Rating: 
Summary: What a fantasy should be
Review: Claire Dunkle makes a smashing debut with "The Hollow Kingdom," a look at those old legends about maidens being kidnapped by goblins. Dunkle has a wonderful flair for storytelling -- she gives you suspense, creeps, humor and romance, all entwined in a wonderfully surreal storyline.
Kate and Emily are recent orphans, sent to the estate of Hallow Hill to live with their sour-faced guardian Hugh. Soon after they arrive, the girls become lost in the woods -- and encounter goblins posing as gypsies. Kate finds that she is being singled out by the goblin king Marak to be his bride. The goblin kings always kidnap human girls to be their wives, and since Marak's mad wife has died, he wants a new queen to produce an heir for him.
At first, Kate resists Marak as he tries to kidnap her. But Hugh tricks Kate into walking down into Marak's realm and surrendering herself to be his wife, and Emily comes with her. At first Kate is miserable and homesick, since she is destined to remain underground for the rest of her life. But the goblins are falling prey to evil sorcery, which binds them in sleep, and threatens the whole hollow kingdom...
"Hollow Kingdom" is pretty much everything a fantasy should be -- fantastical, well-plotted, and with a well-created alternate world. Not to mention the goblins themselves. Dunkle has obviously thought out a lot of detailed history about elves, dwarves, and goblins, while carefully linking them with old legends. And she actually makes it halfway plausible.
Dunkle has a good writing style, polished, quick and full of details. Even long conversations about the history of goblins are kept interesting. Whether it's a goblin chase on a dark night or a sunrise seen through a lake, she makes it come alive. And despite the grimness of the storyline, Dunkle keeps plenty of humor in the dialogue. ("You're just like that other King!" "No. I'm not green.")
Kate is an excellent heroine, with plenty of spirit and determination. Even though she starts off fearing Marak, she gradually comes to appreciate and love him. And Marak is an interesting combination of truthfulness and charm, as interesting as Kate. Supporting characters like elf-cat Seylin and Kate's sister Emily are also well-drawn.
"Hollow Kingdom" is a truly excellent fantasy, casting a new light on things that go bump in the night. A chilling, entrancing debut, and one that bodes well for Claire Dunkle.
Rating: 
Summary: Hollow Kingdom- Hollow Book
Review: Clare Dunkle's book has just received the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature. The award honors books for younger readers (from "Young Adults" to picture books for beginning readers), in the tradition of The Hobbit or The Chronicles of Narnia. I have not read it yet but am assuming that our discerning committee of reader/judges would not choose a book worth less than four stars at least. Congratulations Ms. Dunkle!
For more information see the Society's webpage
http://www.mythsoc.org and the awards page
http://www.mythsoc.org/awards.html
Rating: 
Summary: Promising But Flawed
Review: Good characters, a love interest who's not quite the usual, and an interesting setting and mythology. Emily and Seylin are adorable here; too bad this doesn't really carry over into the next book in the series.
However, I'm only giving this a four star rating because this book, IMO, has a fairly large flaw; the author has too much of a tendency to tell instead of show, especially when it comes to Kate's and Marak's relationship. The last big descriptive section that ends with the aftermath of the wedding and Kate still feeling very resentful and depressed over having to marry Marak ends, and then all of a sudden we've switched to narrative instead of Kate's thoughts, jumped about three months ahead and told that Kate had started to fall in love with him.
Nice, but it would have been much better if we had seen Kate's feelings towards Marak's gradually start to change instead of simply being told: "Oh yeah, she's in love with him now." Since there's no real development or exposition relating to their relationship after they're married, their relationship doesn't feel quite real.
Also, the author has a bad habit of packing obvious foreshadowing for the next book into her end chapters. It's not quite as bad here as it is in the sequel, but it's still annoying.
Good start, but it could be so much better.
Rating:
Summary: This is not another abduction fantasy
Review: Hollow Kingdom is the first book in a long time that I have wanted to read more than once. At first glance, one might think that the story is simply a Regency-era fantasy in which a powerful ruler (who happens to be frightfully ugly) of a magical kingdom plans to abduct a young, beautiful woman for his bride and ends up winning her over completely. That is Marak's plan, but Dunkle does not let her characters off that lightly, nor her readers for that matter. Marak, the king of the goblin realm, is charismatic and infuriatingly funny but arrogant and presumptious. While 18-year-old Kate is as clever as Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth Bennett, Marak is not a stand-in for Mr. Darcy. Marak comes from a xenophobic culture that might as well be alien, though his people live on (or rather, in) Earth. This fantasy-adventure has dynamic, flawed characters who are nonetheless lovable, and encourages the reader to think about the nuances of the story long after the last page. The sequels promise to be as compelling as the first book, though they will be hard-pressed to match the vibrant chemistry between Kate and Marak. For more information, check out the author's website (type in Clare Dunkle's name in your search engine, and it should come up right away).
Rating:
Summary: Interesting concept
Review: Horror? Check. Gothic setting? Check. Plot twists? Check. Fantasy and magic? Check. Romance? Check. Fast read, I could hardly wait for lunch time so I could read some more. My favorite line was about living in modern times - and it's set in 19th century England. However, I can't say much more about the plot for fear of giving it away, but there is a consistent theme running through the whole book of things and people can be different than what you see on the surface. Get it, read it, you'll want to read it again.
Rating:
Summary: an absolutely fantastic read!!!!
Review: I got this book because a family member told me it was a great read and he was right! (Plus, Ms Dunkle happens to have the same name as me! Talk about your concidences!) It's a well-concieved and well-written book with a lot of interesting ideas. The characters are believable and you can relate to most of them, even though the book is fantasy and I don't think something like that would ever occur. The plot is good, with unforeseen twists. I especially like the customs and the way even the "bad" guys have things that are beneath them- in a way they're more civilized than the normal people! (I wish I could say more but that would give everything away!) I can only recommend this book- most certainly for teens and even for some adults (the kind that likes fantasy). If you get it you won't regret it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Treasured Fantasy
Review: I started out this book cause I just simply like a story about unlikely love, especially one spiced up with abduction :)) What a fantastic read!! It exceeds my anticipation!!
Just love the way it started, flowed in an unusual beauty-beast love and the ending. YOu can say you have read a complete cycle after you read it although there are more sequel to this (which I'm looking forward to buy, yes, buy). I don't have the heart to bring what's inside. Just read it yourself. Really, this is A truly treasured book for keep.
Rating:
Summary: New Personal Favorite
Review: I was a bit sceptical when I began reading this book, but I did not put it down once and as soon as my kids finished it, I read it again. The Hollow Kingdom is one of the best books I have ever read and I was happy to see Lloyd Alexander's review as he is one of my favorite authors. I highly recommend it for young adults and adults who appreciate good literature. I can't say much without giving anything away, but the world created by Ms. Dunkle is fresh, new, and exciting. Forget everything you thought you knew about elves, goblins, and reality. This book teaches us not to judge by appearances and has real romance (not sex and kissy stuff). It will be enjoyed by both boys and girls. I can't wait for the next book!
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: If you expect all fantasy to have Tolkein-esk elves - all wise and beautiful and goblins that are the worst nightmares to come out of Weta Workshops, then this book will be a new surprise for you! Set in early Victorian England, this novel sweeps you off into a new realm of unlikely loves and even more unlikely heros. I don't want to give the story away, but I can't praise it enough: engaging, funny, keep-you-up-till-2am-because-I-have-to-know-what-happens-next wonderful! You'll love Kate, the leading lady who DOESN'T faint at the first sign of spookiness or trouble as well as all the fantastical creatures that become a part of her life! Huzzahs for Ms. Dunkle and her amazing fantasy!
Rating:
Summary: Just Couldn't put it Down!!
Review: If you expect all fantasy to have Tolkein-esk elves - all wise and beautiful and goblins that are the worst nightmares to come out of Weta Workshops, then this book will be a new surprise for you! Set in early Victorian England, this novel sweeps you off into a new realm of unlikely loves and even more unlikely heros. I don't want to give the story away, but I can't praise it enough: engaging, funny, keep-you-up-till-2am-because-I-have-to-know-what-happens-next wonderful! You'll love Kate, the leading lady who DOESN'T faint at the first sign of spookiness or trouble as well as all the fantastical creatures that become a part of her life! Huzzahs for Ms. Dunkle and her amazing fantasy!
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