The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus Bk.1:
The Hollow People
by Brian Keaney
The Hollow People
by Brian Keaney
THE HOLLOW PEOPLE by Brian Keaney
Category: Science Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/25/07
Publisher: Knopf
Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince
Rating: 4 Stars
The first installment in THE PROMISES OF DR. SIGMUNDUS trilogy, THE HOLLOW PEOPLE introduces readers
to a kitchen boy and lowly servant. Dante is the least important of all the people on Tarnager, the fortress-like island
where he was raised. Since his mom, a dangerously insane criminal, committed suicide when he was a baby, Dante has
had no one to care for, and no one who cares for him. That is, until he crosses paths with Beatrice.
The daughter of two doctors on the island, Bea has never been allowed to question the teachings of Dr. Sigmundus, their
reclusive leader. Like all young people on the island, she is expected to prepare for her coming-of-age ceremony, where
she’ll take Ichor for the first time and join the adults in their peaceful, dream-free lives. The problem is, Bea does have
questions. Some people, like Dante, still have dreams even after they’ve taken Ichor. Are those people really insane, as
everyone tells her? Bea wants to know why she dreams of a ruined city, and how Dante recognizes the city in her
drawing.
Encounters with a notoriously dangerous new asylum patient land Dante and Bea in hot water with the island director. It
isn’t long before they’re launched together on a new journey, where their many questions will no longer be ignored. But,
are they ready for the answers?
The characters and storyline have remained with me weeks after reading THE HOLLOW PEOPLE. I enjoyed it enough
to seek out the title of the second book in the series, THE GALLOWGLASS, and I can’t wait to see how the story
unfolds.
Category: Science Fiction
Age Recommendation: Grades 9+
Release Date: 9/25/07
Publisher: Knopf
Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince
Rating: 4 Stars
The first installment in THE PROMISES OF DR. SIGMUNDUS trilogy, THE HOLLOW PEOPLE introduces readers
to a kitchen boy and lowly servant. Dante is the least important of all the people on Tarnager, the fortress-like island
where he was raised. Since his mom, a dangerously insane criminal, committed suicide when he was a baby, Dante has
had no one to care for, and no one who cares for him. That is, until he crosses paths with Beatrice.
The daughter of two doctors on the island, Bea has never been allowed to question the teachings of Dr. Sigmundus, their
reclusive leader. Like all young people on the island, she is expected to prepare for her coming-of-age ceremony, where
she’ll take Ichor for the first time and join the adults in their peaceful, dream-free lives. The problem is, Bea does have
questions. Some people, like Dante, still have dreams even after they’ve taken Ichor. Are those people really insane, as
everyone tells her? Bea wants to know why she dreams of a ruined city, and how Dante recognizes the city in her
drawing.
Encounters with a notoriously dangerous new asylum patient land Dante and Bea in hot water with the island director. It
isn’t long before they’re launched together on a new journey, where their many questions will no longer be ignored. But,
are they ready for the answers?
The characters and storyline have remained with me weeks after reading THE HOLLOW PEOPLE. I enjoyed it enough
to seek out the title of the second book in the series, THE GALLOWGLASS, and I can’t wait to see how the story
unfolds.