Book Review: Ghosts of Grief Hollow (Return to Grief Hollow Book 2) by Shawn Burgess
Title: Ghosts of Grief Hollow (Return to Grief Hollow Book 2)
Author: Shawn Burgess
Release date: October 18, 2022
Back in early 2020, I read Shawn Burgess’ debut novel ‘The Tear Collector.’ It was a dark, atmospheric, coming-of-age horror novel that introduced us to a group of kids dealing with something stalking the woods near their homes, in Grief Hollow. Just the other day, I read the prequel novella, ‘Sour Roots,’ which expanded upon the mythology of the location and the ‘why’ of arriving at ‘The Tear Collector.’
Now, we get to return to the town, to the woods and to the group of friends who are a group Shawn has done a stunning job with capturing that feeling of being a teenager, who doesn’t fit in, but who’ve all found a group of friends that connect with them and lift each other up.
I read this as an advanced ARC – and have saved this review until now, having read it back in late 2021. I’m super excited for this one to arrive.
What I liked: In ‘Ghosts of Grief Hollow,’ we pick up a short time after the events of the previous novel. I’ll do my best to remain spoiler free for both books, but be warned, that may not be completely possible.
The friends, the police and the town itself have even had time to process what has taken place a short time ago, when suddenly odd things begin to happen again and strange things are seen.
Burgess does a great job of keeping the same dread throughout this book that was in the first, while also using previous set pieces to the reader’s advantage. We get a return to a certain house, which allows for some truly unnerving moments and of course we get a return to the woods and Shiner’s Gorge where nothing good ever happens.
Throughout, we get some new relationships, more inter-group dynamics, which works really well when some beloved members leave us and we get to see, once again, the belief they all have in each other as they band together to try and destroy this evil which has found its way to them.
What I didn’t like: Three things I found, personally, really stuck out for me this go-around. The first was, the police make a stunning discover below a place early on. It’s kind of completely glossed over after that and we never really go back or hear any more about it. That may be purposeful, in the event of a follow up, but boy did I want to read more about that. The second – and this is a completely personal thing – I’m typically not a fan of the specific evil the ‘bad guy’ practices within. It’s never something I actively seek out to read and it’s turned me off previously while watching movies or TV shows it the past. Burgess does a great job with it, but not my cup of tea. And lastly, and again more of a personal thing, I got a bit annoyed with the POV change between chapters. I’m an odd reader, in that sometimes it just doesn’t bother me and other times it grinds me. Not sure why!
Why you should buy this: If you loved ‘The Tear Collector’ you’ll absolutely love what Burgess has done with the follow up. This has a ton of emotions, lots of dark, dreadful scenes and ultimately the group shows why they’re better when together and have the support of each other than apart.
This ticks off a ton of boxes for why horror can be so amazing and I think this will make many people very happy.
4/5
