5/5

The Hollow absolutely wrecked me in the best way.

This is one of those books that slowly wraps around your throat and by the end you’re just sitting there staring at the wall wondering what the hell you’re supposed to do with your life now.

From page one there’s this constant feeling of unease and mystery — hidden magic, forbidden books, fractured visions, corrupt people lurking behind everything, and a girl who realizes her entire life has basically been built on secrets. I was OBSESSED.

And the worldbuilding?? Exactly how I like fantasy. Detailed enough to feel immersive without dumping ten million rules on you every chapter. You learn alongside Leah, so everything feels natural and addictive instead of overwhelming. The Echodex concept was genuinely so interesting to me and the whole “fate can break” element added this constant tension underneath the story.

Leah felt messy and real in a way I really appreciated. She’s overwhelmed, grieving, confused, angry, trying to survive while being thrown into a world she doesn’t understand — and it made her feel HUMAN instead of instantly powerful and untouchable.

And then there’s Nico.
Broody. Morally gray. Secretive. Shadow-wielding. Emotionally constipated. Exactly my type unfortunately.

The tension between them was SO good because it’s built on distrust, reluctant reliance, sarcasm, and that constant push and pull where you know they’re hiding things from each other but you still want them together anyway. The banter carried this book for me at times because it balanced the darker atmosphere perfectly.

Also Kasper? I would die for him actually.

This book feels dark and atmospheric without losing the emotional core underneath it, and by the end I was fully attached to these characters. The ending had me stressed, emotional, and immediately needing book two.

If you like:
🖤 hidden magical worlds
🕯️ forbidden magic & prophecy
🌑 morally gray shadow men
⚔️ secret organizations & corruption
✨ slow burn tension
🥀 emotional damage disguised as fantasy

…you need this on your TBR immediately.

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and Leslie Lenz for giving me the opportunity to read the eARC! These are my 100% honest thoughts and opinions.5/5 ✨

Review of Advance Copy Received from NetGalley

Some futures are better left unseen…but not this one, there’s a broody MMC

If you need me, I will be sitting here impatiently waiting for book two.

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5/5 Stars

There is nothing that I love more in a fantasy book than detailed world building and a well thought out magic system. When I tell you this story had both, it had BOTH.

The plot in itself was very immersive, I loved the time we spent with our FMC Leah as she learned her powers. As readers we get to experience and learn alongside her and the author clearly put so much attention to detail into each plotline.

I highly suggest this read if you love fantasy! Especially if you love fantasy’s where romance is a subplot and not the main focus.

Tropes

~ Power Discovery

~ Slow Burn Romance

~ Long Journey/Quest

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5/5 Stars

Okay, I absolutely LOVED this book. This was one of those reads where I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter,” and suddenly I was flying through the pages. I got so attached to these characters, and the more I read, the more I found myself caring about what happened to them. Listen, I was already having a hard enough time choosing between Kasper and Nico BEFORE they even showed up. I'm already torn, and I just know book two is going to make me question everything. Why must fictional men make our lives so difficult?!

This has easily become one of my favorite romantasy reads of the year. I love the way Leslie tells a story. Everything just flows so well, and I found myself feeling all kinds of emotions while reading. There are funny moments, sad moments, and moments that make your heart happy, and somehow it all comes together so naturally. And Leah! I really want to see her step into who she's meant to be. I'm rooting for her so much, and I NEED to know what's coming for her next. I have so many questions, and I am absolutely not ready to leave this story behind.

I also got lucky enough to meet Leslie with my friend at Barnes & Noble while she was promoting the book, and she was seriously the sweetest! It was such a lovely experience, and meeting the author made reading her story feel even more special.

Honestly, if you love romantasy and getting emotionally invested in characters, please add this one to your TBR. I'm so glad I picked it up, and now I just need book two in my hands ASAP. **Leslie, I NEED to know what happens next!**