Written by Moriah
Just three days ago, my favorite book of this year was published and now I can scream about it to the rest of the world! And that is The Corruption of Hollis Brown by K. Ancrum!
This absolute beauty of a nightmare is a young adult romantic horror following Hollis Brown, a teen preparing for graduation, as he unknowingly makes a deal with a ghost named Walt. Now he’s possessed and stuck watching as Walt tries to work through his unfinished business. Yet as they work towards an agreement, things change.
I had the honor of reading an advanced reader’s copy to help prepare for early promotion and this was promptly put on my recommendation shelf at work. I’ve been a fan of K. Ancrum’s work for a few years, having read the Weight of the Stars back in 2022 and making it everyone’s problem since. Ancrum truly hit a vein when it came to the style of her writing and she has only strengthened her work.
Though the author relates this story closer to another one of her previous works, the Wicker King, The Weight of the Stars focused on similar themes as Hollis Brown, feeling stuck in a path pre-designed for you, falling for someone in a way that’s unexpected, but Hollis takes it a step further. The town they’re in is connected to a ghost town, something that bleeds into everything from how much was put into it.
Haunted not only by Walt, but by the ideas, goals, and dreams that got pushed aside in just trying to make it through the day. I love how Ancrum designs those worlds and builds such detailed characters within them. Yulia and Annie my loves, I look forward to reading this again just to add more to this honestly.
Because it is a horror— specifically body horror– there is more detail on the authors instagram and her website (Kancrum on most sites) of her intent of using horror in tandem with romance as well as a list of content warnings that include suicidal ideation, death, severe depression, and more.
Though the novel covers such heavy topics, I truly think it is worth the read. And great news, the book is out! Consider supporting your local library or indie bookstore this week since this Saturday is Independent Bookstore Day!