Horseman: A Tale of Sleepy Hollow

In the town of Sleepy Hollow, everyone knows the tale of the Horseman, but when 14 year old Ben Van Brunt discovers a body in the woods, it leads him on a path of discovery and heartbreak.

My Thoughts

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am so obsessed with this author and all her dark and twisted fantasies and this book DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!

I had read the classic story of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” when I was younger and have always been fascinated with it. The movie with Johnny Depp came out and I was borderline obsessed…. I watch it every Halloween so when I saw the great twister or tales, Christina Henry was writing a retelling of it, I just had to beg NetGalley so I could read it as soon as possible. Ms. Henry… you did NOT disappoint. The author gave me the spooky tale I craved with so many unexpected twists and storylines and I WAS INTO IT! It combined elements of the original story and gave the characters so much more depth and gave the small town of Sleepy Hollow a spookier vibe than I ever expected.

This book wasn’t just a mystery or a spooky tale, it had so many wonderful elements and storylines woven into it. It was so much more than I thought… well done Ms. Henry. The author stayed true to the original story, but gave the characters just enough of a twist that made it different and fun to read. The town of Sleepy of Hollow is one that I half want to visit and half want to stay away from. It reminded me of the town from the movie, but so much spookier andddddd those woods are some creepy ones that even the Bad Wolf wouldn’t venture into.

The plot follows the Van Brunt family and the main character is a teenager struggling with his identity and how society and his family see him. His story and struggle were such a welcome surprise to the plot and adds a depth to the familial plot and the mystery of it as well. His past is a mystery in itself and when the mysterious deaths of his peers start to take place it becomes not only a story to find their killer, but one to uncover his past as well. Ben and his internal dialogue could be annoying at times, but considering he is a 14 year old and is struggling with what he is struggling with, I forgave his whininess most of the time.

I loved the side story of his grandparents. I would love to read a book just based on their past and to read their perspectives because it truly captivated me. I love Brom and Katerina so much and their story was so heartbreakingly more beautiful than I expected.

This story had so many amazing layers and so many wonderful elements braided together into it that I was hooked from beginning to end. It gave me everything I wanted and it gave me things that I never expected. I loved this book so much and it will always have a special place in my heart. Ms. Henry you have done it again, thank you so much for this unique and amazing read!