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gibbierish's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
smilesgiggle's review against another edition
4.0
Very good read!
Three children age 12 go on a quest. Excellent description of what it is like to teeter between childhood and teenager.
Creep factor was good. Who doesn't love a creepy doll?
Three children age 12 go on a quest. Excellent description of what it is like to teeter between childhood and teenager.
Creep factor was good. Who doesn't love a creepy doll?
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a huge fan of Holly Black. I know that she's not for everyone, but I always find something about her writing to be so nostalgic. This one was no different.
When you were little did you play with your friends so completely that you were the characters you were play acting? Did you ever roll play games that were spontaneous but also once you were called in for dinner, you'd head back out the next day and pick up where you left off? Well I did, and this story transported me back to that time; a time of playing in backyards, on sidewalks, in the woods, and beside steams.
Have you ever told creepy doll stories where the kid wakes in the night to find the doll on one the nightstand when it should have been on the shelf across the room? The dolls eyes seems to follow the child, until the doll gets thrown away, only to return to the shelf inexplicably the next day.
Have you ever felt the awkwardness of being still interested in childish things while simultaneously knowing that you are getting too old for them? The pain of growing out of things and into others, like human attraction, becoming more serious about art and information, getting a job, etc.
This coming of age story reached into my memories of my life experiences as a middle schooler and transported me. Not necessarily in a comfortable way. But it was evocative...and creepy, being a ghost story aimed at kids.
When you were little did you play with your friends so completely that you were the characters you were play acting? Did you ever roll play games that were spontaneous but also once you were called in for dinner, you'd head back out the next day and pick up where you left off? Well I did, and this story transported me back to that time; a time of playing in backyards, on sidewalks, in the woods, and beside steams.
Have you ever told creepy doll stories where the kid wakes in the night to find the doll on one the nightstand when it should have been on the shelf across the room? The dolls eyes seems to follow the child, until the doll gets thrown away, only to return to the shelf inexplicably the next day.
Have you ever felt the awkwardness of being still interested in childish things while simultaneously knowing that you are getting too old for them? The pain of growing out of things and into others, like human attraction, becoming more serious about art and information, getting a job, etc.
This coming of age story reached into my memories of my life experiences as a middle schooler and transported me. Not necessarily in a comfortable way. But it was evocative...and creepy, being a ghost story aimed at kids.
danoreading's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely writing and characters and just the right amount of creepy. Really great book for upper middle grade.
lcourage's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
daria_enjoyer's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mxharriet's review against another edition
3.0
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
We all have those fears when we are younger that the scary dolls in our rooms are alive, this story will take you back to those times making you relive them, but most importantly... Bring them alive! This was a definite cover love, so creepy and mysterious with underlying aspects of children's fears and adventures creeping in. Then you have her eyes, I had to look away on numerous occasions as I felt she was going to suddenly blink!
Zach has been friends with Poppy and Alice for years, always playing together when they can they bring their own adventures and mysteries to their fictional stories. But when Zach's father throws out his toys, all changes. They are spun into an world wind of mysteries and impossible occurrences, but what happens if they don't solve them?
The characters in this story I felt were very unclear, I did not feel as if I could explore their whole character and personalities. However, what I did like was how all the characters did appear to be different and have different home lives and hobbies, they appeared to work really we together.
I felt this story progressed particularly slowly, as certain events did not stand out as much as I would have liked them to. But in contrast, I really liked the aspect of the doll and how the doll was made from the ash as it really added a spooky and unusual aspect to this story, not to mention playing on the aspect of children's fears of old dolls.
We all have those fears when we are younger that the scary dolls in our rooms are alive, this story will take you back to those times making you relive them, but most importantly... Bring them alive! This was a definite cover love, so creepy and mysterious with underlying aspects of children's fears and adventures creeping in. Then you have her eyes, I had to look away on numerous occasions as I felt she was going to suddenly blink!
Zach has been friends with Poppy and Alice for years, always playing together when they can they bring their own adventures and mysteries to their fictional stories. But when Zach's father throws out his toys, all changes. They are spun into an world wind of mysteries and impossible occurrences, but what happens if they don't solve them?
The characters in this story I felt were very unclear, I did not feel as if I could explore their whole character and personalities. However, what I did like was how all the characters did appear to be different and have different home lives and hobbies, they appeared to work really we together.
I felt this story progressed particularly slowly, as certain events did not stand out as much as I would have liked them to. But in contrast, I really liked the aspect of the doll and how the doll was made from the ash as it really added a spooky and unusual aspect to this story, not to mention playing on the aspect of children's fears of old dolls.
cgreaderbee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I liked how this story explored the cusp moments where kids are torn between loss of innocence and growing up. Certainly an interesting, often eerie MG story.