Hollow Pike

Let's start here, Hollow Pike, is first and foremost a chiller! You have the jumpy, skin crawling, someone's watching you, creepy sensation as you're reading this début novel from James Dawson. Bravo... I take my hat off to you, Dawson...

BUT this book is much deeper than just being a jumpy story! It deals with bullying, a subject matter close to the authors heart having been a teacher, the supernatural, aka witches, and what it would be like to deal with having a fresh start in life and what you might do with it. The story jumps pretty much straight into the life of the protagonist, Lis London and one of her nightmares. You have the sense that she's aware that something is coming her way.... not a good thing either! The tense sense of dread builds as we discover why Lis has moved to the country and see her trying to forge ahead with new friendships and discover what the danger is.

Dawson has done well with not pushing the witch theme down the readers neck. It's a more subtle part of the story but not the whole story. He also manages to write from a female perspective incredibly well, for being a bloke! Lol.... I think he has actually done this far better than many of our strong female authors! Again, bravo Dawson!! Something else that doesn't restrict the story, is the romance angle. I like that, although there is romance for Lis, it's not constant or heavy. It's great to read a YA novel that is not solely based on the fit guy or girl falling all over themselves to get each other into bed! I know most teens are not like this.

Hopefully James Dawson will be following Hollow Pike with another well written chiller, soon. This is a great début!!

I would also say that, although, this is aimed at the YA market, it is going to go down very well with anyone that has a thing for well written, tense, creepy chillers!