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suvata's review against another edition
5.0
The Fifth Doll is a dark fantasy novel by Charlie N. Holmberg. It tells the story of Matrona, a young woman who lives in a secluded village where a man named Slava, makes Russian-nesting dolls that contains everyone’s secrets, emotions, and memories. When Matrona opens her doll, she unleashes a series of events that reveal the truth about her village and its mysterious keeper, Slava. She also discovers her feelings for Jaska, the village potter, and faces a choice between staying in the familiar world or escaping to a new one. The novel won the 2017 Whitney Award for Speculative Fiction.
robynedexter's review against another edition
4.0
The concept for this book was unlike anything I've read before. I was hooked from the first few pages all the way through.
bookworm2828's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book! I already know it's one that I will re-read a few times. It begins almost like a small town drama and the tone feels more like a love story until the magic is introduced. I felt drawn to the main character, though I did imagine her closer to my age of early 20s rather than 26, and the only thing that gave me pause about the novel is the age gap between Matrona and Jaska. I guess the age difference was there only so she could remember Russia while he couldn't, but I do have memories of when I was 3 so maybe she could have been brought down a bit more.
The magic of the nesting dolls was quite intriguing and the way the doll-maker was set up to be the archetypal guide only to turn out as the agent of all the wrongs against the townsfolk was quite enjoyable.
I'm lucky to have won this in the Goodreads giveaway because I would have regretted having to return it to the library.
The magic of the nesting dolls was quite intriguing and the way the doll-maker was set up to be the archetypal guide only to turn out as the agent of all the wrongs against the townsfolk was quite enjoyable.
I'm lucky to have won this in the Goodreads giveaway because I would have regretted having to return it to the library.
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
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