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Dark Carousel #1
Dollhouse
"Something happens to you when you read this. You will be changed. It's. Just. That. Amazing." -Nancy Holder, NYTimes Best-selling Author of BUFFY: THE MAKING OF A SLAYER
~
The DARK CAROUSEL series is a heart-stopping mix of American Horror Story and the fantastical elements of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
~
Three friends search for a missing girl in the forest, unaware of the deadly trap lying in wait for them.
Vintage dolls hanging from branches in the deep of the forest lead to a crumbling mansion. Beneath the mansion lies a macabre, life-sized dollhouse that is filled with trapped girls, ghostly beings and things that shouldn't exist.
~
Every nightmare comes to life in the chilling descent into horror that is the Dollhouse.
Note: (A different version of this book was published in 2014 in eBook format only by Paper Lantern Lit. This updated version (including a print version) has only been available since January 2017)
~
The DARK CAROUSEL series is a heart-stopping mix of American Horror Story and the fantastical elements of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.
~
Three friends search for a missing girl in the forest, unaware of the deadly trap lying in wait for them.
Vintage dolls hanging from branches in the deep of the forest lead to a crumbling mansion. Beneath the mansion lies a macabre, life-sized dollhouse that is filled with trapped girls, ghostly beings and things that shouldn't exist.
~
Every nightmare comes to life in the chilling descent into horror that is the Dollhouse.
Note: (A different version of this book was published in 2014 in eBook format only by Paper Lantern Lit. This updated version (including a print version) has only been available since January 2017)
310 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 621 reviews
August 11, 2016
LET'S JUST GET IT OUT THERE THOUGHTS
1.
Nice. Nice cliffhanger, Anya Allyn. You know I can't just read this free one. You know I immediately had to go and purchase the second one for $4.99. You should know that I do not like to buy books I haven't read yet because I am a cheap ass.
2.
OH-EM-GEE! I almost quit. There were commas everywhere. EVERYWHERE! This wasn't the only issue. Where were the commas that needed to be there? Lost. They were LOST.
3.
You know what wasn't lost? "Yeah." Yeah, I said yeah.
Annoyed yet? Tack on 31 more of those babies. I understand the people saying this are fifteen but c'mon!
4.
Speaking of fifteen-year-old characters...
You know what really gets my goat? An average fifteen-year-old boy that says this:
They're named after Aeolis - Greek God of the winds. The harps themselves are just some kind of wooden box with strings - and they only make a sound when wind blows over them. We used one as a prop in a Shakespeare play.
You know what really, really gets my goat? When his equally average fifteen-year-old girlfriend replies:
No wind blows down here. The girls are the Aeolian harps - but no one hears them - because there's no wind to carry their cries.
I am pretty confident that when I was fifteen, most of the kids in my class were barely able to stay awake during Shakespeare much less decipher it and retain the information.
THE OTHER THOUGHTS
After all this griping, I bet you're wondering if maybe my fingers slipped when I was choosing how many stars to give this book. Maybe I was drunk on something that tasted like an innocent kiddie cocktail. Maybe I was threatened with a full tablespoon of horseradish (thank you for ruining my life, Mom).
None of the above happened. I gave this five stars because despite the abundance of commas, the lack of commas, the yeahs (x37), the fifteen-year-old kids not usually acting like typical fifteen-year-old kids, and the craptastic metaphors (don't even get me started on those)... I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I was certain that because this book was free it would suck. I did not have high hopes that this would even be a two star book much less a five star one. This was one of the most original, creepy, fun books I have read in a very long time. I could not put it down and read it in every spare minute I had. Here is what had me hooked:
1.
The characters. Cassie, our MC, isn't really anything to write home about. She is a fairly flat character. Immature and a bit selfish. I honestly wouldn't care if she died except that then we wouldn't have the access to all the other characters. So you know what?
I will even allow the other flat characters- Ethan, Aisha, and Lacey (AKA the girl that no one really cares disappeared). Why? Because the characters that are involved in this other "world" intrigue me so damn much. Seriously! Who are these girls!? Who is this guy running this circus? Who were the guests that showed up? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE?! I want to know more...right now!
2.
This "world" that I am referring to. I don't want to give anything away, but I felt like I was there because Allyn was so descriptive. She makes up for the lack of technical writing skills with the incredible world building. I was thoroughly impressed. And freaked out.
Growing up I had this neighbor (a really sweet old lady that we called Grandma because all her real grandchildren lived a thousand miles away in Texas) that had the creepiest basement I've ever seen. When you walked down the stairs, there was a semi-playable area with an old play kitchen and a single light bulb. If you walked through the doorway, there was a large area with an ancient pool table and a closet full of old Fisher Price toys and Barbies. Keep walking. No...don't. If you do you will get a creepy little room in the back that looks like a parlor straight out of a horror film. No lights except an antique lamp across the room that never turned on because no one was brave enough to venture across the threshold to pull the cord. Dusty wicker furniture with glass eyed dolls. Lots and lots of dolls. And not the cute kind. No, these are the kind that look like they are going to eat your face off.
So anyway...THIS is what I was reminded of as I read this book. And I wanted to run and hide and curl up in the fetal position until the world became bright and warm again.
3.
The pace. I didn't ever want to put this book down. I never wanted it to end. I became wrapped up in this terrifying, depressing world. I LOVE when a book can do this - just block out the real world. There are still a lot of things unanswered, but there are still three more books to iron out those wrinkles. I hope this doesn't go all Lost on me and leave me feeling empty and a little angry (and a little more angry because I still love it anyway).
4.
I am giving a quarter of a star just for that pretty cover. That pretty cover that doesn't even have the MC on it, which makes me like it even more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you can get past the commas and insane amount of hyphens (oh, I didn't mention those?), this book is incredibly good. I want Anya Allyn to come to my house each night and make up scary stories for me.
And then I want her to make sure she turns on my night light, so I don't pee my pants when I hear a strange noise.
5 Stars
1.
Nice. Nice cliffhanger, Anya Allyn. You know I can't just read this free one. You know I immediately had to go and purchase the second one for $4.99. You should know that I do not like to buy books I haven't read yet because I am a cheap ass.
2.
OH-EM-GEE! I almost quit. There were commas everywhere. EVERYWHERE! This wasn't the only issue. Where were the commas that needed to be there? Lost. They were LOST.
3.
You know what wasn't lost? "Yeah." Yeah, I said yeah.
Annoyed yet? Tack on 31 more of those babies. I understand the people saying this are fifteen but c'mon!
4.
Speaking of fifteen-year-old characters...
You know what really gets my goat? An average fifteen-year-old boy that says this:
They're named after Aeolis - Greek God of the winds. The harps themselves are just some kind of wooden box with strings - and they only make a sound when wind blows over them. We used one as a prop in a Shakespeare play.
You know what really, really gets my goat? When his equally average fifteen-year-old girlfriend replies:
No wind blows down here. The girls are the Aeolian harps - but no one hears them - because there's no wind to carry their cries.
I am pretty confident that when I was fifteen, most of the kids in my class were barely able to stay awake during Shakespeare much less decipher it and retain the information.
THE OTHER THOUGHTS
After all this griping, I bet you're wondering if maybe my fingers slipped when I was choosing how many stars to give this book. Maybe I was drunk on something that tasted like an innocent kiddie cocktail. Maybe I was threatened with a full tablespoon of horseradish (thank you for ruining my life, Mom).
None of the above happened. I gave this five stars because despite the abundance of commas, the lack of commas, the yeahs (x37), the fifteen-year-old kids not usually acting like typical fifteen-year-old kids, and the craptastic metaphors (don't even get me started on those)... I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I was certain that because this book was free it would suck. I did not have high hopes that this would even be a two star book much less a five star one. This was one of the most original, creepy, fun books I have read in a very long time. I could not put it down and read it in every spare minute I had. Here is what had me hooked:
1.
The characters. Cassie, our MC, isn't really anything to write home about. She is a fairly flat character. Immature and a bit selfish. I honestly wouldn't care if she died except that then we wouldn't have the access to all the other characters. So you know what?
I will even allow the other flat characters- Ethan, Aisha, and Lacey (AKA the girl that no one really cares disappeared). Why? Because the characters that are involved in this other "world" intrigue me so damn much. Seriously! Who are these girls!? Who is this guy running this circus? Who were the guests that showed up? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON AROUND HERE?! I want to know more...right now!
2.
This "world" that I am referring to. I don't want to give anything away, but I felt like I was there because Allyn was so descriptive. She makes up for the lack of technical writing skills with the incredible world building. I was thoroughly impressed. And freaked out.
Growing up I had this neighbor (a really sweet old lady that we called Grandma because all her real grandchildren lived a thousand miles away in Texas) that had the creepiest basement I've ever seen. When you walked down the stairs, there was a semi-playable area with an old play kitchen and a single light bulb. If you walked through the doorway, there was a large area with an ancient pool table and a closet full of old Fisher Price toys and Barbies. Keep walking. No...don't. If you do you will get a creepy little room in the back that looks like a parlor straight out of a horror film. No lights except an antique lamp across the room that never turned on because no one was brave enough to venture across the threshold to pull the cord. Dusty wicker furniture with glass eyed dolls. Lots and lots of dolls. And not the cute kind. No, these are the kind that look like they are going to eat your face off.
So anyway...THIS is what I was reminded of as I read this book. And I wanted to run and hide and curl up in the fetal position until the world became bright and warm again.
3.
The pace. I didn't ever want to put this book down. I never wanted it to end. I became wrapped up in this terrifying, depressing world. I LOVE when a book can do this - just block out the real world. There are still a lot of things unanswered, but there are still three more books to iron out those wrinkles. I hope this doesn't go all Lost on me and leave me feeling empty and a little angry (and a little more angry because I still love it anyway).
4.
I am giving a quarter of a star just for that pretty cover. That pretty cover that doesn't even have the MC on it, which makes me like it even more.
FINAL THOUGHTS
If you can get past the commas and insane amount of hyphens (oh, I didn't mention those?), this book is incredibly good. I want Anya Allyn to come to my house each night and make up scary stories for me.
And then I want her to make sure she turns on my night light, so I don't pee my pants when I hear a strange noise.
5 Stars
June 5, 2015
A dark and dank fantasy, Dollhouse is an intriguing addition to the YA genre. It offers readers a break from stories centered on high school melodrama and paranormal romance by focusing more on mystery and macabre. Rather than pander to youthful vanity and wish-fulfillment, Dollhouse instead paints a grim picture with ghastly consequences. The childish motifs mingled with uncomfortable realism makes the eponymous Dollhouse not a place of fantasy but psychological horror that preys upon mundane fears as well as the unworldly.
Fair warning - it takes a reasonable (and necessary) amount of time to establish its suspense and will make readers uncomfortable as they empathize with the plight of the characters. Dollhouse is not for those who are looking for a glamorous escape or over-the-top supernatural elements. It's subtle but sincere in its spookiness. My enjoyment wasn't diminished in the least; however, I don't want my opinion to mislead those looking for a brasher experience.
I strongly recommend Dollhouse for any fans of the YA genre who are looking for a read that doesn't revolve around romances but still crave occultism and eeriness.
Fair warning - it takes a reasonable (and necessary) amount of time to establish its suspense and will make readers uncomfortable as they empathize with the plight of the characters. Dollhouse is not for those who are looking for a glamorous escape or over-the-top supernatural elements. It's subtle but sincere in its spookiness. My enjoyment wasn't diminished in the least; however, I don't want my opinion to mislead those looking for a brasher experience.
I strongly recommend Dollhouse for any fans of the YA genre who are looking for a read that doesn't revolve around romances but still crave occultism and eeriness.
May 20, 2015
**3.25 Magical Mystery Ride Stars**
I'm not sure how I really feel about this book - I didn't really get invested in the book until the ending when all the action happened.
I didn't like Ethan...I don't know - let me sit on this for a bit and see what happens.
I'm not sure how I really feel about this book - I didn't really get invested in the book until the ending when all the action happened.
I didn't like Ethan...I don't know - let me sit on this for a bit and see what happens.
June 26, 2017
6/26/17: I'm finished reading the updated version of this book. And, actually, I really like it. At first I wasn't sure about the new chapters in the beginning, but I ended up enjoying them (although I could have done without the flashback chapter). There were some additional chapters at the end as well, which were previously at the beginning of Paper Dolls. I think having them added to the end of Dollhouse instead makes the book so much stronger. I think I enjoyed this even more on my second read, and I can't wait to finish the series.
UPDATE 1/14/17: This series is getting re-released! This book has new chapters, and right now it's only $0.99 on Amazon! *ecstatic flailing*
I'll be updating my review when I read the new edition. Yay!
REVIEW
"I've seen this before ..."
"Where?" Aisha asked.
His jaw tensed. "In dreams."
The dolls. The toys. The CLOWNS.
Actually, I'm not especially creeped out by dolls and clowns. But when they're gigantic and mindlessly evil, and make creepy scraping sounds when they move, that's another story.
And the darkness doesn't have arms and legs that can pin you down when you misbehave!!!! So there's that.
The details in this book were pretty much flawless. Sometimes the descriptions alone were enough to make me FEEL (really creeped out, that is). I could picture everything perfectly, and I NEED TO KNOW MORE.
It's safe to say I loved this book. (I managed to score it and the second in the series for $0.99!) The beginning was amazing—the writing and voice conveyed a perfect atmosphere OF DOOM. And while the rest of the book was not perfect, it was pretty great, too. I'm impressed at how well the author managed to weave together circus stuff, a creepy mansion, various elements of mythology, and other things I don't want to mention for fear of spoilers.
Bonus: There's a hot villain.
*cries*
UPDATE 1/14/17: This series is getting re-released! This book has new chapters, and right now it's only $0.99 on Amazon! *ecstatic flailing*
I'll be updating my review when I read the new edition. Yay!
REVIEW
"I've seen this before ..."
"Where?" Aisha asked.
His jaw tensed. "In dreams."
The dolls. The toys. The CLOWNS.
Actually, I'm not especially creeped out by dolls and clowns. But when they're gigantic and mindlessly evil, and make creepy scraping sounds when they move, that's another story.
"Lacey hates dolls," I told Ethan. It sounded stupid when said out loud. But it was no more stupid than my fear of the dark. Perhaps less stupid. Dolls have faces whereas darkness has none.
And the darkness doesn't have arms and legs that can pin you down when you misbehave!!!! So there's that.
The details in this book were pretty much flawless. Sometimes the descriptions alone were enough to make me FEEL (really creeped out, that is). I could picture everything perfectly, and I NEED TO KNOW MORE.
It's safe to say I loved this book. (I managed to score it and the second in the series for $0.99!) The beginning was amazing—the writing and voice conveyed a perfect atmosphere OF DOOM. And while the rest of the book was not perfect, it was pretty great, too. I'm impressed at how well the author managed to weave together circus stuff, a creepy mansion, various elements of mythology, and other things I don't want to mention for fear of spoilers.
Bonus: There's a hot villain.
"...I'm afraid out is a concept you must put from your mind. There is no longer any out. There is only here."
*cries*
June 1, 2012
As I said before...Dang! I would actually give this 4.5 out of 5 stars. I received this as an ARC from the author. She warned me it was going to be dark and a bit scary, and having read many a scary book I wasn't bothered. I should say I wasn't bothered until I was reading, the house was quiet, the story got really moving and I kept hearing the "bumps" in the night! Instead of putting down until daylight, I hunkered in and kept on going, because this was a glorious carnival ride of fun!
The setting is Australia, Barrington Tops, New South Wales. Think lush forests and lots of water. A group of friends get together and work on a school project that should best their peers efforts. One goes missing, one gets fingers pointed at him, and two don't know which way is up or down. They all end up, some months later, back out in the forest looking for her. Now this is where things get creepy. I really don't want to say too much because I don't want to give the story away, but the creepy carnival feel comes out in full effect. Supersize dolls that move on their own, painted doll faces, oversize furniture, underground rooms, missing girls, dark rooms, and paranormal creepiness. The ending will have your jaw dropping too.
This is book one in the Doll House trilogy, which is interesting, because this book could work as a standalone. I can't wait to see where the author, Anya Allyn, goes with her story. For more information, check out the Doll House website at dollhousetrilogy.com.
The setting is Australia, Barrington Tops, New South Wales. Think lush forests and lots of water. A group of friends get together and work on a school project that should best their peers efforts. One goes missing, one gets fingers pointed at him, and two don't know which way is up or down. They all end up, some months later, back out in the forest looking for her. Now this is where things get creepy. I really don't want to say too much because I don't want to give the story away, but the creepy carnival feel comes out in full effect. Supersize dolls that move on their own, painted doll faces, oversize furniture, underground rooms, missing girls, dark rooms, and paranormal creepiness. The ending will have your jaw dropping too.
This is book one in the Doll House trilogy, which is interesting, because this book could work as a standalone. I can't wait to see where the author, Anya Allyn, goes with her story. For more information, check out the Doll House website at dollhousetrilogy.com.
February 17, 2013
I don't know how I finished this. The plot was confusing and strange. It just didn't seem to be tied down at all to anything realistic. Some elements of it, like whatever Greek monster was mentioned, could have interesting, but they just felt flat and thrown in. The writing was also not so great. There was a lot of telling and not very much showing. I felt like I knew nothing about the main character's personality by the end and I even forgot her name a few times while reading. There were a few mentions of her past in the US, how she didn't have many friends and got involved in the wrong crowd, but I didn't see how that had effected her in the present at all. I felt like I learned nothing about any of the other characters, either, and there didn't seem to be much character growth throughout the book. I was really just confused and almost bored by the end, and though I was ready to put down the book by the halfway mark, I kept reading to see just how crazy the plot would get. Will not be reading the next book...
March 23, 2018
3.5 stars
an original and creepy premise executed excellently.
who knew dolls could be so spooky.
Allyn does an excellent job keeping her story suitable for young readers but compelling enough for adults to read.
she leisurely but not too slowly tells a story with some true mystery and suspense and some supernatural thrills thrown in there. i really enjoyed this book.
an original and creepy premise executed excellently.
who knew dolls could be so spooky.
Allyn does an excellent job keeping her story suitable for young readers but compelling enough for adults to read.
she leisurely but not too slowly tells a story with some true mystery and suspense and some supernatural thrills thrown in there. i really enjoyed this book.
January 15, 2020
“A penny for a spool of thread
A penny for a needle
A penny for the blood so red
That trickles down like treacle
-P”
― Anya Allyn, Dollhouse
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.
A penny for a needle
A penny for the blood so red
That trickles down like treacle
-P”
― Anya Allyn, Dollhouse
I try to express only my most honest opinion in a spoiler free way. If you feel anything in my review is a spoiler and is not already hidden in spoiler brackets please let me know. Thank you.
This is a story that follows Callie after her and her friends end up trapped in what is basically a lifesized dollhouse, with a few others that had gone missing over the years. Here they are forced to dress as dolls and be good toys. Bad toys end up on the shelf or in the toy box. A place where one girl seems to have all the power and dolls come to life. A place that seems to have no escape no matter how hard they look.
Wow. This book sure lived up to my expectations. A dark, gothic, horror, though not scary exactly, mostly just seriously creepy and twisted. I couldn't put it down, and went back and bought the rest of series on kindle. The whole time I read it I had a kind of slow song, that I can't name, going through my head. It fit the mood of the book, which is probably why it was there. How has this not been in my life before. Due to how the book ended, I'm not sure where the series is going to go from here but I can't wait to find out.
How I choose my rating:
1* Hated it. Had to force myself to finish it.
2** Didn't really like it. Didn't hate it but not sure why I finished it other then for some closure.
3*** I liked it. I had some issues with it, but as a whole it was good. I probably won't reread again ever, but there is a chance I might finish the series. (If part of one) But if not it's not a huge loss.
4**** I really liked this book. Maybe not a work of genius, but highly entertaining. I might reread this again, and I will finish the series. (If part of one) I would recommend to those I know hold interest in this books content.
5***** I loved this book. I found little to no issues with it at all. I will definitely be rereading this and probably more than once. I will finish the series and reread it multiple times. (If part of one) I will recommend this book to EVERYONE!!!!
August 7, 2013
So I just finished Dollhouse and I am furious!!! FURIOUS I tell you!! Dang you evil geniuses for ending a book like to have me buy the next one right away! This makes the readers need to read the second book instead of just want it.
The story begins when Cassie, Lacey, Ethan and his girlfriend Aisha go on a little hiking trip for a school project. Cassie cannot stand being away for too long from Ethan because she is madly in love with him and Aisha notices it. After storming away into the woods, she disappears. After months of searching, Cassie wants to prove that Ethan is innocent and she goes for investigation with Lacey to find the truth. But what they find underneath an old house will question everything they ever known and the only thing that will matter is to survive. Survive and not go crazy with time overlapping and shadows lurking in the dark.
I originally got this book since it was a freebie on Amazon and did not know what to expect. Once I read the description, I was a little bit intrigued. Horror book named Dollhouse about disappearing girls in the woods? Ummm yes please!!
But as I started reading the book, it has become so much more than a story to be excited about. I was actually creeped out. And that says a lot since I was reading it on my phone in a very well lit cubicle. Usually I don’t care much about creepy dolls and marionettes but when you put the setting in the middle of the forest, underground dungeon that has ghosts and shadows of ancient creatures, it would play with anyone’s nerves.
The story begins when Cassie, Lacey, Ethan and his girlfriend Aisha go on a little hiking trip for a school project. Cassie cannot stand being away for too long from Ethan because she is madly in love with him and Aisha notices it. After storming away into the woods, she disappears. After months of searching, Cassie wants to prove that Ethan is innocent and she goes for investigation with Lacey to find the truth. But what they find underneath an old house will question everything they ever known and the only thing that will matter is to survive. Survive and not go crazy with time overlapping and shadows lurking in the dark.
”I knew you couldn’t stay away. I knew you’d return. Even though you deny who you are.”
Heart beats scudded through my chest. “Who am I?”
“There are no accidents in this life. There is just denial. And you came by your own desire to the carriage.”
I originally got this book since it was a freebie on Amazon and did not know what to expect. Once I read the description, I was a little bit intrigued. Horror book named Dollhouse about disappearing girls in the woods? Ummm yes please!!
But as I started reading the book, it has become so much more than a story to be excited about. I was actually creeped out. And that says a lot since I was reading it on my phone in a very well lit cubicle. Usually I don’t care much about creepy dolls and marionettes but when you put the setting in the middle of the forest, underground dungeon that has ghosts and shadows of ancient creatures, it would play with anyone’s nerves.
March 5, 2017
This was a solid 4 star book right up to the last few pages.
The story was unique (at least to me). It kept me on the edge of my seat. I NEEDED to know what was happening next. I read this in one sitting, with a few occasional 10 minute breaks. I was irritated about those breaks because I wanted nothing but to sit and see what plan Cassie might think of next. The teenagers actually acted like real teenagers. They were over confident and insecure at the same time. They simplified major issues and exaggerated small ones. They had crushes on their friend's boyfriends. They mistreated each other, but got pissed when an outsider did it. These are things I remember seeing or experiencing when I was in high school. You don't see this a lot in traditional published books. To see it in an SPA book is astounding.
Then the ending came. Two things about the ending really bothered me. First, it was one of the worst cliff hangers I've come across. I hate cliff hangers. This one left me saying "NOOO! WTF?!?! You can't end it like that!". So I go right to Amazon to buy the second book. And that brings me to the second part that bothered me. Now, this might not belong in a review about Dollhouse, but it did affect (or is it effect?) my rating. The price for the Second book is $4.99. I won't pay that for a kindle book from my favorite traditionally published authors, and you want me to pay that for a SPA? No way. Like I said before, this ended on a I need to know what happens next cliffhanger. I would have been happy to pay my $2.99 SPA limit for the next book. But charging $4.99 is highway robbery IMHO. Stephen King's The Shinning only cost $3.99. It felt like a big FU from the author. To me, it seems the Dollhouse ended the way it did just so readers would pay a ridiculous price to find out what happens next. Allyn lost a reader willing to pay a fair price for her work because of this.
The story was unique (at least to me). It kept me on the edge of my seat. I NEEDED to know what was happening next. I read this in one sitting, with a few occasional 10 minute breaks. I was irritated about those breaks because I wanted nothing but to sit and see what plan Cassie might think of next. The teenagers actually acted like real teenagers. They were over confident and insecure at the same time. They simplified major issues and exaggerated small ones. They had crushes on their friend's boyfriends. They mistreated each other, but got pissed when an outsider did it. These are things I remember seeing or experiencing when I was in high school. You don't see this a lot in traditional published books. To see it in an SPA book is astounding.
Then the ending came. Two things about the ending really bothered me. First, it was one of the worst cliff hangers I've come across. I hate cliff hangers. This one left me saying "NOOO! WTF?!?! You can't end it like that!". So I go right to Amazon to buy the second book. And that brings me to the second part that bothered me. Now, this might not belong in a review about Dollhouse, but it did affect (or is it effect?) my rating. The price for the Second book is $4.99. I won't pay that for a kindle book from my favorite traditionally published authors, and you want me to pay that for a SPA? No way. Like I said before, this ended on a I need to know what happens next cliffhanger. I would have been happy to pay my $2.99 SPA limit for the next book. But charging $4.99 is highway robbery IMHO. Stephen King's The Shinning only cost $3.99. It felt like a big FU from the author. To me, it seems the Dollhouse ended the way it did just so readers would pay a ridiculous price to find out what happens next. Allyn lost a reader willing to pay a fair price for her work because of this.
September 14, 2012
Leave it to me to be the only one who gives this book a low rating. Seeing as though i am the minority...i'm ok with thinking that i am the one that's wrong. Idk i just didn't get this book. I tried but...i don't blame the author. I blame myself. I think i tried stepping out of my comfort zone. Horror movies i love! But Horror books...i guess not so much. I can't help but realize this is the second horror book with high ratings that i've discarded into my unfinished pile...so i'm willing to accept that it is just me.
I just feel as though it's one of those books that is entirely too confusing to be a book lol.
It should've been a movie. I don't understand Ethan at the end whatsoever. I dont understand the importance of the tea. But mostly....
I just feel as though it's one of those books that is entirely too confusing to be a book lol.
It should've been a movie. I don't understand Ethan at the end whatsoever. I dont understand the importance of the tea. But mostly....
July 17, 2013
This was really creepy, and i did like it, but some things fell flat.
The beginning dragged, and was quite confusing. When the chapter was called "Aisha" i thought it would be from Aisha's view, but it wasn't.
Some parts wasn't explained very well, So it left me confused a few times.
I didn't really like Cassie, especially at the beginning. She flirted with her friends boyfriend, which doesn't really make for a good character. Her friend, Lacey had Anorexia, and after remembering the story of her dad force feeding her, she said he didn't get what anorexia was like. Though, after thinking that, it didn't stop her from mentally pointing out that Aisha shouldn't wear shorts just because she had a bit of fat.
I hated how the title gave a lot away. When they found the house, and seen the dolls, i knew instantly that something was up, and that they would be human.
The beginning dragged, and was quite confusing. When the chapter was called "Aisha" i thought it would be from Aisha's view, but it wasn't.
Some parts wasn't explained very well, So it left me confused a few times.
I didn't really like Cassie, especially at the beginning. She flirted with her friends boyfriend, which doesn't really make for a good character. Her friend, Lacey had Anorexia, and after remembering the story of her dad force feeding her, she said he didn't get what anorexia was like. Though, after thinking that, it didn't stop her from mentally pointing out that Aisha shouldn't wear shorts just because she had a bit of fat.
I hated how the title gave a lot away. When they found the house, and seen the dolls, i knew instantly that something was up, and that they would be human.
March 28, 2018
3.5
Edit:
Two new highlights/ notes that didn’t sync before—
The main character was acting ditzy at times and was on my nerves. She would go from captain obvious to being overly intuitive. Some of this was interesting and captivating. Some of it was trippy and weird. I would be reading at some points and go, ok, do what? And go back and reread.
It was in the middle for me, rounded up. There was some nice prose and some neat gothic-like elements that made it creepily intriguing.
The end is designed to set you up to get stuck reading the series, for a true end and answers to all questions, though there are answers to some questions, for those of a curious mind. Series often get better as they go along so I might try the next one.
All of that being said, the concept of the story itself was very interesting. To me, it doesn’t sound like the summary I read that much.
Edit:
Two new highlights/ notes that didn’t sync before—
The main character was acting ditzy at times and was on my nerves. She would go from captain obvious to being overly intuitive. Some of this was interesting and captivating. Some of it was trippy and weird. I would be reading at some points and go, ok, do what? And go back and reread.
It was in the middle for me, rounded up. There was some nice prose and some neat gothic-like elements that made it creepily intriguing.
The end is designed to set you up to get stuck reading the series, for a true end and answers to all questions, though there are answers to some questions, for those of a curious mind. Series often get better as they go along so I might try the next one.
All of that being said, the concept of the story itself was very interesting. To me, it doesn’t sound like the summary I read that much.
June 14, 2012
OMG this book freaked the fudge right out of me. Seriously I couldn't read it at night I have such a phobia about clowns and the Australian Bush. I mean I grew up hearing terrible and horrific real life true stories about people missing and murdered out in the bush and I can't get those damn images out of my head. So when I agreed to read this book I really didn't think I would have such a reaction to it. I mean I can handle a lot, for the love of God Supernatural is my favourite TV show LOL but this book felt too eerily close to home, considering I live near the Bush LOL *shudders and shivers to think!*
But what I will give Anya Allyn, who graciously provided me with an ARC, is that her story is very original and well told. It's set in Barrington Tops in NSW, Australia, where Cassie, who migrated from Miami, Florida with her mother, finds herself in the Bush with Lacey, Aisha and Ethan on a school assignment. They are researching and collecting data when Aisha suddenly goes missing. Blame is pointed towards Ethan, who was her boyfriend and the time and last one to see her. Cassie, who secretly had a crush on Ethan, would do anything to help him solve her disappearance. She convinces Lacey to help her and they track Ethan down back at the very site that Aisha went missing. Their aim was to find out what happened to Aisha, and hopefully find her as well. But what they soon discovered was completely and utterly the last thing in the world to think of. Enter, un underground theme park, with dark underground rooms, large size dolls that move on their own, creepy clowns, missing girls and a whole lot of weirdness going on..OMG help me!! My head spun and I really didn't want to read on. I was totally spooked and wanted to run for the hills. What they hell was going on? But like a trooper I soldiered on and wanted answers.
Anya Allyn really knows how to knock you off your feet and make you think twice about going anywhere near the Bush or around Dolls for that matter. Thank God I only have boys because I don't think I can look at a doll the same again. I shivered, I shuddered and I creeped the fudge out. Bravo Anya you really did a number on me LOL.
But what I will give Anya Allyn, who graciously provided me with an ARC, is that her story is very original and well told. It's set in Barrington Tops in NSW, Australia, where Cassie, who migrated from Miami, Florida with her mother, finds herself in the Bush with Lacey, Aisha and Ethan on a school assignment. They are researching and collecting data when Aisha suddenly goes missing. Blame is pointed towards Ethan, who was her boyfriend and the time and last one to see her. Cassie, who secretly had a crush on Ethan, would do anything to help him solve her disappearance. She convinces Lacey to help her and they track Ethan down back at the very site that Aisha went missing. Their aim was to find out what happened to Aisha, and hopefully find her as well. But what they soon discovered was completely and utterly the last thing in the world to think of. Enter, un underground theme park, with dark underground rooms, large size dolls that move on their own, creepy clowns, missing girls and a whole lot of weirdness going on..OMG help me!! My head spun and I really didn't want to read on. I was totally spooked and wanted to run for the hills. What they hell was going on? But like a trooper I soldiered on and wanted answers.
Anya Allyn really knows how to knock you off your feet and make you think twice about going anywhere near the Bush or around Dolls for that matter. Thank God I only have boys because I don't think I can look at a doll the same again. I shivered, I shuddered and I creeped the fudge out. Bravo Anya you really did a number on me LOL.
September 10, 2020
I'm feeling pretty blah about this book.
Let's start with the negatives and then I'll move onto the positives.
I have seen a few reviews stating that this book is scary, creepy and atmospheric. I'm afraid I can't agree. It had about as much atmosphere as a limp piece of celery has appeal. I didn't feel creeped out or scared at any point throughout this book. The author does far too much telling and no showing. I was told things briefly, but never given full details. The author just seemed to be incapable of creating any kind of suspense. The first chapter started off really well and had the rest of the book followed suit, I would have likely given it more stars, but after the first chapter, it all started going a bit downhill.
There were elements added that just seemed to be there for the hell of it. For example, we are told repeatedly that Cassie is afraid of the dark, but we are never given any further details as to why. Following on from her fear of the dark, we are introduced to the Toy Box (a pitch black cave, where naughty toys are locked up) and because of Cassie's major fear of the dark, we are in turn meant to feel that fear, but there was nowhere near enough detail or background provided to enable me to feel any kind of sympathy or empathy towards the character.
Then we have the writing itself. The amount of grammatical errors in this book was astounding. There were entire words missing, words added in twice, words in the wrong order (to the point where full sentences didn't make sense). I'm a bit of a stickler for correct grammar, but if I'm really into a book, I can overlook it, but this didn't have me hooked even remotely enough for me to skim over such mistakes.
You're probably wondering why I'm giving this three stars, if I feel so negatively about it, but I promise, there were positives.
The premise of the book was great and I feel like it could have been such an amazing book if the author had only been able to develop some suspense and atmosphere. I feel like I am so negative about this because of how disappointed I am. I had really high hopes for this book.
The book was also really easy to get through. I plowed through it in a matter of days, as it was a really easy read, for all it's negative points.
I also really like Cassie as a main character. She was determined, resourceful, inquisitive and reminded me a lot of myself. I probably wouldn't take kindly to being trapped in some underground hell hole either and told what I could and could not do.
Overall, I had extremely high hopes for this book, but was left feeling flat. I have given it three stars, but feel it is probably closer to two, but just not bad enough to be marked a two star. I won't be reading the others in the series and would recommend staying clear if you want something to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
2.5 stars
10/09/2020
Adjusting my rating because I still feel, all this time later, that I was too generous giving this three stars and that it doesn't even come close to some of my other three star reads. Downgrading to two stars.
Let's start with the negatives and then I'll move onto the positives.
I have seen a few reviews stating that this book is scary, creepy and atmospheric. I'm afraid I can't agree. It had about as much atmosphere as a limp piece of celery has appeal. I didn't feel creeped out or scared at any point throughout this book. The author does far too much telling and no showing. I was told things briefly, but never given full details. The author just seemed to be incapable of creating any kind of suspense. The first chapter started off really well and had the rest of the book followed suit, I would have likely given it more stars, but after the first chapter, it all started going a bit downhill.
There were elements added that just seemed to be there for the hell of it. For example, we are told repeatedly that Cassie is afraid of the dark, but we are never given any further details as to why. Following on from her fear of the dark, we are introduced to the Toy Box (a pitch black cave, where naughty toys are locked up) and because of Cassie's major fear of the dark, we are in turn meant to feel that fear, but there was nowhere near enough detail or background provided to enable me to feel any kind of sympathy or empathy towards the character.
Then we have the writing itself. The amount of grammatical errors in this book was astounding. There were entire words missing, words added in twice, words in the wrong order (to the point where full sentences didn't make sense). I'm a bit of a stickler for correct grammar, but if I'm really into a book, I can overlook it, but this didn't have me hooked even remotely enough for me to skim over such mistakes.
You're probably wondering why I'm giving this three stars, if I feel so negatively about it, but I promise, there were positives.
The premise of the book was great and I feel like it could have been such an amazing book if the author had only been able to develop some suspense and atmosphere. I feel like I am so negative about this because of how disappointed I am. I had really high hopes for this book.
The book was also really easy to get through. I plowed through it in a matter of days, as it was a really easy read, for all it's negative points.
I also really like Cassie as a main character. She was determined, resourceful, inquisitive and reminded me a lot of myself. I probably wouldn't take kindly to being trapped in some underground hell hole either and told what I could and could not do.
Overall, I had extremely high hopes for this book, but was left feeling flat. I have given it three stars, but feel it is probably closer to two, but just not bad enough to be marked a two star. I won't be reading the others in the series and would recommend staying clear if you want something to raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
2.5 stars
10/09/2020
Adjusting my rating because I still feel, all this time later, that I was too generous giving this three stars and that it doesn't even come close to some of my other three star reads. Downgrading to two stars.
August 5, 2016
(I got a copy of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
A likeable story—on the creepy side, that is, but if I didn't want creepy, I wouldn't have applied for this book, right? I liked the atmosphere conveyed through the book, at least when it came to the house itself and its inhabitants (this isn't a spoiler; the title gives it away, after all). It was oppressive, left little doubt as to the stifling nature of the place, and the toys as well as Jessamine's behaviour were definitely elements of unease. I was never scared, to be honest, but this doesn't necessarily means "Dollhouse" won't be scary to other other people. In any case, in terms of imagery, those were themes I could relate to.
The plot is kind of strange. It's both a good and a bad thing in my opinion. On the one hand, it fits the overall atmosphere; on the other, sometimes things were a little confusing. At first I thought it may be a purely horror/mystery story, then different supernatural elements creepeed in. I was all right with that, though: it may be part of what the book was meant to achieve, depending on how one considers it, and it also contributed to the characters' confusion. So, for me, it worked.
I found the pacing somewhat uneven. The first chapter pulled me in, then the next ones were slower, and I think some of the scenes in the dollhouse itself dragged a little. Again, this is one of those double-edged aspects in my opinion: slowing down the story, yet also reflecting the bleak existence of the "dolls", the day-to-day routine under Jessamine's guidance (if one can call that guidance...), the world being narrowed down to a few rooms only, with few activities available. So, slow in pacing, but fitting in theme.
I didn't find the characters really memorable, and was mostly interested in the atmosphere and in looking for hints about the bigger picture, I admit. Cassie was kind of bland, Ethan and Aisha as well, and Lacey was easily forgotten. This is probably one of the weakest points in this book: I kept feeling that those friends didn't really care about each other. That they went looking for Aisha not in the hopes of finding her alive, but of removing suspicion from Ethan. That they didn't have much in common, and didn't look like a strong enough group to go through the hassle of camping in the mountains at night to search for the missing girl. Cassie leaves alone in a creepy place, then oh, surprise, she's missing as well. Rule number one: you never, ever leave someone alone. Not in such a setting.
The romance... Meh. I wasn't convinced. But then, I seldom am.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that may very well be quite annoying. You can somewhat imagine what will happen, but if it's still rather abrupt, and felt more like a chapter was missing, rather than a real ending.
I'm giving it 3 stars because I really enjoyed the theme, the atmosphere, the imagery it all evoked. I found it easy to picture the rooms, the clothing, to imagine what the dolls' life was like. If one is looking for strong characters, though, perhaps this isn't the right book.
A likeable story—on the creepy side, that is, but if I didn't want creepy, I wouldn't have applied for this book, right? I liked the atmosphere conveyed through the book, at least when it came to the house itself and its inhabitants (this isn't a spoiler; the title gives it away, after all). It was oppressive, left little doubt as to the stifling nature of the place, and the toys as well as Jessamine's behaviour were definitely elements of unease. I was never scared, to be honest, but this doesn't necessarily means "Dollhouse" won't be scary to other other people. In any case, in terms of imagery, those were themes I could relate to.
The plot is kind of strange. It's both a good and a bad thing in my opinion. On the one hand, it fits the overall atmosphere; on the other, sometimes things were a little confusing. At first I thought it may be a purely horror/mystery story, then different supernatural elements creepeed in. I was all right with that, though: it may be part of what the book was meant to achieve, depending on how one considers it, and it also contributed to the characters' confusion. So, for me, it worked.
I found the pacing somewhat uneven. The first chapter pulled me in, then the next ones were slower, and I think some of the scenes in the dollhouse itself dragged a little. Again, this is one of those double-edged aspects in my opinion: slowing down the story, yet also reflecting the bleak existence of the "dolls", the day-to-day routine under Jessamine's guidance (if one can call that guidance...), the world being narrowed down to a few rooms only, with few activities available. So, slow in pacing, but fitting in theme.
I didn't find the characters really memorable, and was mostly interested in the atmosphere and in looking for hints about the bigger picture, I admit. Cassie was kind of bland, Ethan and Aisha as well, and Lacey was easily forgotten. This is probably one of the weakest points in this book: I kept feeling that those friends didn't really care about each other. That they went looking for Aisha not in the hopes of finding her alive, but of removing suspicion from Ethan. That they didn't have much in common, and didn't look like a strong enough group to go through the hassle of camping in the mountains at night to search for the missing girl. Cassie leaves alone in a creepy place, then oh, surprise, she's missing as well. Rule number one: you never, ever leave someone alone. Not in such a setting.
The romance... Meh. I wasn't convinced. But then, I seldom am.
The book ends on a cliffhanger that may very well be quite annoying. You can somewhat imagine what will happen, but if it's still rather abrupt, and felt more like a chapter was missing, rather than a real ending.
I'm giving it 3 stars because I really enjoyed the theme, the atmosphere, the imagery it all evoked. I found it easy to picture the rooms, the clothing, to imagine what the dolls' life was like. If one is looking for strong characters, though, perhaps this isn't the right book.
December 30, 2012
I read a lot of reviews before going into this so I knew the beginning would drag, but what no one said was that the dragging never stops. I only even finished because I paid for the book and wasn't gonna waste the 99 cents.
Even knowing about the pacing problems, I went in for the creepy factor. The dollhouse premise (or what I thought was the premise) appealed to me. Unfortunately the supernatural elements were drowned under the monotony of dollhouse life and the very real dangers of malnutrition and starvation, leaving the story severely lacking in substance.
I've seen people praise the writing but the best prose in the world can't overcome the constant spelling and grammar errors. They were the kind I could look past if it happened once or even a handful of times but I don't think I made it through two pages without something being wrong.
There was also nothing to make me see why this particular narrator was chosen. What makes her so special that she's the one to hinge the story on? I imagine, based on a couple of clumsily delivered clues, that's what the second book is for but I really don't care - not about the story and not about the heroine. She started off unlikeable and only faded as a character from there.
Even knowing about the pacing problems, I went in for the creepy factor. The dollhouse premise (or what I thought was the premise) appealed to me. Unfortunately the supernatural elements were drowned under the monotony of dollhouse life and the very real dangers of malnutrition and starvation, leaving the story severely lacking in substance.
I've seen people praise the writing but the best prose in the world can't overcome the constant spelling and grammar errors. They were the kind I could look past if it happened once or even a handful of times but I don't think I made it through two pages without something being wrong.
There was also nothing to make me see why this particular narrator was chosen. What makes her so special that she's the one to hinge the story on? I imagine, based on a couple of clumsily delivered clues, that's what the second book is for but I really don't care - not about the story and not about the heroine. She started off unlikeable and only faded as a character from there.
April 4, 2015
This book falls into the 'It's not you,it's me' category.
I'll admit that it had potential. I mean the book was creepy as hell but I could not care less about what was happening to the characters.
I can't barely remember the heroine's name AND I read it last week.
The least I can say is that the cast did not make a (good) lasting impression.
Aisha was hateful, her boyfriend was a w...p and mention spéciale to Cassie, who spends a ridiculous amount of time mooning over Ethan (which I find absolutely irritating,but hey...I'm not one for love-triangles anyway) instead of worrying about "her friend"
Plus, it sort of ended with a very abrupt cliff-hanger, which is normally not a problem for me but considering the book was getting more convoluted toward the end, I did not quite fully understand what was going on.
On the other end, I did like the word building and the references to Alice in Wonderland (for the costume part)and to poems and lyrics.I found these references very interesting and beautiful.
So overall,I'm left with mixed feelings about this one.
I won't read the second volume but I can see where the series's appeal may lay.
I'll admit that it had potential. I mean the book was creepy as hell but I could not care less about what was happening to the characters.
I can't barely remember the heroine's name AND I read it last week.
The least I can say is that the cast did not make a (good) lasting impression.
Aisha was hateful, her boyfriend was a w...p and mention spéciale to Cassie, who spends a ridiculous amount of time mooning over Ethan (which I find absolutely irritating,but hey...I'm not one for love-triangles anyway) instead of worrying about "her friend"
Plus, it sort of ended with a very abrupt cliff-hanger, which is normally not a problem for me but considering the book was getting more convoluted toward the end, I did not quite fully understand what was going on.
On the other end, I did like the word building and the references to Alice in Wonderland (for the costume part)and to poems and lyrics.I found these references very interesting and beautiful.
So overall,I'm left with mixed feelings about this one.
I won't read the second volume but I can see where the series's appeal may lay.
June 10, 2012
I was blessed enough to get this as an arc from the author.. I must admit i have not read a scary book in a long while and this one freaked me out, the most ive been freaked out in a while LOL
As an Australian i loved that it was set in Australia, even though the bush freaks me out. When Lacey, Ethan, Aisha and Cassie go to Barrington tops for a school project, things go a little unexpectidly when Aisha goes missing after an argument. A few months later Ethan after the whole town thinking he killed Aisha decides to go and find her himself and Lacey and Cassie follow. Now this is where the books starts getting creepier and creepier LOL All i can say is dolls that move on their own, and that is only the tip of the ice burg when it comes to freaky things.
Anya Allyn really makes the hairs at the back of your neck stand up and i love it. I havent been freaked out in a while. This book is a trilogy and i cant wait to see what she comes up with next. And might i say that carnivals freak me out and this book has made it worse..:P
As an Australian i loved that it was set in Australia, even though the bush freaks me out. When Lacey, Ethan, Aisha and Cassie go to Barrington tops for a school project, things go a little unexpectidly when Aisha goes missing after an argument. A few months later Ethan after the whole town thinking he killed Aisha decides to go and find her himself and Lacey and Cassie follow. Now this is where the books starts getting creepier and creepier LOL All i can say is dolls that move on their own, and that is only the tip of the ice burg when it comes to freaky things.
Anya Allyn really makes the hairs at the back of your neck stand up and i love it. I havent been freaked out in a while. This book is a trilogy and i cant wait to see what she comes up with next. And might i say that carnivals freak me out and this book has made it worse..:P
August 27, 2013
Casi nunca leo libros de misterio o Terror, Suspenso, etc... Cuando vi la portada de este me encanto, pense que iba a ser un libro romantico con un poco de suspenso pero me sorprendió realmente.
Desde el inicio el libro te deja intrigada, con ganas de saber mas. Los personajes son geniales me encantaron todos. Pero la trama es bastante buena es un poco tétrica que hace que se te ponga la piel de gallina imaginando todo el escenario.
Lo mejor de este libro fue el final me quede como WTF como? cuando? donde?
Un libro con un ritmo bastante rápido que te deja atrapada con toda una red de encanto.
October 24, 2018
Recensie volgt op mijn blog
January 27, 2016
This pretty much summarize my mental state right now.
February 13, 2020
I haven't read anything horror in a long time, and I really enjoyed the creepy vibe of this story!
Living dolls, dark entities, secret discoveries, and life-like toys haunting the hallways made for a perfectly warped story.
Can't wait to figure out more of the mystery of what is going down in the underground in the next story!
Living dolls, dark entities, secret discoveries, and life-like toys haunting the hallways made for a perfectly warped story.
Can't wait to figure out more of the mystery of what is going down in the underground in the next story!
July 31, 2013
Holy shit this was good. This was beyond good. It actually scared me, there is nothing creepier than life sized clown and raggedy ann dolls.
Aisha, Ethan, Cassie, and Lacey go for a hike in the mountains one beautiful day in Australia. Cassie hits on Ethan, which is Aisha's man (OHNOSHEDIDNT) and Aisha gets angry and runs away pouting. She goes missing. They don't find her for weeks. Everyone thinks Ethan killed her because he was the last one to see her alive as he ran off to go find her.
Cassie and Lacey decide to go hike the mountain to try and find Aisha, and they met up with Ethan. What all three of them discover is very terrifying. There is a spooky old mansion in the woods, that holds some very spooky secrets.
Ethan, Cassie and Lacey find an underground dollhouse where girls are being kept... There is creepy life-sized dolls, shadows that move, and secrets.
There is nothing more terrifying than old dolls. Examples:
How does one sleep with those images in your head?! Also did I mention these girls are given "tea" that makes them sleep, and that theirs no semblance of time down there?
The whole story is so engrossing. The pacing is perfect, the atmosphere is chilling, and the theme is something unique. I've never read a story like this one before, and I loved every moment of it.
I really connected with MC. I think it had a lot to do with her fear. She had a fear of the dark, which is exactly what my fear is, I always sleep with a lamp or TV or something on that gives light. She was flawed in many ways, and I really liked that. The love triangle is soooo different than your typical YA novel, as its 1 guy and 2 girls. Ethan and Aisha are together, and clearly care about each other, but Cassie has deep emotions for him as well. There are times, especially in the beginning where you just don't like the MC because of the way she feels about Aisha's disappearance, she's almost relived because she likes Ethan I guess. That's why I liked her so much, she wasn't perfect by any means.
Be forewarned that the end is a MASSIVE cliffhanger at the end. Which means I need to get my hands on the sequel right now.
Aisha, Ethan, Cassie, and Lacey go for a hike in the mountains one beautiful day in Australia. Cassie hits on Ethan, which is Aisha's man (OHNOSHEDIDNT) and Aisha gets angry and runs away pouting. She goes missing. They don't find her for weeks. Everyone thinks Ethan killed her because he was the last one to see her alive as he ran off to go find her.
Cassie and Lacey decide to go hike the mountain to try and find Aisha, and they met up with Ethan. What all three of them discover is very terrifying. There is a spooky old mansion in the woods, that holds some very spooky secrets.
Ethan, Cassie and Lacey find an underground dollhouse where girls are being kept... There is creepy life-sized dolls, shadows that move, and secrets.
There is nothing more terrifying than old dolls. Examples:
How does one sleep with those images in your head?! Also did I mention these girls are given "tea" that makes them sleep, and that theirs no semblance of time down there?
The whole story is so engrossing. The pacing is perfect, the atmosphere is chilling, and the theme is something unique. I've never read a story like this one before, and I loved every moment of it.
I really connected with MC. I think it had a lot to do with her fear. She had a fear of the dark, which is exactly what my fear is, I always sleep with a lamp or TV or something on that gives light. She was flawed in many ways, and I really liked that. The love triangle is soooo different than your typical YA novel, as its 1 guy and 2 girls. Ethan and Aisha are together, and clearly care about each other, but Cassie has deep emotions for him as well. There are times, especially in the beginning where you just don't like the MC because of the way she feels about Aisha's disappearance, she's almost relived because she likes Ethan I guess. That's why I liked her so much, she wasn't perfect by any means.
Be forewarned that the end is a MASSIVE cliffhanger at the end. Which means I need to get my hands on the sequel right now.
December 1, 2012
Dollhouse just blew my mind. The creativity, the writing... It was all amazing! I'm usually a bit iffy about self pubbed books, because they tend to be low quality, but god, this was amazing! If you didn't actually research it, you would have never guessed that it was self pubbed.
Dollhouse is about a Girl called Cassie. On a school trip with her friends Ethan, Lacey, and Aisha, Aisha runs off and goes missing. 6 weeks later, she is presumed dead, but all three remaining characters venture out into the same forest to look for her. They stumble accross a secret hideout and get trapped in an underground dollhouse.
Yes, I did just say and underground dollhouse. Don't be fooled though, this isn't a perfectly normal, girly, fun dollhouse. This is a creepy underground lair, filled with unspeakable horrors and mysteries.
It's best not to find out too much about Dollhouse before reading though, because the book is more enjoyable when you don't know much about it.
The characters were probably the lowest point of the story. They are all different and have their own personalities, but there wasn't enough depth. The book is told in first person from Cassie's narrative, but I didn't really get a feel for her personality. Ethan was probably the worst character, and he seemed very boring and flat. Lacey and Aisha were good, but they weren't very likable or relatable.
The best characters in the story are, without a doubt, Missouri and Jessamine. Jessamine, leader of the dollhouse was mysterious, cruel, and creepy. Missouri was very smart and caring.
Everything in this book was so creative. The dollhouse and the mystery surounding it was amazing. The way that all the intricate details were weaved in, and the way that everything worked was amazing.
Everything about this book was so creepy, and when my mum knocked on my door when I was reading it, I just about jumped out of my skin. I probably wouldn't read this at night (unless you want your dreams invaded with massive clowns).
Despite being self published, I did not find any errors or typos, which is uncommon for self published books.
I apoligise for the short review, but this is a hard book to review without giving too much away.
This book is like no other. So creative and well executed.
4/5 stars.
Dollhouse is about a Girl called Cassie. On a school trip with her friends Ethan, Lacey, and Aisha, Aisha runs off and goes missing. 6 weeks later, she is presumed dead, but all three remaining characters venture out into the same forest to look for her. They stumble accross a secret hideout and get trapped in an underground dollhouse.
Yes, I did just say and underground dollhouse. Don't be fooled though, this isn't a perfectly normal, girly, fun dollhouse. This is a creepy underground lair, filled with unspeakable horrors and mysteries.
It's best not to find out too much about Dollhouse before reading though, because the book is more enjoyable when you don't know much about it.
The characters were probably the lowest point of the story. They are all different and have their own personalities, but there wasn't enough depth. The book is told in first person from Cassie's narrative, but I didn't really get a feel for her personality. Ethan was probably the worst character, and he seemed very boring and flat. Lacey and Aisha were good, but they weren't very likable or relatable.
The best characters in the story are, without a doubt, Missouri and Jessamine. Jessamine, leader of the dollhouse was mysterious, cruel, and creepy. Missouri was very smart and caring.
Everything in this book was so creative. The dollhouse and the mystery surounding it was amazing. The way that all the intricate details were weaved in, and the way that everything worked was amazing.
Everything about this book was so creepy, and when my mum knocked on my door when I was reading it, I just about jumped out of my skin. I probably wouldn't read this at night (unless you want your dreams invaded with massive clowns).
Despite being self published, I did not find any errors or typos, which is uncommon for self published books.
I apoligise for the short review, but this is a hard book to review without giving too much away.
This book is like no other. So creative and well executed.
4/5 stars.
June 20, 2014
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Dollhouse is unique, thrilling, well-written, and one of the most original novels I’ve read in ages. Not recommended to people who are terrified of dolls or clowns, but to everyone else – this book is amazing! If only the ending wasn’t such a cliffhanger, and if some parts of it weren’t so completely and utterly confusing – seriously, I had to reread some paragraph three or four times – then this would’ve been my favorite book ever. But as it stands now, it’s still pretty good, and highly original, just not as spellbinding as it could’ve been.
Anyway, the story starts out pretty simple. Cassie, and three of her friends, have gone on a trip across the nearby mountain for a school project, when they find a dilipidated mansion, in the middle of nowhere. Aisha goes missing, and the police quickly suspects Ethan, Aisha’s boyfriend and Cassie’s secret crush. When Ethan goes up the mountain to try and find Aisha, Cassie and Lacey follow him, trying to help. But once they venture inside the mansion, they find something so twisted and messed up, they never could’ve imagined it.
This book is scary, even if it doesn’t try to be. Some of the imagery is so well-described, and so twisted, that it scared me to the bone. It’s gothic horror at its finest, never gross, never grotesque, but atmospheric and creepy all the same. The plot is so original – I don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t saying anything else, except, well, be prepared for an amazing plot that’ll leave you jealous, and wishing you’d come up with something like that yourself. The writing is great, the characters all seem very real, and I never knew what to expect next.
This is gothic horror the way it’s spposed to be. I can’t wait to read the sequel. As soon as it’s on Netgalley, I’m getting my hands on that book. I need to know what happens next.
Dollhouse is unique, thrilling, well-written, and one of the most original novels I’ve read in ages. Not recommended to people who are terrified of dolls or clowns, but to everyone else – this book is amazing! If only the ending wasn’t such a cliffhanger, and if some parts of it weren’t so completely and utterly confusing – seriously, I had to reread some paragraph three or four times – then this would’ve been my favorite book ever. But as it stands now, it’s still pretty good, and highly original, just not as spellbinding as it could’ve been.
Anyway, the story starts out pretty simple. Cassie, and three of her friends, have gone on a trip across the nearby mountain for a school project, when they find a dilipidated mansion, in the middle of nowhere. Aisha goes missing, and the police quickly suspects Ethan, Aisha’s boyfriend and Cassie’s secret crush. When Ethan goes up the mountain to try and find Aisha, Cassie and Lacey follow him, trying to help. But once they venture inside the mansion, they find something so twisted and messed up, they never could’ve imagined it.
This book is scary, even if it doesn’t try to be. Some of the imagery is so well-described, and so twisted, that it scared me to the bone. It’s gothic horror at its finest, never gross, never grotesque, but atmospheric and creepy all the same. The plot is so original – I don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t saying anything else, except, well, be prepared for an amazing plot that’ll leave you jealous, and wishing you’d come up with something like that yourself. The writing is great, the characters all seem very real, and I never knew what to expect next.
This is gothic horror the way it’s spposed to be. I can’t wait to read the sequel. As soon as it’s on Netgalley, I’m getting my hands on that book. I need to know what happens next.
June 11, 2012
First of all, thank you to Anya Allyn for the ARC of Doll House.
Doll House, is for lovers of scary stories. It was a dark and very twisted paranormal tale full of mystery, telling the story of a little horror that was going on in the middle of the Australian bush.
The bizarre plot makes for a most haunting and terrifying story that will keep you reading on and looking over your shoulder and hearing noises in the middle of the night. I read it quite fast, and it was an easy read with great characters in the girls and a fantastic setting that honestly created such a spooky backdrop, I may never go into the Aussie bush alone again! I found myself growing so fond of the girls, Sophronia, Missouri and Philomena. Anya Allyn has created some really wonderful characters. Of course the story has its assortment of villains as well, which are just delightfully wicked. The clown, is positively creeptastic.
"My muscles tightened. Something heavy scraped along the passageway. I knew that sound. The clown."
It just sends shivers down me reading this again.
The book stands just wonderful on its own, but I’m so interested in what Anya Allyn has planned next for the girls of Doll House.
Doll House, is for lovers of scary stories. It was a dark and very twisted paranormal tale full of mystery, telling the story of a little horror that was going on in the middle of the Australian bush.
The bizarre plot makes for a most haunting and terrifying story that will keep you reading on and looking over your shoulder and hearing noises in the middle of the night. I read it quite fast, and it was an easy read with great characters in the girls and a fantastic setting that honestly created such a spooky backdrop, I may never go into the Aussie bush alone again! I found myself growing so fond of the girls, Sophronia, Missouri and Philomena. Anya Allyn has created some really wonderful characters. Of course the story has its assortment of villains as well, which are just delightfully wicked. The clown, is positively creeptastic.
"My muscles tightened. Something heavy scraped along the passageway. I knew that sound. The clown."
It just sends shivers down me reading this again.
The book stands just wonderful on its own, but I’m so interested in what Anya Allyn has planned next for the girls of Doll House.
January 26, 2013
I really didn't like this book. It was very boring, I couldn't get into it at all, the characters didn't seem to have any real motivations or substance. I finished it, because not finishing a book is not something I can do, but by the end my boyfriend kept asking "Why are you even bothering to finish it, you keep making that annoyed noise you make whenever you read science text books".
The author would have been better to just make up a fantasy world rather than trying to place this story into the realm of our reality. The twist at the end is supposed to be intriguing and really come out of nowhere, but it fell flat. There is not point to most of the characters actions as well as no logic behind the actual story. Maybe the second book is supposed to deal with that but I am not going to bother keeping this one on my kindle to look up any future books.
Boring, flat and not scary at all.
The author would have been better to just make up a fantasy world rather than trying to place this story into the realm of our reality. The twist at the end is supposed to be intriguing and really come out of nowhere, but it fell flat. There is not point to most of the characters actions as well as no logic behind the actual story. Maybe the second book is supposed to deal with that but I am not going to bother keeping this one on my kindle to look up any future books.
Boring, flat and not scary at all.
February 19, 2014
Ugh. So bored. I have no clue what is going on, the characters are boring and generic. The "love interest" is creepy and the reader is given no reason to like him except that the main character thinks he's super dreamy or whatever.
I give up. I can't do it. I can't recommend this to anyone. I gave it almost 20% and if nothing is going on and no character development has happened, it's safe to say that this is NOT the book for me.
Thank god it was free....
I give up. I can't do it. I can't recommend this to anyone. I gave it almost 20% and if nothing is going on and no character development has happened, it's safe to say that this is NOT the book for me.
Thank god it was free....
May 11, 2015
WOW.. is all I can say
dank
Psychologicaly abusive.
twists
turns
for being a YA book... not bad at all.. starting book 2 tonight :)
and for those who read it.... it starts out boring and lame.. but it gets good.. .trust me... it gets good... just remember this is a 'teen' book
dank
Psychologicaly abusive.
twists
turns
for being a YA book... not bad at all.. starting book 2 tonight :)
and for those who read it.... it starts out boring and lame.. but it gets good.. .trust me... it gets good... just remember this is a 'teen' book
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