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  • The Curiosity House
  • The Shrunken Head

The Shrunken Head

The Curiosity House #1 / 3
by Lauren Oliver, H. C. Chester
The Shrunken Head (The Curiosity House #1) by Lauren Oliver, H. C. Chester
Unrated

What you will find in this book:

– A rather attractive bearded lady
– Several scandalous murders
– A deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken head
– Four extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilities
– A quite loquacious talking bird

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events. When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.

This sensational new series combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich knowledge of the notorious relics collector H.C. Chester.

What you will NOT find in this book:

– An accountant named Seymour
– A never-ending line at the post office
– Brussel sprouts (shudder)
– A lecture on finishing all your homework on time
– A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boys.

Amazon: Check Best Offer

FantasyYoung AdultMystery
Release date: September 2015

Book Order
Amazon
Kindle
Audible
Amazon CA
Amazon UK
Amazon Europe

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Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver

Lauren Oliver’s writing pulses with a quiet intensity, capturing the raw emotion and complexity of the human experience with every page. A master of blending heartbreak with hope, she is known for creating stories that leave readers not only thinking deeply about the characters and worlds she crafts but also questioning the very nature of time, memory, and self. Whether she’s exploring dystopian futures, young love, or the tangled web of friendship, Oliver’s stories are imbued with a haunting beauty that resonates long after the final chapter.

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Born in the United States and a graduate of the University of Chicago, Lauren has always been drawn to the power of storytelling. Her first novel, Before I Fall, catapulted her into the literary spotlight, where her skill for capturing the intricacies of adolescence and the struggles of self-discovery earned widespread acclaim. The novel's exploration of life, death, and second chances struck a chord with young adult readers, cementing her as a vital voice in contemporary YA fiction.

Oliver’s writing is deeply philosophical, often exploring themes of time, fate, and the choices that define us. Her works like Panic and Delirium delve into the lives of characters in extreme situations, where the boundaries between freedom and control, love and sacrifice, are tested in profound ways. With each new book, she continues to challenge her readers to reflect on their own beliefs and values while offering them characters whose journeys feel both universal and deeply personal.

As an author, Oliver is known for her lyrical, evocative prose that mirrors the complexities of her characters’ inner worlds. She doesn’t shy away from tough questions or difficult emotions, inviting her readers to embrace the uncomfortable parts of life. This vulnerability is part of what makes her work so impactful—the way she can explore universal truths through the lens of her characters, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who reads her books.

Beyond her success as a novelist, Lauren Oliver is also a co-founder of the literary magazine Paper Lanterns, where she was able to share her love for the written word with others. Her works have garnered critical recognition and widespread admiration, and she continues to push the boundaries of storytelling with every new project she undertakes.

For Oliver, the magic lies in the messy, imperfect, and sometimes heartbreaking parts of life. As she writes, she crafts narratives that are raw, real, and ultimately uplifting, reminding readers that even in the face of darkness, there’s always room for growth and light.

The Curiosity House

The Curiosity House consists of three books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

The Shrunken Head (The Curiosity House #1)
Unrated
The Screaming Statue (The Curiosity House #2)
Unrated
The Fearsome Firebird (The Curiosity House #3)
Unrated


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