Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Hollow Boy

Spoiler
“Come off it,” Lockwood said. “You know I’d die for you.” He chuckled. “Heaven knows, I’ve come near it often enough. Scrambling down a crack in the ground is nothing…”

Coming off lots of angriness about the adaption's cancelation, it was nice to get back to reading the source material. I became a fan of Lockwood & Co because of the series. From reading the first two books, though there are some major deviations, it is a respectful and good adaption that takes its own form whilst showing love for its origins. Now, onto the contents of the book:
Wowie, THE HOLLOW BOY is a whirlwind (pun somewhat intended). Though, that's what makes it special. I loved that we got a lot of character development. The introduction of Holly sort of forces Lucy to grow and take accountability for her mistakes whether she wants to or not. I hope their relationship is as well-explored in the next two books. I also hope that George and Kipps' team are more featured.

Spoiler

I must say rest in peace to Ned Shaw. I'm beginning to grow to love Kipps. He's wonderfully sarcastic. I need more banter between him, his team, and George. I loved the way the team-up was introduced as well. The whole Chelsea Outbreak situation was so well-done. The world of this series is just so wonderfully thought out. I wonder if the Orpheus Society is more involved with the suspicious happenings at the King's Prison. Super upset that Lucy has resigned. Though, I am trusting that in the end, she'll end up back where she belongs with the boys and Holly!

I might end up taking a break from the series for a bit in order to get through some other books on my physical TBR (I've been reading the series with the audiobooks on Libby and due to my library not having the final two books in the series, I'll have to buy them physically). Though, all in all, THE HOLLOW BOY has been my favorite installment of the Lockwood and Co series yet!

Content Warnings

erebus53's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious reflective medium-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

3.0

Book #3 of the Lockwood & Co series sees the introduction of a new member of the team. Holly is the first character to be introduced to the series and described as brown skinned(!). So far the books have been not very diverse in their cast, which is why I still prefer the Netflix TV series.

Lucy is starting to really warm up to her powers of communication with spirits, and although this seems to be able to take their investigations in new directions, placating and releasing spirits, rather than waging war upon them, it does open her up to the emotions and influences of some powerful and messed up other-beings, that could end up endangering her and those she cares about.

Much as I like the direction of the story and the plot points, there are a lot of things about this series that are starting to drive me up the wall. The constant fatphobia is doubled down on in this book with Holly being ridiculed for enjoying health foods and skipping sugary treats, and George being situated firmly in the "pro-cake" column. Lucy is still a mean and insecure piece of work, who rips into people with sarcasm, seems entitled to know everyone's secrets, and seems to sulk rather than trying to resolve conflict. She basically seems to hate anyone without a Y chromosome.

I don't know why it has to be so, but the most endearing character is the comedic buddy Skull who (like Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) spends the entire time dreaming up insults or ways to kill the party members, in gleeful asides. "Egg-whisk!" I guess it's the character that's ALLOWED to be evil, and I'm sick of the heroes being secretive, snarky and malign.

I think I'll keep future episodes for when I am needing something not too challenging because I find it a bit hard to get invested in a story with such an irritating main character.

Content Warnings

growintogardens's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

2.25

*sigh* Lucy's so judgemental of other people and it's really annoying and, in this case, ruined a lot of this book for me.

Content Warnings

More...