When I first read this book, I couldn't even reach chapter 3. I was that "bored." I picked this up as a 17-year-old and I was going, "where are the sexy times? where are the love interests? what is this plot? why is it moving so slow..." (sounds terribly shallow of me in hindsight.) 
 Since I have a hard copy of this book, one wet Wednesday morning (or was Saturday?), having exhausted my entire bookshelf, I returned to this with a determination to make headway. I stripped back all expectations. Forced myself to stop pining for a love interest (much easier to do these days) and started around the halfway point - and remained engrossed till the end. 
 That's right. 
 All these years I'd been missing out on a hidden gem. I properly got involved in Rachel's life ( how she defected from the I.S, and now has a bounty on her head )- and it was the whole turning into a mink, being fed carrots and then being forced into a rats ring, to fight other rats that thrilled me. Since then, every-time I've reread this book, I discover something new (the world-building is solid and so are the characters) and fall in love with it a little more. Amazing, considering I would've given this a 1-star back then. 
 Having read a few books from this paranormal series, how best to explain it? 
 This is one of the best adult paranormal/fantasy series I've read - but it's not meant for everyone. Anyone who seeks an "instant satisfaction" buzz should avoid this book like roadkill. You have to put a lot of hours into the series, to get the payback, which is immensely rewarding if I say so myself, and don't enter it expecting romance. Or sexy love-interests. Or action...Or a fast-moving plot... 
 However, the fantastic thing is about the series is that it includes all of the first three things, and if you enter expecting little, what you get is beyond delicious. You adapt to the pace, and realize the books are choca-block full of action, magic, romance and sexy-love interests....and even a relatively fast-moving plot! I really like the writing style, and if anything you soon appreciate the whole cast...everybody.... 
 There are quite a few people who just doesn't get this series and that's fine. 
 But for me - I love the The Hollows!