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Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution
When Ichabod Crane, a soldier from the Colonial Army, is resurrected from his grave, more than two centuries after he was killed in battle, he partners with Lieutenant Abbie Mills of the Sleepy Hollow Police Department to fight the evil forces that have taken hold of the town.
It’s a cold day in January, and Ichabod visits Patriots Park for a moment of peace. Instead, he receives a disturbing vision from his wife, Katrina, in which she delivers a cryptic but urgent message: he must retrieve the Congressional Cross that he was awarded by the Second Continental Congress for bravery in action. There’s just one problem: Ichabod was killed before he ever received the medal, and he is unsure where it might be. Together Ichabod and Abbie set out to uncover the mystery of the cross and its connection to George Washington and his secret war against the demon hordes. They soon learn that a coven of witches is also seeking the cross in order to resurrect their leader, Serilda, who was burned at the stake during the Revolutionary War. Now they must locate the cross before the coven can bring back Serilda to exact her fatal revenge on Sleepy Hollow.
It’s a cold day in January, and Ichabod visits Patriots Park for a moment of peace. Instead, he receives a disturbing vision from his wife, Katrina, in which she delivers a cryptic but urgent message: he must retrieve the Congressional Cross that he was awarded by the Second Continental Congress for bravery in action. There’s just one problem: Ichabod was killed before he ever received the medal, and he is unsure where it might be. Together Ichabod and Abbie set out to uncover the mystery of the cross and its connection to George Washington and his secret war against the demon hordes. They soon learn that a coven of witches is also seeking the cross in order to resurrect their leader, Serilda, who was burned at the stake during the Revolutionary War. Now they must locate the cross before the coven can bring back Serilda to exact her fatal revenge on Sleepy Hollow.
292 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
November 25, 2015
The story in this book takes place after the episode "The Golem" and before the episode "The Vessel".
A Coven of witches is collecting Congressional Cross's to use in a spell to bring the witch Serilda back. It is up Abbie, Crane, Jenny, and Irving have to stop Serilda from resurrecting.
I enjoyed reading about Crane and Abbie mostly because I'm looking forward to season 2. It took me a while to realize that Serilda was the witch whose bones was burned in an episode. I would have liked it mentioned early in the story since it's not easy to remember everything that happens in the show. But my biggest problem is that I didn't find the story that interesting because I know what will happen next and I'm more interested in the future of Crane and Abbie than a story from a period that has passed.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
A Coven of witches is collecting Congressional Cross's to use in a spell to bring the witch Serilda back. It is up Abbie, Crane, Jenny, and Irving have to stop Serilda from resurrecting.
I enjoyed reading about Crane and Abbie mostly because I'm looking forward to season 2. It took me a while to realize that Serilda was the witch whose bones was burned in an episode. I would have liked it mentioned early in the story since it's not easy to remember everything that happens in the show. But my biggest problem is that I didn't find the story that interesting because I know what will happen next and I'm more interested in the future of Crane and Abbie than a story from a period that has passed.
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
October 27, 2014
3.5 Stars
Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution is a book that is related to the TV show, Sleepy Hollow. It takes place after the episode The Golem, and it does reference previous episodes so it is good to at least watch an episode or two of the show to get your bearings.
Children of The Revolution follows Ichabod Crane and Lieutenant Abbie Mills as they race to stop a coven of witches who are trying to resurrect their leader, the witch Serilda of Abaddon who was burned at the stake by collecting magic medallions, awarded by George Washington called the Congressional Crosses. Oh and did I mention Crane is a soldier from the Revolutionary War that woke up in the modern day two hundred years after he was killed in battle?
The book was kept me entertained and was full of action. I really liked how well it tied into the series and yet expanded on it. I was able to see more of what the characters were thinking.
My favorite character is Crane, and his struggles in fitting into the world he woke up in often resulted in hilarious observations.
"I'm freezing my ass off."
Crane resisted the urge to glance at the woman's posterior to see if it was still attached, as the last time he heard that particular phrase his doing so resulted in an open-handed blow to his cheek.
My issues with the book are minor. For example the author typing out AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH instead of describing screams three times on one page grated a little bit.
The coven of witches also talked like this:
Damn, girl. If I'd known you had such a nice floor under the rug, I'da told you to rip it up ages ago.
No joke. That is what she's going to go with when they are preparing to summon a 200+ year old witch.
Recommended for fans of the show.
Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution is a book that is related to the TV show, Sleepy Hollow. It takes place after the episode The Golem, and it does reference previous episodes so it is good to at least watch an episode or two of the show to get your bearings.
Children of The Revolution follows Ichabod Crane and Lieutenant Abbie Mills as they race to stop a coven of witches who are trying to resurrect their leader, the witch Serilda of Abaddon who was burned at the stake by collecting magic medallions, awarded by George Washington called the Congressional Crosses. Oh and did I mention Crane is a soldier from the Revolutionary War that woke up in the modern day two hundred years after he was killed in battle?
The book was kept me entertained and was full of action. I really liked how well it tied into the series and yet expanded on it. I was able to see more of what the characters were thinking.
My favorite character is Crane, and his struggles in fitting into the world he woke up in often resulted in hilarious observations.
"I'm freezing my ass off."
Crane resisted the urge to glance at the woman's posterior to see if it was still attached, as the last time he heard that particular phrase his doing so resulted in an open-handed blow to his cheek.
My issues with the book are minor. For example the author typing out AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH instead of describing screams three times on one page grated a little bit.
The coven of witches also talked like this:
Damn, girl. If I'd known you had such a nice floor under the rug, I'da told you to rip it up ages ago.
No joke. That is what she's going to go with when they are preparing to summon a 200+ year old witch.
Recommended for fans of the show.
September 23, 2014
Adaptations hardly ever do the source material justice. In fact, they often do just the opposite. They bomb. They are truly awful. Video game adaptations of film and televisions suck. Film adaptations of video usually bomb as well— Truly bad.
Books are not exempt from this unwritten rule, either. More often than not, novelizations of films and televisions are usually half-assed…they’re easy ways for publishers and TV shows to make a quick buck. Hardcore fans love ‘em, because they fill in on the lore of their favorite media properties but they lack in the quality department. Ultimately, they usually end up in a bargain bin somewhere dusting away.
“Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” by Keith R.A. DeCandido is one of the few exceptions and counter-examples to the aforementioned rule. It reads well. From a technical standpoint it reads akin to that of a script from the television show. Most of the scenes are expressed in third-person via Ichabod Crane, and the plot line closely follows Crane and his partner Abbie’s exploits in modern day Sleepy Hollow.
One of the largest complaints that I usually have with book adaptations is their bare bones quality. They’re oft difficult to read. The writing is either done poorly because of time constraints (or a less-than experienced author), and the meat-and-potatoes of the novel suffers making it almost unreadable. DeCandidio has knowledge of the craft. Whether he was in a time crunch (or not) he pulls it off, and if you’ve ever read any decent third-person, supernatural themed novel then you’ll enjoy “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution.” Its construction is solid.
Plot-wise it places in the midst of the first season— Right between the episodes, The Golem and The Vessel. The catalyst of the novel stems from a vision that Crane receives from his wife, Katrina, concerning medals bestowed by George Washington during the Revolutionary days. Moloch and his minions want the powerful relics for evil, thus the witnesses (Crane and Abbie) need to thwart them to further their objective of saving humanity. It follows the rough formula of each episode of the series, but it cuts nicely between two episodes to bring readers a little more information and insight into the characters and overall arc of the series.
All-in-all, “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” is a good read. It is solid in its own right as a supernatural thriller, and it pays fan service nicely to the acclaimed television series. It is definitely worth the gander.
For more information regarding the Sleepy Hollow television show and related media check out ARSchultz’s website (ARSchultz.com) and Facebook page. And, don’t forget to check out the sure-to-be amazing premiere of Sleepy Hollow season 2 tonight on FOX.
Books are not exempt from this unwritten rule, either. More often than not, novelizations of films and televisions are usually half-assed…they’re easy ways for publishers and TV shows to make a quick buck. Hardcore fans love ‘em, because they fill in on the lore of their favorite media properties but they lack in the quality department. Ultimately, they usually end up in a bargain bin somewhere dusting away.
“Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” by Keith R.A. DeCandido is one of the few exceptions and counter-examples to the aforementioned rule. It reads well. From a technical standpoint it reads akin to that of a script from the television show. Most of the scenes are expressed in third-person via Ichabod Crane, and the plot line closely follows Crane and his partner Abbie’s exploits in modern day Sleepy Hollow.
One of the largest complaints that I usually have with book adaptations is their bare bones quality. They’re oft difficult to read. The writing is either done poorly because of time constraints (or a less-than experienced author), and the meat-and-potatoes of the novel suffers making it almost unreadable. DeCandidio has knowledge of the craft. Whether he was in a time crunch (or not) he pulls it off, and if you’ve ever read any decent third-person, supernatural themed novel then you’ll enjoy “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution.” Its construction is solid.
Plot-wise it places in the midst of the first season— Right between the episodes, The Golem and The Vessel. The catalyst of the novel stems from a vision that Crane receives from his wife, Katrina, concerning medals bestowed by George Washington during the Revolutionary days. Moloch and his minions want the powerful relics for evil, thus the witnesses (Crane and Abbie) need to thwart them to further their objective of saving humanity. It follows the rough formula of each episode of the series, but it cuts nicely between two episodes to bring readers a little more information and insight into the characters and overall arc of the series.
All-in-all, “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” is a good read. It is solid in its own right as a supernatural thriller, and it pays fan service nicely to the acclaimed television series. It is definitely worth the gander.
For more information regarding the Sleepy Hollow television show and related media check out ARSchultz’s website (ARSchultz.com) and Facebook page. And, don’t forget to check out the sure-to-be amazing premiere of Sleepy Hollow season 2 tonight on FOX.
March 12, 2016
First of all, I'm a huge fan of the tv series! So I really enjoyed this book! I could hear and see the characters in my mind while I was reading:) And love those Crane rants! If you love the tv series, you'll get a kick out of this one :)
December 19, 2014
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
Hiatus? What hiatus? No need to wait for January for a needed dose of #Ichabbie.
If you’re not familiar with Fox’s version of Sleepy Hollow, here’s a short summary:
As with Washington Irving’s original, Ichabod Crane meets the Headless Horseman in the eponymous town in the Hudson River Valley. Though in this version, Crane is now a soldier and spy for rebel forces in 1776, and Headless is a Hessian mercenary working for the Crown. Oh, and the Horseman of Death. Yes, we’re talking Book of Revelation, apocalyptic Four Horsemen. He also happens to be Ichabod’s former best friend, Abraham, and former fiancé to Ichabod’s wife, Katrina. Still with me? During battle, they “kill” each other, but Katrina, who also happens to be a witch, casts a spell to save Crane, who wakes up two centuries later in 2013 New York. He and Death are linked by blood. Let that sink in a sec… He teams up with Lt. Abbie Mills and together they learn that they are Witnesses who must stop the apocalypse together. Magic and mayhem ensue. It’s the perfect blend of history and batshit crazy.
The book picks up in the middle of season one, somewhere between episodes two and eleven, with quite a bit of its plot coming from episode two, in which Crane and Abbie try to stop the resurrection of the witch Serilda. They must work together again to stop another plot to raise Serilda from the dead using blood magic and Congressional medals of honor. Museums are being robbed. Bodies are dropping everywhere. Katrina is just as useless. The Awesome Foursome of Crane, Abbie, Jenny, and Cpt. Irving are doing what they do. Everything should work. But…
Something about this book just didn’t click for me. It felt flat. A shade of what the show is. Almost lazy, which is unfortunate, because there’s a huge missed opportunity for real Transmedia story-telling and to expand the SH universe. While we get tons of back story on the witch’s coven and more glimpses into the war and the 18th century, as far as I can remember, nothing that happens in this book is ever mentioned on the show. And nothing of real note happens with our main characters that would enhance our viewing experience.
But, the biggest issue with Children of the Revolution is that it can’t replicate this:
What makes the show so great and addicting is the chemistry between the actors, Tom Mison (Ichabod) and Nicole Beharie (Abbie), specifically. The author does a fairly decent job of conveying their relationship and most of their personalities, more so with Ichabod, but it doesn’t quite work overall. For that, I give it 3 stars. Great action, interesting premise, but no heart.
November 25, 2014
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
One thing I want to say in advance: I haven't seen anything from the TV series yet, so I'm not able to make comparisons or decide whether or not DeCandido captures the spirit of the series well. I'm however, after reading, quite curious to see the series, so I'll give it a try.
Ichabod Crane wakes two centuries after he died in battle to find the world changed quite a bit. When he receives a vision from his dead wife to go and find the Congressional Cross he once was awarded a new adventure starts.
In the beginning I had some troubles to keep track of who everyone was in relation to each other. It never became a very big problem though (and one I most likely just have myself to blame for) and after I while I could follow the story just fine.
As with most tv tie ins, the story isn't wonderful, but it was still an enjoyable read and the writing was quite good actually. (Once again I feel like there was something I had wanted ti write about, but with my notes lost I can't remember what it was).
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
One thing I want to say in advance: I haven't seen anything from the TV series yet, so I'm not able to make comparisons or decide whether or not DeCandido captures the spirit of the series well. I'm however, after reading, quite curious to see the series, so I'll give it a try.
Ichabod Crane wakes two centuries after he died in battle to find the world changed quite a bit. When he receives a vision from his dead wife to go and find the Congressional Cross he once was awarded a new adventure starts.
In the beginning I had some troubles to keep track of who everyone was in relation to each other. It never became a very big problem though (and one I most likely just have myself to blame for) and after I while I could follow the story just fine.
As with most tv tie ins, the story isn't wonderful, but it was still an enjoyable read and the writing was quite good actually. (Once again I feel like there was something I had wanted ti write about, but with my notes lost I can't remember what it was).
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 18, 2017
This book was an easy read - too easy actually, as it took me just a couple of hours to read the whole thing. An easy read doesn't make it a bad book though, and this certainly was fine as a TV tie-in novelisation.
Ichabod Crane gets a warning from his wife Katrina that forces are conspiring to resurrect a powerful witch that was destroyed by the Witnesses way back in the second episode of the first season (I had to look this up as I honestly didn't remember this at all, but then it has been a while since I saw the episode). The Witnesses and their allies have a race against time to find a group of medals that could revive the witch which had been issued by George Washington, and one of which was awarded to Ichabod, though he had died before he received it.
The story makes good use of Sleepy Hollow lore, referring back to a number of episodes to tie it in with the overall story-line. Indeed, it would have worked quite well as an actual episode. The book also does a good job of keeping the story moving along while still giving enough backstory to ensure that readers are not confused too much if they are not huge Sleepy Hollow fans.
The characterizations were pretty spot on, I could imagine most of the dialogue in the voices of the actors who portray them in the series. We get a bit of fleshing out for Captain Irving as we explore a little bit more of his past as a New York cop. This is always welcome, as Irving never got the attention as a character he always deserved.
If this story tells me one thing though, it's that I'm really missing Lef-tenant Abigail Mills and Captain Irving in the latest season of Sleepy Hollow. It's not that I'm a hater of the new characters that have been introduced in season 4, as I'm actually enjoying this season far more than the last two, its just that these characters played such an important part in the story. Captain Irving got canned far too early, and Abbie deserved better in the end.
So, a pretty good adaptation and a pretty good story, one that even non-fans of the series could enjoy.
Ichabod Crane gets a warning from his wife Katrina that forces are conspiring to resurrect a powerful witch that was destroyed by the Witnesses way back in the second episode of the first season (I had to look this up as I honestly didn't remember this at all, but then it has been a while since I saw the episode). The Witnesses and their allies have a race against time to find a group of medals that could revive the witch which had been issued by George Washington, and one of which was awarded to Ichabod, though he had died before he received it.
The story makes good use of Sleepy Hollow lore, referring back to a number of episodes to tie it in with the overall story-line. Indeed, it would have worked quite well as an actual episode. The book also does a good job of keeping the story moving along while still giving enough backstory to ensure that readers are not confused too much if they are not huge Sleepy Hollow fans.
The characterizations were pretty spot on, I could imagine most of the dialogue in the voices of the actors who portray them in the series. We get a bit of fleshing out for Captain Irving as we explore a little bit more of his past as a New York cop. This is always welcome, as Irving never got the attention as a character he always deserved.
If this story tells me one thing though, it's that I'm really missing Lef-tenant Abigail Mills and Captain Irving in the latest season of Sleepy Hollow. It's not that I'm a hater of the new characters that have been introduced in season 4, as I'm actually enjoying this season far more than the last two, its just that these characters played such an important part in the story. Captain Irving got canned far too early, and Abbie deserved better in the end.
So, a pretty good adaptation and a pretty good story, one that even non-fans of the series could enjoy.
September 20, 2014
Leaves crunch beneath my shoes, a trail of summer's end.
Skies translucent and composed until rain visits again.
Nights come sooner now to add crisp breath to my sleep.
Summer takes a bow and hands the stage to Autumn.
The other thing I like about this time of year is the Fall TV line-up, so while I’m ill and not up to enjoying its beauty I thought I’d do a blog version of a clip-show, cough cough, hack, gargle, cough.
I’m already getting to know some of the shows; some relationships will clearly last longer than others. Meeting some new ones soon: Gotham, Scorpion, The Flash, Gracepoint http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/09/14/g...
Looking forward to the return of some old friends,
definitely a shiver of anticipation for The Blacklist
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/07/t...
Can’t wait to see what trouble Emily/Amanda, Nolan
and all the rest will get into this year on Revenge
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/15/r...
I love comedies, but laughing now, with razor blades in my throat, doesn’t sound too appealing.
Still, the shows must go on…This Hour Has 22 Minutes; The Rick Mercer Report;
The Big Bang Theory http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/05/03/t...
Yet another hit and miss season of SNL;
Family Guy and American Dad http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/07/14/a...
Giggling with Mindy Kaling (so Bridget Jones) and the hilarious cast on The Mindy Project.
Back to following Dean and Sam in Supernatural…they’re funny, watch it.
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/08/26/s...
Mooning for mystery, wit and sleuthery with
Elementary http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/09/20/e...
Murdoch Mysteries
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/13/m...
and eventually Sherlock
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/13/s...
Awaiting the ferocious fairytale attacks in Once Upon A Time and Grimm http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/24/o...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/26/g...
Ready to go marauding with Vikings http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/02/21/v...
Wondering who or what will arise in Resurrection
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/04/14/r...
And am I the only one counting the days until the return of The Walking Dead ? 23.
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/31/t...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/03/t...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/02/11/t...
Just realized this list goes on and there probably isn’t enough time to watch them all…I may have to make some tough choices.
My other addiction is books, while waiting for the return of Sleepy Hollow I borrowed a copy of Sleepy Hollow Children of the Revolution by Keith R.A. DeCandido (Broadway Books) from Netgalley.com
In Sleepy Hollow the lines between fact and fiction blur significantly. Historical facts cleverly smushed together with fictional elements make for a fierce ride even if there wasn’t a headless horseman.
References in Children of the Revolution lead me to believe it takes place between Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mill’s adventures, The Golem and The Vessel, although tie-ins aren’t always linear; either way it’s another step toward saving us all from the apocalypse – oh apocalypse, why do you stalk the human race so? It was a rhetorical question, I watch the news.
DeCandido cunningly gives us a glimpse of the changes in not only Ichabod Crane’s world, but ours as Ichabod ponders the large amount of people he now interacts with, all the time. He feels awash with strangers. We truly are awash with strangers (some much stranger than others) and now we’ve made it so we’re constantly in touch with everyone, 24/7/365.
DeCandido managed to convey the cool shadowy cinematography a la X-Files within the printed word, but I did miss Tom Mison (Ichabod Crane), he’s terribly lovely to look at and that accent, oh my, somehow Ichabod’s archaic and pretty speech is better onscreen; it just sounded overly flowery in print and I thought it bled into some of the other characters. Luckily I could conjure him in my brain as I read. TV and movie tie-ins are awkward, too much time spent summarizing and explaining, but I did like the nods to Sleepy Hollow, it made me want to visit some more.
Ichabod Crane: That building used to be a livery stables.
Lt. Abbie Mills: Yeah? Well, now it’s a Starbucks. Where they make coffee.
Crane: And that building is also a Starbucks?
Mills: Yep.
Crane: Well, how many are there?
Mills: Per block?
Crane: Is there a law?
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/09/20/s...
Skies translucent and composed until rain visits again.
Nights come sooner now to add crisp breath to my sleep.
Summer takes a bow and hands the stage to Autumn.
The other thing I like about this time of year is the Fall TV line-up, so while I’m ill and not up to enjoying its beauty I thought I’d do a blog version of a clip-show, cough cough, hack, gargle, cough.
I’m already getting to know some of the shows; some relationships will clearly last longer than others. Meeting some new ones soon: Gotham, Scorpion, The Flash, Gracepoint http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/09/14/g...
Looking forward to the return of some old friends,
definitely a shiver of anticipation for The Blacklist
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/07/t...
Can’t wait to see what trouble Emily/Amanda, Nolan
and all the rest will get into this year on Revenge
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/15/r...
I love comedies, but laughing now, with razor blades in my throat, doesn’t sound too appealing.
Still, the shows must go on…This Hour Has 22 Minutes; The Rick Mercer Report;
The Big Bang Theory http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/05/03/t...
Yet another hit and miss season of SNL;
Family Guy and American Dad http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/07/14/a...
Giggling with Mindy Kaling (so Bridget Jones) and the hilarious cast on The Mindy Project.
Back to following Dean and Sam in Supernatural…they’re funny, watch it.
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/08/26/s...
Mooning for mystery, wit and sleuthery with
Elementary http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/09/20/e...
Murdoch Mysteries
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/13/m...
and eventually Sherlock
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/13/s...
Awaiting the ferocious fairytale attacks in Once Upon A Time and Grimm http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/24/o...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2013/10/26/g...
Ready to go marauding with Vikings http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/02/21/v...
Wondering who or what will arise in Resurrection
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/04/14/r...
And am I the only one counting the days until the return of The Walking Dead ? 23.
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/31/t...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/03/03/t...
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/02/11/t...
Just realized this list goes on and there probably isn’t enough time to watch them all…I may have to make some tough choices.
My other addiction is books, while waiting for the return of Sleepy Hollow I borrowed a copy of Sleepy Hollow Children of the Revolution by Keith R.A. DeCandido (Broadway Books) from Netgalley.com
In Sleepy Hollow the lines between fact and fiction blur significantly. Historical facts cleverly smushed together with fictional elements make for a fierce ride even if there wasn’t a headless horseman.
References in Children of the Revolution lead me to believe it takes place between Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mill’s adventures, The Golem and The Vessel, although tie-ins aren’t always linear; either way it’s another step toward saving us all from the apocalypse – oh apocalypse, why do you stalk the human race so? It was a rhetorical question, I watch the news.
DeCandido cunningly gives us a glimpse of the changes in not only Ichabod Crane’s world, but ours as Ichabod ponders the large amount of people he now interacts with, all the time. He feels awash with strangers. We truly are awash with strangers (some much stranger than others) and now we’ve made it so we’re constantly in touch with everyone, 24/7/365.
DeCandido managed to convey the cool shadowy cinematography a la X-Files within the printed word, but I did miss Tom Mison (Ichabod Crane), he’s terribly lovely to look at and that accent, oh my, somehow Ichabod’s archaic and pretty speech is better onscreen; it just sounded overly flowery in print and I thought it bled into some of the other characters. Luckily I could conjure him in my brain as I read. TV and movie tie-ins are awkward, too much time spent summarizing and explaining, but I did like the nods to Sleepy Hollow, it made me want to visit some more.
Ichabod Crane: That building used to be a livery stables.
Lt. Abbie Mills: Yeah? Well, now it’s a Starbucks. Where they make coffee.
Crane: And that building is also a Starbucks?
Mills: Yep.
Crane: Well, how many are there?
Mills: Per block?
Crane: Is there a law?
http://yadadarcyyada.com/2014/09/20/s...
September 22, 2014
If you’ve ever read a movie or tv tie-in, there’s a pretty solid chance you’ve read something written by DeCandido before. I’d like to know who to talk to about getting a job writing professional fanfiction. How fun, right? Before anyone comments, that’s not a dig at DeCandido and his skill or at fanfic, so shoosh.
I’ve read a couple other books by this author (Supernatural tie-ins. Shout out to Dean Winchester! Call me!) and he has a knack for nailing the voice of the characters we’ve come to know well through their series. The same can be said of his work in this book as the voice of Ichabod Crane was spot on through out. This isn’t an easy task for any writer when it comes to established characters and particularly with Crane’s speaking patterns. There was never a moment of “oh Crane wouldn’t talk like that.” Kudos to Decandido on this aspect.
The plot is decent. As with all tv tie-ins, the story is set up in the world of the show and falls between two episodes, this time it fell between “The Golem” and “The Vessel.” The relationships are established on the show and, as the reader, you’re jumping into that world without much background on the characters. It’s not needed as most readers of this book are likely already familiar with the show, plot, and characters and it’s unlikely they would be new to this world. Including all that info in a tie-in would really weigh things down so I’m glad this wasn’t included. We get hints and explanations of their past throughout and that would likely be enough to hold over someone who hasn’t watched the series yet.
The story moved slowly and got bogged down by exposition at times. It jump from present day to Revolutionary times and I’m not sure that was always needed. It felt a little bit like the easy way out, like the information in the flashbacks could’ve been incorporated in a different way and the time jumps would no longer be necessary. It still works so maybe it’s just a personal preference but I could’ve done without them.
This little tidbit was perfect, by the way.
“It is when events have turned the most toward despair that we must fight the hardest. For it is giving in to that despair that truly gives our foes their victory. We must cling to what we believe in and what brings us joy.”
Preach.
It’ll be a fun read for anyone who’s a fan of the show. It’s the characters you’ve come to know and love in a quick little book that lets you dig a little further into the world of Abby, Ichabod, Irving and Jenny. The storyline centers around a coven of witches collecting six of ten Continental Crosses awarded to various men by George Washington, including our fine British morsel, Ichabod. Stored mostly in museums, the search results in the murders of security guards and some police personnel, raising the stakes for our group of investigators. Without giving away too much, there’s a twist in the middle that could’ve been written to feel bigger and more important but it still works within the story. It’s not completely unpredictable but it’s hard within the confines of a tie-in where there are very strict parameters on what can be done with the story so that it flows with the show’s established storylines.
Witches, man. Uncool, ladies. Uncool.
October 2, 2014
You can read the complete post on my blog:
http://redheadbooknerd.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/sleepy-hollow-children-of-the-revolution-tv-show-tie-in/
Just a few things I know very little about - history (especially the American one), the Bible....and fanfiction. I always thought it’s just what the name implies – amateur fans writing out their personal fantasies about existing characters. I honestly had no clue that there are actual professional fanfiction writers out there, the writer of Sleepy Hollow Children of the Revolution, Keith R. Decandido being one of them. I mean, I had to do a mini research and all. (it was actually kind of fun) After reading the book I must admit my view of fanfiction is drastically different. (hint: quality DOES matter…when exploring new things always start with the good stuff)
If you are already a fan of the show, you’re bound to enjoy this read. (in terms of the timeline, this story falls between the episodes The Golem and The Vessel) If you’ve never seen the show but you’re a fan of the genre, odds are you’ll still be able to follow the story (and THEN get hooked on the show…either way the path to Ichabod and Abbie’s adventures is unavoidable once you pick up this book). Having already mentioned my lack of expertise in numerous areas related to the story in the show I have to point out that reading this book actually helped clarify a lot of that “stuff” for me. Decandido’s writing style is clear and concise, yet it rings true in terms of the characters’ personalities as painted by the show. The entire time I was reading I felt as if I’m actually watching the show. What more could a fan of this show ask for.
So what are Ichabod and Abbie up to in Children of the Revolution? Trouble and more trouble as usual. I really liked the fact that the book brought into focus not just Ichabod and Abbie but also Captain Irving and Abbie’s sister Jenny. Just as in the show our “good guys” have to stop some “bad guys” from creating some serious trouble by raising the supernatural “REALLY bad guys.” As usual, I can’t run the risk of even a drop of spoiler so that’s all you get. The story is really entertaining…kind of a supernatural whodunnit sprinkled with some historical tidbits. (what’s not to like about that, right?)
I enjoyed this read so much (and let’s be honest I can never have enough of Ichabod) that I hope this won’t be the last Sleepy Hollow (TV show tie-in) book. A well written mental escape with characters I already know and love and is always my cup of tea. And before you abandon reading my post in order to grab your own copy of the book, here’s a little taste of what awaits you:
Mills decided to order a pizza for the simple reason that it was Thursday and they both were hungry.
“You are aware,” Crane said after she got off the phone with Salvatore’s, “that this bastardized derivation of Greek flatbread only exists because of European expansion to this hemisphere. The tomato derives from the Andes Mountains region and was exported to Europe.”
Abbie grinned. “Says the man who’s never had white pizza.”
I would also like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
http://redheadbooknerd.wordpress.com/2014/10/02/sleepy-hollow-children-of-the-revolution-tv-show-tie-in/
Just a few things I know very little about - history (especially the American one), the Bible....and fanfiction. I always thought it’s just what the name implies – amateur fans writing out their personal fantasies about existing characters. I honestly had no clue that there are actual professional fanfiction writers out there, the writer of Sleepy Hollow Children of the Revolution, Keith R. Decandido being one of them. I mean, I had to do a mini research and all. (it was actually kind of fun) After reading the book I must admit my view of fanfiction is drastically different. (hint: quality DOES matter…when exploring new things always start with the good stuff)
If you are already a fan of the show, you’re bound to enjoy this read. (in terms of the timeline, this story falls between the episodes The Golem and The Vessel) If you’ve never seen the show but you’re a fan of the genre, odds are you’ll still be able to follow the story (and THEN get hooked on the show…either way the path to Ichabod and Abbie’s adventures is unavoidable once you pick up this book). Having already mentioned my lack of expertise in numerous areas related to the story in the show I have to point out that reading this book actually helped clarify a lot of that “stuff” for me. Decandido’s writing style is clear and concise, yet it rings true in terms of the characters’ personalities as painted by the show. The entire time I was reading I felt as if I’m actually watching the show. What more could a fan of this show ask for.
So what are Ichabod and Abbie up to in Children of the Revolution? Trouble and more trouble as usual. I really liked the fact that the book brought into focus not just Ichabod and Abbie but also Captain Irving and Abbie’s sister Jenny. Just as in the show our “good guys” have to stop some “bad guys” from creating some serious trouble by raising the supernatural “REALLY bad guys.” As usual, I can’t run the risk of even a drop of spoiler so that’s all you get. The story is really entertaining…kind of a supernatural whodunnit sprinkled with some historical tidbits. (what’s not to like about that, right?)
I enjoyed this read so much (and let’s be honest I can never have enough of Ichabod) that I hope this won’t be the last Sleepy Hollow (TV show tie-in) book. A well written mental escape with characters I already know and love and is always my cup of tea. And before you abandon reading my post in order to grab your own copy of the book, here’s a little taste of what awaits you:
Mills decided to order a pizza for the simple reason that it was Thursday and they both were hungry.
“You are aware,” Crane said after she got off the phone with Salvatore’s, “that this bastardized derivation of Greek flatbread only exists because of European expansion to this hemisphere. The tomato derives from the Andes Mountains region and was exported to Europe.”
Abbie grinned. “Says the man who’s never had white pizza.”
I would also like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2015
My Review
I'm a big fan of the Fox TV Network show, Sleepy Hollow and was excited to have the chance to visit with Ichabod and Abbie while I waited for the show to return from holiday.
My guess is that Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution takes place between episode 10: The Golem and episode 11: The Indispensable Man of the TV series since it is Jan. 2014 when the book opens.
The story is like a bonus episode in which we tag along with the evil fighting duo as they try to stop a coven of witches from using the Congressional Cross to resurrect their coven leader, Serilda, so that she can unleash her revenge on Sleepy Hollow for burning her at the stack oh so many years ago.
Sleepy Hollow is part history lesson, part biblical apocalypse, and a big dose of fighting evil.
I love Ichabod's character. He is charming and so out of place in our modern world. His inability to grasp modern language and technology never fails to make me laugh.
The author did a great job of capturing the characters personality and providing an entertaining read that fit with the series.
Recommendation: I definitely feel that this is a book for fans of the Sleepy Hollow show. It's an entertaining read and a great filler for when you're waiting for a new episode to air.
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
September 27, 2014
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution is based on the television series Sleepy Hollow. Abbie, Jennifer, Captain Irving and Ichabod Crane are battling evil once again. Crane has a vision, and in this vision Katrina urges him to find his Congressional Cross. Unfortunately, he died before receiving it, so the hunt begins. But not before the other crosses are stolen and they uncover a sinister plot; Serilda’s coven is once again trying to resurrect their mistress and they need the crosses to do so. Now it’s a race against time to thwart the coven and prevent the resurrection. Will Crane locate his missing cross? Will they be able to stop Serilda once again?
This is my favorite television show, so when I was given the opportunity to review this book, I jumped at the chance. His is the first time I’ve ever read a book based upon a series, it’s usually the other way around so I read with an open mind. I was happily surprised that the book is just as great as the television show. The author put such vivid details, that you can visualize the entire scenario in your mind’s eye. The parts I found quite comical were when Ichabod tried to understand twenty-first century slang as well as cop lingo. The story takes place between two actual episodes of the series and I thought that was really neat also. This book was seriously difficult to put down; it has everything the television series does and more! I really hated to see it end, I hope there are more of these stories coming!
Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution is based on the television series Sleepy Hollow. Abbie, Jennifer, Captain Irving and Ichabod Crane are battling evil once again. Crane has a vision, and in this vision Katrina urges him to find his Congressional Cross. Unfortunately, he died before receiving it, so the hunt begins. But not before the other crosses are stolen and they uncover a sinister plot; Serilda’s coven is once again trying to resurrect their mistress and they need the crosses to do so. Now it’s a race against time to thwart the coven and prevent the resurrection. Will Crane locate his missing cross? Will they be able to stop Serilda once again?
This is my favorite television show, so when I was given the opportunity to review this book, I jumped at the chance. His is the first time I’ve ever read a book based upon a series, it’s usually the other way around so I read with an open mind. I was happily surprised that the book is just as great as the television show. The author put such vivid details, that you can visualize the entire scenario in your mind’s eye. The parts I found quite comical were when Ichabod tried to understand twenty-first century slang as well as cop lingo. The story takes place between two actual episodes of the series and I thought that was really neat also. This book was seriously difficult to put down; it has everything the television series does and more! I really hated to see it end, I hope there are more of these stories coming!
December 15, 2014
Whilst I enjoyed the interaction between Crane and Abby just as I do in the television series, this book really didn't do the excitement and adventure of the series justice, in my opinion. Rarely do I see a novelisation that I feel is as good as the original thing that it was based on, but I will give this credit--it wasn't horrible as many of them are.
The story itself was interesting and for any author to be able to come into something that already exists and give it a new lease, especially one that makes sense and stays in keeping with the personality of the characters is quite impressive.
This book has the same type of humour and good-natured sarcasm as the show does, and it was easy to see the personalities of favourite characters shining in these pages. What I didn't love, was the story itself. For a book of standard length, there just wasn't enough excitement for me. The use of fictional as well as historical elements was interesting, but there were just times I felt this book was lagging. Had this been a TV episode that was over in an hour--maybe, but for a book--not so much.
I didn't think it was terrible, but it wasn't as intriguing as the show.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the blogging for books program, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
The story itself was interesting and for any author to be able to come into something that already exists and give it a new lease, especially one that makes sense and stays in keeping with the personality of the characters is quite impressive.
This book has the same type of humour and good-natured sarcasm as the show does, and it was easy to see the personalities of favourite characters shining in these pages. What I didn't love, was the story itself. For a book of standard length, there just wasn't enough excitement for me. The use of fictional as well as historical elements was interesting, but there were just times I felt this book was lagging. Had this been a TV episode that was over in an hour--maybe, but for a book--not so much.
I didn't think it was terrible, but it wasn't as intriguing as the show.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the blogging for books program, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
November 23, 2017
I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.
The Good
This book is set in a time period in the later part of the first season.
•Different point of views beyond Abbie, Ichabod, and even the main cast
•Deals with disability a bit
•Makes American history interesting
•Travels in time and back
•If you like the show you will more than likely like this book. I feel that Keith R.A. DeCandido did a good job capturing the characters.
•Little moments that you don’t get on the show
The Meh
It moves fast so that I felt like at a point something was missing. I feel the show is the same so yeah.
Conclusion
Definitely a very good adaptation of the show.
Little Tidbits
One thing that was interesting to me is that on the recommendations part for this book on goodreads there are interracial romance recommendations. I would like to read more books that are like this. I think this would be considered urban fantasy. I wish urban fantasy was better or that I find the right urban fantasy novel so I could read it.
{I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.}
The Good
This book is set in a time period in the later part of the first season.
•Different point of views beyond Abbie, Ichabod, and even the main cast
•Deals with disability a bit
•Makes American history interesting
•Travels in time and back
•If you like the show you will more than likely like this book. I feel that Keith R.A. DeCandido did a good job capturing the characters.
•Little moments that you don’t get on the show
The Meh
It moves fast so that I felt like at a point something was missing. I feel the show is the same so yeah.
Conclusion
Definitely a very good adaptation of the show.
Little Tidbits
One thing that was interesting to me is that on the recommendations part for this book on goodreads there are interracial romance recommendations. I would like to read more books that are like this. I think this would be considered urban fantasy. I wish urban fantasy was better or that I find the right urban fantasy novel so I could read it.
{I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.}
February 27, 2020
I know that writing tie-in novels is a challenge, you can't make any real changes to the overall story or characters because the show/movie has final say. But at the same time you have to write something that appeals to the perceived audience of the original while also getting your characterization accurate.
For the most part, this book succeeded at that. I liked the case, the characterization was pretty spot-on. I do feel that the pacing was a little slow primarily due to the many digressions into historical exposition. Things that can be conveyed in a visual medium quickly often take way too much time in written form. There was unnecessary repetition of info too. Like, something would happen and a chapter or so later the character it happened to would 'think' about that thing that happened in far more detail than would be realistic or narratively necessary.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this. It made me miss Abbie and Ichabod and the world they inhabited and what we might have had if not for the super fucking racist show runners/writers side-lining and then killing Abbie.
For the most part, this book succeeded at that. I liked the case, the characterization was pretty spot-on. I do feel that the pacing was a little slow primarily due to the many digressions into historical exposition. Things that can be conveyed in a visual medium quickly often take way too much time in written form. There was unnecessary repetition of info too. Like, something would happen and a chapter or so later the character it happened to would 'think' about that thing that happened in far more detail than would be realistic or narratively necessary.
Overall, though, I enjoyed this. It made me miss Abbie and Ichabod and the world they inhabited and what we might have had if not for the super fucking racist show runners/writers side-lining and then killing Abbie.
November 14, 2014
Pretty good book. Keith gets the character voices right, which is key for a tie in novel, and the plot moves forward quite briskly. Looking forward to more....
October 8, 2014
Abbie and Crane are just as vivid in this tale as on TV.... LOVED IT!
October 30, 2024
“Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” by Keith R. A. DeCandido is a companion novel set in the world of the “Sleepy Hollow” TV series. It dives deeper into the lives of Ichabod Crane and Lieutenant Abbie Mills as they navigate supernatural threats in the iconic town of Sleepy Hollow. Fans of the series will find familiar characters, but with added layers of backstory, especially for Ichabod Crane. The novel explores his Revolutionary War connections, threading American history into a chilling narrative that mirrors the TV show’s eerie blend of the supernatural and historical.
The story kicks off when a Revolutionary War artifact, a handwritten letter from George Washington, surfaces and sends Ichabod and Abbie on a new mystery that intertwines with Crane’s memories from the past. As they attempt to unlock the letter’s secrets, they find themselves pitted against sinister forces that make Sleepy Hollow’s usual dangers seem almost tame. The pacing is gripping, filled with thrilling twists and dark confrontations with evil, and DeCandido’s writing brings a fresh yet familiar take on the characters.
The strongest aspect of the book is its fidelity to the series’ tone. It captures the eerie atmosphere, the high-stakes action, and the often witty, historical musings of Crane, adding depth to his character’s Revolutionary roots. DeCandido’s knowledge of the show shines through, making the book feel like a seamless addition to the franchise.
However, readers unfamiliar with the TV series may find it challenging to fully connect with the story. The book does little to reintroduce characters or build backstory, assuming readers already have background knowledge.
In conclusion, “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” is a fantastic addition for fans of the TV show. DeCandido’s attention to character detail, historical blending, and supernatural suspense makes it a worthy companion to the Sleepy Hollow universe. Those invested in Ichabod and Abbie’s journey will enjoy this immersive, atmospheric ride. For newcomers, however, it may be best to start with the TV show before diving into this book.
The story kicks off when a Revolutionary War artifact, a handwritten letter from George Washington, surfaces and sends Ichabod and Abbie on a new mystery that intertwines with Crane’s memories from the past. As they attempt to unlock the letter’s secrets, they find themselves pitted against sinister forces that make Sleepy Hollow’s usual dangers seem almost tame. The pacing is gripping, filled with thrilling twists and dark confrontations with evil, and DeCandido’s writing brings a fresh yet familiar take on the characters.
The strongest aspect of the book is its fidelity to the series’ tone. It captures the eerie atmosphere, the high-stakes action, and the often witty, historical musings of Crane, adding depth to his character’s Revolutionary roots. DeCandido’s knowledge of the show shines through, making the book feel like a seamless addition to the franchise.
However, readers unfamiliar with the TV series may find it challenging to fully connect with the story. The book does little to reintroduce characters or build backstory, assuming readers already have background knowledge.
In conclusion, “Sleepy Hollow: Children of the Revolution” is a fantastic addition for fans of the TV show. DeCandido’s attention to character detail, historical blending, and supernatural suspense makes it a worthy companion to the Sleepy Hollow universe. Those invested in Ichabod and Abbie’s journey will enjoy this immersive, atmospheric ride. For newcomers, however, it may be best to start with the TV show before diving into this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2023
The Fox television sleeper hit of 2013, Sleepy Hollow, quickly spawned many literary spin-offs. This new narrative that combined “Rip Van Winkle” with “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” caught the imagination of many Americans just as Hamilton was about to reignite interest in the period. In any case, Keith R. A. DeCandido is an accomplished novelist of pop culture franchises. This is his take on what could’ve happened between two episodes of season one of the television series. (The best season, in my opinion.)
Using all the expected characters from Fox, DeCandido concocts a story that could very well have integrated into the series. Serilda of Abaddon was a Revolutionary Era witch that George Washington had to battle. Her modern-day coven wants to resurrect her in Sleepy Hollow by gathering magical artifacts from the time of her life. And killing people to get their hands on them. This is a horror-action novel and it’s very well done.
As I write elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), I believe the series began to fall apart when it ditched the underlying religious conflict. Here, the headless horseman (not an active character) is still at large and Moloch is still alive. The original themes that began such a cult following are still intact. And it’s a good novel in its own right, if you know who the players are.
Using all the expected characters from Fox, DeCandido concocts a story that could very well have integrated into the series. Serilda of Abaddon was a Revolutionary Era witch that George Washington had to battle. Her modern-day coven wants to resurrect her in Sleepy Hollow by gathering magical artifacts from the time of her life. And killing people to get their hands on them. This is a horror-action novel and it’s very well done.
As I write elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), I believe the series began to fall apart when it ditched the underlying religious conflict. Here, the headless horseman (not an active character) is still at large and Moloch is still alive. The original themes that began such a cult following are still intact. And it’s a good novel in its own right, if you know who the players are.
October 22, 2017
This was one of my favorite television series and when I came across this series tie-in book, I was very intrigued. It certainly did embody the TV Show, Ichabod Crane especially. He's such a strong and very realized character that there was no mistaking who this Crane in the book truly is. His vernacular, disdain against modern recollection of the past, as well as his reactions to present day life and pop culture were captured superbly. As for the other's I could believe that their personalities were accurate but I didn't feel the same connection to them as I usually felt with the TV Show. Guess this shows how familiar this Crane character is to me, the fan. It was good to have such a broader perspective from other characters which includes the victims and extras. Even though I get to see what they see on the show I don't get to be in their heads to understand their experiences in the moment. Overall I thought this was a really good in-between (unfortunate) adventure of the witnesses and their sidekicks. I'll definitely be checking out more Television Tie-In books in the future. Will miss the show now that it's cancelled, hope I'll find something just as fantastical to fill that hole.
December 3, 2024
⭐⭐.5
It was okay. I think I liked it more simply because of the characters I've come to love so much. That being said, I really only felt like Ichabod's and Irving's lines felt closest to their characters. Mostly Ichabod. The sisters felt a bit off, however, it must be extremely difficult to properly write for so many POVs and nail them all to what the audience already has a blueprint for.
However, I've read a number of this author's books from other known universes and do very much enjoy the switching POVs of the unknown side characters that somehow usually end up dead lol It's nice to see a glimpse into their life before the inevitable and that's usually rare in other books, but ties in with the story and lends more background and depth to their demises.
Still, it was nice to get back into that world that I miss so much. I'll take what I can get.
It was okay. I think I liked it more simply because of the characters I've come to love so much. That being said, I really only felt like Ichabod's and Irving's lines felt closest to their characters. Mostly Ichabod. The sisters felt a bit off, however, it must be extremely difficult to properly write for so many POVs and nail them all to what the audience already has a blueprint for.
However, I've read a number of this author's books from other known universes and do very much enjoy the switching POVs of the unknown side characters that somehow usually end up dead lol It's nice to see a glimpse into their life before the inevitable and that's usually rare in other books, but ties in with the story and lends more background and depth to their demises.
Still, it was nice to get back into that world that I miss so much. I'll take what I can get.
May 24, 2019
Children of the Revolution is a tie in book to the Sleepy Hollow series. For those whom haven’t seen the series the characters and some of the references that are made aren’t fully understood; this however is overcome by the magical events of the story. Overall it’s an interesting tale
December 31, 2021
My last book of 2021!
I just finished rewatching this series, so this was a great way to wrap that up.
This book takes place in season one, and it would have been a great episode. I think the author nailed the character’s voices, and I could “hear” them perfectly in my head. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I really wish there were more of these books!
I just finished rewatching this series, so this was a great way to wrap that up.
This book takes place in season one, and it would have been a great episode. I think the author nailed the character’s voices, and I could “hear” them perfectly in my head. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I really wish there were more of these books!
May 20, 2019
I gave this book a 2.5 out of 5 stars.
I love the tv show and i enjoyed the book, it was hard to get into and i wish it had a audiobook.
I love the tv show and i enjoyed the book, it was hard to get into and i wish it had a audiobook.
April 10, 2023
I have not seen the show nor I know much about the franchise. Had this book laying around since 2015 or so. Pretty easy and a good read!
February 6, 2024
Absolutely amazing I love the programme and now I like the book
December 25, 2025
Not a bad book per see, the story started off good but as I read further into the book, I lost interest. I'm not a big fan Keith DeCandido's writing.
September 14, 2014
Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills continue their battle as the two Witnesses against Moloch and his forces. A cryptic message from Ichabod’s wife Katrina sets him on the path to track down Revolutionary Era war medals
Unfortunately records are scant and it’s hard to track down where all the medals ended up, what Washington designed them for and, above all, why they’re so important that Moloch’s minions are actually willing to kill for them
But if Moloch wants them then they have to stop him – or any other dark forces seeking them.
There is always a difficulty when adapting a TV series to book form in capturing the characters as they appear on screen – and this book has made it harder by having multiple points of view. I was actually impressed by how the book generally got it right and I could believe these were the characters on screen – generally. The slips that caught me were largely due to Crane – his language is usually beautifully archaic and elaborate but at times it goes quite ridiculously over the top, even for him, that jars me. Worse, in a chapter from one of the other characters that follows Crane, some of the tone will bleed over – so we’ll have Abbie or Jenny or Frank speaking and thinking with Crane’s very very out of place language. At times this also combines with some over-descriptiveness or general clumsiness to make some very clunky lines.
Despite these slips, I think it does a great job of continuing what we saw on the show and almost filling the gaps. A TV show is, by definition, limited to how much of a character’s thoughts it can show, unlike a book. With these POV shifts we got to build on the characters we’d already seen – so we not only have the rather comic depiction of Ichabod struggling with the modern world but also the frustration of it (even things we don’t think of like the sheer size of the population). We have a lot more of Abbie and Frank’s rapid adaption to the existence of the supernatural and trying to deal with how it has changed their lives, their jobs even their ambitions and aspirations, hopes and dreams. We have Frank’s shock and sadness over his daughter’s injury and disability. We have Abbie and Jenny’s fraught yet loving relationship writ much larger when we’re in both of their heads – the love, the guilt, the resentment all mixed together painfully as well as Jenny’s respect, admiration and bond with the old Sherriff also made really clear.
I liked it, I don’t know how much the show considers this book to be canon, but it really is an excellent book for development and enrichment of these characters and the conflicts and challenges they face and the adaptations they’ve had to made. I think the book is worth reading just for that.
I even quite liked the characterisation of the antagonists in this book – obviously we have the same demons and monsters as the show that are pretty much one dimensional in terms of what they do and why – they’re evil (and on the opposite side we have the ridiculously deified and sanctified American revolutionaries who save the world from eeeeeviiil which we’ve commented on in the show as well) but the human cultists are much more humanised and real.
I also quite liked how they’re adapting the world setting – particularly how characters outside the core cast are noticing that Abbie and Frank are involved in the very weird cases – it’s not just happening and everyone else has some weird amnesia or selective blindness.
Read More
Unfortunately records are scant and it’s hard to track down where all the medals ended up, what Washington designed them for and, above all, why they’re so important that Moloch’s minions are actually willing to kill for them
But if Moloch wants them then they have to stop him – or any other dark forces seeking them.
There is always a difficulty when adapting a TV series to book form in capturing the characters as they appear on screen – and this book has made it harder by having multiple points of view. I was actually impressed by how the book generally got it right and I could believe these were the characters on screen – generally. The slips that caught me were largely due to Crane – his language is usually beautifully archaic and elaborate but at times it goes quite ridiculously over the top, even for him, that jars me. Worse, in a chapter from one of the other characters that follows Crane, some of the tone will bleed over – so we’ll have Abbie or Jenny or Frank speaking and thinking with Crane’s very very out of place language. At times this also combines with some over-descriptiveness or general clumsiness to make some very clunky lines.
Despite these slips, I think it does a great job of continuing what we saw on the show and almost filling the gaps. A TV show is, by definition, limited to how much of a character’s thoughts it can show, unlike a book. With these POV shifts we got to build on the characters we’d already seen – so we not only have the rather comic depiction of Ichabod struggling with the modern world but also the frustration of it (even things we don’t think of like the sheer size of the population). We have a lot more of Abbie and Frank’s rapid adaption to the existence of the supernatural and trying to deal with how it has changed their lives, their jobs even their ambitions and aspirations, hopes and dreams. We have Frank’s shock and sadness over his daughter’s injury and disability. We have Abbie and Jenny’s fraught yet loving relationship writ much larger when we’re in both of their heads – the love, the guilt, the resentment all mixed together painfully as well as Jenny’s respect, admiration and bond with the old Sherriff also made really clear.
I liked it, I don’t know how much the show considers this book to be canon, but it really is an excellent book for development and enrichment of these characters and the conflicts and challenges they face and the adaptations they’ve had to made. I think the book is worth reading just for that.
I even quite liked the characterisation of the antagonists in this book – obviously we have the same demons and monsters as the show that are pretty much one dimensional in terms of what they do and why – they’re evil (and on the opposite side we have the ridiculously deified and sanctified American revolutionaries who save the world from eeeeeviiil which we’ve commented on in the show as well) but the human cultists are much more humanised and real.
I also quite liked how they’re adapting the world setting – particularly how characters outside the core cast are noticing that Abbie and Frank are involved in the very weird cases – it’s not just happening and everyone else has some weird amnesia or selective blindness.
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October 4, 2014
An original and chilling page-turner set in the world of the Sleepy Hollow television show!
It's January 2014; Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills are enjoying the peacefulness of a new year when Crane's wife Katrina appears in a vision and tells him he must find the Congressional Cross he was awarded over two-hundred years ago. Since he doesn't know where it is, the race begins to find it before Serilda rises again. Serilda, last seen in episode two of the first season of the television show, is a witch of enormous power and an agent of Moloch, determined to bring on the end of days.
As the mystery widens, we discover that more Congressional Crosses are needed to restore Serilda to life and there were ten crosses given out to various heroes of the American Revolution. It becomes a race against time to gather the crosses and determine why Serilda's allies need them to attempt her resurrection. Our heroes search leads them to various locations housing historical artifacts like Fort Ticonderoga and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But will they be too late to stop Serilda's followers?
This original novel reads like an excellent episode of the television series and that is truly a compliment, as it fits seamlessly into the series canon. The author completely nails the voices and the delightful banter between Crane and Mills, as I could imagine the characters in my mind's eye as I read the dialogue. The show has a high-concept (some might even call it an outlandish) premise: two Biblical witnesses, one born over two-hundred years ago, must stop the apocalypse. This concept is well-executed and with style here, skillfully polished to a fine sheen in this novel. It utilizes all of the hallmarks to the show, including many flashbacks to Crane's time period, such as Washington crossing the Delaware in 1776, and play a meaningful role in the present-day problem Crane and Mills must face. The suspense never lets up from the first chapter and you are dying (ahem, dying only metaphorically) to see what happens next as the body count rises, people are dismembered left and right and the intriguing mystery behind the resurrection unspools.
The book is filled with another hallmark of the show, twists on history (or "twistory" as the show's writers like to call it) mixing "historical fact and fantastic fiction" (as the author calls it), blending the two with fantastic storytelling. The author has truly done his historical homework, steeping the story deep in the lore of the American Revolution, visiting outside and around the confines of Sleepy Hollow itself, expanding beyond those geographical confines to visit other locations and time periods both in the present and in the past. The author uses the unlimited special effects budget at his disposal to create many different and memorable characters, flashbacks and locations to his advantage, all enriching my enjoyment of the story.
All fans of the television show, known as "SleepyHeads", will enjoy this book beginning to end. It is a wild ride that is so well written, you can almost hear the shows eerie theme song from the opening credits as you read it!
Please note that I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook by NetGalley. A favorable review was never expected nor asked for.
It's January 2014; Ichabod Crane and Abbie Mills are enjoying the peacefulness of a new year when Crane's wife Katrina appears in a vision and tells him he must find the Congressional Cross he was awarded over two-hundred years ago. Since he doesn't know where it is, the race begins to find it before Serilda rises again. Serilda, last seen in episode two of the first season of the television show, is a witch of enormous power and an agent of Moloch, determined to bring on the end of days.
As the mystery widens, we discover that more Congressional Crosses are needed to restore Serilda to life and there were ten crosses given out to various heroes of the American Revolution. It becomes a race against time to gather the crosses and determine why Serilda's allies need them to attempt her resurrection. Our heroes search leads them to various locations housing historical artifacts like Fort Ticonderoga and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. But will they be too late to stop Serilda's followers?
This original novel reads like an excellent episode of the television series and that is truly a compliment, as it fits seamlessly into the series canon. The author completely nails the voices and the delightful banter between Crane and Mills, as I could imagine the characters in my mind's eye as I read the dialogue. The show has a high-concept (some might even call it an outlandish) premise: two Biblical witnesses, one born over two-hundred years ago, must stop the apocalypse. This concept is well-executed and with style here, skillfully polished to a fine sheen in this novel. It utilizes all of the hallmarks to the show, including many flashbacks to Crane's time period, such as Washington crossing the Delaware in 1776, and play a meaningful role in the present-day problem Crane and Mills must face. The suspense never lets up from the first chapter and you are dying (ahem, dying only metaphorically) to see what happens next as the body count rises, people are dismembered left and right and the intriguing mystery behind the resurrection unspools.
The book is filled with another hallmark of the show, twists on history (or "twistory" as the show's writers like to call it) mixing "historical fact and fantastic fiction" (as the author calls it), blending the two with fantastic storytelling. The author has truly done his historical homework, steeping the story deep in the lore of the American Revolution, visiting outside and around the confines of Sleepy Hollow itself, expanding beyond those geographical confines to visit other locations and time periods both in the present and in the past. The author uses the unlimited special effects budget at his disposal to create many different and memorable characters, flashbacks and locations to his advantage, all enriching my enjoyment of the story.
All fans of the television show, known as "SleepyHeads", will enjoy this book beginning to end. It is a wild ride that is so well written, you can almost hear the shows eerie theme song from the opening credits as you read it!
Please note that I was given an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook by NetGalley. A favorable review was never expected nor asked for.
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