The Hollow (Sign of Seven trilogy #2)

by Nora Roberts

book data

2,472 ratings, 4.02 average rating, 311 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		36%
4		36%
3		21%
2		5%
1		0%

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published

May 6th 2008 by Jove

binding

Mass Market Paperback, 318 pages

characters

Layla Darnell, Fox O'Dell

setting

The United States

isbn

0515144592 (isbn13: 9780515144598)

description

For Fox, Caleb, Gage, and the other residents of Hawkins Hollow, the number seven portends doom - ever since, as boys, they freed a demon trapped for ...more

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04/04/08

Isis FG rated it:

bookshelves: 2008, author--nora-roberts, info--full, reviewed, romance--fiction, z2008-july-dec

Read in November, 2008

recommended to Isis FG by: favorite author, continuation of a series

Second book in the Sign of Seven trilogy by Nora Roberts. While I still enjoyed this book, I didn't like it as much as the first book. I'd give it a 4, maybe 4.5, stars.

The Hollow continues the tale about six people: Cal, Fox, Gage, Quinn, Layla and Cybil, trying to find a way to beat a centuries old evil that terrorizes the town of Hawkins Hollow for seven days every seven years. The group now knows that this is the time, this is the Seven, that they can beat back the evil. But ...more Second book in the Sign of Seven trilogy by Nora Roberts. While I still enjoyed this book, I didn't like it as much as the first book. I'd give it a 4, maybe 4.5, stars.

The Hollow continues the tale about six people: Cal, Fox, Gage, Quinn, Layla and Cybil, trying to find a way to beat a centuries old evil that terrorizes the town of Hawkins Hollow for seven days every seven years. The group now knows that this is the time, this is the Seven, that they can beat back the evil. But they must work together as a group, and they desperately need to find information about what they need to do. Fox and Layla have to learn to work together and learn how to use their tool of Seeing the present if they want to succeed. For Layla, it's not so simple because not that long ago, she was just a regular working girl. Now she's in a strange place where an ancient evil threatens them all, and where she's suddenly developed sixth sense abilities she never would have believed in before. Fox plans to help her through it, though. For him, it's been a part of his life since he was ten's years old and a simple blood brothers ceremony between him, Cal and Gage released the evil that plagues them.

This was a good book, but like I said, it wasn't as good, for me, as Blood Brothers. For two reasons really. The first being that the books were a bit too similar when it came to the plot and the progression of the plot. They were both basically the group researching and dealing with scattered events instigated by the bad guy. Sure, in the end, they had the task of trying to get the bloodstone back together. But throughout the book, there wasn't really anything to set it apart from the first book. There wasn't quite enough action to show the story progressing. In a way, it was kind of like reading the same story, with different lead characters (Fox and Layla in this one). But don't get me wrong, it wasn't so similar that I was bored or anything. I had no problems getting through the book. I just thought there could have been something a little more to set it apart.

And the second reason...hmm, well I guess it's just that Fox and Layla didn't interest me as much as Cal and Quinn did. Layla annoyed me every now and then. So that set this book a small step below the first one.

Aside from those two things, I'm still enjoying this series. True it has it's similarities to other NR books - battling back an ancient evil a la Three Sisters Island trilogy - but all the details make it its own series. I'm looking forward to reading the last book (and I'm really glad that I waited to read the first two books until the third came out and I could read them all together).(less)

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07/02/08

Angela rated it:

bookshelves: romance

Read in June, 2008

On to book two of Sign of the Seven!

I definitely liked this one better than Book 1, for a couple of reasons. One, I liked Fox as a male lead character better than I liked Caleb. He's a more thoughtful character, in more ways than one; there's the obvious thing about his being telepathic, but also, in general, he's more analytical than Caleb and that worked better for me as a character trait. Also, I was quite charmed that he could juggle. And, dude, he plays the guitar. Automatic swo...more On to book two of Sign of the Seven!

I definitely liked this one better than Book 1, for a couple of reasons. One, I liked Fox as a male lead character better than I liked Caleb. He's a more thoughtful character, in more ways than one; there's the obvious thing about his being telepathic, but also, in general, he's more analytical than Caleb and that worked better for me as a character trait. Also, I was quite charmed that he could juggle. And, dude, he plays the guitar. Automatic swoon points for a male lead who's a musician, what can I say?

(Though I have to take issue with a couple of the leading ladies asking each other: "Why are guitar players so sexy?" "It's the hands!" Not for me! It's the music.)

Layla as the female lead in this book is not nearly as much of a benevolent bulldozer as Quinn, yet I liked her too. She's more vulnerable, more fragile, and yet she also demonstrated her strength after having to wrestle around with her personal demons in the first bit of the book. She and Fox had some very charming chemistry together as well.

Plot-wise, things do kick up a notch, although we're still building to the main event of the Seven. Our heroes and heroines figure out a few critical background details, even as the Big Bad revs up its own strength and does a pretty decent job going after Fox early in the book and then after all six of the main characters later on. The final scene, where the six of them need to accomplish a specific ritual task to prepare themselves for the forthcoming confrontation, has some suitably powerful description going on.

Though, really--I think Nora's handling of the supernatural elements of this trilogy is more effective when she's not pulling out all the stops. For example, one bit that really stood out for me for how evocative it was is this one: "The demon in a child's form laughed. Then it opened its mouth, wide as a cave, and swallowed itself."

Still, I'm looking forward to seeing how she does indeed gear up for the main event in Book 3--and how Gage and Cybil take their turn at center stage. Gage the rogue, the gambler, the precognitive... I think I'm going to like him too. ;)

For this book, though, four stars.(less)

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05/06/08

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it:

bookshelves: 2008-reads

Read in May, 2008

What can I say? I waited at the bookstore today for the clerk to put out this book. Bought the book. Came home, opened the book and didn't stop till I finished. That's right...skipped supper...it was totally worth it. Nora's done it again. I loved the first book, "Blood Brothers" and "The Hollow" kept me riveted. Unfortunately, now I have to wait til December 08 for the final book "The Pagan Stone" to be released. Doubtless I'll be waiting at the bookstore fo...more

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05/14/08

Jennifer Wardrip rated it:

bookshelves: personal-read

Read in May, 2008

I should probably feel bad that I ignored my husband and children for seven straight hours while I read THE HOLLOW, the second book in Nora Roberts' THE SIGN OF SEVEN trilogy.

I don't.

Seriously, once you start in on this story, featuring Fox O'Dell and Layla Darnell, which is even better than the first book, you won't be able to stop reading. Of course, I'll no doubt say that the third book in the series, which doesn't come out until December (the horror!!), is even better...more

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02/10/09

Kelly Moran rated it:

bookshelves: romantic

This is the second book in the trilogy, and again, this is a pleasure read and not an official review. I found it slower than the first one, until the middle. It was good. No qualms. It's leading up to the last book very well. She saved the last 2 love interests for the end book. I can't wait to read them.

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05/11/08

Shawn rated it:

(review of isbn 1594132623)

bookshelves: 2008, nora_roberts

Read in May, 2008

I didn't love this book, but I don't hate it either. I was dissapointed in it. I was excited for this book to come out. I really enjoyed the first of the trilogy, Blood Brothers, and had high expectations for this one, but it seemed to fall flat. Maybe I was expecting to much, but this installment just didn't excite me. The ending seemed anticlimatic, like something was missing. I hope in the final book, The Pagan Stone, that we see more action. We are given descriptions of all the stuff that ...more

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01/29/09

Erika rated it:

bookshelves: own

Read in May, 2008

The second in Roberts' Sign of Seven trilogy, and a bit stronger than the first. The three emerging couples in the trilogy each embody an aspect of vision: past, present and future. The Hollow represents the second stage of preparation for the showdown between good and evil.

The backstory: three boys, all born on the same date (7/7/77) become blood brothers on their 10th birthday, and unwittingly unleashed a long-buried demon. For seven days chaos and evil reins in Hawkins Hollow, the...more

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05/29/09

Tracy rated it:

(review of isbn 1423337751)

bookshelves: adventure, monsters

Read in May, 2009

The book was fine, entertaining and didn't require an inordinate suspension of disbelief - as long as you are okay with demons manifesting, telepathic/empathic connections, communication with spirits from the past and precognition. (I am.)

If I were to actually pick the book apart there are holes and convenient jumps, but I don't plan to do so. It was an entertaining read from start to finish (skipping over the mushy and melodramatic lovey dovey stuff, of course).

The aud...more

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03/09/09

Margo rated it:

Read in March, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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04/14/09

Jenn rated it:

(review of isbn 0739495879)

bookshelves: hardcover-fiction

Read in April, 2009

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

I had a much harder time getting into this book than the first. Though it shares that musical tone of the first book, the pacing is much slower and the relationship between Fox and Layla was much more the focus of the book than the happenings with Twisse and the upcoming seven.

While I know the book is a romance and I enjoy the romantic interaction of the the two characters I find I like Roberts work much better when she focuses more on the outside plot, that of the the mysterious an...more I had a much harder time getting into this book than the first. Though it shares that musical tone of the first book, the pacing is much slower and the relationship between Fox and Layla was much more the focus of the book than the happenings with Twisse and the upcoming seven.

While I know the book is a romance and I enjoy the romantic interaction of the the two characters I find I like Roberts work much better when she focuses more on the outside plot, that of the the mysterious and paranormal than on just the romance.

The book does distinguish Fox and Layla more as individuals than the last book did. While in the first novel Cal and Fox seemed very similar in commentary and actions this book definitely distinguishes Fox as a separate character with different motivations and actions. He has a very different personality than Cal in this book which was not shown as well in the first books.

Some of the problems I had with this story were one the relationship between Fox and Layla was very slow going, very sensual loves scenes but none of the fast paced excitement in their relationship that Quinn and Cal had. I liked how the previous couple had that perfect mix of slow sensual and hot and racy, but didn't find that in this particular relationship. While I guess it's realistic because every relationship doesn't form or flow in the same way as another I'm a big fan of the unexpected racy heat so when I don't get that in a romance I'm a little disappointed. Also a lot of their relationship seemed like a cat and mouse game with Fox chasing and Layla hiding or running. While he's an easy going sort of character he mostly ran the show in their relationship and it's coming to be.

Layla herself was also a lot of the problem I had with the book because I had a lot of trouble relating to her as a character. I will give Roberts that throughout the book Layla shows a lot of character growth, becoming more courageous and risky, becoming more prepared for the upcoming threat it's hard for me to relate to a character that initially mousy. She's got all that New York Style and flair from the short hair cut to the trendy clothes which tells me from appearance this is going to be a confident, don't mess with me character but then you get to know her and it's more she's pushed into the situation and takes forever to even be sure she wants to be there. In one scene she becomes so frightened by images of snakes appearing in her shower that she passes out. So her appearance says one thing, but her actions say another which just doesn't really work for me as a reader. Her natural response seems to be flight instead of fight which make me feel as a reader that this character is not at all prepared to face the oncoming threat of the seven. Even with all of her growth in the book and she does make tremendous growth in the book I still have trouble believing that this character is really ready to fight an ageless demon. She tries to organizes and compartmentalize everything, and seems to think a battle with a demon can be won with colored coded note cards. This personality trait of hers as well I find a little annoying.

My final issue with the book is the flash back to Carly, a fiance of Fox's who killed herself during the last seven while she was under possession of the demon. Now the idea of this is really wonderful in that is helps to show why Fox is the way he is, trying to put himself in front of the girl or the others protecting them before himself. It's an excellent idea in that way, but the dreams, the mention of this really personality shaping part of his history doesn't even occur until the middle of the book. It comes out of no where. And much of his behavior previous to this being mentioned doesn't really illustrate how this affected him. It shows after she mentioned it but as it's not really a new thing for him in the beginning of the book just new to the reader in the middle it should have been demonstrated through out the book and mentioned in the prologue when we flash back to a different seven, though not the same seven as when this occurred. The seven we should have seen through Fox was the third seven, the seven where he lost someone so dear to him. Another thing that bothers me about this is the Layla helps to discover that the reason Carly was so susceptible even though she was an outsider is that she was a decedent of the relationship between Hester Deale and Twisse. Okay if she's easy to manipulate because of that why aren't Quinn, Layla and Cybil since they are descendants as well?

I still give the book four stars because one the overall series is a page turner and it does include some scenes, the ones where she deals with the overall rather than the individual that have you unable to put this books down. The ending where they reunite the three piece of the stone into one is definitely much more fulfilling than the ending of the first book where you're left thinking okay? What's next? She also continues to engage in the other characters in the series lives during this books as well. You start to see things heating up between Gage and Cybil through heated arguments and a passionate kiss in the middle of danger. You get the opportunity to join Quinn as she hunts for a wedding dress. There is also an exciting scene where each character is attacked individually simultaneously which leaves you wondering if any of them are ready to face the approaching threat. While not the best book in the series, it's still worth reading, if only to follow the battle between demon and guardian which continues throughout the trilogy.(less)

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03/27/09

Amanda rated it:

bookshelves: guilty-pleasures

Read in April, 2009

Book #42 of 2009

So... once upon a time, we adopted a dog. And her name was Foxy. But I had a dog named Foxy when I was little, so we changed her name to Layla. And... yeah. It makes me chuckle that the main characters' names are Fox and Layla.

This book wasn't as spooky as the first one, in my opinion. Maybe its just because the "Big Evil Bastard", as the characters call it, is just up to the same old same old, albeit a little stronger. I'm looking forwar...more

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03/16/09

Margarks rated it:

bookshelves: audiobook, contemporary, paranormal, romance

Read in March, 2009

2nd in Roberts' latest trilogy. I liked Fox (the hero) a lot, mostly because he had kind of that clark kent, hot do gooder thing going for him. And I have a thing for guys who do the right thing, not because they know it's the right thing, but because it's just their character. And Roberts painted Fox's picture really well.

This is one of those stories that I again enjoyed the hero a little bit more than the heroine. I feel as if Roberts didn't flesh out Leila's character was we...more

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06/10/08

Journeywoman rated it:

Read in June, 2008

Nora Roberts is Brain Candy. Sometimes she's brain-cotton-candy, sometimes Godiva chocolates.

This one was more like a milkyway bar. The first bite is good--better than you think. And when you're finished you're almost sorry.

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01/29/09

Barbara rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I picked this one up immediately after reading "Blood Brothers" because I had to see what happened next. Well....I read the whole thing and nothing much happened in this installment. She has 6 characters. The first book, BB, focused on one couple. This book then focused on a second couple, but the plot was almost the same as in BB, just more of the same, and didn't advance the story much. I still want to read "Pagan Stone," the third one and find out what happens. But I'm not...more

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03/11/09

Robin AKA blondie rated it:

bookshelves: 2009-read

Read in March, 2009

I'm really liking this trilogy. This book pairs up the second couple, Fox and Layla. Now, the plot isn't too deep...but the writing is good and fun. Fox is my favorite of the 'brothers,' I think, and his family is a hoot. With that eclectic vibe they remind me of the Weasley family. And there's a very fun, modern task for Fox to consider, outside of the demon hunting... but I won't spoil it for you.

This trilogy is a light, fast read with enough paranormal to keep the intrigue up...more

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05/29/08

Heather rated it:

I can't wait for the last one. I love Nora Robers Trilogies.

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04/02/09

Lara rated it:

Read in April, 2009

BOOK 29 OF 2009 - I'm very much enjoying this series. I suffered a little shock at the start of this book, because the narration focus changed from one grouping of the main characters to another grouping of the same main characters. Once I was reassured that I would still get plenty of info on Quinn and Cal, I was happy to move on to Fox and Layla. I guess Gage and Cybil are up next... And I think I'm really excited to get more time to explore the two of them. Especially Gage. Haha... And no...more

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12/27/08

Rita rated it:

(review of isbn 0749938854)

Read in July, 2008

Another great read by Nora Roberts. "Blood Brothers" was great. This one is a nice second installment. Fox and Layla are a sweet couple. I couldn't help but cheer for them.

Roberts creation of Cal and Quinn as the connections to the past, Fox and Layla as the connections to the present, and the obvious couple Gage and Cybil as connections to the future make for wonderful perspectives on the evil invading Hawkins Hollow.

A tale of good vs. evil with plenty of acti...more

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05/29/09

Violet rated it:

(review of isbn 0739495879)

bookshelves: nora-roberts-books

Read in June, 2009

The Hollow, book two of the trilogy, deals more with Fox and Layla's romantic involvement. You do find out where Ann went when she left to make sure her triplets would be safe before they were born. You also find out where her journals where hidden and what was in them. The demon manages to produce illusions in all six of them at the same time, so it seems to be getting stronger. This book ends with the group back at the pagan stone, doing another blood ritual to try to get the blood stone ba...more

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09/14/08

Carmaletta rated it:

Read in September, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This was a good continuation of the first book, and a decent lead up to the upcoming finale, but I did like the first one better than this one. Why? Layla. Halfway through the book, I was mildly annoyed with her. By three-quarters of the way through, I wished she would just go away. I realize that she's supposed to be the unsure one of the group, that she's the one that is on shaky ground, but she was also the kind of woman that I hate. She took any little thing as an excuse to be bitchy, ...more

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