The Dark Carousel (Books 2, 3 and 4) by Anya Allyn

This box sets contains the final 3 books of the Dark Carousel quadrilogy started with the Dollhouse book.  Our main protagonists are, once again, Ethan and Cassie and events take up where we left off after Cassie's escape from the mysterious Dollhouse.  Billed as being a supernatural horror I felt that this was eminently misleading.  The books soon become less supernatural horror and more a weird blend of the gothic and science fiction.  They do not make easy bed fellows and it did become a bit of a trial to finish the series.

I have reviewed each book independently but there is a brief synopsis below:

Paper Dolls - 4 Stars
This is a great follow up to the Dollhouse and follows the fortunes of Cassie, Ethan and the rest after the escape from their captivity.  More importantly it gives us the backstory on Jessamine and Henry.  It is a gripping read and really holds your interest right until the last when things begin to devolve from the Castle and moves in to it's reaches in to their World.

Marionette - 2 Stars
Set more in the Ice World than the Castle this book does not flow as well as the first two.  In actual fact, there is probably more action in the Castle and more information about it than you at first think.  This is because, for me, the Castle sections were devoured rather than read and the juxtaposition with the Ice World simply does not live up to expectations in any way, shape or form.

Paper Dolls - 2 Star
Yet more disappointment with a heavier Science Fiction approach to the tale this time.  Sadly spoilt by events being set up and then discarded with a hidden ellipsis as though you will come back to ratify them but it never happens.  No real conclusion to the tale either which leaves it all hanging rather precariously and the reader feeling disenchanted.

My advice is read Dollhouse and Paper Dolls - they really are excellent.  However, Marionette and Music Box bring little new to the table and only serve to frustrate.  In fact, Dollhouse stands on it's own with an ending (of sorts) so maybe just leave it there as Paper Dolls does lure you in to books 3 and 4.