Into the Hollow (Experiment in Terror, #6)

by Karina Halle

[Berls]

So here's what Karina Halle has done. She started me on this series with a book that I think most would consider soft horror. Got me all attached to the characters and invested in them. And then with each book, she has increased the horror just a little bit more. The last two are probably neck-in-neck for their horrific-ness. And I loved it. Damn it, she may just turn me into a horror reader!

So part of what worked for me in the previous Experiment in Terror books was that they were in your head scary, more than any of the blood and gore that I tend to associate with horror. The last book began to cross that line, but it was still mostly mental; only "special" people like Perry and Dax could truly experience the horror because of their connections with the mystical realm. This book has left that in the rearview mirror. We are now fully in the physical, where every single person is at risk of being, well, torn to shreds. Yep - the monster in this book is no ghost or demon, it's an actual monster and it's leaving blood and gore in it's wake. Fucking terrifying y'all!

And that's not to mention the reason I'm so hooked on these books - the relationship between Dax and Perry, and also Perry's relationship with her family. With the events of the last book - which left on a really rough cliff - I wasn't sure where things were headed and was super excited to find out. I feel like it's pretty spoilery to reveal anything because of the cliff... but let's say it's not all smooth sailing but I'm super happy with how it ended.

And I'm really glad I'm listening to these books. I feel like otherwise, I'd be doing some book throwing when things get intense. It's like, having Jo Rylan's voice both amps up the horror and keeps me moving past it at the same time. Despite my earlier uncertainty about her narration, I'm really happy with it now and would be unhappy if the narrator changed.

I think this is the last book I have on audio right now :( I have more in print, but I really want to listen so I guess we'll see how long I can wait to read the next book.

Qualifies for COYER Fall Scavenger Hunt Item #29: Read a book that takes place in the winter.