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Black Hollow

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In the city of Boston, James meets the captivating Elene. Mesmerized by her beauty, in a destitute position, he accepts an invitation to join her and a mysterious man at their estate to tend to the sickly Amelia.

Lies, murder, ominous occurrences and a professed love cause him to stay way past his desire. Every turn at Black Hollow uncovers hidden secrets and dark stories from the past. All to reveal a devastating truth behind why he was brought here in the first place.

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2020

7 people are currently reading
84 people want to read

About the author

Myria Candies

7 books48 followers
Myria Candies is a self-published and rising author. She is a horror novelist who enjoys writing all genres while putting her own dark twist onto each one. Myria's dreams are what brings her hauntings to life, and her writing shares the tales with the readers. She is currently working on 150+ titles and is a stay at home wife.
Myria prides herself in her debut novel Black Hollow and newest novel White Embers available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Myria is currently working on her first fantasy series and plans to release it to the public this year.

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5 stars
28 (48%)
4 stars
18 (31%)
3 stars
10 (17%)
2 stars
2 (3%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Temperance Dawn.
Author 5 books113 followers
March 3, 2021
WOW!!! I found myself whispering "OMG" and "WTF?" throughout this book. Just when you think you've figured out what is happening, Myria throws you a curveball.

The insta-love between James and Elene is interesting, but it fits the psychological thrill of the book perfectly. The author has expertly crafted a mystery, and I found myself unable to put this book down. I'm really looking forward to the prequel, White Embers because I NEED to know more about these characters!
Profile Image for Dylan Colón.
Author 10 books37 followers
November 12, 2020
Grief is one powerful emotion

I patiently read through this story a chapter a day. Having just lost my father 2 months ago, what better novel could I have possibly taken in? This story dealt heavily with grief and the process it takes us through when we go through these emotions. One of my favorite aspects of this story was the brokenness of her characters. All of them had fallen victim to grief and yet took different paths in life. Some grew bitter, others grew in love and empathy. Grief will change you but it's up to you when choosing that path.

The story had some very violent moments and they actually took me by surprise. It's natural to get so deep in the emotions of her characters and to even relate to them. But when in that state of mind, it makes for good shock value when somebody is brutally killed.

The ending was very unpredictable and I can bet my life that most will never guess the ending. I didn't see it coming and it just goes to show how small a world we live in. The most important people can be right before your eyes.

Black Hollow held my attention and it was something I could resonate with. The writing skills are truly remarkable and she executed it very poetically. Be sure to read this one!

-Dylan Colón
Profile Image for Nicolette Beebe.
Author 19 books769 followers
November 9, 2020
Mind blown!
This book was so creatively crafted, and you can tell Myria Candies put a lot of thought and heart into Black Hollow. She did an excellent job at dropping hints and creating such an eerie vibe throughout the entire book. It felt as though I was in a fun house trying to find my way out! Or, like a choose your own paranormal adventure video game.

This book literally has something for every type of reader. Romance, thriller, mystery, paranormal, etc. You won't be disappointed.

I couldn't predict a single thing that happen. Can you?
Profile Image for Jay Brown.
27 reviews8 followers
December 20, 2020
So, it took me about 3 weeks to get through this book, and at no fault of the author. When I started it, I had just lost someone very close to me, and given this book deals heavily with the stages of grief, it was a rough read for me. I had to really push myself, and in the end, I think it was actually cathartic in a way.

Now, aside from my personal issues, this was a great read. This book has some serious violence, and it had me constantly guessing from start to finish. The world and characters were well developed, and as I said, it was very relatable to my current situation. A lot of times I read mysteries and I find them very predictable. That was not the case with Black Hollow. I kept guessing on the ending as i read each chapter, and then when the ending finally came, boy was I wrong. Great job by Myria on that front.

I can guarantee you won't be able to guess the ending, and I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for A.C. Whitt.
Author 1 book10 followers
February 24, 2021
This book is set in the 1800's, which normally would turn me off. But, this one was different. It had everything you could think of in it. Murder, love, paranormal. You can tell Myria has put a lot of work into this novel. It is definitely a wild ride to check out!
Profile Image for Carmen.
114 reviews14 followers
September 5, 2020
3.5 stars.

While the summary sounded really interesting to me, the story itself just didn’t grab my attention. So I DNF’ed this book at chapter seven.

There was one thing that just didn’t make sense to me: the romance between Elene and James. After they met and shared a brief conversation, they suddenly loved each other. And there was no lead up to it or whatsoever? I thought it was weird and unreal.

It could have been a great book, that is if the romance was better developed. It’s not a bad book per se, but it’s just not a book for me.
Profile Image for B.K. Rae.
Author 9 books20 followers
August 18, 2020
Black Hollow, by Myria Candies, was one of the most suspenseful stories I’ve read all year! This thriller kept me on my toes and just when I thought I knew what was coming, the author threw in twists I wasn’t expecting. This fast paced story was an amazing read and I cannot wait to explore more stories that Myria Candies will write!
Profile Image for Brian.
6 reviews1 follower
May 27, 2020
Grab a cup of tea and read, if you dare.

A great story that takes you into the past to tell the tale of James. There are twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.

I found myself trying to catch every detail to guess the outcome. While I was able to predict where the story was headed, I wasn’t even close to the twists sprinkled throughout. Just when I thought I had the book figured out, I was thrown for a loop.

There is always a moment of questioning, action, guessing, and surprise. I’m not sure there was a dull moment in the book. Must read.
Profile Image for Andrew King.
Author 4 books12 followers
September 10, 2020
This was one of the few books I managed to finish in a single sitting and not just because of the length, though I would be lying if I said that wasn't a factor. I am not typically a fan of horror in any form games, movies, TV shows or books but the amount of mysteries in this story along with the interesting characters and setting of the late 19th century made this a book I would recommend to anyone interested in horror.
Profile Image for Allison Kaminski.
Author 3 books4 followers
October 30, 2020
Black Hollow by Myria Candies was one of the best gothic thrillers I have read all year! This debut novel was full of twists and turns that kept me hooked to the very end. With that being said, the author does a beautiful job of using imagery and diction to place the reader in the story. It certainly never bored me for a moment, especially with the setting in 1800’s Boston, Massachusetts. Although this book was brilliant as a whole, my favorite part was the ending. It's an unpredictable conclusion that you would've never seen coming. If you’re looking for a new thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Black Hollow is the book for you! I can’t wait to read more from this talented and fantastic author!
1,099 reviews23 followers
Read
December 18, 2020
I received a copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good gothic, so when I read the blurb, I jumped at the chance to give this one a try. Except, this wasn't exactly a good gothic. More like, an A-for-effort gothic. The concept of the story was solid, and the mystery was well-considered.
The writer attempted to emulate the style of the classics of the genre, but it didn't work. The writing was awkward, full of repetitions of the same descriptive phrases, with far too much modern language (and other anachronisms) creeping in for it to really work. Valiant effort, but it could use a really thorough edit.

And I'm editing myself to add, I just saw that the author is 22. With that in mind, a) I'm impressed, and b) her work is only going to get better and better.
Profile Image for Kim Wolters.
88 reviews3 followers
November 20, 2020
James Brown returns home one night only to find his house on fire, with his daughter still inside. He's unable to rescue her, nor does he feel the need to. Already the next day he falls in love with the mysterious and beautiful Elene who invites him to Black Hollow, the estate she and her siblings call home. James is to take care of her sick sister.

Or so it would appear, for nothing is as it seems at Black Hollow...

Candies is great at setting the tone and ambience. Immediately I was drawn into the eerie and mysterious story, although I found James' behaviour a bit odd. I think it would've made more sense if James hadn't met Elayne so soon, it made the plot feel unnecessarily rushed.

The pacing throughout the book remains incredibly fast, which in my opinion is a missed opportunity. Novels set in this era (19th century) tend to be slow paced so it would've been perfectly viable to slow down a notch. I would've liked to get some of the characters better, such as Elene and her motivations, but even James as some of his choices felt rather unnatural to me.

There's quite a bit of telling vs showing, especially when describing feelings and intentions. Nevertheless, the writing style is very eloquent and I think Candies shows great potential here. There were some scenes that left me in awe of how beautifully written they were. 

All in all, I enjoyed this story, though not as much as I had hoped. In my opinion the story could've benefited greatly if the characters were fleshed out more and the pacing reduced a bit.

It definitely makes for a fun short read
Profile Image for Linda.
1,370 reviews13 followers
December 18, 2020
I enjoyed this horror story set in the 1800s. Black Hollow is a mansion where strange things happen. After losing his wife in childbirth, James finds himself enamored by a young lady he meets at city hall. She takes him back to her home, Black Hollow, under the pretext that he is a doctor. James starts to feel strange and decides he needs to leave the mansion. He finds that he cannot leave and is horrified by the reason why. We get the whole story in flashbacks in a buildup to the surprising conclusion. This story will make you keep the lights on. I would highly recommend it. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
8 reviews2 followers
July 26, 2020
I’ll be honest, I had a hard time following the writing style of this book at first, but seeing so many good reviews from other people really made me want to stick with it. Boy am I glad I did. The fast-paced revelations and action were fit to give me whiplash and the darkness written into Black Hollow was almost enough to make me expect to read “My lost Lenore” among the professions of love to the mysterious “Elene”. I would have liked to see a bit more character building, but aside from that, I would recommend Black Hollow to anyone interested in a good paranormal thriller.
Profile Image for E.S..
Author 21 books105 followers
October 22, 2020
Book Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.25 / 5 stars)

After one of his many drunken stupors, James Brown returns home to tragedy. With no where else to go, he wanders the streets, only to be mesmerized by the captivating Elene. He immediately wraps himself up in her lies and travels to her family’s estate, Black Hollow, where secrets lie around every corner. As he navigates the halls of the villa, his own past climbs out to haunt him. But who is the monster in this house? And will James’s survive to tell his story?

In a compelling story filled with suspense that keeps you at the edge of your seat, we are transported back to Boston in the late 1800s. Myria Candies paints imagery that makes you feel like you are right there with her characters. The suspense is there: you can hear a pin drop, you can feel the air turn cold, and sense the way fear ruptures through James as he tries to escape Black Hollow. I was able to picture this as a ninety-minute horror film that I would watch during Halloween. The story seems haunted, only to show us who the true monsters are: the people.

Yet, while I was drawn into the story and was basically able to read it in one sitting, I almost think it was too long. The writing is a bit too passive, which worked in some places to increase the suspense, but often times I felt like we could see the emotions but not actually feel them with the characters. This ended up impacting my perception of the main character, James: if we had really felt his emotions, I think I might have ended up with a better understanding of his own desires and interests. Perhaps this inability to understand James, seeing him more as the passive narrator, is what makes Elene so much more striking though.

Speaking of Elene, what an interesting character! I was compelled by her, but still, by the end of this, I still don’t understand her true motives. I don’t think anything needs to be wrapped up nicely, but was she actually evil? Or was she a product of her environment just like her siblings? Perhaps the uncertainty is what makes her such a mesmerizing character…she deceives even the reader.

With all that being said, Myria Candies does paint a story equal to a suspenseful horror movie. It would be bound to compel audiences and keep them at the edge of their seat.

So if you want a quick, suspenseful story, check out Black Hollow. If anything, you’ll get a decent chill from the manor as you navigate it with James.
Profile Image for Mc Chanster.
536 reviews
January 2, 2021
Oooo, this was good. Full of suspense, drama, twists and turns, Black Hollow definitely gave Crimson Peak / Woman in Black vibes. And I really, really liked it.

When James Brown finds himself invited back to Black Manor with the striking Elene, he goes. After all, what does have left to lose? His wife and daughter are dead, his house has burned down and he is sinking quickly in alcoholism. Yet as soon as he arrives, he can feel that something is off, but he doesn’t leave. He can’t. But the longer he stays, the more secrets are uncovered and James quickly realizes how deeply is he truly involved.

Okay, so I think these gothic thriller / horror novels are quickly rising to becoming one of my favorite genres. I loved the atmosphere created by this novel. It was dark, yet wistful and hauntingly beautiful. I could easily picture the rundown Black manor and I was completely drawn into the book by the end of the first chapter. The story-telling was well done and it was difficult to not sympathize with the characters’ many tragic stories. My only complaint was the copy I had had some odd errors where the first letter of a new paragraph was elsewhere.

Ex. lene looked at me deeply, her eyes shifting wildly as if she was battling with herself. She E opened her mouth…

Not sure why this was, but maybe just a little more editing to clear these out, and to fix the random paragraphs that started in the middle of a sentence. Overall though, a lovely, scary read. Thank you Voracious Readers and Myria Candies for my copy!
Profile Image for Angela Marie.
174 reviews13 followers
October 23, 2020
✖SYNOPSIS✖
Black Hollow is a very mysterious place where the story basically revolved. It’s enchanting, eerie and hypnotizing. In this story, we follow James who was mesmerized with the beautiful Elene and he ended up being entangled with her life and a strange man to tend to the sickly Amelia. From there, lies, murder, and a professed love cause him to stay way past what he planned to. He was entirely unaware that a devastating truth why he was brought there in the first place awaits him.

✖REVIEW✖
From elegant writing style to ominous setting, Myria Candies truly knows how to captivate her readers!

I have to admit it was really hard to push through with the first three chapters but I’m glad I did. I was also not a fan of the “attraction at first sight.” All the characters were suspicious and the author did a great job in developing their unique characteristics. The book was anchored to family sentiments that were often neglected throughout the years. I loved the overall dark atmospheric vibe of it which kept me immersed in the story. In the end, it was wrapped up nicely without leaving any stone unturned.

Plot twist after plot twists, this book did not disappoint! I recommend this to those who love reading horror/thrillers and to those who wanted to try the genre for the first time :))
Profile Image for Hana .
Author 1 book30 followers
May 1, 2021
SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
I binged this book in one afternoon, and WOW, it was a ride. This is a beautifully crafted suspense novel that keeps you guessing all the way. The Author Myria Candies leaves enough clues for you to figure out what is going on as you go along, but dropped in a twist that 100% catches you off guard. She captured the era magnificently, and elegantly, even down to the dialogue which was spot on to the time. The style was reminiscent to The Night Circus, so lovers of that writing style will LOVE how this book was written. The ending pages give a ton of insight to why the book was written and the connections it has to the author, which only provides a deeper reading experience. I am so excited to the next installment of the series. The way it ended was definitely a beginning, and I am tempted to read it again already. Five star read, and a perfect binge.
1 review1 follower
May 26, 2020
A chilling, haunting and absolute thriller masterpiece by Myria. She elegantly wrote 'Black Hollow' to send us readers into a psychological spiral. Secrets and betrayals are included within this book that will make you form a love-hate relationship with it, haha.

The past events mesh well with the present events to close gaps and answer questions I had throughout the entire book. It all fell into place while also giving me a run for my reading eyes!

I recommend 10 out of 10 this book for anyone that is interested in such a thrill ride that includes romance, tragedy and paranormal horror.
Profile Image for Melissa Smith.
Author 23 books210 followers
May 6, 2021
Suspenseful, Dark and Mysterious

This book is just downright creepy! Nothing is as it seems, every secret that's unraveled only makes your jaw drop further until it's no longer attached to your face. You think you understand, you think have the story from the beginning but it's false security. The main character doesn't even know the truth! He's blocked it out, only remembering it when it's too late to help him.
This book is incredibly descriptive, as well. It's very hard to not get sucked in, to not feel and see everything in immense detail.
Beautifully written, terrifying, unforgettable. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
Profile Image for Claire (c.isfor.claire_reads) .
301 reviews8 followers
October 20, 2020
To be honest I wasn't sure what to expect from this book or whether it would be my thing, but the synopsis sounded intriguing.

Set in the late 1800s this mysterious horror / thriller gives all the creepy vibes, perfect for a mid to late October read.

The style of writing lends itself to the book feeling tense, dark, secretive, with an underlying feeling of dread as the story of James' stay at Black Hollow unfolds.

Although not my usual go to genre I was pleasantly surprised by this.
51 reviews4 followers
July 24, 2021
Beautifully Chilling

Black Hollow is a gothic thriller by the very talented Myria Candies. It is the story of a man suffering great loss who is tempted into a home full of mystery and fright. The author certainly has a way with words and creates a real feeling of dread and fear. The story keeps you guessing right up until the end. If you love horror and beautiful words, this book is definitely for you.
2 reviews1 follower
August 8, 2020
Wow! I completely captivated with this story. The writing style keeps you hooked from the first page. James and Elene surprised me with every action and word. All the many twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Every page brought the characters to life. This debut is an amazing start to Myria Candies's career.

I found myself always trying to figure out the next step of the story and was wrong every time. I cannot wait to read more from Myria.
Profile Image for Celeste Cruz.
188 reviews5 followers
October 26, 2020
I enjoy this book. It took less then two days. I could not stop reading it and when I fell asleep I would still think about it. That is how good the book was. The book left you thinking who did what and why? Nothing is what it seems and it was emotional. Definitely would recommend this book if you'll like to read something quickly and enjoy a good murder mystery.
Profile Image for Mandi.
Author 12 books78 followers
January 9, 2021
This isn't the type of book I typically read, but I saw it multiple times on Instagram and was intrigued.

The book was well-written. The only downfall for me was that I had trouble relating to the characters.
Profile Image for Sarah F.
74 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2020
3.5

It might take a reread for me to raise it up to 4 stars. I'm not sure why but something didn't really click in my head this time.
Profile Image for DeAnna Ellison.
163 reviews7 followers
March 5, 2021
This was such a crazy book! It had a little bit of everything historical fiction, horror, romance and was so twisted and eerie. The characters were brilliantly crafted and the author does a phenomenal job of transporting you through the setting. I still can’t get over a few of the WTF moments. This was such an original book, if you want a creepily fun read that keeps you on your toes check this one out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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