The Dollmakers

In this dark and enchanting stand-alone fantasy from debut author Lynn Buchanan--complete with black and white illustrations and a full-wrap illustrated cover--discover a world centered around destructive, all-consuming monsters; the magical dolls designed to fight this force; and the artisans tasked with creating demon-slaying dolls. A touch cozy fantasy and a touch horror, The Dollmakers is perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli films, the works of TJ Klune and Travis Baldree, and readers of Juniper & Thorn and The Goblin Emperor. In the country called One, dollmakers are vital members of the community. An artisans doll is the height of societys accomplishments, while a guards doll is the only thing standing between the people of One and the Shod: vicious, cobbled monstrosities that will tear apart any structureliving or dead, inanimate or otherwiseto add to their horde. Apprentice Shean of Pearl is a brilliant dollmaker. With her clever dolls, she intends to outsmart and destroy the Shod, once and for alla destiny shes worked her whole life toward accomplishing. But when the time comes for her dolls to be licensed, shes told her work is too beautiful and delicate to fight. A statement that wounds and infuriates her; the Shod killed everyone she loved. How could her fate be anything but fighting them? In an attempt to help her see a new path for herself, Sheans mentor sends her on a journey to the remote village called Web, urging her to glean some wisdom from Ikiisa, a reclusive and well-respected guard dollmaker. But Shean has another plan: if she can convince the village of Web of her talents, the Licensor Guild will have to reconsider and grant her a guards license. And what better way to convince them than challenging Ikiisa and instating herself as the official dollmaker of Web? Once shes done that, proving her dolls worth in the fight against the Shod will be simple. As simple, that is, as calling the Shod to Web...