Head In The Clouds: Severed by Dax Varley

SEVERED

Author: Dax Varley

Publication Date: 08/27/2013

Published By: Patchwork Press

Audience: Young Adult

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Katrina’s still haunted by her encounter with the Headless Horseman - the night he beckoned to her. Now he has risen again, slashing heads and terrorizing the quiet countryside.

Her only joy during this dismal darkness comes when Ichabod Crane, a gorgeous young man from Connecticut, moves to Sleepy Hollow and their attraction turns to romance.

When the Horseman marks Ichabod as his next victim, Katrina, despite dangerous efforts to save him, sees no other choice than for them to flee.

But the Horseman awaits. Now it’s up to her to sever the horror and alter the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

(Picture and Summary from Goodreads)

**I received Severed as an eARC through Netgalley from the publisher (thanks Patchwork Press!) in exchange for an honest review. In no way does that effect the thoughts and opinions I have of the book. I did not get paid in any way for my review.**

REVIEW

Severed was an exciting, suspenseful read. It's spun around the tale of the headless horseman and sleepy hollow. I feel it's only fair for me to say I haven't read the original story so the only thing I really know about it is the obvious; a headless horseman haunts the town Sleepy Hollow and a man named Ichabod Crane saves them or something. I did watch the movie Sleepy Hollow, you know, with Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. Does that count? No?

Well anyways. Katrina Von Tassel is our MC, she is young, independent, and brave. She has dreams of leaving Sleepy Hollow to go on adventures around the globe, sadly she knows she will probably be stuck in the Hollow for the rest of her life. The book follows her as she tries to help her friends who have been marked by the horseman. Along the way she fights off the unwanted advances of one man while she falls in love with another.

I have to admit the feelings she develops for Ichabod seem more like insta-love but she's young and sheltered, desperately seeking a way out of the Hollow, so I can see why she latches onto him. Not to mention that to her he's swoon worthy.

The book is developed well and the writing is fast paced, making it easy to get caught up in the pages. I was constantly wondering what the truth was behind the headless horseman and when it was revealed I was shocked! The closer I got to the end the more plot twists there were.

Unfortunately, I feel like there were a few things left unanswered. The book ending seemed left open, like maybe the writer is thinking of making a follow up book. It's a great idea but at the same time if there isn't a second book then Severed will always feel unfinished. Even so, it was a fast paced, easy read and I'm glad I got to enjoy it.