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The Hollow Heart (Forgotten Gods, 2) Hardcover – September 14, 2021

by Marie Rutkoski (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 223 ratings
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Intrigue, romance, and magic abound in The Hollow Heart, the heart-stopping conclusion to Marie Rutkoski’s Forgotten Gods duology.

At the end of The Midnight Lie, Nirrim offered up her heart to the god of thieves in order to restore her people’s memories of their city’s history. The Half Kith who once lived imprisoned behind the city’s wall now realize that many among them are powerful. Meanwhile, the person Nirrim once loved most, Sid, has returned to her home country of Herran, where she must navigate the politics of being a rogue princess who has finally agreed to do her duty.

In the Herrani court, rumors begin to grow of a new threat rising across the sea, of magic unleashed on the world, and of a cruel, black-haired queen who can push false memories into your mind, so that you believe your dearest friends to be your enemies.

Sid doesn’t know that this queen is Nirrim, who seeks her revenge against a world that has wronged her. Can Sid save Nirrim from herself? Does Nirrim even want to be saved? As blood is shed and war begins, Sid and Nirrim find that it might not matter what they want…for the gods have their own plans.

Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 2
    The Midnight Lie
  2. Print length
    304 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
  5. Publication date
    September 14, 2021
  6. Grade level
    10 - 12
  7. Reading age
    14 - 18 years
  8. Dimensions
    6.34 x 1.08 x 9.12 inches
  9. ISBN-10
    0374313849
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0374313845
  11. Lexile measure
    HL780L
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up-At the end of The Midnight Lie after her breakup with Sid, Nirrim traded her heart to the God of Thieves and is now settling in as queen of Ethin. While Nirrim begins a revenge campaign against the High Kith who oppressed so many, Sid has sailed back to her ailing-possibly poisoned-mother in Herran and her narrative is a counterpoint Nirrim's descent. Rutkoski compassionately navigates the queer reality of living in a world that wishes you were different, while also discussing the legacy of colonialism. There is a diversity of skin tone and orientation in the main and supporting cast. VERDICT This duology has an f/f Orpheus and Eurydice vibe that will keep readers turning pages. Fans of the original "Winner's Trilogy" will see some familiar faces.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"A thrilling, frightening tale of intrigue and revenge, love and desire, affecting humans and gods alike. The Hollow Heart is a doorway to a world of magic, vengeance, and romance that will keep you guessing until the last pages." ―Cassandra Clare, New York Times-bestselling author of the Shadowhunter Chronicles

"A heart-wrenching, deftly executed end to this duology." ―Kirkus

"Rutkoski compassionately navigates the queer reality of living in a world that wishes you were different." ―School Library Journal

"The inventive fantasy framework and whip-smart dialogue should keep readers riveted...and the exploration of truths that LGBTQ+ youth know and live, growing up in a world whose responses to their differences can still wound them, will resonate in any compassionate heart." ―Horn Book

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 14, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374313849
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374313845
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14 - 18 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL780L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.04 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.34 x 1.08 x 9.12 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 223 ratings

About the author

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Marie Rutkoski

Marie Rutkoski

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Marie Rutkoski is the New York Times bestselling author of several books for children and young adults, including THE HOLLOW HEART (September 14, 2021). Her debut for adults, REAL EASY (January 18, 2022), is a literary crime novel.

Born in Illinois, Marie holds degrees from the University of Iowa and Harvard University. She is currently a professor at Brooklyn College and lives in Brooklyn with her family.

(photo credit: Beowulf Sheehan)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
223 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars satisfying and imaginative
Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
There were many parts of this story that I was able to guess very early on, but it was still a satisfying story. I loved Sid; she felt so much more like a real person than in the midnight lie. I love Rutkoski’s writing, as usual, and the way my heart leaps with her cathartic conclusions. This world she has built feels both real and magical, and so unique in its gods and powers. The ending also neatly tied together the themes of the winners trilogy, and I loved that. Sooooo good!
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4.0 out of 5 stars Overall wonderful, but it felt like it was missing something at the end (SPOILERS)
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
The main take away any potential reader needs to know is, yes absolutely you do need to read this duology. Now that that's settled, I will now be talking spoiler-y subjects down below.

I loved reading both stories and seeing both characters grow. Would I have done the same thing as Nirrim after losing her compassion? Who knows, but I certainly don't blame her. Her anger was understandable and valid and as violent as it was I'm glad she finally stood up for herself to everyone who mistreated her. Seeing Nirrim's spiral into a mad queen was very interesting and a great build up as she lost herself further and further. I understand it stemmed from losing her compassion but I felt like all her problems being solved from getting her heart back was a little too simple. So much happened at the end and it just felt glossed over. Basically I just wished the ending was longer and more fleshed out.

I loved seeing Sid finally getting the understanding she longed for. It happens a lot in life where things can be misunderstood and the assumed meaning can fester into anger and hate. Communication goes such a long way and I'm glad at the end she got the "approval" she sought and was able to return to Nirrim. Their final reunion felt rushed and I know The God's POV is what's being shared but I wish it happened a little later and the tragedy of what just unfolded between Arin and Nirrim's could be fully delved into.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking duology
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
These books are so well written, the stakes and tension are so high that I found myself hold my breath and trying to read faster to know what happens. The characters are fascinating and complex and the author reveals how a lack of compassion causes untold suffering and that we can still hope for the "villain" to become whole again.
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Ander
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal sequel!
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2021
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This is such an exceptional sequel to Midnight Lie. I do have one concern though. Half of the dialogue didn’t have quotation makes, which made it a little difficult to discern when it was the character speaking versus the narrator.
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Karissa Eckert
4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written story about gods, family, friendship, love and magic.
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2021
Series Info/Source: This is the second book in the Forgotten Gods duology. I got an eGalley of this book through NetGalley for review.

Thoughts: This was beautifully written and does an excellent job of wrapping up this duology. For most of the book Nirrim and Sid are separate. Nirrim is taking over as empress of her home city but she is ruling without her heart (she bargained her heart away to the god of thieves). Meanwhile, Sid is back home in Herran trying to navigate the promises she made before she left (marriage to the Prince of a neighboring country). When rumors of a dark, cruel queen reach Sid, she can only assume that Nirrim needs her help.

The writing here is stunning. It is also a wonderful story of family, friendship, and love. There is a mystery about why Kestral’s health is failing that Sid has to solve in the first part of the book but much of the story is also about Sid accepting who she is and accepting that her family accepts that. It is heartbreaking to watch Nirrims struggle with making decisions as a ruler when her compassion has literally been stolen from her.

I really enjoyed this. The ending did feel a bit abrupt and incomplete to me. I also was a bit sad that Nirrim and Sid didn’t spend more of the story together. However, this book did an excellent job of wrapping the story up and was a joy to read.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this story. It is a beautifully written story about gods, family, friendship, love, and magic. This book does a wonderful job of wrapping up the series and I would recommend it to those who enjoyed the first book in this duology.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022
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Great book, really interesting
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Olivia (@plumpaperbacks)
3.0 out of 5 stars A sadly disappointing sequel
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2021
After thoroughly enjoying The Midnight Lie, I was so excited to dive into The Hollow Heart. Unfortunately, I found it incredibly underwhelming, and even considering DNFing more than once. I pushed through because of how much I liked the first book, thinking it had to get better. And while it did, marginally, it never managed to achieve the same levels of intrigue, emotion and romance as its predecessor.

The slow pacing and long chapters made reading this feel like an uphill battle. At risk of sounding dramatic, it was sort of a Sisyphus situation—every time I would start to get invested, an especially long, boring chapter would ruin that for me. I shudder to think of what this book would’ve been without Sid’s chapters; I love her to pieces, 10/10, my favorite character, book girlfriend material. In all seriousness, her narration was what saved the story for me.

The girls were reunited in the final third, making it somewhat but not entirely better than the first two thirds. What really could’ve upped my opinion is a more detailed ending, because I feel like I was cheated. Not nearly enough sapphic content or story resolution, in my opinion.

Honestly, this might be one of my most disappointing reads of the year, alongside Kingdom of the Wicked. Whereas KOTW was a case of a book not living up to internet hype, The Hollow Heart was a sequel that I don’t think lived up to the first book, and that, I think, is so very sad. :((

Representation
-sapphic protagonist of color
-biracial lesbian love interest
-sapphic romance
-queer side character
-side characters of color

Content Warning: blood/gore, death/murder (includes non-graphic beheading)
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Top reviews from other countries

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Sue Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars Can’t wait for the next book in this trilogy
Reviewed in Canada on June 9, 2023
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Loved everything about this book.
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Manu
5.0 out of 5 stars Minha duologia favorita
Reviewed in Brazil on April 11, 2022
Verified Purchase
"I'm not sure you can understand what it means to know you have placed your heart in the most fragile of vessels, which could break at a moment's notice, and destroy you, and still you would choose this. You would choose this person, over and over again, for as much time as the gods allow, even if that time is hours and not years”.

Amo essa duologia, amo os personagens, quando lembro fico com saudade da história e vez ou outra releio e nunca deixa de ser maravilhoso.
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Manu
5.0 out of 5 stars Minha duologia favorita
Reviewed in Brazil on April 11, 2022
"I'm not sure you can understand what it means to know you have placed your heart in the most fragile of vessels, which could break at a moment's notice, and destroy you, and still you would choose this. You would choose this person, over and over again, for as much time as the gods allow, even if that time is hours and not years”.

Amo essa duologia, amo os personagens, quando lembro fico com saudade da história e vez ou outra releio e nunca deixa de ser maravilhoso.
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Laura Machado
4.0 out of 5 stars Não tão bom quanto o primeiro
Reviewed in Brazil on December 29, 2021
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Talvez comparado com qualquer outro livro, este daqui se tornasse incrível, emocionante e bem desenvolvido. Mas comparado ao primeiro da duologia, essa sequência decaiu bastante.

Ele não é ruim! Nem de longe é ruim, muito pelo contrário! Eu gostei bastante de como a Nirrim mudou, mas como continuou complexa, e da sua jornada por esse livro. Também gostei demais de ver Sid lidar com seus pais, como eles mudaram desde a trilogia do Vencedor e como existia uma distância entre Sid e eles, não por não a amarem, mas porque nem sempre pais e filhos conseguem prever o que se passa pela cabeça dos outros. Adorei demais a evolução dessa questão na história e de como Sid e Nirrim se reencontraram.

Mas tudo que o livro anterior tinha de único em relação a outros livros de fantasia se desfez nesse. Nem a narrativa foi feita de um jeito próprio e surpreendente. Ele acabou se tornando um livro comum de fantasia mesmo. Muito bem escrito, mas nada único. Além disso, ele não tem final. Foi bem brusco como acabou, e eu acho que precisava ter sido mais desenvolvido depois de tudo pelo que tinham passado. Não combinou tanto com o estilo da história.

Só tirei uma estrela da nota por isso mesmo, pelo livro não ter conseguido nem se manter no mesmo estilo do primeiro, por ter perdido boa parte da personalidade do anterior, ainda que os rumos da história tenham sido coerentes e bem descritos.

Continuo recomendando essa duologia e espero que venha para o Brasil (com a capa britânica, por favor), mas o primeiro é bem melhor mesmo!
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Laura Machado
4.0 out of 5 stars Não tão bom quanto o primeiro
Reviewed in Brazil on December 29, 2021
Talvez comparado com qualquer outro livro, este daqui se tornasse incrível, emocionante e bem desenvolvido. Mas comparado ao primeiro da duologia, essa sequência decaiu bastante.

Ele não é ruim! Nem de longe é ruim, muito pelo contrário! Eu gostei bastante de como a Nirrim mudou, mas como continuou complexa, e da sua jornada por esse livro. Também gostei demais de ver Sid lidar com seus pais, como eles mudaram desde a trilogia do Vencedor e como existia uma distância entre Sid e eles, não por não a amarem, mas porque nem sempre pais e filhos conseguem prever o que se passa pela cabeça dos outros. Adorei demais a evolução dessa questão na história e de como Sid e Nirrim se reencontraram.

Mas tudo que o livro anterior tinha de único em relação a outros livros de fantasia se desfez nesse. Nem a narrativa foi feita de um jeito próprio e surpreendente. Ele acabou se tornando um livro comum de fantasia mesmo. Muito bem escrito, mas nada único. Além disso, ele não tem final. Foi bem brusco como acabou, e eu acho que precisava ter sido mais desenvolvido depois de tudo pelo que tinham passado. Não combinou tanto com o estilo da história.

Só tirei uma estrela da nota por isso mesmo, pelo livro não ter conseguido nem se manter no mesmo estilo do primeiro, por ter perdido boa parte da personalidade do anterior, ainda que os rumos da história tenham sido coerentes e bem descritos.

Continuo recomendando essa duologia e espero que venha para o Brasil (com a capa britânica, por favor), mas o primeiro é bem melhor mesmo!
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