The Promises of Dr. Sigmundus Bk.1:
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.