The Hollow

By: Christopher Zaleski

Narrated by: Anna Grace Conover

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

Teen prodigy Carol has always known she was different from the other kids, but when her talents turn supernatural; her life takes a disastrous turn.

Despite her over achievements, Carol struggles with a neurosis she calls "The Hollow". Though she believes the hollow is her private cross to bear, there is a sneaking suspicion that she is being watched, studied from the shadows.

Fear sends her fleeing from her childhood home, leaving behind her one true love, Matthew. Running is only a distraction. The hollow continues to grow, and with it comes supernatural abilities, and dangerous, uncontrollable impulses to use them. The ensuing bloodshed sends her running back to Matthew.

There is someone watching Carol, having her followed, recording all her actions, her words, her abilities. Mr. Fredericks hungers for Carol's powers and will stop at nothing to get them.

Unbearable truth emerges; Carol discovers she has been an experiment from birth. She must gain control of the hollow before the doorways to darker paths open. It's time for Carol to rise above her fears and reclaim her life once and for all.

©2017 Christopher Zaleski (P)2017 Anna Grace Conover and Christopher Zaleski

Thrilling exciting Paranormal

I thought this was a very interesting thriller built around paranormal or supernatural based on psychic, crime and murder of one man and his need for power. At first I though Mr. Fredericks was after knowledge but it soon become clear he is a mad man who wants to control people. The Hollow is a pretty fast pace with some action, danger that the victims fine they can’t fight and are willing to do a mad mans bidding. There are so many twists and turns you don’t know what to believe or who to trust.

The narrator does a pretty good job of narration there are a few places where there is a small volume change it isn’t when a break was taken it is more of emotion that is a little out of place. There are a few places where a pause was taken a little too soon but not enough to take away from the audio. Her character voices are pleasant as well as her normal voice. A few of her voices are a little too close to her natural voice but you know which character is talking. For the most part the character voices flow easy and evenly throughout the audio. There was no background noise and I could not tell if any breaks were taken. The music that was used fit the story very well not to over powering, not to loud or to soft, it blended well with the story. I thought the voices for the most part fit the characters. I always knew who was talking and what they were feeling. Her emotions for the most part were good I could feel how scared Carol was. I did enjoy her narration and feel with a little time as she grows so will become more powerful and will exceed in her deliverance.

First let’s go over what I didn’t care for. I didn’t care for the way the story started out, sexual present right from the start I thought took away from the beginning of the story. I feel it would have been more powerful a little later on. I just didn’t care how some of the first part was presented. The author does a great job in showing what the hollow is but I would have liked a little more information at the ending of it.

With that said shall we move on? The author as a very unique writing style that really pulls the listener in taking them on a journey of the unknown with new technology and the powers they may bring. I really liked how things played out with Carol from her unknowing to her feeling of being watch, her reaction is so natural. I had no trouble feeling the fear she hold deep inside not only from the hollow but from those that were suppose to love her and the people watching her. As her powers come to light and start taking over the fear is real the control over her is frightening as well as her need to learn how to control whatever it is. Her relationship with Matthew is so free and easy, no lines but they grew up together so it is natural they are very easy with each other. Even though the sexual tension was too soon it slows easy. The unknown, the difference between bodies and the control it has is natural as it would be with most teens trying things for the first time. It is a pretty clean read the author bases the story over the hollow, what it is and the control of not only it but of the people around her trying to bring her in and take control. I loved watching her learn what the hollow is and what all she could do with it. The murders, the how things unfolded effected her very much. I had no trouble feeling the pain of what she was going through, what she had done or those she loved when she found out they may have played a big part in the things that are happening to her. Even I had my doubts to the people around her. Oh there is no doubt from the start no one will like Mr. Fredericks and as I learned more I wished I could do a few things to him he did to others. The author does an outstanding job pulling the reader in giving you a page turner. I just had to know what happen next that I had trouble turning the audio off. The mystery and a few surprise along with some action, the unknown, hurt, pain and sorrow awaits you but also some smiles, pleasures and kindness. Nothing is as it seem, trust no one but yourself. If it isn’t been twisted it will be and you will be saying what the heck just happened. I totally enjoyed this and can’t wait to listen to more work from this author.

The Hollow

Very interesting story and kept me listening to get to the conclusion. It's kinda young adult genre but a good story all in all.

Interesting twist

I was pleasantly surprised by this story. Expecting a "teen-wunderkind saves the world" kind of vibe, as is the norm in this kind of story, I was relieved to find it was nothing like that. Sort of a YA/Thriller/Urban Fantasy hybrid, The Hollow was a refreshing change of pace. I appreciated the voice talent, as she is well-fitted to this story, and did a good job. I listened, based on the recommendation of an author I respect, and was not disappointed. I'll definitely keep this author in my crosshairs for future books.

Not your run-of-the-mill, regular romance...

This is one of those good stories where you get more than what you bargained for. At its core, it's a YA, romantic thriller, but there are elements of science fiction that make for a much deeper experience. The characters are great, and the subject matter pushes the boundaries of your standard-issue romantic plot. I liked it a lot. Recommended for anyone bored with the hackneyed romance plot-model.

Psychological Thriller

I received this audiobook at my request and I am providing this voluntary review. What is going on with Carol? The book peeked my curiosity with that question, and took me on a journey of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the heart pounding conclusion. Romance, betrayal, suspense, and science fiction all rolled into a fascinating psychological thriller. I would love to give this book five stars, but the sound quality isn't great and it kept me from being able to enjoy the book to its fullest.

Excellent!

Carol gained incrdible intelligance about the time she started highschool but she's still a teen. The story begins with her preparing for college. Thee boy next door Matthew soon becomes her boyfriend and when she leaves for college in California she leaves him behind. Her entire family picks up and moves which I found a bit odd but after listening it was necessary for the story.

Along with her intelliigence comes something she calls The Hollow. It haunts her in a sense. The storry flows and has enough intrigue to keep me listening. I couldn't wait to hear what was coming next. The plot was unique. I read a lot of supernatural/paranormal and this was refreshingly different. The author has an easy to listen to and follow along with writing stylee and the narrator is perfect for the part.

There's quite a few twists and turns. By no means is this a typical book but far more. I haven't heard of this author before but will be watching for more of his books in the future.

I received this book for an honest review.

YA Supernatural Thriller

I did enjoy the book even though it is young adult reading. It was interesting concept with scientific experiment with supernatural powers including telekinesis. It includes coming of age with romance between Carol and Matt and their travels with the evil Mr. Fredericks who wants Carol’s powers.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

excellent story!

I was given this audio book in exchange for my honest review. The story keeps you interested throughout. It is well written with great narration. I would recommend it to anyone that likes this genre.

An interesting journey...

This audiobook gives the reader a very interesting journey through the protagonist's mind / psyche. The main question that kept me listening the whole time is - what, actually, is going on with Carol? Also, I liked the voice of the narrator. A compelling story, highly recommended. This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Excellent!

Mr Fredericks was a brilliant man who sought to increase the function of the human brain. At first he experimented on himself and eventually discovered he had the power of persuasion. He could convince people to do anything he wanted, even if they didn't want to. He manages to talk one of his employees and his newly pregnant wife into letting him experiment with their unborn child. In exchange, they'd never have to work another day in their lives. They wanted to say no, but found they couldn't. At first it seemed his experiment was a failure, but as she grew older she starts showing signs of having supernatural abilities. Mr Fredericks will stop at nothing to unlock Carol's secrets, putting her and everyone she loves in danger. Excellent supernatural thriller mixed with a little YA romance. I was hooked from chapter one! I loved the narration by Anna Grace Conover. Her voice was perfect for the role of Carol and she did a great job with the other characters as well.

All in her mind

The premise of this book initially seemed similar to the movie Lucy, but the main character (Carol) was somewhat younger (mid teens) with a different set of issues as her powers expanded.

There was something about the pacing of the book that meant that it didn't grab me as much as it could have done, it ramped up nicely at the start but then sort of plateaued rather than peaking at the conclusion.

I found the performance of the narrator served to enhance the book, her voice was pleasant for the main character and sufficiently distinctive for the rest of the case that they were all readily recognisable from each other.

Overall, this was a good book that is well worth a listen if the basic premise seems like it would appeal to you.

Just wasn’t for me. :(

Unfortunately I just couldn’t finish this book.
I don’t feel the author or narrator did anything especially wrong; I just feel the target audience is just a fair bit younger than me which isn’t clear in the audio sample or description.
I honestly think a YA audience would really enjoy this book and I feel bad I wasn’t able to give it a higher review. :(
The book seems well written and the narrator does a reasonable job, but the lack of distinction between the different character voices left me feeling disinterested and the audible clicking of the mouse left me feeling frustrated. I think it’s faults were exaggerated by the knowledge it’s part of a trilogy which made it harder for me to justify completion after giving it nearly 3 hours.
This is an unbiased review of a free review copy.

A good listen

I did enjoy this book although I found it a little long winded at times.

YA Paranormal Romance

This was a very sweet YA paranormal romance, with a dark twist. Teen prodigy Carol loves Matthew, has always loved him, he is her anchor, she knows in the way she knows a lot of things, the way she 'feels' things, sne doesn't know how, she calls it the 'hollow'. Carol finds out she's been betrayed by her parents, she's in danger and being watched. I found mr. Fredericks to be a dark and twisted character, he gave me the chills the lengths he was willing to go to any lengths to get what he wants, Carol's power. I really enjoyed the romance between Carol and Matthew, it was so sweet, he was her rock. I feel that the book didn't keep the same pace, that it lost momentum, but I still enjoyed it, the narrator Anna Grace Conover had a nice voice, very pleasant to listen to.

ok book

I don't think this book was for me but I could be for you nothing wrong with the author nor the narrater I think its just me