Kat van Tassel is the newest in a long ling of Katrina’s.  She is a legacy.  She is part of the town of Sleepy Hollow’s history.  That history is celebrated every year, and this year, Kat missed it.  She was engrossed in reading a book and missed the celebration of dusk a few days before Halloween.  Sleep Hallow and its legend is a very big deal in her town. The schools are devoted to it, every business has something akin to the legend, etc.  After missing the ceremony, Kat’s mom Trina begs her daughter not to go out after dark because: Beware the Headless Horseman. 

 

Kat joins her boyfriend as they try to raise the spirit of the original Katrina.  Kat has not desire to be there, but a good thing happens she meets Isadora Crow.  Isadora is new to town.  She is not into all the hype just like Kat.  The two hit it off and discover that it is okay to more than like a person. 

 

After that night Trina gives Kat the diary of the original Katrina.  The story starts alternating between the two timelines.  Both the reader and the characters see the similarities in Katrina’s and Kat’s realities.  And the story moves forward. 

 

I enjoyed this retelling.  The author did a great job of incorporating characters such as the original author Washington Irving, as well as Ichabod Crane, Mr. Toad, etc.  While the story is slow moving, it’s a slow burn romance with a little supernatural mixed in.  Parts of the story, mainly the big reveal was predictable, but fits well with the story.  There are certain characters I used to love in the original and now hate, but new characters have taken their place. 

 

This was a great spooky tale for all ages.  There is a scene where a tree bleeds on two girls, but that is as graphic as it gets.  It is ready made to be a Disney movie.  How the author incorporate the Headless horseman is unique and has me wanting more.  And more could be available.  The author steals a line from the Never-Ending Story twice: “But that’s another story”, so maybe there will be a sequel.  

 

So, if you are looking for something atmospheric, and just a tad spooky for your October reading, pick this up in print or audio.  It is well worth it.  And as they say in Sleep Hallow, Beware the Headless Horseman.