You may remember that way back when, I revealed what I think is possibly the coolest and creepiest trailer of the year to you all for a novel called Dollhouse by Anya Allen from Paper Lantern Lit. Well, my friends, the wait is over! The book has arrived, and you'd better believe it's as awesome as we thought it could be…and more!
Dollhouse was every bit as eerie as I'd hoped it could be. With a setting that was absolutely to die for in Australia (New South Wales, to be exact), and a host of unforeseen circumstances, the ball starts rolling on a novel that seems innocent until things begin to unravel. It must be said that author, Anya Allen, sets the stage slowly but surely, establishing her characters first before things begin to fall apart and go awry. It's a tricky feat, but once the novel hits its stride, the adventure, mystery and heart-palpitating drama is non-stop.
I thought that Dollhouse would offer us childhood references to dolls and wishes as a sort of respite from the eerie events, but it seemed to use them to further the macabre. Psychological and, at times, uncomfortable, it's the type of novel that makes you cringe as you read, but at the same time, you're simply unable to look away. The sincerity of the horror aspects of the novel are well done, and it must be said this novel doesn't err on the side of over-the-top supernatural experiences. Rather, the grim takes center stage and pushes the story forward.
Trust me, my friends, if you're a fan of real psychological thrillers and stories that will keep you thinking, Dollhouse is the perfect novel for you!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Anya Allyn (Twitter. Facebook)
Publisher: Paper Lantern Lit
Publish Date: May 20, 2014
Genre: YA, Thriller
Pages: 205
It isn’t nice to play games. Cassie knows coveting her best friend’s boyfriend is practically a cardinal sin. So when Aisha disappears, Cassie fears it’s her fault for even thinking of Ethan that way.As the chemistry between them escalates, Cassie and Ethan discover a secret they never would have imagined: a hidden mansion in the mist-enshrouded mountains, where Aisha and several other girls are being held as dolls by a handsome young man who they call The Provider.Torn between her forbidden feelings for Ethan, and her intense, unexpected attraction to The Provider, Cassie must overcome temptation. Because it turns out that even good girls can be drawn to dark things… and the game between Cassie and The Provider has only just begun, in this tantalizing start to an incredible series.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: Anya Allyn
Anya Allyn grew up in Sydney, Australia, and now lives by the beach on The Central Coast. She spends her days with five incredibly cool males - four of whom are her kids. As a child, she could be found reading, sketching comic strips or fainting during choir practice in her school convent. She has worked in entertainment, web content, and most recently as a Features' Editor for Fairfax Media in Australia. Dollhouse is her first novel.
Find Dollhouse on iTunes. Amazon. Barnes & Noble. Goodreads.
