Review: Wake the Hollow

Wake the Hollow by Gaby Triana

ISBN: 978-1633753518
Pages: 304

Source: Entangled Teen

Publication Date: August 2, 2016

Initial Reaction:

Forget the ghosts, Mica. It’s real, live people you should fear.
Tragedy has brought Micaela Burgos back to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow. It’s been six years since she chose to live with her father in Miami instead of her eccentric mother. And now her mother is dead.
This town will suck you in and not let go.
Sleepy Hollow may be famous for its fabled headless horseman, but the town is real. So are its prejudices and hatred, targeting Mica’s family as outsiders. But ghostly voices carry on the wind, whispering that her mother’s death was based on hate…not an accident at all. With the help of two very different guys—who pull at her heart in very different ways—Micaela must awaken the hidden secret of Sleepy Hollow…before she meets her mother’s fate.
Find the answers.
Unless, of course, the answers find you first.

So I got this book for review a long time and I am finally getting around to writing my review as I avoid the long list of responsibilities that college has for me. On the topic of college, I managed to read this book during my laundry times cause I would stand next to the washing machine and read. Now that we're completely off topic, let's get back on topic with Wake the Hollow. I was drawn to this book because of the whole Sleepy Hollow premise and I was honestly blown away by how intricate and fascinating this story was. 

Mica thought that when she left Sleepy Hollow, she was leaving it for good but unexpected news of her mother's death brings her back to face some ugly ghosts. Quite literally since she has acquired a strange ability to see spirits. Determined to figure out just what was so important that her mother refused to leave Sleepy Hollow all those years ago, Mica gets drawn into a sinister web of local folklore and family secrets. 

I personally do not know much about the Legend of Sleepy Hollow but after this, I want to know all about it. I don't know if any of the theories presented in this novel are true but if they are that would be so cool! Gaby Triana really knows how to weave a fascinating story that feels like it has a strong historical foundation and that alone is just amazing. The world of Sleepy Hollow has never really caught my attention other than through rumors but this story really delves into the culture, family history, and family drama.

As far as characters go, I knew that some things were too good to be true but I still wanted them to exist. There were different elements throughout the story that I wasn't expecting or I was trying to avoid but everything managed to wrap itself up really nicely and it was really cool to see how things unfolded. Mica spends a lot of time trying to decide if she wants to accept the heavy mantle that is being a Sleepy Hollow girl and through the process, she learns a lot about her family and herself. I have to say, I feel like I would have left a long time ago because the people there just seem scary.

There were a couple details that I wish could have been addressed but the whole mystery adds to the mystery of the legend and Sleepy Hollow itself. I definitely recommend this, especially with Halloween drawing closer because it's definitely a thrilling read but not too scary that you need to sleep with lights on. 

3.5 out of 5 stars