Okay so I haven't done one of these in a very long time. I just went to check when my last Notes of a Newbie was and... I realized I hadn't even started notes on The Monster in the Hollows and... I'm literally almost done reading it 😶. Before you yell at me, I'm going to attempt a recap and reaction and possibly die in the process because I don't feel like making this post but... Here we go! (To keep this short, I won't be reacting to everything in each chapter. Just the things that stuck out to me. I'll also do this in parts, this is the first part.)
And remember, NO SPOILERS for the end of this book!
Chapters 1-5
Truth be told, I snuck a peek at Chapter one months ago after finishing North! Or Be Eaten. Oh, I still get excited reading that title. That's good to know that it hasn't been too long!
Okay, Chapter one continued a little bit after Kal's fang attack on Janner and Artham's rescue of the both of them. It was a lot to take in understandably. Janner was torn and bloodied and Kal was a wolf boy. It took a lot of healing for Janner to even walk and when he managed he smelt the smoke of Anniera. I couldn't believe it had been burning this long and it really seemed eerie to think that it had continued for 9 years and counting.
North! Or Be Eaten was such a tiring book to read. The constant rise of danger and adrenaline had my nerves in a twist. Don't get me wrong, it was a page turner... But Peterson really gets it acrossed that Janner, and the reader, needed to have rest from all those horrid things. I certainly was tired of betrayal and the evil done to LITERAL CHILDREN. Now I'm getting riled up. I despised the evil so much I wanted to soccer punch ridgerunners and of course, the Overseer. Looking back on the Monster in the Hollows, I do know even more people I wish to punch but I will have to pause here on that now as I struggle to manufacture words for this review.
I was happy to see Artham once again. He went through so much in the first two books. I know he goes through more. The one complaint I have is he's hardly in this book at all because of something that happens later ERG.
Interesting how no one know who Gnag the nameless really is... Though I've kind of been spoiled on that from being on here too haha... don't worry, I don't know that much. At least not enough to have it make sense but I have some theories... Or some vague ideas in mind.
Haha! Oskar is trying to act like a pirate. He's been on this ship too long. Someone give him a book and comfy chair before he throws his back out.
Anyway, back to chapter 3... Artham in all his beauty has returned from trying to look over the Isle. Instead he spotted a ship. Yatta yatta yatta, now Janner is sailing a ship! I imagine he's dreamed of that since he saw that drawing of Esben sailing. I love that for him.
I imagine it would be hard to simply be okay after being nearly killed by your brother who suddenly became a wolf creature... I hate when that happens. Janners reaction to being patted was only natural but I felt for Kalmar. He didn't mean to hurt his brother that time. Thankfully this clears up later.
Okay, chapter 5. My favorite poem so far in the series comes: The Boatwright's Daughter. Someone read that at my wedding, whenever that is! I laughed when I read that, sensing there was some kind of relation to Podo but I didn't figure it out until he talked about Wendy. My dad isn't the same was as this poem but I got a kick out of it. Thankfully the Hollows people liked it too so they didn't all get into a fight.
Boop a doop doop, Artham waits with the kiddos in the heart of the ship as Nia presents herself to the Hollish people.
Chapter 6-12
They arrive and Kalmar and Artham stay in the ships lower deck for obvious reasons. The others see the hollish people in their glory, chanting as they see their native Nia come to dock.
Some is explained about The Keeper but for the sake of time, I'm not going to cover that. The Keeper keeps the Keep. Easy as that.
They meet Rudric, who is apparently Nias childhood friend. I end up not liking him later because of a certain engagement but he's a good character for the most part. He had a good heart.
Anyway, Nia starts introducing the kiddos. Kalmar doesn't come out right away for obvious reasons but Artham shows up with a canvas draped over his wings and talons... for obvious reasons.
Long story short, they meet Kalmar and go absolutely insane like Scottish apes and take him into custody. In the morning, they discuss their dilemma, explaining what had happened to Kalmar and why he's trustworthy.
Unfortunately, they're insane with fear and scream like apes that they don't want a fang in the Hollows. They even bring in a fang that is just as ape as they are, showing that being a fang for a long time has bad side effects.
Artham reveals that he's part bird fang and tries to stand up for Kalmar but he unfortunately had PTSD flashbacks and his guilt takes him over. Peet once again had hold of him.
Janner basically shows everyone that Artham is still good because he throws himself from a tall height and Artham saves him. Thank you, Peetham.
However, that isn't enough for the mad apes and they call for Arthams head. He leaves the keep, Janner follows, he says he's leaving and I cried because I love him but looking back, it's probably for the best. Janner tells him about the fork factory and Sara Cobbler and Artham heads there.
Back in the keep, Nia calls Turalay which says her life is bound to Kalmars if he does anything stupid... which he does later but we don't talk about that- yet.
At the end of the whole ordeal, they all leave together.
Things I learned from these twelve chapters: The Hollish are very cautious to the point of acting in hysterics, Artham isn't completely healed of his ailment because Peet is still inside his mind, Kalmar has a ruff time ahead of him (lego batman laugh), and Rudric clearly likes Nia and wants what's best for her and her family. Also, ridgerunners are smelly. Probably.
Anyway, I'll probably update this when I'm feeling up to it. I hope you enjoyed my review!
I don't think that Nia calling turalay was super smart. I suppose she was in a rather precarious position though.