“Blood is its own kind of magic. It sustains life. It carries our history, all the blood that came before us…”
Horseman
Thank you, Christina Henry, Berkley Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book! It releases on September 28th!
Horseman by Christina Henry is a tale about Sleepy Hollow, but not the way we know it. But there is no better way to kick off the Fall season than with a Sleepy Hollow retelling. Ben Van Brunt is 14 years old and loves Sleepy Hollow and playing in the woods. Yes, everyone knows the stories of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane. Ben should know. Ben’s grandparents are Katrina Van Tassell and THE Brom Bones. Katrina would love nothing more if Ben would start acting like a lady, but Ben wants to be just like her grandfather who is her favorite person in the whole world. Her parents died when she was just a baby and has been raised by her grandparents. Brom hates the village stories, he only did it to scare off Ichabod Crane. But Crane was never found. However, something unusual is happening in Sleepy Hollow. Ben stumbles across the headless body of a boy in the woods. Rumors swirl. Is the Headless Horseman back? Or is it something more sinister?
“There are many things you don’t understand and couldn’t beginto. The world doesn’t always have reasons. Sometimes terrible things happen without justification, or simply because someone wants them to happen.”
Horseman
It is wonderful to visit Sleepy Hollow again! And Christina Henry is the perfect author to take us there! I loved The Girl in Red, The Mermaid, and The Ghost Tree. One thing is for sure, she knows how to make a dark story…even darker. Trigger Warnings: Child Death, Murder, Gruesome Scenes, Abuse, Assault. I love how it is still a mystery with what happened to Ichabod Crane and how Ben tries to figure it out. But the ending is anything but predictable! I loved all the twists and turns! However, my favorite aspect of this book is Ben discovering who they are. Raised a girl, but always felt like a boy. Ben has the courage to stand up for themself, especially to family. Sometimes that is the hardest. It is difficult for those now, let alone post-Revolutionary War times.
I could cry at the depth of the relationships displayed. While Ben has a difficult relationship with Katrina. Ben knows that Katrina would sacrifice herself for Ben. She is a stubborn and fierce woman, but she loves with all her soul. But Brom and Ben are two peas in a pod. I love their relationship. Brom not only accepts Ben but encourages it! He praises Ben and never wants Ben to be someone they aren’t. That is love. So break out the tissues because there is more than one moment where I needed one!
Another win for Christina Henry! Definitely make sure you add it to your Fall TBR! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Amanda's Book Review 