Tour Stop: Hollowed by Kelley York (Review and Interview)

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Title: Hollowed

Author: Kelley York

Published: August 15th 2012 by Smashwords

ARC is given by the author

Book Description:

All 18-year-old Briar Greyson wanted was to figure out this whole living-away-from-your-parents thing. Apartment, steady job, cool roommate? Check. Noah, her adorable (albeit elusive) boyfriend? Check. Everything in the life of Briar was pretty good.

Then she and her roommate are attacked on their way home one night. Briar wasn't supposed to survive.
Instead, according to the two guys who saved her, she's turning into the things that attacked her: a vampire. Totally crazy and Not Okay. Now Noah's secrets are coming to light, and he wants Briar dead. Then there are the vampires who attacked Briar to lure out her sister.
Her sister...who died years ago. 

(Didn't she?)
The city's body count is rising, and Briar wants to help put a stop to it. But first, she has to figure out who the real enemy is: the vampires, the boy she loves, or the sister she thought she'd lost.

Kelley York

Author behind "Hollowed"

Interview:

1. Give us 3 interesting facts about you?

(1) I once worked in a funeral home. People seem to find that interesting. I filled out death certificates, helped arrange services and viewings, drove bodies to the crematory for cremation, and sometimes drove them to the airport if they were being shipped out of state.

(2) I got married to by amazing wife on October 30^th, 2008, a few days before Proposition 8 passed.

(3) I used to be an artist. I still doodle from time to time, but it's a hobby that was set aside in favor of my writing. I attended a few anime conventions and sold my artwork and took commissions.

2. Current book/s you have on your shelf?

Well...most of my books are e-books. ;) On my virtual shelf, I have LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott, and FEED by Mira Grant.

3. What inspired you to write about Hollowed?

I'm not sure if anything inspired it, per se. Just that Briar was this fun character I had in my head, and she had a story I wanted to tell. She's a character I absolutely love to write for.

4. Any advice to aspiring writers?

I never feel qualified to answer this question, because I don't think I'm any different than any other writer out there. If you're writing, you're a writer. You may not be a published writer, but you're still a writer and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

That being said, writing is a passion. At times, it's lonely, heartbreaking, infuriating, depressing, and extremely hard to handle. Write because you don't know how NOT to, not because you want fame and money. It's a long, hard road. Keep learning, and you'll get there.

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My Thoughts:

I've been dying to read this book from the first I saw it. The cover is so pretty and I love books about supernatural beings. This book blew me away. Hollowed is a treat for your reading urge.

The story is about Briar Greyson. Her life is pretty much normal. Until one day, she and her friend are attacked by vampires. Her friend is dead, while Briar’ mortality was snatched. She’s turning into a vampire!  Her boyfriend tries to kill her! Rouge vampires want her! Her dead sister is alive! Briar’s life is about to change.  Who turned her? Why are the vampires after her sister? You have to read this book to find out. Hollowed will make you thirsty for answers.

The world building is extraordinary. I love how the author merges reality and fantasy. There were vampires, werewolves, fae, witches and more. Though, this book focuses more on vampires. Briar’s world is believable despite the supernatural beings. The author’s way of writing is good too. I enjoyed the scenes that she wants the readers to see. Everything was written beautifully. I didn’t have a hard time imagining Briar’s world. I also like how the author had kept me behind the curtains. There were times when I’m begging for answers. The last few chapters will definitely leave your mouth hanging open.

The character building is good. I like books where I could connect with the main character. This book is one of them. Briar is my favorite here. I like her flaws, which made her more believable. She’s strong minded, dedicated, impulsive and reckless. There were times when she made me laugh. Especially the part when she’s in her denial stage.  She really can’t believe that she’s a vampire, despite the symptoms.  Oliver is my second favorite character. He seems to be cold on the outside but there is something more about him that draws me in. His past melts my heart. As for Noah, his mysteriousness made me want to know more about him.He raises my curiosity. He keeps things to himself. Though, I like his protectiveness and courage. There are more characters that I like. I shall leave them to you to find out more.

The love angle is good. There were times when Briar and this certain guy (Can’t spoil) made my stomach flutter. I love their maturity.

Overall, this book is a great read. I recommend this book to action and supernatural lovers. After reading Hollowed, I can’t wait to read another book from Kelley.

I give this book 4.5 swimming whales