The Fifth Doll

The Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Paper Magician Series transports readers to a darkly whimsical world where strange magic threatens a quiet village. Matrona lives in an isolated village, where her life is centered on pleasing her parents. Shes diligent in her chores and has agreed to marry a man of their choosing. But a visit to Slava, the local tradesman, threatens to upend her entire life. Entering his empty house, Matrona discovers a strange collection of painted nesting dollsone for every villager. Fascinated, she cant resist the urge to open the doll with her fathers face. But when her father begins acting strangely, she realizes Slavas dolls are much more than they seem. When he learns what shes done, Slava seizes the opportunity to give Matrona stewardship over the dollswhether she wants it or not. Forced to open one of her own dolls every three days, she falls deeper into the grim power of Slavas creations. But nothing can prepare her for the profound secret hiding inside the fifth doll. See more