panMeh. This was ok. The writing style was ok. It was a good love story. I just wasn‘t in it for a love story, I wanted creepy. It wasn‘t what I wanted it to be.
1 like
Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow | 
panMeh. This was ok. The writing style was ok. It was a good love story. I just wasn‘t in it for a love story, I wanted creepy. It wasn‘t what I wanted it to be.
pickI know the broad outlines of the Sleepy Hollow story but don‘t know it well, which I think actually served me well for this retelling. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I largely enjoyed listening to it and thought the story was good. On the other hand, there‘s too much sex on the page for my taste and a few too many eye roll moments. Since I enjoyed the story, I‘ll give it a low pick.
pickI was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went into it thinking it was going to be spooky, was down for the ride when it became a story of forbidden love, and was especially into it's eventual transformation into a tale of revenge. This was a great new take on a classic story and I recommend this to anyone looking for a bit of witchy folklore in their lives.
pickI liked the gothic atmosphere with the supernatural being explored with the tarot cards, visions, and ghost stories.
so-soI had hoped to like this one way more than I did! Palombo takes the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and reconstructs it from the perspective of Katrina Van Tassel. I did not really like Katrina as a character - the “feminist” twist to the story left me feeling more like Katrina was a whiny character than anything. Yet, the spooky factor did have my heart pound a bit, and I did tear up at the end as the story came to a close. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
7. Anything else you wish to discuss? What are your overall impressions of the book? I know there are mixed reviews on this one! #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Take a look for the other six questions posted under the spoiler tag!
catebutler, CoverToCoverGirl, BookwormAHN, jb72, CoffeeNBooks, jimfields3, Tattooedteacher, CarolineLovesToRead6. What role does grief play in the novel and how does it consume Katrina? Adapted from the discussion questions in the back of the paperback version. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. How do you feel about Brom Van Brunt over the course of the novel? Adapted from the discussion questions in the back of the paperback version. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. If Ichabod hadn‘t disappeared, what do you think might have happened to Katrina, Ichabod, and their unborn child? From discussion questions in the back of the paperback version. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Do you think Charlotte made the right choice not telling Katrina what happened to Ichabod when Charlotte first discovered the truth? Adapted from discussion questions in the back of the paperback version. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. In many ways Katrina and Charlotte‘s friendship is the true focal point of the story. Discuss how their friendship changes the course of the story and both of their lives. Adapted from discussion questions in the back of the paperback version. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. How familiar are you with Washington Irving‘s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow?” If you are familiar with it, has this book added to the story? If you are not familiar with the story, after reading this book, do you want to know more about the legend? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
pickI enjoyed this retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, from the perspective of Katrina VanTassel. #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
so-soThis was a retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. It was pretty good but I think this was one occasion where I should have just read the book. The narrator was terrible and there were other parts that seemed a little preachy. I've never thought much of Brom Bones but he was my favorite character in this one, Katrina was really melodramatic. I also really liked Charlotte. I'm looking forward to the discussion. #LiteraryCrew @Librarybelle
? The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel, The Haunting of Maddy Clare, The Sewing Machine, The House in the Cerulean Sea
✒ "...outside of books nothing delights me so much as music." - The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel
????? spending time outside reading by my pool
@rachelsbrittain
Saturday morning #coffeeandabook ☕📚
I'm really enjoying this one so far! #LiteraryCrew
Check in time for #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ...if you have started the book, what are your thoughts?
It makes me want to read the Legend of Sleepy Hollow!
Jerdencon, catebutler, CoverToCoverGirl, BookwormAHN, jb72, CoffeeNBooks, jimfields3, Tattooedteacher, CarolineLovesToRead
May‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead takes on a slightly spooky turn. I‘m so excited about this one!
Tagging those who expressed interest, but please comment below if you would like to join! I‘ll post periodic check ins. The above schedule is just a suggestion; read at your own pace. Discussion at the end of the month!
Better late than never - posting the May #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead selection, as voted by the crew! We‘re getting a little spooky and mysterious in May and all things Sleepy Hollow.
Tagging those who are participating in April. All are welcome! We‘re a low key buddy read. Use the weekly schedule as a suggested guideline - read at your own pace. Comment below if you plan to join in May, and I‘ll tag you in periodic check in posts!
KarouBlue, Jerdencon, Crazeedi, catebutler, kspenmoll, BethM, megnews, CoverToCoverGirl, Chrissyreadit, CoffeeNBooks, carolinereadsbooks, jimfields3, TattooedteacherpickThis feminist-voiced retelling of the classic legend was very enjoyable. It was a bit anti-climatic, however, I really enjoyed the way this author weaves her storytelling with historically accurate information and details. Her descriptions of this sleepy hamlet and it‘s Dutch immigrant town brought the community to life. If you love the old legend, you will no doubt love this new spin on it.
So I thought I had finished this during October for the #scarathlon & #teamslaughter, but apparently I didn‘t because there was still a bookmark inside! Now I must finish this one! #sleepyhollow #katrinavantassel
pickI really enjoyed this retelling of the classic. The Legend of Sleepy Hallow has been a long time favorite. This was a fun twist!
panI‘m so disappointed this book wasn‘t better. The premise of a Legend of Sleepy Hollow retelling/story expansion, focusing on the side female character of Katrina Van Tassel, was compelling and (in theory) the perfect set up for a great seasonal read. But it just didn‘t deliver.
This book is pretty good, thus far (100 pages in). I‘m a sucker for a spooky retelling, especially if it involves #witches. Special thanks to @JamieLou for this one! #ScaryScavengerHunt #readabookwithawitchinit #TeamSlaughter #Scarathlon
The veil is thinning, Magic is the boldest & brightest during this time. Spells more powerful. 🖤🔮🧡📖🍂🕯 #ChillingPhotoChallenge #Spell #Scarathlon #TeamSlaughter
@JamieLou I cannot thank you enough!!! This box was above & beyond!!! I love everything you picked. It was just so special. You made me a very happy #GryffinClaw 🦁🦅 Thank you, so so much! ❤️📚 #Fahs #fallathogwartsswap Special thanks to @Endowarrior21 for organizing this very fun swap!
pickI always enjoy retellings of classic stories. I really enjoyed the retelling of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" from Katrina's perspective. I liked the historic context the author brought into the story as well.
Sunday snoozles. Not sure yet how to feel about this one. There is a lot of dialogue and not much atmosphere or description.
This seemed fitting for October.
Holy moly I want to read this like wow.
pickThis is the feminist retelling of Sleepy Hollow I didn‘t know I needed.
panThis book was much more romance than creepy Halloween legend. I loved that it was told from Katrina's perspective but it was focused more on her love affair with Ichabod than investigating his disappearance. The Headless Horseman is mentioned several times in the story but there's never any suspense or spookiness. So bummed!
Thanks to St. Martin's and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
so-soI love reading retellings but this book did not work for me ...
❌ Heavily-ladened with romance. Overwhelming for me
❌ No significant difference from the original tale
❌ Characters are under developed and flat
but
✔ Atmospheric writing
Rating: 3🌟
For full review please visit https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2503371760
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #historicalfiction #historicalromance
pickFun Q&Q&Q&A interview today for #womenshistoryreads: come for Alyssa Palombo's thoughts on Madame C.J. Walker, stay for my rant about Eve, Mata Hari & Yoko Ono. Greermacallister.com/blog
