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Doll Bones

by Holly Black (Goodreads Author)

4.03 of 5 stars 4.03 · rating details · 146 ratings · 61 reviews

Zach, Poppy and Alice have been friends for ever. They love playing with their action figure toys, imagining a magical world of adventure and heroism. But disaster strikes when, without warning, Zach’s father throws out all his toys, declaring he’s too old for them. Zach is furious, confused and embarrassed, deciding that the only way to cope is to stop playing . . . and s...more

Hardcover, 256 pages

Published May 7th 2013 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

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May 11, 2013 Giselle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, ebook, middle-grade

Holly Black is one of few who can write something as cute as it is creepy!

Doll Bones is a Middle Grade novel that is full of adventure and friendship--really the only type of MG books I read and enjoy. It's the story of Zach, Poppy, and Alice who have been friends for such a long time that their friendship feels familiar even to us. I immediately felt attuned to their mutual trust and support. Not giving in when the other kids laughed at them for playing with action figures. But then one day the...more Holly Black is one of few who can write something as cute as it is creepy!

Doll Bones is a Middle Grade novel that is full of adventure and friendship--really the only type of MG books I read and enjoy. It's the story of Zach, Poppy, and Alice who have been friends for such a long time that their friendship feels familiar even to us. I immediately felt attuned to their mutual trust and support. Not giving in when the other kids laughed at them for playing with action figures. But then one day the game got a little bit more real, and it involves a creepy ~~devil~~ doll who is made of little girl bones!

"Her clay was made from human bones. Little girl bones. That hair threaded through the scalp is the little girl's hair. And the body of the doll is filled with her leftover ashes."

*shivers* Obviously, there is a fantastic creepy factor to this book, mostly all due to this ~~hell's creature~~ doll, but the fact remains that it is an MG novel so it's the fun kind of creepy-- nothing to give you nightmares over, but still enough to appease the creep fanatics such as myself. A lot of it is due to it being open to interpretation: Did the doll really move itself during the night, or was it the animal who trashed their campsite? This is why movies like The Blair Witch Project became so popular, or why most books are better than movies; imagination can be most powerful. Imagination is what's at the heart of this whole book; it's what brought the friends together from day 1, and it's what turned this story into a fantasy adventure.

If imagination is at its heart, it's the friendship that keeps it beating. These kids, determined and stubborn, go through a fair amount of difficulty to get to where they want to go and, even though there are many arguments and disagreements, they stick up and care for each other until the end. The narrator being Zach, we're privy to what it's like to be a young, hurt, pre-teenaged boy who wishes he could stay a kid for just a little while longer. These kids are 12 year olds, thus are still in that imaginative stage without being too childish. So we get a pretty balanced read with some dangerous happenings, a little thievery, risky antics, but it's all in good fun. To keep things even more interesting, aside from the doll we're kept from forgetting, we get a mysterious and quite disturbing story that surrounds the death of the girl whom she was created from--or so we're told ;)

Delightfully sweet with a deliciously eerie vibe, Doll Bones is perfect for the young at hearts who like to plunge into a fun adventure that has all the innocence of a child's story, but the excellent storytelling any adult can enjoy.

--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.

For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

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Apr 18, 2013 Sam rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-or-galley, other, paranormal, mystery

Dolls are creepy little things, aren’t they? With their porcelain faces and abnormally large eyes...

Holly Black’s Doll Bones is a fairly simple story that touches on a few thought-provoking areas. We have a doll, yes – one that is as deliciously sinister as would be expected – but we also have a lingering look at three children who are on the verge of adolescence. As much as this book is about the dark past of a dead girl, and the subsequent doll made from human bones and filled with ashes, it i...more Dolls are creepy little things, aren’t they? With their porcelain faces and abnormally large eyes...

Holly Black’s Doll Bones is a fairly simple story that touches on a few thought-provoking areas. We have a doll, yes – one that is as deliciously sinister as would be expected – but we also have a lingering look at three children who are on the verge of adolescence. As much as this book is about the dark past of a dead girl, and the subsequent doll made from human bones and filled with ashes, it is also about a group of friends hanging on to the last moments of their childhood. Doll Bones takes Zach, Poppy and Alice on an adventure – perhaps one of their last adventures together – and it does so in a fairly sophisticated way.

Despite being at the age where playing with action figures is a little unexpected, Zach, Poppy and Alice continue to regularly meet up and play together. The story they build around their central characters is a wonderfully imaginative one, with ships, thieves, mermaids and more. It is obvious from the start that the three enjoy the freedom of make-belief – that they enjoy becoming Lady Jaye and William the Blade, aboard the Neptune’s Pearl, on a quest for the Great Queen. It’s this persistent quality in each of them that propels them to fulfil their first real quest. Along the way, we are treated to some wonderful illustrations:
Doll Bones

The Queen, a bone-china doll with golden curls and fluttering eyelids, sits behind the glass of a display cabinet in Poppy’s house. It’s for this doll that the three set out in the middle of the night to find a cemetery in which to bury her. For a middle grade novel, Doll Bones is aptly eerie, though not quite the spine-chilling horror story older readers may be used to. Nevertheless, Black strikes a fine balance between the supernatural and the reality of three children with far-reaching imaginations. Although there are hints of the unexplainable, the story is appropriately grounded in an every-day world. It’s a well-incorporated and fitting contrast.

My only criticism here is of the characterisation. The two girls are fairly indistinguishable from each other – though this may be the third person narrative rubbing me the wrong way. Zach is a little more pronounced, with a personality that is at least somewhat definable, but even then, I doubt that I’ll remember his name in a few weeks’ time.

This essentially encapsulates my feelings towards the book as a whole. Although it is certainly a delightful story, and one that is constantly engaging and fairly intelligent, I cannot quite promote it to the favourites shelf.

(This review also appears on my blog)(less)

22 likes · like · see review

May 20, 2013 Nenia Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, x-2013s, for-the-kiddies, suffer-the-little-children, all-the-lovely-bones, a-likable-character-has-appeared, beautiful-words-lets-swim-in-them, boo-a-ghost, are-you-afraid-of-the-dark-yet, girls-rule-boys-drool, goth-goth-baby, magic-realism, play-the-game-or-die, reviewed

You can read more reviews at my blog, The Armchair Librarian.

Before reading: OMG!!!!! I WON THIS TOO!! OMG!!!!!

I have only read Holly Black's "Tithe" which I did not care for at all, but I heard she got better with her later works (don't we all?). I applied for this on netgalley and was absolutely devastated when I was denied because OMG! CREEPY DOLLS! CREEPY CHILDREN'S BOOK! CORALINE-ESQUE VIBES! OMFG I NEED IT NETGALLEY Y U SO CRUEL?

BUT NOW I SHALL HAVE MY VERY OWN COPY. YESSSS.

*steeples finge...more

7 likes · like · see review

May 19, 2012 Christian Marotti marked it as to-read

Shelves: wishlist

Holy fuck, I need this book.

9 likes · like · see review

Jun 05, 2012 Cristina marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Neeeeeeeed.

4 likes · like · see review

May 17, 2013 Alia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: childrens

You know how children play these imaginative, wholly absorbing games where they create an entire fantastical world? Well that's what Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been doing together since they were little. They've created a complex world with G.I Joes and mermaid dolls and an ever evolving story-line. A world ruled the Great Queen, the bone-china doll imprisoned in Poppy's mother's display cabinet. But when Zach's dad throws away all of Zach's toys, he quits the game. In a last ditch attempt to k...more

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Mar 25, 2013 Reeka (BoundbyWords) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade-fiction, to-read-2013

As seen on my blog:

Okay, before I even start, can we all please take a few minutes to STARE at the cover of this book!?..Because..REALLY..have you ever bared witness to such fantastic-ness!? I've said it before, and I'll say it a million times more: Middle Grade covers are a constant WIN. The genre is a magnet to SO many talented artists, I just..I can't even. The artist that designed the cover for Doll Bones , illustrator/author Elize Wheeler,can be found here. PLEASE check her out!

I'm gonna g...more

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Mar 24, 2013 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Doll Bones by Holly Black is a delightful story about the wonders of growing up. With a fabulous trio of protagonists, Doll Bones is an enticing adventure that was intriguing until the last page.

Dolls are so creepy to begin with in my opinion, and paired with the history Holly Black has given them? Even creepier. The dreams that the characters have and the pieces of history behind the doll were the creepiest part of the story, but I was hoping for a little more creep throughout the rest of the...more

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Feb 19, 2013 Carina Olsen rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I adore middle grade books. And ghost stories. And I'm a huge fan of pretty covers. So this book just screamed to me that I needed to read it, so I had to request it via NetGalley :) And then read it as soon as I got accepted. I'm glad I did. Because Doll Bones is a great middle grade book. It's pretty amazing. Giving it a four star because I had a few troubles with the writing. But I found the story to be very amazing.

This book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Zach. I loved tha...more I adore middle grade books. And ghost stories. And I'm a huge fan of pretty covers. So this book just screamed to me that I needed to read it, so I had to request it via NetGalley :) And then read it as soon as I got accepted. I'm glad I did. Because Doll Bones is a great middle grade book. It's pretty amazing. Giving it a four star because I had a few troubles with the writing. But I found the story to be very amazing.

This book is told from the point of view of twelve year old Zach. I loved that. Found him to be an amazing character. Sweet and just all kinds of awesome. I felt sorry for him a lot, though, because something awful happens that I could relate to a whole lot. But yeah. I loved Zach. He's best friends with these two girls, Poppy and Alice. They were awesome.

He spends a lot of time with them playing with their action figures. I loved that. Poppy was a great character, but also a bit weird and kind of selfish in a way. But I kind of adored her, still. Alice I liked better. She has a crush on Zach, and I kind of really loved that. She's also very kind, and I think she has a very though life living with her strict grandmother. The three of them fit together really well. They have an amazing friendship that I loved.

But then something awful happens. Zach's dad throws away all his toys and action figures. And oh. It upset me so much. I would never forgive it if someone did that to my things. It just broke my heart. I might get why his father did it, to make Zach grow up, etc. I didn't approve at all. He did it the wrong way, which he realizes, but too late. They are gone. And sobs. Yeah. That was heartbreaking. And it changes a whole lot. Zach doesn't tell his friends that, he just stops playing with them at all for a while.

Which I also found to be quite heartbreaking. Because they don't know why he's being such a jerk. A bit upset at him for not telling them, but I also understand it. But yeah. It was sad. A few days later something else happens. The doll that Poppy's mom had locked up in a closet is somehow turning up to be a ghost of a dead girl. It's all kinds of creepy. Wish it has been even more creepy, but I loved it all, still :) It all ends with them going on an adventure to a different town to bury the doll, or the ghost.

I won't say more about the plot, because this book isn't that long. And I loved reading about it, so I'm sure you will too. There is a lot of sad things in this book, though. But lots of happy moments too. But there is a lot of arguing between Poppy and Alice and Zach. Which was sad, but I also loved it. Doll Bones is a great book. Full of feelings. A great ghost story and mystery. I loved reading about it, because it was pretty creepy and amazing. I also loved the sailing they did. That was just awesome.

This book isn't that long. And I wanted it to be longer. So much longer. But it is also perfect. I loved the ending, even though I did wish it had been longer, and that something had happened with that bag of toys that went away. Sniffs. This book also made me cry at one time. Which I kind of loved. Doll Bones is an amazing book. I really recommend that you read it if you can. Because it is pretty great :) While I found it to end pretty amazing, I really wish there might up being a sequel to it one day in the future.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Random House Children’s Publishers UK, and NetGalley for letting me read this book early :) Will also be pre-ordering a hardcover of this awesome book. <3(less)

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May 14, 2013 Jacquelyn Sylvan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2013

Since this is a middle grade, I bought this more out of author loyalty than any sincere interest. I'm very glad I did. Even from an adult reader's perspective, Doll Bones has a lot to offer.
What most impressed me is Black's perfect recall. She remembers EXACTLY what it's like to be that age, not a kid, but not a teenager, either, in that moment of life when things are just starting to get really complicated. Be prepared for some fierce nostalgia.
The scares aren't off the kiddie menu, either, a...more

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May 01, 2013 Carole Holland rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I loved reading creepy books when I was a kid – my shelf was full of Goosebumps and all its random ripoffs before I moved on to Point Horror and finally grown up stuff like Stephen King – I think it is safe to say that Doll Bones would have been quite at home on my shelf.

Delightfully dark, it takes you on a quest to discover the truth behind a delicate bone china doll where the three main characters learn about themselves and each other and how the world works outside of their usual bubble.

An im...more

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Apr 01, 2013 Jo Sorrell marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Available May 7, 2013 (date from publisher's arc)

Creepy, spooky, and downright strange, Doll Bones will delight tween fans of ghost stories and things that go bump in the night. Author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series Jeff Kinney says, "Nobody does spooky like Holly Black. Doll Bones is a book that will make you sleep with the lights on."

Best friends Zach, Poppy and Alice have played their game with dolls for years. Zach plays with a pirate doll he calls William the Blade, captain of the ship...more

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May 14, 2013 Erin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Doll Bones is a celebration of imagination and the child in all of us. A wonderful story about growing up and growing apart, it tells of three friends on an epic journey to put to rest the soul of a girl trapped inside a bone china doll...

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have an imense and creative world that they've constructed for their playtime. It began years ago when they were kids, but they still play even though now they're 12 and in middle school. But the pressures of the outside world start to se...more Doll Bones is a celebration of imagination and the child in all of us. A wonderful story about growing up and growing apart, it tells of three friends on an epic journey to put to rest the soul of a girl trapped inside a bone china doll...

Zach, Poppy, and Alice have an imense and creative world that they've constructed for their playtime. It began years ago when they were kids, but they still play even though now they're 12 and in middle school. But the pressures of the outside world start to set in, first with Zach's basketball team mates and then from his father. Everything comes crumbling down when Zach's father throws away all his action figures, thus killing Zach's characters in the play world. Unable to face up to the pain of his loss, Zach lies and tells Poppy and Alice that they're too old to play with toys now, creating a rift among the friends. In a desperate attempt to keep their story going, Poppy tells them that she's been dreaming of a ghost, the ghost of the Queen doll that sits in her mother's living room. This girl's bones and ashes were used to craft the bone china doll, and know the ghost wants them to take the doll and bury it in her hometown so she can be at rest...

The best and most refreshing part about this book was that it was told through Zach's perspective. I know it's sexist of me, but since the book is about a doll I expected it to be told by one of the girls. Zach offers a wonderful view on the world of creativity, and his conflicting emotions over his wish to fit in with his friends and his love of the Play world felt very real. But while Zach is our narrator, we did not lack for insight in Poppy and Alice. Zach offered clear and insightful analysis of his friends, gained from so many years spent together. Though Zach was our narrator, it really was a story about all of them.

The second best part about this book is there is no direct magic other than that of dreams and the imagination. You cannot deny that magic is real in this story, but it does not confront you through spells or cauldrons. The magic is in the minds of these children, fueled by their imaginations, their hopes, and their dreams. As they make their way along their journey the magic is buoyed by their successes, and nearly crumbles under the arguments and tensions. But it never goes away.

As always Holly Black weaves a beautiful and beguiling story. It was an easy read, but a must read.(less)

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May 14, 2013 Stephanie Cover2CoverBlog rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, my-home-library, middle-grade

Background: Zach, Poppy, and Alice are a group of friends that are around the age of 12 and they still play with dolls. Poppy is very imaginative and creates an ongoing tale for their characters all centering on a bone china doll her mother keeps in a locked glass cabinet. When Zach decides he needs to leave the game, Poppy removes the doll from her case and they learn that there is more to her than just a spooky gaze.

Review: I love Holly Black; she is such a creative writer. Doll Bones is a ha...more

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May 13, 2013 Ramarie rated it 1 of 5 stars

Three childhood friends embark on a quest to lay a ghost to rest, embodied in a creepy porcelain doll. But the adventure defies belief when Zack steals a sailboat and manages to sail it, based on his reading about sailing; Alice breaks into a library; the doll survives a toss in the river...too many convenient plot elements, and the characters' actions seemed so contrary to their characterization. I get that the author was also trying to paint this picture of friends grappling with the conflicti...more

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May 12, 2013 Randee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: goodreads-giveaway, children, reviewed

I loved this book. This is exactly the kind of book I was always looking for as a kid and rarely found. It had a bit of reality, just enough to make you think these are real kids. It had a lot of fantasy, make-believe, adventure and friendship. The illustrations are fabulous.

Poppy, Alice and Zach have been playing fantasy games together since they were kids, with a antique china doll, kept in the china cabinet, as the Queen. With them turning 12, most people think they are too old for this and...more

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May 05, 2013 Kim McGee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Borderline creepy ghost story about three friends whose imagination lead them on a quest to right a wrong and free a queen. Zach, Poppy and Alice have played an imaginative fantasy game since they were young and now on the cusp of the teenage years, must think about more adult ventures. Zach especially is being encouraged to give up the game but is pulled into one last quest when a strange china doll, named the Queen, calls them from beyond the grave to solve the mystery of her death and get her...more

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May 17, 2013 Peter Bylone rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, kids

This is a nice story about three friends who are growing up together and dealing with pre-teen issues when they are thrust into an adventure surrounding a doll who may or may not be haunted and who may or may not be speaking to the kids in their dreams.
I thought the tone of the story was a lot like Spiderwick, which I enjoyed but I never felt like I was transported into the story. The characters are believable and pretty well developed, but I just never could really connect with any of them. I...more

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May 09, 2013 Amber rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads

***First-reads****
I received this book this afternoon and couldn't put it down. I enjoyed reading about Zach's, Alice's, and Poppy's quest. This book is geared toward readers ages 10-14; however, I enjoyed the creepy, haunted doll aspect. Who doesn't like a good, haunted doll book? It reminded me of my Goosebumps days growing up. I had a rough time getting into the book in the beginning but once I got the hang of the author's writing, I quickly got into book. I loved the characters and how they...more

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May 17, 2013 Lára rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: manatee

I liked illustrations the most. Story is simple and real, which I liked.
Sometimes characters seemed older than they´re supposed to but it´s a fine book. Some things are still missing, though. Eleanor´s movements, for example, are either too much or they´re not explained enough. At the end we don´t know anything more than at the beginning and that´s what bothers me more than anything else.

I´m left with a feeling the story isn´t complete and that can´t be completed without changing the whole sto...more

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May 16, 2013 Kim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaway-books

What do you get when you combine the unrestrained imaginations of three kids and a supernatural, ghost-centered quest? You get this book which is filled with twists and turns that you would expect and some that you wouldn't. They all lead you along with the three main characters as they take their final quest together to right a wrong. During the quest, they also learn more about each other, how to communicate with their best friends, and come of age while retaining the imagination and spark tha...more

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May 19, 2013 Amy added it

Shelves: middle-grade

Those bone-china dolls are kinda creepy anyway, but they get much creepier in this middle grade adventure. Zach, Alice and Poppy set out to bury a china doll that may have been made from the bones of a murdered girl. A very cool premise and a story I think kids will love. I especially liked the relationships of the kids and how they were dealing with the changes of growing up. Yeah, it's fun to read about 12-year-olds who fearlessly save the world, but it was very cool to find kids who were stru...more

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May 19, 2013 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars

Since I never played games as a kid that continued from one session to the next, or were anywhere near as involved as the those described in this book, it seemed artificial to me. But I like how the story line evolved, and the handling of the 'ghost.' There are a few clever problems resolutions, but no "wow's." The writing was nothing to write home about, but the ending was satisfying.

There were several times when the characters start to talk about growing-up changes, but those instances felt ru...more

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May 14, 2013 Christa (More Than Just Magic) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: middle-grade, publisher-simon, genre-horror, genre-adventure, 2013

This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic

I have never read Holly Black before *hides* but after this I NEED all of her books. Every scrap of paper she has ever put words on.

Some people think it’s strange that I read so much middle grade. And I always tell them that a good story is a good story no matter what demographic it’s aimed at. Doll Bones is an example of how true that can be. Sure, it’s short and simple and at times down right adorable, but it’s also haunting, atmospheric, be...more This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic

I have never read Holly Black before *hides* but after this I NEED all of her books. Every scrap of paper she has ever put words on.

Some people think it’s strange that I read so much middle grade. And I always tell them that a good story is a good story no matter what demographic it’s aimed at. Doll Bones is an example of how true that can be. Sure, it’s short and simple and at times down right adorable, but it’s also haunting, atmospheric, beautifully written and compelling.

I think the thing that hit me right off that bat about this book was that it was so much creepier than I expected. I guess the cover should have tipped me off. The doll on the cover is central to the story and is known as “The Queen.” And she is genuinely terrifying. Made from human bones, haunting these children, longing to be reburied. It gives me the heebie jeebies. Even if you don’t believe in ghosts it isn’t hard to imagine this doll staring at you with her lifeless eyes in the night… It’s creepy no matter how you look at it.

But Doll Bones isn’t really the story of a doll. It’s the story of three friends – Zach, Poppy and Alice. It’s a story of friendship and growing up. On the brink of leaving childhood and becoming teenagers Zach struggles to balance “growing up” with doing the things he loves with his childhood friends – in this case playing with dolls. There is a lot of pressure to fit in, or be who you think you’re supposed to be and I think these themes will resonate with all readers, no matter their age. I also think Holly Black makes some interesting points about gender roles and what boys/men are expected to enjoy and how they are supposed to act.

It helps of course that the characters were so easy to like. I loved Zach. I thought he was honest, and quirky and fun. I liked Poppy and Alice as well but the longer I am separated from this book the more the two girls blend together. They felt like extras/side kicks to Zach’s lead. Which in the long run was disappointing but while I was reading it wasn’t really a problem.

Recommendation: Doll Bones is example of middle grade story telling at its best. It’s smart and poignant and images of the Queen will continue you to haunt you long after you’ve finished reading. Holly Black’s Doll Bones is an example of how middle grade story telling can blow readers of all ages out of the water.(less)

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May 09, 2013 Salima Korri rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley

Thank you to NETGALLEY for sending me an ebook copy!

A very interesting read with a simple yet intriguing and definitely scary plot that exactly matched with the cover.

To me, there was nothing wrong with the story. I've always liked reading about children going on an adventure and trying to discover a secret, in this case, a creepy doll curse. It was very interesting reading about each characters personality and how they all come together to work out the mystery.

However I think that the writing w...more

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May 12, 2013 Warnie B. rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013, horror, coming-of-age, plano-public-libraries, juvenile, ghosts-and-spirits, fantasy, action-adventure, faves-from-2013

I've been hearing good things about this one for awhile, so I figured I'd give it a try, even though I read Tithe several years ago and really, really hated it. I wasn't expecting much...

Until I started reading it and was totally sucked in from like, page one. And I ended up absolutey loving this--the relationships between friends Zach, Alice and Poppy, their struggles with growing up and changing, the ambiguity for so much of the story over whether the quest they were on would have real conseq...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Vikki VanSickle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 50-book-pledge-2013, children-s-literature, middle-grade, mystery

Warning, this review contains spoilers!

This is a fantastic blend of creepy and poignant, as only Holly Black can do. I love the double-barreled plot, with the story of The Queen and putting her to rest mirroring the story of the trio’s friendship. This gives the story some depth, so readers who don’t gravitate towards ghost stories have a more traditional contemporary friendship story to hook them, and those who read only scary stories have something a bit meatier to read. This blend of ghost st...more Warning, this review contains spoilers!

This is a fantastic blend of creepy and poignant, as only Holly Black can do. I love the double-barreled plot, with the story of The Queen and putting her to rest mirroring the story of the trio’s friendship. This gives the story some depth, so readers who don’t gravitate towards ghost stories have a more traditional contemporary friendship story to hook them, and those who read only scary stories have something a bit meatier to read. This blend of ghost story and contemporary real-world conflict is very similar to the structure of The Doll House Murders, an is one of the reasons I love that book, as well.

‘The Queen,’ perfectly captured by the cover art of Eliza Wheeler, is of course not JUST a doll, but is made from the ground bones of a child who died tragically. The reader is unsure if it is The Queen making the children do things, or if the children are using The Queen as an excuse to act. The uncanny qualities of The Queen truly set the story apart from other ghost stories.

There is a very industrial, lower-income feel to the setting. During their journey, the villages the trio pass through are full of abandoned businesses and homes and the people are down on their luck. None of the children are wealthy and there are a variety of non-nuclear family situations. Zach’s dad has returned after abandoning him and his mother for three years, Alice lives with her strict Filipina grandmother, and Poppy is one of a large family, her brothers often getting into trouble with the law. The game is made up of toys from found objects and toys from goodwill. There is something very contemporary and authentic about Black’s setting and her characters, it feels as though it has been informed by the recent recession and it’s effects on the average American family.

Betsy Bird at Fuse #8 did an excellent review of this book, describing it as ” what would happen if R.L. Stine ever wrote a Newbery quality horror book for kids.” I will be curious to see how award committees react to this book. It has a lot of kid appeal and is on one hand, a ghost story. But the richness of characters and the authenticity with how Black portrays the growing pains of friendship during puberty sets it apart. The most uncomfortable bits are not the scary parts, but when the friends talk about each other behind their backs, deal with crushes, or secret notes. Doll Bones walks many different lines (genres, commercial vs literaty) and is yet another feather in the highly decorated cap of Holly Black.(less)

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Feb 25, 2013 Betsy rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I don’t watch much horror in general. I’m what you might call a chicken. When I do see it, though, I’m not particularly disturbed by random splattering and gore. The psychological stuff is far more of a lure for me. If I’m going to be honest, though, one of the scariest things I ever saw was on the cheesiest of television shows. It was this insider look into the world of ghosts and on the show we heard about a haunted home. It was a well-lit suburban house and we watched as a woman took off her...more

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May 15, 2013 Laura rated it 5 of 5 stars

Do you live, read, and breathe stories? Does the idea of causing trouble make you grin? Do you believe in magic? Then Holly Black’s Doll Bones is the book for you! The pull and power of a story on the page and off the cuff, free-flowing narratives can hold the secrets of the world for me. True magic can be found in a story. I have always believed that and always will. A belief that can’t be taken away from us. Right?

”He wondered whether growing up was learning that most stories turned out to be...more

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Feb 02, 2013 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This was another advanced reader's copy I picked up at a conference. Doll Bones was a quick and engaging story about that really uncomfortable time of transitioning from childhood into adolescence. The characters in the book fight the transition, embarking on a quest for one last adventure together as children. The book does an excellent job making you question whether you're actually dealing with a supernatural element or if it's all part of the imaginations of children trying to hold onto thei...more

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“Nobody does spooky like Holly Black. Doll Bones is a book that will make you sleep with the lights on.”

[close] “Nobody does spooky like Holly Black. Doll Bones is a book that will make you sleep with the lights on.”

Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series

“A little bit scary and full of heart, this story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.”
[close] “A little bit scary and full of heart, this story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go.”

Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Reach Me

"Black captures the adolescent sense that things are about to explode before they get explained. And it’s a darn good adventure, too."
[close] "Black captures the adolescent sense that things are about to explode before they get explained. And it’s a darn good adventure, too."

Publisher's Weekly, Starred Review

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Other Editions (7)

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Genres

Childrens > Middle Grade

40 users

Fantasy

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Fantasy > Paranormal

20 users

Young Adult

16 users

Mystery

13 users

Horror

12 users

Childrens

12 users

Childrens > Juvenile

5 users

Adventure

3 users

Contemporary

2 users

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About Holly Black

Holly Black is a best-selling author of contemporary fantasy novels for kids, teens, and adults. She is the author of the Modern Faerie Tale series (Tithe, Valiant, and Ironside), The Spiderwick Chronicles (with Tony DiTerlizzi), and The Good Neighbors graphic novels (with Ted Naifeh) The Poison Eaters and Other Stories, a collection of short fiction, and The Curse Worker series (White Cat, Red Gl...more

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Books by Holly Black

The Field Guide (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #1)

The Wrath of Mulgarath (The Spiderwick Chronicles, #5)

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Quotes from Doll Bones

“There’s people who do things and people who never do—who say they will someday, but they just don’t. I want to go on a quest. I’ve always wanted to go on a quest. And now that I have one, I’m not backing down from it. I’m not going home until it’s complete.” — 3 people liked it

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