Name: Taryn's review of Horseman by Christina Henry
Item: Horseman
Rating: 3
Author: Taryn

Christina Henry

In this atmospheric, terrifying novel that draws strongly from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," the author of Alice and The Girl in Red works her trademark magic, spinning an engaging and frightening new story from a classic tale. Everyone in Sleepy Hollow knows about the Horseman, but no one really believes in him. Not even Ben Van Brunt's grandfather, Brom Bones, who was there when it was said the Horseman chased the upstart Crane out of town. Brom says that's just legend, the village gossips talking. Twenty years after those storied events, the village is a quiet place. Fourteen-year-old Ben loves to play "Sleepy Hollow boys," reenacting the events Brom once lived through. But then Ben and a friend stumble across the headless body of a child in the woods near the village, and the sinister discovery makes Ben question everything the adults in Sleepy Hollow have ever said. Could the Horseman be real after all? Or does something even more sinister stalk the woods?

A Tale of Sleepy Hollow

Horseman

Taryn

“The world doesn’t always have reasons. Sometimes terrible things happen without justification, or simply because someone wants them to happen.”~ Schuler

It was a foolish thing, a childish thing, to think that monsters only showed their teeth at night. 

“Don’t tell me you believe that rot. Monsters in the woods, fairies in the garden, spirits at the door. I thought I raised you better than that. We’re not small-minded fools.” ~ Brom

“You can’t teach your children if you have nothing valuable to teach” ~ Katerina

Remember you need to remember him there’s something important to remember.

It’s not a pleasant sensation, to feel that you are hunted. People are accustomed to being hunters, to feel they have control over the beasts of the wild, that there is nothing superior to a human. 

She only wanted me to fit into her idea of the world. 

Adults had an annoying tendency to tell children to stay out of their business. 

Children always hear and see more than adults think they do.  

Wren Hardwick

Okay. It was a fun read for sure, but there are some things I don’t like 😂…

It’s so extremely repetitive and over-explaining. A lot of ‘tell’ and no ‘show’. If you’ve read the book, I think you understand what I’m talking about. I can’t say too much without giving spoilers. But the thoughts of Ben are really so repetitive, it’s the same thing over and over again. 

Okay. It was a fun read for sure, but there are some things I don’t like 😂…

It’s so extremely repetitive and over-explaining. A lot of ‘tell’ and no ‘show’. If you’ve read the book, I think you understand what I’m talking about. I can’t say too much without giving spoilers. But the thoughts of Ben are really so repetitive, it’s the same thing over and over again. 

But, it’s definitely a fun easy read. 

CHRISTINA. HENRY

HORSEMAN.

Actual Rating: 2.5*

This just kinda didn’t hit for me. I was just soooo bored! I couldn’t find myself caring about any of the characters so I just really didn’t care about what was happening. I made it to the end though. The idea was good I just didn’t vibe with the execution. Least it was a super quick read.

I love a reimagining of classic stories, so I knew I had to pick this up. I thought Henry did a fantastic job making this story her own. I enjoyed Ben and how sure of himself he was. He was a trans person during a period where if you were even remotely different than your peers, you'd be labeled an outcast or a witch, but still, he never hid. It was interesting seeing how Henry wove together his storyline with the Horseman's and how it all tied in with Ben's ancestry. The writing was super atmospheric and nailed the creepy, unsettling vibes. The horror elements were done well, and it was a bit gorier than I anticipated. My only issues were that the pacing felt off, and sometimes the dialogue was too wishy-washy. Other than that, I enjoyed this and would recommend it if you're looking for a spooky book to add to your TBR.

Heather Harrington

Elodia

** spoiler alert **
           Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an advanced copy of this book!

Horseman is a story set in the town of Sleepy Hollow. After some mysterious deaths that point to The Headless Horseman, Ben takes it upon himself to find out what is happening.

It is creepy and atmospheric, perfect for this time of year. It has some slow parts throughout, but it picked up the pace near the end. It had a lot of adults bullying and fighting with children, which I wasn’t a fan of.

Alexandra Jacob

In this atmospheric, terrifying novel that draws strongly from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," the author of Alice and Lost Boy works her trademark magic, spinning an engaging and frightening new story from a classic tale. Everyone in Sleepy Hollow knows about the Horseman, but no one really believes in him. Not even Ben Van Brunt's grandfather, Brom Bones, who was there when it was said the Horseman chased the upstart Crane out of town. Brom says that's just legend, the village gossips talking. More than thirty years after those storied events, the village is a quiet place. Fourteen-year-old Ben loves to play "Sleepy Hollow boys," reenacting the events Brom once lived through. But then Ben and a friend stumble across the headless body of a child in the woods near the village, and the discovery makes Ben question everything the adults in Sleepy Hollow have ever said. Could the Horseman be real after all? Or does something even more sinister stalk the woods?

Lisa

Marissa

In this atmospheric, terrifying novel that draws strongly from "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," the author of Alice and The Girl in Red works her trademark magic, spinning an engaging and frightening new story from a classic tale. Everyone in Sleepy Hollow knows about the Horseman, but no one really believes in him. Not even Ben Van Brunt's grandfather, Brom Bones, who was there when it was said the Horseman chased the upstart Crane out of town. Brom says that's just legend, the village gossips talking. More than thirty years after those storied events, the village is a quiet place. Fourteen-year-old Ben loves to play "Sleepy Hollow boys," reenacting the events Brom once lived through. But then Ben and a friend stumble across the headless body of a child in the woods near the village, and the discovery makes Ben question everything the adults in Sleepy Hollow have ever said. Could the Horseman be real after all? Or does something even more sinister stalk the woods?

Wren Hardwick &
Horseman by Christina Henry

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Wren Hardwick &Horseman by Christina Henry

Reviews

Highlights

Join the club

Wren Hardwick &
Horseman by Christina Henry