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A review by rachel_abby_reads
The Puppetmaster's Apprentice by Lisa Deselm
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.