Doll Bones by Holly Black

Age Range: 10 and up
Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (May 7, 2013)

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they’ve been playing one continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her. 

But they are in middle school now. Zach’s father pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy declares she’s been having dreams about the Queen—and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave. 

Zach and Alice and Poppy set off on one last adventure to lay the Queen’s ghost to rest. But nothing goes according to plan, and as their adventure turns into an epic journey, creepy things begin to happen. Is the doll just a doll or something more sinister? And if there really is a ghost, will it let them go now that it has them in its clutches?

First thing I have to say, by FAR the creepiest book I have ever read in my ENTIRE life. I swear I'm terrified of china dolls. All of them. Don't judge me. I liked the book don't get me wrong, I just thought it was creepy.


Let's get down to business, Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character had to be Alice, she's my favorite character because she's head strong and creative. She's really sweet and caring as well.

Who where the heros?  And who where the villains?

The Heros were Zach, Poppy, and Alice. The villains... that one is harder, well there were a bunch of  strange people they met along the way and then there was the part-time villain, The Queen.


What is the plot of the story?

The plot is that the three friends have to bury the doll, made of a human, in her empty grave. Or else. I know I'm lame

How creepy exactly was this book? 

SUPER!! The doll moved and watched them, moved stuff, ripped it, creepy. Like one night they'd fall asleep with the doll in Poppy's arms and wake up with it right next to Zach's head! AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

The Audio?

I loved the reader. He was also a familiar reader. He also read Everlost, which by the way was amazing. I thought it was nice to hear a familiar voice.


Overall?

Really cool and super creepy. I think that this book is better for middle grade then YA because some of this book is about middle grade drama, and I think if a teen read this they'd not like it as much. People who aren't freaked out by this stuff would like it. But I enjoyed it and hope you guys will too!!


~Reagan