Review: The Hollow Ones by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan

Authors: Guillermo Del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 
Publication date: August 2020

A horrific crime that defies ordinary explanation. A rookie FBI agent in dangerous, uncharted territory. An extraordinary hero for the ages. Odessa Hardwicke's life is derailed when she's forced to turn her gun on her partner, Walt Leppo, a decorated FBI agent who turns suddenly, inexplicably violent while apprehending a rampaging murderer. The shooting, justified by self-defense, shakes the young FBI agent to her core. Devasted, Odessa is placed on desk leave pending a full investigation. But what most troubles Odessa isn't the tragedy itself-it's the shadowy presence she thought she saw fleeing the deceased agent's body after his death. 

Questioning her future with the FBI and her sanity, Hardwicke accepts a low-level assignment to clear out the belongings of a retired agent in the New York office. What she finds there will put her on the trail of a mysterious figure named John Silence, a man of enormous means who claims to have been alive for centuries, and who is either an unhinged lunatic, or humanity's best and only defense against unspeakable evil. 

The Hollow Ones is the latest from Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  I loved their collaboration on The Strain series.  It is among my favorite horror series.  So, I was very excited to read this first in a new series about an invisible evil that is plaguing New York.  I feel like this is a book that you are better off going into not knowing a lot.  I really enjoyed this one.  It's creepy, suspenseful and engaging.  

I thought the world building was done very well.  I had no problem understanding the mythology behind the Hollow Ones.  The story goes back and forth between the present, the 60s and even earlier in history.  I liked how the timelines all tied together.  The characters were really interesting, especially Odessa.  I really  liked that it took her a while to buy into the reality of the situation.  It was a very  authentic reaction.  John Silence was an intriguing character as well.  He has a tragic backstory that has me intrigued.  I want to get to know him more in future books.  This is a great first book in the series.  I highly recommend this one.  I look forward to the next book.

The Night Eternal by Guillermo DelToro & Chuck Hogan

Authors: Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan
Narrator: Daniel Oreskes
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (Audio by Harper  Audio)
Date of Publication: October 2011

It's been two years since the vampiric virus was unleashed in The Strain and the entire world now lies on the brink of annihilation. There has been a mass extermination of humans orchestrated by the Master—an ancient vampire possessed of unparalleled powers. The future of humankind lies in the hands of a ragtag band of freedom fighters—Dr. Eph Goodweather, Dr. Nora Martinez, Vasiliy Fet, and Mr. Quinlan, the half-breed offspring of the Master who is bent on revenge. It’s their job to overturn this devastating new world order. But good and evil are malleable terms now, and the Master is most skilled at preying on the weaknesses of humans.

Now, at this critical hour, there is evidence of a traitor in their midst. . . And only one man holds the answer to the Master's demise, but is he one who can be trusted with the fate of the world? And who among them will pay the ultimate sacrifice—so that others may be saved?

The Night Eternal is the final installment in the vampire trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  I have been anxiously awaiting the last book and I was not disappointed.  The series as a whole is definitely worth a read.  I listened to all of the books, narrated by Daniel Oreskes.  I think the audio books made them more exciting for me.  

It is now two years later and the vampires rule the earth.  A lot has changed and hope seems to be gone.  Everyone is malnourished, stressed and over tired. Can they save the world? You learn a lot more about the vampires and the Master in this installment.  I liked the mythology behind them.  The biblical tie-ins were interesting and a unique take on the origin.

I have read varying reviews that range from a great ending to a so-so ending.  Personally, I loved how it ended.  I thought everything was as it should be.  The thing that I liked the most is that nobody was safe and anyone could go at any  moment. (Not a spoiler, because I won't tell you who...) It wasn't wrapped up in a nice neat package.  The ending was messy and filled with uncertainty.  While I normally like my HEA's, I walked away feeling satisfied.  

I definitely recommend this one and the series as a whole..  Full of action and suspense and nasty vampires, I hope you loved it as much as I did. I do hope if they make a movie, that they do 3 separate ones.  I would hate to see anything left out.