House of Hollow Krystal Sutherland
4.5 Stars
The Book At A Glance
Iris Hollow and her sisters have always been strange. After vanishing for a month as children and returning with no memory of what happened, their hair turned white, their eyes black, and unsettling things seemed to follow them everywhere. Now seventeen, Iris just wants to finish high school, unlike her glamorous older sisters, Grey and Vivi. But when Grey mysteriously disappears, Iris and Vivi must retrace her steps—uncovering bizarre clues, supernatural dangers, and the dark truth about what really happened to them all those years ago.
Bookish Thoughts
I was searching for a great fall read when I finally picked up this gem from my TBR pile. The stunning cover immediately caught my eye, and the eerie, twisty plot made it feel like the perfect choice for spooky season. It turned out to be just what I wanted—a dark, atmospheric horror story to sink into on a crisp autumn night. For when you crave gothic chills, twisted fairytales, dark family secrets, and siblings bound by something sinister.
Book Review
Iris Hollow and her sisters, Grey and Vivi, have always been a little strange. As children, they vanished for a month in Scotland and returned with no memory of where they’d been—but with white hair, black eyes, and an unsettling aura that drew (and disturbed) everyone around them. Now, ten years later, Iris just wants to finish high school and live a normal life. But when Grey goes missing, Iris and Vivi are thrust into a dangerous search that unravels the truth about their disappearance and the dark, magical world that has haunted them ever since.
From the very first pages, I was struck by how vividly the sisters were described. Their beauty, strangeness, and haunting presence leapt off the page, making them feel both mesmerizing and unsettling. The mystery of their childhood disappearance consumed me—I had so many questions, so many theories, and the story kept me guessing right up until the shocking twist.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the bond between the sisters. Despite their differences, their connection felt raw, fierce, and real. Watching them rely on each other through terrifying moments gave the story so much heart. That said, some of the secrets that emerged fractured their relationship, and I truly wished they had been able to fully repair it by the end.
The suspense was intense—there were several moments that felt like genuine jump scares, especially whenever the antagonist was chasing the girls and trying to kill them. The atmosphere carried a dark, magical vibe, and I loved how the story explored the idea of being caught between life and death, lingering in a kind of eerie limbo.
I also have to say—I adored Tyler Lang. His loyalty, bravery, and the way he became part of the sisters’ journey to find Grey added so much depth. His growing bond with the Hollow sisters made me love him even more, and he quickly became one of my favorite characters in the book.
And that plot twist—I was floored. I didn’t see it coming at all, and it completely shifted how I thought about the sisters’ story.
Overall, I gave House of Hollow 4.5 stars. I loved the atmosphere, the sisterhood, the suspense, and the dark magic woven throughout. My only disappointment was that the painful secrets that surfaced ended up driving a wedge between the sisters. After everything they endured together, I hoped they would find a way to heal and repair their bond.
Still, this book was a haunting, beautiful, and chilling read—perfect for fall nights when you’re craving a dark fairy tale that lingers with you long after the last page.
“Why are you so beautiful, do you think? So hungry? So able to bend the wills of those around you? You are like the death flowers that grow rampant in your wake: lovely to look at, intoxicating even, but get too close and you will soon learn that there is something rank beneath. That’s what beauty often is, in nature. A warning. A disguise.”
Krystal Sutherland
Shelf To Table
The perfect food pairing for this novel is a black forest cake. At first glance, it’s a beautiful, indulgent treat—fluffy layers of chocolate sponge, whipped cream, and glossy cherries. But much like the Hollow sisters themselves, it holds a darker, more mysterious edge beneath the surface. The rich chocolate mirrors the book’s gothic, eerie atmosphere, while the blood-red cherries echo danger, violence, and passion running through the story. Every bite of this cake is layered and complex, just like the narrative itself—drawing you deeper into its shadows the more you indulge. So, if you’re planning to cozy up with House of Hollow, why not set the mood with a slice of Black Forest cake? It’s sweet, sinister, and just unsettling enough to feel right at home in the Hollow sisters’ world.
Black Forest Cake
A decadent German dessert made with layers of moist chocolate sponge cake, sweet whipped cream, and juicy cherries.
Book Club Bite
A breadboard filled with a variety of jams, spreads, and toppings is a perfect addition for a book club discussion. Include options like honey, butter, nut butters, cheeses, and fresh fruits alongside different breads like sourdough, rye, or multigrain. This allows everyone to customize their slices while enjoying a cozy, interactive snack.
“Some people go missing because they want to; some go missing because they’re taken. And then there are the others—those who go missing because they fall through a gap somewhere and can’t claw their way back.”
Krystal Sutherland