Book Review: The Hollow City by Dan Wells

Book: The Hollow City by Dan Wells
Genre: Horror/ Psychological Thriller
Rating: ★★★★★
For: Review (and Support Local Authors!)
From: ARC borrowed from the library staff (to be released July 3, 2012)

Back a few months ago when Dan Wells visited the library and did a little presentation, he left the staff with an ARC for this book. It immediately fell into my hands since the fact that I'm a bit of a fan has spread through the ranks. Needless to say, I was so very excited. In fact, it's quite possible I may have squealed a bit.

Now finally, since it's being released this week, I can tell you about it!

I read the book in about two sittings. It's a mind boggling, fascinating look inside the mind of a schizophrenic patient that left me feeling so... so... confused and crazy!

Michael is the main character and we learn from the very start that he has had some issues determining what is real in his life, and what is not. He knows he has these issues and is very forthcoming about them, but that doesn't change the fact that he can't figure a lot of things out and doesn't know what's going on around him.

Since the book is in first person, and we are only in his head... guess who else can't determine what is real.... or not? Or what exactly is going on? Yes, we, the readers.

I LOVED this! Even if it did make me crazy! Which is the whole point I think, to feel crazy. Literally.

So Michael ends up in the psychiatric ward of the hospital and is being visited by his one or two friends, including a doctor who is trying to help him. One of his many issues is that he feels like he is being watched and monitored, especially through electronic devices. He has a major problem with them! And he's not sure the doctor is friend or foe either. In fact, is the doctor in on the whole bad thing that Michael thinks is going on?

Good question Michael!

He also keeps seeing some very strange faceless creatures... which is especially creepy. And he is constantly telling himself that they are not real. But.... are they?

I was going to mention the hollow city itself, but I think I'll just let you read it and find out for yourself what that all has to do with anything. I'm afraid of giving too much away. But I will say that after I read the last page I thought, "What the heck just happened? Did I just read what I think I read? Oh my gosh! I am so confused!"

Now granted, some of you may find finishing a book and feeling confused not such a good thing, but I found it fun and entertaining and quite the blast. My next step was make sure Jenny had the book as soon as as she could and then I told her she had to read it FAST so we could talk. She was done in just a day or two and we talked everything through and got it all figured out! Ha! (Be sure to check out her review here!)

And now... I can't wait for you ALL to read it and we can all talk together and see if we can make sense of this story! Okay, is it a plan? Let me know when you are done!

Bottom line: I loved this one! Everything about it... the writing, the characters, the story and yes, even the craziness!

Other Reviews:

Elitist Book Reviews
Shallee McArthur
Afterglow Book Reviews