Doll Bones by Holly Black‏

Summary from Goodreads

Twelve-year-old Zach is too old to play with toys. Or at least, that's what his father thinks.

But even though he stops hanging out with Poppy and Alice, stops playing with his action figures, it's no good. There's one toy that still wants to play with him. A doll that's made from the bones of a dead girl.

The only way to end the game is to lay the doll to rest forever. It's time for a journey to Spring Grove cemetery. It's time to grow up.

A chilling ghost story by the bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black.

Hardcover, 244 pages

Published May 9th 2013 by Doubleday Childrens

My Review

I will let you into a little secret - I'm terrified of dolls, mostly porcelain ones *shiver*! So, thrill seeker that I am, I knew I HAD to read this book!

I wasn't disappointed, this is a super creepy little book that definitely spooked me throughout! Holly Black has woven a super chilling tale while still managing to have the children in the story have a fun adventure all the way.

You know I would love to be a child again, to have wild adventures and play with very overactive imaginations - I really like how the kids in this are growing out of that stage but are still desperately trying to hold onto it. If only we could all stay young and free forever.

The writing is wonderful and bumps along at a great pace. Another huge plus - the stunning little illustrations throughout the book, they add a little more magic to the whole tale!


The storyline follows Alice, Zach and Poppy, who enjoy nothing more than playing with their toys and making up stories. Something happens that makes Zack give up playing, but the Queen manages to pull them back in for one more play. The Queen is a super creepy little doll that just happens to be made from the bones of a dead girl - who just wants to be laid to rest.

She forces the trio out in the middle of the night on a wild adventure, to find her final resting place.

The ending wrapped up rather nicely and I was quite please with how everything panned out. Doll Bones is a thrilling little beauty that I will most definitely be keeping for my daughter!

Some of my favourite quotes:

" A sudden gust of wind made the branches outside shake and jitter. He couldn't help imagining the long, bony fingers of the trees scraping against the glass."

" He felt the weight of her stare on his back when he turned away. The hairs on the back of his neck stuck up, tickling his skin and making him shiver."

3.5 / 5 Stars!

*Special thanks to Doubleday for the review copy*