The Hidden

SPOILER ALERT: Caution when reading this article, it contains spoiler information!

The Hidden takes place in Sleepy Hollow, a rather figurative, fictional place that the author made up. In this setting, it revolves around the two prominent figures that are Abigail, otherwise known as Abbey and Caspian. Abbey is Caspian’s destiny while Caspian is her shadow. They are both bound together, a relationship that can last even up to death itself.

As the third and last sequel of the Hollow Trilogy, I was quite upset with the story. There are several reasons why I feel this way about the book; one, is because we are given the same “forbidden love’’ plot only placed in a different situation wherein Caspian is a ghost, while Abbey is still human therefore they cannot be together unless Abbey gives up her life to be with him. We can all possibly find that kind of story in a book most popular and known to all of us which is Twilight written by Stephenie Meyer. Sadly, I had to say that it had lost some of its originality already. And the conclusion of the story was obvious already for me, because of the love of Abbey shown in the story; I could definitely say that she would give it up, without a second thought so that she would be with the one she loved for the rest of her life or possibly afterlife. As the plot and the conclusion were a bit disappointing, Verday had not disappointed me with a small twist. In exchange for Abbey’s life, she would bring back to life her best friend, Kristen, from the dead who was unfortunately murdered by Sebastian; one of Abbie’s Revenants who is supposed to help her move from her life now to a future life in Sleepy Hollow with Caspian. This sort of twist had not truly shaken me, but merely made me unravel more of the mystery placed in this book.

Every book has an antagonist, and without an antagonist the book would never be complete. This is where Sebastian pops up. After I read the book, I learned how shallow and plain this character was. Having to read the story and find out that the reason why he chose not to help Abbey move to the next life because it would make him lose his job as a Revenant, I would have already put the book down and never look at it again. Although I have to say in the second book of the Hollow Trilogy; The Haunted, he was a bit interesting. Sebastian was described to us by Verday only as the boyfriend of Aubra, a not so fellow company of Abbey at her old summer job. I had realized that I’ve made a mistake for not looking at it very closely. Who knew that given his description in the second book of the story he would become one of the most important people in the sequel?

Given at least a background on the characters of the story, we are left with the falling action and the conclusion. When I read The Hidden for the first time, I was very shocked and amazed by what Verday was giving to her readers. It was until I thought of it again that I knew that the falling action Verday had given us was short and not fast-paced, which is not what a falling action should be. I was quite upset, now that I assessed it in my mind; that a falling action like that would be given. As for the conclusion, I hold nothing against it. It was moving for me, however I was still confused. As Abbey died, and Kristen brought back to life, wouldn’t you say that this would cause a commotion in Sleepy Hollow? What would the town’s people have to say? Not to mention, how could Kristen suddenly be alive when she was buried underground? In a coffin, a few meters below, under a concrete tab? Verday did not completely tell us the ending result, but had left us to decipher it ourselves. Surely you would ask yourselves this once you read it.

I enjoyed reading it, but I have to admit that it didn’t reach my expectations. If you have read it, did it reach yours?