Reviews

Hollow: A Trick And A Treat For All Hallow's Eve by C.M. Nascosta

tab_reads's review against another edition

I really liked the first story but the 2nd is both longer and drags.

sweetdream's review against another edition

dark lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

wandering_seal's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars

Actually it's two short stories so let's split the star ratings up:

Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horsemen - 2 stars

Katrina Van Tassel and the Headless Horseman - 4 stars

(Yes I know they don't math out, but Katrina's story is about 75% of the book so on that basis I think the star maths is ok).

I love C. M. Nascosta, her writing is a joy. I love the non-linear writing and her characters introspection. I love how she makes me care about some weird stuff and makes it all surprisingly not weird. Honestly I'm happy reading whatever she puts into this world.

So with that in mind I want to explain the 2 stars for Ichabod. If I had been looking for some PWP then I would have been 100% on board for this story. It's smutty and some inventive use of head! But, I just wanted more. I wanted more plot. I wanted some serious angst from Ichabod about how into the Horsemen he was. I wanted the witty banter I know Nascosta writes so well. So this just fell a little flat for me. Maybe if I'd gone into it knowing how short it is then I would have adjusted my expectations more? So consider this when you read it and enjoy the smutty goodness.

The second story was much more what I was looking for. I really liked Katrina. She was so practical and self assured. My only issue with her story was how it ended - it was a shame Katrina

Spoiler

didn't get to keep both her men.

In terms of spooky Halloween stories though the ending was perfect, and I really liked that the story was actually spooky. I can't really imagine falling for someone with a head that has visibly been severed by a cannonball, but then pre Nascosta there's quite a few things I'd never thought of people falling for so it's good to stretch the imagination.

rose_v_snnow's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

jodiexmae's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

2.5

kojicic's review against another edition

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

katdjz's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Murder

Minor: Sexism

lacyparrish's review against another edition

3.5

This is two novellas in one package -- same named characters (ish) in two different time periods. The first, contemporary setting, was okay but nothing that I would really recommend. The second, historical setting, was better and had more of a plot throughline that served the mystery of legend of the Headless Horseman. Because they were mashed together, what would have been a solid 4 ⭐ gets knocked down a half ⭐.

samanthuhhjoy's review against another edition

Lost interest in story 2 for now.

megatza's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0