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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When teenage twins Bud and Angel are abducted, police are left baffled and while all the blame seems to be aimed at their neglectful mother, elsewhere in the country, wealthy journalist Peter has spotted a worrying trend.
A new author to me and what a start. Harrowing, brutal and emotional as the story is told largely from the point of view of the children and the emotional and physical abuse they are subjected to, as well as moments of almost domestic enjoyment! It's certainly not your usual psychological thriller with the usual clichés although I did see one twist coming before the reveal and it has enough potential triggers to put a lot of people off.
Certainly not an easy read, but definitely a memorable one.
A new author to me and what a start. Harrowing, brutal and emotional as the story is told largely from the point of view of the children and the emotional and physical abuse they are subjected to, as well as moments of almost domestic enjoyment! It's certainly not your usual psychological thriller with the usual clichés although I did see one twist coming before the reveal and it has enough potential triggers to put a lot of people off.
Certainly not an easy read, but definitely a memorable one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
At the beginning of The Dollhouse, two teenagers, twins Angel and Bud, are kidnapped by a woman named Jennifer. They find themselves in the basement of with another girl (Olivia) and discover that their function is to recreate scenes from the childhood of Jennifer’s partner Alfred, who calls them his “dolls,” in a twisted effort to exorcise the demons of his past.
Meanwhile, Olivia’s father, a journalist, reaches out to the twins’ mother, explaining that he sees similarities in their situations that lead him to believe that the same person or people are behind both kidnappings. The rest of the book switches between the perspectives of the teenagers, those looking for them, and a high-school teacher named Edward whose role only becomes clear near the end, culminating in a breathless race against time to save them before Alfred decides that he is finished with his "dolls."
This book was well written but I found the middle section almost too much to stomach, as graphic violence was inflicted upon the captives. I was almost ready to give up when the focus changed and it improved - I mainly wanted to find out what motivated Jennifer, which does become clear later on, although I did find this situation a bit of a cliché. Three stars rounded down from 3.5 due to what seemed to me to be excessive dwelling on the torture scenes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Meanwhile, Olivia’s father, a journalist, reaches out to the twins’ mother, explaining that he sees similarities in their situations that lead him to believe that the same person or people are behind both kidnappings. The rest of the book switches between the perspectives of the teenagers, those looking for them, and a high-school teacher named Edward whose role only becomes clear near the end, culminating in a breathless race against time to save them before Alfred decides that he is finished with his "dolls."
This book was well written but I found the middle section almost too much to stomach, as graphic violence was inflicted upon the captives. I was almost ready to give up when the focus changed and it improved - I mainly wanted to find out what motivated Jennifer, which does become clear later on, although I did find this situation a bit of a cliché. Three stars rounded down from 3.5 due to what seemed to me to be excessive dwelling on the torture scenes.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
dark
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was one helluva ride! Thanks Farah @mama for the buddy read on this.
Look, I’m not going to sugar coat it, this was quite graphic in parts, to the point I had to put it down and breath. It was a tough but fabulous read. Dark, disturbing, suspenseful and fast paced. Short chapters kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading on. The true essence of a psychological thriller.
It’s a story of children being abducted, forced to live in a basement and made to dress and perform as dolls by their captor. Full synopsis on next page and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I felt (darker) Flowers in the Attic vibes. The twists … Sara Ennis mastered them in this, her debut novel.
This won’t be for everyone, especially as it revolves around children and some harrowing situations.
This is my first by author Sara Ennis and will definitely not be my last!
CW- graphic death scene description, child abduction, torture, mental health warning
Thanks to @netgally and @sara for this advanced reading copy, much appreciated
Look, I’m not going to sugar coat it, this was quite graphic in parts, to the point I had to put it down and breath. It was a tough but fabulous read. Dark, disturbing, suspenseful and fast paced. Short chapters kept me hooked and wanting to keep reading on. The true essence of a psychological thriller.
It’s a story of children being abducted, forced to live in a basement and made to dress and perform as dolls by their captor. Full synopsis on next page and I don’t want to give away any spoilers. I felt (darker) Flowers in the Attic vibes. The twists … Sara Ennis mastered them in this, her debut novel.
This won’t be for everyone, especially as it revolves around children and some harrowing situations.
This is my first by author Sara Ennis and will definitely not be my last!
CW- graphic death scene description, child abduction, torture, mental health warning
Thanks to @netgally and @sara for this advanced reading copy, much appreciated