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haleyandherbooks's review against another edition
This is a gender flipped re-imagination of Pinnochio and I am here for it!
The writing is so lovely, almost lyrical. I absolutely loved Pirouette's connection to the trees and the whole idea behind giving the wood new life. The magic system was so unique and just - uhhhhh beautiful. I loved the sense of community between the makers in the village.
I thoroughly enjoyed my read through and the magical way DeSelm gave this story new life.
The writing is so lovely, almost lyrical. I absolutely loved Pirouette's connection to the trees and the whole idea behind giving the wood new life. The magic system was so unique and just - uhhhhh beautiful. I loved the sense of community between the makers in the village.
I thoroughly enjoyed my read through and the magical way DeSelm gave this story new life.
maviii's review against another edition
4.0
So pleasantly surprised by this book. I have a blog tour stop coming on my blog on October 11th! But spoiler: I loved it.....
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this book.
https://readingonastar.wordpress.com/
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an arc of this book.
https://readingonastar.wordpress.com/
forest_reader's review against another edition
4.0
This book is the perfect Halloween read! It has forbidden magic, a medieval-type setting, puppets, and an enchanting blue moon. I've been waiting for a solid YA fantasy the past couple weeks, and this one fulfilled my expectations. Piro is an engaging character, and the plot (though predictable) is entertaining. The writing has a storytelling feel to it, like listening to a fairytale. I'd readily recommend this one.
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4
Thank you, Page Street Publishing, for the review copy!
Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4
Thank you, Page Street Publishing, for the review copy!
gamwyn's review against another edition
5.0
THE PUPPETMASTER’S APPRENTICE is a gender-flipped reimagining of Pinocchio with elements of Frankenstein and it is SO PHENOMENAL. The writing is absolutely gorgeous, the world-building and characterization nuanced and gripping, and the story itself carries you along with the effortless feel of a classic fairytale, while remaining innovative and unique. This book is STUNNING.
thereadingchemist's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up
I was immediately drawn to this story with the comparison Pinocchio meets Frankenstein. I am a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially when they are on the darker side. That being said, while I still enjoyed The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice, I envisioned a much darker story reminiscent of Kiersten White’s The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein.
Pirouette ‘Piro’ is the daughter of the renowned puppetmaster. Unlike everyone else, Pirouette’s father brought her to life using magic under the blue moon. Pirouette trains under her father as his apprentice, honing the craft as her own. When Pirouette is faced with dire circumstances, she has no choice but to create marionettes for the Margrave even if the nature in which he intends to use them is evil.
The prose in this book is beautiful and delicate, which is also how I felt about Pirouette for the first 50 percent of the book. Pirouette is dedicated to both her father and her craft. While I enjoyed her character, I much preferred the paradigm shift that we see in the latter half of the book. Pirouette changes from the timid and delicate daughter to someone who is strong, independent, and unrelenting.
I loved that the author put a spin on the traditional nose elongation that accompanies lying. Pirouette also must pay the price for lying but the way in which it was carried out was really interesting and original. I love that everything tied back to the wood that Pirouette was made from. It was more reminiscent of magic coming at a price versus being wielded without consequence.
The pacing of the story was slower than I would’ve liked to see. Again, the first 50 percent of the story feels more like an elegant waltz and then we move into the more rapid pace and darkness that I prefer in the second half of the book.
Thank you to Turn the Page Tours for the tour invite. Thank you to Page Street YA for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
I was immediately drawn to this story with the comparison Pinocchio meets Frankenstein. I am a sucker for fairytale retellings, especially when they are on the darker side. That being said, while I still enjoyed The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice, I envisioned a much darker story reminiscent of Kiersten White’s The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein.
Pirouette ‘Piro’ is the daughter of the renowned puppetmaster. Unlike everyone else, Pirouette’s father brought her to life using magic under the blue moon. Pirouette trains under her father as his apprentice, honing the craft as her own. When Pirouette is faced with dire circumstances, she has no choice but to create marionettes for the Margrave even if the nature in which he intends to use them is evil.
The prose in this book is beautiful and delicate, which is also how I felt about Pirouette for the first 50 percent of the book. Pirouette is dedicated to both her father and her craft. While I enjoyed her character, I much preferred the paradigm shift that we see in the latter half of the book. Pirouette changes from the timid and delicate daughter to someone who is strong, independent, and unrelenting.
I loved that the author put a spin on the traditional nose elongation that accompanies lying. Pirouette also must pay the price for lying but the way in which it was carried out was really interesting and original. I love that everything tied back to the wood that Pirouette was made from. It was more reminiscent of magic coming at a price versus being wielded without consequence.
The pacing of the story was slower than I would’ve liked to see. Again, the first 50 percent of the story feels more like an elegant waltz and then we move into the more rapid pace and darkness that I prefer in the second half of the book.
Thank you to Turn the Page Tours for the tour invite. Thank you to Page Street YA for providing a review copy. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own.
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