My Review of The Dollmakers: A Novel from the Fallen Peaks by Lynn Buchanan

As an avid fantasy reader and aspiring author, I love checking out debut authors and their novels. When I heard about The Dollmakers by Lynn Buchanan through Brandon Sanderson’s endorsement, my interest was immediately piqued. This dark fantasy promises a unique blend of Studio Ghibli-esque whimsy with a sinister edge, making it a must-read in my books. (I watch Spirited Away probably at least one a year!)

Buchanan is one of Sanderson’s mentees, which adds an extra layer of intrigue to the book as Brandon Sanderson is pretty much my favorite author of all time. I’m particularly drawn to stories that push creative boundaries and offer fresh perspectives in the fantasy realm. The premise of The Dollmakers seems to do just that, combining familiar elements with an innovative twist.

If you’re curious about this novel, I just finished reading it, so here is a full (spoiler-free) review of The Dollmakers.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links below, which means if you make a purchase after clicking on one, I may earn a commission. Full Disclaimer here.

Overview

4 Stars

Read if you like

• Well written, character driven stories

• Studio Ghibli movie vibes

• Intriguing world building

Pass if you don’t like

• Reading unlikable main characters (at least, in the beginning)

• Somewhat predictable plots

• Chapterless books

Plot

The main character is Shean, a talented apprentice Dollmaker from the city called Pearl with grand ambitions. Dollmakers bring dolls to life through careful craftmanship and application of the Breath Mark, and they play a crucial role in society in the country called One as servants, toys, and guards against the terrifying monsters known as the Shod.

Shean dreams of crafting dolls to defeat the Shod, but her plans hit a snag when her creations are deemed too beautiful and delicate for combat, and she is given an artisan’s license instead. Frustrated and determined to prove herself, she embarks on a journey to the remote village of Web.

Her goal? To challenge Ikiisa, a renowned guard dollmaker, and win over the locals by proving her dolls are better than Ikiisa’s.

Essentially, this is a coming-of-age story that is as old as time and one I’m sure many people can relate to on some level. (i.e. young people who think they know everything and get a shocking wake-up call.)

The plot’s pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but the world was unique enough to keep me turning the pages for those first few chapters until I was hooked.

There is some predictability to the story, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. (In a way, aren’t most books somewhat predictable? The hero always learns an important lesson and wins the day in the end, for instance.)

Although billed as a standalone, I sense there are plenty more stories to be told about the world this book is based in. It had a satisfying ending, but there were a few tantalizing threads of intrigue left dangling at the end to make you wonder if there will be more books to follow. 

Themes and Motifs

My favorite theme in the book is the examination of weakness vs. strength. Each character views certain aspects about themselves (or their dolls) as a weakness. For example, Shean is given an artisan license instead of a guard license at the beginning of the book, and she views that to be an utter failure, convinced that her dolls are meant to fight Shod.

But life is never that simple. What is a weakness to some people is a strength to others. And there is this overarching theme that everyone’s contributions are unique and special in their own way.

Self-confidence plays a big role too. One of the main characters grapples with self-doubt and insecurities as they try to establish their identities. I found it interesting to see how they gradually build confidence in their abilities and choices.

Another key theme is discovering one’s purpose in life. The characters are on a quest to figure out what they’re meant to do, which resonated with me. It’s not an easy journey, but it’s an important one.

I appreciated how the story explores the idea that our callings aren’t confined by labels or expectations. The characters learn to look beyond societal norms to find what truly fulfills them.

The motif of craftsmanship runs throughout the narrative. It serves as a metaphor for personal growth and self-expression. I saw how creating dolls became a way for characters to understand themselves better.

World-Building

The world-building is one of my favorite things about this book. Buchanan’s vibrant and intriguing world definitely captures that magical Studio Ghibli feel, making me feel like I was watching an anime unfold in my mind’s eye.

The illustrations scattered throughout added an extra layer of charm. I love it when adult books include artwork! (Can’t we make that the norm?)

At the heart of this world is a unique magic system based on “Marks.” These special symbols, when drawn on objects, create specific effects. The Breath mark brings dolls to life, for instance.

In this realm, dolls serve as guardians, servants, and playthings. But not just anyone can create them – you need to be a licensed dollmaker. Each craftsperson has their own distinct style and flair.

I loved the concept of this magical system. The book left me craving more information about other types of Marks and their capabilities.

While the story provides a solid foundation, there’s still plenty of mystery surrounding the dolls and Marks. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for future books to dive deeper into this captivating world.

Characters

I found the characters in The Dollmakers to be incredibly well-crafted. Shean, the main protagonist, is a super polarizing character in the beginning – she has a strong and stubborn personality and quite frankly, is kind of a brat. But as I kept reading, I watched her grow and change in a way that felt genuine. You just have to push through that first part of the book and have faith in her character arc.

Shean’s clever dolls are characters with their own personalities too. I particularly loved Silver, her lifelike masterpiece. It’s amazing how the author gave these inanimate objects such distinct personalities, especially considering the dolls don’t speak.

Ikiisa, the Dollmaker of Web, was another of my favorite characters. As someone who can be a bit introverted and self-deprecating myself, I related to her. She’s a shut-in who is a prolific dollmaker, but her dolls so closely resemble the Shod that people shun her for it, which has created a lot of self-doubt in herself.

Then there’s Roque, a mysterious stranger Shean meets along the way. Although he and Shean hit it off, you definitely get the impression that he has his own agenda.

What I appreciated most was how each character felt unique and three-dimensional. They all had their quirks and flaws, which made them feel real to me and able to fully invest in the story.

Writing Style

Lynn Buchanan has a great voice in her writing, and it shines through in this fantasy debut. She has an elegant yet clear writing style, without any flowery language or overly complex prose. Instead, her words flow smoothly, painting vivid pictures without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

It’s not easy to write beautifully while keeping things easy to follow, but Buchanan pulls it off. Her prose has a graceful quality that elevates the story without distracting from it.

I appreciated how the narrative style allowed for intimate character insights. By using close third-person, Buchanan gives readers direct access to the characters’ inner worlds, which helped me connect with them on an emotional level.

Overall, I’d describe the writing as polished yet accessible. It has a literary flair without feeling pretentious or difficult to read.

One odd thing that stood out to me was that the book has no chapters at all, only scene breaks. It’s a small thing, but I’m a girl who likes chapters. It gives me a chance to reflect on what I just read, and makes for a natural point to put the book down.

Final Thoughts and Rating

Overall, I give The Dollmakers a solid four stars out of five and it’s one of the most promising fantasy debuts I’ve read this year. Its strengths far outweigh any minor issues, and I expect many more great things to come from this author!

Personally, I’m hopeful for a sequel or companion novel. There’s so much more to explore in this unique setting!

If you enjoy imaginative fantasy with a touch of mystery, I highly recommend giving The Dollmakers a try. It’s a memorable journey into a world unlike any other.

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