The Hollow and the Haunted Series by Camilla Raines: A Complete Guide

Series Status: Complete Duology (2 Books)

If you're searching for atmospheric YA paranormal fantasy with queer romance, psychics, ghosts, and family feuds, look no further than Camilla Raines' The Hollow and the Haunted duology. Often compared to The Raven Cycle and Cemetery Boys, this series delivers gothic Pacific Northwest vibes, an irresistible grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and a slow-burn M/M romance that will have you desperate for every stolen glance and piece of witty banter.

Perfect for fans of rivals-to-lovers romance, supernatural mysteries, and LGBTQ+ fantasy, this duology has quickly become a BookTok favourite amongst readers craving spooky atmospheres and tender queer love stories.

Series Reading Order

1. The Hollow and the Haunted (October 2024)

2. The Forsaken and the Fated (2025)

Book 1: The Hollow and the Haunted

Spoiler-Free Overview

Miles Warren comes from a long line of psychics. Wrangling angry ghosts and dealing with supernatural visions is simply the family business; and Miles is perfectly content with his life, thank you very much. Well, apart from the fact he hasn't told anyone he's gay, and those exhausting late nights spent in creepy cemeteries are starting to take their toll.

But Miles's comfortable routine shatters when he begins having visions of an unfamiliar boy; visions that turn out to be premonitions of murder. The stranger is Gabriel Hawthorne, whose wealthy family has maintained a mysterious, decades-long feud with the Warrens. Gabriel is cold, brooding, and distant; everything Miles should hate.

Yet when Miles realises he's seeing Gabriel's death, his conscience won't let him stay silent. Forced to work together to prevent the prophecy from coming true, Miles and Gabriel must navigate deadly ghosts, dark family secrets, and an attraction neither of them expected. As they unravel the truth behind their families' bitter rivalry, they discover that some ghosts don't want to stay buried; and some secrets are worth killing for.

Why You Should Read The Hollow and the Haunted

• Atmospheric Pacific Northwest setting with gothic, autumnal vibes perfect for fans of spooky fantasy

• M/M rivals-to-lovers romance featuring one of the best grumpy/sunshine dynamics in YA

• Slow-burn romantic tension with delightful banter and genuine emotional depth

• Psychics, ghosts, and family feuds; ideal for readers who love paranormal mysteries

• Excellent LGBTQ+ representation with authentic mental health themes exploring anxiety and depression

• Heartwarming family dynamics that balance the supernatural danger with genuine warmth

• Comparable to The Raven Cycle and Cemetery Boys; perfect for fans of those beloved series

• Compelling mystery with twists that keep you guessing until the final pages

The Hollow and the Haunted

by Camilla Raines

In this darkly magical fantasy debut set in Washington State, a closeted teenage psychic foresees the death of his sworn enemy, and is forced to work with him to save his life. Sparks fly, but some ghosts don't want to stay buried...Perfect for fans of atmospheric queer fantasy romance, including The Raven Cycle, Cemetery Boys and Sixteen Souls.Miles Warren hails from a long line of psychics. Resigned to a life in the family business, Miles is perfectly happy, thank you very much. Apart from the fact he hasn't told anyone he's gay, and that he's constantly exhausted from long nights spent wrangling angry ghosts in creepy cemeteries. Perfectly happy. But Miles's comfortable routine is interrupted when he starts having visions of an unfamiliar boy. He soon learns the stranger is Gabriel Hawthorne, whose family have a mysterious, decades-long feud with Miles's own—and that the visions are a premonition of his murder. Gabriel is everything Miles expects from a Hawthorne: rude, haughty, irritatingly good-looking. But that doesn't mean Miles is just going to stand by and let someone kill him. The two form an uneasy alliance, trying to solve Gabriel's murder before it happens. As they begin to unravel the web of secrets between their families, and with dark magic swirling around them, Miles is horrified to realize that he doesn’t hate Gabriel quite as much as he’s supposed to. He might even like him.Too bad Gabriel is probably going to die.

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Book 2: The Forsaken and the Fated

Spoiler-Free Overview

Gabriel Hawthorne is missing, and Miles Warren; psychic, co-conspirator, and aspiring boyfriend; is terrified. All their efforts so far have failed. The prophecy stands unbroken, and if the future remains unchanged, Gabriel will die.

Armed with Florence's grimoire, Miles and his friend Charlee race against time to find Gabriel and break the curse hanging over the Hawthorne family. But dark magic whispers seductively from the pages, and the deeper they dig into the century-long feud between the Warrens and Hawthornes, the more dangerous secrets they uncover.

Meanwhile, Miles's parents are furious to learn he's been helping Gabriel at all; and they don't even know the half of it. With new premonitions changing everything they thought they knew, the dark power of the grimoire growing stronger, and the dead growing ever hungrier, Miles and Gabriel are running out of time. Both their lives hang in the balance, and danger lurks closer to home than either of them suspects.

Why You Should Read The Forsaken and the Fated

• Satisfying conclusion to the duology that delivers on every promise from book one

• Higher stakes with the curse unbroken and Gabriel's life hanging by a thread

• Deeper exploration of family dynamics; both the feud and the tender relationships

• The romance evolves beautifully, moving from tension to something more without losing its spark

• Dark magic and grimoires add new layers of supernatural danger

• Excellent conflict resolution that feels mature and satisfying rather than relying on typical YA angst

• Emotionally resonant themes of identity, belonging, acceptance, and fighting for those you love

• Perfect for binge-reading once you've finished the first book (and that cliffhanger!)

The Forsaken and the Fated

by Camilla Raines

In this thrilling sequel to The Hollow and the Haunted, the web of dark magic around two rival families becomes ever more difficult to untangle. Time is running out, and the dead are hungry… Perfect for fans of atmospheric queer fantasy romance, including The Raven Cycle, Cemetery Boys and Love at Second Sight.Gabriel Hawthorne is missing, and Miles Warren—psychic, co-conspirator, and aspiring boyfriend—is terrified. The prophecy stands unbroken; if the future remains unchanged, Gabriel will die. Armed with Florence’s grimoire, they might stand a chance of breaking the Hawthorne curse and preventing Gabriel’s murder—but only if Miles can find him. Meanwhile, Miles’s parents are furious that he’s been helping Gabriel at all—and they don’t even know the half of it. The mystery of the century-long feud between their two families continues to deepen, but Miles is certain that healing the rift is key to lifting the curse and saving Gabriel’s life. Plus, he’d like his parents to give the boy he’s maybe, sort-of dating a chance. With new premonitions changing everything and the dark power of the grimoire whispering in their ears, Miles and Gabriel are running out of time. Both their lives are on the line, and danger lives closer to home than they know…

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What Makes This Series Special

The Romance

At the heart of this duology lies the relationship between Miles and Gabriel; a grumpy/sunshine pairing that absolutely delivers. Miles is an empath, always helpful and thinking of others, whilst Gabriel hides behind walls of coldness and distance. Watching Gabriel's layers peel back to reveal the sweet boy underneath is immensely satisfying, and the slow-burn tension between them crackles with every interaction.

If you love enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, rivals-to-lovers tension, or simply can't resist watching two lonely boys find comfort in each other, this series will steal your heart.

The Atmosphere

Camilla Raines captures the misty, evergreen atmosphere of Washington State beautifully. The Pacific Northwest setting drips with gothic ambiance; foggy cemeteries, small-town secrets, and the constant sense that something supernatural lurks just out of sight. For readers who adore atmospheric paranormal fantasy, this series delivers that cosy-yet-creepy vibe in spades.

The Representation

As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community who openly discusses her experiences with anxiety and depression, Raines brings authenticity to her portrayal of queer characters and mental health themes. Miles's struggles feel genuine without overshadowing the supernatural adventure, and the representation is woven naturally into the story rather than feeling like an afterthought.

Perfect For Fans Of

If you loved any of these books, The Hollow and the Haunted series deserves a spot on your TBR:

• The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater - psychic boys, atmospheric settings, and slow-burn romance

• Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas - queer Latinx protagonist dealing with ghosts and family expectations

• Spell Bound by F.T. Lukens - M/M magical romance with banter and heart

• Sixteen Souls - paranormal YA with supernatural mysteries

• Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley - spooky YA with compelling characters

• Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy - M/M enemies-to-lovers with witty banter and cosy vibes

About the Author

Camilla Raines was born and raised in a small town in Northern Washington with lots of evergreen trees, seaside fog, and rainy days; the perfect inspiration for her atmospheric storytelling. Her writing career began in primary school, where she spent years scribbling down stories for friends.

As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and someone who openly discusses her experiences with chronic anxiety and depression, the most important things to Raines as a writer are representation, diversity, identity, and acceptance. These values shine through in every page of The Hollow and the Haunted duology.

Final Verdict

The Hollow and the Haunted series is a must-read for fans of atmospheric YA paranormal fantasy, queer romance, and supernatural mysteries. With its gothic Pacific Northwest setting, irresistible grumpy/sunshine dynamic, and genuinely compelling mystery, Camilla Raines has crafted a duology that deserves all the attention it's receiving.

Whether you're looking for your next BookTok obsession, searching for books like The Raven Cycle, or simply want a queer ghost story with heart and humour, this series delivers. Add it to your TBR immediately; you won't regret it.