Book: Doll Boy 

Author: mintaftertaste

Description: "He smiled, despite the pain."

For his heart must be filled with love that he never received.

Link: http://www.wattpad.com/story/18842116-doll-boy-completed

Status: Complete

My Review: Doll Boy by mintasfterpaste is an exceptionally good story, dealing with issues related to Life and Love. Love... Love can be elusive for most of us. Very fortunate people are blessed with finding their true love. A Love that is pure, selfless and unconditional. Doll Boy deals with one such tale of love where the guy who didn't even knew if he was going to live or not, got lucky enough to find a once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, in Ayna, who was seen loving him despite so many highs and lows and even with the distances. I am sorry, I won't give away more about the characters or story, as it will ruin the mystery, the plot holds. But, I can assure you that when you read the story you will not be able to stop yourself from going with flow, you will relate to Ayna, you will sympathise with Eugene and you will find yourself wishingfor them to be together at the end. There are moments that will make your heart whimper and then there will be moments when you will be saying words like aww..cute..wow. 

But, let me mention it to you that "Doll Boy" is not just about love but a lot more than that. The Truth about life, the pain and suffering one has to go through, the battles one has to face trying to survive dealing with their fate and finding happiness has been very expertly described by the author. She has made the characters express themselves, very nicely, sending her message to readers through the story. Reading about Eugene and Ayna, might end up feeling like it's about someone you know for real.

The plot was interesting and well-crafted with a few plot twists she managed to maintain the mystery the plot needed to leave it's readers wondering what shall happen next. And, that is such a good thing. Her writing style is applaudable. Personally, I loved it. The Author notes were educative and inspiring

Final words : A Read Once will tell you I am so right with whatever I said. And, You might find yourself looking back into few scenes again, because they were just too wonderful and worth a second read. I did so. ;)

 Interview with mintafterpaste

 1) Tell us about yourself

> Hi my name is Sam (that's a nickname and short version of my name. I don't feel comfortable sharing my full name for personal reasons. I'm in my twenties, but my writing level is below average, its high school level so bear with me. I like science and plan to pursue a career in that field. Writing is a hobby I've gained in the past year.

2) What's the earliest memory you have of writing a story/poem?

> I had to write about what would happen to the world if the sun didn't exist ;p

It was in grade six. ;p

I got a B on it XD

3) What inspires you to write?

> Anything. but sometimes, I'd rather just not share. I've planned plenty of stories but had to scrap a lot because of time, and the audience' mentality-mature theme and so on.

For ex: I wrote a short story and posted two chapters of it. it was called "Black out" it was about a rape victim not getting justice and the male offender walking away without being punished / basically it was from the antagonist perspective.

It drove me insane, and affected me emotionally. So I scrapped it away. Perhaps I'll be able to post it again sometime in the future.

4) How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?

> I love all my stories, there's no favourites. There's no "ugh I hate this. why did I write this" :p

5) How do you keep your plots unpredictable without sacrificing believability?

> I don't. there's plenty of plot holes, and I had to edit a couple of times after I posted my chapters. I suck! I mix up names, mix up stories.

but I just try to imagine what If I was writing a movie script or something ;p

that's exciting isn't it?

6) Things you can relate to:

Movie: Lean on Me. It was inspirational and basically a statement against any form of racism. I grew up being harassed because of where I came from and it pissed me off!

So this movie was the best thing ever! it really pumped my confidence in myself!

Book : Lucas by Kevin Brooks- basically saying that you can be an outsider and still be able to live normally and be loved, and liked and respected. You don't have to conform, and you don't have to fit in.

It's ok to be different.

Song: Lorde- Buzzcut Season- Reality check for us all man. The lyrics aren't even symbolic. It's all true to every one. It's a reflection of our deteriorating society.

Quote/sayings - nope don't have one. Haven't read a published work in a LONG time ;p

About the Book :

1) Doll Boy isn't the usual romance story. It had more depths in it. What inspired you to write Doll Boy?

> Frankly. It's not even a romance. I mean Eugene and Anya ...yea. sure they end up together. But I was showing something more you know. I was showing how a sick kid's life is a living hell. How he copes with his life and how he treats others because of it.

I was inspired by someone on this site actually. I know a doll boy.

He and I used to talk a lot and he told me about his sick life.

We don't talk anymore though. but if we did. This book would be dedicated to him.

2) What was the hardest thing about writing this book?

> The dialogue, I wanted to hit solid gold with the realistic conversations, struggles and frustrations the characters face. Be it Anya or Eugene.

3) How you chose the title and character's name?

> Character's name was just something unique and I looked at baby boy names on internet.

Title: I use to call someone doll boy

4) Cover plays an important role as it gives hindsights to the story. Your's is a perfect one. Who designed the cover?

> ME. :D I changed a couple of times. I was just trying to show the oddly beautiful vibe Eugene would've given Anya. I wanted you to feel what she felt.

5) There were many moments in the story that was quite relate able.What is your favorite moment in the story?

> The parents. how they always compare siblings and to other kids.

We're never good enough are we?

I just wanted to put my anger and voila. I integrated it within a story!

6) There are quite a few plot twisting and cliff hangers. How do you deal with them to make your story more interesting?

> I always make the reader question what happened in the chapter. and make them reflect on it and connect the dots to a bigger moral.

I want them to come back and think over their own experiences and try to answer some of the problems in the story according to their own views.

About the Characters:

7) Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of while writing this book and what did you do?

> It was in july when I just started writing the story

why the hell did I decide this was a short story. Why didn't I write a full blown novel! GAHHH!

I'm glad I didn't write a full blown story. I would have to write too much romance.

I can't write romance. I won't...because I haven't experienced it yet. ;P

8) One Good and Bad thing about :

a) Anya : she's persistent but naive. a part of me hates that Eugene and Anya are together.

b) Eugene : There's nothing I like about his character. I don't like arrogant guys. The only thing I liked about him was that he wasn't promiscuous.

c) Dylan- loved that he cared about Anya . I HATE MYSELF FOR NOT GIVING HIM A GOOD ENDING DX

Enjoy Reading!

Thank you.

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