womanon's review
4.0
Okay, I did not expect to love this book so much! I was wholly immersed, and was extremely sad when I finished it. I definitely would have wanted to stay in this world longer!
lauding_42's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sunshine169's review
4.0
Pirouette is a girl who comes to life. Born from wood and blood, under a blue moon, with the incantation of forbidden magic uttered by her father, Tavia's master puppetmaster. Piro, as she is called, learns the skills of the trade under his tutelage and becomes a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Coming from wood herself, she has that extra special connection with her craft. The wood speaks to her. A skill she would come to need if she is to save her father's life after he is captured by Tavia's ruler, The Margrave. In her father's stead Prio has to tirelessly work to finish an impossible order of life-sized marionette wooden soldiers and an assassin. With the approaching blue moon, Piro begins to question the intents of The Margrave and his son.
Puppetmaster's Apprentice is a fantasy novel and a retelling of the classics Pinocchio and Frankenstein. Lisa DeSelm's writing is beautiful and she weaved an enchanting story that is perfect for the fall. I am undecided if the romance element was necessary. The story would have been enjoyable all the same even with its omission..
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Puppetmaster's Apprentice is a fantasy novel and a retelling of the classics Pinocchio and Frankenstein. Lisa DeSelm's writing is beautiful and she weaved an enchanting story that is perfect for the fall. I am undecided if the romance element was necessary. The story would have been enjoyable all the same even with its omission..
Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
rachel_abby_reads's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
Pirouette is born of wood and blood. Her father (Gephardt) is the village puppetmaster. His wife died in childbirth, the child with it, and was living a lonely life. He's visited by a forest fairy figure who tells him that he can bring one of his puppets to life under a blue moon, if he says a certain spell. He carves a detailed marionette, about eleven years old, and brings her to life under the full blue moon. But the spell is secret, and magic is forbidden. If anyone knows what Gephardt did, where Piro came from, they'll both be killed. So they keep this secret, knowing the risk.
There is more risk for Piro. If she tells a lie, a splinter drives from inside of her to the outside of her body, piercing her - there's no telling where the splinter will emerge, but it will hurt and it could be visible.
In addition, their village is under the rule of a despot and his sickly, strange legitimate son. They have commissioned (and Gep and Piro were voluntold - they can't refuse) 100 life-size soldier puppets. Failing to provide this order will be fatal, but the Margrave (ruler) isn't particular about paying appropriately. It's a costly order and it doesn't seem to portend any good thing.
It was interesting and engaging. It wasn't a damsel in distress story, though there is an element of romance. It's not really a profound character study, but it was an interesting take on (as has been noted elsewhere) Pinocchio and Frankenstein.
Worth a read; I would read more from this author, but I don't know if I'll reread the book.
Pirouette is born of wood and blood. Her father (Gephardt) is the village puppetmaster. His wife died in childbirth, the child with it, and was living a lonely life. He's visited by a forest fairy figure who tells him that he can bring one of his puppets to life under a blue moon, if he says a certain spell. He carves a detailed marionette, about eleven years old, and brings her to life under the full blue moon. But the spell is secret, and magic is forbidden. If anyone knows what Gephardt did, where Piro came from, they'll both be killed. So they keep this secret, knowing the risk.
There is more risk for Piro. If she tells a lie, a splinter drives from inside of her to the outside of her body, piercing her - there's no telling where the splinter will emerge, but it will hurt and it could be visible.
In addition, their village is under the rule of a despot and his sickly, strange legitimate son. They have commissioned (and Gep and Piro were voluntold - they can't refuse) 100 life-size soldier puppets. Failing to provide this order will be fatal, but the Margrave (ruler) isn't particular about paying appropriately. It's a costly order and it doesn't seem to portend any good thing.
It was interesting and engaging. It wasn't a damsel in distress story, though there is an element of romance. It's not really a profound character study, but it was an interesting take on (as has been noted elsewhere) Pinocchio and Frankenstein.
Worth a read; I would read more from this author, but I don't know if I'll reread the book.
metaphorsandmisc's review
5.0
4.5/5, rounded up, review coming soon.
Side note, the world needs more Pinocchio retellings; this one was awesome.
Side note, the world needs more Pinocchio retellings; this one was awesome.
dinipandareads's review
4.0
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by Caffeine Book Tours. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars
Wow, I can't believe this is a debut novel because I honestly can't find one bad thing to say about it. The writing was luscious and magical, the characters were filled with life, and it was just as creepy and atmospheric as that gorgeous cover portrays it to be. I was never a huge fan of Pinnochio growing up because that movie scared the life out of me, and I still need to read Frankenstein, but the combination intrigued me and I'm so glad that I had the chance to read this! It's definitely one of the more unique YA fantasies I've read in a while.
It's clear the minute you start reading that this is a fairytale but it's a bit of a twisted one. There's an oppressive atmosphere that hovers over the village and its people, despite the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that sits in stark contrast to the old, still, and creepy forest that teems with the lively whispering of the trees. DeSelm's writing was a treat to read. It's so richly descriptive without being purple and it made the story and characters truly come alive. There's a spookiness that is weaved through the words that steadily increases as the story unfolds and it really notches up the creepy factor, especially towards the end. Let me tell you, if I wasn't already wary of puppets and dolls, this book would've solidified those feelings because... Oof, y'all, they aren't things to be messed with!
Wow, I can't believe this is a debut novel because I honestly can't find one bad thing to say about it. The writing was luscious and magical, the characters were filled with life, and it was just as creepy and atmospheric as that gorgeous cover portrays it to be. I was never a huge fan of Pinnochio growing up because that movie scared the life out of me, and I still need to read Frankenstein, but the combination intrigued me and I'm so glad that I had the chance to read this! It's definitely one of the more unique YA fantasies I've read in a while.
It's clear the minute you start reading that this is a fairytale but it's a bit of a twisted one. There's an oppressive atmosphere that hovers over the village and its people, despite the hustle and bustle of everyday life, that sits in stark contrast to the old, still, and creepy forest that teems with the lively whispering of the trees. DeSelm's writing was a treat to read. It's so richly descriptive without being purple and it made the story and characters truly come alive. There's a spookiness that is weaved through the words that steadily increases as the story unfolds and it really notches up the creepy factor, especially towards the end. Let me tell you, if I wasn't already wary of puppets and dolls, this book would've solidified those feelings because... Oof, y'all, they aren't things to be messed with!
hadiqa01's review
They say don't judge a book by its cover, and unfortunately, that's exactly what I do. Gorgeous gorgeous cover! Man! a nice cover can make a lot of difference. For sure.
That being said, but how was the book?
Hmm... mixed feelings? The beginning is enchantingly beautiful and very magical I say. I think it's one of those books that would do very well as a movie. But reading it... I felt it a little dry as I was getting deeper into it. Picked it up several times on different occasions but failed to feel the magic and had to drop it, I'm sad to say that. Really.
No doubt a great story. Absolutely enchanting.
That being said, but how was the book?
Hmm... mixed feelings? The beginning is enchantingly beautiful and very magical I say. I think it's one of those books that would do very well as a movie. But reading it... I felt it a little dry as I was getting deeper into it. Picked it up several times on different occasions but failed to feel the magic and had to drop it, I'm sad to say that. Really.
No doubt a great story. Absolutely enchanting.
meaganchurch's review
5.0
Lisa’s writing is both magical and enchanting. In this fairytale retelling of Pinocchio (but with a female lead!), the description pulls the reader into the story, making us feel as though we are in the world alongside the characters. Beautiful. Magical. Mystical. Can’t wait for her next book!