The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan
Author: Lynn Buchanan
Published: 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Synopsis From Goodreads:
In this dark and enchanting stand-alone fantasy from debut author Lynn Buchanan, discover a world centered around destructive, all-consuming monsters; the magical dolls designed to fight this force; and the artisans tasked with creating demon-slaying dolls. A touch cozy fantasy and a touch horror, The Dollmakers is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli films, the works of TJ Kline and Travis Baldree, and readers of Juniper & Thorn and The Goblin Emperor.
In the country called One, dollmakers are vital members of the community. An artisan’s doll is the height of society’s accomplishments, while a guard’s doll is the only things standing between the people of One and the vicious, cobbled monstrosities that will tear apart any structure – living or dead, inanimate or otherwise – to add to their horde. Apprentice Shean of Pearl is a brilliant dollmaker. With her clever dolls, she intends to outsmart and destroy the Shod, once and for all – a destiny she’s worked her whole life toward accomplishing. But when the time comes for her dolls to be licensed, she’s told her work is too beautiful and delicate to fight. A statement that wounds and infuriates her; the Shod killed everyone she loved. How could her fate be anything but fighting them? In an attempt to help her see a new path for herself, Shean’s mentor sends her on a journey to the remote village called Web, urging her to glean some wisdom from Ikiisa, a reclusive and well-respected guard dollmaker. But Shean has another [plan:] if she can convince the village of Web of her talents, the Licensor Guild will have to reconsider and grant her a guard’s license. And what better way to convince them than challenging Ikiisa and instating herself as the official dollmaker of Web? Once she’s done that, proving her dolls’ worth in the fight against the Shod will be simple. As simple, that is, as calling the Shod to Web…
My Take:
When I realized this book was categorized in part as a horror novel, I had misgivings; horror is not a genre I usually read. But it struck me as more of a dark fantasy, and as such, I wanted to give it a chance. I wouldn’t categorize this book as horror; horrible things happen, and yes, they are described in some detail, but it was not the focus of the book. The tone is developed from how the author described this world of wonder. Dolls come to life, people from certain countries seem to be made out of jewels, and spiders make silk for clothing. Danger lurks around every corner, and there are nightmares in the collective subconscious of the country from past events.
As a small child, Shean survived a horrific attack launched by the Shod. Since then, her whole life has focused on creating dolls that will eliminate the Shod. But when life doesn’t go her way, she decides to do whatever it takes to force it to comply. Shean is not a likable character in the beginning. When she is mad, she resorts to violence to get what she wants. As one character describes her later on in the book, she reminded him of a child who had never been told no. And that struck me as a rather accurate description. She refuses to listen to anyone else’s opinion or advice, even her mentor’s, and refuses to acknowledge she’s doing anything wrong; she’s just doing what she has to do to make them see things her way (the only right way). Ah, but lessons are learned, most of them the hard way. And Shean eventually owns the consequences of allowing her pride to ruin everything around her.
This is a stand-alone book, but there are enough hints of story threads of secondary characters, or even of Shean herself, that I wonder if another book set in the country called One will eventually be written. I enjoyed this book enough that I sincerely hope so.
Language:
I counted 3 instances of d—-n in the book. No other foul language was used.
Sexual Content:
Other than remembered kisses or forehead kisses, there is only one kiss in the book. There is one reference to the main character having proved many times over that men like her.
Drug/Alcohol Use:
None
Violence:
One character punches another in the face. There are remembered scenes of a past massacre, gruesome details such as people in pieces or cut in two, monsters dismembering people, seeing bodies with their eyes dug out, or having been cut open and their organs removed. There is fighting between dolls and Shod, with dolls being destroyed and people being injured. There is blood and violent descriptions, but they are brief and not the focal point.
Plot/Storytelling:
This is a fast-paced book with mainly one perspective, but I counted at least six other perspectives being shared throughout the book. There is no banner to indicate a perspective shift, but it is quickly evident who is speaking, and it flows rather smoothly. One issue I did have, though, is the lack of chapters in this book. It may be the way the kindle edition I borrowed from the library was formatted, but the book has an introduction section called The First Dollmaker’s Edicts and a Map page, then stretches for 381 pages with only “pauses” (an extra space between paragraphs with three asterisks in the middle) to break up the storyline. But one bonus: there are a few drawings throughout the book. They are well done; I thoroughly enjoyed them, and they do play into the storyline. They aren’t just additional illustrations.