A group of teenagers are granted asylum from the apocalypse, only to be forced to reenact some of the most famous, tragic literary couples... or die.
A novel about escaping psychological abuse.
When the world is breaking all someone wants is safety. A virus that had once been contained has returned, and soon no place will be left untouched. But when eighteen-year-old Cheyenne wakes up in Elysian Fields-a subdivision cut off from the world and its monster-creating virus-she is thrilled to have a chance at survival. At first, Elysian Fields-with its beautiful houses and manicured lawns-is perfect. Teo Richardson, the older man who stole her heart, built it so they could be together. But when Teo tells Cheyenne there are tests that she and seven other couples must pass to be worthy of salvation, Cheyenne begins to question the perfection of his world. The people they were before are gone. Cheyenne is now Persephone, and each couple has been re-named to reflect the most tragic romances ever told. Teo dresses them up, tells them when to move and how to act, and in order to pass the test, they must play along. Play it right, then they'll be safe. But play it wrong, they'll die.
The Dollhouse Asylum is a fast-paced psychological thriller in the vein of Wayward Pines or The Girl with All the Gifts. If you like unpredictable plots, nightmarish settings, and dangerous love interests, then you'll love Gray's novel about escaping unhealthy love.
The Dollhouse Asylum by Mary Gray
The Dollhouse Asylum is not your typical YA read, which is why I loved it. We all love the strong female character in modern literature, but I also enjoy diversity, an exploring of all types of people. Mary Gray does that by giving readers a peek into the inner workings of one girl's emotional journey of learning that the man she adores and looks up to, a former teacher, is actually a stone-cold killer. I found it interesting that the MC struggles with a lot of things women who are abused (both emotionally and physically) struggle with. "But that's not who he really is. He's good underneath it all. He won't do it again now that he knows it hurts me." Fans of Waywardly Pines and The Girl With All the Gifts will probably enjoy this too. - Vanessa Eccles, Goodreads reviewer
The Dollhouse Asylum is many things, but at the end of the day it is a tale of obsessive love gone wrong. It is, in fact, a twisted episode of Criminal Minds with some dystopian undertones. - Teen Librarian Toolbox, teenlibrariantoolbox.com
Don't let the word "Dollhouse" fool you into thinking this is a fluffy girly book. It is a raw, mysterious thriller and I loved every minute of it.- Tyler Jolley
Cheyenne and others from her high school escape the dangers of the outside world to an apparent uptopia. It isn't long before they discover one danger has been replaced by another. Don't plan on getting sleep while reading this book! You will be drawn in from the first page and unable to put down this psychological thriller, and its images will haunt you for days. Perfect for teens with a sense of romance, drama, and danger that will keep them reading to the end without exposing them to inappropriate images or events. - Lynn D. Parsons