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Hollow Folk #1
Mr. Big Empty
Vie Eliot arrives in the small town of Vehpese, Wyoming with little more than the clothes--and scars--on his back. Determined to make a new life for himself after escaping his abusive mother, he finds that living with his estranged father brings its own problems. Then Samantha Oates, the girl with blue hair, goes missing, and Vie might be the only one who can find her. His ability to read emotions and gain insight into other people’s darkest secrets makes him the perfect investigator, with only one small he wants nothing to do with his gift. When the killer begins contacting Vie through a series of strange cards, though, Vie is forced to hone his ability, because Samantha was not the killer’s only target. And, as Vie learns, he is not the only psychic in town.
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2017
89 people are currently reading
1521 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
135 books1,783 followersI'm a long-time Midwesterner. I've lived in Chicago, Bloomington (IN), and Saint Louis, my current home. Aside from reading and writing (which take up a lot of my time), I'm an educator.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
While I enjoy reading across many genres, my two main loves are mystery and speculative fiction. I used to keep a list of favorite books, but it changes so frequently that I've given up. I'm always looking for recommendations, though, so please drop me a line if you have something in mind!
My big goal right now is one day to be responsible enough to get a dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
February 28, 2018
I am changing a wee bit of my review after the re-read, since the ending is now much more clear AND I need to add to my understanding of Vie's characterization, since he is quite volatile in the beginning, and it should probably be a warning.
I still loved this book though, and I am definitely leaving my rating at 5 stars. This story was a masterpiece IMO.
Okay this book was a FUCKING fantastic surprise, and I'm going back and forth, back and forth between 4 and 5 stars.
I'm gonna leave it at 5 for now, and when I do a re-read I will see if it should be amended (because there WILL be a re-read).
First though: this book was EXPENSIVE for an unknown author with a few published books, but not a lot of reviews. Normally I would only pay $8.74 for a known-to-me author, and this book would have had to wait until it was on sale or I would have put it on my TBR, and forgotten about it... (*Edit: The first 3 books in this series are currently $3.74 at Amazon.com)
The sample however... The sample drew me in, and I ended up buying the crap out of this book, since I could not put it down or leave it alone until I got Vie's full story.
Beware though it is a long book, so prepare for a weekend-read OR if you start it at night: prepare to call in sick the next day;-)
Normally I don't discuss the language/grammar of a book unless it's really bad, since my mother tongue is not English, and I don't think I'm really qualified to have an opinion on the matter.
Here though I HAVE to comment on the prose. I cannot believe that Gregory Ashe is not more well-known OR more celebrated as an author?!
I have highlighted a few phrases/descriptions of places, people and emotions I thought were BRILLIANT; he paints a subtle (fun) picture, without making it too pretentious or flowery -IMO. And it drew me the fuck in!
When I started the book I wasn't too sure about the psychic plotline, but in the end it didn't feel unreal or unnatural. It fit the story, and the tapestry of characters and Vie, by far, outshone the 'unbelievable' aspects.
And to be honest I fucking loved Vie!
He was one of the greatest characters I have read in a long while.
He is strong, but vulnerable.
He is a teenager, but he is a grown-up at the same time.
He wants to be loved, but he hates/mistrusts most people.
He has a GOOD heart, but he does not advertise it.
He is a victim AND a hero.
Beware though EVERYBODY in Vie's life have let him down in the most heartbreaking and horrible of ways. The only language Vie has learned, from the people who spawned him, is violence. And Vie's reactions in the beginning of the story is to talk with his fists. It might be too violent for some, but the people he is 'communicating' with are NOT innocent little lambs
Besides that I do have to warn you guys, we have descriptions of: abuse, a suicide attempt, self-harm and murder.
It wasn't a horror-/slasher-fest, but it wasn't FTB either, so if you have triggers, proceed with caution. Vie's parents especially, are disgusting human-beings!
And for people with that pet-peeve (I'm normally one of them, but it didn't bother me here): there is a sort of love-triangle, but it's not the main focus of the story, and it doesn't really take place until towards the end.
And as a last re-read note: Vie and his gang of misfits are definitely teenagers and they fight like cat and dogs, then make up, then fight again.
You need to be ready for a wee bit of...Teenage angst? Ridiculousness? Unsupervised youth in the throes of hormones? Teenage-like drama with undertones of far more serious issues.
There is no sex in it, but for once it wasn't a problem for me. The MC's are 'teenagers' (but this is not a YA or children's book; Vie 'feels' like an adult most of the time) and there is talk and hormones (Mr. Ashe does not shy away from descriptive scenes, so there's hope for the next books).
Also the chemistry between Vie and Emmett is FANTASTIC, but it never goes further, since they are quite busy with their sleuthing... (and Emmett definitely has his own problems!)
The focus of the story though, is not really Vie in regards to someone else... It's more Vie and his FUCKED UP life and his growing-up and his feelings and his ability.
Not to say that he's a hermit, he DOES have 'relationships' and all that jazz, but he is still the enigmatic driving force of the story; his history just means he's very cautious and self-sufficient (which I loved).
I never once doubted Vie's investigative tendencies, which is quite strange considering the dude is 16 years old, but Vie really reads like this 'take-charge-I-will-figure-it-out'-kind of guy. Which is also fucking annoying once or twice... Just: "For dog's sake, just accept Sara's help, dude!"
All in all, this book was a fantastic surprise; the humor was subtle but great. Vie was an amazingly strong, beautiful, competent character and the mystery kept me entertained. You think you know where it's going (red herrings and all), but you really don't.
The ending was sort of weird, but on my second re-read it made more sense somehow, though it's still quitemeta? Complicated? Unfinished... I choose to see the positive though: this just means that Vie still has a story to tell (hopefully with fewer fists this time:-)
I still loved this book though, and I am definitely leaving my rating at 5 stars. This story was a masterpiece IMO.
Okay this book was a FUCKING fantastic surprise, and I'm going back and forth, back and forth between 4 and 5 stars.
I'm gonna leave it at 5 for now, and when I do a re-read I will see if it should be amended (because there WILL be a re-read).
First though: this book was EXPENSIVE for an unknown author with a few published books, but not a lot of reviews. Normally I would only pay $8.74 for a known-to-me author, and this book would have had to wait until it was on sale or I would have put it on my TBR, and forgotten about it... (*Edit: The first 3 books in this series are currently $3.74 at Amazon.com)
The sample however... The sample drew me in, and I ended up buying the crap out of this book, since I could not put it down or leave it alone until I got Vie's full story.
Beware though it is a long book, so prepare for a weekend-read OR if you start it at night: prepare to call in sick the next day;-)
Normally I don't discuss the language/grammar of a book unless it's really bad, since my mother tongue is not English, and I don't think I'm really qualified to have an opinion on the matter.
Here though I HAVE to comment on the prose. I cannot believe that Gregory Ashe is not more well-known OR more celebrated as an author?!
I have highlighted a few phrases/descriptions of places, people and emotions I thought were BRILLIANT; he paints a subtle (fun) picture, without making it too pretentious or flowery -IMO. And it drew me the fuck in!
When I started the book I wasn't too sure about the psychic plotline, but in the end it didn't feel unreal or unnatural. It fit the story, and the tapestry of characters and Vie, by far, outshone the 'unbelievable' aspects.
And to be honest I fucking loved Vie!
He was one of the greatest characters I have read in a long while.
He is strong, but vulnerable.
He is a teenager, but he is a grown-up at the same time.
He wants to be loved, but he hates/mistrusts most people.
He has a GOOD heart, but he does not advertise it.
He is a victim AND a hero.
Beware though EVERYBODY in Vie's life have let him down in the most heartbreaking and horrible of ways. The only language Vie has learned, from the people who spawned him, is violence. And Vie's reactions in the beginning of the story is to talk with his fists. It might be too violent for some, but the people he is 'communicating' with are NOT innocent little lambs
Besides that I do have to warn you guys, we have descriptions of: abuse, a suicide attempt, self-harm and murder.
It wasn't a horror-/slasher-fest, but it wasn't FTB either, so if you have triggers, proceed with caution. Vie's parents especially, are disgusting human-beings!
And for people with that pet-peeve (I'm normally one of them, but it didn't bother me here): there is a sort of love-triangle, but it's not the main focus of the story, and it doesn't really take place until towards the end.
And as a last re-read note: Vie and his gang of misfits are definitely teenagers and they fight like cat and dogs, then make up, then fight again.
You need to be ready for a wee bit of...
There is no sex in it, but for once it wasn't a problem for me. The MC's are 'teenagers' (but this is not a YA or children's book; Vie 'feels' like an adult most of the time) and there is talk and hormones (Mr. Ashe does not shy away from descriptive scenes, so there's hope for the next books).
Also the chemistry between Vie and Emmett is FANTASTIC, but it never goes further, since they are quite busy with their sleuthing... (and Emmett definitely has his own problems!)
The focus of the story though, is not really Vie in regards to someone else... It's more Vie and his FUCKED UP life and his growing-up and his feelings and his ability.
Not to say that he's a hermit, he DOES have 'relationships' and all that jazz, but he is still the enigmatic driving force of the story; his history just means he's very cautious and self-sufficient (which I loved).
I never once doubted Vie's investigative tendencies, which is quite strange considering the dude is 16 years old, but Vie really reads like this 'take-charge-I-will-figure-it-out'-kind of guy. Which is also fucking annoying once or twice... Just: "For dog's sake, just accept Sara's help, dude!"
All in all, this book was a fantastic surprise; the humor was subtle but great. Vie was an amazingly strong, beautiful, competent character and the mystery kept me entertained. You think you know where it's going (red herrings and all), but you really don't.
The ending was sort of weird, but on my second re-read it made more sense somehow, though it's still quite
August 21, 2020
4.5 stars. Well, it's from Gregory Ashe, so there was no question that I wasn't going to like it. His writing is, as always, exceptional and the mystery as well as the evolving relationships kept me turning the pages and staying up way too late. Also as always, LOL.
However, this is young adult, and paranormal so I wasn't sure what to expect. But GA spun those elements just as deftly as he's done anything else I've read. I loved Vie. ❤️ He's a kid that's had an awful life, and that's made him old too. He's big and he's tough but certain things make him feel small and defenseless. He uses his fists a lot, because one of the only ways he can escape his pain is to create more pain. Vie doesn't trust anyone and he doesn't care about anyone, until he does. In spite of himself, LOL. Vie isn't cold or unfriendly and he has a wry sense of humor, but he also has a secret, another reason to keep his distance from everybody.
A teenage girl that Vie had barely met is murdered soon after Vie moves to a small Wyoming town where his dad lives. Vie gets involved in trying to find out what happened to her to prove another boy didn't kill her, who is himself a suspect. And for all the ways that Vie is old, he's still a teenager too and some of the things he does almost cost him more than he can pay.
My favorite part of this is what GA does so very well, and that's the characters and relationships. Vie is so damn complex even though he's young. He has so many layers to him, so many things he wants but doesn't want to. He cares in spite of himself but it's hard for him to be friends with anyone when he has to keep so much hidden.
There's more than one kind of bad guy here and I was wrong *kind of* about who did it this time. At the end, Vie discovers there's still someone out there with bad intentions. And he's interested in Vie.
As far as romance, don't look for that here. Not yet anyway. Vie develops a sort-friendship with two different boys and those friendships have blurry lines. It's not exactly a triangle but the potential is there. This is one thing that would normally cause me to run far in the other direction, because I loathe love triangles. However it isn't even the focus of the relationships so it didn't make it an issue. I have no doubt it's going to get complicated in the future though. Also, because it is YA, you don't get the intensity or UST you're used to from this author but for me, the story honestly didn't need it.
The paranormal element isn't overdone and is a bit of a different twist, *vague, I know* but I like the way it was handled. It's an important element of the story but it isn't the biggest part.
Because I can't get enough of Gregory Ashe breaking my heart 🙄, I'm going right on to All the Inside Howling!
However, this is young adult, and paranormal so I wasn't sure what to expect. But GA spun those elements just as deftly as he's done anything else I've read. I loved Vie. ❤️ He's a kid that's had an awful life, and that's made him old too. He's big and he's tough but certain things make him feel small and defenseless. He uses his fists a lot, because one of the only ways he can escape his pain is to create more pain. Vie doesn't trust anyone and he doesn't care about anyone, until he does. In spite of himself, LOL. Vie isn't cold or unfriendly and he has a wry sense of humor, but he also has a secret, another reason to keep his distance from everybody.
A teenage girl that Vie had barely met is murdered soon after Vie moves to a small Wyoming town where his dad lives. Vie gets involved in trying to find out what happened to her to prove another boy didn't kill her, who is himself a suspect. And for all the ways that Vie is old, he's still a teenager too and some of the things he does almost cost him more than he can pay.
My favorite part of this is what GA does so very well, and that's the characters and relationships. Vie is so damn complex even though he's young. He has so many layers to him, so many things he wants but doesn't want to. He cares in spite of himself but it's hard for him to be friends with anyone when he has to keep so much hidden.
There's more than one kind of bad guy here and I was wrong *kind of* about who did it this time. At the end, Vie discovers there's still someone out there with bad intentions. And he's interested in Vie.
As far as romance, don't look for that here. Not yet anyway. Vie develops a sort-friendship with two different boys and those friendships have blurry lines. It's not exactly a triangle but the potential is there. This is one thing that would normally cause me to run far in the other direction, because I loathe love triangles. However it isn't even the focus of the relationships so it didn't make it an issue. I have no doubt it's going to get complicated in the future though. Also, because it is YA, you don't get the intensity or UST you're used to from this author but for me, the story honestly didn't need it.
The paranormal element isn't overdone and is a bit of a different twist, *vague, I know* but I like the way it was handled. It's an important element of the story but it isn't the biggest part.
Because I can't get enough of Gregory Ashe breaking my heart 🙄, I'm going right on to All the Inside Howling!
June 21, 2021
3 Stars
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Hollow Folk" and not quite a standalone. My major problem here was the writing; I didn’t like it. My other issue was The mystery about the Mr. Big Empty wasn’t solved here completely. Overall, it was an OK read and hope you enjoy it more than me!
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Hollow Folk" and not quite a standalone. My major problem here was the writing; I didn’t like it. My other issue was The mystery about the Mr. Big Empty wasn’t solved here completely. Overall, it was an OK read and hope you enjoy it more than me!
July 26, 2020
5 Stars!
Damn...
I've already stated with every review how much I love this authors writing so I don't NEED to say it again, but I will. I LOVE his writing. The stories he tells... The characters he creates. I'm totally sucked in again to one of his series.
Vie... What a complex character. This boy had so many layers to him. He's young but old at the same time. He's lived and is living through some horrible situations that has made him a fighter, but has also left him vulnerable. He's a big guy with muscles, but can feel very small when it comes to his parents and his insecurities. He tries to control things and that control ends up controlling him. He pushes to hurt people before they can hurt him cause he's so used to being the one punished. He has a good heart but only chooses to show it to a few. He doesn't trust anyone and uses his fists a lot knowing it's wrong even though it feels right. Once you get to know him better you know all he wants is to feel loved.
The story was just as complex as it's main character. I'm glad there are more books because this was just the tip of the iceberg that is going to crash into this small town in Wyoming. Mr. Big Empty is a scary force with powers that I don't think Vie or us, the reader, saw coming. Vie has the ability to see your darkest memory. The one that makes you feel the most ashamed. Just a touch or a look into a persons eyes can take him there. Vie tries his hardest to keep his distance but it isn't always easy. Especially in crowded hallways of a high school.
Vie hasn't been in town long before he is thrown into a murder mystery where the two guys who are looking like they could be the possible killer are also the two guys he's found himself interested in. To say it's complicated is an understatement. It is chaos and to make it even more complicated the killer has taken a somewhat liking to Vie and wants his attention. He briefly met the girl who is missing now and along the way finds out not long ago another girl had went missing and was never found. He's convinced it's the same killer and decides he's going to try and find out who it is.
It was a really well written story that had you guessing till the end on who it was. I am happy to say I figured it out early. Even so, I still second guessed myself a lot because there are so many turns and new information popping up in every chapter that made me think OK! It might not be who I thought. Just a really great read and I'm already engrossed into the second book. I couldn't wait!
Pick this one up dolls!
Happy reading! xx
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Damn...
I've already stated with every review how much I love this authors writing so I don't NEED to say it again, but I will. I LOVE his writing. The stories he tells... The characters he creates. I'm totally sucked in again to one of his series.
Vie... What a complex character. This boy had so many layers to him. He's young but old at the same time. He's lived and is living through some horrible situations that has made him a fighter, but has also left him vulnerable. He's a big guy with muscles, but can feel very small when it comes to his parents and his insecurities. He tries to control things and that control ends up controlling him. He pushes to hurt people before they can hurt him cause he's so used to being the one punished. He has a good heart but only chooses to show it to a few. He doesn't trust anyone and uses his fists a lot knowing it's wrong even though it feels right. Once you get to know him better you know all he wants is to feel loved.
The story was just as complex as it's main character. I'm glad there are more books because this was just the tip of the iceberg that is going to crash into this small town in Wyoming. Mr. Big Empty is a scary force with powers that I don't think Vie or us, the reader, saw coming. Vie has the ability to see your darkest memory. The one that makes you feel the most ashamed. Just a touch or a look into a persons eyes can take him there. Vie tries his hardest to keep his distance but it isn't always easy. Especially in crowded hallways of a high school.
Vie hasn't been in town long before he is thrown into a murder mystery where the two guys who are looking like they could be the possible killer are also the two guys he's found himself interested in. To say it's complicated is an understatement. It is chaos and to make it even more complicated the killer has taken a somewhat liking to Vie and wants his attention. He briefly met the girl who is missing now and along the way finds out not long ago another girl had went missing and was never found. He's convinced it's the same killer and decides he's going to try and find out who it is.
It was a really well written story that had you guessing till the end on who it was. I am happy to say I figured it out early. Even so, I still second guessed myself a lot because there are so many turns and new information popping up in every chapter that made me think OK! It might not be who I thought. Just a really great read and I'm already engrossed into the second book. I couldn't wait!
Pick this one up dolls!
Happy reading! xx
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 9, 2022
[4.5] wow. that was something all right.
i'm finding Hollow Folk infinitely more eerie than Stray Fears because the delicate lines between reality and the supernatural are blurred in ways that have my blood pumping and head swiveling around to skittishly look over my shoulder. certain scenes rattled me down to my toes, and i kid you not when i say my entire body was taut with nervous tension more often than not. i should've booked an appointment to massage these knots out of my back and shoulders, but by then i was too far gone in the next book to double back. this is what happens when i'm left with more questions than answers and I NEED MY ANSWERS.
what immediately sets this book apart from GA's other work is the lack of the comedic relief. Vie's (mainly somber, sometimes snarky) single pov swallowed me up in a riptide of blunt emotion and lyrical emptiness, of fury and self-hatred and so. much. trauma. another poor child forced to grow up too fast and resort to desperate coping mechanisms to get a grip on his circumstances (yes, there are on-page depictions of self-harm. feel free to message if you need book percentages of where those scenes are).
but even when he's lashing out or putting up walls or trapped in a defeated trance, his resilience and protector nature leapt out with lion ferocity. i teared up whenever his Holden Caulfield senses activated around Hannah and Tyler, because he tries so hard to keep them safe, as if making up for no one being there to protect him when he needed it most.
a survivor who will outlive even the best of us - it just might take the umpteenth beating to get there given GA's track record.
in possible love interest news, Vie has a knack for attracting all the hot, troubled guys with magnetizing sexual auras in town. alt universe Vie wouldn't feel pressured to choose and instead collect them like pokemon for his harem, but this Vie is at war with his heart and mind.
all jokes aside, Vie deserves more love than the universe can give him. i'm more than ready to rain mayhem on Vie's trash parents and whisk Vie, Hannah, and Tyler from this hellhole.
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
i'm finding Hollow Folk infinitely more eerie than Stray Fears because the delicate lines between reality and the supernatural are blurred in ways that have my blood pumping and head swiveling around to skittishly look over my shoulder. certain scenes rattled me down to my toes, and i kid you not when i say my entire body was taut with nervous tension more often than not. i should've booked an appointment to massage these knots out of my back and shoulders, but by then i was too far gone in the next book to double back. this is what happens when i'm left with more questions than answers and I NEED MY ANSWERS.
what immediately sets this book apart from GA's other work is the lack of the comedic relief. Vie's (mainly somber, sometimes snarky) single pov swallowed me up in a riptide of blunt emotion and lyrical emptiness, of fury and self-hatred and so. much. trauma. another poor child forced to grow up too fast and resort to desperate coping mechanisms to get a grip on his circumstances (yes, there are on-page depictions of self-harm. feel free to message if you need book percentages of where those scenes are).
but even when he's lashing out or putting up walls or trapped in a defeated trance, his resilience and protector nature leapt out with lion ferocity. i teared up whenever his Holden Caulfield senses activated around Hannah and Tyler, because he tries so hard to keep them safe, as if making up for no one being there to protect him when he needed it most.
a survivor who will outlive even the best of us - it just might take the umpteenth beating to get there given GA's track record.
in possible love interest news, Vie has a knack for attracting all the hot, troubled guys with magnetizing sexual auras in town. alt universe Vie wouldn't feel pressured to choose and instead collect them like pokemon for his harem, but this Vie is at war with his heart and mind.
all jokes aside, Vie deserves more love than the universe can give him. i'm more than ready to rain mayhem on Vie's trash parents and whisk Vie, Hannah, and Tyler from this hellhole.
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
Mr. Big Empty - 4.5⭐
All the Inside Howling - 4⭐
The Dust Feast - 4.6⭐
The Mortal Sleep - 3.25⭐
ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ･｡+☆+｡･ﾟ
December 25, 2018
Ok, so this is an undeniably very gifted author but IMHO this book is a hot mess. People who know me, know that I very rarely say this - but *sigh* it's too long.
This book deserves a generous application of red ink. Not because it's a bad book but because it could be a so much better book. It's spooky, it's interesting but...
It's too much of a good thing. Emphasis on "too much".
This book deserves a generous application of red ink. Not because it's a bad book but because it could be a so much better book. It's spooky, it's interesting but...
It's too much of a good thing. Emphasis on "too much".
July 29, 2021
Consider me intriiiiigued.
In this hella deep dive into Ashe's backlist, now that I've broken away from his main universe, I find myself not only in a world with paranormal elements but something not geared for adults and that is, surprisingly, YA. This is definitely on the darker end so be aware, caution, etc.
While his MC is aged down, this is still about someone solving crimes and mysteries, which is definitely Ashe's wheelhouse, but beyond that and some of the heavier subject matter, this couldn't be more different from what I'm used to from this author. It's also a single POV and, well, yeah paranormal element.
I am very curious to see where things go from here both with this Mr Big Empty presence as well as Vie's home and romantic life.
My only complaint is that I think this would've felt more realistic had the main group been aged up a bit; they are sixteen but I think eighteen would better suit. But, for now, that's my one niggle.
Onwards!
In this hella deep dive into Ashe's backlist, now that I've broken away from his main universe, I find myself not only in a world with paranormal elements but something not geared for adults and that is, surprisingly, YA. This is definitely on the darker end so be aware, caution, etc.
While his MC is aged down, this is still about someone solving crimes and mysteries, which is definitely Ashe's wheelhouse, but beyond that and some of the heavier subject matter, this couldn't be more different from what I'm used to from this author. It's also a single POV and, well, yeah paranormal element.
I am very curious to see where things go from here both with this Mr Big Empty presence as well as Vie's home and romantic life.
My only complaint is that I think this would've felt more realistic had the main group been aged up a bit; they are sixteen but I think eighteen would better suit. But, for now, that's my one niggle.
Onwards!
August 18, 2020
I'm going to admit that I had no intention of reading this series. Even though I love Gregory Ashe with an intensity that borders on crazy, I'm not big on paranormal. And while I do like YA, I can be picky about what YA I read. But I had preordered a copy of his new book, Ember Boys without knowing it was a spin-off of this series. So I decided I had to give this one a try. And...I actually really liked it! I don't know why I'm surprised really. If anyone could get me hooked into a paranormal story it would be Mr. Ashe.
With this series, he proves, yet again, that he just writes characters I love to read about. They scratch and claw their way into my heart. This book was no different. From prickly, tortured Vie to beautiful but complicated Emmett to Austin who is so much more than what he initially seems. Yes there is a bit of a love triangle. And I found myself loving both Emmett and Austin equally. Perhaps as I move through the series, I will be able to root for one more than the other.
Although
So about the paranormal stuff because I promised Jan I would tell her just HOW paranormal things got. It was there but it didn't overwhelm the book. To me at least. Vie has either a curse or gift depending on how you look at it. And he's not alone in this as it turns out by the end. I would think things might get more focused on this as the series continue. I don't want to say more and spoil things. So for now, maybe a paranormal factor of 6/10? I don't know. As I said there is a lot more going on without that element.
While this is YA, it read older for me for what that's worth.
Things get really dark but there's beauty and love here too.
I will be continuing with book two either immediately or very soon because, for now, I'm hooked. We will see if that continues.
Trigger warnings:
With this series, he proves, yet again, that he just writes characters I love to read about. They scratch and claw their way into my heart. This book was no different. From prickly, tortured Vie to beautiful but complicated Emmett to Austin who is so much more than what he initially seems. Yes there is a bit of a love triangle. And I found myself loving both Emmett and Austin equally. Perhaps as I move through the series, I will be able to root for one more than the other.
Although
So about the paranormal stuff because I promised Jan I would tell her just HOW paranormal things got. It was there but it didn't overwhelm the book. To me at least. Vie has either a curse or gift depending on how you look at it. And he's not alone in this as it turns out by the end. I would think things might get more focused on this as the series continue. I don't want to say more and spoil things. So for now, maybe a paranormal factor of 6/10? I don't know. As I said there is a lot more going on without that element.
While this is YA, it read older for me for what that's worth.
Things get really dark but there's beauty and love here too.
I will be continuing with book two either immediately or very soon because, for now, I'm hooked. We will see if that continues.
Trigger warnings:
March 5, 2018
What an outstanding read. I was consumed by this book and couldn’t put it down. Raw and gritty, Vie the most resilient victim of abuse, comes into a new town and falls head first into a murder investigation. Vie doesn’t understand the strength of his psychic abilities and is still learning how to manage his visions and dreams. As he pieces together a murder he also discovers he can make friends and possibly keep them. He reacts quickly with snark and violence but it’s clear he has a motto - I’ll get you before you get me ! His father is an abusive piece of shit who leaves Vie to fend for himself and mostly struggle and suffer alone. Vie fends well but finds himself vulnerable to both Emmett & Austin. I’m not sure who I want for Vie, guess I’ll find out soon ... a fabulous book, beautifully written
November 30, 2021
This is my first Gregory Ashe book that is written in first person, or that contains any paranormal content, or that is about high schoolers. Poor Vie is all over the place, and is either exceedingly dramatic or experiences life very intensely. I love the characters and a writing style. I want to give Vie a hug, a warm meal, and safe place to live, and a mentor. Already started the next book
January 21, 2023
RTC - as soon as my brain comes back online.
September 29, 2018
4.5 stars!
This book was all over the place, but in a good way. I was hesitant at first because it's a long mystery and paranormal YA, the main characters are about 16 and it has a Foxhole Court feel to it (which I liked). It's also not for the faint-hearted, it's quite dark since it does deal with self harm, attempted suicide, explicit violence... The mystery made it all worth it though. The ending really shocked me, I really didn't suspect that particular character and I still don't know what to think. 🤔 As for the romance, despite a couple of different hormonal teenage encounters, there's no concrete sign of it, but we'll definitely see a love triangle in the future (I'm quite rooting for a certain boy next door). I'm sure it'll get somewhere in the next books, since Ashe seems to prefer slow-burns. Finally, as expected, I'm still in love with Gregory Ashe's writing style, he really does have a nice prose.
This book was all over the place, but in a good way. I was hesitant at first because it's a long mystery and paranormal YA, the main characters are about 16 and it has a Foxhole Court feel to it (which I liked). It's also not for the faint-hearted, it's quite dark since it does deal with self harm, attempted suicide, explicit violence... The mystery made it all worth it though. The ending really shocked me, I really didn't suspect that particular character and I still don't know what to think. 🤔 As for the romance, despite a couple of different hormonal teenage encounters, there's no concrete sign of it, but we'll definitely see a love triangle in the future (I'm quite rooting for a certain boy next door). I'm sure it'll get somewhere in the next books, since Ashe seems to prefer slow-burns. Finally, as expected, I'm still in love with Gregory Ashe's writing style, he really does have a nice prose.
October 26, 2019
~ 4.5 Stars ~
I don’t think you could be a good influence if you tried,” she said, and her smile flashed genuine. “You’re carrying a pack of trouble and you think it’s all for yourself.”
If you read the blurb for Gregory Ashe’s Mr. Big Empty and think it’s just another psychic detective novel, let me assure you this isn’t just another psychic detective novel. If you read the blurb and think this is just another generic teen mystery novel about some kid who has clues falling into his lap to make him look like an adolescent super-sleuthing machine, that’s also not this book (although, Vie does accomplish more than the actual lawmen do). This book isn’t teenage fluff either, nor is it perfect, but it’s close enough to being that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a murder mystery featuring a deeply flawed teenage protagonist.
Vie Eliot is new to the town of Huecos. The first thing I learned to appreciate about Vie is his name and how tiresome it is to answer the same question over and over again. Vie isn’t short for anything, just Vie, and the kid has had it rough. It’s made him a fighter. What he vies for on a daily basis is a sense of place in a world where abuse at his mother’s hand used to be his normal, which is how he ended up living with his loser junkie of a father in a dumpy apartment that shares a parking lot with a shady bar owned by an even shadier character. At first blush Vie is barb wire, sharp edges and bitterness, which are all a manifestation of his pain, and that collective anger presents itself outwardly as a tendency towards fist-first confrontations, and inwardly as a need to inflict self-harm.
Vie’s first encounter with an unknown-to-him boy and girl while he’s out on a run one morning—the running is also integral to who he is—coupled with the disaster that is the literal first minutes at his new school, set the story in motion. Before Ashe leads readers too far along into Vie’s personal issues, though, he introduces that girl’s disappearance and probable murder, which happens to be the second such crime in this otherwise sleepy Wyoming town.
With a couple of his classmates looking good for the crime, and the small town populated by its share of sketchy characters, Vie volunteers to help in the search for Samantha Oates. What possible motive could someone have to kill her, and beyond that, who would be capable of committing an act of coldblooded murder? When Austin Miller and Emmett Bradley each look to fit the profile of plausibility—if not the motive, exactly, certainly the opportunity—Austin hires Vie to do something that made me step back and appreciate Ashe’s delivery of the request. That’s when the sleuthing begins and when Vie is challenged to put his psychic abilities to the real test. But it isn’t long before things start to get personal for Vie—with Austin and Emmett as well as in the investigation.
This novel thrives on Vie Eliot’s capable narration. His storytelling is provocative and his personal revelations are frequently heart-wrenching. We get an intimate look at his thoughts and feelings, his pain, and the diversion and aversion tactics he uses to keep from having to reveal too much of himself to everyone else. This author seems to have a knack for writing characters who aren’t inherently endearing and then casually endearing them to me through whatever their issues are. In this case that endearment is solidified when Vie takes two kids, a brother and sister, under his wing because their mother frequently neglects them—his caring for them shows a softer side that is necessary to blunt some of his aggression and to show readers his capacity for compassion.
The murder mystery in the story progresses in fits and starts, as they often do, much of it dredging up some disturbing details about the execution of Samantha’s murder. Vie circles around the drain more than a few times in his investigation, which is plausible, but there was one revelation in particular that I hope will be addressed as the series progresses; otherwise, I’ll have to call it a significant plot hole, though I’ll reserve judgement on it until I have more of the story. One thing is certain, the way this book ends leaves a lot more to tell about the extrasensory goings-on yet to be explored and revealed, and I’m hooked.
A secondary ‘mystery’ that converges with the murder plot involves Vie’s attraction to both Emmett and Austin. Emmett is the archetypical bad boy, Austin is more the boy next door (who I believe still has some explaining to do), and they both come from money which makes Vie the broody boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Neither Emmett nor Austin is out, they both have an air of trouble about them, and I’m not 100% certain which of them Vie will end up with because Ashe is playing it rather coy with this story element. It’s neither revealed in the blurbs for the following books nor is it cut-and-dried clear to me at the end of this book. All the clues are there, but a good red-herring in a mystery is a thing for a reason, so I’m anxious to see what happens in the relationship arc too.
Overall, this book is a fantastic read if you appreciate a darker, grittier element to your Teen Fiction and are willing to subscribe to the belief that these boys are as suave and sophisticated as they’re portrayed. That’s not a slight against teenagers, or the author, for that matter, but more an observation that sixteen year olds are generally less smooth than Vie and his classmates are portrayed, so I sometimes forgot that I was reading a book with teenage protagonists, but that’s an insignificant niggle in my full-on enjoyment of this novel.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
I don’t think you could be a good influence if you tried,” she said, and her smile flashed genuine. “You’re carrying a pack of trouble and you think it’s all for yourself.”
If you read the blurb for Gregory Ashe’s Mr. Big Empty and think it’s just another psychic detective novel, let me assure you this isn’t just another psychic detective novel. If you read the blurb and think this is just another generic teen mystery novel about some kid who has clues falling into his lap to make him look like an adolescent super-sleuthing machine, that’s also not this book (although, Vie does accomplish more than the actual lawmen do). This book isn’t teenage fluff either, nor is it perfect, but it’s close enough to being that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone looking for a murder mystery featuring a deeply flawed teenage protagonist.
Vie Eliot is new to the town of Huecos. The first thing I learned to appreciate about Vie is his name and how tiresome it is to answer the same question over and over again. Vie isn’t short for anything, just Vie, and the kid has had it rough. It’s made him a fighter. What he vies for on a daily basis is a sense of place in a world where abuse at his mother’s hand used to be his normal, which is how he ended up living with his loser junkie of a father in a dumpy apartment that shares a parking lot with a shady bar owned by an even shadier character. At first blush Vie is barb wire, sharp edges and bitterness, which are all a manifestation of his pain, and that collective anger presents itself outwardly as a tendency towards fist-first confrontations, and inwardly as a need to inflict self-harm.
Vie’s first encounter with an unknown-to-him boy and girl while he’s out on a run one morning—the running is also integral to who he is—coupled with the disaster that is the literal first minutes at his new school, set the story in motion. Before Ashe leads readers too far along into Vie’s personal issues, though, he introduces that girl’s disappearance and probable murder, which happens to be the second such crime in this otherwise sleepy Wyoming town.
With a couple of his classmates looking good for the crime, and the small town populated by its share of sketchy characters, Vie volunteers to help in the search for Samantha Oates. What possible motive could someone have to kill her, and beyond that, who would be capable of committing an act of coldblooded murder? When Austin Miller and Emmett Bradley each look to fit the profile of plausibility—if not the motive, exactly, certainly the opportunity—Austin hires Vie to do something that made me step back and appreciate Ashe’s delivery of the request. That’s when the sleuthing begins and when Vie is challenged to put his psychic abilities to the real test. But it isn’t long before things start to get personal for Vie—with Austin and Emmett as well as in the investigation.
This novel thrives on Vie Eliot’s capable narration. His storytelling is provocative and his personal revelations are frequently heart-wrenching. We get an intimate look at his thoughts and feelings, his pain, and the diversion and aversion tactics he uses to keep from having to reveal too much of himself to everyone else. This author seems to have a knack for writing characters who aren’t inherently endearing and then casually endearing them to me through whatever their issues are. In this case that endearment is solidified when Vie takes two kids, a brother and sister, under his wing because their mother frequently neglects them—his caring for them shows a softer side that is necessary to blunt some of his aggression and to show readers his capacity for compassion.
The murder mystery in the story progresses in fits and starts, as they often do, much of it dredging up some disturbing details about the execution of Samantha’s murder. Vie circles around the drain more than a few times in his investigation, which is plausible, but there was one revelation in particular that I hope will be addressed as the series progresses; otherwise, I’ll have to call it a significant plot hole, though I’ll reserve judgement on it until I have more of the story. One thing is certain, the way this book ends leaves a lot more to tell about the extrasensory goings-on yet to be explored and revealed, and I’m hooked.
A secondary ‘mystery’ that converges with the murder plot involves Vie’s attraction to both Emmett and Austin. Emmett is the archetypical bad boy, Austin is more the boy next door (who I believe still has some explaining to do), and they both come from money which makes Vie the broody boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Neither Emmett nor Austin is out, they both have an air of trouble about them, and I’m not 100% certain which of them Vie will end up with because Ashe is playing it rather coy with this story element. It’s neither revealed in the blurbs for the following books nor is it cut-and-dried clear to me at the end of this book. All the clues are there, but a good red-herring in a mystery is a thing for a reason, so I’m anxious to see what happens in the relationship arc too.
Overall, this book is a fantastic read if you appreciate a darker, grittier element to your Teen Fiction and are willing to subscribe to the belief that these boys are as suave and sophisticated as they’re portrayed. That’s not a slight against teenagers, or the author, for that matter, but more an observation that sixteen year olds are generally less smooth than Vie and his classmates are portrayed, so I sometimes forgot that I was reading a book with teenage protagonists, but that’s an insignificant niggle in my full-on enjoyment of this novel.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
September 28, 2018
If you like GLBT representation; mystery; and a touch of paranormal, then give this novel a shot. I thought it was exceptional. The characters are all nuanced and fully fleshed. The writing is well above par for the genre -- at points, almost heartbreakingly grim and lyrical. The hero of the story, Vie, has a rough past, and carries that damage in all his strengths and flaws.
I think what I loved most about him is that he is genuinely a tough man. The author avoided the cliche of dialog filled with tough guy bravado, and instead made Vie's toughness calm and quiet. For instance, when someone calls him an offensive nickname, he won't simply say something smart-ass and start throwing punches; he'll shove the guy into a wall and say, calmly, "Do not call me that. I do not like it." There's something just wonderfully refreshing and attractive about that quiet, level-headed strength.
A very, very strong & unconditional recommendation. I'm now a fan of the author, and cannot wait to read the rest of this series, as well as the others he has posted.
I think what I loved most about him is that he is genuinely a tough man. The author avoided the cliche of dialog filled with tough guy bravado, and instead made Vie's toughness calm and quiet. For instance, when someone calls him an offensive nickname, he won't simply say something smart-ass and start throwing punches; he'll shove the guy into a wall and say, calmly, "Do not call me that. I do not like it." There's something just wonderfully refreshing and attractive about that quiet, level-headed strength.
A very, very strong & unconditional recommendation. I'm now a fan of the author, and cannot wait to read the rest of this series, as well as the others he has posted.
May 25, 2018
DNF @37%
This is one of the drearier books I’ve read and I don’t want to spend any more time in its world. Almost every character we meet is miserable in some way (their circumstances and/or demeanor). And yes, Vie has had a raw deal in life, but the world-weary teenager schtick got old real quick. (As did the whole routine of everyone questioning his name. I hope that was finally explained at some point.)
This seen-it-all manner of Vie’s led to some strange ways to describe people:
She laughed and it was the laugh of a woman who sharpened ice skates for a living: cool and meant for cutting.
Hailey looked like she weighed as much as a Cosmo magazine and had roughly the same contents: weird sex and a lot of advertisements.
Clever or annoying? For me it was the latter. I found it very distracting.
There were some things that interested me. I would’ve liked to find out who the killer is, who the other psychic is, and which boy Vie ends up with, but it’s been slow going and at 381 pages this is just too long to stick it out.
This is one of the drearier books I’ve read and I don’t want to spend any more time in its world. Almost every character we meet is miserable in some way (their circumstances and/or demeanor). And yes, Vie has had a raw deal in life, but the world-weary teenager schtick got old real quick. (As did the whole routine of everyone questioning his name. I hope that was finally explained at some point.)
This seen-it-all manner of Vie’s led to some strange ways to describe people:
She laughed and it was the laugh of a woman who sharpened ice skates for a living: cool and meant for cutting.
Hailey looked like she weighed as much as a Cosmo magazine and had roughly the same contents: weird sex and a lot of advertisements.
Clever or annoying? For me it was the latter. I found it very distracting.
There were some things that interested me. I would’ve liked to find out who the killer is, who the other psychic is, and which boy Vie ends up with, but it’s been slow going and at 381 pages this is just too long to stick it out.
April 8, 2019
I did back to back, new to me authors, YA, mystery type books and although there were some slight similarities, well, the differences really were astounding.
I liked how this read. These were kids but not childish. Not full on adults but I could at least still relate and didn't feel like I was too far out of my element. I could remember. Mature is maybe the right word.
This book took my hand and held on tight and just didn't want to let go.
I liked it, a lot.
The romance, for the most book, high five. Toward that end, well, let's just say I am bummed, bummed, bummed. I am not sure I am on board. My heart hurts and I feel like I blinked and everything changed. Oh and I am not a big fan of the love triangle but I have a feeling we are in for it and probably in for it for a bit. Ugh.
But, that is not the point, well, that's isn't the only point.
The mystery was good, I loved the paranormal aspect, and I loved that I knew whodunnit.
Vie's life was shit. It was so freaking brutal and it killed me to read it. I don't know how he had the personality he did. He had a spark and I just don't know how.
I will definitely continue.
I liked how this read. These were kids but not childish. Not full on adults but I could at least still relate and didn't feel like I was too far out of my element. I could remember. Mature is maybe the right word.
This book took my hand and held on tight and just didn't want to let go.
I liked it, a lot.
The romance, for the most book, high five. Toward that end, well, let's just say I am bummed, bummed, bummed. I am not sure I am on board. My heart hurts and I feel like I blinked and everything changed. Oh and I am not a big fan of the love triangle but I have a feeling we are in for it and probably in for it for a bit. Ugh.
But, that is not the point, well, that's isn't the only point.
The mystery was good, I loved the paranormal aspect, and I loved that I knew whodunnit.
Vie's life was shit. It was so freaking brutal and it killed me to read it. I don't know how he had the personality he did. He had a spark and I just don't know how.
I will definitely continue.
May 6, 2018
This book is almost nothing like it's title,being so full to bursting with epicness though it's title of vital importance does flow like slow moving poison seeping into all it's very many dark pages sourced from a tree that grows in a forest of trees with razor blades for leaves.
Though only 16,the main character Vie is like Atlas condemned by a vengeful god to hold up a sky full of pain.The psychic journey he endures is fraught with triggers that would have you dogging phantom bullets at virtually every turn of a blood soaked page.This the first of a series of books shines so bright in it's darkness that I'm astounded that it's not a TV series already.
Though only 16,the main character Vie is like Atlas condemned by a vengeful god to hold up a sky full of pain.The psychic journey he endures is fraught with triggers that would have you dogging phantom bullets at virtually every turn of a blood soaked page.This the first of a series of books shines so bright in it's darkness that I'm astounded that it's not a TV series already.
July 9, 2020
I have many feeling about this book it's got so many good things going on and other things that set my teeth on edge. Well I say other THINGS what I mean is one particular THING. Love triangles . I'm not sure whether it's better or worse when you love all the characters and it's actually written well.
October 25, 2022
Super, super dark angsty *angry teenagers* horny drama.
This is a world where all boys are gay, even if they don’t know it yet.
Poor MC falls a little in love with nearly any cute guy.
I think it’s quite clear who the LI is going to be... but I ship Vie with another one 😭.
I don’t like love triangles, mainly bc I always root for the wrong one.
Lovely town💀. Way too creepy teachers💀💀
I really liked the story, I couldn’t put the book down and the whole cast had me hooked.
This was an amazing rec, thanks Claudie ❤️👍🏼.
This is a world where all boys are gay, even if they don’t know it yet.
Poor MC falls a little in love with nearly any cute guy.
I think it’s quite clear who the LI is going to be... but I ship Vie with another one 😭.
I don’t like love triangles, mainly bc I always root for the wrong one.
Lovely town💀. Way too creepy teachers💀💀
I really liked the story, I couldn’t put the book down and the whole cast had me hooked.
This was an amazing rec, thanks Claudie ❤️👍🏼.
September 29, 2020
I recently read Ember Boys(the first book in the Flint and Tinder series) by this author and decided that I should probably read the Hollow Folk series to get the whole character backstory of Emmett before the next book in the Flint and Tinder series came out. Or maybe that was just my excuse to read another Gregory Ashe series?? Regardless...not exactly a hardship.
Well, I am hooked and diving right into book 2! This book was fantastic! I am starting to think this author can do no wrong by me.
Well, I am hooked and diving right into book 2! This book was fantastic! I am starting to think this author can do no wrong by me.
January 29, 2023
2nd read: Jan 2023
All GA fans know that he likes to torture his readers, and he does it often, and he does it well, but this series is something else. It’s the pinnacle of that sadism and it’s glorious. 👏
I loved it even more this time around. It hurt, especially with the ending of book 4 still so fresh in my mind almost three years after my first read, but this time — with the answers finally, finally in sight, please god — it didn’t rip me to shreds. Yet.
All GA fans know that he likes to torture his readers, and he does it often, and he does it well, but this series is something else. It’s the pinnacle of that sadism and it’s glorious. 👏
I loved it even more this time around. It hurt, especially with the ending of book 4 still so fresh in my mind almost three years after my first read, but this time — with the answers finally, finally in sight, please god — it didn’t rip me to shreds. Yet.
August 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Thursday, 10:33 pm: this was so unremittingly grim, I think I'll wait a while to start book 2
Friday, 11:34 am: starts book 2
Thursday, 10:33 pm: this was so unremittingly grim, I think I'll wait a while to start book 2
Friday, 11:34 am: starts book 2
May 2, 2021
Along beautiful writing I found a number of issues in the book.
First problem, I admit, has more to do with my impatience with teen dramas. I can't stand the games and the pretensions, the facades, the tags, the defenses and the social fear. All of these go hand in hand with this genre but unlike other thrillers involving teenagers where all of these characteristics were not emphasized, here they were a big part of the story and to me it was annoying.
The second and main problem has to do with both the hero of the story and the plot itself. Both were so scattered and confused that everything that happened seemed almost accidental. Our hero, who on the one hand evokes a lot of empathy, went around in circles and relied on ruptures of emotions, visions and detached findings.
It was clear to me that he was very confused by everything that was happening , but he acted like a feather that every gust of wind blows it in different directions.
He was like that in relation to the interrogation and in relation to the sub-characters. The few times he stood his ground bought him credit points but they were too few unfortunately. I can understand that anyone who connects to the high school genre will like the story.
I ,as mentioned, less so.
First problem, I admit, has more to do with my impatience with teen dramas. I can't stand the games and the pretensions, the facades, the tags, the defenses and the social fear. All of these go hand in hand with this genre but unlike other thrillers involving teenagers where all of these characteristics were not emphasized, here they were a big part of the story and to me it was annoying.
The second and main problem has to do with both the hero of the story and the plot itself. Both were so scattered and confused that everything that happened seemed almost accidental. Our hero, who on the one hand evokes a lot of empathy, went around in circles and relied on ruptures of emotions, visions and detached findings.
It was clear to me that he was very confused by everything that was happening , but he acted like a feather that every gust of wind blows it in different directions.
He was like that in relation to the interrogation and in relation to the sub-characters. The few times he stood his ground bought him credit points but they were too few unfortunately. I can understand that anyone who connects to the high school genre will like the story.
I ,as mentioned, less so.
March 7, 2023
I'm finally in the mood (and mentally prepared enough) for more Gregory Ashe! I chose to start with this series because I was intrigued by the new spin-off.
Although I don't usually read YA stories and am not a big fan of love triangle trope, Ashe managed to capture my heart regardless. He knows how to write messed-up teenage boys like the back of his hand. And of course, he also crushed my heart mercilessly by making me root for the wrong guy. Yes, I’m one of the victims who accidentally spoiled themselves by skimming the blurb for Ember Boys before diving into this series…
Although I don't usually read YA stories and am not a big fan of love triangle trope, Ashe managed to capture my heart regardless. He knows how to write messed-up teenage boys like the back of his hand. And of course, he also crushed my heart mercilessly by making me root for the wrong guy. Yes, I’m one of the victims who accidentally spoiled themselves by skimming the blurb for Ember Boys before diving into this series…
August 20, 2022
~ 4.5 stars ~
Trigger warnings:
I was gifted this book by the lovely Liz and I am really looking forward to reading my first Gregory Ashe book :) Thank you, Liz!!
Trigger warnings:
I was gifted this book by the lovely Liz and I am really looking forward to reading my first Gregory Ashe book :) Thank you, Liz!!
October 25, 2019
Wow
Talented. This author is talented with the suspense/thriller plot. The characters are dark and complex and the plot is even darker.
Talented. This author is talented with the suspense/thriller plot. The characters are dark and complex and the plot is even darker.
April 21, 2021
Read for a group challenge. This was a tricky one. I usually avoid abusive stories and love triangles. This one was a dose of both, with psychics and mysteries.
Vie was a complicated character and there were times I didn’t like him, times I did and times I felt sorry for him. So drug use, self harm and suicide. It’s a pretty harsh one.
Even though he had his own problems, I liked how he took the two kids under his wing and how protective he was of them. Favourite part was Vie and the horse riding. Out of the two of them I hope he stays with his choice.
The mystery felt dragged out and by the time the real culprit was discovered, it felt a little like Vie had cried wolf. Even with his powers, everyone was suspect. Something felt off about both Kaden and Mr Spencer, one too bright and the other too loud. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
Vie was a complicated character and there were times I didn’t like him, times I did and times I felt sorry for him. So drug use, self harm and suicide. It’s a pretty harsh one.
Even though he had his own problems, I liked how he took the two kids under his wing and how protective he was of them. Favourite part was Vie and the horse riding. Out of the two of them I hope he stays with his choice.
The mystery felt dragged out and by the time the real culprit was discovered, it felt a little like Vie had cried wolf. Even with his powers, everyone was suspect. Something felt off about both Kaden and Mr Spencer, one too bright and the other too loud. It will be interesting to see what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2018
4.5 stars from me. Yes, there were quite a few typos but as I've said before, nearly every story has them nowadays and as the writing in this case is really good, I can gloss over the niggles.
Arriving in a small, back end of beyond Wyoming town after his druggie father finally takes him away from his sadistic bitch of a mother, 16 year old Vie Eliot struggles to come to terms with his new way of life and the hopelessness he feels. Add his psychic abilities into the mix, and he feels more alone than ever but there are people in this new environment who want to help and become his friend...if he is prepared to accept it, although I have to say the description of the one-horse town was quite depressing.
Again, not a romance but gay YA fiction. Teenage angst, NO SEX, shocking excuses for parents, self-harm and grisly deaths...this story has them all but it also has some really sweet bits [particularly liked how Vie looks after Hannah and Tyler cos no-one else did] and the flower delivery part 🌹🌹 made me smile big-time.
Emmett needs a good kick up the backside, Mr Lynch needs sacking...sooner rather than later and the dreadfully named LaWayne [yes, really] needs locking up. Does Vie need anger management treatment?? Possibly. Just because your ex boyfriend cheats on you doesn't give you the right to beat him up, even if you feel it's justified but onto book 2 after I read book 6 of Hazard & Somerset.
Arriving in a small, back end of beyond Wyoming town after his druggie father finally takes him away from his sadistic bitch of a mother, 16 year old Vie Eliot struggles to come to terms with his new way of life and the hopelessness he feels. Add his psychic abilities into the mix, and he feels more alone than ever but there are people in this new environment who want to help and become his friend...if he is prepared to accept it, although I have to say the description of the one-horse town was quite depressing.
Again, not a romance but gay YA fiction. Teenage angst, NO SEX, shocking excuses for parents, self-harm and grisly deaths...this story has them all but it also has some really sweet bits [particularly liked how Vie looks after Hannah and Tyler cos no-one else did] and the flower delivery part 🌹🌹 made me smile big-time.
Emmett needs a good kick up the backside, Mr Lynch needs sacking...sooner rather than later and the dreadfully named LaWayne [yes, really] needs locking up. Does Vie need anger management treatment?? Possibly. Just because your ex boyfriend cheats on you doesn't give you the right to beat him up, even if you feel it's justified but onto book 2 after I read book 6 of Hazard & Somerset.
December 27, 2022
Ok then...I'm not even sure what to say here other than Greg is a master at his craft and deserves a million awards.
The mystery kept me on my toes, and the ending made me want -- NEED -- answers.
This book is not snarky and hilarious like most of GA's books. You're not reading it for that. Read it for the way Greg melds character flaws and strengths together to make them relatable. For his unflinching ability to make the most unlikeable characters likable. And to make some of the cruelest, evilest villains -- and I'm not talking about the big bad.
Greg's portrayals of trauma and mental health struggles are some of the best I've ever read. And the way he wrote the story only from Vie's first-person POV, so we're stuck in his head, was beautifully heartbreaking.
Also, Vie with the kids was just...omg, my heart.
Warning: This is NOT a light read, folks. There are triggers everywhere in this book like landmines just scattered about. It deals with serious abuse (active and historical), self-harm (active and historical), depression, and suicidal ideation.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Do I also recommend you make sure to do it with a good frame of mind? Absolutely.
The mystery kept me on my toes, and the ending made me want -- NEED -- answers.
This book is not snarky and hilarious like most of GA's books. You're not reading it for that. Read it for the way Greg melds character flaws and strengths together to make them relatable. For his unflinching ability to make the most unlikeable characters likable. And to make some of the cruelest, evilest villains -- and I'm not talking about the big bad.
Greg's portrayals of trauma and mental health struggles are some of the best I've ever read. And the way he wrote the story only from Vie's first-person POV, so we're stuck in his head, was beautifully heartbreaking.
Also, Vie with the kids was just...omg, my heart.
Warning: This is NOT a light read, folks. There are triggers everywhere in this book like landmines just scattered about. It deals with serious abuse (active and historical), self-harm (active and historical), depression, and suicidal ideation.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Do I also recommend you make sure to do it with a good frame of mind? Absolutely.
September 17, 2018
This book came out of nowhere and now it's got me by the neck and will not let go. The fact that it currently only has just over 50 ratings is CRIMINAL.
It's got everything: absolutely gorgeous writing, complex characters, a gripping plot with a dash of the paranormal, and perfect pacing. And my god, the characters. Vie is without a doubt the most complex protagonist I've encountered this year. He's been abused for most of the 16 years of his life and, as a result, he's got dozens of layers of walls built around him. When he's not bottling in his pains, he's releasing them in a flurry of aggression and anger. And yet he still has so much empathy for the people he befriends that you can't help but give your heart over to him.
Its themes are very dark (which is why I didn't tag it as young adult), dealing with issues of murder, abuse, self-harm, and suicide attempt.
Please go check it out. It's currently just around $3.50 on Amazon Kindle.
- More reviews at Pages Below the Vaulted Sky
It's got everything: absolutely gorgeous writing, complex characters, a gripping plot with a dash of the paranormal, and perfect pacing. And my god, the characters. Vie is without a doubt the most complex protagonist I've encountered this year. He's been abused for most of the 16 years of his life and, as a result, he's got dozens of layers of walls built around him. When he's not bottling in his pains, he's releasing them in a flurry of aggression and anger. And yet he still has so much empathy for the people he befriends that you can't help but give your heart over to him.
Its themes are very dark (which is why I didn't tag it as young adult), dealing with issues of murder, abuse, self-harm, and suicide attempt.
Please go check it out. It's currently just around $3.50 on Amazon Kindle.
- More reviews at Pages Below the Vaulted Sky
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