Review: Help yourself to some nightmare fuel!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 23, 2012
As a child I was given a doll that had eyes that opened and closed depending on whether it was lying down or upright. I loved that doll...until the eyes unexpectedly popped open while in its little crib. Naturally, I've lived a doll free life ever since! So, as I love a good masochistic scare every so often, I thought I'd give this short story a try.And a scare is EXACTLY what I got.For a short story/novella, this little gem packs a massive punch. The storyline is expertly woven, with the perfect setting chosen for the legend behind the 'doll tree'. The author creates a tense and foreboding atmosphere from the get-go with vividly descriptive imagery so well done that it transports the reader into the horrifying yet believable world she created. I was in a constant state of 'edge-of-my-seat' tension and had to read the book in one sitting.To be honest, the ending is more disturbing and terrifying than I expected. Good old fashioned nightmare fuel. I'm pretty stingy with my star ratings when writing a review. I give books 4 stars that exceed expectations based on plot, character development, editing, writing style, and level of enjoyment. This book easily gets 4 stars, but I gave it 5. No matter how fantastic a book is, I will ONLY give 5 stars if the book stays with me long after I've finished reading it. I read this short story/novella months ago. It's remained fresh in my mind and I still find myself thinking about it every so often. This book will haunt you long after you've finished reading it-it has staying power and that is what lies at the heart of every great read.I highly recommend this book. If you aren't afraid of dolls before you read this, you may find yourself eyeing them warily afterward...