The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo

Once again, Alyssa Palombo does not disappoint her readers with her most recent historical fiction novel, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel. Readers may already be familiar with the legend of Sleepy Hollow, and the characters of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Ms. Palombo‘s story is more. She dares to take the reader on an adventure where the loyalty of family, friendship and real love are key. She includes a sufficient sprinkling of suspense, mysticism, self discovery and history along the way. Ms. Palombo’s written words and story flow beautifully and naturally. Give yourself a read treat this Halloween, (or anytime of the year), and hunker down with Alyssa Palombo’s, The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel.

Interesting retelling of Irving's original tale.
Some characterizations are thin, could be better-developed.

This retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is the perfect book for anyone who loves spooky stories, Halloween, the supernatural, and history. This is exactly the type of story I want to curl up with during crisp fall weather, or when I am just dreaming about a historical New England autumn setting. This has the perfect level of eerie supernatural. Told through the perspective of Katrina Van Tassel, this becomes both relatable and reflects the historical realities of women at the time of the early American setting. I recommend this book!

Here's a weakness of mine: a historical fantasy/fiction/romance/mystery based on mythology/legend/classic tale. There was no chance I wouldn't give this one a try.

I'ts been so long since I've read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow that I might as well have not read it at all. It probably says something about my age that I pictured Christina Ricci from the Johnny Depp movie as Katrina, even though Ichabod Crane was clearly modeled after the sadly-departed TV series.

All in all, this book left me unimpressed. There were some things I enjoyed- Katrina's love of books, the bit of spellcraft. Most of all, the author's skill in bringing to life the setting of Sleepy Hollow. In her dedication, the author mentions discovering the history of her country again, and she did a great job in allowing me to look back upon our infant nation and its beauty, instead of worrying about its flaws. Escapist? You bet, and escapism should be your goal if you read this book.

Because plot-wise, there aren't a lot of surprises- it hits most of the beats of your standard morality play. And this threw me out of the book. Katrina seems very aware of her role; she must marry well and with an eye to her status in the community. She's also characterized as being extremely intelligent. Of course, being the heroine of a romance, she must fall in love with an "unsuitable" man, but after all her thoughts about what her father expects of her she concocts the most ham-handed plot to allow her to marry her guy that I've ever seen. She also gets pregnant, knowing that she'll be "spoiled" and that her father will have to marry her off quickly, even with a friend who can and does provide her with birth control. Much of the book felt very YA because of its heroine's naivete, but there are enough graphic sex scenes that it surprised me, if YA this is.

The rather grim ending also keeps the book from feeling YA. Katrina does not exactly get a happily-ever after. I've spoiler-warninged this review, because I wanted to talk a bit about this. Katrina ends up marrying the bull-headed Brom, and essentially enters into a marriage where she is raped repeatedly. This was apparently the only way she could find to escape her "ruined" plight, and it was about the worst choice she could have made-another way in which she does not live up to her characterization as intelligent. This is a horror story in the end, not a romance, and the cover is deceptive.

I received a copy of this for a fair and honest review. I knew the tale that this retelling is based on. It was part of my childhood. It told it from the point of view of Katrina and it made me take a closer look at the story. I enjoyed the friendship between Katrina and Charlotte and how it moves the story along. It makes me want to go back and read the original again. Good read.

A interesting and well-done retelling of Sleepy Hollow. I love retellings and this hit the spot. I will be recommending this to other fans of retellings.

What a hauntingly brilliant novel. I am almost in mourning to be writing this review, as it means that I have finished this book. And yet it absolutely remains with me, still. To say that my heart got involved in this story is quite the understatement. I lived it, I was obsessed with it, I breathed it. I couldn't get enough of it. Not to mention that I fell head-over-heels for the characters, who have permanently etched themselves onto this reader's heart. A definite recommend. A book that I will read over and over again.

Retelling of sleepy hollow with a strong smart woman lead. She has you loving as she loves and hoping as she hopes. Flows easily and holds your attention, I didn't want it to end but I had to know the ending. I will be looking for all Alyssa Palombo stories to devour.

I adore stories like this one. A classic, well-known tale retold in a new way. You think you know the story, but you've never heard it told like this.
Everyone knows the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. But in this version, all other characters take a backseat to Katrina Van Tassel. This is her story, and it's a good one. The old familiars are all there, Ichabod and a ghostly apparition wearing a jack o'lantern for a head and a small 18th century village. Katrina's voice, however, is the one that we hear. Through her heart and soul we hear a different perspective. We hear of love and hope, loss and despair.
I loved this book for so many reasons. The original tale is one of my favorite classics, and this version is an excellent companion. Katrina is a character for the ages, strong and confident and everything you'd want a female lead to be. Read the original if you haven't, and then definitely read this one!

Palombo offers a feminist retelling of the Sleepy Hollow folktale, with 1790s Hudson Valley patroons, echoes of witchcraft and Ichabod Crane, yankee interloper. It is fun to see different life breathed into familiar stories, with their context filled out and explored.

If you like Tracey Chevalier, I think you will like Alyssa Palombo.

Holy Moley...what a twisty, page turning ride through Sleepy Hollow. I've always loved the Headless Horseman tale and I really loved this take on it. Told from the viewpoint of Katrina Van Tassel, it's a tale of love, jealousy, mystery, and every other emotion and motivation you can think of. I loved Katrina, she was a well rounded, very intelligent character and Ichabod was equally charming. I so enjoyed their story until his fateful disappearance, then the second half of the book was hard to put down for the mystery of it. I am very interested in reading Palombo's other 2 books if they are anything like this.

Paloumbo outs a fresh spin on Washington Irving’s classic tale, making Katrina Van Tassel the protagonist. She quickly forms a bond with the new school master, Ichabod Crane, over their love of books and music. Katrina has no interest in the man her father has chosen for her, Brom Van Brunt is a gruff, ignorant bully. Katrina and Icahbod give their passion free rein, and when Ichabod disappears on Halloween night, Katrina is left alone in a delicate condition. Stricken and desperate for answers, Katrina turn to the local witch, determined to find out what really happened to the man she loves