Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride

By: Richard Gleaves

Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer

Length: 12 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's Summary

Book Two SLEEPY HOLLOW: Bridge of Bones is NOW AVAILABLE

JASON CRANE just turned seventeen years old.

He's a STAR WARS fan and a history geek. He doesn't believe in ghosts or the afterlife. He doesn't believe in psychic powers or tarot cards. He doesn't believe in the Headless Horseman.

But Sleepy Hollow will change all that. Because Jason Crane has a heritage to claim. Jason Crane has a Gift to discover. And Jason Crane has an old enemy who will RISE HEADLESS AND RIDE.

©2013 Richard Gleaves (P)2014 Richard Gleaves

“I don’t know you, do I?”

Any additional comments?

This was an entertaining ride in audio, an old-fashioned tale of malevolent forces and charming heroes who tackle them. I’m not a consistent consumer of the supernatural/ghost genre, and I don’t know the work of Washington Irving. I gave this book a shot at the recommendation of a friend, and I thoroughly enjoyed it – and I definitely look forward to the next book.

Characterization is believable amidst the belief-suspending supernatural elements. Moreover, I found myself eager to see what happened to these people along the way and happy and sad at their various outcomes. The excellent writing translates superbly to the read-aloud format. Voices are distinct amongst the characters, the pacing is just right, and there weren’t too many places where my mind wandered off and lost the story. The imagery is crisp – you can see what’s happening – well enough that you know author Richard Gleaves has the big screen in mind for his saga, or, better, an intricately developed tv series. Personal highlights for me, other than the story well told of a budding hero, were the scenes dealing with a conflicted closeted teen, the humor (“No brains … No brains …”, LOL), the Ayn Rand literary references, the character of Eliza, a sly wink and smile personified, the all-too-brief musical interludes, and the hints of mysteries to come (“Usher" family?). There is at least one wonderful philosophical theme running through this tale, an epistemological mystery undergirding the ghostly one: the difficulty of KNOWING the people around you. Getting to know the truth behind people is part of the dark adventure here. And though there are dark things happening in this story, the story itself is not cynical, but bright and joyful. And fun!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Interesting Start

This is an interesting story. A little slow and very few explanations about the special powers (except that they survive supernatural attacks) but still intriguing enough for me to continue the story. Jason is a practical boy who won't believe anything unless he sees it and so he is given vision after clue and so struggles until the end to believe what he sees. A semi-predictable story with enough twists that make it enjoyable, it does though reminded me of a Scooby Doo movie about a man who summons his long dead witch relative from the grave and can't control her afterwards. I don't know which came first but this book is worth a try.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Gave up around the 2/3rds mark.

What would have made Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride better?

I am more than halfway through the book and still nothing much has happened. I do not find the main character interesting or engaging. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be an angsty teenage story about growing up in some kinda weird and unhappy circumstances or a mystery or a thriller or what, so far it's just been boring. I've kept listening on the hope that something interesting will happen but so far not.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride?

I've given up around 2/3s of the way through the book because nothing much has happened yet. Maybe if something to do with actually revealing what the central mystery/thrill/supernatural threat of the story is, and maybe even resolving it, with the last third of the book, then it would be worth it to condense most of the beginning so we could get to the action/point.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A fun Halloween read!

this book was a lot of fun! I love the original tale and I'm glad this book turned out to be good too. it has to do with the descendants of the characters from the original Sleepy Hollow story. there was certain characteristics of each person that harken back to their ancestors. I liked that. and there was certain scenes that were recreated, too. liked those. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was superb! yes, I will read the next book in this series! it's a fun Halloween read. (the story takes place in October & on Halloween).

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Possibly the worst book I have listened to

What would have made Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride better?

If the story had believable dialogue, a plausible plot, or even a passing adherence to legality it would have been more of an enjoyable listen.

Has Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes it has! The idea and title were appealing but I cannot imagine this being enjoyable to anyone who has contact with other real people.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

What character would you cut from Sleepy Hollow: Rise Headless and Ride?

I cannot think of one character with a believable personality or dialogue that is even remotely realistic.

Any additional comments?

I was more or less just trying to get through all the way up to the point where the grandmother somehow bequeathed the guardianship of her grandson to someone. As if a person is chattel and property to be disposed of at death.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Washington Irving would be proud!

I went into this book with cautious optimism. After attempting to watch that blasphemous Sleepy Hollow series and suffering through the first installment of the Hollow Trilogy, I know that there’s so many ways a headless horseman story could go wrong. Oh and please don’t get me started on the Tim Burton movie. Who in their right mind would cast Johnny Depp as Ichabod?

Here’s the thing. If you’re going to retell old Washington Irving’s masterpiece, you better use the spooky setting to your full advantage. Irving and Ray Bradbury mastered the art of intoxicating readers with lyrical descriptions of fall landscapes. Contemporary authors all seem to pale in comparison. That is until I took a chance on Richard Gleaves.
He is clearly a huge fan of Irving’s work, and it shows in his atmospheric descriptions of Ichabod Crane’s stomping grounds. His prose swept me away to the little hamlet along the Hudson River, where I could hear the soft autumn breeze wafting through the trees, smell the smoke drifting from burnt leaves, and see the moonlight shining upon spooky boneyard. Such fun!

The genius of the story, is the parallels between the modern day characters and their direct descendants—Brom bones and Ichabod Crane. Our hero Jason Crane may be long and lanky, but he’s much cooler than his social-climbing ancestor. As expected, he falls in love with Kate (the new Katrina), who is unfortunately hooked up with the modern day Brom Bones, a school jock with lots of skeletons in the closet.

Of all the multi-dimensional characters in this book, I most enjoyed Jason’s newfound bestie—a wannabe Robin Williams who spends most of his waking hours manning the grounds of the local cemetery. This actually comes in handy when Jason finds that his grandmother is being conned into digging up a veritable Pandora’s box that has been entombed in the family crypt for two centuries.

I’ll save you from the gory details—and I mean that in every sense of the word! But I will say that this is one thrill ride that will get you in the Halloween spirit. Ever since I watched the Disney version of Sleepy Hollow—a masterpiece onto itself—I’ve been obsessed with this story. It was such a treat when Gleaves invoked bits and pieces from Ichabod’s last ride into the climax. I won’t tell you any more, but I will say that fans of the Disney classic will be most amused.

P.S. The narrator is fantastic!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

My New Halloween Classic!

I have absolutely loved my experience with this novel!
The story is a lot of fun and the narrator is simply fantastic. The characters are well-rounded and the ambiance is just to die for. If you're looking for a Halloween YA paranormal read, you've found it!

A little long...

This was a well written book, albeit it took a little longer than I would have liked to get to the meat of the story. That's about the only negative that I could get from it. :The narration was okay, I"m always a little leery of trying out a new voice. I am looking forward to hearing the next in this trilogy.

I'm left wondering if I liked it or not

this book was a kind of fun, light, creepy mystery, although what was solved in the end was pretty minimal. My biggest problem with the book is how someone can go from writing a pretty decent and interesting story that draws you in, to some of the worst dialogue exchanges I've heard. I would to go from being wrapped up in the story to rolling my eyes like I was listening to an episode of Gilmore Girls or a first-year creative writing student.
The performance wasn't terrible or anything but it certainly didn't help. There was no real enthusiasm in the reading. Some of the voices were a little hokey as well. It felt like I was being read down to like a child being read to by a teacher.
I really wanted to like this book but now instead of immediately downloading the second of the series like I normally would, I'm sitting here debating if I even want to hear it. I find myself wanting more of the story, but afraid I'll end up disappointed again.

Absolutely incredible.

This book is absolutely incredible! I just happened upon it in an audible deal and it seemed right up my alley. I love ghost storeis, I love halloween, and I love the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This book is so much fun and sets up for what promises to be an excellent trilogy.
It's a YA novel and has a bit of teenage angst/drama/etc. but it isn't for the faint of heart. It's got its intense parts and even a little gruesomeness. The story is aboslutely engrossing and the characters are deeply developed and interesting.
The writing in this book is just wonderful. The author dives into Washington Irving's Legend, true Revolutionary history, true-to-life geography of the Terrytown area, and back into his fabulous fictional world seamlessely. The intense horror action is offset by a thoroughly enjoyable sense of humor without seeming forced at all. Just great writing.
The reader does just a fantastic job on this book. He uses a wide variety of easily recognizable voices for each character and handles the horror and the humor beautifully. Excellent building suspense, excellent comedic timing. It really brings this book together.
I can't wait to listen to the rest!

Start of a brilliant series

I really enjoyed this book. Eris Micheal Summerer made it come to life. There are parts where I held my breath and urged the hero along. It ended on a kind of cliff hanger making me want the next book right away st see what happens next.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Highly recommended to those who love adventure and a bit of a spook

Having purchased this audio book via kindle unlimited on Amazon, a decision made as much on price as on the expectation of entertainment I was delighted and surprised to find it immeasurably entertaining, a real (if metaphoric) page turner. I binge-listened to the whole thing on a Saturday and immediately upon finishing it purchased the next book.

I hope that at one point soon it gets made into a TV series or film, because I'd love to see it on screen and think it would be much more enjoyable than recent forays into the Sleepy Hollow legend.

Thank you Richard Gleaves.