You know the feeling when you find a thrilling book that makes you shiver—one that sends all your logic backward, yet you can’t stop reading even though you’re afraid? Others might paraphrase it as, “What the hell did I just read?!” but in the name of keeping it PG, let’s say: “WHAT THE.”
Yep. That was exactly what I thought after reading House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland.
Years ago, the Hollow girls disappeared without a trace. Grey (11), Vivi (9), and Iris (7) vanished for an entire month right under their parents’ noses. When they finally reappeared one day—naked, shivering, and holding a knife—they had no memory of what had happened. And they looked different, too: a half-moon scar carved into each of their throats, hair turned white, and eyes gone pitch black.
Iris, now 17, lives only with her mother, Cate, after both of her older sisters have moved out. Determined to live a normal, mundane teenage life, Iris quickly realizes that her striking appearance—and the eerie occurrences that seem to follow her—make that nearly impossible. When the three sisters reunite at one of Vivi’s gigs, something terrible happens: Grey disappears.
This time, it’s different.
Grey’s disappearance appears to be tied to their mysterious past, forcing Iris to unravel the dark truths they’ve all been avoiding.
Reading this book was, without a doubt, a ride. I was completely immersed by how a seemingly mundane setting could feel so deeply unnerving. Just a few chapters in, I could already sense the creeping dread beneath everything. Krystal Sutherland’s writing acts like an anchor, keeping the narrative hauntingly steady and atmospheric. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I wanted to know more. I needed to know more.
I also wouldn’t mind getting more of Tyler Yang (Grey’s boyfriend), if possible. His character felt shallow at first, but he eventually grew on me. I think that contrast is intentional: where it took me time to warm up to Tyler, I was instantly drawn to Grey’s aura, Vivi’s unbothered nature, and Iris’s quiet calmness. It’s not that I like the Hollow girls more—it’s more that their charm feels like an unwanted magnet rather than something meant to be liked.
As for the twist…
Wow.
Predicting it wasn’t terribly difficult; the book leaves plenty of crumbs along the way. But having it confirmed—retold with such a deeply disturbing undercurrent—was an entirely different experience. It was horrifying in a way that lingers. I was a little (okay, a lot) creeped out, and yet I can’t deny how beautifully this story was carved.
So, in conclusion: please pick up this book if you haven’t already. I think you’ll feel the same shivers and unease, but trust me when I say, it’s worth it.
Rating: 4.7★
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