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hectaizani's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed Holmberg's Paper Magician series (in fact, I need to remember to pick up the most recent book) so when I saw that she had something new out and it was a special deal on Audible it was a no-brainer.
This story is pretty interesting. Matrona is a young woman growing up in a small isolated town. Nothing much happens here, in fact, the big news is that she's planning to get married soonish. That is until she finds a paintbrush abandoned by the side of a road and goes to return it to its owner. I guess the moral of the story is sometimes good deeds do get punished!
Fairy tale/folklore-horror featuring magic nesting dolls. Who doesn't love creepy dolls?
This story is pretty interesting. Matrona is a young woman growing up in a small isolated town. Nothing much happens here, in fact, the big news is that she's planning to get married soonish. That is until she finds a paintbrush abandoned by the side of a road and goes to return it to its owner. I guess the moral of the story is sometimes good deeds do get punished!
Fairy tale/folklore-horror featuring magic nesting dolls. Who doesn't love creepy dolls?
laurenjcarter28's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
emi_hanks's review against another edition
Hard to get into the story and I put it down for other books. Haven’t bothered to pick it back up.
svnz's review against another edition
4.0
This was a gripping listen and I found myself getting sucked into the mysterious plot. It did lose a bit of steam towards the end for me but I really enjoyed it nevertheless. The characters were engaging and believable, especially given the isolated lives they live. It looks to be a standalone story but there is an opening there at the end if the author chooses to continue this into a series. Overall a well written story and different enough to give it a go.
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reviewing Ms. Holmberg’s books, it is that I can always rely on her for charm and imagination. Her newest novel, The Fifth Doll, delivers both in spades. I have to admit I have been stalking her list on Netgalley ever since I heard she was close to finishing the book. Lo and behold, I was granted the ARC on Friday. So much excite!
The description is intriguing… Hook, line and sinker, right?! I have to find out what is in those dolls? I’m already committed. I know that opening these dolls will be like eating a bag of chips. I can’t stop at one!
So we start the story with the intriguing mystery of these dolls, as well as an excellent main character. Matrona is no Mary Sue, but she is still a strong female character. She’s not good with a bow and arrow, and has no martial arts skills. She is not a beautiful jack-of-all trades who every man in the kingdom falls in love with. She is a milkmaid. She’s pretty but not stunningly beautiful. She is close to 30 in a village where marrying early is important. She also has normal problems. She struggles with caring for emotionally distant parents while reconciling her own self-perceived failures in life. What will ultimately save her … is her heart. The moral courage and reliability that are at her core. I think that makes her a strong female character, even if she never wields a sword once.
I do recognize the author works hard at her craft, but there is an ease to her writing that allows you to drift in and latch on to the story effortlessly. There is excitement but you won’t be battling confusion or fantasy-fatigue. You know what I mean? It’s when an author packs too much extra fake language or complexities into a book, without giving you a chance to find your bearings. That can be a real pet peeve of mine when I’m reading fantasy or sci-fi. I shouldn’t have to swim against the current in order to get to the story. Ok, that was my second fish analogy. Time to stop.
Read The Fifth Doll. It’s a good weekend book! Then do yourself a favor and pick up some of Ms. Holmberg’s other novels. In fact, I think I’ve reviewed a couple already. You won’t be sorry.
Bonus Link for this book:
I really liked the descriptions of rural Russia, but am not familiar with the terms so I started a Pinterest Board for my research. I had to stop about 1/2 through because I was afraid I’d inadvertently post spoiler-y stuff. So there aren’t a whole lot of pins. But please visit it if you have a chance!
https://www.pinterest.com/lostnagoodbook/the-fifth-doll/
Song for this book: Baiushki Baiu – Sari Cucien
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from reviewing Ms. Holmberg’s books, it is that I can always rely on her for charm and imagination. Her newest novel, The Fifth Doll, delivers both in spades. I have to admit I have been stalking her list on Netgalley ever since I heard she was close to finishing the book. Lo and behold, I was granted the ARC on Friday. So much excite!
The description is intriguing… Hook, line and sinker, right?! I have to find out what is in those dolls? I’m already committed. I know that opening these dolls will be like eating a bag of chips. I can’t stop at one!
So we start the story with the intriguing mystery of these dolls, as well as an excellent main character. Matrona is no Mary Sue, but she is still a strong female character. She’s not good with a bow and arrow, and has no martial arts skills. She is not a beautiful jack-of-all trades who every man in the kingdom falls in love with. She is a milkmaid. She’s pretty but not stunningly beautiful. She is close to 30 in a village where marrying early is important. She also has normal problems. She struggles with caring for emotionally distant parents while reconciling her own self-perceived failures in life. What will ultimately save her … is her heart. The moral courage and reliability that are at her core. I think that makes her a strong female character, even if she never wields a sword once.
I do recognize the author works hard at her craft, but there is an ease to her writing that allows you to drift in and latch on to the story effortlessly. There is excitement but you won’t be battling confusion or fantasy-fatigue. You know what I mean? It’s when an author packs too much extra fake language or complexities into a book, without giving you a chance to find your bearings. That can be a real pet peeve of mine when I’m reading fantasy or sci-fi. I shouldn’t have to swim against the current in order to get to the story. Ok, that was my second fish analogy. Time to stop.
Read The Fifth Doll. It’s a good weekend book! Then do yourself a favor and pick up some of Ms. Holmberg’s other novels. In fact, I think I’ve reviewed a couple already. You won’t be sorry.
Bonus Link for this book:
I really liked the descriptions of rural Russia, but am not familiar with the terms so I started a Pinterest Board for my research. I had to stop about 1/2 through because I was afraid I’d inadvertently post spoiler-y stuff. So there aren’t a whole lot of pins. But please visit it if you have a chance!
https://www.pinterest.com/lostnagoodbook/the-fifth-doll/
Song for this book: Baiushki Baiu – Sari Cucien
badindiegamer's review against another edition
5.0
So Far...
This is my favourite book of Charlie's so far. It went into more backstory and explanation than any of the Paper Magician books did, which I prefer because I am truly endlessly curious about everything.
This is my favourite book of Charlie's so far. It went into more backstory and explanation than any of the Paper Magician books did, which I prefer because I am truly endlessly curious about everything.
amym84's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Matrona has always tried to be the dutiful daughter her parents expect her to be. She stays on top of her chores and never complains. She’s even gone so far as to agree to marry the man of her family’s choosing, despite having a long-harbored secret attraction to a younger man in her village. Pretty much she’s living the status quo. There’s nothing really to shake up the comfortable existence that she and everyone else in the village have carved out for themselves.
That is, until one day, on her way home, Matrona decides to pay a visit to Slava, the local tradesman. Upon entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a room filled with nesting dolls. Dozens of hand-carved dolls that strike an eerie resemblance to the people of the village. When she finds the doll that resembles her father, Matrona’s curiosity is too much to keep her from messing with it. The next day, when her father begins acting in a strange and confused manner Matrona figures out that the dolls are more than just decorative; they actually hold some kind of magical force over the village.
As Matrona tries to unravel Slava’s connection to the dolls and what is going on in her village, she begins to piece together the puzzle of the past and visions of a place long forgotten.
I really loved the idea and, frankly, the imagery behind The Fifth Doll. I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wasn’t familiar with a nesting doll, and to have a whole village’s inhabitants tied so intricately to said dolls gives them this sinister quality that I never would have associated them with until now.
However, the way the mystery unfolds for Matrona, along with readers, was too unfocused for my tastes. The little breadcrumbs that we are given are nothing compared to the big info drop we get toward the end of the book. While the truth behind everything was really intriguing, I would have liked things spread out a little more throughout the story.
As for Matrona, I could really feel her frustrations at living a redundant kind of life, but at the same time her reluctance to rock the boat. This is elegantly played out in Matrona’s attraction to the younger Jaska. The romantic element is definitely a secondary element, but it’s used as a device to get Matrona out of her shell a little bit. I liked the somewhat unconventionality of the relationship, for the time period.
Overall, The Fifth Doll is full of interesting concepts and magics. If the information was paced out a little differently I’d probably be giving it a higher rating. As it stands, Charlie Holmberg has never disappointed when it comes to going off the beaten path in regards to the stories she tells and The Fifth Doll stands up really well next to its predecessors.
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Matrona has always tried to be the dutiful daughter her parents expect her to be. She stays on top of her chores and never complains. She’s even gone so far as to agree to marry the man of her family’s choosing, despite having a long-harbored secret attraction to a younger man in her village. Pretty much she’s living the status quo. There’s nothing really to shake up the comfortable existence that she and everyone else in the village have carved out for themselves.
That is, until one day, on her way home, Matrona decides to pay a visit to Slava, the local tradesman. Upon entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a room filled with nesting dolls. Dozens of hand-carved dolls that strike an eerie resemblance to the people of the village. When she finds the doll that resembles her father, Matrona’s curiosity is too much to keep her from messing with it. The next day, when her father begins acting in a strange and confused manner Matrona figures out that the dolls are more than just decorative; they actually hold some kind of magical force over the village.
As Matrona tries to unravel Slava’s connection to the dolls and what is going on in her village, she begins to piece together the puzzle of the past and visions of a place long forgotten.
I really loved the idea and, frankly, the imagery behind The Fifth Doll. I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who wasn’t familiar with a nesting doll, and to have a whole village’s inhabitants tied so intricately to said dolls gives them this sinister quality that I never would have associated them with until now.
However, the way the mystery unfolds for Matrona, along with readers, was too unfocused for my tastes. The little breadcrumbs that we are given are nothing compared to the big info drop we get toward the end of the book. While the truth behind everything was really intriguing, I would have liked things spread out a little more throughout the story.
As for Matrona, I could really feel her frustrations at living a redundant kind of life, but at the same time her reluctance to rock the boat. This is elegantly played out in Matrona’s attraction to the younger Jaska. The romantic element is definitely a secondary element, but it’s used as a device to get Matrona out of her shell a little bit. I liked the somewhat unconventionality of the relationship, for the time period.
Overall, The Fifth Doll is full of interesting concepts and magics. If the information was paced out a little differently I’d probably be giving it a higher rating. As it stands, Charlie Holmberg has never disappointed when it comes to going off the beaten path in regards to the stories she tells and The Fifth Doll stands up really well next to its predecessors.
xfirefly9x's review against another edition
4.0
A well constructed story, with relatable and layered characters, and beautiful writing.
rumarianna's review against another edition
5.0
This was easily one of my favorite books to date. Incredible. Just so good. The plot was out of the box, leaving me wanting more, and even though I generally hate reading in 3rd person pov, this book proved otherwise. SO GOOD OH MY GOD.
Probably my favorite book this year. Vocabulary - check. Likeable characters - check. Unsettling goosebumps - check. Even romance! - check. I loved this book and am going to think about it for a long time, no doubt. Crazy good. Holy.
Probably my favorite book this year. Vocabulary - check. Likeable characters - check. Unsettling goosebumps - check. Even romance! - check. I loved this book and am going to think about it for a long time, no doubt. Crazy good. Holy.