Publishers Weekly
06/24/2024
A woman’s quest to prove herself goes awry in Buchanan’s inventive if uneven debut, set in a world besieged by a horde of ravenous monsters called the Shod. Orphaned in an attack by the Shod at a young age, brilliant, arrogant Shean has devoted her life to building sentient dolls, the only weapon proven effective against the monsters. When, on the day of her licensing as a dollmaker, she is told her dolls are fit to be art, not fighters, she sets out on her own, determined to prove her worth. She hatches a scheme to challenge and displace Ikiisa, the dollmaker guarding the tiny village of Web, but finds the task more challenging than expected. While Buchanan’s premise and magic system are fresh and Shean’s character arc is satisfying, a tendency to introduce new lore just before it becomes necessary to the plot, and characters who often pause during action sequences to ponder or reminisce, slow the pace and add unnecessary baggage to the story. This ambitious outing may not completely hit the mark, but fans of empowering feminist fantasy will find it worth a look. Agent: Matt Bialer, Sanford J. Greenburger Assoc. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
"An engaging new voice with excellent worldbuilding. I enjoyed The Dollmakers, and can't wait to see what is next!" — New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson
"A unique tale of self-discovery and transformation, filled with fabulous magic and monsters, featuring a stunning character arc with an immensely satisfying ending. I couldn't put it down!"
— Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Spellshop
"The Dollmakers is an evocative and engaging fantasy filled with a lush worldbuilding and a killer, creepy premise. The doll magic system is one of the most creative and unique magic systems I've ever read. Shean is a complex character that grows with the reader as they continue along a dark journey toward that light in the far distance. Buchanan has written an absolutely captivating debut, and I can't wait to read their next book." — Wesley Chu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Prophecy
"Buchanan’s novel echoes with alluring nostalgia that’s sure to ensnare others to the very end." — Library Journal
"This beautifully written dark fantasy is a fascinating read ... Arrogant, willful Shean is as unlikable as they come at first, but her redemption arc, as she grows in empathy and self-realization, truly satisfies." — Booklist
"The Dollmakers is guaranteed to be a contender for one of the strongest fantasy debuts of the year 2024."
— Petrik Leo, Novel Notions
"Never before have I had so much fun rooting for a character I hate." — Dan Wells
Library Journal
06/01/2024
DEBUT Buchanan's debut novel introduces her world of the Fallen Peaks. In a country called One, strange beasts burst from the wilds, with deadly results. The only force capable of defeating them are magical dolls, guided by their creators. However, when Shean's years of training as a dollmaker culminate in failure (her dolls are deemed unfit for combat), she reacts with unnecessary violence, destructive childish tantrums, and a plan to steal a stranger's livelihood and endanger their home. Readers who appreciate redemption arcs for unlikable protagonists will enjoy the self-awareness that begins to spark in the latter half of the novel. Before then, the story splits its focus between Shean's less-than-righteous anger and worldbuilding that moves beyond the scope of this novel. Readers get strong glimpses of a deadly threat that's likely to be explored in future Fallen Peaks books. Whether Shean will appear again is unclear, as the novel's conclusion ties her to the greater conflict but also leaves space for her to pursue new dreams off-page. VERDICT Though the unlikable protagonist may discourage some readers, Buchanan's novel echoes with alluring nostalgia that's sure to ensnare others to the very end.—Matthew Galloway
