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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 against another edition
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
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
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
Less of a scary story then I would have wanted. Story had potential, but just didn't make it
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
This was a boring, blergh book, and I am happy I am done with it.
What I expected (from blurb on the back): Kids + Scary Doll + Scary events + Death + Death to Doll. Instead it was like this: Kids + Selfdiscovery + So-so Scary Doll (who wasn't that scary) + Lame events happening because of doll + Journey + Parents + Mystery Solved.
Throughout the whole book I kept hoping for a scary event, a death, or a mysterious thing that was scary happening. Sadly that just didn't happen. There were a few events that happened (people referring to the doll as though she was alive), but all the other things can just be the kids (maybe while they slept and such).
The journey was super boring, and I almost fell asleep a few times.
I didn't like Zach, though I know what he is going through, I had the same phase around that time only with dolls/barbies and games like hide and seek. However again, I came for the scary doll, not for "OMG I am 12 years old and I can't play with action figures/dolls anymore".
Zach was mostly boring and I think he should just be honest with people. Who cares if you are 12 and still play with dolls, why are you not being honest with your 2 friends? Why can't you just speak up, say your dad threw away your dolls. No no, nothing of that, just make him mysterious, just make him nervous.
Poppy and Alice, let's just say I expected them to be way and way and really way younger then said. Especially Poppy. How she acted, I had expected someone who was 6, maybe 7. Not a 11/12 year old.
Would I recommend this one? No. Just no. The blurb (and also the cover) is a lie. Don't read this book expecting horror. You will only get boring stuff.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
What I expected (from blurb on the back): Kids + Scary Doll + Scary events + Death + Death to Doll. Instead it was like this: Kids + Selfdiscovery + So-so Scary Doll (who wasn't that scary) + Lame events happening because of doll + Journey + Parents + Mystery Solved.
Throughout the whole book I kept hoping for a scary event, a death, or a mysterious thing that was scary happening. Sadly that just didn't happen. There were a few events that happened (people referring to the doll as though she was alive), but all the other things can just be the kids (maybe while they slept and such).
The journey was super boring, and I almost fell asleep a few times.
I didn't like Zach, though I know what he is going through, I had the same phase around that time only with dolls/barbies and games like hide and seek. However again, I came for the scary doll, not for "OMG I am 12 years old and I can't play with action figures/dolls anymore".
Zach was mostly boring and I think he should just be honest with people. Who cares if you are 12 and still play with dolls, why are you not being honest with your 2 friends? Why can't you just speak up, say your dad threw away your dolls. No no, nothing of that, just make him mysterious, just make him nervous.
Poppy and Alice, let's just say I expected them to be way and way and really way younger then said. Especially Poppy. How she acted, I had expected someone who was 6, maybe 7. Not a 11/12 year old.
Would I recommend this one? No. Just no. The blurb (and also the cover) is a lie. Don't read this book expecting horror. You will only get boring stuff.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
bookdragon_coolmeghan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
vtsarahd's review against another edition
3.0
Creepy premise - basically a doll made of the bones of a dead child asks one of the main characters, Poppy, to bury her remains. The three main characters are interesting and believable, engaging in realistic friend drama that will be identifiable for middle grade readers. Well written, definitely not for the easily frightened child reader.