I have spent an hour trying to decide exactly how I am going to rate and review this book. I have always loved the tale of The Headless Horseman as far back as I can remember and the Disney classic cemented that love. I even have the VHS copy edition put away.

This story follows two hundred years after the original story of the Headless Horsman's spectral ride that drove away Icabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow, leaving behind Katrina Van Tassel to marry Brom. But what exactly drove Icabod Crane from Sleepy Hollow? And was the Headless Horseman actually real? All of these things are contained within the diary of the original Katrina Van Tassel and it has been handed down to her namesake in the present.

Katrina or Kat as she is known has felt she did not want to live forever in Sleepy Hollow. Her love for books and her desire to branch outside of the town has made her clash with her parents. On top of that, she has missed out on the Twilight anniversary making both her parents disappointed. It is not until she is handed Katrina's diary that she realizes how similar they are. And even more, she feels that Blake is no longer the boy she once fell in love with. But when she meets Isadore Crow, she feels something for her, and the two of the grow close reading Katrina's diary.

This book was definitely different. Although it did not stray completely from the tale, it did get further into the reason for Icabod's disappearance (and it is definitely not what you think!). I liked how it played out. I was not a fan of the repetition nor how the characters managed to lack any depth to them. There was no connection I could feel to the main female character. I loved how the bonding between Isadore and Kat came through and how it did not feel rushed since it was such a short story. It was nice and sweet. I just wish the characters were more three-dimensional.

This book had a lot of potential that was lost. ( )

Pretty decent, keeping in mind that it's YA I appreciated calling out toxic relationships and surprisingly realistic fallout for a 300 page YA book. Loved that the LGBT relationship wasn't toxic despite a few minor issues that had some discussion on page and more implied off page. Little preachy but pretty good for YA. Overall this gets a 'I still hate Disney, but that was Neat'. ( )

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. ( )