I first read this book when I was about 9 and it quickly became one of my all-time favourites. Cassandra's writing is like poetry and I love the vivid and indulgent descriptions, it really helped form a picture in my mind when I was younger. I've re-read the book about 5 times now and love it every time. I don't think it's creepy or scary at all and I'm really happy to support an Aussie author. I found it to be a captivating and intriguing story of trauma, platonic love and femininity that really captured my attention. Especially towards the end where everything was making alot more sense and being more connected I couldn't put it down! Thankyou Ms. Gold for this amazing book. I think I'll try reading some of her other works soon :) ( )

Read this review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/88376419 - she captures perfectly what I'd like to be able to say about this moving, horrifying, uplifting, and utterly original fable. ( )

I wasn't sure where this book was going with elements of fantasy, mystery, and Gothic horror as Heloise searches for love. Sure to go over the heads of many, but the gruesome scary parts will appeal. ( )

Well, that was strange! So Heloise was a doll in the end, brought to life by her godmother who was Mary Child after all... what a trip. I like how it all came together at the end, and loved the metaphor of Sebastian's prison being the royal castle and he the prince - and loved his happy ending.What I didn't get though was how he'd seen Mary Child/Heloise's godmother only a year beforehand since it seems implied that Heloise had been living there for more than just a year. Unless she was "born" and aged really super-fast so that a year to her could well feel like ten or so. I guess, since she was a doll...I have a small gripe too. On the second page: "They are not wild birds. In fact, they are the kind that usually live their lives in cages - canaries, finches, budgerigars and the like." That the author is Australian and would say that budgies are not wild and usually caged just made me go all grrr. That should have been worded slightly differently, because when I read it I just assumed that the author didn't know that budgies are actually wild birds in Australia. A huge surprise to find that of all the nationalities, the author was Australian! Tch.LOVED the parts with Old Mother and her choir the best, after the very creepy beginning at the house next door to the museum. It was only the last third or so where my interest began to wane a little, thus dropping this down from 4 stars to 3. It's a 3 1/2 though in any case. I like the slightly Victorian feel, though it's given neither a time nor a place. The setting was perfect. ( )

Well, that was strange! So Heloise was a doll in the end, brought to life by her godmother who was Mary Child after all... what a trip. I like how it all came together at the end, and loved the metaphor of Sebastian's prison being the royal castle and he the prince - and loved his happy ending.What I didn't get though was how he'd seen Mary Child/Heloise's godmother only a year beforehand since it seems implied that Heloise had been living there for more than just a year. Unless she was "born" and aged really super-fast so that a year to her could well feel like ten or so. I guess, since she was a doll...I have a small gripe too. On the second page: "They are not wild birds. In fact, they are the kind that usually live their lives in cages - canaries, finches, budgerigars and the like." That the author is Australian and would say that budgies are not wild and usually caged just made me go all grrr. That should have been worded slightly differently, because when I read it I just assumed that the author didn't know that budgies are actually wild birds in Australia. A huge surprise to find that of all the nationalities, the author was Australian! Tch.LOVED the parts with Old Mother and her choir the best, after the very creepy beginning at the house next door to the museum. It was only the last third or so where my interest began to wane a little, thus dropping this down from 4 stars to 3. It's a 3 1/2 though in any case. I like the slightly Victorian feel, though it's given neither a time nor a place. The setting was perfect. ( )