Dolls

by Mav Skye

The scratching at your bedroom door—what is it? Why do you sometimes find your doll under the bed instead of on the shelf where you left it? And what about the doll you lost – the one you left out in the rain by the old stream where you liked to play in the summer? You went back for it, but it was already gone. Did it fall into the stream and float away? Did the neighbor girl steal it? Or was it simply buried in tall grass and weeds. What if, after all these years, while you are warm under your blankets, reading 3 Tales to Chill Your Bones by the dim moonlight, your forgotten doll is climbing the stairs, dragging an axe behind her? You won’t have to wonder long. No, no, dear readers. Snuggle deeper into your blankets, clutch them for dear life. For you will be meeting the DOLLS, very, very soon….  The China Doll — Sabel Gray has received a very special package from her daddy who is serving over seas in the Navy. She taps on the package wondering what it could be, and is concerned when something inside taps back.  Simply Wicked — It was not an evil doll, definitely, absolutely not evil; it was simply wicked. Wicked is what wicked does. Jane finds this out the hard way.  Poison Lip Gloss — The life sized doll must complete the witch’s three tasks before midnight if she wishes to become real, but when she accidentally kills the troll prince, the night takes on an unusual kind of macabre magic…  “First, you must carve a face. I don’t care what or whom you carve it on. Second, you must find an eye to replace the one you lost. And third, you must prove that you want life by taking a life.”

Genres: Horror

110 pages, Paperback

Published March 29, 2016

About the author

When Mav Skye isn't turning innocent characters into axe murderers, refinishing old furniture, chasing around her spring ducklings, or reading the latest horror novel, she's hosting the new horror story podcast, Dark Softly Tales. She adores puppies, pirates, skulls, red hots, Tarantino movies and yes, Godzilla. Especially Godzilla.

Reviews

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collection of three short stories about creepy dolls. All were good, but the third (and my favourite) was a wonderful, dark fairytale with a witch and a troll, set at Halloween, which was perfect to read now. Nice afterword too!

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty fun little collection! I have to say that I was slightly disappointed that the final story, which is about 50% of the ebook overall, was more fantasy than horror, but it did have a really fun, whimsical fairytale sort of vibe to it. The first story sucked me right in and I was shocked by how far it went! I've always had a big fear of dolls and I'm honest enough to admit that I slightly regretted reading the first story in the dark, right before bed! 😂

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
I adore horror that involves doll stories so I was eager to check out this collection. The first story was hella' dark and wonderfully creepy. I really like a horror author who is willing to "go there" and write some actual consequences into their narratives. However, the other two stories in the collection were such weaker and honestly quite forgettable. Yet, I enjoyed the first story enough that I still want to recommend this one to other horror fans who love creepy doll stories as much as I do.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining horror haunting listening✨🎶😘

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 9 of 9.

Another series completed.

Three stories each story different with interesting characters action and misdirection learning to each conclusion.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of haunting horror fantasy world 🌎 novels. 2024

[Tamara Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story was exciting and fun to read for a scare. I had mixed emotions between the deaths in each story and then the actions of the dolls in each story. This short story was magnificent and I recommend you read it if you have a passion for scare and dolls!

I chose this rating because it was an amazing short story. It was fun to read and easy to understand what was going on in each story.

[Brenda Treddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read.

Fairly good stories. I only liked the first one.When you get a doll in a wooden box,with beware instructions. Send it back or kill it.A doll with a thirst to kill.You don't drown it you burn it.The other two were ok but not as good as the first.

[christina dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Awesome!!!

Wow!! ♥️♥️♥️ Awesome!! ALL of your stories and the dolls ! Very original, these dolls and the theme you are exploring are so fabul9us and frightening at the same time! Thank you Ms. Skye for being brilliant!! Now off to read everything you've written📖♥️📚

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, creepy anthology.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mav Skye write a series of three horror story books-dolls, witches, graveyards, etc
Enjoyable, I will probably read the whole series.

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast read

Three stories, about dolls coming to life. The first, was my favorite. Dad sent a doll to his daughter. Really good.

[Artist_carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil Dolls

I totally enjoyed this, the first two stories alittle more then the third however it was still good, I love/hate dolls

[SUE · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy dolls that kept me turning the pages. A little scary.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is written a whole 2 months after reading, so I don't recall specifics. But one thing is for sure, none of the stories were actually horrible or scary.

[Erin Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mav Skye always delivers the perfect blend of horror that keeps readers entertained and wanting more.​

The China Doll: A classic take on cursed gifts – which I find especially frightening through the eyes of a child. There is a Sabel in all of us, the child whose keen eyes notice the not-so-obvious, who take heed of the subtlest of signs, who know that there is nothing truly impossible. In wait for her father to return home from service, Sabel finds that his last gift is no ordinary doll, and that wishes can and do come true. Great pacing, suspense, and a fabulous finish.

Simply Wicked: This little flash was Simply Excellent. Mav Skye is quite experienced at surprising the reader and delivering the unexpected, even in the most familiar of themes.

Poison Lip Gloss: This is a dark and daring tale of a doll’s quest for life, but there are dangers, consequences, and sacrifices looming, a witch, troll, and scarecrow tangled between, and which heart vessels evil, could be anyone’s fate. I’d love to see this story in a stage theater setting. Mav Skye easily portrays vivid, grim worlds where the stories are twisted, the characters are entertaining, and the settings is always dark and delicious.

A nice, short compendium of doll stories for the reader who can’t enough of wicked, dark tales.

[E.M. Fitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the first few pages, I just couldn't put this one down. Dolls watch and whisper and... hunt. This collection took some dark and scary turns into the realm of twisted playthings and what happens when they come alive.

As an added bonus, the last story especially, takes a chilling and yet insightful look into what it means to be "real."

Worth the read for sure! Check it out!!

[Thomas Hobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Killer dolls

I liked all 3 short stories. The first one was very suspenseful it was short but I loved how the China doll just kept killing and the last one where the doll was conspiring with a witch to become human was very good as well. Can't wait to read the clown novels.