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Escape from Witchwood Hollow
Everyone in Arnn - a small farming town with more legends than residents - knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees.
After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid.
Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises.
To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch’s next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman’s madness.
How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?
After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid.
Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises.
To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch’s next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman’s madness.
How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2014
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1002 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
August 24, 2017
This is a really good book. The story is mainly about Honoria who has moved to Arnn with her brother Geoffrey and their aunt and uncle after her parents are killed in the World Trade Center. The reader immediately gets drawn into Honoria's life. She's a pretty smart girl for 15. The book is also about Lady Elizabeth Clifford who in the 1600's is accused of killing her brother-in-law by using witchcraft and she is on the run in the woods by Arnn. Soon other people are getting trapped in the woods. The author does a great job of switching between the different characters and different times. Honoria is drawn to the Witchwood Hollow and if the witch was real. Honoria makes friends with Leon who is also interested in the history of Witchwood Hollow. Things start coming to light and there is a really sad ending. I really enjoyed Jordan's writing and would read anything she writes and also recommend this book to everyone.
I'm so glad Jordan's friend contacted me to see if I would read the book.
I'm so glad Jordan's friend contacted me to see if I would read the book.
December 2, 2014
This is a fun book! Great for fans of historical fiction. I liked how the story goes between three different time periods, but everything is tied together. The author originally conceived of this story as a movie and that is evident in the cinematic quality of the writing. The novel transports you and I am now inspired to go on a historical adventure in my own hometown.
December 21, 2014
This book follows our main character, Honoria, after she lost both her parents to the collapse of the twin towers.
The book weaves together the tail from separate time periods and I often felt like Arnn was a character in and of itself.
The writing was solid and seamless and even if I thought the author missed the teen authenticity once in a while (brand names, much?), it really was an exciting tale and worth the read.
The book weaves together the tail from separate time periods and I often felt like Arnn was a character in and of itself.
The writing was solid and seamless and even if I thought the author missed the teen authenticity once in a while (brand names, much?), it really was an exciting tale and worth the read.
January 10, 2015
I was given a copy of Jordan's book Escape from Witchwood Hollow in exchange for an honest review.
The author is very good with descriptive words and her ability to shift language when writing period pieces is highlighted in this story. Jordan is very good at scene building and melding her characters into that scene. I'm reminded of how architect Frank Lloyd Wright believed a building shouldn't appear plunked down in an environment, but should feel as if it grew from it. This is how this author creates her characters. The foundations for this book were laid when the author was in high school, and the young person's voice will appeal to her youth readers.
The author is very good with descriptive words and her ability to shift language when writing period pieces is highlighted in this story. Jordan is very good at scene building and melding her characters into that scene. I'm reminded of how architect Frank Lloyd Wright believed a building shouldn't appear plunked down in an environment, but should feel as if it grew from it. This is how this author creates her characters. The foundations for this book were laid when the author was in high school, and the young person's voice will appeal to her youth readers.
April 27, 2015
Jordan Elizabeth's 'Escape from Witchwood Hollow' was a fun, quick read. I liked that Jordan took a chance and told the story from several different time periods. Some people might not enjoy this approach, but you need to go in with an open mind. Overall, I really enjoyed it and was shocked by the ending. If you are looking for something different and uniquely weird, this book might be a great read for you.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 29, 2015
A good book to read near the anniversary of 911 as the main character's parents died when the twin towers crashed. It's a fantasy that has current day action, but also switches back to the past as well. I enjoyed the book and thought the ending .
November 16, 2014
The story centers around three different young women from three different time periods (1600s, 1800s, and 2001) all finding their way into the cursed Witchwood Hollow. I'm not usually a huge fan of historicals, but I absolutely loved venturing into the three different time periods. The author did a great job of creating three unique characters, and three unique settings, all while making the three young women seem so connected.
The author has a fresh and distinctive voice. Not just anyone would think to use "damsel in distress" as a curse word. lol I loved the dark, layered, and fascinating story and I look forward to reading more from this debut author!
The author has a fresh and distinctive voice. Not just anyone would think to use "damsel in distress" as a curse word. lol I loved the dark, layered, and fascinating story and I look forward to reading more from this debut author!
May 30, 2015
Leave your broomsticks, your pointy hats and your sparkling red shoes behind, this tale of witchcraft is one of great loss, love, loneliness and hidden truths as Jordan Elizabeth’s creative cauldron gives us Escape from Witchwood Hollow, a YA fantasy for all ages. Will a teenage right of peer-passage in a small town filled with the whispers of legends, witchcraft and evil become a frightening journey into the darkness that calls to her? Honoria hears the whispers, they call to her, but thoughts of the legend lead to a desperate act to test their veracity. What she finds are the truths behind centuries of death, missing loved ones and the pain endured by a once loving young witch.
Get ready for Jordan Elizabeth’s style, bewitching and dark, yet infused with love and the hope for less pain in the future. Jordan Elizabeth routes her tale through three time periods to build her world and entwines them together to create layer upon layer of mystery and intrigue up to a final conclusion that you will NOT see coming. Her characters all have an innocent sweetness to them that reveals their age and the viewpoints they harbor. Friendships will be tested, choices must be made, but never once, does this tale get bogged down by itself, as the truth of one legend and its victims come to life and the final scenes roll through your mind.
I received this copy from Jordan Elizabeth in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Genre: YA fantasy
Print Length: 200 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Get ready for Jordan Elizabeth’s style, bewitching and dark, yet infused with love and the hope for less pain in the future. Jordan Elizabeth routes her tale through three time periods to build her world and entwines them together to create layer upon layer of mystery and intrigue up to a final conclusion that you will NOT see coming. Her characters all have an innocent sweetness to them that reveals their age and the viewpoints they harbor. Friendships will be tested, choices must be made, but never once, does this tale get bogged down by itself, as the truth of one legend and its victims come to life and the final scenes roll through your mind.
I received this copy from Jordan Elizabeth in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Genre: YA fantasy
Print Length: 200 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
August 12, 2016
3,5 stars
This book has been given to me in exchange for an honest review.
What a strange story! Don't let my rating deter you as I'm 100% certain fans of the genre will positively love this book. I just was unsettled for a long time as I rarely read books with a feel of time travel, even if it's not about time travel per se.
As the characters of this book, I was lost in the beginning. I was puzzled by all the chapters written from others point of view as we did not have one but rather three main characters. I kept trying to read the clues and guess what the author aimed for until all the pieces fitted and I got my epiphany, exactly like the characters in the wood.
It's actually very cleverly written as we have to follow a similar journey and get to experience what the protagonists did in some way.
The story is built around Honoria, 15 years old in 2001; Lady Clifford 1670 aka The Witch and Albertine 17 years old in 1850. All begins with Honoria moving from New York to the countriside with her brother, aunt and uncle after her parents died in the Twin Towers attack. Now trying to fit in with the "country pumpkins", she'll enter a "cursed" wood on a dare. Witchwood Hollow has a bad rep in this small town. It's said a witch should hide within and keep people trying to cross the woods.
Honoria barely escaped from the wood and will try to solve the legend's mystery with the help of her neighbour Leon, fascinated with old objects and history.
Alongside Honoria's story we follow that of the witch and the story of Albertine as well. All stories intermingle at some point and finally I could understand the grand scheme. Hooray!
Now, that ending I did not expect at all!
This book has been given to me in exchange for an honest review.
What a strange story! Don't let my rating deter you as I'm 100% certain fans of the genre will positively love this book. I just was unsettled for a long time as I rarely read books with a feel of time travel, even if it's not about time travel per se.
As the characters of this book, I was lost in the beginning. I was puzzled by all the chapters written from others point of view as we did not have one but rather three main characters. I kept trying to read the clues and guess what the author aimed for until all the pieces fitted and I got my epiphany, exactly like the characters in the wood.
It's actually very cleverly written as we have to follow a similar journey and get to experience what the protagonists did in some way.
The story is built around Honoria, 15 years old in 2001; Lady Clifford 1670 aka The Witch and Albertine 17 years old in 1850. All begins with Honoria moving from New York to the countriside with her brother, aunt and uncle after her parents died in the Twin Towers attack. Now trying to fit in with the "country pumpkins", she'll enter a "cursed" wood on a dare. Witchwood Hollow has a bad rep in this small town. It's said a witch should hide within and keep people trying to cross the woods.
Honoria barely escaped from the wood and will try to solve the legend's mystery with the help of her neighbour Leon, fascinated with old objects and history.
Alongside Honoria's story we follow that of the witch and the story of Albertine as well. All stories intermingle at some point and finally I could understand the grand scheme. Hooray!
Now, that ending I did not expect at all!
August 11, 2015
(I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Jordan Elizabeth Mierek.)
This was an okay story, but I did find it a little confusing.
Honoria was an alright character, but I was a little concerned at how readily she wanted to sneak out at night with some other girls who she didn’t know at all, and how much she wanted to go into a haunted wood at night!
The storyline in this confused me a bit with the story alternating between 2001 and 1856. It took me a while to work out the connection between the two parts of the story, and I lost interest a little bit.
The ending to this was okay, and it was good that the mystery of what had happened to the missing little boy was solved.
6 out of 10
Favourite Quote – “Lies,” Shane shrieked. “My uncle doesn’t have no brother!”
This was an okay story, but I did find it a little confusing.
Honoria was an alright character, but I was a little concerned at how readily she wanted to sneak out at night with some other girls who she didn’t know at all, and how much she wanted to go into a haunted wood at night!
The storyline in this confused me a bit with the story alternating between 2001 and 1856. It took me a while to work out the connection between the two parts of the story, and I lost interest a little bit.
The ending to this was okay, and it was good that the mystery of what had happened to the missing little boy was solved.
6 out of 10
Favourite Quote – “Lies,” Shane shrieked. “My uncle doesn’t have no brother!”
June 8, 2015
In 1670 Lady Elizabeth Clifford fled into the nearby woods to escape the persecutors who would put her to death. They called her a witch; after the murder of a local village identity she had no choice but to flee. But what would be her future? Was she really a witch?
1850 found Albertine and Mary-Anne alone but for their drunken uncle and the farm they worked on. Their father had moved to America to find a better life after their mother had died – Arnn was the small farming town where he bought land to give them a future. When he sent a ticket of passage for Albertine to join him, she was excited – still a teenager, she vowed to her eleven year old sister that they would send for her as soon as they were able.
October 2001 and Honoria and her brother Geoffrey had moved with their aunt and uncle to Arnn to escape the memories of the terrible terrorist attack in New York; both their parents had been at work in the Twin Towers on that terrible day. Honoria continued to be overcome by grief and when the opportunity arose to move to the small farming community and her aunt and uncle purchase the old, rundown dwelling they didn’t hesitate.
The legend of Witchwood Hollow had been handed down over the generations – beware the witch who would trap you forever in the trees, never to be freed. But of course Honoria didn’t believe in ghosts so when two of her new friends from school dared her to venture into the woods, she only hesitated a little…no such things as ghosts or witches; right?
Spanning three timelines, Escape From Witchwood Hollow by author Jordan Elizabeth is a fabulous fantasy tale with mystery and intrigue as the main ingredients. Fabulous characters, they were easy to keep track of and delightful to know. Beautifully written, I could visualise the denseness of the woods, the eeriness of the bird and animal sounds plus the innate confusion of the inhabitants. I have no hesitation in recommending Escape From Witchwood Hollow extremely highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
1850 found Albertine and Mary-Anne alone but for their drunken uncle and the farm they worked on. Their father had moved to America to find a better life after their mother had died – Arnn was the small farming town where he bought land to give them a future. When he sent a ticket of passage for Albertine to join him, she was excited – still a teenager, she vowed to her eleven year old sister that they would send for her as soon as they were able.
October 2001 and Honoria and her brother Geoffrey had moved with their aunt and uncle to Arnn to escape the memories of the terrible terrorist attack in New York; both their parents had been at work in the Twin Towers on that terrible day. Honoria continued to be overcome by grief and when the opportunity arose to move to the small farming community and her aunt and uncle purchase the old, rundown dwelling they didn’t hesitate.
The legend of Witchwood Hollow had been handed down over the generations – beware the witch who would trap you forever in the trees, never to be freed. But of course Honoria didn’t believe in ghosts so when two of her new friends from school dared her to venture into the woods, she only hesitated a little…no such things as ghosts or witches; right?
Spanning three timelines, Escape From Witchwood Hollow by author Jordan Elizabeth is a fabulous fantasy tale with mystery and intrigue as the main ingredients. Fabulous characters, they were easy to keep track of and delightful to know. Beautifully written, I could visualise the denseness of the woods, the eeriness of the bird and animal sounds plus the innate confusion of the inhabitants. I have no hesitation in recommending Escape From Witchwood Hollow extremely highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
November 19, 2025
Post 911 and the Twin Tower attack, a family relocates to the remote town, Arnn, for a fresh start. Orphaned and in the care of her aunt and uncle, Honoria is struggling with her new circumstances.
When the town’s witch story reaches Honoria, she wonders if this witch can reunite Honoria with her lost parents. You see, citizens of Arnn have been disappearing for years. Honoria is determined to uncover the secrets behind the woods that have claimed so many, in the hopes to reunite with her parents.
The time line jumps back and forth between past and present.
Escape from Witchwood Hollow was interesting and suspense filled but keeps children fiction readers in mind with its complexities.
The ending was quite shocking and definitely not what I anticipated.
I received this copy of Escape from Witchwood Hollow From Jordan Elizabeth Mierek in exchange for a honest review.
When the town’s witch story reaches Honoria, she wonders if this witch can reunite Honoria with her lost parents. You see, citizens of Arnn have been disappearing for years. Honoria is determined to uncover the secrets behind the woods that have claimed so many, in the hopes to reunite with her parents.
The time line jumps back and forth between past and present.
Escape from Witchwood Hollow was interesting and suspense filled but keeps children fiction readers in mind with its complexities.
The ending was quite shocking and definitely not what I anticipated.
I received this copy of Escape from Witchwood Hollow From Jordan Elizabeth Mierek in exchange for a honest review.
October 12, 2014
Jordan was nice enough to let me have an advanced copy. I was very impressed with the story. She paints a wonderful picture with words and really puts you in the scene with the characters. When this books is released in print I am so buying a copy so I can have her sign it, it will easily become a collector's item.
February 11, 2015
A quick and intriguing read!
It took me a little while to get fully immersed into the story but once I did I really enjoyed it. Its told from 3 different girls lives in 3 different time periods, which I thought was awesome. We learn how the woods became known as Witchwood Holllow and why, when people enter, they do not leave. It was interesting to see each girls story play out and then come together centuries later.
I loved learning about Witchwood Hollow and found it fascinating. Woods are always creepy, but add in the legend of a Witch in there and it truly becomes scary. Also the Witch in this one is quite crazy!!
I also loved the Historical element. Three different centuries meld together seamlessly. What does a girl in the 1600s, a girl in the 1800s and a girl in the 2000s have in common?, well you will have to read the book to find out.
There is quite a few characters in Escape From Witchwood Hollow and I have to say that my favourite was the motley crew from the woods. It was such an thrilling twist when they find themselves all together and we hear their stories.
Anyway, this was an interesting and intriguing read. I loved the world building and legend behind the Witch and thoroughly enjoyed reading each girls stories. The only thing that spoilt the book for me was the ending, it's not what I hoped!! That's a personal opinion though, and I know a lot of people will love it. It's a solid 4 stars for me and I have no problem recommending it to everyone.
It took me a little while to get fully immersed into the story but once I did I really enjoyed it. Its told from 3 different girls lives in 3 different time periods, which I thought was awesome. We learn how the woods became known as Witchwood Holllow and why, when people enter, they do not leave. It was interesting to see each girls story play out and then come together centuries later.
I loved learning about Witchwood Hollow and found it fascinating. Woods are always creepy, but add in the legend of a Witch in there and it truly becomes scary. Also the Witch in this one is quite crazy!!
I also loved the Historical element. Three different centuries meld together seamlessly. What does a girl in the 1600s, a girl in the 1800s and a girl in the 2000s have in common?, well you will have to read the book to find out.
There is quite a few characters in Escape From Witchwood Hollow and I have to say that my favourite was the motley crew from the woods. It was such an thrilling twist when they find themselves all together and we hear their stories.
Anyway, this was an interesting and intriguing read. I loved the world building and legend behind the Witch and thoroughly enjoyed reading each girls stories. The only thing that spoilt the book for me was the ending, it's not what I hoped!! That's a personal opinion though, and I know a lot of people will love it. It's a solid 4 stars for me and I have no problem recommending it to everyone.
November 18, 2015
REVIEW: ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW by Jordan Elizabeth Mierek
A cunningly conceived, engrossing fable which examines the nature of eccentricity in the face of social conformity. From an herbal healer in the 16th century, to a mid 19th century lonely young who uses tapping to soothe her roiled emotions (what contemporary use calls EFT), to an orphan who loses both parents at the World Trade Center, individualism shines like a beacon, especially when contrasted with the pervasive darkness of the allegedly haunted Witchwood Hollow.
A cunningly conceived, engrossing fable which examines the nature of eccentricity in the face of social conformity. From an herbal healer in the 16th century, to a mid 19th century lonely young who uses tapping to soothe her roiled emotions (what contemporary use calls EFT), to an orphan who loses both parents at the World Trade Center, individualism shines like a beacon, especially when contrasted with the pervasive darkness of the allegedly haunted Witchwood Hollow.
October 18, 2014
Witchwood hollow was an interesting read. The characters were vivid and alive and the story moved along at a decent pace. Overall, I enjoyed the story but I wasn't crazy about the ending.
March 12, 2017
Someone: Would you like this book? I could give it to you in exchange for a honest review.
Me: No, thanks. I have so many other in queue right now. I’ll get it myself and read it in the near future.
In the near future, 2 years later
Hey, it’s almost the near future, I should read this book.
4th page of the book
In order to keep it kids friendly and YAish the writer invented on the spot a new cuss for the more intense moments of the story, which is “damsel in distress”. Flamed banana, that’s so foul!
30ish pages into the book
I feel like I’m following the classic script of a YA novel: introduce the forced introspective life lesson, now sprinkle the drama, teenagers, more teenagers! bad dissing jokes, rhetoric at the end of the chapters, we need more teenagers!
Don’t remember the page
The book has an interesting timeline and I understand why the writer had to introduce some kind of motifs/ time stamps to keep the readers oriented in space and time, but the ones she choose (tap tap-tap tapping, lip smacking, stomach clenching, bile rising) were beyond ridiculous.
Half of the book
Hm, this novel is rather nice, the kind of story that will make a great night around a fire pit in the camp. *reading the next paragraph* he pulls out half of a horseshoe out of the backpack and she thinks he must be some of the most interesting people she ever met. Damn! I mean, flamed banana! I should have expected the YA bomb to explode, it had been fizzing for a while. I guess she couldn’t have been allowed to keep the YA label on the cover if she hadn’t introduced the teenager love triangle.
Someone else: Why do you keep reading it if you don’t like the YA parts?
Me: I have to, I don’t know if I’ll make it to the next near future. Flamed bananas, so many damsels in distress!
end of the book
Well, this have been actually a good book. The story was catchy, the timeline technique interesting, the characters not that bad and the end was the cherry on the top, had almost redeemed the YA kitschy stickers.
I do understand that the author had a target audience and used those elements for those readers to identify with the characters and the issues in the book, but slapping these YA stickers over the story was like squirting a full bottle of ketchup over a gourmet cordon bleu.
I do recommend the book to select readers moving from hardcore YA to Stephen King books that want a filling between those two.
Me: No, thanks. I have so many other in queue right now. I’ll get it myself and read it in the near future.
In the near future, 2 years later
Hey, it’s almost the near future, I should read this book.
4th page of the book
In order to keep it kids friendly and YAish the writer invented on the spot a new cuss for the more intense moments of the story, which is “damsel in distress”. Flamed banana, that’s so foul!
30ish pages into the book
I feel like I’m following the classic script of a YA novel: introduce the forced introspective life lesson, now sprinkle the drama, teenagers, more teenagers! bad dissing jokes, rhetoric at the end of the chapters, we need more teenagers!
Don’t remember the page
The book has an interesting timeline and I understand why the writer had to introduce some kind of motifs/ time stamps to keep the readers oriented in space and time, but the ones she choose (tap tap-tap tapping, lip smacking, stomach clenching, bile rising) were beyond ridiculous.
Half of the book
Hm, this novel is rather nice, the kind of story that will make a great night around a fire pit in the camp. *reading the next paragraph* he pulls out half of a horseshoe out of the backpack and she thinks he must be some of the most interesting people she ever met. Damn! I mean, flamed banana! I should have expected the YA bomb to explode, it had been fizzing for a while. I guess she couldn’t have been allowed to keep the YA label on the cover if she hadn’t introduced the teenager love triangle.
Someone else: Why do you keep reading it if you don’t like the YA parts?
Me: I have to, I don’t know if I’ll make it to the next near future. Flamed bananas, so many damsels in distress!
end of the book
Well, this have been actually a good book. The story was catchy, the timeline technique interesting, the characters not that bad and the end was the cherry on the top, had almost redeemed the YA kitschy stickers.
I do understand that the author had a target audience and used those elements for those readers to identify with the characters and the issues in the book, but slapping these YA stickers over the story was like squirting a full bottle of ketchup over a gourmet cordon bleu.
I do recommend the book to select readers moving from hardcore YA to Stephen King books that want a filling between those two.
September 23, 2015
A Hollow Out Of Time
This book was very different. I was intrigued and a bit mystified by the non linear format of time in this book... But as long as you truly pay attention you can keep up with the storyline pretty well. I was incredibly shocked by the ending of this book and would not recommend it for a regular young adult audiences because of its disturbing nature.
Honoria is adrift. She misses her parents and her friends. She misses her regular private school and her city. Her aunt and uncle decided they had had enough of the city after the towers fell... It was just too much. Memories still haunt Honoria even if she is not living where she made them. No one can understand her or make her feel truly alive again. Not even her older brother understands her even the least little bit. She is trapped in an existence that is both cruel and stifling ... Choking the life out of her every second of every day. For Honoria the real world ended the day the Towers fell.
Witchwood Hollow is a patch of land with a sinister legend. Supposedly a witch took refuge there while being chased out of Arnn in the 1600s and made it time pocket where people could enter but never leave... Thus securing her freedom and amusement at the same time. What will become of anyone trapped there with the "witch" ? Is there any escape? Or are they destined to live forever trapped at the age they entered? Never changing ... Never aging.... In a bubble separated from the rest of the world.
Convoluted and full of mysterious riddles this is an awesome foray into paranormal/fantasy! I loved the ever changing narrative and the diverse and unique characters... I will definitely read more by this author :)
***This book is suitable for very mature young adult through adult readers due to the disturbing nature of the subject matter
This book was very different. I was intrigued and a bit mystified by the non linear format of time in this book... But as long as you truly pay attention you can keep up with the storyline pretty well. I was incredibly shocked by the ending of this book and would not recommend it for a regular young adult audiences because of its disturbing nature.
Honoria is adrift. She misses her parents and her friends. She misses her regular private school and her city. Her aunt and uncle decided they had had enough of the city after the towers fell... It was just too much. Memories still haunt Honoria even if she is not living where she made them. No one can understand her or make her feel truly alive again. Not even her older brother understands her even the least little bit. She is trapped in an existence that is both cruel and stifling ... Choking the life out of her every second of every day. For Honoria the real world ended the day the Towers fell.
Witchwood Hollow is a patch of land with a sinister legend. Supposedly a witch took refuge there while being chased out of Arnn in the 1600s and made it time pocket where people could enter but never leave... Thus securing her freedom and amusement at the same time. What will become of anyone trapped there with the "witch" ? Is there any escape? Or are they destined to live forever trapped at the age they entered? Never changing ... Never aging.... In a bubble separated from the rest of the world.
Convoluted and full of mysterious riddles this is an awesome foray into paranormal/fantasy! I loved the ever changing narrative and the diverse and unique characters... I will definitely read more by this author :)
***This book is suitable for very mature young adult through adult readers due to the disturbing nature of the subject matter
March 4, 2016
I had received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the generous author and Sarah :)
4.5 stars!
Escape from Witchwood Hollow was an amazing read with intriguing writing,a great pace and a wonderful story! Admittedly,it didn't intrigue me that much at first but as I read on,I realized the book was hard to put down.
Trying to get settled in a small town and hoping to fit in, I could relate to Honoria. She was a great character and despite her situation,she could be funny about Arnn's peculiar environment too. She makes Arnn seem like an interesting place. I felt sorry for her for how her 'friends' treated her though.
The characters were well-developed. Leon seemed nice enough. His hobbies were actually interesting. Albertine's tapping habit was often distracting but I loved how she cared for her sister and her family and she prove herself generally kind and caring,too.
I understood why the witch did what she did. She went through a lot and she didn't understand things from a different perspective. I understood her and I wanted her to understand some things,too.
The book was creepy in the best way. I don't usually read horror,not because they creep me out but because they seem so dull and un-creepy. I really enjoyed this one though. A really clever plot.
'Even legends were often based on facts'
It had a brilliant ending. I was so busy worrying about it being a happy one,hoping the characters would mange to escape the hollow somehow ,I never realized it could be even better than I wanted it to be. Well,mostly. However,I had one issue with it. It was that it didn't seem quite fair how the characters got second chances. Second chances after life . It didn't seem at all fair to me.
Overall,a well-crafted story with beautiful,writing and relatable characters.
4.5 stars!
Escape from Witchwood Hollow was an amazing read with intriguing writing,a great pace and a wonderful story! Admittedly,it didn't intrigue me that much at first but as I read on,I realized the book was hard to put down.
Trying to get settled in a small town and hoping to fit in, I could relate to Honoria. She was a great character and despite her situation,she could be funny about Arnn's peculiar environment too. She makes Arnn seem like an interesting place. I felt sorry for her for how her 'friends' treated her though.
The characters were well-developed. Leon seemed nice enough. His hobbies were actually interesting. Albertine's tapping habit was often distracting but I loved how she cared for her sister and her family and she prove herself generally kind and caring,too.
I understood why the witch did what she did. She went through a lot and she didn't understand things from a different perspective. I understood her and I wanted her to understand some things,too.
The book was creepy in the best way. I don't usually read horror,not because they creep me out but because they seem so dull and un-creepy. I really enjoyed this one though. A really clever plot.
'Even legends were often based on facts'
It had a brilliant ending. I was so busy worrying about it being a happy one,hoping the characters would mange to escape the hollow somehow ,I never realized it could be even better than I wanted it to be. Well,mostly. However,I had one issue with it. It was that it didn't seem quite fair how the characters got second chances. Second chances after life . It didn't seem at all fair to me.
Overall,a well-crafted story with beautiful,writing and relatable characters.
August 27, 2016
"What lay amongst the trees?”
I received a free copy from the author in exchange with an honest review.
Okay. So, Escape from Witchwood Hollow is not a book I usually read. It's a paranormal book with a touch of historical. The book is set in three different time periods and also with three main characters
The first story is about Honoria whose parents were passed in the Twin Tower's incident. To overcome her sadness, she, her brother, aunt and uncle moved to Arnn, New York. The first day in school she's intrigued by the wood which surrounds the area. It's called Witchwood Hollow. So that night, she decide to explore the creepy wood with her friends.
The second story is set in 1670. Lady Clifford is accused to be a witch after poisoning a woman. She run and end up in the wood. She has magic who helps her survive and becomes the wood's witch.
The third story is set in 1850. Albertine disappears while trying to walk from town to her father’s farm. She's curious about the wood but end up can't find her way out.
At first I think this book is creepy. I don't really like horror and I thought this book had some horror touch. But the main plot is how the wood links the three characters. Honestly, this kind of book is not really my cup of tea. The plot is intriguing enough but the three different time periods can be confusing at times. Maybe paranormal and mystery lovers will find this book interesting.
I received a free copy from the author in exchange with an honest review.
Okay. So, Escape from Witchwood Hollow is not a book I usually read. It's a paranormal book with a touch of historical. The book is set in three different time periods and also with three main characters
The first story is about Honoria whose parents were passed in the Twin Tower's incident. To overcome her sadness, she, her brother, aunt and uncle moved to Arnn, New York. The first day in school she's intrigued by the wood which surrounds the area. It's called Witchwood Hollow. So that night, she decide to explore the creepy wood with her friends.
The second story is set in 1670. Lady Clifford is accused to be a witch after poisoning a woman. She run and end up in the wood. She has magic who helps her survive and becomes the wood's witch.
The third story is set in 1850. Albertine disappears while trying to walk from town to her father’s farm. She's curious about the wood but end up can't find her way out.
At first I think this book is creepy. I don't really like horror and I thought this book had some horror touch. But the main plot is how the wood links the three characters. Honestly, this kind of book is not really my cup of tea. The plot is intriguing enough but the three different time periods can be confusing at times. Maybe paranormal and mystery lovers will find this book interesting.
December 12, 2014
Everyone in Arnn - a small farming town with more legends than residents - knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees. After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid. Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises. To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch's next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman's madness. How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?
I found this book well written and imaginative. It was easy to follow and I engaged with the characters quickly. Overall an enjoyable book
I found this book well written and imaginative. It was easy to follow and I engaged with the characters quickly. Overall an enjoyable book
January 3, 2015
I wasn't sure if I would like this book, as I tend to find fantasy young adult books a little too predictable, but "Escape from Witchwood Hollow" was very far from that. You are cleverly given bits and pieces of information, and you think you know where the story is heading, but every new page has a surprise. This is not your standard "cursed wood" story, and that makes it for a very rewarding reading experience.
You really feel for the characters and have no problem following the story (even though it happens in different time spaces). The descriptions are delicious, and make it all very real in your head. I highly recommend it for teens and grown-ups alike, and am looking forward to read any forthcoming books by the author.
You really feel for the characters and have no problem following the story (even though it happens in different time spaces). The descriptions are delicious, and make it all very real in your head. I highly recommend it for teens and grown-ups alike, and am looking forward to read any forthcoming books by the author.
October 12, 2014
I enjoyed the book about a teen whose life is changed forever when her parents die in the World Trade Center on 911, and she moves to a small town with her aunt, uncle, and brother. The writing is very good and the story is complex, jumping from the 1600s to the mid-1800s as it goes. It's well produced, a good read for young adults with a yen for something both supernatural and a little different. How will things change for the contemporary protagonist because of the past? Read it and find out.
October 19, 2014
Don’t piss off a witch!
Escape from Witchwood Hollow has a nice pace; moving between centuries as we follow the characters. It has a witchy Halloween feel to it. The tale is more than simply a spooky story though; I came away with the Tuck Everlasting bittersweet taste in my mouth. Thoughtfully written and developed with compelling characters it kept me engaged. I had to know if Albertine would ever escape, so I ended staying up till 1:30 in the morning to see how it ended.
I highly recommend it.
Escape from Witchwood Hollow has a nice pace; moving between centuries as we follow the characters. It has a witchy Halloween feel to it. The tale is more than simply a spooky story though; I came away with the Tuck Everlasting bittersweet taste in my mouth. Thoughtfully written and developed with compelling characters it kept me engaged. I had to know if Albertine would ever escape, so I ended staying up till 1:30 in the morning to see how it ended.
I highly recommend it.
November 23, 2014
Received a complimentary copy to read and review. Great book. I couldn't put it down. Love the characters and the world Jordan has created. It has some great twists and turns. Readers are drawn into the story from the first page. Add it to your TBR list you won't be disappointed. It's got just the right amount of horror to keep the reader turning the page. I look forward to reading more of Jordan's books.
January 14, 2015
This is a fun little book. I enjoyed the unique approach to fantasy, and the mystery elements kept me turning pages. The style is unusual, and might not appeal to everyone, but I greatly enjoyed the characters and the way they brought the story to life. It wouldn't make the top of my recommendation list, but if you're looking for something outside the usual fantasy formula, I think this book would be a great choice.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review.
I received a free copy of this book in return for a review.
December 6, 2014
Other than the fact that I read 'Arnn' as Arm, this was quite an entertaining read. Jordan did a great job with the written word and you could actually feel the scenes come to life in your mind.
July 14, 2016
*Received this book in exchange for an honest review*
While reading this book-
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist. I had this song stuck in my head from the minute I started reading the book until the last page. And hey, it fits the plot of this book that got me enchanted. All right, I’m done with Taylor Swift references.
Escape from Witchwood Hollow has this engrossing plotline and great characters, which made for an enjoyable read. The story revolves around Hororia, who just moved to Arnn with her family after loosing her parents in the Twin Towers attack. In Arnn, legend has it that a witch has set a curse on Witchwood Hollow, and anyone who enters could not get out. Honoria is drawn to the mysteries of that legend, and seeks to find out the truth behind it. The book also includes chapters from the perceptive of the witch, Lady Clifford, in the 1600s, as well as the perceptive of another character who gets lost in the woods in the 1800s, Albertine Slack. Having three different perspectives kept the pace of the book fast, and we got snippets about the lives of each of the characters, as well as the secrets behind the woods. This in turn kept me interested in the story, and got me guessing till the very end. I was on the edge of my seat trying to know whether or not Albertine will make it out of the woods, or if Honoria will be get stuck in it.
For me to really enjoy a book, I would have to be able to connect and sympathies with the characters, and I was able to do that with this book. Honoria was a mature, lovable character, and you could feel her pain and her longing for something to keep her going. Then we have lady Clifford, who appeared to me as a lost, lonely and misunderstood soul. It was interesting to see her emotions being manifested in her actions, and to view her reasoning for trapping people in the woods. Albertine, a 17-year old who just moved from England to Arnn to be with her father and marry, was an optimistic character, and I liked that about her. It was also intriguing to see the connection between the three young ladies unfold. I only wish that we got more about the background of the witch, because her history was somewhat brief. This was adequate with the pace and the length of the book, but I just felt that it would be interesting to explore her character in more depth.
Overall, I really liked this book, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy.
While reading this book-
I remember thinking, are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods yet, are we out of the woods? Are we in the clear yet, are we in the clear yet, are we in the clear yet?
I’m sorry, I just couldn’t resist. I had this song stuck in my head from the minute I started reading the book until the last page. And hey, it fits the plot of this book that got me enchanted. All right, I’m done with Taylor Swift references.
Escape from Witchwood Hollow has this engrossing plotline and great characters, which made for an enjoyable read. The story revolves around Hororia, who just moved to Arnn with her family after loosing her parents in the Twin Towers attack. In Arnn, legend has it that a witch has set a curse on Witchwood Hollow, and anyone who enters could not get out. Honoria is drawn to the mysteries of that legend, and seeks to find out the truth behind it. The book also includes chapters from the perceptive of the witch, Lady Clifford, in the 1600s, as well as the perceptive of another character who gets lost in the woods in the 1800s, Albertine Slack. Having three different perspectives kept the pace of the book fast, and we got snippets about the lives of each of the characters, as well as the secrets behind the woods. This in turn kept me interested in the story, and got me guessing till the very end. I was on the edge of my seat trying to know whether or not Albertine will make it out of the woods, or if Honoria will be get stuck in it.
For me to really enjoy a book, I would have to be able to connect and sympathies with the characters, and I was able to do that with this book. Honoria was a mature, lovable character, and you could feel her pain and her longing for something to keep her going. Then we have lady Clifford, who appeared to me as a lost, lonely and misunderstood soul. It was interesting to see her emotions being manifested in her actions, and to view her reasoning for trapping people in the woods. Albertine, a 17-year old who just moved from England to Arnn to be with her father and marry, was an optimistic character, and I liked that about her. It was also intriguing to see the connection between the three young ladies unfold. I only wish that we got more about the background of the witch, because her history was somewhat brief. This was adequate with the pace and the length of the book, but I just felt that it would be interesting to explore her character in more depth.
Overall, I really liked this book, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy.
August 15, 2017
Escape From Witchwood Hollow by Jordan Elizabeth is a serious fast read. I actually finished this book Sunday, but had to take a few days to process the book. I actually really loved it, until the end.
The book is a young adult paranormal that is written in three different views. There is Lady Clifford, the witch behind Witchwood Hollow. Albertine Slack, a young English immigrant who experiences the legend in 1850. And, Honoria, a girl who moves to Arnn in 2001 after the deaths of her parents.
There are so many books structured like this one that ends up confusing the reader, but Jordan Elizabeth is an epert. The reader sympathizes with all of the characters and is instantly pulled into two sets of mysteries that are more connected than anyone realizes.
The writing is simple, but direct. There isn't a flurry of lyrical prose, only the raw emotion of the characters. I liked that. It's been so long that I wanted to finish a book just to see what happened to Albertine and if she gets out of Witchwood Hollow. With Honoria, I wanted her to find peace and friendship. I wanted her to be happy in the end.
The ending is what forced me to take a step back for a few days. I can understand how it ended this way, but I feel a bit more would have made me happy, but it's still a good book. Without telling you what happens, my thoughts were as followed: WTF!? I can't believe this! Oh, now I'm beginning to understand. Sad.
Yeah, that's the ending in a nutshell. But, don't let that deter you. The book pulls you in and shows the idea of local legends having truth. Even the concept of Witchwood Hollow is amazing. The first thing that popped in my head was the idea of being Spirited Away. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Jordan Elizabeth makes the magic believable. It's like a fairy tale, but more lifelike.
This is a serious MUST READ! I'm dead serious here. You will finish it in a few days, probably get upset over the ending, but the journey is worth it. I'll definitely read from Jordan Elizabeth again.
The book is a young adult paranormal that is written in three different views. There is Lady Clifford, the witch behind Witchwood Hollow. Albertine Slack, a young English immigrant who experiences the legend in 1850. And, Honoria, a girl who moves to Arnn in 2001 after the deaths of her parents.
There are so many books structured like this one that ends up confusing the reader, but Jordan Elizabeth is an epert. The reader sympathizes with all of the characters and is instantly pulled into two sets of mysteries that are more connected than anyone realizes.
The writing is simple, but direct. There isn't a flurry of lyrical prose, only the raw emotion of the characters. I liked that. It's been so long that I wanted to finish a book just to see what happened to Albertine and if she gets out of Witchwood Hollow. With Honoria, I wanted her to find peace and friendship. I wanted her to be happy in the end.
The ending is what forced me to take a step back for a few days. I can understand how it ended this way, but I feel a bit more would have made me happy, but it's still a good book. Without telling you what happens, my thoughts were as followed: WTF!? I can't believe this! Oh, now I'm beginning to understand. Sad.
Yeah, that's the ending in a nutshell. But, don't let that deter you. The book pulls you in and shows the idea of local legends having truth. Even the concept of Witchwood Hollow is amazing. The first thing that popped in my head was the idea of being Spirited Away. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Jordan Elizabeth makes the magic believable. It's like a fairy tale, but more lifelike.
This is a serious MUST READ! I'm dead serious here. You will finish it in a few days, probably get upset over the ending, but the journey is worth it. I'll definitely read from Jordan Elizabeth again.
September 11, 2016
I was approached by one of the members of the author's street team to possibly read and review this book. Upon reading the synopsis, it sounded like it would be right down my alley so I happily agreed. Thank you to the author for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
The story is told in three different time periods: 1670, 1850, and 2001. Not something I was aware of going in. Jumping between time periods or multiple perspectives is something that throws me off a bit if I'm not careful, but I didn't seem to have too much of a problem with it in this book. Once I realized this though, I definitely started to form a theory about the storylines. That theory turned out to be right, but there were still nuggets presented that I was surprised and entertained by.
My favorite parts were the ones that occurred in the story taking place in 2001. Those sections were the ones that really drew me in and kept me captivated from the start. It wasn't until roughly halfway through, that I started to become enthralled with the story as a whole. That is also about when things started clicking together for me.
I was a little irritated with Honoria in the way that she only seemed interested in the prospect of a boyfriend at one point of the story. Some of the things she thought to herself really got under my skin. I was also a little disappointed with the way she handles some drama in the latter part of the story.
The end of this story was definitely a let down for me and it's what is preventing me from giving this book a higher rating. It was not something that I expected for sure, though I do feel it is a feasible end. If it had gone in a different direction though, I feel that the story would've been more satisfying for me as a whole. That being said, I would still check out another of this author's work in the future as I did think this was an enjoyable read.
The story is told in three different time periods: 1670, 1850, and 2001. Not something I was aware of going in. Jumping between time periods or multiple perspectives is something that throws me off a bit if I'm not careful, but I didn't seem to have too much of a problem with it in this book. Once I realized this though, I definitely started to form a theory about the storylines. That theory turned out to be right, but there were still nuggets presented that I was surprised and entertained by.
My favorite parts were the ones that occurred in the story taking place in 2001. Those sections were the ones that really drew me in and kept me captivated from the start. It wasn't until roughly halfway through, that I started to become enthralled with the story as a whole. That is also about when things started clicking together for me.
I was a little irritated with Honoria in the way that she only seemed interested in the prospect of a boyfriend at one point of the story. Some of the things she thought to herself really got under my skin. I was also a little disappointed with the way she handles some drama in the latter part of the story.
The end of this story was definitely a let down for me and it's what is preventing me from giving this book a higher rating. It was not something that I expected for sure, though I do feel it is a feasible end. If it had gone in a different direction though, I feel that the story would've been more satisfying for me as a whole. That being said, I would still check out another of this author's work in the future as I did think this was an enjoyable read.
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