Make-believe is an ever-adapting game of the mind that continually morphs and grows, however, there comes a point, which no one can pinpoint exactly, when a child has grown too much to play this game any longer... or so parents think. Zach's Dad thinks he has reached this time in his life. As a new Middle School student, he feels he should focus on other games (real games), like basketball. When Zach continues to create the fantastical world of pirates, mermaids, and thieves that is ruled by the Great Queen, and even china doll that is forever imprisoned in the china cabinet, his Dad decides to take matters into his own hands. He collects his figures and places them in the trash, thinking his son will easily move on, but he is crushed and left angry, depressed and unsure of how to break the horrible news to his make-believe playmates, Poppy and Alice.
In the end, all he decides to lie to his friends and act as if he truly no longer wants to play with them. With such an abrupt end to their game, both girls are left in disbelief and it seems their friendship has ended as well. However, Poppy is relentless in telling them that she has been visited by a girl in her dreams that insists the Queen be buried in her empty grave in order for her to find rest.
As a ploy to get her to leave it alone, Zach and Alice finally agree to take part in the expedition. From the beginning everything that can go wrong does and things get creepier by the moment. The doll seems to be more than a doll, ghosts become believable, and all start to wonder if their lives have turned into a horrible game.
Despite, the dark aura of Doll Bones, it was one of the bright lights of my summer reads. Holly Black captures the uncertainty of transitioning from child to teenager, the numbing idea of the reality of ghosts, and the strength of childhood friendships.
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