The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
296 PAGES
Release Date: Oct.22nd, 2013
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: Mythology/Dystopian/Mystery
Level: YA
Rating: 3 STARS
Level: YA
Rating: 3 STARS
Goodreads Summary:
A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched by its destruction. But when Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields--a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus--she is thrilled to have a chance at survival.At first, Elysian Fields,with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns, is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole Cheyenne's heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world.
The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now "Persephone," and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Everyone is fighting to pass the test, to remain in Elysian Fields. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along.
If they play it right, then they'll be safe.
But if they play it wrong, they'll die.
ABOUT THE BIO:
Mary Gray has a fascination with all things creepy. That’s why all her favorite stories usually
involve panic attacks and hyperventilating. In real life, she prefers to type away on her computer, ogle over her favorite TV shows, and savor fiction. When she’s not immersed in other worlds, she and her husband get their exercise by chasing after their three children. The Dollhouse Asylum is her first novel.
Original and haunting, The Dollhouse Asylum is as creepy as it sounds like. Not a horror per se but just the idea and the way Teo is most definitely shudder worthy. I really wasn't exactly sure of how Mary Gray would go about writing this book because it's a lot of of different elements (mythology, dystopian/sci-fi, mystery, romance) all in one book and coexisting. I wouldn't say it was a perfect blend of them since it would sometimes overlap each other and wouldn't mix well but it was done well enough for me to like it and enough that it didn't get confusing. The thing about this book is that it raises so many questions and you don't get much of them answered till later in the story. I did happen to foreshadow the twist in the book which is honestly one of the most awesome things I've ever read.
Cheyenne was actually someone I had a problem with in the beginning of the story. I do know her personality was purposely created to be like that and I can't help but get really really get irritated by characters like that. However, we do see a change in her perspective and it makes her seem more of a teen/young adult than she was before. I enjoyed the mythology/fictional couple part of the book quite a lot. It made me giddy to know I figured out who was who before the connection was made as to who they represented.
A complex character, Teo could have used a bit more work in the character development area. Like I actually do see what Cheyenne saw in him when they were together especially in that one moment/scene where it's all super cute and sweet and an "AWWW moment". As the evil character in the book, if the purpose was for the readers to get attached to him then it would've helped to see his softer side a bit more. But if he was just a character someone shouldn't have feelings for then evil is good.
MARCUS. *clings* I basically shipped Cheyenne and Marcus right when we get introduced to him. I wasn't sure if he was meant to be a possible love interest in the book so there was quite a bit of anticipation for them to have their moments and be together :P An advice to you all; Ship Cheyenne and Marcus. Go ahead and love Teo if he's your kind of guy but just not with Cheyenne. ;D
Even though it had some flaws, The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray did a great job in having me swept away once again into a story and is a novel most should enjoy. If you're up for the thrill, evilness/creepiness, yet creative story that bumps heads with different genres, this is the book for you. I wouldn't recommend this to contemporary readers because I don't think it would be something a contemp reader would enjoy with everything that goes on. It's hard to pinpoint what type of reader would like it but I think one is just based purely on whether this is your type of book or not.
~GIVEAWAY~
No comments:
Post a Comment
We love to read your comments! Please note that Books As You Know It is an award free blog. While we appreciate the honor and support, we don't have any time to make a post for it. Thank you though!