Scan barcode
A review by fallingletters
Watch Hollow by Gregory Funaro
4.0
Review originally published 8 January 2019 at Falling Letters. I received a free copy from the author.
Watch Hollow is less creepy than the cover implies but Funaro establishes a consistently spooky atmosphere throughout the book. References to iPads and Google searches early on give way to descriptions of a bleak wood and eerie sensations. I enjoyed Lucy’s first impression of the old house – a gradual introduction that shows how unsettling has become. Illustrated clock faces at the top of each chapter emphasize that atmosphere.
The story involves a lot of puzzling things out. Puzzle narratives aren’t my favourite, and this isn’t, strictly speaking, what I would call a puzzle book, but I can see a lot of kid appeal here. One type of ‘puzzling out’ I do like is when someone finds themselves having to resolve a problem that’s rooted in the past. I enjoy following how they piece things together bit by bit. Third person narration explores both Lucy and Oliver’s perspectives. They’re dealing with their own problems, which they eventually realize are intertwined. Lucy and Oliver also have to puzzle out how the clock works and how its connected to Watch Hollow, Teddy, the Garr, and the Shadow Wood. There are some creative ideas with the world-building, like the wooden animals who come to life and the power of sunstone and shadow wood.
Apart from the fantastic elements, Oliver deals with some of the challenges of puberty, notably acne and voice cracking. I haven’t seen a lot of this in middle grade – perhaps because it’s more common in contemporary fiction than in the speculative fiction that I usually read. The family dynamic between Lucy, Oliver and their father also plays an important role in the narrative.
I noted one sentence in which fat was used in a derogatory way. Lucy describes one of her bullies as being fat. This is a small point, but this kind of language – associating meanness with someone’s weight – can be harmful, especially in fiction for children. Lucy also calls Oliver a spaz, which is an ableist term.
The Bottom Line: Young readers will find lots to enjoy in Watch Hollow, especially if they have a soft spot for talking animals, monster stories, or a dose of classic spookiness!
Original thoughts: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I definitely see improvement in this book over [b: Alistair Grimm's Odditorium|18663615|Alistair Grim's Odditorium (Odditorium, #1)|Gregory Funaro|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400360301s/18663615.jpg|26485357]! Full review to follow.
Watch Hollow is less creepy than the cover implies but Funaro establishes a consistently spooky atmosphere throughout the book. References to iPads and Google searches early on give way to descriptions of a bleak wood and eerie sensations. I enjoyed Lucy’s first impression of the old house – a gradual introduction that shows how unsettling has become. Illustrated clock faces at the top of each chapter emphasize that atmosphere.
The story involves a lot of puzzling things out. Puzzle narratives aren’t my favourite, and this isn’t, strictly speaking, what I would call a puzzle book, but I can see a lot of kid appeal here. One type of ‘puzzling out’ I do like is when someone finds themselves having to resolve a problem that’s rooted in the past. I enjoy following how they piece things together bit by bit. Third person narration explores both Lucy and Oliver’s perspectives. They’re dealing with their own problems, which they eventually realize are intertwined. Lucy and Oliver also have to puzzle out how the clock works and how its connected to Watch Hollow, Teddy, the Garr, and the Shadow Wood. There are some creative ideas with the world-building, like the wooden animals who come to life and the power of sunstone and shadow wood.
Apart from the fantastic elements, Oliver deals with some of the challenges of puberty, notably acne and voice cracking. I haven’t seen a lot of this in middle grade – perhaps because it’s more common in contemporary fiction than in the speculative fiction that I usually read. The family dynamic between Lucy, Oliver and their father also plays an important role in the narrative.
I noted one sentence in which fat was used in a derogatory way. Lucy describes one of her bullies as being fat. This is a small point, but this kind of language – associating meanness with someone’s weight – can be harmful, especially in fiction for children. Lucy also calls Oliver a spaz, which is an ableist term.
The Bottom Line: Young readers will find lots to enjoy in Watch Hollow, especially if they have a soft spot for talking animals, monster stories, or a dose of classic spookiness!
Original thoughts: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. I definitely see improvement in this book over [b: Alistair Grimm's Odditorium|18663615|Alistair Grim's Odditorium (Odditorium, #1)|Gregory Funaro|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400360301s/18663615.jpg|26485357]! Full review to follow.