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The Unhallowed Horseman
In a town enamored with its Unhallowed Horseman legend, a distraught teenage boy must come to terms with his personal demons, and perhaps the Horseman himself.
Set on All Hallows’ Eve, psychological thriller The Unhallowed Horseman takes place against the backdrop of a seemingly peaceful, picturesque American small town with an iconic past. The story follows Vincent, a distraught and troubled high schooler, and his descent into the demons that plague his mind.
Some things about the town and its inhabitants aren’t quite as they seem. Generations of families have been living there with a deep and dark secret, one on the verge of reincarnating itself once again.
With the help of his newfound love for classmate Lorraine, Vincent navigates the treacherous obstacles in his life. Whether it be the overbearing no-holds-barred sheriff, his tempestuous mother, or the holier-than-thou townsfolk, Vincent seems to be under constant bombardment from prying eyes. What's more, Lorraine's overprotective father, Deputy Constance, suspects Vincent of having committed some heinous crimes.
Only after uncovering the town's history does Vincent begin to unravel its complex mystery and that of the people living there, including his own ancestors. Can he solve the mystery in time to save the people he truly loves, or will he, like others before him, fall prey to an age-old curse passed down through the centuries. The town prepares for the return of a killer legend, while one young man prepares to take on his innermost demons.
The Unhallowed Horseman is a contemporary reimagining based on characters in the American classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, the Father of American Literature.
Content Warning: adult and derogatory language, gore, substance abuse (drugs and alcohol), uncomfortable sexual situations (one is non-consensual assault), death, child abuse, mention of pedophilic tendencies, mention of suicide
Set on All Hallows’ Eve, psychological thriller The Unhallowed Horseman takes place against the backdrop of a seemingly peaceful, picturesque American small town with an iconic past. The story follows Vincent, a distraught and troubled high schooler, and his descent into the demons that plague his mind.
Some things about the town and its inhabitants aren’t quite as they seem. Generations of families have been living there with a deep and dark secret, one on the verge of reincarnating itself once again.
With the help of his newfound love for classmate Lorraine, Vincent navigates the treacherous obstacles in his life. Whether it be the overbearing no-holds-barred sheriff, his tempestuous mother, or the holier-than-thou townsfolk, Vincent seems to be under constant bombardment from prying eyes. What's more, Lorraine's overprotective father, Deputy Constance, suspects Vincent of having committed some heinous crimes.
Only after uncovering the town's history does Vincent begin to unravel its complex mystery and that of the people living there, including his own ancestors. Can he solve the mystery in time to save the people he truly loves, or will he, like others before him, fall prey to an age-old curse passed down through the centuries. The town prepares for the return of a killer legend, while one young man prepares to take on his innermost demons.
The Unhallowed Horseman is a contemporary reimagining based on characters in the American classic "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, the Father of American Literature.
Content Warning: adult and derogatory language, gore, substance abuse (drugs and alcohol), uncomfortable sexual situations (one is non-consensual assault), death, child abuse, mention of pedophilic tendencies, mention of suicide
- GenresHorror
319 pages, Paperback
First published October 10, 2021
5 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Jude S. Walko
2 books11 followersJude S. Walko is a member of the esteemed Horror Writers Association. He is also a film producer (Producers Guild of America), director, screenwriter, and actor (Screen Actors Guild). Among notable works is his 2018 award-winning film "The Incantation". Walko won the 2018 Eclipse award for Best Direction, among several other awards, for the film.
Jude has been a lifelong fan of classic literature and has a special love of all things Washington Irving. He even owns a grave plot at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York. Jude is passionate about Halloween, Tim Burton, stop motion animation and all things dark and mysterious.
He spends his time between Los Angeles and Thailand, where his family now resides, and has multiple film and writing projects in development.
Jude has been a lifelong fan of classic literature and has a special love of all things Washington Irving. He even owns a grave plot at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York. Jude is passionate about Halloween, Tim Burton, stop motion animation and all things dark and mysterious.
He spends his time between Los Angeles and Thailand, where his family now resides, and has multiple film and writing projects in development.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 10, 2024
This book would be great as a Halloween read. It's got a bit of everything – a good plot, some romance, and it tackles important issues like bullying, parenting, and more. While it starts a bit slow, it quickly picks up and keeps you hooked until the end.
The story revolves around Vincent, a boy raised by a neglectful, self-centered mother who prioritizes her own desires over caring for him. Vincent’s upbringing leaves him with deep-seated emotional and mental issues, which are exacerbated by his mother’s careless behavior, including engaging in inappropriate activities in front of him.
Overall, “The Unhallowed Horseman” is a compelling novel that sheds light on the complexities of human nature and the impact of neglect and dysfunction on an individual’s psyche. It’s a must-read for fans of thrillers and those interested in stories that delve deep into the human condition.
The story revolves around Vincent, a boy raised by a neglectful, self-centered mother who prioritizes her own desires over caring for him. Vincent’s upbringing leaves him with deep-seated emotional and mental issues, which are exacerbated by his mother’s careless behavior, including engaging in inappropriate activities in front of him.
Overall, “The Unhallowed Horseman” is a compelling novel that sheds light on the complexities of human nature and the impact of neglect and dysfunction on an individual’s psyche. It’s a must-read for fans of thrillers and those interested in stories that delve deep into the human condition.
May 1, 2022
Jude S. Walko’s The Unhallowed Horseman is a fun revival of Irving’s 1820 short story with strong linkages to the original plot and characters set in a modern day Sleepy Hollow. The novel revolves around a cast of teenage characters and their parents living the small-town life and gave me a nostalgic 80’s slasher feel where touches of light-hearted comedy are mixed in with gory violence. However, Walko still manages to fully capture the raw ugliness and awkwardness of teenage life.
Interestingly, almost every character is deplorable in their own unique way which I’m sure is by design. The funny thing is, I found myself actually rooting for the horseman to take them out in the grisliest way possible. I’m not sure whether that makes me a sicko, but I don’t care, it’s good fun. The only downside, however, is that when you don’t actually want to see the characters survive, it detracts from the tension in a big way.
Walko’s writing style is highly descriptive, using colourful and abstract metaphors to convey the message. A little too descriptive for my taste, but that’s just a personal preference. Others will find it highly entertaining, I’m sure. It’s also written in third-person omniscient which took me a bit of getting used to but it’s used effectively to convey a lot about the characters in short amount of time.
In summary, the Unhallowed Horseman is an entertaining romp with a beloved villain, the brutal headless hessian, keeping the legend alive and well.
Interestingly, almost every character is deplorable in their own unique way which I’m sure is by design. The funny thing is, I found myself actually rooting for the horseman to take them out in the grisliest way possible. I’m not sure whether that makes me a sicko, but I don’t care, it’s good fun. The only downside, however, is that when you don’t actually want to see the characters survive, it detracts from the tension in a big way.
Walko’s writing style is highly descriptive, using colourful and abstract metaphors to convey the message. A little too descriptive for my taste, but that’s just a personal preference. Others will find it highly entertaining, I’m sure. It’s also written in third-person omniscient which took me a bit of getting used to but it’s used effectively to convey a lot about the characters in short amount of time.
In summary, the Unhallowed Horseman is an entertaining romp with a beloved villain, the brutal headless hessian, keeping the legend alive and well.
January 21, 2022
The Unhallowed Horseman gets off to a slow start as there are a multitude of characters to introduce. There is Vincent, a troubled teen with various mental problems, his mother Marisa who has a constant string of boyfriends barely older than her son, and maybe I should even mention her breasts since they make so many appearances in the first half of the book as to be two of the main characters. There is the perverted sheriff and pedo video store owner, there are bullies and a high school that boasts not a school counselor or psychologist but an actual psychiatrist who dispenses habit forming psychotropic drugs for free. Vincent takes pills by the handful and we are not sure at first if he is having drug induced hallucinations when he first sees the horseman or if his mental problems are the cause or if the horseman is real.
The town itself seems rather bleak, a place of neglect, abuse, and poverty. Sleepy Hollow has become a place of sex and drugs and cornstalks. Neither a nice place to live or to visit.
The pace picks up towards the middle of the story and so does the body count. I was not really able to connect with any of the characters so I may have enjoyed their deaths more than I was meant to.
This is the author's first novel and I look forward to seeing how his writing skills continue to develop in future.
The town itself seems rather bleak, a place of neglect, abuse, and poverty. Sleepy Hollow has become a place of sex and drugs and cornstalks. Neither a nice place to live or to visit.
The pace picks up towards the middle of the story and so does the body count. I was not really able to connect with any of the characters so I may have enjoyed their deaths more than I was meant to.
This is the author's first novel and I look forward to seeing how his writing skills continue to develop in future.
March 11, 2022
The Unhallowed Horseman by Jude S. Walko is a contemporary take on an old legend, a Halloween classic to be adored year-round.
An expertly executed psychological thriller that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats, The Unhallowed Horseman is the perfect choice for those of us who felt Halloween came and went too fast this year, and sure to thrill those those that want to evoke the spirit of the spooky season all year long.
Check out my full review here:
https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-...
An expertly executed psychological thriller that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats, The Unhallowed Horseman is the perfect choice for those of us who felt Halloween came and went too fast this year, and sure to thrill those those that want to evoke the spirit of the spooky season all year long.
Check out my full review here:
https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-...
July 7, 2022
The “Unhallowed Horseman” brings you through a roller coaster of events. The storyline of this book is very interesting and will keep you on your toes. While reading this I found it hard to put the book down. I loved the descriptive part of the book, even the smallest parts I could easily picture in my mind. Jude did an amazing job at making the story flow, and make since. I am so happy that I got the opportunity to read this book. I recommend this to anyone who loves scary, or horror books!!
May 27, 2022
Jude has created a world that would fit right at home next to any other well known teenage horror literature or even TV/Movies. The world is popping from the page. Very entertaining, gory, stylish and lots of fun, built on the shoulders of the gigantic Washington Irvings tale, Jude really pulled it off to make a slice of Tarry Town his own.
October 11, 2021
This modern-day interpretation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a worthy homage to Washington Irving and the Legend of the Headless Horseman.
October 13, 2021
A fantastic novel that is worthy of every page. Mind your heads!
September 22, 2022
This is a different take on the classic tell. With a a modern twist and still got the headless horseman. The guy who wrote it. Is a friend of mine. Congrats Jude.
December 2, 2022
Long time Ichabod (Icky-Bud) fan.
Good spin on this Classic.
Good spin on this Classic.
April 19, 2024
Scary, gory and hard to put down, The Unhallowed Horseman leaves little to the imagination. Then again, suspense isn’t its goal – pure, raw terror is and it achieves it magnificently. The setting is Tarrytown, New York, home of Washington Irving’s Headless Horseman legend, a legend the town has adopted as a sort of mascot, much as Salem has ensconced witches as their town theme. As a result, the town celebrates Halloween with the same fervor that most places reserve for Christmas. That is, until the actual Horseman shows up, carving a path of terror from one end of town to the other.
The story follows Vincent, local misfit kid, the teenager that nobody understands or much tries to. Vincent has a mom who spends more time with the boy toy of the week than worrying about her own son, a selection of badly medicated mental health issues, a fascination with horror movies and the Horseman legend, and a near total lack of structure or hygiene. Despite all this, Lorraine, the cutest, most popular girl at school, wants him for her boyfriend. Vincent becomes convinced that the Horseman is more than just a legend and is determined to save Lorraine (or Raney) from the monster that will be coming to collect the descendants of the colonists who took his head from him 200 years earlier.
Halloween night comes, with all its attendant festivities and Vincent, for all his mental issues, is correct. The Horseman returns, seeking revenge and not to be stopped by anything mere mortals can bring to bear on him. Armed with an axe and a whip, he proves to be nearly invincible, leaving a wake of blood and body parts behind him. The twist in the tail of the tale is particularly jarring when the reader finally gets there, frightened, shaking and unable to put the book down for the last few chapters.
The Unhallowed Horseman is not recommended for younger readers. There is little sex but there is some sexual harassment, a little foul language and a great deal of bloody gruesomeness involved. Readers should probably be at least 16. The violence has a lyrical quality that makes it penetrate the psyche even more deeply than plain prose would have. Highly recommended for horror fans.
The story follows Vincent, local misfit kid, the teenager that nobody understands or much tries to. Vincent has a mom who spends more time with the boy toy of the week than worrying about her own son, a selection of badly medicated mental health issues, a fascination with horror movies and the Horseman legend, and a near total lack of structure or hygiene. Despite all this, Lorraine, the cutest, most popular girl at school, wants him for her boyfriend. Vincent becomes convinced that the Horseman is more than just a legend and is determined to save Lorraine (or Raney) from the monster that will be coming to collect the descendants of the colonists who took his head from him 200 years earlier.
Halloween night comes, with all its attendant festivities and Vincent, for all his mental issues, is correct. The Horseman returns, seeking revenge and not to be stopped by anything mere mortals can bring to bear on him. Armed with an axe and a whip, he proves to be nearly invincible, leaving a wake of blood and body parts behind him. The twist in the tail of the tale is particularly jarring when the reader finally gets there, frightened, shaking and unable to put the book down for the last few chapters.
The Unhallowed Horseman is not recommended for younger readers. There is little sex but there is some sexual harassment, a little foul language and a great deal of bloody gruesomeness involved. Readers should probably be at least 16. The violence has a lyrical quality that makes it penetrate the psyche even more deeply than plain prose would have. Highly recommended for horror fans.
May 2, 2024
In this story you follow Vincent, a troubled teen, who has an absentee mother who manages to be around long enough to inflict trauma, he is carelessly medicated often. And is obsessed with...you guessed it THE HORSEMAN. Obsession becomes reality and it's unnerving. Love interest Lorraine, she is everything Vincent is not.The mystery unfolding in town only pulls their paths closer and closer together. Trust me when you think you've put everything together you haven't.
The first 2/3 of this book is spread over a few days but the last third happens in one night and it's utter chaos.This horror novel was an emotional roller coaster and an absolute mind blender. Jude S.Walko has unapologetically assigned some of the darkest parts of society to each character. I started out loving characters or at least rooting that that they not be defined by their past trauma to wanting them dead. His ability to intertwine the horrors of reality, the horrors of the horseman, and the horrors of past transgressions is beautifully done. He does not shy away from topics that will make your stomach turn and make you realize your life may not be all that bad. These moments aren't frivolous but have meaning and depth. They also firmly highlight the way abuse/ neglect creates a cycle. Chapter to chapter the author gives you hope and rips it away; I found it to be an addictive cycle between me, the reader and the author. Some naive part of myself was hoping for a happily ever after where love would be the antidote to the misery from loss, corruption, and a society in decay. Yeah this book is not that. I genuinely enjoyed the book for all that it is and what it says about society. Bright side is the story is not over and there will be a book two!
I will be reading the second book when we are graced with it!
The first 2/3 of this book is spread over a few days but the last third happens in one night and it's utter chaos.This horror novel was an emotional roller coaster and an absolute mind blender. Jude S.Walko has unapologetically assigned some of the darkest parts of society to each character. I started out loving characters or at least rooting that that they not be defined by their past trauma to wanting them dead. His ability to intertwine the horrors of reality, the horrors of the horseman, and the horrors of past transgressions is beautifully done. He does not shy away from topics that will make your stomach turn and make you realize your life may not be all that bad. These moments aren't frivolous but have meaning and depth. They also firmly highlight the way abuse/ neglect creates a cycle. Chapter to chapter the author gives you hope and rips it away; I found it to be an addictive cycle between me, the reader and the author. Some naive part of myself was hoping for a happily ever after where love would be the antidote to the misery from loss, corruption, and a society in decay. Yeah this book is not that. I genuinely enjoyed the book for all that it is and what it says about society. Bright side is the story is not over and there will be a book two!
I will be reading the second book when we are graced with it!
May 8, 2024
I came across this book due to a suggestion by book tasters.
I must say it was very much to my liking. The book was very engaging. I couldn't stop reading once I started. The attention to detail was amazing. I loved the idea, the inspiration and the story. It seems as if you had a front row seat to witness the events in the book first hand. I really adored it, the words, the themes, the ideas, and I can't forget how amazing the author is as a person and as a writer.
5 Star read for me and highly recommended.
I must say it was very much to my liking. The book was very engaging. I couldn't stop reading once I started. The attention to detail was amazing. I loved the idea, the inspiration and the story. It seems as if you had a front row seat to witness the events in the book first hand. I really adored it, the words, the themes, the ideas, and I can't forget how amazing the author is as a person and as a writer.
5 Star read for me and highly recommended.
April 18, 2024
Huge thanks to Booktasters and the author for a copy of this book
Honestly what a ride this book has been! It was a bit slow in the beginning but still quite interesting. Always been a fan of retellings and this is definitely a good one. Dark, gritty but thrilling, would definitely recommend for fans of retellings and horror enthusiast!
Honestly what a ride this book has been! It was a bit slow in the beginning but still quite interesting. Always been a fan of retellings and this is definitely a good one. Dark, gritty but thrilling, would definitely recommend for fans of retellings and horror enthusiast!
March 19, 2024
Through BookTasters, I got in touch with the author, Jude S. Walko and I am already a fan. The storyline is dark, captivating and interesting if you like a bit of Nightmare on Elm Street, Stranger things and Salem's lot vibe. The ending was unexpected though, didn't see that coming. Here's to hoping there will be a continuation to this story because it has sort of a cliff hanger (it has to continue). A movie about it won't be a bad idea either.
Thank you Sir for the opportunity to read and review your work. It was worth it....every bit!
Thank you Sir for the opportunity to read and review your work. It was worth it....every bit!
March 20, 2024
Many thanks to the author and BookTasters for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a retelling of the short story of sleepy hollow and centres around Vincent who is being raised by his neglectful mother. The book is part horror, part psychological thriller. The plot tackles issues such as bullying, neglect, parenting and mental health; but the story is a bit slower in the first half of the book but is worth sticking with until the end. The characters are well written and complex and this complexity is what makes then so interesting. The descriptive nature of the writing is great but may be a little too much for some readers. There is some light comedy here and there to balance out the darkness and gore in the story. Overall a gripping story that is perfect for dark horror fans and fans of modern day retellings of classic stories.
This is a retelling of the short story of sleepy hollow and centres around Vincent who is being raised by his neglectful mother. The book is part horror, part psychological thriller. The plot tackles issues such as bullying, neglect, parenting and mental health; but the story is a bit slower in the first half of the book but is worth sticking with until the end. The characters are well written and complex and this complexity is what makes then so interesting. The descriptive nature of the writing is great but may be a little too much for some readers. There is some light comedy here and there to balance out the darkness and gore in the story. Overall a gripping story that is perfect for dark horror fans and fans of modern day retellings of classic stories.
March 14, 2024
This book is not for everyone I think. But I personally liked I like more this kind of genre(general fiction , Horror and Gothic)
It talk about sex, drugs, pedo and mental health problem , I liked a lot for this for these themes with which they are not spoken lightly and without knowing what the author is talking about. The fact that the author describe everything so accurately, characters, places and situations made me feel like an external spectator and everything happens around me, even the adoption of the 80s I really like and I felt like I was living in a time I have never been.
It talk about sex, drugs, pedo and mental health problem , I liked a lot for this for these themes with which they are not spoken lightly and without knowing what the author is talking about. The fact that the author describe everything so accurately, characters, places and situations made me feel like an external spectator and everything happens around me, even the adoption of the 80s I really like and I felt like I was living in a time I have never been.
February 29, 2024
Good
I enjoyed this retelling of The unhallowed horseman. Growing up I've always seen this story and it was always interesting. So being able to read a modern version of the story was awesome. The author did a great job by keeping you drawn in from.the beginning to end.
This was a good read
I enjoyed this retelling of The unhallowed horseman. Growing up I've always seen this story and it was always interesting. So being able to read a modern version of the story was awesome. The author did a great job by keeping you drawn in from.the beginning to end.
This was a good read
March 21, 2022
Please check out this review of The Unhallowed Horseman on Grimoire of Horror.
https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-...
https://www.grimoireofhorror.com/the-...
October 29, 2024
Gripping, action packed and horror. Loved the detail to every character which made me feel connected emotionally to them as they felt real to me especially as the horseman was taking their lives. Also loved and hated the ending and wished for a happy ever after for the couple
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2024
Jude S. Walkon revives a short story by Washington Irving named "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."
A small town, Sleepy Hollow, New York, is holloween-spirited and town folks are all excited with fastivities at hand; little did they know that the expected "peacefully scary" night would turn into brutal massacre in the hands of town's folklore antihero dubbed "Headless Horseman". Legend has it that he is an old Hessian soldier who lost his head in the Revolutionary War and rides at night to look for his head. The horrid apparition haunts the town, hellbent to kill descendants of those who killed him.
We are introduced to a teen, Vincent, who is a connoisseur to horror themed films and literature, mainly, legend of "Headless Horseman". Vincent is a complex character who, in an early age, was diagnosed with ADHD and an apparent paranoid schizophrenia. He is a fatherless child with little maternal care from his mother. Being diagnosed with a forementioned disorder, he is placed on pills by his psychiatrist, which he overmedicate himself with. During his many pills-enduced stupor, he starts to hallucinate or really see the Headless Horseman, on horseback, brandishing a battle axe. Vincent starts to question his own sanity, has the legendary Headless Man careened itself to life? Or is he hallucinating? The answer is breathtaking.
Being from South Africa, I have no halloween experience i can really pull the feel of the story from... But I have to say that I am impressed by the author's capability at holding my attention throughout the story, even though the theme is completely foreign to me. I didn't mind the predominant holloween theme whatsoever!
Walkon tells the story with skillful horror imagery. The pages easily turn. The plot never fails to hold the reader. The cast of characters is interesting. ****
A small town, Sleepy Hollow, New York, is holloween-spirited and town folks are all excited with fastivities at hand; little did they know that the expected "peacefully scary" night would turn into brutal massacre in the hands of town's folklore antihero dubbed "Headless Horseman". Legend has it that he is an old Hessian soldier who lost his head in the Revolutionary War and rides at night to look for his head. The horrid apparition haunts the town, hellbent to kill descendants of those who killed him.
We are introduced to a teen, Vincent, who is a connoisseur to horror themed films and literature, mainly, legend of "Headless Horseman". Vincent is a complex character who, in an early age, was diagnosed with ADHD and an apparent paranoid schizophrenia. He is a fatherless child with little maternal care from his mother. Being diagnosed with a forementioned disorder, he is placed on pills by his psychiatrist, which he overmedicate himself with. During his many pills-enduced stupor, he starts to hallucinate or really see the Headless Horseman, on horseback, brandishing a battle axe. Vincent starts to question his own sanity, has the legendary Headless Man careened itself to life? Or is he hallucinating? The answer is breathtaking.
Being from South Africa, I have no halloween experience i can really pull the feel of the story from... But I have to say that I am impressed by the author's capability at holding my attention throughout the story, even though the theme is completely foreign to me. I didn't mind the predominant holloween theme whatsoever!
Walkon tells the story with skillful horror imagery. The pages easily turn. The plot never fails to hold the reader. The cast of characters is interesting. ****
March 27, 2024
Baseball mitt-sized chunks cut out of a stomach. Patch of flesh sailing through the air like some frisbee. Fountain of blood trailing it in a high-arching rooster tail. Confused, frozen looks on the faces of headless bodies. Bodies split into perfect bilateral symmetry. Blood-curdling screams, mazes, and headless horsemen.
Here is what I know.
This book will give horror enthusiasts and aficionados toe-curling orgasms and a high that is more thrilling than those from a designer-grade dope or a runner's high. Yes, it will give those with horror sensitivity the cringe, but every reader will have the time of their lives regardless of their tastes.
The prologue of this over 300-page book begins with a vivid description of a jack-o'-lantern with an intricate design made by someone under the influence of some superhuman force. The prologue concludes with a warning that tells the reader that should they dare to continue reading, even after the end of the book, the lives of the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow will be changed forever. It achieved its goal if this warning was meant to be an appetizer, a hook. I was hooked; I got the right foretaste of what to expect.
I have read a few horror books, from Stephen King to Neil Gaiman, and I must say that they are masters of giving life to the eerie and the ominous. It is basically all they do. You can correct me if I am wrong. But this was different.
A workshop coach once advised writers to only write in the third-person omniscient POV if they are skilled and trained. I must confess the coach wasn't referring to writers like Jude S. Walko. And because that is my best POV, I was hooked from the first chapter. Jude did such a fantastic job with this style. Here is a caveat.
IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS, DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT.
And as the book begins slowly, here are a few of the wise words that I highlighted
Life presents itself as tranquil, sometimes mundane, and even normal at times. But it is anything but that.
The youth here don't know their own history or the origins of the town's fable. And most, dare I say all but one, with their noses buried in electronic devices pondering objects of their desire, both material and corporal, never will until the next such catastrophic event occurs.
These two quotes remind me of the reality of our times, humanity's conscious and unconsciousness, our fascination with our gadgets, and our disconnection from the reality of our lives. The wise words also remind me of how much art imitates life. Ready for a bit-sized spoiler? Here you go.
Vincent Douglass, who the author describes as not knowledgeable enough to be labelled a geek and certainly not smart enough to be a nerd, is the central character in this book.
In a rib-tickling fashion that will elicit almost an equal measure of pity and laughter, the author describes our main character as having an unruly mane of auburn hair that hasn't been combed in years. As the reader will later discover, Vincent is a walking cliché of the product of a failed family system, a disaster waiting to happen. Young as he was, he had an assortment of undiagnosed mental illnesses. And as expected, he didn't do well at home or school.
Parented by a single mother who would rather blame the drugs instead of her poor parenting skills, bouts of sexual activities and love for tattoos as the causes for Vincent's peculiar situation.
For years, the maladjusted, prescription drug-addled brainchild would take shelter within the pages of books and videos about Theravada Buddhism, Carl Sagan, or reincarnation, all in a bid to understand the feelings caterwauling within him.
And because it's a horror story, somewhere in the book enters a seven-foot-tall, headless horseman with an axe and a whip, dressed in the earth-toned clothes of an American civilian during the American Revolution, riding a black Hellsteed. It is a being undestroyable by fire or other elements of nature.
Of course, vengeance is one theme explored in this book.
In one scenario, the headless horseman tortured and killed a racist, misogynist, homophobic Sheriff of the village. Poetic justice served. The same happened to other characters with their flawed pasts or sullied present. Like karma, this being will gallop throughout the old village of Sleepy Hallow, handing out justice first on the guilty. Because headless executioners are sometimes like faulty robots, others would be caught in their vengeful rage.
Another theme explored in this book is the role of
nurture in making men into monsters. And also the truth about bullies. How Adult bullies are just little children with a history of abuse trapped in their grown bodies.
This book is vulgar, vivid, and littered with cliffhangers; it dances between the psychotic and the esoteric, but most importantly, it has one of the most unexpected plot twists I have ever encountered in the book.
May 18, 2024
The Unhallowed Horseman could be said to be a dark, scary, intense and contemporary retelling of Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Set in Tarrytown, New York later renamed Sleepy Hollow in posthumous honor of Irving.
The story circles around Vincent Douglas who is described as "an armchair horror aficionado". And true to most horror hero/victims that double as the villain, he suffers mental illness and lacks adequate parental care. Oblivious in his manners safe for his love and interest in Rayna, a sun shine in his otherwise bleak reality and his fixation on the headless horseman.
I find the writing compelling, employing extensive vivid descriptions with poetic imagery.
Given that Walko is a movie director, it's not farfetched that he may have written The Unhallowed Horseman for film adaptation as it gives off the feeling that one is actually seeing a horror movie instead of reading a book.
However, it's ironical to say that Vincent " had control over his destiny unlike Rayna" (p.312). I believe both were helpless against varying circumstances. Going by his mental illness and the events of the story, it's heartless to say that Vincent had any control over his destiny except his determination to save his town which was kind of a fools errand.
Still, I loved every bit of The Unhallowed Horseman and just like Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, readers are left with questions; Post event of the Halloween massacre, Rayna's heart once described as sunny and beautiful has turned into "a deep dark void" which makes one to wonder if Rayna's future will follow the same spiralling trajectory and end up like Vincent in "a pitch-black void" padded and filty asylum. Also, the realness of the Unhallowed Horseman is still questioned.
Generally, I strongly recommend The Unhallowed Horseman for lovers of horror films and thrillers.
Jude S. Walko intricately weaves an overwhelming superstition with the use of contrasts – reality versus imagination, beauty versus ugly, and sanity versus insanity. Exploring the blurred lines between the dichotomies, making real, a ghost story in a revenge plot.
The story circles around Vincent Douglas who is described as "an armchair horror aficionado". And true to most horror hero/victims that double as the villain, he suffers mental illness and lacks adequate parental care. Oblivious in his manners safe for his love and interest in Rayna, a sun shine in his otherwise bleak reality and his fixation on the headless horseman.
I find the writing compelling, employing extensive vivid descriptions with poetic imagery.
Given that Walko is a movie director, it's not farfetched that he may have written The Unhallowed Horseman for film adaptation as it gives off the feeling that one is actually seeing a horror movie instead of reading a book.
However, it's ironical to say that Vincent " had control over his destiny unlike Rayna" (p.312). I believe both were helpless against varying circumstances. Going by his mental illness and the events of the story, it's heartless to say that Vincent had any control over his destiny except his determination to save his town which was kind of a fools errand.
Still, I loved every bit of The Unhallowed Horseman and just like Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, readers are left with questions; Post event of the Halloween massacre, Rayna's heart once described as sunny and beautiful has turned into "a deep dark void" which makes one to wonder if Rayna's future will follow the same spiralling trajectory and end up like Vincent in "a pitch-black void" padded and filty asylum. Also, the realness of the Unhallowed Horseman is still questioned.
Generally, I strongly recommend The Unhallowed Horseman for lovers of horror films and thrillers.
Jude S. Walko intricately weaves an overwhelming superstition with the use of contrasts – reality versus imagination, beauty versus ugly, and sanity versus insanity. Exploring the blurred lines between the dichotomies, making real, a ghost story in a revenge plot.
January 28, 2023
If you would prefer a no-holds barred, earthy, gritty version of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” you’ll perhaps enjoy this version. Instead of the soporific village of yesteryear, this Sleepy Hollow is a town populated by damaged people and Halloween is approaching. So is the headless horseman. Vincent Douglass is an emotionally damaged teen with an unstable mother and AWOL father. He’s medicated to the gills and she brings home boyfriends about Vincent’s age. The town bullies try to rape his love interest and the sheriff is a descendent of Brom Bones.
That gives you an idea of this particular version of Sleepy Hollow. It is explicit both in sex and violence, something the original story isn’t. Some cosmic event dictates that this year the evil of the horseman, which is extreme, will be unleashed as Vincent tries to protect his girlfriend and Sleepy Hollow loses many citizens.
As I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), one of the reasons Washington Irving’s story is a classic is that there’s a gentleness to it. Nobody dies and harmony is restored in the end. That view of small-town life contrasts sharply with what is found in this version. There are drugs and drinking, there are sexual situations, and there’s a body count. This is a horror-based version of another way it could go down.
That gives you an idea of this particular version of Sleepy Hollow. It is explicit both in sex and violence, something the original story isn’t. Some cosmic event dictates that this year the evil of the horseman, which is extreme, will be unleashed as Vincent tries to protect his girlfriend and Sleepy Hollow loses many citizens.
As I note elsewhere (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World), one of the reasons Washington Irving’s story is a classic is that there’s a gentleness to it. Nobody dies and harmony is restored in the end. That view of small-town life contrasts sharply with what is found in this version. There are drugs and drinking, there are sexual situations, and there’s a body count. This is a horror-based version of another way it could go down.
February 28, 2024
The Unhallowed Horseman is a kind of modern retelling of Washington Irving's classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
Having watched various adaptations of it, the original story was on my TBR for a long time, and last Halloween, I finally read it as part of an anthology of classic ghost stories. I also think the concept of the headless horseman is something that's very recognisable in the horror genre, so I was quite interested in this.
Having only read the original story once, I didn't feel the need to compare them, and I did quite enjoy this take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. One thing I remembered was that the original Ichabod Crane seemed a naïve, clumsy kind of character, and I felt that Vincent had those qualities too, so I found him quite endearing.
I thought the author brought the story vividly to life, and there was something in particular about the writing that interested me. Although the writing and dialogue contained profanity and crude language and imagery, I felt the storytelling still resembled the sophisticated style of a classic ghost story, particularly when it came to describing the setting. I could picture the sunset, for example, and the buildings described.
I think that sometimes when reading horror, you have to expect gore, and other kinds of gruesome imagery. I found parts of this gruesome in an interesting way, rather than a distasteful way. I think this is an interesting take on a classic, and hopefully, horror fans will enjoy it.
Having watched various adaptations of it, the original story was on my TBR for a long time, and last Halloween, I finally read it as part of an anthology of classic ghost stories. I also think the concept of the headless horseman is something that's very recognisable in the horror genre, so I was quite interested in this.
Having only read the original story once, I didn't feel the need to compare them, and I did quite enjoy this take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. One thing I remembered was that the original Ichabod Crane seemed a naïve, clumsy kind of character, and I felt that Vincent had those qualities too, so I found him quite endearing.
I thought the author brought the story vividly to life, and there was something in particular about the writing that interested me. Although the writing and dialogue contained profanity and crude language and imagery, I felt the storytelling still resembled the sophisticated style of a classic ghost story, particularly when it came to describing the setting. I could picture the sunset, for example, and the buildings described.
I think that sometimes when reading horror, you have to expect gore, and other kinds of gruesome imagery. I found parts of this gruesome in an interesting way, rather than a distasteful way. I think this is an interesting take on a classic, and hopefully, horror fans will enjoy it.
September 27, 2024
Firstly, I'd like to thank Booktasters and the author for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I picked up this book, I was expecting to find a fun book with Halloween/fall vibes. However, I stumbled over something a lot more complex. This book takes the classical horror story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", and gives it a spin in the modern direction.
The book mixes that old horror tone with the most horrific aspects of the human psyche in an incredibly raw way. It does have the Halloween book vibe while also delving into important issues like mental health and trauma.
However, I did find the start of it a bit too description heavy and character focused, which made the beginning very slow to my taste. It's good to get to know the characters, I just wished there was more action to it. It also got a bit too confusing towards the end with the multiple point of views, because I didn't understand the need for some of them, which made those scenes feel a bit more flat to me.
Still, I enjoyed it and I found the multiple references to other horror classics really fun. I'm sure other horror fans will enjoy them as well.
All in all, I would recommend this book if you're looking for a fun yet complex horror story, or if you're looking for a modern take on a classic horror story.
When I picked up this book, I was expecting to find a fun book with Halloween/fall vibes. However, I stumbled over something a lot more complex. This book takes the classical horror story "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow", and gives it a spin in the modern direction.
The book mixes that old horror tone with the most horrific aspects of the human psyche in an incredibly raw way. It does have the Halloween book vibe while also delving into important issues like mental health and trauma.
However, I did find the start of it a bit too description heavy and character focused, which made the beginning very slow to my taste. It's good to get to know the characters, I just wished there was more action to it. It also got a bit too confusing towards the end with the multiple point of views, because I didn't understand the need for some of them, which made those scenes feel a bit more flat to me.
Still, I enjoyed it and I found the multiple references to other horror classics really fun. I'm sure other horror fans will enjoy them as well.
All in all, I would recommend this book if you're looking for a fun yet complex horror story, or if you're looking for a modern take on a classic horror story.
June 6, 2024
The unhallowed Horseman by Jude S. Walko is a psychological thriller that tells of ghost stories in a small town.
The book tells us about Vincent, a teenager with mental health issues who is disturbed by the scary legend of the Headless Horseman.
Vincent has a messy childhood, as he was raised neglectfully by a mother who has brought numerous boyfriends home.
The book is a blur of reality and myth as Vincent’s health issues are intertwined with the dark superstitions in the town, creating an intriguing narrative.
The author handles the horror in the story quite well whilst bringing awareness to mental health issues in a way that’s not condescending.
The book is definitely filled with suspense as numerous town secrets and scandals get exposed at various intervals in the book.
It was a long read for me but it would be more captivating for readers who are into sci-fi.
Thanks to booktasters for making me leave my comfort zone and trying out this type of books
The book tells us about Vincent, a teenager with mental health issues who is disturbed by the scary legend of the Headless Horseman.
Vincent has a messy childhood, as he was raised neglectfully by a mother who has brought numerous boyfriends home.
The book is a blur of reality and myth as Vincent’s health issues are intertwined with the dark superstitions in the town, creating an intriguing narrative.
The author handles the horror in the story quite well whilst bringing awareness to mental health issues in a way that’s not condescending.
The book is definitely filled with suspense as numerous town secrets and scandals get exposed at various intervals in the book.
It was a long read for me but it would be more captivating for readers who are into sci-fi.
Thanks to booktasters for making me leave my comfort zone and trying out this type of books
October 20, 2025
The Unhallowed Horseman delivers a dark, cinematic take on the classic Headless Horseman legend, reimagined with fresh lore and modern sensibilities. Jude Stephen Walko crafts a story that feels both timeless and new—blending supernatural horror, mystery, and a touch of gothic atmosphere into something that stands out from the usual retellings.
The writing is vivid and immersive, with scenes that play out like a film in your head. Walko balances eerie suspense with character-driven storytelling, making the horror feel grounded and personal rather than just mythic. The pacing builds steadily toward an intense finale, though it never loses sight of the emotional core beneath the scares.
Fans of folklore-inspired horror, cinematic prose, and modern gothic tales will find a lot to enjoy here. It’s a haunting, stylish twist on a familiar legend that feels destined to become a cult favorite.
The writing is vivid and immersive, with scenes that play out like a film in your head. Walko balances eerie suspense with character-driven storytelling, making the horror feel grounded and personal rather than just mythic. The pacing builds steadily toward an intense finale, though it never loses sight of the emotional core beneath the scares.
Fans of folklore-inspired horror, cinematic prose, and modern gothic tales will find a lot to enjoy here. It’s a haunting, stylish twist on a familiar legend that feels destined to become a cult favorite.
March 4, 2022
Jude S. Walko's The Unhallowed Horseman scrupulously reimagines the infamous tale of a silent secluded valley, a place laced with superstition and scandal, called Sleepy Hollow.
I did find the writing in The Unhallowed Horseman a bit heavy-handed. Several times throughout, sentences carried on for a paragraph's length. This was partly due to too much character description when the story needed precision and punch to keep the reader going. When the stakes finally rose for Vincent, it felt a bit abrupt.
(...)
The Unhallowed Horseman is an atmospheric, captivating (and decapitating) story that will descend readers into a rabbit hole of painful realism and all the accompanying terror.
Full Review coming to Cemetery Dance - https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
I did find the writing in The Unhallowed Horseman a bit heavy-handed. Several times throughout, sentences carried on for a paragraph's length. This was partly due to too much character description when the story needed precision and punch to keep the reader going. When the stakes finally rose for Vincent, it felt a bit abrupt.
(...)
The Unhallowed Horseman is an atmospheric, captivating (and decapitating) story that will descend readers into a rabbit hole of painful realism and all the accompanying terror.
Full Review coming to Cemetery Dance - https://www.cemeterydance.com/extras/...
May 28, 2024
"The Unhallowed Horseman" by Jude S. Walko is a chilling psychological thriller set in an American small town obsessed with the Unhallowed Horseman legend. Troubled teenager Vincent grapples with personal demons amidst the town's dark secrets. With the help of his newfound love, Lorraine, Vincent navigates suspicion from the sheriff, his mother's tumultuous behavior, and the town's eerie atmosphere. As Vincent unravels the town's history and his own ancestry, he confronts an age-old curse and prepares to face his innermost demons. Inspired by Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," this contemporary reimagining delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle against darkness. Published in 2021, this horror novel promises a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue.
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