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! 😅

Pirouette was a really wonderful protagonist and her story swept me along for the ride. She's a courageous and smart young woman who in many ways still has her feet in the two worlds of before and after she was brought to life. From her before, she still has a strong connection to the trees and they guide her and teach her things about life. But also being human now, she struggles with the fear of people discovering who she really is and where she comes from--not to mention the fact that every time she lies, there are painful consequences. Piro's story is one of self-discovery, the weight and cost of choices, and ultimately coming into your own and embracing yourself.

Aside from Piro, we also have the Makers, her fellows and friends, who brought those found family vibes that I live for. The camaraderie and banter was everything that you come to love and expect from these friendship groups. They're an important part of Prio's life but they are only supporting characters that I wish we got to better. I would be more than happy to come back to this world and to read their stories because it seems that they have unique backstories too! I should mention that Piro's childhood friend and love-interest is part of this group and if there was one thing I wasn't taken by it was the romance. Thankfully it wasn't a big part of the story so I wasn't too bothered but I thought Piro deserved better 😅 The villain in this story was also pretty interesting. The Margrave is essentially an insecure, lonely and spoiled little boy in the body of a man (now) and although he was completely mad (literally), I did pity him. I wanted to slap him hard too, but I felt sorry for him because of his upbringing.

TL;DR: This was a dark and enchanting fairytale retelling that had me hooked from the beginning. DeSelm's writing was delightful to read! Her lush prose and descriptions made the story and characters come alive and created a spooky atmosphere that filled the story. Pirouette was a wonderful protagonist that you can't help but love and support. Her story is about self-discovery, the choices we make and self-acceptance. This was such a unique YA retelling and I'm so glad that I got to read. If you love a well-written fairytale retelling that's a bit on the darker side, but has great characters and atmosphere, then you should definitely check this out! I really hope that this one doesn't slip under the radar because it deserves appreciation!

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.

There are some stories you know you’re going to like. After I read the description and judged the book based off of it’s cover, I knew I would enjoy this one. However, what I wasn’t expecting was to like it so much. Some of the books that come out cycle the same plot points and relationship builders over and over again. But DeSelm said not this time! And I love it. This book was so well written and made so many good choices. Each choice made, I was like Yes! This is what I wanted to see! And while I know some undesired outcomes in books we crave because we love our hurt, this story was not like that. It hurt you in other ways and really pulled on your heart strings (I’M SORRY I HAD TO). But with all seriousness, I absolutely loved this book. The story was unique with fantastic pacing. Everytime I had to put it down, I immediately picked it back up. The only downside to reading it so early is having to wait for the sequel!

I’m officially obsessed with Pirouette. Oh my goodness what a fantastic character. There are so many things that I love about her. The first is how you have to be constantly reminded that she is actually made of wood because it’s so hard to remember. She has such human emotions that it’s no wonder why everyone believed she was one. I really liked this about the story. Usually when characters are not human, they lack some human aspects. This was not the case. Piro was happy, hurt, mad, and everything else you would expect. She is more human than some of the human characters I have read in other books! And her relationships with everyone? I’m a sucker for found family and I loved the way the Makers Guild was portrayed in this book. How they were always there to help each other no matter what. And then Laszlo was the perfect enemy. It’s so nice to see a bad guy be a bad guy and not just because of some tragic history. Again, so much done right with this book!

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice by Lisa DeSelm was fantastic book. It was so refreshing to see some of the same tropes abandon and read something different. Not only did DeSelm break the mold but she provided a fantastic story as well! I was absolutely absorbed in this world and its characters. Piro is definitely one of my new favorites and I cannot wait to read the rest of her story. And as much as I love Piro, the book wouldn’t have been as good without the Makers Guild as well! This is definitely a book I would recommend.

The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is a dark gender-bent retelling of Pinocchio, mixed with elements of Frankenstein. Pirouette and her father are renowned puppet makers in Tavia. Tavia’s ruler, The Margrave, has been putting out orders for life-sized soldier puppets, clad in full uniforms and weapons. But then the Margrave’s son orders the puppet-master’s apprentice to create a deadly assassin, and give it life.

I must say, the plotline of this book is highly intriguing and the author doesn’t fail in delivering the right punches. Right from the prologue, we are plunged into a world of mystery and secrets, spells and the blue moon.

The characters were introduced to all right away, and then further proceeded to introduce to us their layers. I loved Pirouette’s character right from the start and her relationship with her father is really wholesome. The author gave her a distinctive voice, clad with innocence and strength. Bram was a lovely person too, and I adored his relationship with Pirouette. While the romance wasn’t a very strong driving force of the story (which I’m so glad of, by the way), I couldn’t help but enjoy them together. They were a very positive duo, and I completely rooted for both. The familial relations in this book were spectacular – they were so close and positive and helpful, and it filled my heart with happiness seeing how they jumped to helped each other at the time of need. Yay family!

The plot does take a little time to get to the main point, though, and all the while we get to see different sides of Tavia, The Margrave and Pirouette and her friends. The author doesn’t really do much to conceal the truth and the twists, the secrets, rather we readers are very much aware of what would happen. I think that really added to the stakes – to hold my breath and only hope for the best, knowing that disaster would strike soon.

The story developed very smoothly. I loved the tension that seeped in, and the dread when the soldiers started coming alive. The author’s beautiful writing perfectly complimented the gorgeous story. There was a vivid aesthetic image that was created through her words.

There were parts in the book that somewhat bored me, to be honest. In the middle, I felt that the story dragged a little, and the emotional feelings of Pirouette got a little lost between words. In the time period that Pirouette was captured, I really felt like she lacked an emotional essence, as if she was simply agreeing to everything without any ulterior motive of her ownself. I also felt that during those scenes, the plot got a little over the place and the character development halted, went over the place too. The Margrave was totally crazy and yet, I felt there could have been more to his personality.

The last part of the book, if I may be honest, was a little bit of a mess although dramatic. The whole scenes and actions during the Blue Moon felt a bit underdeveloped and rushed, like the writing was here and there, and the emotions were lost here too; again. However, it was also so creepily good. The whole element of the wooden puppets interacting, speaking and helping gave me all the Toy Story feels. They truly added so much depth and motion to the whole story, what with their creepy looks and whisperings. It was, nevertheless, intense; the last chapters.

That said, I really enjoyed the book and the story. I think it is a unique take on Pinocchio and Frankenstein, set in a medieval-esque town with a group of close-knit people and a pinch of magic. The writing was spectacular, and kept me hooked throughout, made me turn the page and want to read more and more, know more about these people. As I had said already, it was in the last bit that I lost my attention a little, due to the pacing, but otherwise it is a stunning book. If you love found family, forbidden magic and aesthetic writing, dark retellings and unique storylines, The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is one book you shouldn’t miss!

Pirouette works as her father’s apprentice, spending her days carving hunks of wood into masterful marionettes. This craft comes naturally to Pirouette, as she was born from wood herself many years earlier when her father used magic to bring a marionette to life. Normally, her work as the puppetmaster’s apprentice is filled with creativity and joy, but with new orders from Tavia’s ruler, The Margrave, Pirouette’s work has become increasingly exacting. The Margrave has commissioned dozens of life-sized soldier marionettes to be crafted on an unreasonable timeline. Pirouette watches as the orders destroy her father’s health, leaving her to tend to the shop on her own. Soon, though, a commission comes in for a different kind of soldier. The Margrave’s son wishes for an assassin, a silent puppet of a killer. Pirouette can’t refuse his order, but she wonders constantly what sort of monster she might be bringing into the world. If such a creation can be given life, what havoc might it wreak?

You can get your copy of The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice now from Page Street YA!

I am always a fan of fairy tale retellings, especially when they incorporate elements from more than one classic story! For this reason, I knew that The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice would be an instant five-star read for me! Lisa DeSelm blends Pinnochio and Frankenstein- two stories filled with rarely recognized commonalities- together in a seamless new story. As a costume designer and seamstress, my favorite element of the story was its emphasis on artisan skills!

My Recommendation-
If you love bold fairy-tale mashups, you won’t want to miss The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice! This book would be perfect for fans of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein and A Curse so Dark and Lonely!

"I am Pirouette, a girl whose heart is made of stronger stuff than flesh and blood."

I must admit, the cover of The Puppetmaster's Apprentice is what really caught my attention. Look how beautiful it is! And after finishing this novel, that beautiful cover truly matches the beautiful story as well. The Puppetmaster's Apprentice is a fantasy novel and a retelling of the classics Pinocchio and Frankenstein. Our main character, Piro, is a lovely marionette turned into a girl because of forbidden magic. She is a product of a fathers yearning for a daughters love and companion.

Lisa DeSelm's writing is purely magic. From the first page, I was captivated right away. The way everything was described was absolutely enchanting and engrossing. And with the authors lyrical writing, you can't help but feel the atmosphere of the books setting as if you're really there, feeling the magic of the woods.

On top of that, I absolutely adored every character of this book. The fact that this is gender-flipped, I was sold already. Pirouette may be young, but she's fierce and strong willed. She was penned as a realistic character who will do everything she can for the people she care about. Piro is not perfect, she get angry, she made mistakes and her thoughts was confusing at times, but this is what made her realistic and relatable. I also admire the The Makers or the secondary characters from this novel. Even though they were just in the background and helpers of our protagonist, they were really well written. I am even curious and would be delighted if they will have their own books too.

The Puppetmasters Apprentice is not in any way a bad book, but there are some few things that I wished wasn't included. Such as the romance of the book. It's not explicit or annoying, however, I felt that it was unnecessary and that the book will still be a great one if that aspect isn't included in the story. Don't get me wrong, our love interest is delightful, but I hoped he just stayed as a friend of Piro. Someone that could just also help her character growth.

Overall though, I can't help but gush about this book. I highly recommend it to everyone looking to be absorbed in a magical world along with likeable and charming characters. Lisa DeSelms writing alone will make you fall in love with this gender flipped Pinocchio retelling.

The Puppetmaster's Apprentice was a delightfully haunting kind of fantasy. Piroutte apprentices with her father the puppetmaster, and shares his passion, but she has a secret: she was not born, but made by her father when he brought her to life 7 years ago under the light of a blue moon. That secret is threatened when Piroutte and her father catch the eye of the duke, the heir to the Margrave. When Piroutte creates a wooden assassin for the duke to get her father out of prison, she finds herself the object of scorn in her village when she's charged with using forbidden magic. In order to survive, Piroutte must make a marionette unlike anything she's ever made before, but she soon learns that magic comes with a price regardless of whether or not you are able to pay it.
I really enjoyed The Puppetmaster's Apprentice. It was wonderfully spooky and whimsical, emotional and striking, and utterly captivating. I found myself captivated by the magic system and the story of Piroutte's existence, and the dual nature of her being both a young woman and someone with magic running through her veins in a world that eschews both of those things to be really compelling. I love the striking vein of feminism that runs through this story as well. DeSelm's writing style is both melodic and haunting, and this book has a perfect atmospheric tone that blends characteristics of fantasy and classic horror. Also, the romance in this book was really sweet. Reminiscent of the tales of Pinocchio and Frankenstein, The Puppetmaster's Apprentice is a fairytale for our time about grief, angency and humanity. I adored it.

This all-new book (release date October 13, 2020) reads like an old-world fairy tale. You would never know that it isn't a 100-year-old tale that someone dug out of the back of a falling apart hardback in the grandmother's bookshelf.

While this isn't strictly Halloween themed, it is a Sci-Fi Dystopian creepy ride through a fractured fairy tale. This Pinocchio re-telling was glorious in all its wonder and mystical atmosphere.

Piro who is the puppet master's apprentice is good at her job. She herself was carved by the master and is a good responsible girl. She knows the kinds of stories to tell and what not to tell at puppet shows, so that she makes money. The entire time I was reading it I heard Rumpelstiltskin from the TV show Once Upon A Time</em>, in my head, "All magic, comes with a price, dearie" Truly, this is an unusual read.

I feel as if this is a book I could hand all teens and they could all get what they needed from the story. It kept me guessing until the end

The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is a dark retelling of Pinocchio meets Frankenstein. It follows a girl named Pirouette, who was brought to life under a blue moon by her father, a master puppeteer. Pirouette trains under her father to become a puppeteer. When her father misses a contract deadline for the Margrave and is arrested, Pirouette must put her skills as a tradeswoman to use in order to rescue her father.

This story had elements of the original stories they are based on, but it was unique enough to be considered its own tale. The level of detail is phenomenal, especially with the descriptions of the puppets. The puppets are so life-like and described as if they are real people, and I appreciated all of the little details. The magic elements in this story were a little vague, but it didn’t detract from the overall story.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"I hope and pray that I will do this piece justice, giving the wood the honor it deserves. In the days that follow, I labor over smoothing every angle, refining every curve and ligature so that its stringed movement will be a thing of beauty. Of feline grace. Of terror.
If it were alive, of course"
Oh my word, this story was glorious.
First off, the characters. All were so well developed and the friendships were phenomenal. The makers reminded me of the Inklings, the group that Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were part of. The group was always there to help out the ones struggling and it was oh-so-nice.
Can we please talk about the fact that this book is 100% unique? Seriously. When was the last time YA had a Pinocchio retelling? I've never read one.
The romance was actually the only thing I was not a fan of. I was shipping hard for the first quarter of the book but then I wasn't. It felt like the characters rushed into a relationship after more of a slow-burn type.
I sincerely hope that Lisa plans to publish more books because I'd read them in a heartbeat.

Rating:
Language: n/a
Romance: some kissing
Spiritual: n/a
Violence: murders, deaths

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required. Quote is taken from ARC and subject to change at publication.

Review will be published to Barnes and Noble upon release. The review will be posted on my Instagram for my stop with Turn the Pages Tours.

This one wasn't for me. I loved the premise, didn't love the execution. The writing felt very telling, which I hate to say because I feel like "show, don't tell" is a criticism that's overused. However, it kind of fits here. For instance, near the beginning of the story there is a puppet show. It's completely skipped over, which struck me as odd. Then in a conversation immediately following that, the main character proceeds to describe aspects of the show, and inwardly even reveals the plot of the show. It made me feel as though I was being kept at arms length, like I wasn't actually getting to see the fun parts of the story. I ended up DNFing this one pretty early on, it just wasn't the sort of writing that appeals to me.

Looking for a standalone fantasy that will keep you guessing about what will happen next? The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is one to pick up! In this story, we follow Piro, who is the Puppetmaster’s Apprentice. She has been working with her father at his shop and become quite skilled at making puppets and marionettes herself. When the Margrave of their little town commissions a huge order of life-size wooden soldiers, Piro feels something is amiss, but she has no choice except to work away and get the soldiers done. When her father’s health starts to fail, she takes it upon herself to fulfil the contract, but with the citizens suffering higher taxes, it looks like the Margrave has broader plans than he let on.

Content Notes: Depiction of death, natural and by assassination.

Themes For Thought

Magical with a strong female protagonist and a guild of makers who will do anything to save their craft, The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is a fun read. I found the writing to be beautiful and immersive, and the characters were people I cheered for. The book gave me insight into the art of puppet making, which was new to me. Here are four broad themes that spoke to me throughout this book.

On Resilience

Piro might be an apprentice but she is good at what she does. She has a special connection to the wood and she takes care with it, something that only a true craftsman can experience. Throughout the story, she engages with her creations and other puppets, some created by her father, and some by other people, wondering about their plight and comparing them to her own situations. She has an empathy and love for her creations that shows throughout the story.

Piro is also a resilient girl. She does not let anything come in her way. I liked that even in times of danger and hard choices, she was able to keep her head on her shoulders and follow through on her values. She may be young, but she provides strength to people who are dear to her. 

On Stories

One of the initial themes that this book touches on is the power of stories. Piro hosts puppet shows in the market to supplement her income. Though she is well aware of the politics of the place, she is a good storyteller and knows the kind of stories that people want to hear. It is risky to share tales that have a message, but sometimes, stories are the only way to make people think about their situation and what the world can be like.

On Identity

Using old magic under the blue moon, the puppetmaster carved Piro out of wood. This gives her an additional connection to her creations and the story acts as a catalyst for her to think about who she is and the things she stands for. Everything has a cost and Piro’s connection with nature and the wood makes her wonder about the intentions with which she builds a marionette and who it becomes if the marionette were to come to life.

On Creativity

Related to the above, this book does a great job of portraying the importance of creative arts. As someone who lives in a city, I have never been in close contact with professionals like puppet makers,  blacksmiths, tailors, glassblowers, clockmakers, etc. It is in stories such as these, set in small towns and focusing on the makers in the town, that we readers get to see these crafts in play. It takes away the commercialisation that we are used to and brings us face to face with the makers who work in these crafts and their services are integral to the people around them. The makers play an important role in this book and it was wonderful to see their solidarity.

Conclusion

Overall, The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice is a sweet story about a girl whose life seems full of challenges. The world is built beautifully and the descriptions help bring the characters and the town to life. There were times when I did not want to put the book down! The plot never rests and that kept me invested in this book. I hope you will enjoy this books much as I did!

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.

What can I say about this Pinocchio retelling, other than that I loved every second of it?!

The first half I found sad in a beautiful way, and the second half is the beauty of empowerment and finding oneself.

I really enjoyed how parts of Pinocchio’s became Lisa DeSelm’s own through small details such as the splinters. Her writing was so easy to read and kept me up late into the night, unable to stop.

Piro’s strength was probably my favourite aspect of her character. How, even when she felt broken, she was still strong. In the writing it was like I could feel her longing to be fully free.

I will definitely recommend this to friends and I look forward to more books from this author.

So pleasantly surprised by this book. I really enjoyed reading the story through the eyes of Pirouette. The little romances that were written in were also a cute touch. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy read, someone who enjoys retellings or just loves beautiful covers!
I have a blog tour stop coming on my blog on October 11th! But spoiler: I loved it.....

DNF at approximately 30% in - I was unfortunately unable to finish this title, and therefore will not be reviewing it.

I absolutely love retellings, especially fairytale retellings. They often have a beautiful mysticism about them, and The Puppetmaster's Apprentice certainly hits this mark.

DeSelm has written a thoroughly engaging retelling of Pinocchio. I'll admit that I have never thought of Pinocchio retelling being told before, but I absolutely loved this one! To be more specific, this is a gender-bent retelling of Pinocchio with a heroine that any reader can admire. DeSelm has wonderful imagination when it comes to taking a well-loved story and turning it into something completely new.

It has been a while since I have read a story where I did not want to stop and picked it up every chance I got. I will be recommending this to everyone I know who enjoys a story with unique twists, characters that you love, and a magical story that reads like a tale as old as time.

What an absolutely delightful read! I love a good fractured fairytale, and this one, described as Pinocchio meets Frankenstein, did not disappoint. The whimsical, lyrical writing style was a perfect fit for the genre, and both the characters and plot kept me hooked the entire time. I stayed up way too late two nights in a row reading it, but just couldn’t put it down! I would recommend The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice to readers of all ages, and look forward to reading what Ms. DeSelm writes next!

A lovely, light Pinocchio retelling with excellent characterisation and more than a few moral dilemmas. This was a quick, enjoyable read with beautiful writing.

"But I stand with Bran, breathing long and deep, as many breaths as I dare, feeling my fears wash over me, one by one, like wet strokes of paint."

This book is lovely, lyrical and mesmerizing. I always love a good fractured fairytale and this twist on Pinocchio did not disappoint. The story is filled with authentic characters, complex relationships, and a fight between good and evil. Themes of identity, loyalty, honesty, the price of choices, and family.