The Hollow Kindgom Trilogy: The Hollow Kingdom

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Genre(s)
Age Range
12+
Release Date
September 19, 2006
ISBN
0805073906
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The Hollow Kingdom, the first book in Clare Dunkle's acclaimed fantasy trilogy, will transport readers into a magical realm that Newbery Award winner Lloyd Alexander calls "as persuasive as it is remarkable."

For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from Hallow Hill, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have moved there with no idea of the land's dreadful heritage―until Marak decides to tell them himself. Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be the goblin king, and he has very specific plans for the two new girls who have trespassed into his kingdom . . .

The Hollow Kingdom is a 2004 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year

Editor reviews

2 reviews
A hidden world&.
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Oh I know whats bothering you, Marak teased before Kate could turn away in disgust. The cloak and the hood. Its been on your nerves all evening. Youve been imagining all sorts of horros, Id guess.

This is just another way to goad me, Kate thought grimly, but he was absolutely right.

Marak tugged back his hood and examined her stunned expression. He watched her cheeks grow pale, her lips bloodless. He grinned in delighted amusement. You imagined all sorts of horrors. But maybe not this one.


Kate and Emily Winslow are the newest residents to come to Hallow Hill. Uprooted after the sudden death of their father, they are shipped off to live with their Great-Aunts in this new and mysterious place. It isnt long before Kate and her sister learn about the tragic history of the estate. For hundreds of years, young women have been disappearing from the estate and never heard from again. Kate laughs at the thought that goblins are the cause of the problem&. That is until she meets one.

Lost in the woods after dark on a stormy night, Kate and Emily are shown the way home by a mysterious stranger named Marak. Kate soon learns that Marak is King of the Goblins, a powerful and mysterious magician who rules the kingdom under the Hill. The catch? Marak is looking for a new bride, and hes found one& Kate.

Kate refuses to be taken underground and held captive for the rest of her life. She manages to outwit the Goblin King several times, but time is running out. Appealing to her guardian, Hugh Roberts, she is promptly placed under house arrest for fear of insanity. Kate knows she isnt crazy, and she is no longer safe at the estate. Can she outwit the King one last time? Or will she become the next Kings Wife?

Part fantasy, part suspense, part romance, part everything-but-the-kitchen-sink, The Hollow Kingdom is a book you dont want to miss. When I first picked up the book, I was rather skeptical that it would turn out to be another goblin story. Nothing could be farther from the truth!

With a loveable and realistic characters, a wonderful writing style, and more plot turns than the Indianapolis 500, Clare B. Dunkle has created a masterpiece. Written with a lyrical and descriptive style, the book presents a whole new look at the goblin world. No longer are they simply monsters who live underground, but a whole society with technology, towns, and - of course - magic.

Recommended for readers ages 13 and up. Dont read this one before bed, the suspense will keep you reading all night long! And dont forget to read the other two books in the series, Close Kin and In the Coils of the Snake.
G
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Good, not great -- but not a waste of time, either
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Reader reviewed by Misty

For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from Hallow
Hill, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have moved there with
no idea of the land's dreadful heritage - until Marak decides to tell
them himself. Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be the goblin
king, and he has very specific plans for the two new girls who have
trespassed into his kingdom . . .
So begins the award-winning Hollow Kingdom Trilogy.
I actually would rate this book a 3.5, but I was feeling generous, so I
rounded up. It is a neat little book, good for those who like fantasy,
paranormal romance,etc., but it has its flaws, the biggest (for me)
being that the ending felt very abrupt, and some things were just too
obvious. But it is YA, so maybe to a 14 yr old, they wouldnt be so
obvious. Nothing to write home about, but a nice light read
nonetheless.  It was good enough that I want to read the rest in the serious, and I cared what happened -- but I was never blown away.  Enjoyable, not wowing.

G
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Best for Young Adults
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Reader reviewed by Marie

The Hollow Kingdom is best book i ever read. I didn't have second or third book of this book. I wanted one. I read so many time. When Marak have very good time teasing Kate. She got scare. She tried to avoid him but she was driven to him by her guardian. Kate have to save kingdom by fighting the evil man. Kate have a sister name Emily or Em. Emily surprise that Seylin can talk and tranform back to goblin if he wanted to.
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Amazing page-turner
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Reader reviewed by mimagirl

When sisters Kate and Emily come to Hollow Hill, strange things begin to happen. Old wives' tales swirl around them - tales of goblins and elves and young girls whisked away and never heard of again. But what if the stories aren't merely old wives' tales? What if they're true?

The girls meet a mysterious stranger named Marak one rainy night and from then on their lives will never be the same. Especially when they find out that Marak is a goblin . . . and he's on the look-out for his new bride.

Suspense, interesting characters, and a well-spun plot make this a page-turner you won't want to miss!
G
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you will come to love marak :D
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Reader reviewed by Rachel

i want to do a quick review on this book. i really had my doubts about it when i first picked it up....i don't usually like mysterious stories and i usually like romance in my books. it didn't seem @ first like there would be any. but as i continued reading the book...it draws you into the world...it is so intricate and detailed.....and i desperately wanted to be there. the characters are very refreshing and i enjoyed the dialogue and interactions. if i said anymore about this book i would probably give things away. give this book a try because there is so much in this book...suspense, romance, humor...:)
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SOOOOOO good!!!!! My favorite Book of all Time!!! Wish I could give it 10 stars
(Updated: June 07, 2026)
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Reader reviewed by Kittygirl

Kate and her sister Emily come to Hallow Hill after the death of their father to live with their great-aunts. Slightly disturbed by the mysterious legend regarding the place and the disappearance of a great, great grandmother Adele, Kate is wary of the wild lands surrounding her new home. Her fears are confirmed when she meets Marak, king of the goblins who live under the hill, who wants to make Kate his bride. Now Kate has to figure out how to get away from the goblins whos are so intent on carrying her away&.

This is the BEST book ever!!!! Ive read it many, many times and it never gets old. Each time I pick it up I am equally involved as I was the very first time I read it. The book is divided into 3 parts and each part could easily be its own book and yet all three are interconnected very well. An amazing tale of adventure, mystery, and how appearances can often be deceiving. I promise you will not be disappointed, and you will never ever look at goblins the same way again.
G
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