A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow
Author: Alyssa Palombo
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.25/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: September 24, 2018 to October 1, 2018
Book Summary: When Ichabod Crane arrives in the spooky little village of Sleepy Hollow as the new schoolmaster, Katrina Van Tassel is instantly drawn to him. Through their shared love of books and music, they form a friendship that quickly develops into romance. Ichabod knows that as an itinerant schoolteacher of little social standing, he has nothing to offer the wealthy Katrina – unlike her childhood friend-turned-enemy, Brom Van Brunt, who is the suitor Katrina’s father favors.

But when romance gives way to passion, Ichabod and Katrina embark on a secret love affair, sneaking away into the woods after dark to be together – all while praying they do not catch sight of Sleepy Hollow’s legendary Headless Horseman. That is, until All Hallows’s Eve, when Ichabod suddenly disappears, leaving Katrina alone and in a perilous position.

Enlisting the help of her friend – and rumored witch – Charlotte Jansen, Katrina seeks the truth of Ichabod Crane’s disappearance, investigating the forest around Sleepy Hollow using unconventional – often magical – means. What they find forces Katrina to question everything she once knew, and to wonder if the Headless Horseman is perhaps more than just a story after all. In Alyssa Palombo's The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel nothing is as it seems, and love is a thing even death won't erase.
Book Review: I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a chance to read this book prior to it's release.

I saw this pop up one day on my goodreads feed and thought that since we were nearly on the cusp of one of the most favorite holidays belonging to the Autumn season that this was the best time to take a moment to read this.

And I was not at all disappointed in this book. It had everything from the historical setting of the Sleepy Hollow to the downright ghostly ride of the Headless Horseman. Of course, there is much more of the element of romance lingering between two star-crossed lovers whom share a moment in this mythical setting.

This story is basically a retelling of Icabod Crane but from the point-of-view belonging to the lovely Katrina Van Tassel. Katrina's parent's own the largest farm in the sleepy town of Sleepy Hollow. They often even play hosts to the many people that pass through this lovely town. One day, Icabod arrives in town and Katrina's world is turned upside down by the handsome school teacher. She finds him intelligent and engaging where she never found that with Brom. And even worse Brom is hinting to her father that Katrina would make a lovely bride for himself, something Katrina completely despises. Yet, her feelings for Icabod continue to grow and so do her dreams of the Headless Horseman.

I have always loved the story of Sleepy Hollow ever since I was a kid. I used to love it when October would roll around and Disney would have those Halloween specials which always included The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

I was even more thrilled when the idea of Sleepy Hollow came to television in a series. Unfortunately they could only draw upon the story for so long before it would ultimately lead to its death.

This book was a wonderful addition to all of that. I was happy to finally see it from another point view - Katrina's. We always see it from others but not really from her. She is everything I had hoped. Lately of all the YA females have been nothing but Mary Sue but Katrina isn't. She doesn't make you think she is perfect and she has her own flaws and faults. Something that had been lacking in the other females of the YA universe. I was so very happy with that.

This book was a wonderful read. It was engaging and kept you turning the page to the very end (unfortunately for myself work kept me from finishing up in a day). This book is worth the read. You will enjoy the characters, the historical Sleepy Hollow, and the Horseman himself.