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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
3.0
2.5
This is the fourth of Holly Black's that I've read, and her writing tends to either leave me bored and extremely disappointed, or a little satisfied. Doll bones is a mix of both.
This was a cute and mildly creepy story that started out very promising, and then slowly became less interesting. It was quick to get through and overall an okay middle grade book.
I have very little to say about it, so let's just leave it at that.
This is the fourth of Holly Black's that I've read, and her writing tends to either leave me bored and extremely disappointed, or a little satisfied. Doll bones is a mix of both.
This was a cute and mildly creepy story that started out very promising, and then slowly became less interesting. It was quick to get through and overall an okay middle grade book.
I have very little to say about it, so let's just leave it at that.
janagaton's review against another edition
2.0
lol the audiobook is awful. the whole game situation already made it hard to focus, but on top of a shitty narrator? yeah no chance. and why tf was there a romance they're like 12 lol i mean i had crushes and "boyfriends" around that age, but it just felt weird in this book. how are you going to take her to the movies, Zachary? hm?? (i'm not even sure if he's the character that asked whoever out lol)
the big reveal was decent, and definitely creepy for the younger target audience, so there's that. there were also a couple lines that made me laugh, but overall my expectations were way too high for this one.
the big reveal was decent, and definitely creepy for the younger target audience, so there's that. there were also a couple lines that made me laugh, but overall my expectations were way too high for this one.
protoman21's review against another edition
5.0
Now this is more like it! After reading Newbery Award winning Flora and Ulysses, I was disappointed because though it was good, it didn't seem to live up to that lofty standard, but Doll Bones, a Newbery Honor book for the same year brought back my faith in the award committee! Doll Bones perfectly captures those moments in childhood between being a kid and being a young adult where some of your friends and classmates are ready to grow up, but maybe you aren't quite there yet. Zach's devastating loss at the beginning of the book took me right back to my childhood and was a great contributor to the authentic feel of the entire book.
Poppy is the most childlike of the group, but she makes up for it with her vivid imagination and commitment to their play games. Alice has interest in more adult pursuits, but has not lost the joy of play yet. Both are strong characters and make for a fun trio on their quest. The story has nice creepy undertones without being gory or sensationalistic.
The pacing moves along well and the various dangers are always right there nipping at the characters' heels. It is funny how the fear of getting in trouble, when well done, is more powerful than the seemingly endless near death experiences in other less well written books. Bravo to Holly Black! I'm sure this book will be giving lots of kids (and some adults) nightmares for years to come!
Poppy is the most childlike of the group, but she makes up for it with her vivid imagination and commitment to their play games. Alice has interest in more adult pursuits, but has not lost the joy of play yet. Both are strong characters and make for a fun trio on their quest. The story has nice creepy undertones without being gory or sensationalistic.
The pacing moves along well and the various dangers are always right there nipping at the characters' heels. It is funny how the fear of getting in trouble, when well done, is more powerful than the seemingly endless near death experiences in other less well written books. Bravo to Holly Black! I'm sure this book will be giving lots of kids (and some adults) nightmares for years to come!
rebelkiss's review against another edition
3.0
Very cute. 3 friends, life changing, a quest to try to salvage their friendship.
eharrison's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
3.5
This was too creepy for me, but I really enjoyed the story. The character development was excellent. Though I didn’t love all of the characters throughout the story. I appreciated the dynamics between the children and how their age is well reflected in what the dynamics would look like. The adventure component as real people was a great element and very well incorporated.
cordeliacondron's review against another edition
4.0
It's just a weird book. It left me not wanting to look at a doll again.
gmamartha's review against another edition
3.0
This is totally creepy. Not sure how else to describe it. Friendship's relationships feel real, so the doll had some of that realism also.
iceangel32's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know I was not crazy about this book. Maybe because it was a middle school book, but I don't think so because I loved the Spiderwick Chronicles. I just don't think that there was any big pull into the book at the beginning. I feel that it was a good story of three children growing up. However I feel the story of the kids growing up out shined the story of the doll. Maybe because I am an adult and you can see what was happening before it happened or maybe there just wasn't draw to the story of the doll. Maybe I was looking for a little creepier, but then could it be MS? Good story, but not great.
lanadelrat's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.25
jennabeelack's review against another edition
3.0
Very good! Much less creepy than I was expecting it to be, but very enjoyable.