Raising The Horseman by Serena Valentino | Book Review

September 26, 2022

I am such a sucker for any and all retellings of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. Raising The Horseman by Serena Valentino caught my eye because it seemed like such a unique take on the Halloween classic. And so, I gladly picked this book up in time for spooky season — ready to be transported into the familiar tale. As it turns out, this story was not quite what I hoped it would be. However, I am sure there is an audience for it — just not me.Raising The Horseman by Serena Valentino caught my eye because it seemed like such a unique take on the Halloween classic.

Kat Van Tassel is one young woman in a line of women sharing the same name. The name is passed down from generation to generation through the Van Tassell family women, living in Sleepy Hollow, NY. Set in modern times, this is the story of a young lady who chafes against her destiny to settle down, marry and remain in Sleepy Hollow. Kat wants to go to college far away. She wants to write. Her dreams are big. There is a new girl in town, Issa Crow, who catches Kat’s eye. The two turn out to be friends but maybe something more. However, trouble looms in the form of Kat’s ex who is trying to raise the spirit of her great many times over grandmother, the original Katrina Van Tassel and the Headless Horseman.

I really wanted to like Raising The Horseman much more than I actually did. Afterall, this book is a sapphic retelling of The Legend Of Sleepy Hollow. That is so awesome. Unfortunately, it just felt so disjointed. The pacing was a little off. I didn’t ever feel like I got to know any of the characters super well. Kat also seems very immature for someone about to be headed to college — she reads more like a middle schooler. Still, this book did inspire me to google Sleepy Hollow real estate — so that is a bit cool. Also, it didn’t take me forever to read and did have some fall vibes.


@aprilbooksandwine

4 YA Books I Recently Read How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi 3.5⭐️ Raising The Horseman by Serena Valentino 2.5⭐️ Shine by Jessica Jung 2⭐️ Seton Hall by Charlene Thomas 4⭐️ #booktokover30 #bookreview #momsofbooktok #over30booktok

♬ About 3 minutes of background music(268805) – Melody Important

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
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About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.