Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. How did you react to the book’s blend of paranormal romance, mystery, and horror? Did the pacing keep you engaged from start to finish?

2. The author cites popular series like Twilight (2005) and The Vampire Diaries (1991) as inspirations. How does Hollow engage with or subvert the tropes of paranormal romance you might know from those or similar works?

3. What did you think of the final cliffhanger involving Mia’s father? Did this twist feel earned, and what are your predictions for where the story might go next?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Many characters, like Gianna and Miles, find safety and acceptance in their vampire Family after facing persecution or exploitation in their human lives. Do you have a similar group in your life that you would consider a “found” family? What about them makes you feel a sense of belonging and love?

2. Before her transformation, Mia feels aimless and defined by her past, which her sister Sasha notes in her eulogy. Have you ever felt paralyzed by having too many choices or the fear of making the wrong one?

3. Mia struggles to know who to trust, especially when confronted with Luca’s deceptive kindness versus Margo’s more complicated honesty. What signs or instincts do you rely on when forming new relationships or trying to gauge a person’s character? How does Mia’s journey reflect or inform your own experiences?

4. The novel suggests immortality doesn’t heal trauma but preserves it, as Margo is still haunted by Emma’s death centuries later. Which character or characters reflect how you cope with your own trauma? What did you learn from the various forms of coping in the novel?

5. For many characters, becoming a vampire is a second chance at life, albeit a complicated one. If you could have a complete do-over, what aspects of your life would you want to change, and what would you want to keep the same?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The author, Celina Myers, developed Hollow’s world and story through live sessions with her social media followers. How does knowing about this collaborative process change your reading of the novel’s themes of community and finding one’s people?

2. The guide suggests that Hollow updates the paranormal romance genre by focusing more on female empowerment. In what ways does Mia’s story prioritize her self-actualization over her romantic relationships? What does this reflect about modern-day love stories and human connection versus classic romance novels?

3. Elenora’s plot involves selling the healing blood of new vampires to wealthy humans who want to stop aging. What does this storyline say about our own society’s obsession with youth and beauty, and the lengths people might go to achieve them?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. Elenora’s transformation from a grieving wife in 1725 to a monstrous villain is central to the story. How does the Prologue establish the unresolved traumas that fuel her actions centuries later?

2. Hollow blends elements of gothic fiction, paranormal romance, and mystery. How does the novel use conventions from these genres to build tension and atmosphere? Point to specific scenes from the novel in your discussion.

3. After Mia’s death in Chapter 3, the perspective shifts to her killers. What impact did this narrative choice have on the novel’s tone? How did seeing the events through Cordelia’s and Kris’s eyes shape your understanding of the vampire world and its moral complexities?

4. Does Mia truly gain freedom by becoming a vampire, or does she simply exchange one set of limitations for another? What evidence from the text supports your interpretation?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Choose a secondary character like Talli, Cordelia, or Alexander. Rewrite the final, chaotic confrontation at The Closet from this character’s perspective.

2. The book presents many different turning stories, from tragic accidents to deliberate choices. What kind of turning story would you write for a new character entering this world?

3. Having been turned and now facing your trial period, which Family would you choose to join? What about the Bellamys’ or the Suttons’ way of life appeals to you more?