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Hollow Folk #2
All the Inside Howling
Vie Eliot has survived a new high school, an abusive father, and the murderous Mr. Big Empty. Now, as Vie searches for Mr. Big Empty, he also finds himself facing an unexpected how to be a good boyfriend. When a mysterious drifter named River disappears, though, Vie finds himself dragged into finding the missing boy. Vie’s psychic abilities have proved useful in the past, and once again they set him on the trail of a gruesome murderer. But the pattern of killings seems to make no sense, and as Vie tries to stop the murderer, he learns that the people he loves most are in terrible danger. And the killings may be much more personal than Vie has suspected.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2017
37 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
Gregory Ashe
133 books1,778 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 86 reviews
August 24, 2020
4.5 stars. Once again, Gregory Ashe grabs me by the throat *and the heart* and doesn't turn loose til the end. Well, he turns loose the throat anyway. Mostly. 😬
This one had a lot of action and a whole lot more physical danger to Vie . How much more can Vie take? He has so many different things pulling him so many different ways that you feel actual, physical pain for him. And rage, so much rage! 🤯 And Vie is a kid, though I'm pretty sure he's never gotten to feel like one.
Mr. Big Empty has put his bullseye on Vie's back but he's decided he wants to play with him a bit first. He told Vie that first he's going to take away everything he loves. I thought he meant Vie's friends, and I'm sure he did...but he also had a special kind of cruelty in mind for Vie. 😢 The fact that he can know all these unknowable facts and make these things happen is really kind of scary, and it's looking pretty bleak for Vie to take this supernatural bad guy down. Especially since now that his last try on Vie didn't work out, he's turned a different kind of weapon on him.
At least this time, Vie has people that he knows cares about him, even if he does fight that to just about the bitter end. And you can't blame him for being afraid to trust. All except for Becca, LOL. Because she is not here for any of Vie's shit and he's completely unable to shut her down. She's helping him and she's his friend, and he just has to live with that. ❤️ Vie needs a friend like her. Emmett is there for Vie too, and he cares. He's brave and willing to stick his neck out for Vie. They have mad chemistry and they click. But I don't think that Emmett is good for Vie. I admit, that could be because I want Austin for him. And thank God for Sara's tender heart!
The paranormal element was much more present here but still not overwhelming the mystery, which is getting progressively more tangled. GA's excellent writing keeps me turning pages, I could not put this one down! I'm loving the expansion of the additional people in Vie's life *even though he doesn't like to talk, heh* and I'm looking forward to the further development of their relationships. Because you know it won't be easy.
One thing that has me kind of on edge is
I seriously cannot believe that Ashe has wrecked me over his characters once again, and so damn easily too. So freaking annoying. On to The Dust Feast, of course!
This one had a lot of action and a whole lot more physical danger to Vie . How much more can Vie take? He has so many different things pulling him so many different ways that you feel actual, physical pain for him. And rage, so much rage! 🤯 And Vie is a kid, though I'm pretty sure he's never gotten to feel like one.
Mr. Big Empty has put his bullseye on Vie's back but he's decided he wants to play with him a bit first. He told Vie that first he's going to take away everything he loves. I thought he meant Vie's friends, and I'm sure he did...but he also had a special kind of cruelty in mind for Vie. 😢 The fact that he can know all these unknowable facts and make these things happen is really kind of scary, and it's looking pretty bleak for Vie to take this supernatural bad guy down. Especially since now that his last try on Vie didn't work out, he's turned a different kind of weapon on him.
At least this time, Vie has people that he knows cares about him, even if he does fight that to just about the bitter end. And you can't blame him for being afraid to trust. All except for Becca, LOL. Because she is not here for any of Vie's shit and he's completely unable to shut her down. She's helping him and she's his friend, and he just has to live with that. ❤️ Vie needs a friend like her. Emmett is there for Vie too, and he cares. He's brave and willing to stick his neck out for Vie. They have mad chemistry and they click. But I don't think that Emmett is good for Vie. I admit, that could be because I want Austin for him. And thank God for Sara's tender heart!
The paranormal element was much more present here but still not overwhelming the mystery, which is getting progressively more tangled. GA's excellent writing keeps me turning pages, I could not put this one down! I'm loving the expansion of the additional people in Vie's life *even though he doesn't like to talk, heh* and I'm looking forward to the further development of their relationships. Because you know it won't be easy.
One thing that has me kind of on edge is
I seriously cannot believe that Ashe has wrecked me over his characters once again, and so damn easily too. So freaking annoying. On to The Dust Feast, of course!
January 28, 2018
This one started off a bit more difficult of me, I had a hard time with the start, I was frustrated with Vie in the beginning, him being closed off, and his attitude. But the tone did change and I saw why his reasons. This one was long and I was conflicted on the live interest but will see where it goes on to the next
January 20, 2023
All of a sudden I didn't want any more death. I didn't want any more pain. I wanted life. I wanted fragile, beautiful, hothouse life, like the orchid, and I wanted to hold it in my hands.
more like "all the inside screaming" 😩 don't let the ya label fool you because the intensity of this series never lets up and is riddled with trigger-worthy content. Vie's dad? the nastiest piece of work without a single redeeming quality. he was already on my blacklist but i had to scrawl his name down a few additional times with the fresh blood of my enemies to really drive the point home *hides from the fbi*
i have no clue what's going to happen next. i feel so blind. i trust no one. halp.
----spoilers (however vague) incoming----
no rest for the weary and no reprieve in sight for
compared to where he was in book 1, Vie has people in his life now. however, he didn't get his PhD in burying feelings and self-loathing for nothing: his past experiences with the system and people at large have prompted major misgivings when it comes to trusting anyone. he refuses to open up, consumed by the fear that if only they knew his secrets, they'd turn the other way and leave him to fend for himself. piercing clarity struck with each backstory reveal, and i was engulfed in this maternal need to swaddle Vie in a warm blanket and defend him with my entire being while showering and pampering him with love and affection 😔
in a small town where anyone’s business equates to everyone's business, it pained and frustrated me in equal measure to see how the town cared enough to openly critique Vie's failures as a boyfriend, but not enough to rally together and pull him out of an abusive household. why give Vie such an insane amount of flack for not knowing it was Austin's bday when (a) it’s not like they ever spoke about it, and (b) Vie doesn't have easy access to facebook (or technology in general, for that matter)?
Vie's friendship with Becca was a big highlight for me. she did make one tasteless remark in the heat of the moment that evoked a mighty grimace, but 99% of the time, she is badass and never afraid to call Vie out. we love a strong female character, and i can't wait to see more of her!
now Emmett, Emmett, Emmett.... i did grow to like him after we made it past his first few immature displays, but it's important to note that it's hard not to feel things in his favor when Vie waxes poetic about the boy in true unreliable narrator fashion. i know i was too easily ensnared in that Emmett charm, because every time he'd flirt and/or get all touchy feely with Vie, even i'd feel a little flustered under the collar 😳 collisions between them lead to atomic explosions of a different kind than what Austin can offer, so i can understand why Austin feels threatened. doesn't help that the clear star of this installment was Emmett - he was lucky to be the one there whenever Vie would inadvertently exhibit his vulnerabilities.
luckily i'm not leaning too much in one way or the other. i just want Vie to be happy, and (unpopular opinion but) relationships should be the last thing on his mind right now. i still find it ridiculously endearing how dense in the romance department he is, though 😆 either way, i can see Emmett and his pot-stirring ways as a permanent fixture in Vie's life, whether it be as a confidant or romantic partner.
i'm a mess of emotions - let me tell you, the way i gasped with the whole mind connection scene and bawled when Vie saw who was behind the door 😭 don't mind me running to the next book at a sprint even with my patellar tendonitis acting up.
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
March 6, 2018
... SO... What to say?!?
First of all: I LOVED Becca in this one. Like, serious heart-eyes and warm feelings and girl-power FTW!
With her peroxide blonde hair and her silver eyeshadow, in the first book she read sort of... Ditzy? Maybe? But THEN she pulled up her socks and fucking told Vie, what was what!
She took NO shit, and I loved that she was really fucking smart.
There were no cliché-girlie-girls here, and that really worked for me. This was also quite a feat considering these characters were in high school, but Mr. Ashe has a an amazing ability to characterize his 'people' in a way, that really distinguishes them from each other.
They might be typical high school students, but he still manages to differentiate each and every one.
My biggest issue in this one was Vie. And I will start by saying that I STILL (after finishing the book) love the dude!
But at around the 50% mark I noticed that my stomach was ACHING and cramping, all because he was so dogdamnedstubborn! Self-suficient??? Blind! STUPID!
I get that Vie's belief in the system and in the people around him can be placed in the smallest container on earth, and still have room leftover for insecurities and teenage-hormones, but SERIOUSLY at some point I JUST couldn't take it anymore.
I refuse to believe that a victim of abuse can be that idiotic. I get that Vie wasn't interested in going into the system, which I completely understand and sympathise with.
BUT he had: Austin, and if that wasn't enough he had Becca, and if that wasn't enough he had Emmett, and if that wasn't enough he had Sara, and if that wasn't enough he had the FUCKING Sheriff ready to help him!
At one point my understanding and sympathy of Vie's issues were non-existent, and that is PRETTY bad considering he's a victim of abuse!!!
Just... I couldn't take anymore, because I really did feel that he had other options, he just chose not to take the help offered!? Or at least, it took WAAAAAYYY too long, and had some pretty horrifying consequenses.
So yeah, my stomach was hurting and I kind ofhated lost my sympathy for Vie for a little while, which dragged this down for me, however that can be placed directly at my door.
But as for the rest of it, I thought it was a brilliant sequel. We are slowly but surely learning about Vie's powers and even though this is a long book I was hooked.
The plot is becoming more complicated, but since it is such a long story we have plenty of time to become acquainted with the different players, and that worked for me.
Also the love-triangle is more prominent in this one. I didn't really mind though (which is weird, 'cause I normally HATE love-triangles) but I totally understand why Vie would love these two boys, I also understand why things aren't that easy...
And I needed to remind myself that even though they read like adults, they ARE teenagers, which means that I forgive the confusion and the hormones and the heartbreak.
So fucking magnanimous of me, I know;-) #generousgod #sarcasm
I am leaving this at 4 stars for now, but it could have been 5 stars since the ending and the mystery and the drama were really strong. My stomach however, is still cramping when I think of Vie's homelife and his choices and that was REALLY tough to get through and leave behind.
First of all: I LOVED Becca in this one. Like, serious heart-eyes and warm feelings and girl-power FTW!
With her peroxide blonde hair and her silver eyeshadow, in the first book she read sort of... Ditzy? Maybe? But THEN she pulled up her socks and fucking told Vie, what was what!
She took NO shit, and I loved that she was really fucking smart.
There were no cliché-girlie-girls here, and that really worked for me. This was also quite a feat considering these characters were in high school, but Mr. Ashe has a an amazing ability to characterize his 'people' in a way, that really distinguishes them from each other.
They might be typical high school students, but he still manages to differentiate each and every one.
My biggest issue in this one was Vie. And I will start by saying that I STILL (after finishing the book) love the dude!
But at around the 50% mark I noticed that my stomach was ACHING and cramping, all because he was so dogdamned
I get that Vie's belief in the system and in the people around him can be placed in the smallest container on earth, and still have room leftover for insecurities and teenage-hormones, but SERIOUSLY at some point I JUST couldn't take it anymore.
I refuse to believe that a victim of abuse can be that idiotic. I get that Vie wasn't interested in going into the system, which I completely understand and sympathise with.
BUT he had: Austin, and if that wasn't enough he had Becca, and if that wasn't enough he had Emmett, and if that wasn't enough he had Sara, and if that wasn't enough he had the FUCKING Sheriff ready to help him!
At one point my understanding and sympathy of Vie's issues were non-existent, and that is PRETTY bad considering he's a victim of abuse!!!
Just... I couldn't take anymore, because I really did feel that he had other options, he just chose not to take the help offered!? Or at least, it took WAAAAAYYY too long, and had some pretty horrifying consequenses.
So yeah, my stomach was hurting and I kind of
But as for the rest of it, I thought it was a brilliant sequel. We are slowly but surely learning about Vie's powers and even though this is a long book I was hooked.
The plot is becoming more complicated, but since it is such a long story we have plenty of time to become acquainted with the different players, and that worked for me.
Also the love-triangle is more prominent in this one. I didn't really mind though (which is weird, 'cause I normally HATE love-triangles) but I totally understand why Vie would love these two boys, I also understand why things aren't that easy...
And I needed to remind myself that even though they read like adults, they ARE teenagers, which means that I forgive the confusion and the hormones and the heartbreak.
So fucking magnanimous of me, I know;-) #generousgod #sarcasm
I am leaving this at 4 stars for now, but it could have been 5 stars since the ending and the mystery and the drama were really strong. My stomach however, is still cramping when I think of Vie's homelife and his choices and that was REALLY tough to get through and leave behind.
July 29, 2020
5 Stars!
I found myself enjoying this one a bit more than the first one. I can only assume it's because I know the characters a bit more. Vie is a hard nut to crack and it is a challenge to get to know him because he's so closed off. But slowly we are getting to know him more. You can't fault the guy for being so stingy with his trust since he hasn't had the best people around him to feel safe enough to give it to. But the new people in his life are quite pushy and are proving themselves worthy of his trust. One in particular was, Becca. LOVED her in this book.
This one was a bit more intense and a lot more violent with the way people were killed or, in Vie's case, beaten. His father is a real nasty piece of work and although Vie feels guilty for what he ends up doing, I feel like it was well deserved punishment for the complete Hell his father has rained down on him. Honestly though, that last slashing form his father, really boiled my blood. I wanted to jump in and take his weapon of choice and beat the crap outta him with it.
We are introduced to a new character in this book; River. He's a drifter only in town for the night and who catches Becca's eye. River is tall and built with curly blonde hair. He has an uncanny resemblance to Vie. Becca makes plans to meet up with River that night but instead he never shows and she gets a phone call from him with only screams coming through the line. When she comes to Vie for help he exposes his gift to her and they are shown River in a dumpster dead. He is slashed up so bad he barely recognizable. From here the search for him is on. But not everything is as it appears and those who were once were considered dead are very much alive.
This one was a really great mystery read with lots of turns and revelations. Vie was pretty vulnerable in this one and some of his demons were exposed. Austin... I didn't know who I wanted for Vie by the ending of the last book, but I know now. Austin. He's caring, kind, and he can give Vie the kind of loving and understanding he needs and has never had. And Becca.... Well she's exactly the kind of best friend Vie needs. She tells him exactly how it is and calls him out on his crap. She is loyal and is right by his side ready for the fight. I absolutely loved her in this book. Emmet... I really do love this character, but he needs someone like Austin too. Him and Vie are combustible and a bit toxic for each other. But he too is a ride or die kind of guy and definitely has a role in Vie's life. I just don't see it being the romantic kind.
That ending. When the door opened and Vie started balling, so did I. Ugh! I was so happy for him and so relieved with who opened the door. I was hoping it would be who it was. I know some have spoiled this part of the book, but I don't feel I should. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who doesn't know. I feel when you give too much away of the book in a review it can ruin it for others.
On to the next! OK. So I finished the next one already, lol. So on to review the next one! LOL
Happy reading dolls! xx
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
I found myself enjoying this one a bit more than the first one. I can only assume it's because I know the characters a bit more. Vie is a hard nut to crack and it is a challenge to get to know him because he's so closed off. But slowly we are getting to know him more. You can't fault the guy for being so stingy with his trust since he hasn't had the best people around him to feel safe enough to give it to. But the new people in his life are quite pushy and are proving themselves worthy of his trust. One in particular was, Becca. LOVED her in this book.
This one was a bit more intense and a lot more violent with the way people were killed or, in Vie's case, beaten. His father is a real nasty piece of work and although Vie feels guilty for what he ends up doing, I feel like it was well deserved punishment for the complete Hell his father has rained down on him. Honestly though, that last slashing form his father, really boiled my blood. I wanted to jump in and take his weapon of choice and beat the crap outta him with it.
We are introduced to a new character in this book; River. He's a drifter only in town for the night and who catches Becca's eye. River is tall and built with curly blonde hair. He has an uncanny resemblance to Vie. Becca makes plans to meet up with River that night but instead he never shows and she gets a phone call from him with only screams coming through the line. When she comes to Vie for help he exposes his gift to her and they are shown River in a dumpster dead. He is slashed up so bad he barely recognizable. From here the search for him is on. But not everything is as it appears and those who were once were considered dead are very much alive.
This one was a really great mystery read with lots of turns and revelations. Vie was pretty vulnerable in this one and some of his demons were exposed. Austin... I didn't know who I wanted for Vie by the ending of the last book, but I know now. Austin. He's caring, kind, and he can give Vie the kind of loving and understanding he needs and has never had. And Becca.... Well she's exactly the kind of best friend Vie needs. She tells him exactly how it is and calls him out on his crap. She is loyal and is right by his side ready for the fight. I absolutely loved her in this book. Emmet... I really do love this character, but he needs someone like Austin too. Him and Vie are combustible and a bit toxic for each other. But he too is a ride or die kind of guy and definitely has a role in Vie's life. I just don't see it being the romantic kind.
That ending. When the door opened and Vie started balling, so did I. Ugh! I was so happy for him and so relieved with who opened the door. I was hoping it would be who it was. I know some have spoiled this part of the book, but I don't feel I should. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who doesn't know. I feel when you give too much away of the book in a review it can ruin it for others.
On to the next! OK. So I finished the next one already, lol. So on to review the next one! LOL
Happy reading dolls! xx
I was given this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
I am glad to be done with this. It was extremely frustrating throughout and rarely did I want to pick it back up. Maybe it would have been better if I was able to read it directly after the first, which I loved. However, I had to wait because of the library and wasn't able to, and I will not be re-reading this.
It was really annoying how often "Oh my God," "Thank God," etc was used. By most characters. But, considering where this takes place, I didn't hold it against the book. That's totally on me.
Becca really went back and forth for me, but towards the beginning I was angry at her for the below quote and couldn't really recover from it. (TW: cutting)
"You're being awful right now, and I don't care if you're going to slit your wrists for real or if this is all just a big cry for help."
I don't care what is going on in anyone's life, never, ever say this to someone who is cutting, or shows signs of/jokes about suicidal ideation. Absolutely no excuse. That sticks. Regardless of anything. Trying to keep in mind their young age, but still.
Also, it would be better if they were older. Oh well.
Entirely a pet peeve of mine but I really disliked how ! I do like how Vie worked on improving his ability and seeing how that progressed.
I had a lot of quotes with things I found entirely frustrating about this, but here I am and I don't care to include them. Sadly, I am just glad I am done with this book and I will not be continuing on to the next. I will read more by Ashe though. There are a couple I'm already interested in.
It was really annoying how often "Oh my God," "Thank God," etc was used. By most characters. But, considering where this takes place, I didn't hold it against the book. That's totally on me.
Becca really went back and forth for me, but towards the beginning I was angry at her for the below quote and couldn't really recover from it. (TW: cutting)
"You're being awful right now, and I don't care if you're going to slit your wrists for real or if this is all just a big cry for help."
I don't care what is going on in anyone's life, never, ever say this to someone who is cutting, or shows signs of/jokes about suicidal ideation. Absolutely no excuse. That sticks. Regardless of anything. Trying to keep in mind their young age, but still.
Also, it would be better if they were older. Oh well.
Entirely a pet peeve of mine but I really disliked how ! I do like how Vie worked on improving his ability and seeing how that progressed.
I had a lot of quotes with things I found entirely frustrating about this, but here I am and I don't care to include them. Sadly, I am just glad I am done with this book and I will not be continuing on to the next. I will read more by Ashe though. There are a couple I'm already interested in.
July 30, 2021
I think my rating on this one went up and down almost chapter by chapter. I felt as mixed up about my level of enjoyment as Vie feels about the two boys in his life : torn.
That said, I'm really enjoying the evolving nature of him discovering or pushing the limits of what he knows he can do with his gift. The paranormal aspect of this is really interesting, even if the villain is kind of.. a lot? Without a substantial enough reason for it? Also I would love to know how this sixteen year old became an Ultimate Baddie.
Yes, can you tell I'm still struggling with the ages? This would be so much better if they were eighteen. I'll be crying about this for the whole series, I'm sure.
Speaking of the boys, though. Yeah, I'm mixed. I'm not particularly sold on either love interest because one doesn't have a lot of substance and the other is a little problematic but they also both have their strengths, so, here we are. This isn't to say Vie is a perfect catch, oh no. He's like a baby Emery-North hybrid monster child. But oh god, when he's dropped off at the house, and you see who is waiting for him.. he is a precious monster child. I just wanted to hug him. He's had it so rough (Ashe is not nice to his protagonists) but yeah, he's a pill, too.
Shoutout to Becca, though, because I'm so here for these kind of beautiful friendships and I want more of this. So much more. Hoping maybe Temple Mae gets added to the bestie roster, too, all things considered.
So much was expanded in just this one instalment and I'm super keen to see what we'll learn about this particular world, and the various powers, next. But also keen to find out how the hell that reveal at the end is going to be explained..
That said, I'm really enjoying the evolving nature of him discovering or pushing the limits of what he knows he can do with his gift. The paranormal aspect of this is really interesting, even if the villain is kind of.. a lot? Without a substantial enough reason for it? Also I would love to know how this sixteen year old became an Ultimate Baddie.
Yes, can you tell I'm still struggling with the ages? This would be so much better if they were eighteen. I'll be crying about this for the whole series, I'm sure.
Speaking of the boys, though. Yeah, I'm mixed. I'm not particularly sold on either love interest because one doesn't have a lot of substance and the other is a little problematic but they also both have their strengths, so, here we are. This isn't to say Vie is a perfect catch, oh no. He's like a baby Emery-North hybrid monster child. But oh god, when he's dropped off at the house, and you see who is waiting for him.. he is a precious monster child. I just wanted to hug him. He's had it so rough (Ashe is not nice to his protagonists) but yeah, he's a pill, too.
Shoutout to Becca, though, because I'm so here for these kind of beautiful friendships and I want more of this. So much more. Hoping maybe Temple Mae gets added to the bestie roster, too, all things considered.
So much was expanded in just this one instalment and I'm super keen to see what we'll learn about this particular world, and the various powers, next. But also keen to find out how the hell that reveal at the end is going to be explained..
March 6, 2018
I am loving this series. I am not sure how much one person can take but I want to wrap Vie up in cotton wool and take care of him forever !!! He is truly a magnet to trouble and it seems everyone wants a piece of him. His friendship with Becca grew in this book and seriously she was a rock star ❤️ I adore Emmett and I understand Austin is sweet - I feel Vie’s confusion in working out who is the best match and why but in the end Vie always puts himself last and looks out for everyone else’s needs. What a beautiful soul.
February 2, 2023
2nd read: Jan/Feb 2023
This is not my favorite volume in this series, (mostly) for these two reasons. Reason the first, it suffers from second book syndrome: it's a bit draggy in the beginning, and then turns chaotic in all the wrong places when the plot rushes forward unexpectedly. Reason the second, it highlights all the ways Vie and Austin never worked for me, and never will. I like Austin, but that boy is like oatmeal — wholesome and really good for you, but ultimately bland AF. 🤷♀️
This is not my favorite volume in this series, (mostly) for these two reasons. Reason the first, it suffers from second book syndrome: it's a bit draggy in the beginning, and then turns chaotic in all the wrong places when the plot rushes forward unexpectedly. Reason the second, it highlights all the ways Vie and Austin never worked for me, and never will. I like Austin, but that boy is like oatmeal — wholesome and really good for you, but ultimately bland AF. 🤷♀️
January 22, 2023
RTC (maybe) - can't stop, won't stop.
August 22, 2020
I've come to the conclusion that if Gregory Ashe ever started publishing his grocery lists, I would one-click buy them. Crazy? Perhaps. It is what it is. Anyway. I said in my review of book one that I'm not big on paranormal. And yet, I've somehow become hooked on this series. 🤷🏻♀️
Honestly, the paranormal aspects of the story are not what have me hooked. They are interesting and I'm not put off by them by any means. But I could take them or leave them. I am hooked on what, I feel, are Gregory Ashe's greatest strengths: writing amazing, multi-layered characters and complex relationships. I'm trying not to copy what my friend Lisa put in her review of book one but my thoughts are so similar, it's hard not to. (Great minds!)
His characters are messy and imperfect, raw and complicated. And they grab me every time. That's what keeps me reading. I didn't think my heart could hurt more for Vie after the first book but I was proven wrong. How much more is this kid supposed to take? I have a feeling he will take a lot more. After all, there are two more books and Ashe never goes easy on us. He has been broken down so much that he can't realize he now has people who love him. (Including me! 🤣)
As far as the love triangle goes, that's also not normally my thing. But Ashe has written such compelling characters with Emmett and Austin that I felt myself torn, right along with Vie. (Unlike many past m/f YA love triangles where you have one amazing love interest and one guy who is as bland as oatmeal and looks like a potato.) Because this is YA, things are fairly tame. But there's still pining and electricity and feels. So many feels.
On to book three!
Trigger warnings
Honestly, the paranormal aspects of the story are not what have me hooked. They are interesting and I'm not put off by them by any means. But I could take them or leave them. I am hooked on what, I feel, are Gregory Ashe's greatest strengths: writing amazing, multi-layered characters and complex relationships. I'm trying not to copy what my friend Lisa put in her review of book one but my thoughts are so similar, it's hard not to. (Great minds!)
His characters are messy and imperfect, raw and complicated. And they grab me every time. That's what keeps me reading. I didn't think my heart could hurt more for Vie after the first book but I was proven wrong. How much more is this kid supposed to take? I have a feeling he will take a lot more. After all, there are two more books and Ashe never goes easy on us. He has been broken down so much that he can't realize he now has people who love him. (Including me! 🤣)
As far as the love triangle goes, that's also not normally my thing. But Ashe has written such compelling characters with Emmett and Austin that I felt myself torn, right along with Vie. (Unlike many past m/f YA love triangles where you have one amazing love interest and one guy who is as bland as oatmeal and looks like a potato.) Because this is YA, things are fairly tame. But there's still pining and electricity and feels. So many feels.
On to book three!
Trigger warnings
August 20, 2022
~ 4.5 stars ~
Trigger warnings:
Elf Hazmerso undercover avenger sent me this book! THANK YOU, mysterious elf with the awesome name :) I've heard great things about this series and I can't wait to start it!
Trigger warnings:
Elf Hazmerso undercover avenger sent me this book! THANK YOU, mysterious elf with the awesome name :) I've heard great things about this series and I can't wait to start it!
September 15, 2020
I enjoyed this installation. It was fast paced and entertaining and I didn't see the end coming. I still think these teens don't read like real teens. They come off much older. I struggled a bit with the graphic child abuse in this one. I've seen a few reviews that express frustration with Vie for not doing something to change his circumstances or accept help. I get that frustration but as someone who worked with abused kids for years I think Vie's reactions are actually portrayed very realistically. The love triangle really ramped up in this one and my head knows I should be Team Austin but my heart is still Team Emmett. I just love him. (& why can't he have them both??)
(I wish I'd read these before the new series released cuz while I don't know how it's going to end I do know how it's not going to end)
Anyways......on to the next one.
(I wish I'd read these before the new series released cuz while I don't know how it's going to end I do know how it's not going to end)
Anyways......on to the next one.
March 20, 2023
This book drained me. RTC when I can think again.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
TWs: parental abuse, cutting/self harm, drugs
Homophobia, gruesome deaths, and emotional abuse
Vie is back and in peril more than ever. I guess for me it’s harder to take because he’s a minor. North, Shaw and Hazard and Somerset were adults. When they were beaten to a pulp, they weren’t as vulnerable as Vie is. The part where Vie’s father beats him with a belt almost broke me. It was bad, so very bad. VERY graphic abuse on page
Back to the review:
This is a very unique take on teenage life.
Vie takes on a lot of trauma…emotional and physical. He was even maced perfumed by Becca! Eeeeek.
The mystery to be solved this time is what happened to River. A traveling man passing through this wacky town of Vehpese. Much like a Shaw and North book but teenage style, Vie gets beaten a lot!
This book stressed me out SO much!! When we find out who River really is, it’s quite a shock. The adults in Vie’s life let him down on a daily basis. I’m meh on Austin too tbh. Emmett isn’t the better option though. Becca comes through for him AND Sara. Sara is really the only truly good person in this book.
By the end, I’m was so drained. The cliffhanger ending was NOT what I was expecting but I should have. I know I will continue to read this series. The writing is excellent but the subject matter is not for the feint of heart 💔💔.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
TWs: parental abuse, cutting/self harm, drugs
Homophobia, gruesome deaths, and emotional abuse
Vie is back and in peril more than ever. I guess for me it’s harder to take because he’s a minor. North, Shaw and Hazard and Somerset were adults. When they were beaten to a pulp, they weren’t as vulnerable as Vie is. The part where Vie’s father beats him with a belt almost broke me. It was bad, so very bad. VERY graphic abuse on page
Back to the review:
This is a very unique take on teenage life.
Vie takes on a lot of trauma…emotional and physical. He was even maced perfumed by Becca! Eeeeek.
The mystery to be solved this time is what happened to River. A traveling man passing through this wacky town of Vehpese. Much like a Shaw and North book but teenage style, Vie gets beaten a lot!
This book stressed me out SO much!! When we find out who River really is, it’s quite a shock. The adults in Vie’s life let him down on a daily basis. I’m meh on Austin too tbh. Emmett isn’t the better option though. Becca comes through for him AND Sara. Sara is really the only truly good person in this book.
By the end, I’m was so drained. The cliffhanger ending was NOT what I was expecting but I should have. I know I will continue to read this series. The writing is excellent but the subject matter is not for the feint of heart 💔💔.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
All the Inside Howling follows Mr. Big Empty and definitely needs to be read after that book. This picks up right after those events with Vie knowing that the killer is still out there, but he’s not even sure if it’s the same killer, if there is more than one killer, and how the killer is able to get into Vie’s mind and dreams.
Vie doesn’t have a great life, yet he is resilient. He hates his father and thinks he covers the abuse well and Vie is terrified to strike back. Everyone sees the bruises though, but the kids that have everything don’t know how to truly understand what it’s like to be Vie.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
All the Inside Howling follows Mr. Big Empty and definitely needs to be read after that book. This picks up right after those events with Vie knowing that the killer is still out there, but he’s not even sure if it’s the same killer, if there is more than one killer, and how the killer is able to get into Vie’s mind and dreams.
Vie doesn’t have a great life, yet he is resilient. He hates his father and thinks he covers the abuse well and Vie is terrified to strike back. Everyone sees the bruises though, but the kids that have everything don’t know how to truly understand what it’s like to be Vie.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
August 8, 2025
Post-re-read thoughts -- I think this one pushes up against my personal limit of "how much physical trauma are we expected to believe a body can withstand and still keep functioning?" I know GA loves his pulpy violence and (seemingly consequence-free) head trauma, and I know we're already suspending our disbelief with all the pnr stuff, but this really does stretch the limits of plausibility. I think the unrelentingness of it all is why this is my least favorite of the series. Also: no Mr Spencer! No Tyler and Hannah! Boooo!!
Re. the love triangle: I've already elucidated my theories about this at length elsewhere (no links this time, because they're all spoiler-y), but reading this installment made it even more obvious why Emmett is my fave. It's not just the chemistry that leaps off the page; it's that Emmett, unlike Austin, shows curiousity and intelligence about Vie's power, and pushes him to explore and use it. Emmett sees all of Vie, and challenges him on what he (Vie) thinks is his unfixable, un-fightable curse; he does not accept Vie's defeatism, but pushes him to try to change what he thinks he knows about his power. Austin has no such interest; it's like that part of Vie doesn't exist for him when he's not actively confronted by it. In all their guardedness and prickliness and protectiveness and sheer dogheadedness, Emmett and Vie are equals; Austin just wants a hot boyfriend.
Also, I know I (belatedly) bitched about this in my review of book 3, but if I ever have to read one more whiny word about Austin's birthday, then I won't be responsible for my actions. I am very much on Vie's side here, and I hate how he spends the rest of the book beating himself over "forgetting" something that no one ever bothered to tell him about. (Also, for reals: these people may not know the details of Vie's upbringing, but they can see the rough outlines of his situation now. Do they really think Vie ever, ever got a proper birthday celebration? Does it not occur to any of them that someone who has never been valued isn't familiar with the small ways people show they value others? Which, by the way, Vie absolutely would have tried to do if any one of these nosy bastards had sat him down beforehand and told him was Austin's birthday, rather than treating him like shit when it was too late.) Shut up, Austin. Shut up, Austin's friends. You have only yourselves to blame.
3.5 ⭐️
Given that I know the endgame -- don't read the blurb for the Flint and Tinder series if you don't want to know who Vie ends up with -- the way the love geometry is written here is baffling.
Compelling as always with GA, but rounding down because of the Denver train station events on top of even more extreme grimness and abuse than we got in book 1. I know GA doesn't usually operate with CWs, but I think this kind of thing is (understandably!) so triggering for so many that it should be flagged for readers -- even in the context of pnr and ghostie ghoulies.
I am finding this series obsessively bingeable but incredibly dismal -- an unsettling combo, but extremely effective.
Re. the love triangle: I've already elucidated my theories about this at length elsewhere (no links this time, because they're all spoiler-y), but reading this installment made it even more obvious why Emmett is my fave. It's not just the chemistry that leaps off the page; it's that Emmett, unlike Austin, shows curiousity and intelligence about Vie's power, and pushes him to explore and use it. Emmett sees all of Vie, and challenges him on what he (Vie) thinks is his unfixable, un-fightable curse; he does not accept Vie's defeatism, but pushes him to try to change what he thinks he knows about his power. Austin has no such interest; it's like that part of Vie doesn't exist for him when he's not actively confronted by it. In all their guardedness and prickliness and protectiveness and sheer dogheadedness, Emmett and Vie are equals; Austin just wants a hot boyfriend.
Also, I know I (belatedly) bitched about this in my review of book 3, but if I ever have to read one more whiny word about Austin's birthday, then I won't be responsible for my actions. I am very much on Vie's side here, and I hate how he spends the rest of the book beating himself over "forgetting" something that no one ever bothered to tell him about. (Also, for reals: these people may not know the details of Vie's upbringing, but they can see the rough outlines of his situation now. Do they really think Vie ever, ever got a proper birthday celebration? Does it not occur to any of them that someone who has never been valued isn't familiar with the small ways people show they value others? Which, by the way, Vie absolutely would have tried to do if any one of these nosy bastards had sat him down beforehand and told him was Austin's birthday, rather than treating him like shit when it was too late.) Shut up, Austin. Shut up, Austin's friends. You have only yourselves to blame.
3.5 ⭐️
Given that I know the endgame -- don't read the blurb for the Flint and Tinder series if you don't want to know who Vie ends up with -- the way the love geometry is written here is baffling.
Compelling as always with GA, but rounding down because of the Denver train station events on top of even more extreme grimness and abuse than we got in book 1. I know GA doesn't usually operate with CWs, but I think this kind of thing is (understandably!) so triggering for so many that it should be flagged for readers -- even in the context of pnr and ghostie ghoulies.
I am finding this series obsessively bingeable but incredibly dismal -- an unsettling combo, but extremely effective.
October 27, 2019
Another Wow
I keep having the same reaction throughout these two books. Very talented author, intriguing characters and a plot that just keeps rolling.
I keep having the same reaction throughout these two books. Very talented author, intriguing characters and a plot that just keeps rolling.
March 4, 2020
The only thing I don't like in this series is the bloody love triangle. Urgh
July 26, 2021
I said I was going to take a break after the first time I read Mr. Big Empty. Because the book was unexpectedly angsty and the first Gregory Ashe book I ever finished reading. It just took me by surprise. That break has lasted 3 years but now I’m BACK. Since then, I’ve read a fair number of the author’s books, the Hollow Folk series is complete, and there’s even a spin-off series with two of the characters from this series. These books are still a lot, but I think I’ve prepared myself mentally enough to handle them now.
This is a YA paranormal mystery series with Vie (no, it’s not short for anything) Eliot who is 16-years-old and a psychic. He winds up solving the murders of two teenage girls in the last book, but everything is still far from over. Just because the culprit is dead in the physical realm doesn’t mean they still aren’t out there, determined to make Vie’s life a living hell.
Content notes include homomisia, violence, murder, domestic abuse, self-harm, cutting, depression, ableism, mentions of child sexual assault, racism, and mentions of drug use.
After the shocking ending of the first book, not much has changed for Vie, but there are the little things. He’s still living in a shitty apartment with his abusive father, but he’s got a boyfriend. And friends.
I will say I didn’t think much of Austin, Vie’s boyfriend, at first in Mr. Big Empty, the first book. He was a bully and did we ever figure out what his argument was about with Samantha that first day? But. He’s taken a bit of a turn in this book and seems…happier? I still feel like there’s no real depth to his character yet. Like, why SHOULD Vie and Austin be endgame and not Vie and Emmett? I was one of the ones rooting for a polyam ending with Vie, Austin, and Emmett, BUT ALAS. I know the endgame and who the spin-off is with (which, I will definitely circle back to in a review for a future book because WHAT THE HELL).
Sure, Austin’s all nice and sweet now, but Emmett is right there??? I get that Emmett has his own issues he has to work out, and maybe that means he’s not right for Vie who also has all his stuff he needs to unpack, but come on. How will Austin handle it if he knew that he’s the second choice? Who did Vie say he loved FIRST? Yeah. Also, we barely see Austin…doing….anything? Emmett has his nose deep in Vie’s mystery cases but what is Austin contributing? I don’t know. Vie and Austin are cute together, but nothing so far has convinced me that they should be together for the long haul.
I’ll be interested to see how this love triangle works out, because I’m not seeing it at the end of book 2.
The first time I tried to read this book, I really struggled with it. Even though this book isn’t really OLD old, the writing kind of shows. It’s very much like the first story arc of the Hazard and Somerset books where things keep going in circles and you spend FOREVER with characters while Vie is interviewing them and having it seemingly not go anywhere. It’s kind of why I wanted to wait until there were audiobooks to come out before I dived back into this series, but there’s still no audio yet. I believe the author said there are plans for them but he wanted to make some edits first to the text. And I’m fine with that if it tightens up the stories and if the ableism gets cut out. I do want these books to all be in audiobook one day and I’m willing to wait for them.
This book is still as troubling and depressing as the first. We see the class divide between the characters. And what’s so visceral in this series is that people highly suspect what Vie’s home life is like but it’s a question of WHO is going to do anything about it. It’s a small town. People talk. People KNOW.
Like, Vie’s friends all want to help but how are teens going to get him the help he actually needs? And it’s not like Vie would willing go along with, or listen to anything of that nature anyways when he was told the alternative to staying with his dad was always juvie. I think it’s not a surprise who does step into help and I definitely teared up when that scene played out at the end, and we found out that Vie is going to be okay.
Something in this book I really liked was Vie’s relationship with Becca, a high school girl who works at Bighorn Burger with him. Becca is, like, Vie’s best friend at this point and I really love how she looks out for him and how much he cares about her.
At the end of the day, this book is still a paranormal mystery and it wouldn’t do to forget that. We find out who Mr. Big Empty is at the end of the last book and he’s taken to haunting and torturing Vie any way he can, doesn’t matter that Mr. Big Empty no longer walks on the physical plane. I don’t really GET why he’s doing it. Is it all rooted in his misogyny while he was living, and his vindictiveness then even in death? We still have questions here about how Vie got his powers and how anyone else might get powers. There’s more than just Vie out there who have unexplainable abilities, but for Vie, it’s like he’s a toddler stumbling around in the dark to learn what to do, while everyone else seems to already be a master at theirs.
Overall, I really think it’s refreshing to read a series where I have absolutely no idea where the plot is going, so I look forward to reading the next book!
This is a YA paranormal mystery series with Vie (no, it’s not short for anything) Eliot who is 16-years-old and a psychic. He winds up solving the murders of two teenage girls in the last book, but everything is still far from over. Just because the culprit is dead in the physical realm doesn’t mean they still aren’t out there, determined to make Vie’s life a living hell.
Content notes include homomisia, violence, murder, domestic abuse, self-harm, cutting, depression, ableism, mentions of child sexual assault, racism, and mentions of drug use.
After the shocking ending of the first book, not much has changed for Vie, but there are the little things. He’s still living in a shitty apartment with his abusive father, but he’s got a boyfriend. And friends.
I will say I didn’t think much of Austin, Vie’s boyfriend, at first in Mr. Big Empty, the first book. He was a bully and did we ever figure out what his argument was about with Samantha that first day? But. He’s taken a bit of a turn in this book and seems…happier? I still feel like there’s no real depth to his character yet. Like, why SHOULD Vie and Austin be endgame and not Vie and Emmett? I was one of the ones rooting for a polyam ending with Vie, Austin, and Emmett, BUT ALAS. I know the endgame and who the spin-off is with (which, I will definitely circle back to in a review for a future book because WHAT THE HELL).
Sure, Austin’s all nice and sweet now, but Emmett is right there??? I get that Emmett has his own issues he has to work out, and maybe that means he’s not right for Vie who also has all his stuff he needs to unpack, but come on. How will Austin handle it if he knew that he’s the second choice? Who did Vie say he loved FIRST? Yeah. Also, we barely see Austin…doing….anything? Emmett has his nose deep in Vie’s mystery cases but what is Austin contributing? I don’t know. Vie and Austin are cute together, but nothing so far has convinced me that they should be together for the long haul.
I’ll be interested to see how this love triangle works out, because I’m not seeing it at the end of book 2.
The first time I tried to read this book, I really struggled with it. Even though this book isn’t really OLD old, the writing kind of shows. It’s very much like the first story arc of the Hazard and Somerset books where things keep going in circles and you spend FOREVER with characters while Vie is interviewing them and having it seemingly not go anywhere. It’s kind of why I wanted to wait until there were audiobooks to come out before I dived back into this series, but there’s still no audio yet. I believe the author said there are plans for them but he wanted to make some edits first to the text. And I’m fine with that if it tightens up the stories and if the ableism gets cut out. I do want these books to all be in audiobook one day and I’m willing to wait for them.
This book is still as troubling and depressing as the first. We see the class divide between the characters. And what’s so visceral in this series is that people highly suspect what Vie’s home life is like but it’s a question of WHO is going to do anything about it. It’s a small town. People talk. People KNOW.
Like, Vie’s friends all want to help but how are teens going to get him the help he actually needs? And it’s not like Vie would willing go along with, or listen to anything of that nature anyways when he was told the alternative to staying with his dad was always juvie. I think it’s not a surprise who does step into help and I definitely teared up when that scene played out at the end, and we found out that Vie is going to be okay.
Something in this book I really liked was Vie’s relationship with Becca, a high school girl who works at Bighorn Burger with him. Becca is, like, Vie’s best friend at this point and I really love how she looks out for him and how much he cares about her.
At the end of the day, this book is still a paranormal mystery and it wouldn’t do to forget that. We find out who Mr. Big Empty is at the end of the last book and he’s taken to haunting and torturing Vie any way he can, doesn’t matter that Mr. Big Empty no longer walks on the physical plane. I don’t really GET why he’s doing it. Is it all rooted in his misogyny while he was living, and his vindictiveness then even in death? We still have questions here about how Vie got his powers and how anyone else might get powers. There’s more than just Vie out there who have unexplainable abilities, but for Vie, it’s like he’s a toddler stumbling around in the dark to learn what to do, while everyone else seems to already be a master at theirs.
Overall, I really think it’s refreshing to read a series where I have absolutely no idea where the plot is going, so I look forward to reading the next book!
December 18, 2018
4.5 stars from me. Gregory Ashe is such a great writer [
and come on GR, how much longer are we going to have to wait for you to fix your 'Insert book/author' thingie??
], but this particular story was a very grown-up YA read...no, not cause of sex but cause of the violence, most of which was perpetrated against Vie, poor lad. We all know his dad is a complete and utter waste of space, but we have several random weirdos in this one wanting to take out their pain and suffering on Vie...all at the behest of Mr Big Empty...yes folks, he's still after Vie even though he's dead, dead, dead!! Oh, and as a sidebar...lots of people are killed in this one...or so you are led to believe...
Thank goodness Sara jumped in and offered to be Vie's foster mum...he definitely needs love and loadsa hugs!! Becca was a wonderful friend in this one, and methinks Emmett has finally clued in to the fact that he should have gotten to be first in line to be Vie's boyfriend before Austin arrived on the scene, but hey ho...you can't have everything. Maybe Emmett and Austin can work together to keep Vie safe in the next story cause he now has loads of people after him and his 'gift' **bites nails nervously**.
Thank goodness Sara jumped in and offered to be Vie's foster mum...he definitely needs love and loadsa hugs!! Becca was a wonderful friend in this one, and methinks Emmett has finally clued in to the fact that he should have gotten to be first in line to be Vie's boyfriend before Austin arrived on the scene, but hey ho...you can't have everything. Maybe Emmett and Austin can work together to keep Vie safe in the next story cause he now has loads of people after him and his 'gift' **bites nails nervously**.
May 10, 2018
“Who are you, Vie Eliot, and why do you know things that other people don’t?”
When Vie Eliot introduced himself in Mr. Big Empty, it was clear he wasn’t going to be an average anything—an average teenager, an average narrator, an average psychic amateur sleuth. Vie is one of the most challenged and challenging teen protagonists I’ve ever read, and if I didn’t love him before, I do now, without question, and nothing, not a word I write from here on, will even begin to scratch the surface of how much I love this book.
Based on this and his Hazard and Somerset series, I’m going out on a limb and declaring that author Gregory Ashe is a fan of the long arc, which means I don’t recommend this book being read as a standalone. The question of what—or even how—Mr. Big Empty is, not to mention why he is fixated on Vie, is escalating through each book, and this author also excels at ‘The Hook’. Whether it’s the final sentence in a chapter or the next explosive plot revelation, Ashe seems to have a knack for ensuring that I won’t put a book down unless I absolutely am forced to, or I fall dead asleep, whichever comes first. All the Inside Howling is filled from start to finish with those sweet temptations, and each of them is excellent…outstanding…sublime in a way that often left me muttering, “Oh my god,” at my kindle, too many times to enumerate. This book is a feast of shocking and inspired storytelling moments. It’s been a long time since I have read a book that messed with my emotions so effectively.
Vehpese (which was Huecos in book one?), Wyoming, hasn’t provided the respite from his mother’s abuse ‘the system’ hoped it would when Vie was removed from her home in Oklahoma, in possession of nothing more than a few changes of clothes and the scars he bears. Vie was shipped off to live with his father in Vahpese, but the change of location has done little more than varied the form of abuse he suffers. The boy just can’t seem to escape a beating, no matter where he lands. He’s only been in Vehpese for a few months, and already so much has happened to him—not the least of which includes the realization that death seems to be hounding his every footstep, thanks in large part to his psychic abilities, but he also gets in no small amount of trouble for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now there’s been another murder, one that will ultimately tip Vie’s entire world sideways and leave him staggering from the immense danger inherent in Mr. Big Empty’s very presence.
And the shocking revelation at the end of this book… It’s more than a roller coaster ride. This book is a free-fall from thirty thousand feet.
Vie is such a steady and predictable (no negative connotations there) character; he’s tenacious and strong and brave, and yet, he is a dichotomy too. In so many ways he behaves and responds precisely the way I expect him to when he’s overwhelmed, when he’s angry, when he’s frightened, when someone ventures too far out of his verbal and/or emotional comfort zone. Vie Eliot is a champion at burying his feelings, he has secrets he holds close to the vest—secrets that he believes make him worthless, unlovable and unworthy of anything good in his life—and he often acts out, sometimes with his fists, sometimes in self-harm, because of it. But the dichotomy here is that he acts out against everyone but the one person whose abuse he is willing to suffer, and that’s where the contradiction that is this boy lies. The one person Vie has needed to stand up to, and could stand up to, is the one person who hurts Vie time and time again, and in return, it hurts readers to understand why he doesn’t fight back. It’s the lie of abuse. Until, one time, Vie is finally pushed too far. He’s such a great character, and he’s trying, trying as hard as a sixteen-year-old boy can, to grow and learn from his mistakes and to be a good boyfriend while fighting against something intangible and yet still tangibly dangerous. He just needs to live long enough to keep fighting, but there are people—things—that don’t want to see him make it that far.
All the Inside Howling is an exceptional addition to a spectacular series. It’s one of those books that makes me want to reevaluate every book I’ve ever said I loved, because they pale in my memory in comparison to the immediate and obsessive love I’m feeling right now for this series. This is more than Teen Fiction, it’s more than Murder Mystery, it’s more than Paranormal fiction. It’s the sum of all three of these things wrapped around one of the most intriguing young protagonists I’ve come across in a long time—if ever. One of the things that became clear in reference to my feeling that these characters read older than they are, is that this story is being told by an older Vie, something that was not evident in book one but is revealed when Vie narrates, “His lips moved, and I thought maybe it was a smile, or maybe it was a word, and years later, when I would think about it long past midnight, I would think maybe it had been nothing at all.” Whether this was a deliberate revelation or a continuity slip, I don’t know, but it would explain why the characters are a lot more sophisticated than I give most sixteen-year-olds credit for being, so I’m satisfied with that.
Ashe’s writing is pure engaging, the pacing frenetic, and his dialogue spot-on in revealing both the characters and the story. I don’t see how this book doesn’t go down as one of my favorite reads of the year.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
When Vie Eliot introduced himself in Mr. Big Empty, it was clear he wasn’t going to be an average anything—an average teenager, an average narrator, an average psychic amateur sleuth. Vie is one of the most challenged and challenging teen protagonists I’ve ever read, and if I didn’t love him before, I do now, without question, and nothing, not a word I write from here on, will even begin to scratch the surface of how much I love this book.
Based on this and his Hazard and Somerset series, I’m going out on a limb and declaring that author Gregory Ashe is a fan of the long arc, which means I don’t recommend this book being read as a standalone. The question of what—or even how—Mr. Big Empty is, not to mention why he is fixated on Vie, is escalating through each book, and this author also excels at ‘The Hook’. Whether it’s the final sentence in a chapter or the next explosive plot revelation, Ashe seems to have a knack for ensuring that I won’t put a book down unless I absolutely am forced to, or I fall dead asleep, whichever comes first. All the Inside Howling is filled from start to finish with those sweet temptations, and each of them is excellent…outstanding…sublime in a way that often left me muttering, “Oh my god,” at my kindle, too many times to enumerate. This book is a feast of shocking and inspired storytelling moments. It’s been a long time since I have read a book that messed with my emotions so effectively.
Vehpese (which was Huecos in book one?), Wyoming, hasn’t provided the respite from his mother’s abuse ‘the system’ hoped it would when Vie was removed from her home in Oklahoma, in possession of nothing more than a few changes of clothes and the scars he bears. Vie was shipped off to live with his father in Vahpese, but the change of location has done little more than varied the form of abuse he suffers. The boy just can’t seem to escape a beating, no matter where he lands. He’s only been in Vehpese for a few months, and already so much has happened to him—not the least of which includes the realization that death seems to be hounding his every footstep, thanks in large part to his psychic abilities, but he also gets in no small amount of trouble for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now there’s been another murder, one that will ultimately tip Vie’s entire world sideways and leave him staggering from the immense danger inherent in Mr. Big Empty’s very presence.
And the shocking revelation at the end of this book… It’s more than a roller coaster ride. This book is a free-fall from thirty thousand feet.
Vie is such a steady and predictable (no negative connotations there) character; he’s tenacious and strong and brave, and yet, he is a dichotomy too. In so many ways he behaves and responds precisely the way I expect him to when he’s overwhelmed, when he’s angry, when he’s frightened, when someone ventures too far out of his verbal and/or emotional comfort zone. Vie Eliot is a champion at burying his feelings, he has secrets he holds close to the vest—secrets that he believes make him worthless, unlovable and unworthy of anything good in his life—and he often acts out, sometimes with his fists, sometimes in self-harm, because of it. But the dichotomy here is that he acts out against everyone but the one person whose abuse he is willing to suffer, and that’s where the contradiction that is this boy lies. The one person Vie has needed to stand up to, and could stand up to, is the one person who hurts Vie time and time again, and in return, it hurts readers to understand why he doesn’t fight back. It’s the lie of abuse. Until, one time, Vie is finally pushed too far. He’s such a great character, and he’s trying, trying as hard as a sixteen-year-old boy can, to grow and learn from his mistakes and to be a good boyfriend while fighting against something intangible and yet still tangibly dangerous. He just needs to live long enough to keep fighting, but there are people—things—that don’t want to see him make it that far.
All the Inside Howling is an exceptional addition to a spectacular series. It’s one of those books that makes me want to reevaluate every book I’ve ever said I loved, because they pale in my memory in comparison to the immediate and obsessive love I’m feeling right now for this series. This is more than Teen Fiction, it’s more than Murder Mystery, it’s more than Paranormal fiction. It’s the sum of all three of these things wrapped around one of the most intriguing young protagonists I’ve come across in a long time—if ever. One of the things that became clear in reference to my feeling that these characters read older than they are, is that this story is being told by an older Vie, something that was not evident in book one but is revealed when Vie narrates, “His lips moved, and I thought maybe it was a smile, or maybe it was a word, and years later, when I would think about it long past midnight, I would think maybe it had been nothing at all.” Whether this was a deliberate revelation or a continuity slip, I don’t know, but it would explain why the characters are a lot more sophisticated than I give most sixteen-year-olds credit for being, so I’m satisfied with that.
Ashe’s writing is pure engaging, the pacing frenetic, and his dialogue spot-on in revealing both the characters and the story. I don’t see how this book doesn’t go down as one of my favorite reads of the year.
Reviewed by Lisa for The Novel Approach
September 5, 2022
I can’t even with how much I love this series. I literally can’t stop thinking about it.
December 3, 2019
‘‘All of the sudden I didn’t want any more death. I didn’t want any more pain. I wanted life. I wanted fragile, beautiful, hothouse life, like the orchid, and I wanted to hold it in my hands.’’
My only wish is for everyone in this series to find happiness and peace, however small it is. I just keep loving the story and its characters more and more even though they hurt me. I’m absolutely delighted to see the number of people caring for Vie growing. This boy deserves everything.
My only wish is for everyone in this series to find happiness and peace, however small it is. I just keep loving the story and its characters more and more even though they hurt me. I’m absolutely delighted to see the number of people caring for Vie growing. This boy deserves everything.
March 17, 2020
Wow, wow, wow.
I love this series so much. I loved Becca a lot in this book! The only thing I don't really like is the love triangle going on, please let everyone be happy :((
I love this series so much. I loved Becca a lot in this book! The only thing I don't really like is the love triangle going on, please let everyone be happy :((
August 23, 2020
4,25/5
Rien ne va plus pour Vie. Il a zappé l'anniversaire de son petit-ami, et va devoir, pour se rattraper plus ou moins, aller dans un fête donnée en son honneur. Enfin, rien ne va plus, s'il y avait que ça !
Avec une nouvelle disparition inquiétante dans laquelle certaines personnes vont être mêlées, Vie se retrouve à enquêter avec l'aide de son amie Becca.
Dans « All the Inside Howling », l'auteur nous entraîne un peu plus loin dans le mystère qui entoure Mr Big Empty, et j'aime beaucoup comment il gère le paranormal.
Concernant les personnages, Vie essaie de gérer du mieux qu'il peut son couple. Pas toujours évident, surtout lorsqu'il ne peut pas tout dire, mais aussi quand un certain Emmett trouve toujours le moyen de l'agacer.
Je déteste les triangles amoureux, je les fuis. Il était certain que je pouvais faire confiance à l'auteur et pour le coup, et je suis la première étonnée, ça fonctionne. J'aime chacune des deux relations. J'adore voir le petit couple tout jeune évoluer, Austin et Vie sont mignons ensemble. Mais j'aime aussi énormément Emmett. C'est un jeune homme tellement intriguant, sombre aussi, qui fait réagir Vie comme personne d'autre le fait. Il y a une vraie complicité et alchimie entre les deux. Et franchement, je suis tiraillée entre les deux, tout comme Vie peut l'être, même si j'ai ma petite préférence (mais étant donné le spin-off prévu, mes espoirs tombent à l'eau lol).
J'aime la façon dont l'auteur mène son histoire mais par-dessus tout, sa façon de créer des personnages si imparfaits et complexes, et les liens entre ses personnages qui sont encore plus complexes. Gregory Ashe ne va jamais dans la facilité et j'aime ça !
Tout est plus intense ici, plus violent et sombre aussi. C'est là où on se rend compte que le premier tome est vraiment un tome introductif. Mon pauvre petit Vie... je ne sais pas comment il va pouvoir encaisser encore plus, j'ai peur pour lui... D'ailleurs, j'étais tellement prise dans l'histoire que j'ai enchaîné avec le tome suivant directement ^^
Rien ne va plus pour Vie. Il a zappé l'anniversaire de son petit-ami, et va devoir, pour se rattraper plus ou moins, aller dans un fête donnée en son honneur. Enfin, rien ne va plus, s'il y avait que ça !
Avec une nouvelle disparition inquiétante dans laquelle certaines personnes vont être mêlées, Vie se retrouve à enquêter avec l'aide de son amie Becca.
Dans « All the Inside Howling », l'auteur nous entraîne un peu plus loin dans le mystère qui entoure Mr Big Empty, et j'aime beaucoup comment il gère le paranormal.
Concernant les personnages, Vie essaie de gérer du mieux qu'il peut son couple. Pas toujours évident, surtout lorsqu'il ne peut pas tout dire, mais aussi quand un certain Emmett trouve toujours le moyen de l'agacer.
Je déteste les triangles amoureux, je les fuis. Il était certain que je pouvais faire confiance à l'auteur et pour le coup, et je suis la première étonnée, ça fonctionne. J'aime chacune des deux relations. J'adore voir le petit couple tout jeune évoluer, Austin et Vie sont mignons ensemble. Mais j'aime aussi énormément Emmett. C'est un jeune homme tellement intriguant, sombre aussi, qui fait réagir Vie comme personne d'autre le fait. Il y a une vraie complicité et alchimie entre les deux. Et franchement, je suis tiraillée entre les deux, tout comme Vie peut l'être, même si j'ai ma petite préférence (mais étant donné le spin-off prévu, mes espoirs tombent à l'eau lol).
J'aime la façon dont l'auteur mène son histoire mais par-dessus tout, sa façon de créer des personnages si imparfaits et complexes, et les liens entre ses personnages qui sont encore plus complexes. Gregory Ashe ne va jamais dans la facilité et j'aime ça !
Tout est plus intense ici, plus violent et sombre aussi. C'est là où on se rend compte que le premier tome est vraiment un tome introductif. Mon pauvre petit Vie... je ne sais pas comment il va pouvoir encaisser encore plus, j'ai peur pour lui... D'ailleurs, j'étais tellement prise dans l'histoire que j'ai enchaîné avec le tome suivant directement ^^
December 29, 2022
Well, what on earth was that ending? Come on now, Gregory! I have to work today, but I need answers!!
This book was no less dark than the first one, but at least there was...some bright points...??
Also, thanks a lot, Greg, for making me nearly bawl my eyes out at 7:30 in the morning when we find out who's behind the door of the foster house. :P
As before, alllll kinds of triggers. Read with a clear mind. But worth it.
Onto the next!
This book was no less dark than the first one, but at least there was...some bright points...??
Also, thanks a lot, Greg, for making me nearly bawl my eyes out at 7:30 in the morning when we find out who's behind the door of the foster house. :P
As before, alllll kinds of triggers. Read with a clear mind. But worth it.
Onto the next!
October 17, 2022
i think this universe isn't for me.
there are a lot of things that don't sit right with me and i can't move past them. the main idea of this series is amazing but the execution of it, not so good. this author is one of my faves so i am sad that i have to rate this so low.
there are a lot of things that don't sit right with me and i can't move past them. the main idea of this series is amazing but the execution of it, not so good. this author is one of my faves so i am sad that i have to rate this so low.
August 6, 2020
DNF
I tried. I'm stopping at 31% in because I'm still bored. The first of these also had too much detail and not enough action, but this one drags much more. Oh well.
I tried. I'm stopping at 31% in because I'm still bored. The first of these also had too much detail and not enough action, but this one drags much more. Oh well.
March 20, 2018
...Just...HOW are there not thousands of people screaming about this series? What travesty is this??
Vie continues to be one of the most complex characters I've ever encountered. The hardships he faces in this book--both mental and physical--are utterly heartbreaking. But Gregory Ashe doesn't use that as an excuse for all the awful things he says and does, which I loved. We also continue to peel away at the layers of Austin and Emmett and really see them for the lonely teenagers that they are. Add to all this a compelling mystery plot and fascinating paranormal twists, and you have a sequel that is just as excellent as the first.
Vie continues to be one of the most complex characters I've ever encountered. The hardships he faces in this book--both mental and physical--are utterly heartbreaking. But Gregory Ashe doesn't use that as an excuse for all the awful things he says and does, which I loved. We also continue to peel away at the layers of Austin and Emmett and really see them for the lonely teenagers that they are. Add to all this a compelling mystery plot and fascinating paranormal twists, and you have a sequel that is just as excellent as the first.
April 25, 2021
I just love this series so much!!! I loved Vie and I really loved Becca and I don't know where my heart is concerning A/E and I'm just keep changing my mind about it. this have never happened before.
Going ahead to book 3.
Going ahead to book 3.
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