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alirenreads's review against another edition
3.0
For a YA book, I did enjoy the premise and the magical atmosphere of the book. The only downsides I can't seem to get past: 1) "insta-love" 2) I did figure out a major part of the mystery before it was presented in the book...kinda disappointing not to enjoy the shock factor I should have
But overall, this was an interesting read for me and I can't wait to get started on book two!
But overall, this was an interesting read for me and I can't wait to get started on book two!
emmapulling's review against another edition
3.0
Wasn’t the worst book but also wasn’t the best. Bit cringeworthy if I’m honest and completely unrealistic. 17 year olds getting drunk at school everyday? Really? The characters was so bland and were very difficult to like. Plus everything that happened was soooo predictable. But apart from that the plot kept me very entertained and I just wanted to find out the ending
ashley_anne_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I really throughly enjoyed reading this book. When i first decided to read this book I was a little iffy about it. However, I was plesently suprised by it. I loved the realtionships between the characters and of course the mystery that unravels through out the entire story. I look forward to seeing were this story goes and i am highly anticipating the upcoming release of the second book.
shanzaroo's review against another edition
1.0
All the characters are idiots and it was really painful to read. They're 17 and drinking champagne and dressing like they've just walked off the runway? And what's with being called Queens?
missprint's review against another edition
2.0
Most of this book's negatives were predictable negatives: lots of shallow, vapid characters and conversation; fixation on clothes/looks/money; abominably instant insta-love; and a total lack of realism in general.
I appreciated Eveny's skepticism of the power - her own and others' - and liked that she recognized that it was being misused. Though I kept waiting for someone to verbally point out that "you don't NEED to live in a mansion" and of course no one did. Terribly irritating.
"Dolls" also REEKS of Disappearing Parent/Guardian Syndrome, and while I liked that Eveny didn't spend the WHOLE book in the dark, Aunt Bea was so friggin' useless, actually avoiding a CHILD in the most childish way possible.
I appreciated Eveny's skepticism of the power - her own and others' - and liked that she recognized that it was being misused. Though I kept waiting for someone to verbally point out that "you don't NEED to live in a mansion" and of course no one did. Terribly irritating.
"Dolls" also REEKS of Disappearing Parent/Guardian Syndrome, and while I liked that Eveny didn't spend the WHOLE book in the dark, Aunt Bea was so friggin' useless, actually avoiding a CHILD in the most childish way possible.
losetimereading's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! A bit predictable but unique story. Review to come!
****
The Dolls immediately sparked interest in me solely because of the southern setting, I love books set in the south and they always seem to be the perfect setting for paranormal books so I couldn’t wait to start reading this. So much so that I picked it up a full month before release date, something I haven’t done for a while!
I have never read a book where the main ‘magical’ element is voodoo, or a branch of it before so I was really taken by a pleasant surprise when I realized that’s what this book was featuring! It added a whole different unique storyline than anything I have read in the past, so that alone really held my interest.
I did really like Eveny, despite the fact that she was whiny and extremely moody. Oh, and also count in the fact that she made extraordinarily bad choices all the time. I just couldn’t wrap my head around a lot of the things she did … like if you knew that you were in danger and someone was out to KILL you, would you walk through a cemetery in the woods at night? I’m going to go with probably not right? Wrong, if your Eveny. I wanted to shake her repeatedly throughout the book but despite all that I did really like her. It was clear from the beginning that she was not like the Dolls, and was very far from self-centered. I loved how she wasn’t around to speak her mind to the other girls and also befriend people outside of their circle. The other characters unfortunately didn’t really hold much of a memory in my mind. I liked Caleb well enough but the girls were terrible, and a lot of the characters you seen where they fit into the story and they didn’t have any development or unique qualities about them.
The Dolls were really the main part of the novel that I disliked. They were fake, self-centered and too focused on appearances. I also really, really got quickly irritated with the constant brand references and clothing descriptions. I could see if this was a book that centered around fashion, but it wasn’t and it really could have done without it. The only plus side it did have was that it really drove the point home exactly how self-centered and selfish The Dolls really were. The only other part of the story that I didn’t enjoy was the weird love triangle. Her attraction to Caleb seemed awkward at times, and then throw Drew into the mix … it was all just strange, especially with the way it all plays out in the ending…. awkward! Also there is this random thing with Caleb and that just seems really odd because she only just met him?! The whole thing was just… weird.
The story was rather predictable save a few things that happened but it was so intriguing and mysterious that I couldn’t stop reading. I loved Kiki Sullivan’s writing style and her ability to weave a very intriguing and addicting storyline! There were a few surprises tucked into the ending as well and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they play out into the second book.
The Dolls was definitely a great start to a new and interesting series, and one I will be continuing on with! If you enjoy light paranormal reads, I highly recommend this one, especially because it has a paranormal element not often seen in Young Adult!
****
The Dolls immediately sparked interest in me solely because of the southern setting, I love books set in the south and they always seem to be the perfect setting for paranormal books so I couldn’t wait to start reading this. So much so that I picked it up a full month before release date, something I haven’t done for a while!
I have never read a book where the main ‘magical’ element is voodoo, or a branch of it before so I was really taken by a pleasant surprise when I realized that’s what this book was featuring! It added a whole different unique storyline than anything I have read in the past, so that alone really held my interest.
I did really like Eveny, despite the fact that she was whiny and extremely moody. Oh, and also count in the fact that she made extraordinarily bad choices all the time. I just couldn’t wrap my head around a lot of the things she did … like if you knew that you were in danger and someone was out to KILL you, would you walk through a cemetery in the woods at night? I’m going to go with probably not right? Wrong, if your Eveny. I wanted to shake her repeatedly throughout the book but despite all that I did really like her. It was clear from the beginning that she was not like the Dolls, and was very far from self-centered. I loved how she wasn’t around to speak her mind to the other girls and also befriend people outside of their circle. The other characters unfortunately didn’t really hold much of a memory in my mind. I liked Caleb well enough but the girls were terrible, and a lot of the characters you seen where they fit into the story and they didn’t have any development or unique qualities about them.
The Dolls were really the main part of the novel that I disliked. They were fake, self-centered and too focused on appearances. I also really, really got quickly irritated with the constant brand references and clothing descriptions. I could see if this was a book that centered around fashion, but it wasn’t and it really could have done without it. The only plus side it did have was that it really drove the point home exactly how self-centered and selfish The Dolls really were. The only other part of the story that I didn’t enjoy was the weird love triangle. Her attraction to Caleb seemed awkward at times, and then throw Drew into the mix … it was all just strange, especially with the way it all plays out in the ending…. awkward! Also there is this random thing with Caleb and that just seems really odd because she only just met him?! The whole thing was just… weird.
The story was rather predictable save a few things that happened but it was so intriguing and mysterious that I couldn’t stop reading. I loved Kiki Sullivan’s writing style and her ability to weave a very intriguing and addicting storyline! There were a few surprises tucked into the ending as well and I’m really looking forward to seeing how they play out into the second book.
The Dolls was definitely a great start to a new and interesting series, and one I will be continuing on with! If you enjoy light paranormal reads, I highly recommend this one, especially because it has a paranormal element not often seen in Young Adult!
whatischellereading's review against another edition
4.0
BOOK REVIEW
Eveny Cheval and her Aunt Bea are moving to Carrefour, Louisiana - the place where, 14 years earlier, Eveny’s mum committed suicide. Upon her arrival, Eveny discovers that the town is split into two areas - the peripherie, the poor side of town and the side of the town where Every learns her family own a mansion! Eveny soon pieces together that this town is not a normal town and particularly the group called The Dolls are hiding something. The Dolls are not normal 17 year old girls and neither is Eveny.
I did enjoy the book, it had a bit of a slow start but definitely got better in the second half. It reminded me a lot of Twilight with the love story between Eveny and Caleb but without the relatively happy ending. I did enjoy the book and will probably be adding Midnight Dolls to my Amazon wishlist!
Eveny Cheval and her Aunt Bea are moving to Carrefour, Louisiana - the place where, 14 years earlier, Eveny’s mum committed suicide. Upon her arrival, Eveny discovers that the town is split into two areas - the peripherie, the poor side of town and the side of the town where Every learns her family own a mansion! Eveny soon pieces together that this town is not a normal town and particularly the group called The Dolls are hiding something. The Dolls are not normal 17 year old girls and neither is Eveny.
I did enjoy the book, it had a bit of a slow start but definitely got better in the second half. It reminded me a lot of Twilight with the love story between Eveny and Caleb but without the relatively happy ending. I did enjoy the book and will probably be adding Midnight Dolls to my Amazon wishlist!
tween2teenbookreviews's review against another edition
5.0
I received this ARC from The Regulator Bookshop.
Characters: Eveny (protagonist), Aunt Bea, Peregrine, Chloe, Caleb, Drew
I really liked Eveny. Unlike many protagonists, Eveny isn't quick to trust. She observes and gets to know people before she really lets them in, and with a world like this, that's very important. On to Aunt Bea. She ROCKED! Yes, she kept secrets, but when all is said and done, she's there for Eveny, and understands the mess she's in, which is more than most parents/guardians are in novels. Peregrine and Chloe are quite something. They're selfish and mean, but I feel like there's something deeper to them. So, Caleb. I heart him so hard! Proof:
Caleb is so swoony and I want more! Drew plays the role of Eveny's best friend. He's the first person in Carrefour that she really hangs out with.
First Impressions: 4/5
It started out a little weird, but I fell in love with it pretty quickly. I hadn't heard much about it, and didn't know what to expect. But here's the deal, when the main character is a red-head and the book takes place in Louisiana, it's a recipe for perfection.
Writing: 5/5 It's hard to rate the semantics of writing when reading an ARC, because there are many mistakes that get taken out in the drafts afterword. That said, the writing was to the point and well done.
Plot: 5/5 The plot is a mysterious thing. The author sets it up so that anyone can be the bad guy in town. With Eveny coming into her powers as well, there's some crazy stuff that goes on.
World Building: 5/5 At first, Carrefour seems sorta cheesy and stereotypical, but as the novel goes on, you see why.
Characters: 5/5 The characters were supremely well done. It was really cool never knowing exactly who was what.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I don't read many books in the south, but they're often really fun. I'm really excited to figure out what happens next!
Characters: Eveny (protagonist), Aunt Bea, Peregrine, Chloe, Caleb, Drew
I really liked Eveny. Unlike many protagonists, Eveny isn't quick to trust. She observes and gets to know people before she really lets them in, and with a world like this, that's very important. On to Aunt Bea. She ROCKED! Yes, she kept secrets, but when all is said and done, she's there for Eveny, and understands the mess she's in, which is more than most parents/guardians are in novels. Peregrine and Chloe are quite something. They're selfish and mean, but I feel like there's something deeper to them. So, Caleb. I heart him so hard! Proof:
@Sullivan_Kiki YAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!! God, I heart Caleb SO much! Also, I LOVE Aunt Bea!
— Tween 2 Teen Books (@Tween2TeenBooks) August 6, 2014Caleb is so swoony and I want more! Drew plays the role of Eveny's best friend. He's the first person in Carrefour that she really hangs out with.
First Impressions: 4/5
It started out a little weird, but I fell in love with it pretty quickly. I hadn't heard much about it, and didn't know what to expect. But here's the deal, when the main character is a red-head and the book takes place in Louisiana, it's a recipe for perfection.
Writing: 5/5 It's hard to rate the semantics of writing when reading an ARC, because there are many mistakes that get taken out in the drafts afterword. That said, the writing was to the point and well done.
Plot: 5/5 The plot is a mysterious thing. The author sets it up so that anyone can be the bad guy in town. With Eveny coming into her powers as well, there's some crazy stuff that goes on.
World Building: 5/5 At first, Carrefour seems sorta cheesy and stereotypical, but as the novel goes on, you see why.
Characters: 5/5 The characters were supremely well done. It was really cool never knowing exactly who was what.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I don't read many books in the south, but they're often really fun. I'm really excited to figure out what happens next!
@Tween2TeenBooks Let's just say there will be more magic. More boys. More danger. More family and fate and romance and action. :-)
— Kiki Sullivan (@Sullivan_Kiki) August 6, 2014britsreadinglife's review against another edition
3.0
Find the original review here at This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
The premise of The Dolls sounds like fans of The Caster Chronicles would find a new series to fill the hole that series left two years ago. And there's definitely some really promising aspects that would make those fans happy. The mysterious, walled in gothic southern town being one and the eventual reveal of the magic that keeps the town alive being the second. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery surrounding the town. So for the first half of the book I was quickly flipping pages. I needed to know what the hell was going on. Unfortunately the second half of the book really took a dive and didn't live up to how well The Dolls started out.
Eveny was born in Carrefour but at the age of three her aunt ups and moves her to NYC after the untimely death of her mother. But upon Eveny's seventeenth birthday her aunt decides it's time for the two of them to move back to Carrefour. Obviously Eveny is upset at first. She has friends, school and a life in NYC. But what can she do? Upon arrival in Carrefour Eveny quickly realizes that things are not what they seem. To start with her aunt needs a key to get through this wall that surrounds the town. What? And things just get weirder from there. Like straight up weird. She meets a girl snooping through her families herb garden and next thing you know that girl is dead. There's also a group of kids(think Mean Girls) headed by Chloe and Peregrine, who take an immediate interest in Eveny. So Eveny's trying to get her head around her new surroundings, figure out these disturbing yet foretelling dreams she's having, dealing with Chloe and Peregrine and the stories they bring her about her life, plus trying to have some semblance of a normal life with normal seeming friends. That's a lot for a girl to take in.
This was another book where the characters were not really what kept me reading. Like I seem to mention a lot, I am a character driven reader. That's usually my make or break on my enjoyment of the book. But the mystery surrounding Carrefour was super intriguing. Like Eveny, you're thrown into this town that you know things are quite not what they seem. There are secrets being kept from Eveny and dang if that doesn't make me want to turn the pages super quick to find out what they are. What is really the deal with Carrefour and its residents?
Eveny had her moments. She's not a stand out character. She's use her voice and stand up to Chloe and Peregrine and defend her friends but she's also do some really stupid things. I just wanted her to ask questions rather than just take everything she was told at face value. Girl, as soon as you arrived in Carrefour you should have realized that you would be lied to. Don't let that happen.
Chloe and Peregrine were really great "mean girls". They were the perfect mixture of controlling, deadly and beautiful. I really enjoy those kind of girls. The ones that you hate for messing around with the heroine but just know something else will come from them.
Unfortunately there is a really bad case of insta-love. It's pretty terrible. The usual, guy is mean and distant with girl and even though they don't have many interactions girl falls for guys hot looks and terrible attitude. But they quickly realize they love each other but can't be together. *rolls eyes* It was totally unnecessary and really affected my opinion of the second half of the book.
Like mentioned above, the first half of The Dolls is totally a page turner for me, but as soon as Eveny had the twist and secrets revealed to her things quickly turned to uninteresting. Eveny took everything she was told without a second thought and that lead to some really predictable, cheesy and eye-rolly bits.
In the end though, The Dolls shows a lot of promise. I enjoyed the magic and gothic southern setting. I do want to know where Eveny is going take her new found powers. And I really hope we get to see some epic show downs between worlds in the sequel.
The premise of The Dolls sounds like fans of The Caster Chronicles would find a new series to fill the hole that series left two years ago. And there's definitely some really promising aspects that would make those fans happy. The mysterious, walled in gothic southern town being one and the eventual reveal of the magic that keeps the town alive being the second. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery surrounding the town. So for the first half of the book I was quickly flipping pages. I needed to know what the hell was going on. Unfortunately the second half of the book really took a dive and didn't live up to how well The Dolls started out.
Eveny was born in Carrefour but at the age of three her aunt ups and moves her to NYC after the untimely death of her mother. But upon Eveny's seventeenth birthday her aunt decides it's time for the two of them to move back to Carrefour. Obviously Eveny is upset at first. She has friends, school and a life in NYC. But what can she do? Upon arrival in Carrefour Eveny quickly realizes that things are not what they seem. To start with her aunt needs a key to get through this wall that surrounds the town. What? And things just get weirder from there. Like straight up weird. She meets a girl snooping through her families herb garden and next thing you know that girl is dead. There's also a group of kids(think Mean Girls) headed by Chloe and Peregrine, who take an immediate interest in Eveny. So Eveny's trying to get her head around her new surroundings, figure out these disturbing yet foretelling dreams she's having, dealing with Chloe and Peregrine and the stories they bring her about her life, plus trying to have some semblance of a normal life with normal seeming friends. That's a lot for a girl to take in.
This was another book where the characters were not really what kept me reading. Like I seem to mention a lot, I am a character driven reader. That's usually my make or break on my enjoyment of the book. But the mystery surrounding Carrefour was super intriguing. Like Eveny, you're thrown into this town that you know things are quite not what they seem. There are secrets being kept from Eveny and dang if that doesn't make me want to turn the pages super quick to find out what they are. What is really the deal with Carrefour and its residents?
Eveny had her moments. She's not a stand out character. She's use her voice and stand up to Chloe and Peregrine and defend her friends but she's also do some really stupid things. I just wanted her to ask questions rather than just take everything she was told at face value. Girl, as soon as you arrived in Carrefour you should have realized that you would be lied to. Don't let that happen.
Chloe and Peregrine were really great "mean girls". They were the perfect mixture of controlling, deadly and beautiful. I really enjoy those kind of girls. The ones that you hate for messing around with the heroine but just know something else will come from them.
Unfortunately there is a really bad case of insta-love. It's pretty terrible. The usual, guy is mean and distant with girl and even though they don't have many interactions girl falls for guys hot looks and terrible attitude. But they quickly realize they love each other but can't be together. *rolls eyes* It was totally unnecessary and really affected my opinion of the second half of the book.
Like mentioned above, the first half of The Dolls is totally a page turner for me, but as soon as Eveny had the twist and secrets revealed to her things quickly turned to uninteresting. Eveny took everything she was told without a second thought and that lead to some really predictable, cheesy and eye-rolly bits.
In the end though, The Dolls shows a lot of promise. I enjoyed the magic and gothic southern setting. I do want to know where Eveny is going take her new found powers. And I really hope we get to see some epic show downs between worlds in the sequel.
grimoiregrove's review against another edition
4.0
I was sent a copy by the author in exchange of an honest review.
What can I say? I really enjoyed this book :)
I am from the south so I loved the southern setting of the book. The characters were quite interesting and I really liked the fact that they are teenagers and they actually acted like teenagers. At times they could get on my nerves but when I think about it, I did similar things at that age (minus the magic of course). I was learning as I went and these characters are learning as they go as well. I loved the mystery, voodoo magic, danger, and family secrets. This book only left me wanting to know more and the ending...wow. Kiki Sullivan wrote an amazing and intriguing adventure for readers to experience along side The Dolls (who can be a little snaky at times), and the other characters of Carrefour.
What can I say? I really enjoyed this book :)
I am from the south so I loved the southern setting of the book. The characters were quite interesting and I really liked the fact that they are teenagers and they actually acted like teenagers. At times they could get on my nerves but when I think about it, I did similar things at that age (minus the magic of course). I was learning as I went and these characters are learning as they go as well. I loved the mystery, voodoo magic, danger, and family secrets. This book only left me wanting to know more and the ending...wow. Kiki Sullivan wrote an amazing and intriguing adventure for readers to experience along side The Dolls (who can be a little snaky at times), and the other characters of Carrefour.
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