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The Hollow Kind
“ The Hollow Kind seeps into your subconscious and waits for you in your nightmares.” ― S. A. Cosby, bestselling author of Razorblade Tears
Andy Davidson’s epic horror novel about the spectacular decline of the Redfern family, haunted by an ancient evil.
When Nellie Gardner learns that she has inherited a turpentine estate from her long-lost grandfather, she throws everything she can think of in her pickup and flees to Georgia with her eleven-year-old son, Max, in tow.
August Redfern’s “estate” is a decrepit farmhouse on a thousand acres of old pine forest, but Nellie sees it as the perfect refuge―a safe place to hide from her violent husband and the chance for a fresh start. But Max sees what his mother can’ Redfern Hill is no haven. Something lurks beneath the soil, ancient and hungry, with the power to corrupt hearts and destroy souls. And Nellie’s return is about to wake it up.
From the author of The Boatman’s Daughter comes a jaw-dropping, terrifying novel about legacy and the nightmares hidden in family histories. Andy Davidson’s The Hollow Kind is a twisted tale of cosmic horror mixed with a stunning Southern Gothic fable that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
Andy Davidson’s epic horror novel about the spectacular decline of the Redfern family, haunted by an ancient evil.
When Nellie Gardner learns that she has inherited a turpentine estate from her long-lost grandfather, she throws everything she can think of in her pickup and flees to Georgia with her eleven-year-old son, Max, in tow.
August Redfern’s “estate” is a decrepit farmhouse on a thousand acres of old pine forest, but Nellie sees it as the perfect refuge―a safe place to hide from her violent husband and the chance for a fresh start. But Max sees what his mother can’ Redfern Hill is no haven. Something lurks beneath the soil, ancient and hungry, with the power to corrupt hearts and destroy souls. And Nellie’s return is about to wake it up.
From the author of The Boatman’s Daughter comes a jaw-dropping, terrifying novel about legacy and the nightmares hidden in family histories. Andy Davidson’s The Hollow Kind is a twisted tale of cosmic horror mixed with a stunning Southern Gothic fable that will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
448 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
239 people are currently reading
15534 people want to read
About the author
Andy Davidson
8 books659 followersAndy Davidson is the Bram Stoker Award nominated author of In the Valley of the Sun and The Boatman's Daughter. The Boatman’s Daughter was listed among NPR's Best Books of 2020, the New York Public Library's Best Adult Books of the Year, and Library Journal's Best Horror of 2020. Born and raised in Arkansas, Andy makes his home in Georgia with his wife and a bunch of cats.
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October 11, 2022
Happy Release Day to THE HOLLOW KIND!
Stunningly beautiful prose did not detract from the horrors within THE HOLLOW KIND by Andy Davidson.
Having read two Andy Davidson novels in the past, I realize that that means nothing. Those two novels are so different from each other, plot-wise yet both stand out as excellent stories with the skillful turns of phrase that I've come to expect from him. I went into this one nearly blind, with no preconceived notions. Then Andy proceeded to flat-out WOW me, once again.
I think I'd like you to go into the book the same way, so instead of discussing the plot, I'd like to tell you what this book feels like to me instead.
First: there are some Stephen King vibes here. I'd put money down that Davidson is a fan. (I could be way wrong, who knows?)
Second: I found myself thinking about Micheal McDowell often while I was reading this. I'm a huge fan of the man and this book reminds me of his work SO MUCH. In his book THE ELEMENTALS, set on the gulf coast in Alabama, and oh man, that hot and humid, sandy, miserable spit of land known as Beldame. Beldame was a character in and of itself. Andy Davidson has made me feel that I know that land in Georgia like the back of my hand. I smell the rotting leaves in the forests and I can smell the turpentine in the air near the old mill. And I can hear those noises in the night, yes I can.
Mcdowell's BLACKWATER series features generations of family, living on the same land, and the secrets between them. Here we have that in spades. What makes both of these writers special is the fact that when you're reading about those families, their disputes, their day to day issues, their traumas...all of it rings absolutely true. They both have a keen eye for human interaction and it makes their characters SHINE.
So, let's see: we have some minor King vibes, with a heavy dose of multi-generational, southern gothic, horror awesomeness, and then to top it all off, a bit of cosmic Lovecraftian insanity to blow your effin mind!!
I'm not supposed to quote from an ARC, but it's only one sentence and I think it's apt.
"Out of the west, October conjures up the long autumn dark."
Coming to you out of the south, October 11, 2022, is THE HOLLOW KIND. Don't miss it!
*Thanks to Andy Davidson for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
Stunningly beautiful prose did not detract from the horrors within THE HOLLOW KIND by Andy Davidson.
Having read two Andy Davidson novels in the past, I realize that that means nothing. Those two novels are so different from each other, plot-wise yet both stand out as excellent stories with the skillful turns of phrase that I've come to expect from him. I went into this one nearly blind, with no preconceived notions. Then Andy proceeded to flat-out WOW me, once again.
I think I'd like you to go into the book the same way, so instead of discussing the plot, I'd like to tell you what this book feels like to me instead.
First: there are some Stephen King vibes here. I'd put money down that Davidson is a fan. (I could be way wrong, who knows?)
Second: I found myself thinking about Micheal McDowell often while I was reading this. I'm a huge fan of the man and this book reminds me of his work SO MUCH. In his book THE ELEMENTALS, set on the gulf coast in Alabama, and oh man, that hot and humid, sandy, miserable spit of land known as Beldame. Beldame was a character in and of itself. Andy Davidson has made me feel that I know that land in Georgia like the back of my hand. I smell the rotting leaves in the forests and I can smell the turpentine in the air near the old mill. And I can hear those noises in the night, yes I can.
Mcdowell's BLACKWATER series features generations of family, living on the same land, and the secrets between them. Here we have that in spades. What makes both of these writers special is the fact that when you're reading about those families, their disputes, their day to day issues, their traumas...all of it rings absolutely true. They both have a keen eye for human interaction and it makes their characters SHINE.
So, let's see: we have some minor King vibes, with a heavy dose of multi-generational, southern gothic, horror awesomeness, and then to top it all off, a bit of cosmic Lovecraftian insanity to blow your effin mind!!
I'm not supposed to quote from an ARC, but it's only one sentence and I think it's apt.
"Out of the west, October conjures up the long autumn dark."
Coming to you out of the south, October 11, 2022, is THE HOLLOW KIND. Don't miss it!
*Thanks to Andy Davidson for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it.*
October 11, 2022
Told in two timelines, The Hollow Kind tells the Redfern family's history of horror in Empire, Georgia. The first timeline tells the tale of August Redfern at his Turpentine Mill camp. The one in 1989 tells the tale of August's granddaughter, Nellie and her son, Max.
Nellie has inherited her long-lost grandfather's turpentine estate in Georgia. She is more than happy to leave behind an abusive marriage. She looks forward to starting a new life with her son. But what Nellie views as a new beginning, Max views as a nightmare. He knows that something isn't right at Redfern Hill. Something lurks, ancient, angry, and ready to destroy.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and at times wished that there was more than one narrator. I have no complaints about the narrator but feel that the book would have been even better with more than on narrator.
This book felt long at times in the middle. The beginning and ending were the strongest points of the book and those were the most enjoyable for me. I did enjoy the sense of tension and unease that grew throughout the book.
This was a southern gothic book which also had other elements as well i.e., supernatural and fantasy. While I wasn't wowed by this book, there were parts that I enjoyed. As I mentioned, things felt a little long in the middle.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Nellie has inherited her long-lost grandfather's turpentine estate in Georgia. She is more than happy to leave behind an abusive marriage. She looks forward to starting a new life with her son. But what Nellie views as a new beginning, Max views as a nightmare. He knows that something isn't right at Redfern Hill. Something lurks, ancient, angry, and ready to destroy.
I listened to the audiobook version of this book and at times wished that there was more than one narrator. I have no complaints about the narrator but feel that the book would have been even better with more than on narrator.
This book felt long at times in the middle. The beginning and ending were the strongest points of the book and those were the most enjoyable for me. I did enjoy the sense of tension and unease that grew throughout the book.
This was a southern gothic book which also had other elements as well i.e., supernatural and fantasy. While I wasn't wowed by this book, there were parts that I enjoyed. As I mentioned, things felt a little long in the middle.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
April 9, 2023
The Hollow Kind is like The Little Foxes if it had been written by Stephen King - if instead of stealing money to build a cotton mill, the family of Southen patricians to improve their circumstances.
We follow the Redfern family through three generations as interweaving stories throughout the narrative.
Starting in 1917, August Redfern marries young Euphemia Baxter for her family's land, much like The Little Foxes's Oscar Hubbard married Birdie for her family's plantation. Euphemia, however, proves to be much more of a Regina Giddens than a Birdie. Finding herself limited by society's expectations for women, and even further restricted upon becoming a wife, it is she who most eagerly turns to the supernatural to get ahead.
In the 2nd generation, we meet August as an older man in the 1970s. Estranged from his one surviving child Hank, he suddenly meets his young granddaughter Nellie, a recent runaway. In the few days they spend together, Nellie sees what a haunted man her Grandfather is, living as a recluse on the family's defunct turpentine estate Redfern Hill.
Just a little later in 1989, Nellie is a mother to 11-year-old Max, and is desperate to leave an abusive marriage. Her solace comes in the form of Redfern Hill, inexplicably willed to her by August despite only spending a brief time there with him. There, she and her son learn much of the family secrets, and what lies on their land...land many are desperate to acquire.
All of this is great. I love generational stories, family curses, nature hikes, and creepy crawlies - but the pieces didn't come fully together for me. The supernatural threat was too present, appearing too often and in too many forms. For as present as it was, I wish its parameters had been better established - what it could do; what its function was. Without this consistency, it could seemingly do everything and anything. To me, that's not scary...it's just kinda lazy writing.
I also wish that the additional threats of Lonnie and Wade were better realized. Lonnie Baxter is a very distant relative of Nellie's who is trying to pressure her into selling Redfern Hill. He is more prevalent at the book's start, does 1 or 2 creepy things, then peters out. (I was hoping his Baxter heritage would've given him insight or connection to the supernatural threat, but alas.) Wade is Nellie's abusive husband - his role is to do exactly what Beverly Marsh's husband Tom Rogan does in It. No more, no less.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book. And you know .
We follow the Redfern family through three generations as interweaving stories throughout the narrative.
Starting in 1917, August Redfern marries young Euphemia Baxter for her family's land, much like The Little Foxes's Oscar Hubbard married Birdie for her family's plantation. Euphemia, however, proves to be much more of a Regina Giddens than a Birdie. Finding herself limited by society's expectations for women, and even further restricted upon becoming a wife, it is she who most eagerly turns to the supernatural to get ahead.
In the 2nd generation, we meet August as an older man in the 1970s. Estranged from his one surviving child Hank, he suddenly meets his young granddaughter Nellie, a recent runaway. In the few days they spend together, Nellie sees what a haunted man her Grandfather is, living as a recluse on the family's defunct turpentine estate Redfern Hill.
Just a little later in 1989, Nellie is a mother to 11-year-old Max, and is desperate to leave an abusive marriage. Her solace comes in the form of Redfern Hill, inexplicably willed to her by August despite only spending a brief time there with him. There, she and her son learn much of the family secrets, and what lies on their land...land many are desperate to acquire.
All of this is great. I love generational stories, family curses, nature hikes, and creepy crawlies - but the pieces didn't come fully together for me. The supernatural threat was too present, appearing too often and in too many forms. For as present as it was, I wish its parameters had been better established - what it could do; what its function was. Without this consistency, it could seemingly do everything and anything. To me, that's not scary...it's just kinda lazy writing.
I also wish that the additional threats of Lonnie and Wade were better realized. Lonnie Baxter is a very distant relative of Nellie's who is trying to pressure her into selling Redfern Hill. He is more prevalent at the book's start, does 1 or 2 creepy things, then peters out. (I was hoping his Baxter heritage would've given him insight or connection to the supernatural threat, but alas.) Wade is Nellie's abusive husband - his role is to do exactly what Beverly Marsh's husband Tom Rogan does in It. No more, no less.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy this book. And you know .
October 15, 2022
Excellent writing, shame about the story.
It just didn't do anything for me, unfortunately. People are comparing this to Michael McDowell's writing, and I had the same feeling for the first hour or so of reading. Then the book starts to really drag.
This is where McDowell shines/shined - Pacing. He was pitch-perfect. Davidson -in my opinion- missies the mark in this area. It's definitely not his best book. The writing is stellar, though.
Written in that old-timey 'epic storytelling' kind of way that only King and a few others can pull off successfully. I lost interest by the end showdown -which I feel is the weakest part of the book. It's tame, and nothing that I haven't seen -or read- a hundred times before, and then it just ends.
The book does have peaks and valleys - There's a fantastic revenge arc set in the past, followed by... more draggage.
Overall - It held my interest. There's a few truly great sections of the book, It's a shame that the overall story was underwhelming. I just found it boring to be honest.
A lot of people are going to love this one. For me, though...
2.5 Stars.
It just didn't do anything for me, unfortunately. People are comparing this to Michael McDowell's writing, and I had the same feeling for the first hour or so of reading. Then the book starts to really drag.
This is where McDowell shines/shined - Pacing. He was pitch-perfect. Davidson -in my opinion- missies the mark in this area. It's definitely not his best book. The writing is stellar, though.
Written in that old-timey 'epic storytelling' kind of way that only King and a few others can pull off successfully. I lost interest by the end showdown -which I feel is the weakest part of the book. It's tame, and nothing that I haven't seen -or read- a hundred times before, and then it just ends.
The book does have peaks and valleys - There's a fantastic revenge arc set in the past, followed by... more draggage.
Overall - It held my interest. There's a few truly great sections of the book, It's a shame that the overall story was underwhelming. I just found it boring to be honest.
A lot of people are going to love this one. For me, though...
2.5 Stars.
October 12, 2022
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was ok but this was not what I expected. It took its time laying out the story and it felt like it dragged in some parts. It was definitely a gothic style horror book.
Nellie Gardner is elated to find her grandfather August Redfern left her his estate. She flees her abusive marriage to her with her eleven year old son Max to the estate in Georgia.
What she thinks will be a prestige mansion is really a dilapidated farmhouse with a lot of land covered in pine trees. She begins to notice something is off when she hears scratching and whispers in the night. There’s something wrong with Redfern Hill. It’s deep in the soil. Max begins to see what his mother can’t and things take a terrifying turn.
The Hollow Kind is available now.
Thank you netgalley and macmillianaudio for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Nellie Gardner is elated to find her grandfather August Redfern left her his estate. She flees her abusive marriage to her with her eleven year old son Max to the estate in Georgia.
What she thinks will be a prestige mansion is really a dilapidated farmhouse with a lot of land covered in pine trees. She begins to notice something is off when she hears scratching and whispers in the night. There’s something wrong with Redfern Hill. It’s deep in the soil. Max begins to see what his mother can’t and things take a terrifying turn.
The Hollow Kind is available now.
Thank you netgalley and macmillianaudio for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 20, 2023
The Hollow Kind is a tale of a family tormented by themselves, and something unnatural residing beneath their cursed land. The way the story was told and a few of the tropes here reminded me a lot of the books I inhaled as a teen. Books filled with loads of detail, backstory, and chapters that leave you hanging for a bit as it flips back in time. It’s a book that feels meaty and longer than its 400 pages probably due to its rich detail and multi-generational chapter time flips. It also manages to feel modern and timeless at the same time. It’s a good one especially if you’re into a slow creep folk horror tale.
There are two timelines, both with the most terrible of things happening. There’s Nellie who has just escaped her abusive husband and is on the run with their son Max. She’s just inherited Redfern Hill and hopes to begin anew and maybe undo some of the damage that living with an abusive man has potentially done to Max. Redfern feels like a safe haven even if the old farmhouse on 100 acres has been woefully neglected. Anything is better than the place she just escaped. You root for these two immediately. Or at least I did. Nellie isn’t perfect and neither is Max, they are wounded and traumatized, and they both felt very real. Soon strange things start to happen, eerie things that get harder to ignore and, as if that really wasn’t enough, an evil man comes around making demands and threats, but Nellie doesn’t put up with any of the bullshit and is determined to rebuild their lives. Good for her. There are several people in this book that needed to jump into a woodchipper. The second timeline (there is actually a third timeline that involves some of the same characters and connects the generations) is set back in the 20’s & 30’s and tells a terrible tale of greed and tragedy and maybe something supernatural and that’s all I’m saying about that.
The first third or so had me hooked but I have to admit it got a little bit bogged down after that point. There was a lot going on and it does require complete focus and that’s sometimes hard when I have to pick up and put down a book a few times because people need to eat and work needs to get done and the house is a disaster, and my phone is buzzing. Ugh, I miss being a teen and having the ability to read all day if I felt like it. Anyhow, in my opinion, this is a book that’s best read in a few long stretches if you’re lucky enough to do that! Picking it up and putting it down was hard and going a day or two without having any time to read forced me to backtrack a few times.
If you have the time and want to immerse yourself in a creep-fest with some beautiful writing, I think this one is meant for you!
There are two timelines, both with the most terrible of things happening. There’s Nellie who has just escaped her abusive husband and is on the run with their son Max. She’s just inherited Redfern Hill and hopes to begin anew and maybe undo some of the damage that living with an abusive man has potentially done to Max. Redfern feels like a safe haven even if the old farmhouse on 100 acres has been woefully neglected. Anything is better than the place she just escaped. You root for these two immediately. Or at least I did. Nellie isn’t perfect and neither is Max, they are wounded and traumatized, and they both felt very real. Soon strange things start to happen, eerie things that get harder to ignore and, as if that really wasn’t enough, an evil man comes around making demands and threats, but Nellie doesn’t put up with any of the bullshit and is determined to rebuild their lives. Good for her. There are several people in this book that needed to jump into a woodchipper. The second timeline (there is actually a third timeline that involves some of the same characters and connects the generations) is set back in the 20’s & 30’s and tells a terrible tale of greed and tragedy and maybe something supernatural and that’s all I’m saying about that.
The first third or so had me hooked but I have to admit it got a little bit bogged down after that point. There was a lot going on and it does require complete focus and that’s sometimes hard when I have to pick up and put down a book a few times because people need to eat and work needs to get done and the house is a disaster, and my phone is buzzing. Ugh, I miss being a teen and having the ability to read all day if I felt like it. Anyhow, in my opinion, this is a book that’s best read in a few long stretches if you’re lucky enough to do that! Picking it up and putting it down was hard and going a day or two without having any time to read forced me to backtrack a few times.
If you have the time and want to immerse yourself in a creep-fest with some beautiful writing, I think this one is meant for you!
October 29, 2022
This is a story about an ancient evil being. The story is told in two timelines. It was a little slow starting but kept getting better as if went along. I thought the last third of the book was really awesome. This is the best creature/monster story I have read in a long time. 4.5 🌟
November 26, 2022
On top of a compelling Southern gothic family saga, THE HOLLOW KIND blends eldritch themes with cosmic horror for a truly frightening tale. I believe this is the best yet from Davidson and I look forward to many more.
NOTES:
Nov. 18: That four-page prologue is quite a hook. I've noticed a number of horror authors using this technique with a teaser/foreshadow before the main story. It makes me want to start reading in earnest immediately to find out more. Well done.
Nov. 19: The book is divided into five sections. Part I is a palpable rise in tension, a slow build of the dread that is sure to follow in the succeeding parts. It's a cool mix of introducing Nellie and her son Max and their troubles, their hesitancy to settle into the inherited house and estate, and the beginnings of the disturbing history of the Redfern turpentine farm. Euphemia's reaction to her birth of twins is a bit troubling, as is her perception of what it means.
Nov. 21: I just finished Part Two. The flashback chapters are already horrifying. I'm thinking of a new sub-genre for this: ecological horror. As if Mother Nature has endured enough abuse at the hands of mankind and is fighting back. Actually there's a bit more to it than that in Davidson's story. But having just finished reading THE ROOT WITCH by Debra Castaneda -- that theme is stuck in my head.
Meanwhile,enough weird things are happening for Nettie and Max in the inherited homestead to bring the tension and dread to the surface. I'm already worried for these characters.
Nov. 24: Just finished Part Three. Everything is more intense. More violent. More horrific. The Redfern and Baxter families of 1923 do some wicked things. I'm not liking any of them. However, I'm growing very fond of Nettie and Max.
Nov 25: Part Four wastes no time getting to the root of the horror. A character referred to in the early chapters plays an important role and gives me yet another twisted person to despise.
Nov 26: In Part Five Davidson delivers on all the things hinted at in the preceding sections, and in a big, cosmic horror way. Truly frightening and overwhelming. I'm impressed.
NOTES:
Nov. 18: That four-page prologue is quite a hook. I've noticed a number of horror authors using this technique with a teaser/foreshadow before the main story. It makes me want to start reading in earnest immediately to find out more. Well done.
Nov. 19: The book is divided into five sections. Part I is a palpable rise in tension, a slow build of the dread that is sure to follow in the succeeding parts. It's a cool mix of introducing Nellie and her son Max and their troubles, their hesitancy to settle into the inherited house and estate, and the beginnings of the disturbing history of the Redfern turpentine farm. Euphemia's reaction to her birth of twins is a bit troubling, as is her perception of what it means.
Nov. 21: I just finished Part Two. The flashback chapters are already horrifying. I'm thinking of a new sub-genre for this: ecological horror. As if Mother Nature has endured enough abuse at the hands of mankind and is fighting back. Actually there's a bit more to it than that in Davidson's story. But having just finished reading THE ROOT WITCH by Debra Castaneda -- that theme is stuck in my head.
Meanwhile,enough weird things are happening for Nettie and Max in the inherited homestead to bring the tension and dread to the surface. I'm already worried for these characters.
Nov. 24: Just finished Part Three. Everything is more intense. More violent. More horrific. The Redfern and Baxter families of 1923 do some wicked things. I'm not liking any of them. However, I'm growing very fond of Nettie and Max.
Nov 25: Part Four wastes no time getting to the root of the horror. A character referred to in the early chapters plays an important role and gives me yet another twisted person to despise.
Nov 26: In Part Five Davidson delivers on all the things hinted at in the preceding sections, and in a big, cosmic horror way. Truly frightening and overwhelming. I'm impressed.
October 15, 2024
More of a 3.75. Well-written, dual timeline story that feels very much like a horror family saga. The earlier timeline of 1917-1932 read almost like a horror Western, if a Western could be set in Georgia. At first, I was more invested in the "current" 1989 story of Nellie and her son Max, on the run from her abusive husband, but as the older timeline picked up the horror elements, it won me over.
However, in my opinion, this book was a lot longer than it needed to be, and some characters proved ultimately superfluous to the denouement so that I was left to wonder why any significant chunk of time was invested on them at all.
However, in my opinion, this book was a lot longer than it needed to be, and some characters proved ultimately superfluous to the denouement so that I was left to wonder why any significant chunk of time was invested on them at all.
October 20, 2022
One thing I love most when reading a novel is the textured, layered approach to creating worlds, the density that can only come from digging in deep. It’s when the story shifts from painting a picture in your head to simply providing the details of a world that already exists. When you know that the author has carefully crafted each line, blurring the raw rush of inspiration with the steady, deliberate hand of a master craftsman. Those are the stories that sweep me away, that make me invested, that plant me within worlds. In this respect, Andy Davidson makes the rest of us look like kids playing in a sandbox.
I sometimes wonder if, were some of the seminal horror books of yesteryear released today, would they be considered “literary horror.” Jury is still out on that one, but I feel like Davidson is helping to reestablish a form of horror that isn’t as concerned with splatter-by-the-page hijinks (fun as those are), but rather laces the dread-terror within a pre-existing story that taps into broader themes beneath the surface. THE HOLLOW KIND bleeds down into the tectonic plates beneath a family, as well as a land, showcasing both a history and a shaky alliance that culminate in one of the best endings I’ve come across in some time.
If you enjoyed stories like John Langan’s THE FISHERMAN, Gus Moreno’s THIS THING BETWEEN US, or Shaun Hamill’s A COSMOLOGY OF MONSTERS, as well as the work of Michael McDowell, I highly recommend picking this one up. And while you’re at it, debut novels don’t get much better than Davidson’s IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN, an uncommon vampire story set in 1980’s Texas—might as well pick that one up, as well.
I sometimes wonder if, were some of the seminal horror books of yesteryear released today, would they be considered “literary horror.” Jury is still out on that one, but I feel like Davidson is helping to reestablish a form of horror that isn’t as concerned with splatter-by-the-page hijinks (fun as those are), but rather laces the dread-terror within a pre-existing story that taps into broader themes beneath the surface. THE HOLLOW KIND bleeds down into the tectonic plates beneath a family, as well as a land, showcasing both a history and a shaky alliance that culminate in one of the best endings I’ve come across in some time.
If you enjoyed stories like John Langan’s THE FISHERMAN, Gus Moreno’s THIS THING BETWEEN US, or Shaun Hamill’s A COSMOLOGY OF MONSTERS, as well as the work of Michael McDowell, I highly recommend picking this one up. And while you’re at it, debut novels don’t get much better than Davidson’s IN THE VALLEY OF THE SUN, an uncommon vampire story set in 1980’s Texas—might as well pick that one up, as well.
August 11, 2022
Star review is in August 2022 issue of Booklist magazine and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2022/08....
But here are some notes to tide you over:
Three Words That Describe This Book: perfectly paced, strong sense of place, immersive terror.
Readalikes: With similarities to The Book of Accidents by Wendig, shades of T. Kingfisher, and a dash of The Ruins by Smith, this is a southern gothic epic that masterfully weaves elements of body , folk, and cosmic horror knitting it all together into something wholly new, immersively terrifying, and utterly breathtaking.
Also from notes: More readlikes: Stephen King yes. Mexican Gothic because of the family curse and the growing evil in the basement– but I did not put it in the review because I wouldn’t be able to explain why and I think it matters here since Mexican Gothic is sometimes used as a comp title for other reasons.
The Toll by Priest, Jennifer McMahon– The Winter People and The Invited. Definitely Wonderland by Stage. Also, his character development is fantastic– reminds me of Brian Keene who I hold up as a master of character development in Horror. Both good and bad people– we get the full story without sacrificing the pacing.
I am not sure I can take a walk in the woods again. Seriously. That’s a compliment.
Also one of my favorite lines from the book, near the end [and I am cutting it short because it would give too much away to have the whole quote] “... humans always taste best.”
But here are some notes to tide you over:
Three Words That Describe This Book: perfectly paced, strong sense of place, immersive terror.
Readalikes: With similarities to The Book of Accidents by Wendig, shades of T. Kingfisher, and a dash of The Ruins by Smith, this is a southern gothic epic that masterfully weaves elements of body , folk, and cosmic horror knitting it all together into something wholly new, immersively terrifying, and utterly breathtaking.
Also from notes: More readlikes: Stephen King yes. Mexican Gothic because of the family curse and the growing evil in the basement– but I did not put it in the review because I wouldn’t be able to explain why and I think it matters here since Mexican Gothic is sometimes used as a comp title for other reasons.
The Toll by Priest, Jennifer McMahon– The Winter People and The Invited. Definitely Wonderland by Stage. Also, his character development is fantastic– reminds me of Brian Keene who I hold up as a master of character development in Horror. Both good and bad people– we get the full story without sacrificing the pacing.
I am not sure I can take a walk in the woods again. Seriously. That’s a compliment.
Also one of my favorite lines from the book, near the end [and I am cutting it short because it would give too much away to have the whole quote] “... humans always taste best.”
October 26, 2022
Another strange, southern creep-fest from Andy Davidson checked off the list. About this time last year, I read his book The Boatman's Daughter -- and though the stories between the two are wholly different, they carry the same dark, disturbing tone. And the same level of oddity for sure. If one thing could be said for Andy, he's very imaginative.
Andy Davidson feels like a mashup of Guillermo del Toro with his supernatural fantasy and H.P. Lovecraft with his slimy, slithery, eerie imagery. In fact, it's the imagery and atmosphere I think Andy does best. So far, all his novels take place in the American south, in this case Georgia, so you're constantly in the mind frame of hot weather, beating bright sun, dank humid evenings, swamps and forest, wet leaves, pine needles and mud.
This book is probably best read in the late summer, but still dark and disturbing enough to read during spooky season.
Andy Davidson feels like a mashup of Guillermo del Toro with his supernatural fantasy and H.P. Lovecraft with his slimy, slithery, eerie imagery. In fact, it's the imagery and atmosphere I think Andy does best. So far, all his novels take place in the American south, in this case Georgia, so you're constantly in the mind frame of hot weather, beating bright sun, dank humid evenings, swamps and forest, wet leaves, pine needles and mud.
This book is probably best read in the late summer, but still dark and disturbing enough to read during spooky season.
October 10, 2023
Deeply creepy and effective horror tale. It’s perhaps a little long, but the prose is lovely enough that I could forgive that.
May 4, 2023
Either 4 or 4.5/5 stars: I'm letting time decide where my definitive rating will land.
This intense Eldrich horror novel got under my skin more than I expected it too. With influences of The Haunting of Hill House, H.P. Lovecraft and the film Hereditary and beautiful prose that rises well above the average horror-novel, there was a lot to love here. Especially during the first 50% or so, I was ready to give this book 5-stars, but unfortunately it didn't stick its landing the way I hoped it would. I guess it shows again that, when it comes to the Lovecraftian, less is more and "showing too much" can actually lessen the impact of the terror you've set up.
Full review will be coming, after I've let it sink a bit, and decided on a final rating.
This intense Eldrich horror novel got under my skin more than I expected it too. With influences of The Haunting of Hill House, H.P. Lovecraft and the film Hereditary and beautiful prose that rises well above the average horror-novel, there was a lot to love here. Especially during the first 50% or so, I was ready to give this book 5-stars, but unfortunately it didn't stick its landing the way I hoped it would. I guess it shows again that, when it comes to the Lovecraftian, less is more and "showing too much" can actually lessen the impact of the terror you've set up.
Full review will be coming, after I've let it sink a bit, and decided on a final rating.
March 1, 2025
This is exactly what I was hoping it would be and more! This was the perfect story for me.
I loved this authors prose, and I absolutely will be picking his other stuff up. I’ve only felt this immersed in a story a few other times, and this was definitely one of my favorite experiences with it!
The atmosphere was amazing, I’m talking nature horror, cosmic horror, eldritch horror, gothic horror. It was all very well described and realized. I could see it like a movie in my head, hear the vines and leaves slithering around, smell the woods and tree sap, feel the horror and otherness.
If you like secluded settings with weird creatures this is definitely for you. There is also some bug/spider horror in here as well as body horror!
It just really hit all of my boxes! My only issue was the pacing at times.
Also generational family drama and horror? Seriously this couldn’t have been more perfect for me. The family timelines were all likable to me and I really enjoyed seeing how they all came together. We even have a lot of slimy love to hate characters in here.
Absolutely loved this and how it was told. Can’t recommend it enough! Can’t wait to see what else this author has to offer.
Be cautious though because aside from the toxic generational family dynamics, there is also domestic violence depicted in here! Nothing too crazy. But it’s there.
I loved this authors prose, and I absolutely will be picking his other stuff up. I’ve only felt this immersed in a story a few other times, and this was definitely one of my favorite experiences with it!
The atmosphere was amazing, I’m talking nature horror, cosmic horror, eldritch horror, gothic horror. It was all very well described and realized. I could see it like a movie in my head, hear the vines and leaves slithering around, smell the woods and tree sap, feel the horror and otherness.
If you like secluded settings with weird creatures this is definitely for you. There is also some bug/spider horror in here as well as body horror!
It just really hit all of my boxes! My only issue was the pacing at times.
Also generational family drama and horror? Seriously this couldn’t have been more perfect for me. The family timelines were all likable to me and I really enjoyed seeing how they all came together. We even have a lot of slimy love to hate characters in here.
Absolutely loved this and how it was told. Can’t recommend it enough! Can’t wait to see what else this author has to offer.
Be cautious though because aside from the toxic generational family dynamics, there is also domestic violence depicted in here! Nothing too crazy. But it’s there.
Read
October 24, 2022Dnf 37%
I am bored!
I am bored!
December 12, 2022
This was a slog to get through and I almost DNFed it. Overly descriptive with too many timeline and perspective jumps for me to enjoy.
December 13, 2022
Ugh this was not scary.
April 30, 2025
✨3.5 stars✨
Creepy, not scary. Vivid enough descriptions to disturb sleep cuz, I mean, just gross and finished way too close to bed. It’s 11pm and I’m getting ready to turn off the lights.
Creepy, not scary. Vivid enough descriptions to disturb sleep cuz, I mean, just gross and finished way too close to bed. It’s 11pm and I’m getting ready to turn off the lights.
January 7, 2025
Another terrific Horror novel from the author of The Boatman's Daughter, which I also gushed about. When something works you stick with it, and what works for Andy Davidson is Southern Gothic Horror populated with .
Nellie Gardner has had enough. She's taking her son Max and getting the hell out of her troubled, abusive marriage. She heads to her family's property in rural Georgia, which used to be a turpentine mill before tragedy forced the operation to shut down. As Nellie and Max hide in the decrepit house and pray that her husband never finds them, a different evil lurks in the woods. It takes over the dead; now it's about to stalk the living...
This is true Horror, and I loved the outdoor setting and generational curse trope. My only nits are that the female voice narrator sometimes affected a weird cadence (think Christopher Walken), and the book ended so abruptly I think I got whiplash. These were relatively minor issues that didn't ruin my overall experience.
I look forward to reading the other novel by this author, In the Valley of the Sun, which may be his best effort to date?? Plus whatever else he wants to publish, of course. I'm officially a fan.
Nellie Gardner has had enough. She's taking her son Max and getting the hell out of her troubled, abusive marriage. She heads to her family's property in rural Georgia, which used to be a turpentine mill before tragedy forced the operation to shut down. As Nellie and Max hide in the decrepit house and pray that her husband never finds them, a different evil lurks in the woods. It takes over the dead; now it's about to stalk the living...
This is true Horror, and I loved the outdoor setting and generational curse trope. My only nits are that the female voice narrator sometimes affected a weird cadence (think Christopher Walken), and the book ended so abruptly I think I got whiplash. These were relatively minor issues that didn't ruin my overall experience.
I look forward to reading the other novel by this author, In the Valley of the Sun, which may be his best effort to date?? Plus whatever else he wants to publish, of course. I'm officially a fan.
October 11, 2024
Wow! This book has sooooo much to offer. Family drama layers, multi timelines for nice story/character building. Spooky goings on, and a sinister secret in the woods.
I absolutely adored Max!
I absolutely adored Max!
December 16, 2025
3.5 stars
October 10, 2022
The Hollow Kind by Andy Davidson was hard to get into. It is eerie and has multiple timelines and perspectives, all things I love. However, Andy changed perspectives without warning quite frequently throughout the book, and Susie James did not pause in the slightest with these switches, reading it all like it was the next sentence in a long paragraph. Because of this, the story ran together and caused so much confusion that it was hard to follow and remember each character. I understand that the audiobook is already over 13 hours, but those pauses would have made the story more enjoyable, to the point that I wouldn't have minded an additional hour or so because I would have been more invested in what was happening.
Overall, I give The Hollow Kind 3 stars. I saw it's potential but couldn't get into it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.
Overall, I give The Hollow Kind 3 stars. I saw it's potential but couldn't get into it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.
November 2, 2022
3 stars--I liked the book. Content warnings for animal violence and domestic violence.
This book is bloody and horrifying and extremely well written! I need to look up Davidson's other novels; his writing made me occasionally pause to reread a beautiful sentence. Love that.
I'd describe this as a combo of Southern Gothic (lots of family skeletons) and Lovecraftian. The supernatural monster was fabulous. I could have done without the character of Wade (it's a trope I don't enjoy), but this is a solid, spooky read.
This book is bloody and horrifying and extremely well written! I need to look up Davidson's other novels; his writing made me occasionally pause to reread a beautiful sentence. Love that.
I'd describe this as a combo of Southern Gothic (lots of family skeletons) and Lovecraftian. The supernatural monster was fabulous. I could have done without the character of Wade (it's a trope I don't enjoy), but this is a solid, spooky read.
January 3, 2023
2 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2022/12/23/...
This year, I find many of my low ratings have been given to good books that didn’t quite float my boat for whatever reason. Generally, their stories are sound and the writing solid from a craft perspective, but maybe something in the style or pacing just didn’t work for me. The Hollow Kind is one of these books. Artistically, it is a well put together horror with a fascinating premise at its heart, but I had a hell of a time trying to get through it.
First off, it is a very complex family saga spanning generations and timelines, and to be a fair, these types of stories aren’t always the best suited for audio, which is the format I reviewed. As the book opens in 1989, we follow Nellie Gardner and her eleven-year-old son Max on their journey to Redfern Hill in Georgia, where she had just inherited her grandfather’s estate. There, they find a rundown house surrounded by a dying forest, which is all that’s left of a once proud turpentine mill. Although it’s not the prettiest place, it’s the safest Nellie can provide for Max while they go in hiding from her abusive husband, Wade. But soon after they move in, mother and son begin hearing unsettling noises from within the house’s dilapidated walls and experiencing strange things they can’t explain.
In a separate thread, the story also reveals the history the Redfern Hill, following Nellie’s grandfather August. This part of the tale begins in 1917, when August marries into the Baxter family and takes over their burgeoning turpentine business. This event also sets off a bitter dispute carrying into the present in which Lonnie Baxter, believing that the Redferns stole the mill from his family years ago, launches an aggressive campaign to retake the property by pressuring Nellie to sell. However, what no one realizes is that the place is cursed. Back when he tended the land, August thought he understood the evil force that lurked within the forest but quickly learned that the monster’s hunger will never be appeased.
Overall, The Hollow Kind is a unique take on a southern gothic horror novel, but the plot’s construction and its unconventional trajectories meant at times it became difficult to follow, and the pacing was slow. After having to restart the book multiple times because I kept zoning out during the intro, I almost gave up. I will say though, once each timeline gets a chance to get established, some things improved while a few other problems persisted.
One such problem was the overall flow of the novel. With the frequent switching between the two eras and the awkward transitioning, it wasn’t always clear who I was following right away, especially with my attention constantly in danger of wandering. As a result, I was often left feeling lost and disoriented. Granted, this problem was likely exacerbated by the audio format, but I feel in general the pacing was jerky and inconsistent, giving my brain whiplash as we went from the highs to the lows. There’s certainly no denying the story had its moments, but these were too few and far between, and when things dragged, they slow to a crawl.
I also felt ambivalent towards the characters. That said, that may have a lot to do with many of them being guilty of doing terrible things, and the theme of darkness and violence hidden in people’s hearts is one that crops up again and again. On the positive note though, the author does much better with the supernatural darkness of the novel, the demonic entity beneath the surface and the horrors that it manifests. While most of the time the story moved too slowly for me to fully appreciate the gothic atmosphere, when it came time for the outright terrifying and grotesque elements of the story to shine, that was when The Hollow Kind was at its best.
Still, even with its occasional high points, at the end of the day this book failed to hold my interest for the long term and I was underwhelmed by the overall experience due to the awkward structure and rough pacing. I also tend to struggle with audiobooks for stories featuring multiple timelines and/or perspectives with only one narrator, so despite the impressive performance by Susis James, I had a hard time getting into The Hollow Kind.
This year, I find many of my low ratings have been given to good books that didn’t quite float my boat for whatever reason. Generally, their stories are sound and the writing solid from a craft perspective, but maybe something in the style or pacing just didn’t work for me. The Hollow Kind is one of these books. Artistically, it is a well put together horror with a fascinating premise at its heart, but I had a hell of a time trying to get through it.
First off, it is a very complex family saga spanning generations and timelines, and to be a fair, these types of stories aren’t always the best suited for audio, which is the format I reviewed. As the book opens in 1989, we follow Nellie Gardner and her eleven-year-old son Max on their journey to Redfern Hill in Georgia, where she had just inherited her grandfather’s estate. There, they find a rundown house surrounded by a dying forest, which is all that’s left of a once proud turpentine mill. Although it’s not the prettiest place, it’s the safest Nellie can provide for Max while they go in hiding from her abusive husband, Wade. But soon after they move in, mother and son begin hearing unsettling noises from within the house’s dilapidated walls and experiencing strange things they can’t explain.
In a separate thread, the story also reveals the history the Redfern Hill, following Nellie’s grandfather August. This part of the tale begins in 1917, when August marries into the Baxter family and takes over their burgeoning turpentine business. This event also sets off a bitter dispute carrying into the present in which Lonnie Baxter, believing that the Redferns stole the mill from his family years ago, launches an aggressive campaign to retake the property by pressuring Nellie to sell. However, what no one realizes is that the place is cursed. Back when he tended the land, August thought he understood the evil force that lurked within the forest but quickly learned that the monster’s hunger will never be appeased.
Overall, The Hollow Kind is a unique take on a southern gothic horror novel, but the plot’s construction and its unconventional trajectories meant at times it became difficult to follow, and the pacing was slow. After having to restart the book multiple times because I kept zoning out during the intro, I almost gave up. I will say though, once each timeline gets a chance to get established, some things improved while a few other problems persisted.
One such problem was the overall flow of the novel. With the frequent switching between the two eras and the awkward transitioning, it wasn’t always clear who I was following right away, especially with my attention constantly in danger of wandering. As a result, I was often left feeling lost and disoriented. Granted, this problem was likely exacerbated by the audio format, but I feel in general the pacing was jerky and inconsistent, giving my brain whiplash as we went from the highs to the lows. There’s certainly no denying the story had its moments, but these were too few and far between, and when things dragged, they slow to a crawl.
I also felt ambivalent towards the characters. That said, that may have a lot to do with many of them being guilty of doing terrible things, and the theme of darkness and violence hidden in people’s hearts is one that crops up again and again. On the positive note though, the author does much better with the supernatural darkness of the novel, the demonic entity beneath the surface and the horrors that it manifests. While most of the time the story moved too slowly for me to fully appreciate the gothic atmosphere, when it came time for the outright terrifying and grotesque elements of the story to shine, that was when The Hollow Kind was at its best.
Still, even with its occasional high points, at the end of the day this book failed to hold my interest for the long term and I was underwhelmed by the overall experience due to the awkward structure and rough pacing. I also tend to struggle with audiobooks for stories featuring multiple timelines and/or perspectives with only one narrator, so despite the impressive performance by Susis James, I had a hard time getting into The Hollow Kind.
August 16, 2022
3.5 stars. The Hollow Kind tells the tale of the Redfern family's battle with a cosmic horror in Empire, Georgia through two different timelines. One narrative focuses on August Redfern's story, taking place from 1917-1932 as he establishes a successful turpentine mill business on a large property inherited from his wife's family. The other narrative follows August's granddaughter Nellie and her son, 11-year-old Max, as they travel to the the family property in 1989 after she escapes her abusive husband and August has died, leaving her the family inheritance. Quickly readers learn that there is an ancient evil lurking on the abandoned property, that is powerful, manipulative, and quite hungry.
The dread builds steadily as we learn little by little all the Redfern family has sacrificed and lost throughout the years in Empire, either to appease this terror for their own benefit, or in attempts to stop it's destruction. Eventually, an epic battle occurs as Nellie, her son, and her father (August Redfern's son) must try to destroy this dark entity that lurks beneath their feet.
Overall, a very well written southern gothic novel that incorporates elements of cosmic, folk, and body horror while painting a detailed picture of generations of family trauma and strength. I felt some of the characters were a bit under-developed, but there are quite a few characters. Additionally, the ending chapters seemed oddly anti-climatic and slightly rushed given how much time we spent with the rest of the story, which is mainly why this isn't a 4 star or more review.
Davidson is a very talented writer and I particularly loved the chapters recounting the turpentine mill camp in the 20s and the details of that timeline. Recommended for fans of Stephen King and T. Kingfisher.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Macmillan for providing me with a digital ARC!
The dread builds steadily as we learn little by little all the Redfern family has sacrificed and lost throughout the years in Empire, either to appease this terror for their own benefit, or in attempts to stop it's destruction. Eventually, an epic battle occurs as Nellie, her son, and her father (August Redfern's son) must try to destroy this dark entity that lurks beneath their feet.
Overall, a very well written southern gothic novel that incorporates elements of cosmic, folk, and body horror while painting a detailed picture of generations of family trauma and strength. I felt some of the characters were a bit under-developed, but there are quite a few characters. Additionally, the ending chapters seemed oddly anti-climatic and slightly rushed given how much time we spent with the rest of the story, which is mainly why this isn't a 4 star or more review.
Davidson is a very talented writer and I particularly loved the chapters recounting the turpentine mill camp in the 20s and the details of that timeline. Recommended for fans of Stephen King and T. Kingfisher.
Thanks to Edelweiss and Macmillan for providing me with a digital ARC!
March 31, 2023
UGHHH. Just the worst. By the last third I was just rage reading this to finish. It’s a la pet cemetery and all the action takes place in the last 50 pages. The author did a shit job trying to describe the actual monstor thing or whatever it was…as a reader it was so hard to visualize what the author was trying to illustrate and that made this horror novel even more unbearable. It’s a jumbled mess bc the goddamn creature could barely be described half way decent for me to picture what was so scary. As you can tell by this review, I was not a fan.
October 24, 2022
Too long a climb for too short a slide. Boring.
October 1, 2024
If I hear one more description of them cleaning this goddamn house I am going to scream
November 20, 2025
The Hollow Kind is one of those books that feels like wading through heavy, humid Southern air—you can practically smell the turpentine and hear the cicadas, even when the story itself moves at a crawl. Andy Davidson absolutely nails atmosphere. The sense of dread, the rot under the soil, the old-forest hush. Those elements are genuinely stunning and kept me turning the pages even when the pacing dragged.
Nellie and Max make for a compelling mother-son duo, and the premise had me hooked immediately: fleeing an abusive marriage only to inherit a decrepit estate riddled with secrets, whispers in the walls, and something ancient hungry beneath the land. The setup is fantastic, and the lore behind Redfern Hill is rich and haunting.
But the middle section in particular felt very slow for me. There are stretches where the tension stagnates and the plot meanders, and I found myself waiting for the story to get on with it. When the horror finally hits, it hits—dark, eerie, and beautifully rendered, but I wish the pacing had been tighter throughout to keep that momentum consistent.
Nellie and Max make for a compelling mother-son duo, and the premise had me hooked immediately: fleeing an abusive marriage only to inherit a decrepit estate riddled with secrets, whispers in the walls, and something ancient hungry beneath the land. The setup is fantastic, and the lore behind Redfern Hill is rich and haunting.
But the middle section in particular felt very slow for me. There are stretches where the tension stagnates and the plot meanders, and I found myself waiting for the story to get on with it. When the horror finally hits, it hits—dark, eerie, and beautifully rendered, but I wish the pacing had been tighter throughout to keep that momentum consistent.
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