Doll Bones (audiobook review)

May 7, 2013 Uncategorized 0

Doll Bones

Author: Holly Black
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: May 7, 2013
Pages: 256
Source: audiobook from publisher
Read By: Nick Podehl
Audiobook Publisher: Listening Library
Length: 5 hours, 15 minutes

About the Book: 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 stop being friends with Poppy and Alice. But one night the girls pay Zach a visit, and tell him about a series of mysterious occurrences. Poppy swears that she is now being haunted by a china doll – who claims that it is made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl. They must return the doll to where the girl lived, and bury it. Otherwise the three children will be cursed for eternity . . . (goodreads)

My Thoughts: This book was clearly a must read. Holly freaking Black. I read anything with her name on it… books she wrote, short story collections, books she blurbed, all the things. And then I got an email about the audiobook. Read by Nick Podehl. My favorite narrator reading a book by a favorite author? Sign me up! This was a great life choice. The story and the narration were superb. However, note to all my friends who read it and told me it wasn’t that creepy: you severely underestimated my phobia of creepy old dolls. I know it’s “middle grade scary” but it’s Holly Black. Also, I’ve already overused italics and this is just the first paragraph. Just keep in mind that I really love the book 🙂

Here are my highlights:

*Friendship: I love a good story of friendship. Zach and Poppy and Alice are such a great trio. But being a trio can be hard… it’s easy to sometimes have one person on the outside. I really loved how realistically this was all portrayed. It was interesting to see how the friendship changed as the story progressed. 

*Zach: Oh how I loved him. First, I tend to read mostly books that follow a female POV so it’s fun to get the thoughts and feelings of a male character. Second, his character was so authentic. Holly Black did such a great job writing him. My heart broke for him when his dad threw out all his guys (as my nephew would call them.) His reaction and the way he chooses  to deal with it were spot on. And his confusion over the girls and the way they seem to be changing into something very alien to him… Come here Zach. Let me give you a hug and tell you it will all be okay!

*Imagination: Oh man. The main characters are all going to be writers or performers or something incredibly creative. I loved how much they played with their imaginations. It wasn’t just getting together to watch TV. They made up their own stories that were so real to them!

*Creep Factor: Obviously this is a big part of the book. Doll Bones is a ghost story. At times it’s subtle but it’s always there. Wonderfully creepy and spooky, I was totally hooked on the ghost aspect. I mean, I’m pretty old dolls come to life at night and cause mischief anyway but a china doll made from the ground-up bones of a murdered girl? Lock that thing up tight because it is coming after you. 

*Real Life Issues that are not “Issues”: I don’t know if this makes sense but I loved the way that many real life issues that young teens deal with were a part of the story without being “An Issue.” The characters are dealing with the changes that come with growing up. So, so much is going on when you’re twelve… physically, emotionally, everything. We see this in the characters’ lives without it getting in the way of the story.

Audiobook Notes: Again, Nick Podehl. Love his narration. He was perfect for Zach and did a great job with Poppy, Alice, and the other characters. The reading was well paced and never took me out of the story. I would say Podehl added to the authenticity of Zach as a character and totally nailed the creeptastic spooky bits. Perfect choice!

Basically I am a Holly Black fangirl for life. She is the plot master and writes incredibly compelling stories. Now I just need to get my hands on The Coldest Girl in Coldtown…. 

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