Review of City of a Thousand Dolls by Miriam Forster

Review of Miriam Forster's City of a Thousand Dolls

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Synopsis as found on GoodReads.com:

An exotic treat set in an entirely original, fantastical world brimming with deadly mystery, forbidden romance, and heart-stopping adventure.

Nisha was abandoned at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls when she was just a child. Now sixteen, she lives on the grounds of the isolated estate, where orphan girls apprentice as musicians, healers, courtesans, and, if the rumors are true, assassins. Nisha makes her way as Matron’s assistant, her closest companions the mysterious cats that trail her shadow. Only when she begins a forbidden flirtation with the city’s handsome young courier does she let herself imagine a life outside the walls. Until one by one, girls around her start to die.

Before she becomes the next victim, Nisha decides to uncover the secrets that surround the girls’ deaths. But by getting involved, Nisha jeopardizes not only her own future in the City of a Thousand Dolls—but her own life.

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Left as a small child at the gates of the City of a Thousand Dolls, Nisha grows up learning from multiple different Masters to be someday sold, as all of the girls who live in the isolated city are. Being trained at one of the 5 houses is an honor that Nisha was never given, seeing as how she was abandoned much older than most of the other girls. She is lucky to become the personal assistant to the Matron of the whole estate and become a courier to all of the houses (Beauty, Pleasure, Music, Jade, & Combat), as well as the Matron's ears, in case there are any girls who are discontent in the life they lead. She is given special permission to practice & learn from the House Masters in Music & Combat, because she has a passion for both... something no other girl is allowed to do.

When mysterious unexplained deaths begin to happen, it is up to Nisha to help solve them. With the help of a clan of lucky spotted cats who live on the property & look out for her (as well as communicate with her through telepathy), Nisha must stop a murderer before one of her friend's are killed next.

With some new & old Asian folklore, Miriam Forster weaves a new and exciting fantasy tale, like one I have never read. This story is packed with action & intrigue all the way through... with a killer that will keep you guessing "whodunit" until the very end.

Look for the sequel, Empire of Shadows in stores November of 2014.