The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan was an amazing read! I very much enjoyed the characters (which ofc includes the dolls! *all the feelings), their development, the world building, and the writing. The beautiful descriptive language made it so easy to feel and imagine the story on a deeper level, and am glad I pushed myself to continue even when I was ready to slap the main characters with their own book at the beginning. I'm a fan!

I'm in awe with how this author showcases internality of the characters. I could palpably feel the anxiety Ikiisa experienced, the PTSD flashbacks were very realistic, and the protagonist, Shean, was hard to like but still the author put tremendous effort to let us put ourselves in Shean's head and line of thinking. Shean is a very talented and hardworking person with a lofty goal of protecting people from the monsters, but she's also conceited, entitled and prone to outbursts of rage. I found her very much autistic coded: the hyperfocus on her interest in dolls and Shod, the uncontrollable outbursts / meltdowns, the inability to realize your way of thinking is just one of many instead of "everyone should think how I think, it's all logical, why don't they get it", she's not universally rude, but she can't handle rejection or disagreement, she tries to logic herself through social norms even if she doesn't fully understand them.

What I also liked is that the plot doesn't coddle her. Every time she crosses a line, something happens as a natural consequence to backfire in her face. Which is refreshing after so many books with "Mary Sue" syndrome where the protagonist gets the plot solutions served on a silver platter and every time they walk into trouble, someone's there (friends, love interest, mysterious stranger) to bail them out and save their butt. Reading it, I had a feeling of impending doom that Shean will get her karmic payback and she will get hoisted by her own petard, and I guess it's not much of a spoiler to admit that's exactly what happened because plot justice demanded it. If it didn't happen, it would be a very weak book.

The worldbuilding was unique and the whole plot twist with the dolls predictable, but again, well deserved. I liked the oriental touches with sitting pillows and eating hooks. The magic system was intricate and hinted at being a part of a bigger whole. I hope if one day there's a sequel, it dives more into the nature of that magic. The prose was atmospheric, but not over the top overwhelming. Enough to give us a sense of place or immerse in characters' emotions, but not too much to be overwritten. It's a 3rd person multi-pov novel and every time a scene breaks to a different pov, including side characters, there's a good reason for it and we want to know and immerse ourselves in this character's thinking. The only odd part is that there are no chapters whatsoever. Only scene breaks. I suspect in the final version there are supposed to be illustrated scene breaks at times judging from the ARC formatting, which makes the layout more visually pleasing.

Overall, this was one of my favourite reads this year, and definitely a surprise.

Just for some reason I couldn't stop reading Licensor Maton as Licensor Matron.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

Three things made me pick up this book ASAP:

1) The comparisons to Studio Ghibli, notably Princess Mononoke
2) The recommendation from my king Brandon Sanderson
3) The stunning cover and illustrations throughout

And, honestly, this book delivered. This is a perfect blend of whimsy and dark fantasy. In a country called One, horrible creatures called the Shod roam the country and kill people mercilessly while destroying everything in their path. The country's only line of defense is sentient wooden dolls created by Dollmakers. Shean, a Dollmaker apprentice, is determined to avenge her family and fight the Shod with her beautifully crafted dolls, but when her plans are thwarted, she must create her own path to fight the Shod--by any means necessary.

Readers may have a harder time connecting with the main character, Shean, at first--she is intentionally unlikeable for a portion of the story. But I knew I just needed to trust Buchanan and trust the process and I'm so glad I did because it ended up being beautiful character growth. Shean may be a bit self-important and confident to a fault, but she was also so determined, smart, and loved her creations and her craft. Don't even get me started on the dolls. I LOVED the dolls. Who knew this book would make me so emotional about wooden dolls? I just wanted to hug them! The other characters, like Ikiisa and Roque, were standouts, as well.

The plot and pacing of this book were superb, I just wanted to keep reading and reading late into the night. I thought it was very, very well written and thought out and this debut just blew me away. I hope we see more of this world one day.

My only complaint was that I felt that this book did need chapters. I was a bit taken aback by the book having no chapters at all. I think the story could have benefited from emotional breaks that chapters can build on. Besides that, I was enthralled by the lore, atmosphere, and characters.

Don't miss out on The Dollmakers! 4.25 stars.

The standalone fantasy debut novel “The Dollmakers-A Novel from the Fallen Peaks” by Lynn Buchanan follows the apprentice dollmaker Shean of Pearl who sets out to prove that her delicate doll golems can stand against the evil creatures that terrorize the continent.

I loved this book! It was the highlight of my summer and I’m looking forward to more stories from the Fallen Peaks!

The story kept me interested the whole time. Sheans journey was engaging and there was a competition element in the middle part of the book I really enjoyed. I also was very curious whether Shean would be able to reach her goal of proving everyone wrong. One thing that surprised me was the story structure. While I am used to reading the climax near the ending of a book here, the last third felt like an epilogue. But honestly it was kind of refreshing to me.

The protagonist Shean is a well thought out, complex character. She starts out as an absolutely unlikeable, entitled young woman who is willing to do anything to get what she wants. But after making her own experiences and meeting different people we see her emotionally slowly growing up. While we focus predominantly on her journey, the book also offers other point of view characters that are in stark contrast to Shean personality wise and give the world more depth. In addition there were also the dolls that felt like side characters as well even though they don't talk.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this book, especially the way the dollmaker profession was integrated into society and the structure and rules of the craft. I was also intrigued by the mentions of the other countries and hope to read stories set there some day. The main setting in a rural forest surrounded by a town that specializes in the tending and harvesting of giant silk spiders was magical and very unique!

The magic system is based on the art of carving magical symbols to imbue an object with qualities like animating a doll. It is easy to understand but has great potential to get more complex in future books. Furthermore I loved that large parts of the magic are not widely known and remain as something the reader can discover later on. The magic system reminded me faintly of the novella “The Emperor's Soul” by Brandon Sanderson which I also really loved.

I can't believe this book is a debut since it felt really polished! I would pick up the next book by Lynn Buchanan without hesitation and recommend you give “The Dollmakers” a try as soon as possible!

A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This one has a lot of potential but unfortunately fell flat for me. The concept was great but the execution was not. I couldn’t stand one of the main characters so it didn’t make for an enjoyable read and I wasn’t rooting for her. I thought it had so much to offer but the payoff wasn’t worth it.

"The Dollmakers" is a captivating fantasy that pulls you into a richly detailed world filled with magic, lore, and complex characters. The protagonist, Shean, is hard to like at first, but her growth throughout the story is rewarding, and the supporting characters—especially Ikiisa and Roque—add real depth. The magic system, centered around the dolls, is unique and art-based, which gives the story a whimsical feel, like a Studio Ghibli movie with high stakes.

Though some plot points are predictable and the main character can be frustrating, the fast-paced, character-driven story keeps you hooked. The world-building is tight, leaving you wanting to explore more of this fantastical realm. I highly recommend this to fans of immersive fantasy and fresh magic systems.

This was such a cool and unique world and magic system. I have read and continue to read a lot of fantasy, and especially in stand-alones, unique magic and worlds are hard to find. This is beautifully done.

In the City called Pearl, an apprentice doll maker is late to take her test to be licensed. When her licensing doesn’t go the way she wants, Shean is determined to change her fate. No matter what her master or the licensor says, Shean is made for greatness, and she is going to prove it.

This is an intentionally vague recap of the premise for this book. I waited a criminally long time to read this book. I had requested (and received) an arc of this book, so I knew I was interested in the plot, but by the time I picked it up, I had no clue what this book was about.

That may have been one of my best decisions. Going into this book mostly blind really showcases its charm. There is something so captivating about the world and its characters. I won’t lie, I shed a tear at parts of this book. It is beautifully done, immediately compelling, and the characters are flawed and nuanced. At times I was questioning whether or not our “protagonist” was the good guy or the bad guy. This is absolutely worth the read.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. While it is immensely appreciated, it does not impact the content of my review.

I did not finish this book as it wasn't for me. It may be for you. Don`t let my decision deter you. Life is to short to not read books you don`t enjoy, but I hope you enjoy this one even though I had not.

If you don't really like reading a book where the main character is unlikeable, this might not be for you. I hated Shean for like 70% of this book. She is so arrogant and self-centered. She experiences a lot of personal growth, but I think it should have started sooner. Because even though I felt happy with her arc and her growth by the end, it just took her so so long. And the door is left left wide open for another book centered around her and I'm a little reluctant about reading more from her POV.

There is like a tiny splash of romance in this that didn't hit for me at all. *Light spoiler here --> there is a kiss near the end but I was not into the moment. Shean launches herself at Roque and does not leave room for consent. I know it's just a kiss but there was just no indication that it would be welcome. So that was just really not for me.

All that being said, there were other things I loved about this book. I really liked the world; it felt very unique and atmospheric. And the town of Web in the woods was really well developed. I had a clear idea of exactly what this town looked like. It had first very eerie vibes and then just kind of strange and then like a very close knit community worth protecting. And I loved some of the other characters in the book too. Ikiisa is so easy to root for and her story was compelling. I might have given up on this book if not for her. And the people of the town of Web were also really interesting.

Also, small note, there are spiders in this book. They're not scary or like a huge part of the story, but they are a big deal in Web. So fyi, in case you are terrified of spiders like I am.

Overall, even though I was not a fan of Shean, there were other elements that I really enjoyed. If you don't mind a main character in deep need of personal growth, and want to read about an atmospheric world with a unique story, then I would recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I had to DNF this book at around 20%.

I was not able to find the energy to like the main character. While I am always up for a strong, confident female lead, Shean was not it. Her arrogance and immaturity got to me, especially since she was suppose to have been a dollmaker apprentice for 15 years.

I am sure that there are plenty of readers who will adore this book, I, unfortunately am not one of them.

As always, thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the digital book in exchange for my honest review. I will not be sharing my review of this book online.

In the world of One, dollmakers create dolls to combat destructive monsters that consume everything on their path. Orphan and survivor of one of these attacks, Shean has always pursued her dream of being a guard dollmaker, putting her own dolls in the fight against the monsters that killed her family. When that dream is denied, her master sends her to meet one of the best guard dollmakers he knows, Ikiisa, who creates peculiar dolls. Shean is meant to learn from her, but she has other plans.

Shean is an extremely enfuriating character for most of the book. She is extremely self confident and self assured, becoming really arrogant. But the author crafted her and the story around her in a way to show to the reader that she is meant to be perceived this way. She is meant to begin the book as unsympathetic as possible in order for her to begin her journey alongside the story that is told. The self journey that she goes on is hard but rewarding to follow; she does awful things, goes through awful things but she learns a lot. By the end of the book, the person she becomes and the path she embarks on are things that I'm really interested on knowing more about. Ikiisa, on the other hand, is really sympathetic but it's also frustrating to follow what people do to her and to her dolls. It's really sad how she begins the book really beaten down. I really liked seeing her development as well.

I loved the world. The world that author created around the making of the dolls and the magic system around them are so cool to immerse oneself in. It feels whimsical and etheral, just as the writing. The writing really complements the world building. The action scenes are really well crafted and they flow really well they are also well detailed.

I really liked the book and I'm looking forward for the other books in this world.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Overall the book is a great debut, with certain critiques surrounding the character being unlikable and then suddenly growth at the end it could have been more engaging to have it grow more throughout the book. On a personal note chapters. I think that the plot and the magic and the world were interesting and it would be fun to see that developed more through other novels.

The world here completely drew me in, it was so well thought out and built so intricately. I loved the ideas of the dolls and the descriptions of the makers and how they worked and their whole system I found fascinating. I didn't enjoy the main female character, but she did grow on me a little bit. I would have loved some chapter breaks, but the page breaks were mostly good.

Intricate world building and themes of love and loss made this such an interesting, evocative and unique read, really enjoyed this!

This is a beautifully crafted tale that delves into the intricacies of love, loss, and the magic woven into handmade dolls. I was instantly drawn in by the lyrical writing style and the rich, emotive storytelling that brought the characters to life. The exploration of the relationship between creation and the creator added depth that I really appreciated.
However, I did find some plot points a bit predictable, which took away from the overall suspense at times. Still, the heartfelt themes and captivating narrative made it a memorable read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The premise of The Dollmakers was initially intriguing but ultimately did not build into something extraordinary. I attribute this to the simplicity of the plot, which for a 400-page standalone is not all that surprising. The story contains some dark and spooky elements, but we also get a decent dose of cozy vibes - something I typically enjoy albeit not my favorite type of story. To give some comparisons, The Dollmakers felt reminiscent of Studio Ghibli, as described in the official blurb, and Fullmetal Alchemist.

Overall the prose is well done. There are no chapters in the novel, which didn’t bother me due to the various page breaks I used as pausing points.

Although the plot was simple, it was well executed. My main criticism would be many of the mysteries posed to the reader seemed a bit too easy to predict – and to me, the plot relied too heavily on them.

The lead character, Shean, is the overwhelming POV for the first half, as we learn about the world, the magical craft of dollmaking, and the mysterious evil Shod. Shean was written to be flawed and frustrating, which I appreciate at face value. Unfortunately, I had trouble empathizing with her, which resulted in Shean's POV being the least enjoyable to read.

Fortunately, the story gained momentum around 60%, as more conflict was introduced with more POV shifts. I enjoyed the other lead character, Ikissa, who is also flawed, dealing with certain intrapersonal struggles throughout the story that were nice to see represented. And finally, there is the mysterious Rogue, a secondary character with the most interesting POVs and is the MVP in keeping me intrigued by the world and magic system at large.

With a satisfying ending, The Dollmakers is a solid debut showcasing the skill and potential of Bunchanan, an author I'll watch out for.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Harper Voyager for a copy of this ARC.

This was stunning - a phenomenal world building combined with excellent story telling. From the beginning, you'll be absolutely pulled in and captivated. I can't wait for more from Lynn Buchanan.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy of this ARC.

I would like to start off by saying I enjoyed reading about a not so great main character. I usually hate reading about these types of characters but Shean had depth and reason to her ugliness. Besides her dolls compensated for her lack of character. By the end though I do like her more and can't wait to read the continuation of her story.

The author wrote this beautifully. The world building was well described and unique. Has some light mystery sprinkled throughout the book.

Overall I give this five stars for intriguing

This a fantastic new world to delve into! This book, taking place in the country called One (so hoping we can learn more about the other countries in the next book!) which is under attack by the creatures known as Shod. The only thing that can take down these mindless Shod are the dolls that are made with great care and imbued with the breath mark to come alive and protect the people living in the country called One. The story is mostly from the point of view of Shean, a young woman trying to prove herself to be a guard dollmaker in remembrance of her family (also dollmakers) killed in the Red Tide (a massive Shod attack on the city called Pearl). Because she had much to prove and would not accept anything different from what she wanted, she came across as pretty petulant and annoying at first. Luckily, as she discovers secrets and truths and faces down the Shod, she grows and changes into a more mature personality and I grew to quite like her. Her changing is due to the travel to Web and meeting the people there, including the dollmaker Ikiisa (unique in her way with dollmaking and quite the survivor) and the mysterious Roque (who I really hope we will meet again in another book!).

This is definitely the first book in a new series and I can't wait for the next one to come out so I can find out what Shean does with her new knowledge of the Shod and the dolls she will create to solve the problem with the Shod and how maybe the country called One can survive and thrive. Plus I want to see the other countries, like maybe the one called Steep.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced reading copy of this book
Y'all this book is so so good I adored it!!!!! From the very first page, I found myself captivated by this story. It felt oddly familiar and refreshingly original at the same time. The world-building was not only unique but also incredibly accessible, making it easy for me to immerse myself in the story something I typically struggle with especially at the start of most books. I found the descriptions of the world and the dolls especially to be beautiful and engaging, enhancing my enjoyment.
The characters, which is what I care about most given I'm a character driven reader, were incredible. Sean in particular stands out as a very fun character, she was amusingly unlikable and very compelling. Surprisingly, I thoroughly enjoyed being in her head despite her flaws and how inssuferable she gets. Ikasa on the other hand quickly became my favorite; I empathized with her struggles and related deeply to her journey of learning to stand up for herself. It was heartwarming to witness her growth throughout the story.
I also loved the dolls featured in the story; each one we encountered felt distinct and precious in its own right. and they're part of why I hope to read more books in this world I could not get enpugh of them. There is clearly still so much left to explore in this world, especially considering how the story concluded. and while I’m unsure if the author intends to expand on this universe further, I sincerely hope she does and I'm assuming there will be more. Either way I'm more than thrilled about it, the prospect of delving deeper into this enchanting world excites me immensely.