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kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
Part friendship story, part horror story, [b:Doll Bones|15944406|Doll Bones|Holly Black|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1357922357s/15944406.jpg|19206674] tells of the relationship between Zach and Alice and Poppy, and what happens when a creepy bone china doll starts getting in their heads. Delightfully spooky reading for middle grades without being too over the top.
ohtrisarahtops's review against another edition
3.0
This review can also be found here
This was my first Holly Black book and it won't be my last. As soon as I heard about this one I was really excited about it. I love Middle Grade and throw in a creepy doll and ghost story and you have me hooked. Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I hoped to but it was a good read anyway.
The thing that really bugged me the most about this book was the fact that the beginning was kind of slow. For a while it seemed like nothing was happening but once the children begin their adventure the pace picks up drastically.
I liked Zach and Alice. They were my two favorites. They both seemed pretty level-headed for middle schoolers and they looked out for each other. Poppy however tended to get on my nerves. She was constantly on Zach's case about him not wanting to play their game anymore and she did some things that would have had me hating her if she was my friend.
As far as the whole creepy aspect goes, it was okay for a Middle Grade novel. Nothing too scary but there were times when I got freaked out by the doll. If you were considering this book I definitely think you should go for it. It was a quick read and it had a great adventure and just the right amount of creepiness for the age the book was targeted towards.
This was my first Holly Black book and it won't be my last. As soon as I heard about this one I was really excited about it. I love Middle Grade and throw in a creepy doll and ghost story and you have me hooked. Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I hoped to but it was a good read anyway.
The thing that really bugged me the most about this book was the fact that the beginning was kind of slow. For a while it seemed like nothing was happening but once the children begin their adventure the pace picks up drastically.
I liked Zach and Alice. They were my two favorites. They both seemed pretty level-headed for middle schoolers and they looked out for each other. Poppy however tended to get on my nerves. She was constantly on Zach's case about him not wanting to play their game anymore and she did some things that would have had me hating her if she was my friend.
As far as the whole creepy aspect goes, it was okay for a Middle Grade novel. Nothing too scary but there were times when I got freaked out by the doll. If you were considering this book I definitely think you should go for it. It was a quick read and it had a great adventure and just the right amount of creepiness for the age the book was targeted towards.
zepeng's review against another edition
3.0
If I were 10 years old, I would think that this is a super cool book. My present self thinks it's.... okay.
goodyeargoodbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars for the first read of 2015!
A lovely children's book with a good message for tweens who are too eager to desert their childhood and grow up. You may need to suspend your disbelief at it if you're older than the intended audience, but still a good read.
Full review here --> https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/doll-bones-by-holly-black/
A lovely children's book with a good message for tweens who are too eager to desert their childhood and grow up. You may need to suspend your disbelief at it if you're older than the intended audience, but still a good read.
Full review here --> https://emdoesbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/01/02/doll-bones-by-holly-black/
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
Zach loves to play make believe with his friends Alice and Poppy. They have wonderful adventures together and they "wonder about impossible things." He can't let anyone on his basketball team know about this because they'd make fun of him. His father disapproves and in one shocking act nearly destroys Zach's ability - and will - to continue the games. But when he's awakened in the middle of the night by Poppy and Alice he sets out on a quest. It's a quest driven by the Queen - a well and truly creepy doll with a morbid history. But it's more than that. It's a quest to figure out what's going to happen to these three great friends as they grow older.
This is a story about friendship and how as we grow and change it can be difficult to hold on to the things and the people we love. Zach wants the world to be "big enough to have magic in it." He's really struggling to hold onto his sense of wonder and his ability to dream in a world that doesn't seem to value either. I love that Zach, Poppy, and Alice decide that, even though they're growing up, they have more stories to live. And I love that Poppy's last words, the words that close the book, are "You want to play?" Perfect.
This is a story about friendship and how as we grow and change it can be difficult to hold on to the things and the people we love. Zach wants the world to be "big enough to have magic in it." He's really struggling to hold onto his sense of wonder and his ability to dream in a world that doesn't seem to value either. I love that Zach, Poppy, and Alice decide that, even though they're growing up, they have more stories to live. And I love that Poppy's last words, the words that close the book, are "You want to play?" Perfect.
bookwyrm76's review against another edition
4.0
I love Holly Black, but I was unsure about a book for younger readers by her. I shouldn't have doubted her. Doll Bones is a great coming if age story told by a boy. A realistic boy without a perfect family, but not a horrible nightmare family either. Zach has problems with his dad and likes playing on the basketball team, but his two best friends are girls.....and no matter how much he hates it things are changing. Then the creep factor enters...the ghost of a girl wants him and fis friends to return her bones to her grave. Is it a lie by one of his friends to keep them together, does he care, or is it a way to runaway from all the confusion and anger at home....maybe its all if them...
andotherworlds's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 (quite meh/bland)
This book simply lacked what it was marketed to be. The term "creepy" was utilized quite often to describe this book yet it met none of this word's criteria. Yes, there was a doll suspected to be engrossed in paranormal activity however, this aspect, although being the title's main focus, was not what the book itself focused on. The "creepy" doll was a means for the friends journey rather than the chilling concept blurbs of the book put it out to be.
This book simply lacked what it was marketed to be. The term "creepy" was utilized quite often to describe this book yet it met none of this word's criteria. Yes, there was a doll suspected to be engrossed in paranormal activity however, this aspect, although being the title's main focus, was not what the book itself focused on. The "creepy" doll was a means for the friends journey rather than the chilling concept blurbs of the book put it out to be.
stephbrittoleal's review
3.0
Oh well, this is a sweet book about growing up and changing.
It's a nice story about three 12/13 years old friends who enjoy playing pretend and making stories (sounds a lot like 12/13 yo me).
I wish I had it when I first heard of it, I think it would have meant more to me.
But then, I don't think I would pay much attention to its message back then.
It didn't seemed like a horror to me while I was reading. I know it's for kids, but still, it's much more of a mystery than a horror.
It's a nice reading tho.
It's a nice story about three 12/13 years old friends who enjoy playing pretend and making stories (sounds a lot like 12/13 yo me).
I wish I had it when I first heard of it, I think it would have meant more to me.
But then, I don't think I would pay much attention to its message back then.
It didn't seemed like a horror to me while I was reading. I know it's for kids, but still, it's much more of a mystery than a horror.
It's a nice reading tho.
chapita4's review against another edition
1.0
Too creepy for my highly imaginative 9 year old...we didn't finish because of the creepy doll...you know...the one made out of the cremated remains of a little girl.
snsdpop's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5