trust his powers and kill every magical creature they find in the Otherworld. Anna is okay with Colin learning to master his abilities but she has some reservations about some things he’s being told. Max, on the other hand, clearly doesn’t like Salem and everyone chalks it up to a grudge from the Raven stepping on Max’s tail. Salem leads the group in search of the Tree of Life but something seems off with the quest, especially once they enter the Otherworld. Colin’s internal struggle dealing with the death magic inherited from his father adds another uncertain element to the story.
The Jewish religion is a big part of the story but it’s not overdone so much that it becomes a distraction. The setting is around the time of Hannukah but Anna notes that she uses it to keep track of time and not necessarily a celebration of the holiday. She also realizes she’s growing up Jewish but doesn’t really understand what it’s all about. Her father makes a connection between Hebrew letters and numbers and Anna hopes her father will teach her more about the Hebrew alphabet once their adventure ends. Jewish demons, gods, and bible references are part of the plot, and protecting the Tree of Life is the goal of Anna and Colin’s quest. A Hebrew prayer plays an important role at a critical moment in the plot.
What didn’t work as well:
The story is told from two points of view which isn’t typically a problem. For some reason in this book, I need to remind myself when Anna or Colin is narrating a particular chapter. It’s not a big issue and it lessened as the plot move along. Periodic chapters share concerns from Ravenfall and it’s nice to be reminded the inn is still part of the story.
The Final Verdict:
You might be able to read this book on its own but I recommend reading Ravenfall first. It will be especially helpful in understanding Colin’s turmoil. This book takes readers on an exciting adventure to the Otherworld and they’ll sense an underlying problem that’s waiting to explode. Overall, this book and series are quite entertaining and I recommend you give them a shot.
February 15, 2024
Rating: 5
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Delacorte Press for providing a physical copy through Youth Services Book Review.
Synopsis:
Anna and Colin are back to take on another adventure. After defeating the King of the Dead on Halloween, Anna finally accepts her psychic powers and her place in Ravenfall, and Colin is ready to become a full-fledged Raven - a guardian of the human world. This is easier said than done though, as the adults in their lives make their growth difficult. Anna’s father Henry has returned from his travels and she can’t wait to talk to him, but he seems more interested in his artifacts than her. And Liam refuses to let Colin fight in real battles, leaving him behind like a burden. The two just want to prove themselves, and an opportunity arises when another Raven, Salem, arrives at Ravenfall. He bears an urgent message: A demon is trying to find the Tree of Life, a natural source of magic and immortality. If this demon succeeds, magic, Ravenfall, and the Otherworld will be lost forever. So, before Hanukkah is over, Anna, Henry, Colin, and Salem must journey into the Otherworld and find the Tree of Life before the demon. As the two discover new mythical creatures and legendary magic, Anna and Colin will learn that the true danger of their mission is closer than they realize.
What did you like about the book?
Hollowthorn is one of those rare sequels that is better than the first. A few months have passed since the first book, so Hanukkah is fast approaching. Thus the mythology and monsters are of Jewish origin, corresponding to Anna uncovering the Jewish side of her family through her father. Henry is an interesting character that addresses off-beat family dynamics and social anxiety in adults, something rarely seen in youth fiction. Anna and Colin are strong characters whose personality, morals, and friendship are tested by fighting demons, shifty characters, and questionable morals. Their roles are reversed from the first book: Colin is trying to prove his worth this time, while Anna is discovering her family origins. Their journey through the Otherworld is both physical and interpersonal, as they both build upon the lessons they have learned in the first book and emerge better than when they first started. Hollowthorn is a true sequel because of this, as it reads like a natural continuation of Anna’s and Colin’s growth. Many sequels either sometimes forget/negate what happened before, stagnant, or take a weird turn, so praise to Josephson for writing a great and engaging second title. Anna is half Irish and half Jewish, Henry is Jewish, Colin and Salem are White. Definitely pick up Hollowthorn if you have read Ravenfall!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No!
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids who like “cozy”-ish winter fantasy, stories set during Hanukkah, found family, sentient houses, and surreal forests. The Library of Lost Things by Rebecca Stead, Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hannah Alkaf, Eden’s Everdark by Karen Strong, and Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty.
Date of review: January 15, 2024
Genre: Fantasy
Thank you Delacorte Press for providing a physical copy through Youth Services Book Review.
Synopsis:
Anna and Colin are back to take on another adventure. After defeating the King of the Dead on Halloween, Anna finally accepts her psychic powers and her place in Ravenfall, and Colin is ready to become a full-fledged Raven - a guardian of the human world. This is easier said than done though, as the adults in their lives make their growth difficult. Anna’s father Henry has returned from his travels and she can’t wait to talk to him, but he seems more interested in his artifacts than her. And Liam refuses to let Colin fight in real battles, leaving him behind like a burden. The two just want to prove themselves, and an opportunity arises when another Raven, Salem, arrives at Ravenfall. He bears an urgent message: A demon is trying to find the Tree of Life, a natural source of magic and immortality. If this demon succeeds, magic, Ravenfall, and the Otherworld will be lost forever. So, before Hanukkah is over, Anna, Henry, Colin, and Salem must journey into the Otherworld and find the Tree of Life before the demon. As the two discover new mythical creatures and legendary magic, Anna and Colin will learn that the true danger of their mission is closer than they realize.
What did you like about the book?
Hollowthorn is one of those rare sequels that is better than the first. A few months have passed since the first book, so Hanukkah is fast approaching. Thus the mythology and monsters are of Jewish origin, corresponding to Anna uncovering the Jewish side of her family through her father. Henry is an interesting character that addresses off-beat family dynamics and social anxiety in adults, something rarely seen in youth fiction. Anna and Colin are strong characters whose personality, morals, and friendship are tested by fighting demons, shifty characters, and questionable morals. Their roles are reversed from the first book: Colin is trying to prove his worth this time, while Anna is discovering her family origins. Their journey through the Otherworld is both physical and interpersonal, as they both build upon the lessons they have learned in the first book and emerge better than when they first started. Hollowthorn is a true sequel because of this, as it reads like a natural continuation of Anna’s and Colin’s growth. Many sequels either sometimes forget/negate what happened before, stagnant, or take a weird turn, so praise to Josephson for writing a great and engaging second title. Anna is half Irish and half Jewish, Henry is Jewish, Colin and Salem are White. Definitely pick up Hollowthorn if you have read Ravenfall!
Anything you didn’t like about it? No!
To whom would you recommend this book? Kids who like “cozy”-ish winter fantasy, stories set during Hanukkah, found family, sentient houses, and surreal forests. The Library of Lost Things by Rebecca Stead, Hamra and the Jungle of Memories by Hannah Alkaf, Eden’s Everdark by Karen Strong, and Serafina and the Black Cloak by Robert Beatty.
Date of review: January 15, 2024
December 10, 2023
As a sequel, Hollowthorn does a really great job of living up to its predecessor. This isn't to say that it doesn't fall into the same traps as most sequels. It isn't as strong as Ravenfall, but it is still a very warm-hearted and emotionally enticing sequel that's easy to read for Middle graders and adults alike.
Hollowthorn takes place about three months after the events of Revenfall. In this sequel, we continue to follow the budding BFF relationship between Anna and Colin. Continuing from the first novel, Anna still struggles with both belonging and knowing how and when to say the right thing while Colin still struggles with being emotionally available and vulnerable. They kid has gone through a lot, so three months isn’t enough time at all to deal with his emotions at all.
Where the first book was about loneliness, this book is about contradictions and basically learning that life is complicated, which is a lesson that most children learn as they grow up. We see our young protagonist learn that something or someone can be both a decent person and a vile person. They learn that someone can care about you while also acting like they have no interest in you whatsoever. They also learn that sometimes you have to truly listen to someone if you expect them to also listen to you.
All of Anna’s family from the first novel reappear including the house and Max, the so-called cat. However, we get introduced to Anna’s absent father, Henry in this novel. Henry is a complicated man. He loves his family, but he is always gone treasure hunting because he is the only one in the family who isn’t magical. Without this magical ability, Henry’s contribution to the magical world is through his quests for finding magical objects and keeping them safe. He is a nerdier version of Indiana Jones. Being gone all the time opens a crater the size of the Grand Canyon in the relationships between Henry and his growing daughters. This leads Anna to seek a way to deepen her relationship with her father. And, the way she tries to go about this bonding process is to go on one of Henry’s quests as his companion.
That’s what the plot of this book is mainly about. It’s a quest. One of Henry’s oldest friends, Salem, has asked for his help to uncover the magical Myrtle Staff to keep a demon from gaining immortality from the Tree of Life. While on this quest Anna tries to spend more time with her father and Colin spends more time with Salem to be the best magical version of himself he can be. Of course, the quest is not at all simple.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed going on this journey with Anna and Colin. I’m looking forward to the third book in the series. I feel like we’re going to meet more of Anna’s family on her father’s side. Perhaps we will even meet her older brother.
4.5/5
Hollowthorn takes place about three months after the events of Revenfall. In this sequel, we continue to follow the budding BFF relationship between Anna and Colin. Continuing from the first novel, Anna still struggles with both belonging and knowing how and when to say the right thing while Colin still struggles with being emotionally available and vulnerable. They kid has gone through a lot, so three months isn’t enough time at all to deal with his emotions at all.
Where the first book was about loneliness, this book is about contradictions and basically learning that life is complicated, which is a lesson that most children learn as they grow up. We see our young protagonist learn that something or someone can be both a decent person and a vile person. They learn that someone can care about you while also acting like they have no interest in you whatsoever. They also learn that sometimes you have to truly listen to someone if you expect them to also listen to you.
All of Anna’s family from the first novel reappear including the house and Max, the so-called cat. However, we get introduced to Anna’s absent father, Henry in this novel. Henry is a complicated man. He loves his family, but he is always gone treasure hunting because he is the only one in the family who isn’t magical. Without this magical ability, Henry’s contribution to the magical world is through his quests for finding magical objects and keeping them safe. He is a nerdier version of Indiana Jones. Being gone all the time opens a crater the size of the Grand Canyon in the relationships between Henry and his growing daughters. This leads Anna to seek a way to deepen her relationship with her father. And, the way she tries to go about this bonding process is to go on one of Henry’s quests as his companion.
That’s what the plot of this book is mainly about. It’s a quest. One of Henry’s oldest friends, Salem, has asked for his help to uncover the magical Myrtle Staff to keep a demon from gaining immortality from the Tree of Life. While on this quest Anna tries to spend more time with her father and Colin spends more time with Salem to be the best magical version of himself he can be. Of course, the quest is not at all simple.
Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed going on this journey with Anna and Colin. I’m looking forward to the third book in the series. I feel like we’re going to meet more of Anna’s family on her father’s side. Perhaps we will even meet her older brother.
4.5/5
May 7, 2025
I was excited to get this book after reading the first one, however I enjoyed this book a little less than the first. While waiting for this book to arrive, I read another book. I only had to wait four days. When I opened Hollowthorn it was like being thrown into a series I was not familiar with. The beginning was abrupt and even though I had just read the first book I felt a little off balance as I started reading. There was no warm introduction to the house and characters. The house itself is after all a character in the book and one that makes you wish Ravenfall was a real place. However, the start of the book was rushed and if you didn't read the first book I can only imagine how lost a new reader would feel.
The adventure that the group sets out on while exciting, you still don't feel you have a grasp on what is going on until some chapters in. Only then do you feel you have settled into the story somewhat. Although one important character acts in a way that doesn't seem right, and that is Max. Keeping such a large secret seems like a lie to the readers. Even so the story was interesting, but it was annoying to see the two main characters complain about the same problems from the first books because in truth they are not going through the same issues, the writer just decided to use the same words. Anna has grown into her power, and she is not useless. Now she is just struggling to control it, same as Colin but instead their new issues are packaged as old ones, which they are not. Even young readers can tell that, not sure if this was an editor's call or the writers. Either way it wasn't a true call to make and once again the writing felt a little dishonest in that part. Also, the characters are constantly repeating their problems, not only that, they do so in the exact same phrasing, at least spice if up if you are going to repeat yourself.
Even though I had a few issues I did finish the book in a day, and I liked seeing Anna and Colin grow closer despite people trying to come between them. They make a great team and are amazing characters that I truly enjoy. Also, the Otherworld was a cool place where the writer really showed off her imagination. Even though it was a bad place I almost wanted to stay there. I don't like ordering books online, I try and shop in brick and mortar, but no shop has the next book, so I have to order it. I have high hopes, and I suggest this book to anyone that likes reading something, as long as the writing is good!
The adventure that the group sets out on while exciting, you still don't feel you have a grasp on what is going on until some chapters in. Only then do you feel you have settled into the story somewhat. Although one important character acts in a way that doesn't seem right, and that is Max. Keeping such a large secret seems like a lie to the readers. Even so the story was interesting, but it was annoying to see the two main characters complain about the same problems from the first books because in truth they are not going through the same issues, the writer just decided to use the same words. Anna has grown into her power, and she is not useless. Now she is just struggling to control it, same as Colin but instead their new issues are packaged as old ones, which they are not. Even young readers can tell that, not sure if this was an editor's call or the writers. Either way it wasn't a true call to make and once again the writing felt a little dishonest in that part. Also, the characters are constantly repeating their problems, not only that, they do so in the exact same phrasing, at least spice if up if you are going to repeat yourself.
Even though I had a few issues I did finish the book in a day, and I liked seeing Anna and Colin grow closer despite people trying to come between them. They make a great team and are amazing characters that I truly enjoy. Also, the Otherworld was a cool place where the writer really showed off her imagination. Even though it was a bad place I almost wanted to stay there. I don't like ordering books online, I try and shop in brick and mortar, but no shop has the next book, so I have to order it. I have high hopes, and I suggest this book to anyone that likes reading something, as long as the writing is good!
November 25, 2023
Public library copy
Anna is excited that her father Henry will be visiting when her mother, grandmother, and older twin sisters travel to Ireland. Her father is not home long before an old friend stops by with a favor. Anna and Colin embark on a quest to help Salem, who needs Henry's help to subdue a demon who is after the Tree of Life. Strange things are happening in the Hollowthorn Woods, and the Ravenfall house is not happy, especially when it is left in the care of Aunt Elaine. The group, which includes the cat/jabberwok Max, travels through a portal into the Otherworld. They need to retrieve the Myrtle Staff from the Crypt and return it to the Tree of Life before the demon Ashmedai finds them. There's a lot of running around, and fighting of various entitities while on this mission, and Colin and Anna fight a bit. The bigger issue is what is happening back home without them, as the woods encroaches on the house, which is struggling mightily. Things are not always what they seem, and while the mission goes fairly well, the reason for it becomes complicated when they learn some secrets from the past.
Strengths: Anna's magical skills are put to good use in this adventure, and she gets to spend a little more time with her father. Colin polishes his own abilities, and learns a lot about himself. The Otherworld is an interesting setting, and there is a ton of Jewish culture and folklore in this that I just don't remember from the first book. We do get to see a little of what is happening with the house, since the chapters alternate between Anna and Colin with occasionall input from Ravenfall. A good sequel to the first book.
Weaknesses: Not a weakness with the book, really; I just wasn't in the mood for a magical quest in the woods. I was more interested in what was going on in the house, so preferred the first book. Younger readers will not feel this way and will enjoy the adventure.
Anna is excited that her father Henry will be visiting when her mother, grandmother, and older twin sisters travel to Ireland. Her father is not home long before an old friend stops by with a favor. Anna and Colin embark on a quest to help Salem, who needs Henry's help to subdue a demon who is after the Tree of Life. Strange things are happening in the Hollowthorn Woods, and the Ravenfall house is not happy, especially when it is left in the care of Aunt Elaine. The group, which includes the cat/jabberwok Max, travels through a portal into the Otherworld. They need to retrieve the Myrtle Staff from the Crypt and return it to the Tree of Life before the demon Ashmedai finds them. There's a lot of running around, and fighting of various entitities while on this mission, and Colin and Anna fight a bit. The bigger issue is what is happening back home without them, as the woods encroaches on the house, which is struggling mightily. Things are not always what they seem, and while the mission goes fairly well, the reason for it becomes complicated when they learn some secrets from the past.
Strengths: Anna's magical skills are put to good use in this adventure, and she gets to spend a little more time with her father. Colin polishes his own abilities, and learns a lot about himself. The Otherworld is an interesting setting, and there is a ton of Jewish culture and folklore in this that I just don't remember from the first book. We do get to see a little of what is happening with the house, since the chapters alternate between Anna and Colin with occasionall input from Ravenfall. A good sequel to the first book.
Weaknesses: Not a weakness with the book, really; I just wasn't in the mood for a magical quest in the woods. I was more interested in what was going on in the house, so preferred the first book. Younger readers will not feel this way and will enjoy the adventure.
December 27, 2023
I know for an undeniable fact that I'm in the minority—based on the, albeit small and limited, ratings and reviews from other readers on here—but this just felt like... a bit of a disappointment to me? I read the first book in the Ravenfall Series, aptly named Ravenfall, back in October and fell absolutely head over heels IN LOVE with it! I thought it was the perfect representation of a spooky, fantastical, and whimsical Middle Grades novel and it was easily my favorite fall read of the year.
I knew that this sequel was going to be coming out this year and was also privy to the fact that it was going to be taking place in December, while swapping the autumnal seasonal atmosphere for a wintry one, and I decided to pick this up right after I got done with all of my Christmas reads and festive romances. This also focuses heavily on Jewish mythology as well as Hannukah so I thought that be a good counter-balance to what I have been consuming as of late.
Kalyn Josephson's Hollowthorn had a lot of strengths to it, I won't lie there, but it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor. While I enjoyed the change in mythological focus and thought that the character development was masterfully done, the plot felt bland to me and there was a lot that came across as... forced and clunky, if we are being honest here.
I wish I could give this a higher rating because I loved the first one so much but this ended up being mediocrely standard and regrettably middle-of-the-road for me.
Let me start my proper review of this by talking about the setting, as I normally do: it was decent enough! While Ravenfall almost exclusively takes place at the sentient inn as well as throughout the surrounding town of Wick, this spends a lot more time in what is referred to as "the Otherworld." While I appreciated the switch up of scenery, I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as what I did in the first book and this made the entire reading experience less enjoyable for me, unfortunately.
Now, I can recognize that's just a personal preference so take what I am saying here with a grain of salt.
As I mentioned above, this also has a shift in focus from Celtic mythology to Jewish folklore and, as I felt with the overall backdrop of the novel, this was interesting in and of itself but it didn't manage to capture my attention like it did in the first book. In the "Acknowledgments" section after the last chapter, Josephson mentions that she didn't know what this book was going to be about when they pitched the idea for a sequel and that she had to do a lot of research on the mythology and it... showed, unfortunately. All of the mythological parts felt forced into the story and just made everything feel almost disjointed in a way. Wherein the Celtic mythology fit in with Samhain and everything else throughout the first novel, this one just came off as the author trying to do something random and different—which, based on what she said herself, is essentially what happened.
The seasonal vibe of the book, too, was lacking. While the first book was dripping with all things autumnal, this one had barely a sprinkling of wintry imagery throughout the book and I had been hoping for much more. What was there, however, was written extremely well so I did want to highlight some of the more positives of the novel by inserting a few of my favorite quotes here:
I will say that I SINCERELY appreciated the recap of the previous book before the first chapter (cleverly done in a similar vein to that of a TV show episode, as well) and I wish that more authors would do that when it came to direct sequels! I read quite a lot of books and don't have the best memory so this worked wonders on me. This would also help authors not have to incorporate awkward moments of "Info Dumping" throughout the first few chapters of the book to ensure that the reader remembers what happened in the preceding novel.
Finally, the characters were a joy to read about and I enjoyed the further depth that was given to them. If Ravenfall is considered to be Anna's novel, then Hollowthorn was definitely Colin's and I enjoyed watching these two navigate their own personal feelings and emotions when it came to those around them. I thought that there was a lot of insightful advice and messages threaded throughout the drama presented in this and that young readers could glean a lot from the presented dialogue and discourse.
In particular, the relationships that the two main characters had with adults and other parent-like figures were especially poignant and I thought that this representation in a novel for this specific target audience was a breath of fresh air.
I also loved the chapters that were told from the inn's perspective! This could have easily felt gimmicky and cringeworthy, to be honest, but the author managed it well enough and it added an extra layer to the perspectives presented throughout the story.
Overall, this was not the sequel that I expected or, frankly, wanted. While there were easily some wins seen throughout the novel, there were also a lot of misses and I thought that this could have been handled much better—especially knowing what this author is capable of doing. Now, does this mean that I won't read the third book, Witchwood, that's projected to come out next year? No, not by any means but I do hope that it will at least meet my now lowered expectations.
I knew that this sequel was going to be coming out this year and was also privy to the fact that it was going to be taking place in December, while swapping the autumnal seasonal atmosphere for a wintry one, and I decided to pick this up right after I got done with all of my Christmas reads and festive romances. This also focuses heavily on Jewish mythology as well as Hannukah so I thought that be a good counter-balance to what I have been consuming as of late.
Kalyn Josephson's Hollowthorn had a lot of strengths to it, I won't lie there, but it doesn't hold a candle to its predecessor. While I enjoyed the change in mythological focus and thought that the character development was masterfully done, the plot felt bland to me and there was a lot that came across as... forced and clunky, if we are being honest here.
I wish I could give this a higher rating because I loved the first one so much but this ended up being mediocrely standard and regrettably middle-of-the-road for me.
“"I felt that way about Ravenfall too," I tell him. "I didn’t think I belonged here, and it took me a really long time to realize that Ravenfall didn’t need me to be like everyone else: it just needed me to be me."”
Let me start my proper review of this by talking about the setting, as I normally do: it was decent enough! While Ravenfall almost exclusively takes place at the sentient inn as well as throughout the surrounding town of Wick, this spends a lot more time in what is referred to as "the Otherworld." While I appreciated the switch up of scenery, I didn't enjoy this nearly as much as what I did in the first book and this made the entire reading experience less enjoyable for me, unfortunately.
Now, I can recognize that's just a personal preference so take what I am saying here with a grain of salt.
As I mentioned above, this also has a shift in focus from Celtic mythology to Jewish folklore and, as I felt with the overall backdrop of the novel, this was interesting in and of itself but it didn't manage to capture my attention like it did in the first book. In the "Acknowledgments" section after the last chapter, Josephson mentions that she didn't know what this book was going to be about when they pitched the idea for a sequel and that she had to do a lot of research on the mythology and it... showed, unfortunately. All of the mythological parts felt forced into the story and just made everything feel almost disjointed in a way. Wherein the Celtic mythology fit in with Samhain and everything else throughout the first novel, this one just came off as the author trying to do something random and different—which, based on what she said herself, is essentially what happened.
The seasonal vibe of the book, too, was lacking. While the first book was dripping with all things autumnal, this one had barely a sprinkling of wintry imagery throughout the book and I had been hoping for much more. What was there, however, was written extremely well so I did want to highlight some of the more positives of the novel by inserting a few of my favorite quotes here:
“Elaine and Roy are in the kitchen arguing, as they’re always arguing, and the house is trying to drown them out with thoughts of the snow settling on its eaves and the way the crackle of the fireplace reverberates in the library. Safe, contained, and nothing like those unruly sparks that leap from Roy’s fingertips. A pair of guests lounge across the couches, drinking hot spiced rum and eating the maple sugar cookies the house made that morning in the shape of menorahs and dreidels.”
“But for now, it focuses on the little things. The challah loaf baking in its oven alongside a batch of snickerdoodles, the mugs of peppermint hot chocolate it’s preparing for the family. It seeps into the faerie lights along the deck, making them twinkle and dance, and it breathes in a bundle of new mist, twirling it into shape after shape.”When it comes to the plot, I thought it was good but it lacked depth and blazed through a lot of things far too quickly for my taste. I can't remember the page count for Ravenfall, to be fair, but this felt much shorter and lacked the fleshing-out that was seen there.
I will say that I SINCERELY appreciated the recap of the previous book before the first chapter (cleverly done in a similar vein to that of a TV show episode, as well) and I wish that more authors would do that when it came to direct sequels! I read quite a lot of books and don't have the best memory so this worked wonders on me. This would also help authors not have to incorporate awkward moments of "Info Dumping" throughout the first few chapters of the book to ensure that the reader remembers what happened in the preceding novel.
Finally, the characters were a joy to read about and I enjoyed the further depth that was given to them. If Ravenfall is considered to be Anna's novel, then Hollowthorn was definitely Colin's and I enjoyed watching these two navigate their own personal feelings and emotions when it came to those around them. I thought that there was a lot of insightful advice and messages threaded throughout the drama presented in this and that young readers could glean a lot from the presented dialogue and discourse.
In particular, the relationships that the two main characters had with adults and other parent-like figures were especially poignant and I thought that this representation in a novel for this specific target audience was a breath of fresh air.
I also loved the chapters that were told from the inn's perspective! This could have easily felt gimmicky and cringeworthy, to be honest, but the author managed it well enough and it added an extra layer to the perspectives presented throughout the story.
Overall, this was not the sequel that I expected or, frankly, wanted. While there were easily some wins seen throughout the novel, there were also a lot of misses and I thought that this could have been handled much better—especially knowing what this author is capable of doing. Now, does this mean that I won't read the third book, Witchwood, that's projected to come out next year? No, not by any means but I do hope that it will at least meet my now lowered expectations.
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