My only regret in reading this book is that it wasn't outdoors on a crisp fall day, leaves fluttering off the coloring trees, dusk nearing, rendering everything just a little romantic and a little creepy. Because this book is exactly that. Palombo takes the familiar story of the Headless Horseman and twists it into an incredible historical romance, from the point of view of Katrina Van Tassel, the woman at the center of it all. I devoured this book in two late nights, it's that gorgeous and readable.

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's for the early readers copy.

This is like the story of Sleepy Hollow. However, the author has taken liberties of changing aspects of the story. The original story does not give Katarina Van Tassel much character. This book is written from her point of view. She tells her feelings, her thoughts, and why she chooses to do certain things. I don't want to give to much of the storyline away. Suffice it to say, this is a very clever version of an old time story. Very well executed.

***Spoiler alert!***

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel is a retelling of one of America's famous literary works - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Echoing the characters from the original tale, this well-known story is given a fresh perspective as it is told from the heart and mind of Katrina. When Ichabod Crane arrives at the small town Sleepy Hollow, he is enamored with Katrina's beauty and her beautiful mind. Their friendship quickly blossoms into a secret love affair, and eventually sparks a duel between Ichabod and Brom to win Katrina's affection. Soon after, Ichabod disappears on the night of All Hallows' Eve. With the help of her best friend, Charlotte, Katrina determines to seek the truth behind Ichabod's disappearance - wondering if the legend of Headless Horseman is true after all.

In all fairness, I've not read Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. So I did what most of us will do - Google! So, reading from Wikipedia's plot summary on the story, I had the impression that the plot of this story is not very different from Irving's story. If that's the case, then it is somewhat disappointing. I would expect a retelling to be completely different in terms of plot, not merely told from a different viewpoint. Moreover, this story was from Katrina's viewpoint - a feminist voice. So, I was expecting the story to be significantly different from the original tale. It also says in the synopsis that Katrina and Charlotte wanting to find the truth behind Ichabod's disappearance. However, I don't get that in the story. At best, their investigation into his disappearance was conducted in such a lackadaisical and insincere manner. No urgency or suspense at all. Where is the mystery?

As the protagonist in this book, Katrina's character is more developed than the rest. However, I find her character to be annoying, selfish and whiny. I don't see the feminist element in her, other than sneaking away into the woods with Ichabod. We do encounter this kind of defiance in other historical fiction as well. The only character I find endearing is Charlotte Jensen, Katrina's best friend. She's the only one that I can tolerate in the book. Overall, characters are under developed, shallow and flat. This is a character driven story, so I'd expect so much more.

That being said, what I enjoyed about this book is the writing. The writing is pellucid and atmospheric. Sleepy Hollow was described beautifully and I think the author did well in this to set up the mood for this story. I also appreciate the language used which was within the decorum of the society during that time. Prose was beautiful and I enjoyed it.

Overall, this was an okay read for me. Perhaps I dived into this book with a different expectation. It's a retelling; so I was expecting a darker and creepier version with more accounts on the Headless Horseman. Instead this book is heavily ladened with Katrina and Ichabod's romance which goes on about 200 pages! It was rather overwhelming for me. This book did not work for me.


***I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***

The author notes that this is her stab at a feminist retelling of Washington Irving's famous tale of Sleepy Hollow, and while there isn't a whole lot of nuance in that attempt--Katrina van Tassel has her own political opinions, chooses Ichabod Crane as her lover, and has a knowing midwife as a friend--it is passable. The story is pretty predictable from the start, and Katrina isn't a particularly compelling character. Katrina is haunted from childhood by dreams of the Headless Horseman, and when her suitor Brom discovers that she's in love with Ichabod, he dresses up as the phantom and kills the schoolmaster. By scrying, Katrina discovers this after she has married Brom to cover up the fact that she's pregnant by Ichabod, and finally the Horseman comes for Brom.

"You are not in control of your destiny."
Divination, Superstition, Hallucination, Tarot Cards, Spells even witchcraft- all are found in a book that also makes for a very sweet love story.
The setting is Sleepy Hollow in the late 1700's. The lovers are Ichabod and Katrina, a very sincere, and well intentioned couple struggling to be together despite her father's opposition. A terrible tragedy happens which impacts the whole town, especially the lovers. Some revert to "witchery" to find answers to the disaster, only to realize there are things one is better off not knowing
This is a wonderfully entertaining book, especially for those who love Washington Irving's tale. There is great suspense, especially regarding the Headless Horseman, Ichabod, and Brom Bones.
It's definitely a novel to read!

Sigh. I was looking forward to this one. But I didn’t like it...at all. I almost didn’t finish it. I decided to just skim through middle just to get through it.

The conversations were exhausting, the relationships seemed forced and I couldn’t bring myself to like any of the characters. And it took all of the spooky fun out of a Halloween classic!

This is a tortured romance. This is not a story about the headless horseman. I went into it with the wrong expectations. But I suppose some romance readers may enjoy it...maybe. So that’s why the 2 stars instead of 1.

Thank you to the NetGalley team at St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for this brutally honest review.

After reading or listening to the timeless tale of the Headless Horseman, has it ever left you wondering what happened to everyone after the storied events?

Palombo’s telling gives us the female point of view through the eyes of Katrina van Tassel. Filling in the blanks with details of events leading up to the eventful night and follows through with a story that I enjoyed. I’m not sure where the spellbook fits in but the expanded story is not rushed and is filled with details of Katrina’s life after that storied night of horror and rumor. Perhaps the spellbook is the journal where Katrina writes down the tales of the village and her own story with Ichabod. The love triangle of Ichabod, Brom and Katrina will hook romance readers from the beginning but the after story is what gives this book its meat. Giving us an in-depth look at true friendship and how it can carry you through the worst that life can throw in front of you. The book will be a popular one with older, mature teens and the New Adult readers. Though the story of the Headless Horseman is one of America’s oldest horror stories, this one will dig further to reveal the reality and horror of human nature and the strength of family and friends.
#TheSpellbookOf KatrinaVanTassel #NetGalley

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the free review copy. All opinions are my own. 

When I was in elementary school, I had a teacher that introduced me to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving. Ever since then, I have loved this tale, so I'm sure you can imagine my excitement when I heard about this book coming out. An adult version of one of my childhood favorite tales told from Katrina's point-of-view?! I could only hope that it fit into my love for Sleepy Hollow, and it did. In fact, I really loved this book.

I think taking this form Katrina's POV was so smart. She is the one that is left when Ichabod disappears. Even though this story seems to be about Ichabod Crane, Katrina is the overlooked character in the original tale. Palombo did a fantastic job of bringing Sleepy Hollow to life and giving it character. She added depth to the characters that wasn't possible in the original tale, since it was a short story. 

The addition of Charlotte's character was also something else I loved about this story. Her trade made this book eerie in the best way. She is also a great example of friendship - which is seen throughout this entire book.

This book is for anyone that loves Sleepy Hollow, but it will also appeal to readers that enjoy stories about legends. I think it would make a great read for most people because it features love, friendship, and a mystery set in the late 1700's. This book is out on October 2, just in time to read it in the beginning of fall before Halloween.

Well, I have to say that I wanted to really love this book, but sadly I did not. I would say like was more the adjective I would use. The beginning was a fast pace read that I really liked but then it slowed down a lot. There were parts that were hard to read along with and I believe that the uthor was trying to enhance the love story. I thought it was going to be a mixture of romance, mystery, and sci-fi. Maybe the issue lies with me as the reader. However, it seems that I am not alone. This is mixed with history and fantasy which I normally enjoy. The portrayal of the story seems like it would be more mystery oriented. So if that is what you are looking for, you might be a little disappointed.

Thank you to the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

3 stars ⭐️ out of 5

This is the retelling of Washington Irving's Legend of Sleepy Hollow, told from the point of view of Katrina Van Tassel. This is a sweeping tale of forbidden romance and devastating loss. This story is set in America soon after the American Revolution. There is a little bit of history mixed in with fantasy, magic and legend. Katrina is a head-strong, intelligent, avid reader who is not afraid of expressing her opinion. She is a devoted friend, talented musician and singer, and an excellent storyteller. Being from a wealthy and prominent family she is expected to marry Brom who is the son of a wealthy farmer but when she begins to receive music lessons she immediately falls head over heels in love with the handsome new schoolteacher and the trouble begins. Interwoven in this forbidden love story are the spooky legends of the surrounding area. There is love and loss, murder and deception but there is also friendship, joy and kindness. I liked this retelling of this story, it is a much more tender and beautiful experience as told from a strong female point of view. If you are looking for supernatural horror this is probably not the book for you but if you like a good romance mixed with tragedy then this will fill the bill. The only complaint I have is with the title. I wouldn't really call Katrina's book a spellbook, it is more like a journal. Thank you NetGalley and author Alyssa Palombo for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

DNF @ 25%. I went into this thinking that a retelling of Sleepy Hollow would be full of creepy atmosphere and suspense. I am 25% in and all I have, in my opinion, is a sappy and instant romance. I will say the author has done a very credible job with building the characters and portraying the historical era through their dialogue. I'm just disappointed that everything that led me to think I was getting something creepy - the Sleepy Hollow legend, the word "spellbook" in the title and the cover art - just didn't deliver for me.

I was drawn to this book because it reminded me of the TV show Sleepy Hollow., I liked how strong Katrina and Charlotte were. Being a female living during those times would have been very hard. I really liked the story and found it hard to put down. Perfect for Halloween!

I'm not entirely sure how I felt about this book! On the one hand, it was compelling enough that I read it in a weekend. I have a weakness for colonial America & historical fiction & spooky books so it was right up my alley. But on the other hand, it dragged a bit towards the middle and by the end I wasn't sure if I even really cared what actually happened to Ichabod Crane.
That being said, I'd definitely recommend it to patrons who were looking for a good book to read this autumn-- it made me want to curl up with a warm blanket and some hot cider despite it being 100 degrees outside so I give it 4 stars out of 5!

I enjoyed this read based on the classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow which shamefully I haven't read but am familiar with. This book gives more depth to the character of Katrina Van Tassel, who is a beautiful, headstrong, smart young woman who has always been given the freedom to express herself so when she falls in love with the handsome new schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, she knows he is the man for her. Set along the Hudson River during the 1700's the small village of Sleepy Hollow has always held the frightening tale of The Headless Horseman, who legend has it is a Hessian soldier killed in battle who continues to haunt Sleepy Hollow looking for his missing head.
As Ichabod and Katrina fall deeply in love her father rejects Ichabod's proposal for them to marry while a rival, Brom Van Brunt seeks to thwart Ichabod's affections for her hand. Very atmospheric and detailed of the era this re-telling of the classic has many facets to the storyline, romance, murder, spells, and a touch of spookiness. I Liked the author's notes in regards to the people, food and customs of the real life Sleepy Hollow.

Thank you NetGalley and author Alyssa Palombo for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.

All in all I enjoyed the book. The title caught my attention, the description made me curious, and as I read I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I will say the pace was different for me. At first I thought the plot was moving too fast, and then I thought it wasn't moving fast enough. But when I stuck with it I was entertained and amazed. Not just a great read for the month of Halloween but year-round.
The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel is more than just a historical romance. It is a story of friendship, deceit, selfishness, jealousy, destiny, and a quest for knowledge. With some tall tales added for suspense, and historical references to add to the setting.
I did not see the ending coming.. It was just the right amount of misleading that the reader does not feel betrayed. Once you do get to the ending you are curious to know more; but just like in real life the future can take many paths. I will be telling my store to get this book. It will be located on the Halloween display, and I will encourage people to read it.

When Katrina Van Tassel meets Ichabod Crane, the new schoolmaster, their shared love of books, music, and local folklore leads to an instant friendship. As their friendship turns to romance they begin a secret love affair with dreams of one day being wed. Katrina's father has plans for her to marry Brom Van Brunt, the most eligible suiter in town and combine their family's wealth. Brom, once Katrina's childhood friend, is now her sworn enemy after accusing her best friend Charlotte Jansen, the midwife’s daughter, of witchcraft. Brom's anger grows stronger as Katrina continues to deny his advances turning his hatred on Ichabod, the object of Katrina's affection. Katrina and Ichabod continue to make plans to be together until All Hollows Eve when Ichabod mysteriously disappears. His hat and the remains of a smashed Jack-o-lantern near the bridge are the only evidence found. The townspeople, fearful of local legend, suspect he was taken by the Headless Horseman but Katrina will not rest until she discovers what really happened to the man she loves.

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel is meant to be feminist retelling of the classic tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: The Headless Horseman, specifically from Katrina's POV. This novel beautifully combines historical accounts of the Dutch settlers of that time period, the folktales surrounding the town of Sleepy Hollow, and the author’s reconstruction of the classic novel by Washington Irving. This novel does include witchcraft, summoning, as well as the Headless Horseman but it primarily focuses on the story of Katrina and Ichabod's love affair. I would classify this novel as primarily a historical romance with a touch of fantasy/folklore. I typically avoid romance novels but this one was particularly charming, well written, and perfect to add to my fall reading collection. I really enjoyed this novel and had a hard time putting it down. My one complaint would be that the novel felt marketed towards the fantasy genre, as a retelling of the Headless Horseman, when in reality it is not. This is definitely a must read for 2018 and a new fall favorite for me.

I really tried to like this book. Sadly, I failed. It took me a lot longer than normal to finish, I just couldn't get into it. I was pretty sure that I knew early on what happened, (I was right) and I think that made me want the story to move faster. Well written but not what I thought it would be.

The other side of the famous Ichabod Crane story. I enjoyed the romance here. A fun Halloween read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow when I was a teenager, and later visited the real town once, so I was excited to read this woman-centered retelling of Irving’s legend. Katrina Van Tassel has been traditionally portrayed as a vapid child, so it was nice to get the story from her point of view.

I must warn you though, this is less a tale of the supernatural than it is a historical drama of love, jealousy, and heartbreak due to colloquial ideas of gender and women’s agency. There are elements of the supernatural, of course, but it’s not the focus of this story. I felt for Katrina, forced to make the best out of very difficult situations, trying to stay afloat in a world she wants to escape from.

I almost wish this story was about her friend, Charlotte, or her mother. I know this sounds weird, because “The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow” is about Katrina and Ichabod, and the gruesome Hessian. The mystique of midwifery during this time is fascinating to me, and I wanted to know more about the thin line they straddled between being viewed as invaluable healers and heathen witches. Both of these women also had more agency than poor Katrina, alas.

All in all, however, I thought it was a lovely addition to the Sleepy Hollow canon. I learned a lot about Dutch culture and life in the area at the time, and Katrina is a three-dimensional, compassionately rendered protagonist.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc.

This book is more of a romance than I'd anticipated (i was looking for something that felt gothic/horror-y from the start), and I just couldn't get going with it. I think it would appeal to romance readers, but that's not me.