What do you think?
Rate this book
Horseman Rising
Sleepy Hollow has always belonged to Kate Van Tassel—its winding carriage roads, ancient woods, and the farm her family has kept for generations.
But when an earthquake tears an old ash tree from the earth beside the Old Dutch Church, something buried beneath the Hollow begins to stir.
As unease spreads through the valley, Kate discovers seven boundary stones, a forgotten covenant, and a legacy her family was never meant to abandon. Then the Headless Horseman begins riding again, following an ancient path through the darkness.
Someone is disturbing the boundary.
With Halloween drawing near, Kate must uncover what has been hidden beneath Sleepy Hollow for centuries—and decide what she is willing to surrender to keep it there.
Because some legends are warnings.
And some things should never be allowed to rise.
But when an earthquake tears an old ash tree from the earth beside the Old Dutch Church, something buried beneath the Hollow begins to stir.
As unease spreads through the valley, Kate discovers seven boundary stones, a forgotten covenant, and a legacy her family was never meant to abandon. Then the Headless Horseman begins riding again, following an ancient path through the darkness.
Someone is disturbing the boundary.
With Halloween drawing near, Kate must uncover what has been hidden beneath Sleepy Hollow for centuries—and decide what she is willing to surrender to keep it there.
Because some legends are warnings.
And some things should never be allowed to rise.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 9, 2026
I’m a Washington Irving fan, and love everything Sleepy Hollow. The legend, the lore, Halloween, cemeteries, ghosts—the mood of it all. So when I had the chance to read an advance copy of this novel—a modern sequel (of sorts) to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow—I jumped at it.
Horseman Rising follows Kate Van Tassel, descendant of the Van Tassel family from Irving’s classic story, as she tries to understand and battle a new evil now threatening Sleepy Hollow. The Headless Horseman is central to the story and the battle, but in a new, reimagined way. Is he evil, or has he really been a force for good all along?
Author Bergen sets everything up nicely, from a flashback to the horseman’s origin in 1776, to the descriptions of the haunted Hudson Valley that Sleepy Hollow sits in along the Hudson River, to Kate’s belief in and acceptance of her responsibility to the land (and its history) she has inherited.
The story gallops along at a good pace (pun intended), and keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Horseman Rising follows Kate Van Tassel, descendant of the Van Tassel family from Irving’s classic story, as she tries to understand and battle a new evil now threatening Sleepy Hollow. The Headless Horseman is central to the story and the battle, but in a new, reimagined way. Is he evil, or has he really been a force for good all along?
Author Bergen sets everything up nicely, from a flashback to the horseman’s origin in 1776, to the descriptions of the haunted Hudson Valley that Sleepy Hollow sits in along the Hudson River, to Kate’s belief in and acceptance of her responsibility to the land (and its history) she has inherited.
The story gallops along at a good pace (pun intended), and keeps the reader engaged and turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
August 2, 2026
Great twist on an old classic
I started Horseman Rising this morning, planning to read a little... and ended up finishing the entire book. It completely pulled me in, and I couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy fresh takes on classic stories, this is a fantastic reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It keeps the eerie atmosphere of the original while taking the legend in an unexpected direction that had me hooked from beginning to end.
Rather than tying everything up neatly, the ending left me with a question that I can't stop thinking about: what happens next? Not because anything felt unfinished, but because the story made me genuinely curious about what comes next. It's the kind of ending that leaves you wanting more.
I'd happily pick up a sequel if one ever comes along. Until then, I'll just be over here wondering...
I started Horseman Rising this morning, planning to read a little... and ended up finishing the entire book. It completely pulled me in, and I couldn't put it down.
If you enjoy fresh takes on classic stories, this is a fantastic reimagining of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It keeps the eerie atmosphere of the original while taking the legend in an unexpected direction that had me hooked from beginning to end.
Rather than tying everything up neatly, the ending left me with a question that I can't stop thinking about: what happens next? Not because anything felt unfinished, but because the story made me genuinely curious about what comes next. It's the kind of ending that leaves you wanting more.
I'd happily pick up a sequel if one ever comes along. Until then, I'll just be over here wondering...
August 24, 2026
Absolutely loved this retelling and I found the story to be absolutely wonderful!
August 3, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from author.
I really enjoyed this. The Headless Horseman is one of my all time favorite ghost stories so this was a really fun read for me. Thank you to the author for the arc copy.
I really enjoyed this. The Headless Horseman is one of my all time favorite ghost stories so this was a really fun read for me. Thank you to the author for the arc copy.
September 1, 2026
Bad, bad, bad. I love the headless horseman character. I try to read as many stories based on the original
As I can. Unfortunately, this one was probably the worst. Very little of it made sense.
A pathetic villain (who, by the way is not the headless horseman).
Tons of repetitive statements and descriptions. A several century long line of Van Tassels who consist almost exclusively of women (yeah, I’m not quite sure how that works either). And a headless horseman who really isn’t headless…and has no real reason for existing.
I hate giving bad reviews, but the is one is necessary. Sorry.
As I can. Unfortunately, this one was probably the worst. Very little of it made sense.
A pathetic villain (who, by the way is not the headless horseman).
Tons of repetitive statements and descriptions. A several century long line of Van Tassels who consist almost exclusively of women (yeah, I’m not quite sure how that works either). And a headless horseman who really isn’t headless…and has no real reason for existing.
I hate giving bad reviews, but the is one is necessary. Sorry.
September 25, 2026
Horseman Rising by Regina Bergen was fantastic
I loved it.
The main character Kate Van Tassel was a very great character.
I love reading about the Hudson Variety, Ny and learning about the story of The Headless Horseman.
I loved it.
The main character Kate Van Tassel was a very great character.
I love reading about the Hudson Variety, Ny and learning about the story of The Headless Horseman.
September 29, 2026
I got through this book but it was a bit of a struggle. I was excited to read it because I love the original story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I knew this was going to be different but I wanted more of the original story mixed in.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews