I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an interesting read with some minor things I didn't like.

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

I am so glad I was able to read this, it had everything that I was looking for from the description. I thought it was a great debut novel and had that world building that I was hoping for from the genre. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and it worked with everything that I wanted. I enjoyed the way Lynn Buchanan wrote this and left me wanting more.

I enjoyed this so much! This gave me so many feelings, and I can't stress enough how much you should read this if you're interested!

If I had to describe The Dollmakers in one phrase, it would be “brilliantly immersive!” Initially, I didn’t know what to expect from the story, but as soon as I began reading the opening pages, I felt as though I had been transported to another world.

Lynn Buchanan’s debut was, to put it simply, phenomenal. From the world-building to the characters and the overall lore, everything was so vivid that my mind transformed each page into a vibrant scene. This book is described as “perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli films,” a description that is not only accurate but perfectly captures my experience. I’d even suggest there’s a hint of Fullmetal Alchemist influence, at least from my perspective. This comparison is meant as a high compliment since Fullmetal Alchemist, one of my all-time favorite stories, is known for its incredible world-building and character development. Much like The Dollmakers. If this story were ever adapted—which it absolutely should be—I believe only animation could truly do it justice. But for now, I will eagerly wait for the book art in the final version.

Let’s turn our attention to the protagonist, Shean. If you appreciate protagonists who initially come across as somewhat unlikable but undergo significant personal growth, then Shean’s journey will be a delight to follow. She begins as overly ambitious—not a negative trait in itself—hot-headed, and somewhat frustrating. Think of a more self-absorbed Nynaeve from The Wheel of Time, and you’ll have a good idea. That’s not a bug but a feature. This characterization is a credible portrayal of a woman in her early twenties, who is the most talented in her field within her country. TLDR: Shean is the best and she knows it. This type of protagonist is my favorite when done right because it’s deeply satisfying to witness her evolution from the start of her arc to her improved self at the end. Personally, this also makes for a compelling reason to reread the story, following Shean’s growth with the knowledge of where it leads.

Overall, The Dollmakers is an exceptional debut by Lynn Buchanan. It’s imaginative, complex, thought-provoking, and transports the reader to another world. In other words, The Dollmakers is fantasy at its finest. Seriously, don’t miss out on this book when it releases in August—you might miss one of the standout fantasy debuts of 2024.

DNF 2% in

This book does sound super interesting and after it's release I do think I'll give it a second chance. My issue with this book is that there isn't chapters, it is just one big chunk of text without chapter breaks. I think if this had the art that was described in the blurb that would help break it up but with my brain me and big blocks of text without breaks don't get along. The writing was good from the bit I read but I kept getting distracted since there wasn't a marker I was working towards other than the end of the book.

This was an absolute delight! The world building and the concept of doll makers was so fresh. Lynn's writing is very atmospheric and evocative. It creates neat images in your head and you can't stop reading. The MC is unlike any other I have ever read. She is very unlikable and her actions will have your eyes rolling. Nevertheless it's clear that she was intentionally written that way and it was nice to see her character growth. I can't stop thinking about the dolls- they were my favorite thing. Can't wait to read more from this author

If you’re someone who can handle a truly unlikable MC for at least half the measure of a book, then you might have better luck with this book than I did.

I am 100% here for characters behaving badly, but in my opinion, those characters should still make us root for them, even if we know we shouldn’t. Shean, one of our MCs here, did not do that. She’s pretty much insufferable. Imagine the headstrong stupidity and selfishness of Rin from The Poppy War but add elitism and subtract compassion. Shean does eventually grow as a person, but it takes far too long and offers far too little in terms of her earning her redemption.

The book also suffers from clichés and redundancy, with Shean repeating and rephrasing the same ideas over and over within a page or two.

I think this book had some interesting ideas, but ultimately it fell flat for me and I wouldn’t read anything else by this author.

Absolutely amazing story. I really liked everything about it. Just a very unique story. Highly recommend. 10/10

This novel is, in a word, brilliant. If I created a world half as detailed as the one in “The Dollmakers”, I’d be thrilled. I was fully immersed in the story from the very beginning, even with a character that is hard to like. The intro scene packs a punch, and you will be as shocked as the characters who witnessed it. It gets better and better from there.

I was enthralled with the lore, languages, countries and peoples—I want to explore all the other lands, not just One!

I just…I can’t stop raving about this book. It’s phenomenal. This is fantasy at its best. It deserves a full five stars.

I have only two complaints, and the first one is more of an “aw, shucks”: The artwork wasn’t finished in time for the eARC that I received (which is totally understandable, and I’ll be buying the physical book anyway—look at that gorgeous cover!!), and I please, please, please want this to not be a standalone because I need more!! Please write additional stories set in this wonderful, fantastical world!!

Also, a note to the author, I don’t know if you’re doing a book tour, but if you are, please come to Sacramento! I would love to have you sign my copy that I eventually get. 😄

Did I convince you yet? Go get this book when it comes out in August!!

My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Harper Voyager and Lynn Buchanan for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is my first five star read of 2024. The world of One is so interesting. I was immediately drawn into the history of the dolls and doll-making. The variation between all the different dolls and the backstories of the various characters helped flesh out the world and I love it. It made me so intrigued to see where we go from here. Most readers with catch some of the important revelations early on, but that doesn't detract from the overall story. I genuinely cannot wait for book two. If you're looking for a unique cant-put-it-down fantasy book, this one is worth a read.

This was such a stunning debut. I was in love with the world-building immensely and I would love to see this get turn into an animated movie. Shean as a character tested my patience to no end but being able to witness her growth and development was worth it in the end. The artwork for the book are to die for and I'm excited for not only this book release but also to see what Buchanan does next, whether it's set in the same world as The Dollmakers or something else entirely.

An absolutely stunning fantasy! The world is richly detailed, the descriptions are lush and vibrant, the characters are incredibly engaging, and it all comes together to create a perfect package! Highly recommended to any lovers of fantasy! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!