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Linkville Horror #4
Hollow: A Linkville Horror Series
In the depths of a vast, foreboding cave, where silence whispers of unspeakable horrors, three friends embark on a treacherous journey to unravel the mysteries that lie within. HOLLOW is a gripping horror novel that will send shivers down your spine and keep you enthralled until the final, heart-pounding revelation.
Driven by a desperate search for their missing friends, the trio ventures deep into the labyrinthine tunnels, unaware of the malevolent forces that await them. With each step, they unknowingly play into the hands of the spirits that dwell within the shadows, eager to manifest their darkest fears and subject them to unrelenting torment.
As the friends become entangled in the never-ending maze, theñ. boundary between reality and nightmare blurs. Their quest for answers quickly transforms into a harrowing battle for survival, as they confront their own personal demons while fighting to escape the clutches of the malicious spirits.
HOLLOW is an atmospheric tale that delves into the realms of human resilience, the complexity of friendship and family, and the insidious power of fear. As the friends battle their own demons and navigate the treacherous depths of the cave, the pulse-pounding suspense will leave you breathless, and the lingering questions will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
Driven by a desperate search for their missing friends, the trio ventures deep into the labyrinthine tunnels, unaware of the malevolent forces that await them. With each step, they unknowingly play into the hands of the spirits that dwell within the shadows, eager to manifest their darkest fears and subject them to unrelenting torment.
As the friends become entangled in the never-ending maze, theñ. boundary between reality and nightmare blurs. Their quest for answers quickly transforms into a harrowing battle for survival, as they confront their own personal demons while fighting to escape the clutches of the malicious spirits.
HOLLOW is an atmospheric tale that delves into the realms of human resilience, the complexity of friendship and family, and the insidious power of fear. As the friends battle their own demons and navigate the treacherous depths of the cave, the pulse-pounding suspense will leave you breathless, and the lingering questions will haunt you long after you turn the final page.
216 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
September 27, 2023
I heard the author spent a whole year underground preparing for this book... lived off Velveeta cheese slices.
February 2, 2024
Weird, tense, and uncomfortable.
The author warns us that he lived off Velveeta cheese slices while preparing for this book (if you're unaware Velveeta is the second worst cheese biproduct), it shows, infer from that what you will.
The author warns us that he lived off Velveeta cheese slices while preparing for this book (if you're unaware Velveeta is the second worst cheese biproduct), it shows, infer from that what you will.
November 12, 2023
"In the corner of the room, there was a little girl. No older than eight years, with braided hair that hung over her shoulder in a white and blue checkered dress. Her eyes were black."
This book was so stressful, in so many ways. I don't think I've ever felt this claustrophobic when reading a book in my life.
I absolutely flew through this one. I read it in just over 2 hours. I was absolutely desperate to get to the end to find out how all the books connect, to get some answers. And then, the book ended, and ol' Mr Salt says there's more to come. I could cry. @mike_salt I hope you aren't going to make us wait too much longer for the next one because I don't have that kind of patience. Also, thank you for sending me an ARC of this one.
This book was so stressful, in so many ways. I don't think I've ever felt this claustrophobic when reading a book in my life.
I absolutely flew through this one. I read it in just over 2 hours. I was absolutely desperate to get to the end to find out how all the books connect, to get some answers. And then, the book ended, and ol' Mr Salt says there's more to come. I could cry. @mike_salt I hope you aren't going to make us wait too much longer for the next one because I don't have that kind of patience. Also, thank you for sending me an ARC of this one.
July 14, 2024
A.bunch of random encounters with inexplicable things, starring character era so flat and interchangeable that you won't remember who is who, or, honestly,give a damn. A crude bit of exposition at the end attempts to explain what has been happening, but is overshadowed by an inexplicable "twist?".
December 30, 2023
This s**t's getting wild yo. Loved this latest entry into the series, probably the creepiest of them all but I hate caves.... so checks out really, bird was a personal favourite of mine I loved that character. I cannot wait to see where this story goes. Pretty violent and bloody great story.
October 30, 2023
First, a HUGE thank you to the author Mike Salt for sending me this to read! I also grabbed the other 3 books in the universe on Amazon for free!! I was told that they are all stand-alone stories and can be read in any order so I started with the newest first, and after finishing this I cannot wait to dive into the others!
This book was INSANE! Think: “The Descent”, and “As Above, So Below”. It was so creepy! It was a quick read with a fast moving plot. Some type of crazy new horror is happening on every page and there is no time to stop and catch your breath. I finished this in one 2 hour sitting, I literally could not put it down!
This is in your wheelhouse if you like: plot driven, claustrophobic settings, monsters, paranormal activity, mazes, ghosts
This book was INSANE! Think: “The Descent”, and “As Above, So Below”. It was so creepy! It was a quick read with a fast moving plot. Some type of crazy new horror is happening on every page and there is no time to stop and catch your breath. I finished this in one 2 hour sitting, I literally could not put it down!
This is in your wheelhouse if you like: plot driven, claustrophobic settings, monsters, paranormal activity, mazes, ghosts
December 5, 2023
Brief synopsis: There's this creepy hole in a cave that draws you in and makes you feel uneasy, so people decide to go into it even though they can barely fit, and then terrible things happen 😰
Hollow is part The Descent, part As Above, So Below, part small town horror. This is the kind of horror that jumps into the action quickly, and just doesn't let up until the end. Those poor characters are put through the wringer (though I have to admit they didn't have the best decision making skills, so I can see how they got there 😂).
I found myself thinking of those damn tunnels whenever I wasn't reading about them. If you don't have claustrophobia before reading this, you probably will after. And major TW for the eight legged bugs I hate with all of my soul 😭 I actually had to skip those pages.
I did have quite a bit of trouble keeping the characters straight. Also, there were some editing issues, such as misused words ("alluded" for "eluded," for example). But overall it was a really fun read full of creepy scenes that I won't forget any time soon!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!
Hollow is part The Descent, part As Above, So Below, part small town horror. This is the kind of horror that jumps into the action quickly, and just doesn't let up until the end. Those poor characters are put through the wringer (though I have to admit they didn't have the best decision making skills, so I can see how they got there 😂).
I found myself thinking of those damn tunnels whenever I wasn't reading about them. If you don't have claustrophobia before reading this, you probably will after. And major TW for the eight legged bugs I hate with all of my soul 😭 I actually had to skip those pages.
I did have quite a bit of trouble keeping the characters straight. Also, there were some editing issues, such as misused words ("alluded" for "eluded," for example). But overall it was a really fun read full of creepy scenes that I won't forget any time soon!
Thank you so much to the author for giving me a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review!
December 28, 2023
First off, thank you so much Mike for sending this to me! I am so glad we’ve been able to connect on our love for all things horror. It’s an honor to read your work!
I love that this story was both inspired by an experience he had while exploring with his kids as well as what I assume is incorporating some wild concepts from movies like The Descent and As Above, So Below. Being trapped in a cave is a horrifying concept in itself, so I can see why it was easy to write a horror novel for Salt.
This started off strong and I was HOOKED. I was reading this while walking, eating, brushing my teeth…I loved where the story was going and meeting the first creature in the caves. Although, it quickly became way too busy with so many different types of monsters/creatures/cults(?) and a large amount of characters. This makes a little more sense in the end, but I found it to be way too many ideas packed in with not enough of an explanation for all of the things happening there. I really wish there was a stronger explanation behind “the light.”Had he stuck to a couple vs multiple sources of fear and built off of them, I think Salt could have had a stronger, more gripping and terrifying plot. I did love the connections between the characters. Mike can write emotion very well and this translates to dynamic people in his work.
Overall, I’m a little middle of the road on this one!
3/5
I love that this story was both inspired by an experience he had while exploring with his kids as well as what I assume is incorporating some wild concepts from movies like The Descent and As Above, So Below. Being trapped in a cave is a horrifying concept in itself, so I can see why it was easy to write a horror novel for Salt.
This started off strong and I was HOOKED. I was reading this while walking, eating, brushing my teeth…I loved where the story was going and meeting the first creature in the caves. Although, it quickly became way too busy with so many different types of monsters/creatures/cults(?) and a large amount of characters. This makes a little more sense in the end, but I found it to be way too many ideas packed in with not enough of an explanation for all of the things happening there. I really wish there was a stronger explanation behind “the light.”Had he stuck to a couple vs multiple sources of fear and built off of them, I think Salt could have had a stronger, more gripping and terrifying plot. I did love the connections between the characters. Mike can write emotion very well and this translates to dynamic people in his work.
Overall, I’m a little middle of the road on this one!
3/5
April 11, 2024
Great premise and potential, but poorly executed. I was going to give this a higher rating, but it steadily went down as the book went on. If this were traditionally published, it would have lost another star.
The main issue is that it reads like a first or second draft. With just another pass by the author, let alone a friend or an editor, it could be great.
First, this book is littered with typos and misspelled words. The most I've ever seen in a published book. They get more frequent around the middle or so. Second, there are so many plot holes and direct contradictions. The entire premise of why the missing people are in the caves is completely false according to those characters themselves, once we meet them. Super frustrating. And lastly, there just isn't enough depth or explanation to what is going on. If the villains/entities were paired down into a smaller set that could be repeated and built upon I think the book as a whole would be stronger. As it is, it's kind of a hodge podge of stuff that never gets explained in a satisfying way. Heck we don't even know what happens to one of the characters in the end. It doesn't feel intentionally ambiguous, but more just that they forgot to add in a sentence about what happens to the poor girl. I assume she just wanders the caves until something kills her?
The main issue is that it reads like a first or second draft. With just another pass by the author, let alone a friend or an editor, it could be great.
First, this book is littered with typos and misspelled words. The most I've ever seen in a published book. They get more frequent around the middle or so. Second, there are so many plot holes and direct contradictions. The entire premise of why the missing people are in the caves is completely false according to those characters themselves, once we meet them. Super frustrating. And lastly, there just isn't enough depth or explanation to what is going on. If the villains/entities were paired down into a smaller set that could be repeated and built upon I think the book as a whole would be stronger. As it is, it's kind of a hodge podge of stuff that never gets explained in a satisfying way. Heck we don't even know what happens to one of the characters in the end. It doesn't feel intentionally ambiguous, but more just that they forgot to add in a sentence about what happens to the poor girl. I assume she just wanders the caves until something kills her?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
They only explanation I can think of for a four or five star review is drugs and Alcohol
Plot holes. Direct contradictions by characters, a girl that goes off alone and is lost from the book. Hundreds of typos, misspellings and punctuation errors.
And stupid.
Plot holes. Direct contradictions by characters, a girl that goes off alone and is lost from the book. Hundreds of typos, misspellings and punctuation errors.
And stupid.
March 4, 2024
A creepy, claustrophobic read. I read some reviews comparing this to the film The Descent and that is a great film. They weren’t wrong, a group of friends navigating their way through tunnels along with other things that lurk within. I only realised after I started this one that it was 4th in a series, ooops. However I did read as a stand alone and still enjoyed it, I will at some point return to the 1st 3 books in this series but for me it was a great stand alone.
October 2, 2023
This book was AMAZING!! 🤩 so much creepiness and action in a short book?! Gave me the Descent vibes but even more scary and creepy! One of my fav top creepy cave stories for sure!
November 3, 2023
Title: Hollow
Author: Mike Salt
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 Stars
In an attempt to locate and rescue their missing loved ones, three friends venture into a system of underground caves and tunnels that have long dwelled beneath their city. What lurks in the darkness of these caves is worse than all of their fears combined, but they must face them if they hope to track down their family and friends... before it finds them first.
'Hollow' is a suspenseful and genuinely unsettling tale that will have you confronting your own personal nightmares within its pages. Very rarely have I found myself scared while reading, but this one did it for me! The feeling of claustrophobia and disorientation while these characters traverse the tunnels is done so well that my heart was palpitating and I needed to come up for air. If tight spaces, never-ending (and always changing) tunnels, or darkness doesn't frighten you... don't worry! Mike Salt has you covered! The spirits that wander these dark, labyrinthian tunnels have a long list of phobias and fears to offer you in this book and I'm sure at least one of them will have you keeping the lights on.
I could not put 'Hollow' down and it was a favorite of mine for October (and probably all of 2023). As soon as I was done, I immediately purchased the rest of the Linkville Horror series! Can't wait to dive back into this horrifying world Salt has created. Highly, highly recommend. Massive thank you to Mike Salt for providing an e-copy of 'Hollow' for me to read.
Also, this is super off-brand BUT I couldn't help but give a board-game recommendation after reading this because it reminded me of it a lot. After you read 'Hollow', I recommend a board game called The Night Cage, where you'll be crawling through a maze of tunnels that change every time they're covered in darkness and your dim candle is slowly running out. Definitely fits the vibe of 'Hollow'!
Author: Mike Salt
Genre: Horror
Rating: 5 Stars
In an attempt to locate and rescue their missing loved ones, three friends venture into a system of underground caves and tunnels that have long dwelled beneath their city. What lurks in the darkness of these caves is worse than all of their fears combined, but they must face them if they hope to track down their family and friends... before it finds them first.
'Hollow' is a suspenseful and genuinely unsettling tale that will have you confronting your own personal nightmares within its pages. Very rarely have I found myself scared while reading, but this one did it for me! The feeling of claustrophobia and disorientation while these characters traverse the tunnels is done so well that my heart was palpitating and I needed to come up for air. If tight spaces, never-ending (and always changing) tunnels, or darkness doesn't frighten you... don't worry! Mike Salt has you covered! The spirits that wander these dark, labyrinthian tunnels have a long list of phobias and fears to offer you in this book and I'm sure at least one of them will have you keeping the lights on.
I could not put 'Hollow' down and it was a favorite of mine for October (and probably all of 2023). As soon as I was done, I immediately purchased the rest of the Linkville Horror series! Can't wait to dive back into this horrifying world Salt has created. Highly, highly recommend. Massive thank you to Mike Salt for providing an e-copy of 'Hollow' for me to read.
Also, this is super off-brand BUT I couldn't help but give a board-game recommendation after reading this because it reminded me of it a lot. After you read 'Hollow', I recommend a board game called The Night Cage, where you'll be crawling through a maze of tunnels that change every time they're covered in darkness and your dim candle is slowly running out. Definitely fits the vibe of 'Hollow'!
July 1, 2024
This was honestly horrifying.
Do you like caves? Well I don't and will not ever in the future.
Like, do I give props to the friends that decided to go into this cave to find Byrd's missing brother? Absolutely, but would I be doing this, no thank you.
Would I go to the correct authorities and make sure they went and checked yes lol.
Have yall watched the TV show Dark?( which is where I thought this was going and was so wrong and glad I was lol) Don't go in caves guys..
Every step of the way I'm yelling at the group because STOP, but no, in true, real life fashion, just like I know my friends would they kept on. Despite how stupid I felt they were being, I was invested and fell in love with the characters, how could you not, the way Mike writes, you KNOW these people, you need them to make it.
This was my second Mike Salt book, but my first in the Linkville horror series, which do NOT have to be read in order, but there are Easter eggs.
Despite my usual issue being in a cave, the panic, the breathing issues I know I'd have, the most horrying scene was in the water, and that's all I'm going to say about that.
The Hollow
Mike Salt
5/5 Stars
Do you like caves? Well I don't and will not ever in the future.
Like, do I give props to the friends that decided to go into this cave to find Byrd's missing brother? Absolutely, but would I be doing this, no thank you.
Would I go to the correct authorities and make sure they went and checked yes lol.
Have yall watched the TV show Dark?( which is where I thought this was going and was so wrong and glad I was lol) Don't go in caves guys..
Every step of the way I'm yelling at the group because STOP, but no, in true, real life fashion, just like I know my friends would they kept on. Despite how stupid I felt they were being, I was invested and fell in love with the characters, how could you not, the way Mike writes, you KNOW these people, you need them to make it.
This was my second Mike Salt book, but my first in the Linkville horror series, which do NOT have to be read in order, but there are Easter eggs.
Despite my usual issue being in a cave, the panic, the breathing issues I know I'd have, the most horrying scene was in the water, and that's all I'm going to say about that.
The Hollow
Mike Salt
5/5 Stars
December 12, 2023
Thank You Mike Salt and Darklit Press
I love the cover of this Novella. Three friends make it there mission to find out what happened to their missing friend. When they enter a mysterious cave, the story breaks into three different Povs. It examines what happens to each individual friend as they go deeper and deeper into the cave system. Along the way, they find out more than just what happened to their missing friend.
This Novella will keep you on the edge of your sit once the three friends enter the cave.
Psychological Thriller
Supernatural
Graphic Novel
I love the cover of this Novella. Three friends make it there mission to find out what happened to their missing friend. When they enter a mysterious cave, the story breaks into three different Povs. It examines what happens to each individual friend as they go deeper and deeper into the cave system. Along the way, they find out more than just what happened to their missing friend.
This Novella will keep you on the edge of your sit once the three friends enter the cave.
Psychological Thriller
Supernatural
Graphic Novel
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2024
Oh. So THAT’S how you write a spooky cave book… well done.
October 8, 2023
This gave me The Descent vibes! Super creepy and action packed! Thanks Mike for the spiders and reminding me I’m overdue to go to the dentist… 😂
September 26, 2023
Another home run from Salt!
With HOLLOW, Salt gives us a subterranean thrill ride: a claustrophobic, white-knuckled trek into caverns and crawlspaces where the true meaning of horror and fear wait for you in the dark.
With HOLLOW, Salt gives us a subterranean thrill ride: a claustrophobic, white-knuckled trek into caverns and crawlspaces where the true meaning of horror and fear wait for you in the dark.
September 14, 2023
4⭐️/5 solid as hell story, don’t take it with a grain of salt, it’s the whole damn mine.
Mike Salt’s Hollow is a short book. A novella as it’s commonly called. It seems like no easy feat writing a short book with a LOT of substance. I’m not going to lie, I kinda knocked it at first. There was a cushion in the beginning of the book that lead up to the main events that felt unfamiliar to me. Unfamiliar, not bad.
It was kind of like a roller coaster ride, where you sit and fasten a seatbelt or a harness. You sit there with your legs dangling for a while and wondering when they’ll get on with it. Then the operator counts down from 3 but lets the coaster take off on 1.
When this book goes, it fucking GOES, and it does not stop. There’s a shred of mystery at every paragraph, at every page. But with mystery comes with a constant state of panic, uncertainty, and dismay. It’s so unrelenting that even the characters comment on it, damn near breaking the fourth wall.
I feel like it would be so difficult to create vivid imagery from a location that’s so devoid of light, so tightly spaced and so labyrinthian. It’s as if you were playing a video game, traversing a desolate dungeon, only to be regurgitated into a location so out of the ordinary that it rattles your sense of reality.
Character after character is introduced but you never lose track of who to keep tabs on. You get glimpses of the lives they had before the shit hits the fan. Characters are handed their worst fears on a silver platter and are energetically told to just deal with it.
The book is simple like a game of tic-tac-toe, but turn the page and it’s a 5D Rubik’s cube. Genuinely I’ve had such a unique experience with this story that as straightforward as it is on the surface I know I could see myself revisiting this book and have and even deeper understanding of the universe that’s taking shape.
Book is a fucking banger, and it’s out October 5th. Let Mike put salt on the wounds of your phobias and pick up Hollow.
***I received this title as an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
Mike Salt’s Hollow is a short book. A novella as it’s commonly called. It seems like no easy feat writing a short book with a LOT of substance. I’m not going to lie, I kinda knocked it at first. There was a cushion in the beginning of the book that lead up to the main events that felt unfamiliar to me. Unfamiliar, not bad.
It was kind of like a roller coaster ride, where you sit and fasten a seatbelt or a harness. You sit there with your legs dangling for a while and wondering when they’ll get on with it. Then the operator counts down from 3 but lets the coaster take off on 1.
When this book goes, it fucking GOES, and it does not stop. There’s a shred of mystery at every paragraph, at every page. But with mystery comes with a constant state of panic, uncertainty, and dismay. It’s so unrelenting that even the characters comment on it, damn near breaking the fourth wall.
I feel like it would be so difficult to create vivid imagery from a location that’s so devoid of light, so tightly spaced and so labyrinthian. It’s as if you were playing a video game, traversing a desolate dungeon, only to be regurgitated into a location so out of the ordinary that it rattles your sense of reality.
Character after character is introduced but you never lose track of who to keep tabs on. You get glimpses of the lives they had before the shit hits the fan. Characters are handed their worst fears on a silver platter and are energetically told to just deal with it.
The book is simple like a game of tic-tac-toe, but turn the page and it’s a 5D Rubik’s cube. Genuinely I’ve had such a unique experience with this story that as straightforward as it is on the surface I know I could see myself revisiting this book and have and even deeper understanding of the universe that’s taking shape.
Book is a fucking banger, and it’s out October 5th. Let Mike put salt on the wounds of your phobias and pick up Hollow.
***I received this title as an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
August 6, 2024
This was a really good book! I got confused with a couple of parts, but I think that's purposeful. It was disorienting, and I really felt some anxiety when reading it. I look forward to checking out more of Mr. Salt's work in the future.
October 7, 2023
*ARC sent from the author in exchange for an honest review*
If you love Descent or any other survival cave horror, you're in for a treat with Hollow! For me, the best in the series so far! Some of the questions have been answered, some questions have built new ones and I cannot wait for the next one!
If you love Descent or any other survival cave horror, you're in for a treat with Hollow! For me, the best in the series so far! Some of the questions have been answered, some questions have built new ones and I cannot wait for the next one!
April 16, 2024
As if I wasn't scared enough of caves... thanks, Mike!
Back later with a full review.
Back later with a full review.
September 24, 2023
Asphyxiating-ly terrifying Tunnel of Horror
Hollow begins with a road trip. The main characters, TyMike Saltler and his wife Robyn, are taking a break from their lives to return to the town they grew up in to see their good friend Bird – once called T-Bird and shortened. Immediately upon arrival they see something is terribly wrong. Bird is packing his car as though he is frantically abandoning his life. Tyler and Robyn find out that he is doing the exact opposite. Bird is going on a quest to find his missing brother and his wife.
Beneath the streets of their town a bomb shelter, dating back to World War II, runs the length of Main Street, below the shops and restaurants. It is in here that Bird found a tunnel inside the bomb shelters length. One requiring the threesome to crawl and pull their way through, making the reader gasp for breath at each struggle to pull free of the black hole they are clawing their way through.
The group finds their way into a labyrinth of tunnels and a giant cave with what seems like no way out, and their friends’ fate uncertain. Inside the vast cave they find they are not alone.
Guided at first by a woman, Kami, who they are unsure if they can trust. The cavern walls bare torches that flame with no fuel and groups of creature like people that walk on feet, cut, bloodied, and warn down to the bone.
For a reader with claustrophobia I found myself gasping for breath as I made my way through the pages.
Mike Salt reminds me why I am fearful of tunnels and caves. If you aren’t, you will be after reading Hollow.
Beware what lies beneath the hollow ground.
Hollow begins with a road trip. The main characters, TyMike Saltler and his wife Robyn, are taking a break from their lives to return to the town they grew up in to see their good friend Bird – once called T-Bird and shortened. Immediately upon arrival they see something is terribly wrong. Bird is packing his car as though he is frantically abandoning his life. Tyler and Robyn find out that he is doing the exact opposite. Bird is going on a quest to find his missing brother and his wife.
Beneath the streets of their town a bomb shelter, dating back to World War II, runs the length of Main Street, below the shops and restaurants. It is in here that Bird found a tunnel inside the bomb shelters length. One requiring the threesome to crawl and pull their way through, making the reader gasp for breath at each struggle to pull free of the black hole they are clawing their way through.
The group finds their way into a labyrinth of tunnels and a giant cave with what seems like no way out, and their friends’ fate uncertain. Inside the vast cave they find they are not alone.
Guided at first by a woman, Kami, who they are unsure if they can trust. The cavern walls bare torches that flame with no fuel and groups of creature like people that walk on feet, cut, bloodied, and warn down to the bone.
For a reader with claustrophobia I found myself gasping for breath as I made my way through the pages.
Mike Salt reminds me why I am fearful of tunnels and caves. If you aren’t, you will be after reading Hollow.
Beware what lies beneath the hollow ground.
June 27, 2024
4 ⭐️
Desperately wanting to find his missing brother, Bird and his two friends venture into tunnels only to find themselves stuck in a never ending cave full of terrifying nightmares. Now in a fight to survive, they must find their way out before it’s too late.
This book was a wild ride for sure. One minute I’m thinking everything is fine and the characters are making progress, then my dreams are immediately crushed every time!
• Third Person POV
• Gore
• Creative, terrifying monsters
• Atmospheric creepy cave setting
• Multiple character POVs
I will admit, when I first started reading this book I didn’t find myself enjoying it much. However I kept reading because I knew this book and author has high praise and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m glad I pulled through because this book was quite the enjoyable read. I loved the atmosphere, and I loved all of the different threats. No character is safe down in this cave system that’s for sure. I did get lost a few times because of the constant shifts between characters and I had to take a minute to remember who it was, where they were, and what was happening to them prior. There’s a lot of detail, and a lot of action which is absolutely amazing but did make it hard to keep up every now and then. Overall, I’m glad I gave this book a go and I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the Linkville horror series that Mike Salt has to offer!
Desperately wanting to find his missing brother, Bird and his two friends venture into tunnels only to find themselves stuck in a never ending cave full of terrifying nightmares. Now in a fight to survive, they must find their way out before it’s too late.
This book was a wild ride for sure. One minute I’m thinking everything is fine and the characters are making progress, then my dreams are immediately crushed every time!
• Third Person POV
• Gore
• Creative, terrifying monsters
• Atmospheric creepy cave setting
• Multiple character POVs
I will admit, when I first started reading this book I didn’t find myself enjoying it much. However I kept reading because I knew this book and author has high praise and I wasn’t disappointed. I’m glad I pulled through because this book was quite the enjoyable read. I loved the atmosphere, and I loved all of the different threats. No character is safe down in this cave system that’s for sure. I did get lost a few times because of the constant shifts between characters and I had to take a minute to remember who it was, where they were, and what was happening to them prior. There’s a lot of detail, and a lot of action which is absolutely amazing but did make it hard to keep up every now and then. Overall, I’m glad I gave this book a go and I’ll definitely be checking out the rest of the Linkville horror series that Mike Salt has to offer!
March 24, 2024
This book was absolutely FANTASTIC! It pulled me in from the beginning and had me holding my breath with each twist of the cave.
Let me start by saying if you’re at all claustrophobic or sensitive to small spaces and inescapable places get ready for a ride! I had a few “palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy” moments. 😂
This book is full of nightmare fuel and the feeling of helplessness is palpable. I was so invested in the characters that I actually found myself getting mad at them for some choices they made. Like WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? Haven’t you ever seen a horror movie? Nooooo!!! To be clear, I wasn’t mad because the characters were poorly written. I was mad because they were brilliantly written, and yet they still made questionable choices. Then I remembered we, as intelligent real life humans, do the same thing - especially when people we love are involved. What would I do, I wonder?
I won’t say more because I don’t want to give anything away. Let’s just say this one will stick with me for a while. *shivers*
Note: I chose to start the Linkville series with the first book and read them in order, but you definitely do NOT have to do that. This book stands alone without any prior context. Check it out for the brawl, and then go back and read the others. They are awesome too!
April 5, 2024
I read this book every free moment I had, and listened to the audiobook whenever I drove alone. At some point in Chapter 20 of HOLLOW by MIKE SALT I paused to think to myself that this ENTIRE series is absolutely moving in so many ways. Salt brings to life such horrific, otherworldly visuals painted with words, to such a degree that your skin will crawl frequently, near constantly, while venturing through these tales of dread and doom. There is good reason to fear caves, trees, lakes, bridges, bugs, creepy doors, basements, tunnels, your loved ones, hope in general, and just fawkin everything, and this series ensures you know why … in perfect, horrifying detail. The feelings evoked by these stories are endless. From fear to hope to complete despair and heartache. Imagine being lost in a cave where there are no rules and nothing is as it seems. Imagine facing your wildest fears while trapped in endless tunnels with endless horrors lurking everywhere. I cannot recommend this series enough. Best part? They are stand-alone a so can be read in any order! I read book one and knew I had to grow with the story so read it in order. I own a signed copy of this one and I intend to acquire a copy of the rest of this mind-engulfing series asap.
November 18, 2023
Mike Salt got me early and he got me good with the descent into the cave. It got me sweaty and uncomfortable, breathing fast and shallow, squirming around in my chair and trying to loosen my collar to better breathe. The claustrophobia was REAL with this story - all squished up and in the dark. Ugh. Hell. The story itself was a dark, trippy roller coaster of will they-won’t they tension, never knowing if characters were coming or going, or are actually even who I thought they were. The chaos kept me STRESSED. At some point, I just couldn’t track the large cast of characters through all the mayhem and made myself a little cheat sheet. There was plenty of intrigue, atmospheric chills, existential dread, and just straight gore. A few instances of which spiked a chill right down my spine. So yeah, I liked it. I’ll read another of his books.
April 19, 2024
Cave horror makes a come back!
4.5
So bear with me. I despise cave horror. It's boring. "Oh no, they're going doing a tunnel and it's dark! Ahh! Jumpscare! Ahh!" (The Descent movie)
I love cave horror with a background story that leaves you asking for more (As Above, So Below). You know, like actually scary.
I regret to inform you Mike Salt actually hit the yikes factor in a couple places. I approve, much to my disdain.
He loses half a star because it got a little confusing in a couple places. If I have to read a paragraph more than twice I'm blaming the author, not myself. 🤣
I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up!
4.5
So bear with me. I despise cave horror. It's boring. "Oh no, they're going doing a tunnel and it's dark! Ahh! Jumpscare! Ahh!" (The Descent movie)
I love cave horror with a background story that leaves you asking for more (As Above, So Below). You know, like actually scary.
I regret to inform you Mike Salt actually hit the yikes factor in a couple places. I approve, much to my disdain.
He loses half a star because it got a little confusing in a couple places. If I have to read a paragraph more than twice I'm blaming the author, not myself. 🤣
I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up!
October 9, 2023
This is Mike Salt's 4th book in his Linkville series, and it is Awesome! Claustrophobic, completely unpredictable, with memorable characters that you root for and also aren't always sure you can trust, and a detailed setting that leaves you feeling unsettled yourself.
My previous favorite book of his in this series is The Valley, and this one is right up there with it! It took me longer to read than I wanted because- children, having to Constantly make dinner, and dog sitting🤯, BUT it is a fast paced read you won't want to put down. Annnd- Look at that cover!!!! Go grab this book!!
My previous favorite book of his in this series is The Valley, and this one is right up there with it! It took me longer to read than I wanted because- children, having to Constantly make dinner, and dog sitting🤯, BUT it is a fast paced read you won't want to put down. Annnd- Look at that cover!!!! Go grab this book!!
June 8, 2024
I read my first Mike Salt book by listening to the audiobook of Hollow. This book was really cool, with some great characters in a creepy claustrophobic situation. Things get pretty wierd, there's lots of crazy people and creatures showing up. Once the book starts it doesn't really let up, the action flows from beginning to end. I know this is technically the 4th book in the series, but it didn't make this any less enjoyable.
The narration from Curtis Michael Holland was pretty great. Thanks again to Darklit Press for the audiobook!
The narration from Curtis Michael Holland was pretty great. Thanks again to Darklit Press for the audiobook!
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