What do you think?
Rate this book
Puppet Parade
Sophie does not know how she looks like. For as long as she can remember, mirrors have been forbidden to her, and her appearance has been touted as hideous… a blemish on the face of her family. When she gets the chance to escape her locked room, she runs and never turns back.
Oliver has forgotten all about the outside world. As far as he is concerned, he only needs his precious puppets to survive. Yet, when they come to life and abandon him without a second thought, he is forced to leave the sheltering comfort of his workshop in search of them.
As they embark together on a wild goose chase for the runaway puppets, they unwittingly step into a prison more sinister than either of them could ever imagine, where the line between puppet and master becomes much less clear - and much more deadly.
Oliver has forgotten all about the outside world. As far as he is concerned, he only needs his precious puppets to survive. Yet, when they come to life and abandon him without a second thought, he is forced to leave the sheltering comfort of his workshop in search of them.
As they embark together on a wild goose chase for the runaway puppets, they unwittingly step into a prison more sinister than either of them could ever imagine, where the line between puppet and master becomes much less clear - and much more deadly.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 18, 2012
7 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
Zeinab Alayan
1 book20 followersZeinab, more commonly known as Zen, is a writer, an editor, a translator, a bookworm, an artist, an avid movie watcher, an anime fan, a procrastinator, a paranoiac, a gamer and most importantly... a chocoholic.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 27, 2016
(This review also appears on The Mad Reviewer)
Full disclosure: Zeinab Alayan sent me a free ebook in return for an honest review of her novel.
When I saw the title ‘Puppet Parade‘ I must admit I was skeptical. Why? For no logical reason, really. I just thought it sounded stupid.
Yes, I judged a book by its title. I’m a terrible person, I know.
However, once I actually started reading Puppet Parade I was pleasantly surprised. Zeinab Alayan has a very nice, easy to read writing style and although she slips from past to present tense once or twice (especially near the end), I didn’t find nearly as many mistakes as I would have expected in a self-published novel. The only error that really threw me off was in the beginning where there was ‘nut’ instead of ‘but’ on page 8.
Sophie and Oliver really are great characters. In normal novels a man and a woman travelling together would pretty much fall in Insta-Love, but that’s really not the case with this odd pair. Zeinab Alayan took time to fully develop their personalities as they journeyed together through the mysterious Parade and discovered that despite its outward appearances, it had a much more sinister purpose. Sophie’s backstory is pretty incredible, but Puppet Parade does seem to be based in a fairytale-like setting so it does make sense in the context of the story. Oliver can be pretty eccentric but really is an interesting character who is very determined to protect Sophie, even before he admits to himself he has feelings for her.
The world of Puppet Parade is a refreshing break from all of the high fantasy I’ve read lately. Yes, it is fantasy, but it really doesn’t stick to any of the traditional fantasy tropes and clichés. It seemed to be pretty cliché at first, but Zeinab Alayan put an incredible twist on the mysterious world of the Parade that made sense, but was surprising at the same time.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
Full disclosure: Zeinab Alayan sent me a free ebook in return for an honest review of her novel.
When I saw the title ‘Puppet Parade‘ I must admit I was skeptical. Why? For no logical reason, really. I just thought it sounded stupid.
Yes, I judged a book by its title. I’m a terrible person, I know.
However, once I actually started reading Puppet Parade I was pleasantly surprised. Zeinab Alayan has a very nice, easy to read writing style and although she slips from past to present tense once or twice (especially near the end), I didn’t find nearly as many mistakes as I would have expected in a self-published novel. The only error that really threw me off was in the beginning where there was ‘nut’ instead of ‘but’ on page 8.
Sophie and Oliver really are great characters. In normal novels a man and a woman travelling together would pretty much fall in Insta-Love, but that’s really not the case with this odd pair. Zeinab Alayan took time to fully develop their personalities as they journeyed together through the mysterious Parade and discovered that despite its outward appearances, it had a much more sinister purpose. Sophie’s backstory is pretty incredible, but Puppet Parade does seem to be based in a fairytale-like setting so it does make sense in the context of the story. Oliver can be pretty eccentric but really is an interesting character who is very determined to protect Sophie, even before he admits to himself he has feelings for her.
The world of Puppet Parade is a refreshing break from all of the high fantasy I’ve read lately. Yes, it is fantasy, but it really doesn’t stick to any of the traditional fantasy tropes and clichés. It seemed to be pretty cliché at first, but Zeinab Alayan put an incredible twist on the mysterious world of the Parade that made sense, but was surprising at the same time.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
December 29, 2014
I could sum this book in two words: Dark and Magical.
The Puppet Parade will keep you at the edge of your seat. It is a beautifully written fairytale-like story of a girl who has never seen her face and a boy who had a weird facination with puppets.
I would have to say that this book is one of the most original books I have ever read so far. The characters, the setting, the development, it was nothing like I've ever read before. There was this certain feel to it that will keep you reading and asking for more.
I have always been a fan of fantasy books or anything that has sort of a magical feel to it and this one definitely has the right amount of that magical feel and also a little darkness to it. It wasn't your typical YA book. If I would recommend this book, I'll probably recommend it to everyone and not just YA readers because to me this book trancends age and time. Why? Because this book is not all about magic or talking and walking puppets, not just about these two characters finding the puppets but there is a deeper meaning to the story that I think even adults will enjoy.
It was wonderfully crafted to cater readers of all ages. It will take you to a place that you never knew existed because as I have mentioned to me this book was one of a kind. The unexpected twist, the childish but very descriptive way of writing and the powerful characters were enough to keep everyone reading for more.
The Puppet Parade is definitely one impressive debut. Ms. Alayan is definitely an author to watch out for.
*Thank you Ms. Alayan for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book.*
The Puppet Parade will keep you at the edge of your seat. It is a beautifully written fairytale-like story of a girl who has never seen her face and a boy who had a weird facination with puppets.
I would have to say that this book is one of the most original books I have ever read so far. The characters, the setting, the development, it was nothing like I've ever read before. There was this certain feel to it that will keep you reading and asking for more.
I have always been a fan of fantasy books or anything that has sort of a magical feel to it and this one definitely has the right amount of that magical feel and also a little darkness to it. It wasn't your typical YA book. If I would recommend this book, I'll probably recommend it to everyone and not just YA readers because to me this book trancends age and time. Why? Because this book is not all about magic or talking and walking puppets, not just about these two characters finding the puppets but there is a deeper meaning to the story that I think even adults will enjoy.
It was wonderfully crafted to cater readers of all ages. It will take you to a place that you never knew existed because as I have mentioned to me this book was one of a kind. The unexpected twist, the childish but very descriptive way of writing and the powerful characters were enough to keep everyone reading for more.
The Puppet Parade is definitely one impressive debut. Ms. Alayan is definitely an author to watch out for.
*Thank you Ms. Alayan for giving me the opportunity to read and review your book.*
March 25, 2012
I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
I'm having difficulty formulating an opinion on this book and separating what it could have been from what it actually is. On the one hand, I'm probably a bit older than the target audience but even I can tell it's a compelling story (puppets coming to life and people turning into puppets, come on!) and a solid debut effort. On the other, I can't help but feel it could have been really charming, with its fairy-tale-gone-wrong vibe, had it been written better. But then again, I'm aware that this is a self-published novel and I've done my best to turn a blind eye on mistakes it would otherwise have been a professional editor's job to catch - but how far should these allowances extend? The fact is, there are awkwardnesses to the narration that do affect the overall reading experience and in the end, I wish it had at least flowed better. Still, like I said, I enjoyed the story and I wish the author all the best on their sophomore novel.
I'm having difficulty formulating an opinion on this book and separating what it could have been from what it actually is. On the one hand, I'm probably a bit older than the target audience but even I can tell it's a compelling story (puppets coming to life and people turning into puppets, come on!) and a solid debut effort. On the other, I can't help but feel it could have been really charming, with its fairy-tale-gone-wrong vibe, had it been written better. But then again, I'm aware that this is a self-published novel and I've done my best to turn a blind eye on mistakes it would otherwise have been a professional editor's job to catch - but how far should these allowances extend? The fact is, there are awkwardnesses to the narration that do affect the overall reading experience and in the end, I wish it had at least flowed better. Still, like I said, I enjoyed the story and I wish the author all the best on their sophomore novel.
September 13, 2015
Puppet Parade is pure magic.
Though not typically the type of book I would make a beeline for, I'm happy to know the author, Zen, in the blogging community so I gave it a try. I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, because this truly is a wonderful novel.
Sophie is an aristocrat imprisoned in her bedroom. When she escapes she meets Oliver, a lonesome puppeteer who is trying to find his runaway puppets. Erase any judgments you may have about talking puppets right now. These are feisty, colorful characters that will captivate you as much as the story.
Zen does a lovely job of sucking you into this fantasy world, and you will find yourself rooting for Sophie and Oliver throughout their topsy-turvy journey.
Puppet Parade is an imaginative page-turner that you'll think about long after you reluctantly put it down.
Britt Skrabanek
http://brittskrabanek.com
Though not typically the type of book I would make a beeline for, I'm happy to know the author, Zen, in the blogging community so I gave it a try. I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone, because this truly is a wonderful novel.
Sophie is an aristocrat imprisoned in her bedroom. When she escapes she meets Oliver, a lonesome puppeteer who is trying to find his runaway puppets. Erase any judgments you may have about talking puppets right now. These are feisty, colorful characters that will captivate you as much as the story.
Zen does a lovely job of sucking you into this fantasy world, and you will find yourself rooting for Sophie and Oliver throughout their topsy-turvy journey.
Puppet Parade is an imaginative page-turner that you'll think about long after you reluctantly put it down.
Britt Skrabanek
http://brittskrabanek.com
October 2, 2012
This beautifully written book is full of inventiveness, emotion, and clever re-examinations of a host of fantasy ideas. This is a modern adult fairy story, which draws on so many classic themes and cultural tales that it is difficult to guess which ones were originally uppermost in Alayan’s mind. It is not that we need to de-construct to enjoy the story; it is simply that as a writer I cannot stop myself wondering from where the spark came. What we do need to do, if cynical adults, is to re-construct some aspects of our childish selves. After all, this is a fairy story in which wooden puppets can talk. Remember back to when Pinocchio seemed plausible. Now get on with finding your own way onto the train with Oliver and Sophie.
Alayan enables us to see a complex world through the eyes of the variably innocent and naïve, whilst at the same time she avoids creating a childish story. Her fairy tale grows out of what is already a fantasy world, one a dimension away from our own, and takes us into fantasy inside fantasy, and even a fantasy inside that, like a sort of giant layer cake. It is as though the Brothers Grimm had taken five or six folk tales, stripped each to its core, and then rebuilt their own complex dark tale from the result.
The whole book is all the cleverer as it is written through two pairs of childish eyes, one pair that hid from facing an outside world and one that were hidden from it. Actually, the pictures are so well drawn that it is easy to become submerged. For the times I took to read this work the Parade really existed, strings really did control the humans, and not the puppets, and if Alayan had asked me to see water flowing uphill I would have done so. As with any fantasy that starts to have a solid quality some structure needs to become predictable. Some stops on the train did little more than draw us a little further into understanding, but the length of the description and the multiple stops were necessary. Modern fantasies are often written far too short. Alayan’s generosity of quantity, as well as undeniable quality, made the conclusions so much more complete.
This is a longish book, because it needs to be long enough to draw us into the Parade, long enough for the reader to be "absorbed" and for the principle characters to grow. I don’t want to read a sequel. This is a completed fairy tale that needs no revisiting. It has its own encapsulated magic, which would only be damaged by reopening. However, I absolutely will be looking out for new works by Zeinab Alayan, just to see whether she can pull off such a feast again.
Alayan enables us to see a complex world through the eyes of the variably innocent and naïve, whilst at the same time she avoids creating a childish story. Her fairy tale grows out of what is already a fantasy world, one a dimension away from our own, and takes us into fantasy inside fantasy, and even a fantasy inside that, like a sort of giant layer cake. It is as though the Brothers Grimm had taken five or six folk tales, stripped each to its core, and then rebuilt their own complex dark tale from the result.
The whole book is all the cleverer as it is written through two pairs of childish eyes, one pair that hid from facing an outside world and one that were hidden from it. Actually, the pictures are so well drawn that it is easy to become submerged. For the times I took to read this work the Parade really existed, strings really did control the humans, and not the puppets, and if Alayan had asked me to see water flowing uphill I would have done so. As with any fantasy that starts to have a solid quality some structure needs to become predictable. Some stops on the train did little more than draw us a little further into understanding, but the length of the description and the multiple stops were necessary. Modern fantasies are often written far too short. Alayan’s generosity of quantity, as well as undeniable quality, made the conclusions so much more complete.
This is a longish book, because it needs to be long enough to draw us into the Parade, long enough for the reader to be "absorbed" and for the principle characters to grow. I don’t want to read a sequel. This is a completed fairy tale that needs no revisiting. It has its own encapsulated magic, which would only be damaged by reopening. However, I absolutely will be looking out for new works by Zeinab Alayan, just to see whether she can pull off such a feast again.
May 11, 2012
I'll be honest: I'm no longer the avid reader I once was. School and the demands of teenage life have slowly sapped from me what little energy I had and, as a result, my reading urge has been all but extinguished. Don't get me wrong - I still read, from time to time. But until very recently I have never quite been able to sit down and read a book - two books, a trilogy - in one sitting, mostly due to a lack of time but partly because of a lack of enthusiasm.
All that changed very recently and because of this I am very much indebted to one book - and more importantly, one author:
"Puppet Parade" by Zeinab Alayan.
A few months ago, a group of writers on Facebook, including myself, was approached by fellow member Alayan, who asked if anyone would mind critiquing Puppet Parade before it was published. As a bit of a nerd, I jumped at the thought of reading a book pre-publishing - not to mention, of course, that it was pretty much free - and accepted the offer immediately. I then read a few pages and, like I usually did, closed the window and promptly forgot about the book amid a mountain of schoolwork.
This is probably one of the greatest mistakes I have ever made in my life.
"Puppet Parade" saved my reading life, once Alayan gave me the kick up the backside I needed to take some time off from excessive revision and my own projects. It reminded me what it was like to live a book, to become so closely entangled in the plot and setting and characters that you forget your body needs sleep. It has a beautifully simple style, but one which subtly creates a vast range of emotions in the reader; this, combined with the fantastic, perfectly varied setting makes the book one of the most memorable I have ever read. There are a few unexpected shocks - despite its deceptively childish title and style, this is certainly a book with some exceedingly dark moments - and a few expected plot twists, the combination of which makes the novel not only original but also believable. Which, for a book that's basic premise involves talking, walking puppets, is a pretty amazing achievement.
Quite simply, this book is a fantastic little gem. I would recommend it to anyone, anywhere, any time. It is the perfect escape from the mundane, monotonous drag that is everyday life and you're sure to find your dream home within its pages. Like me, I'm sure you'll ask yourself as you read - where do you belong in the Parade?
All that changed very recently and because of this I am very much indebted to one book - and more importantly, one author:
"Puppet Parade" by Zeinab Alayan.
A few months ago, a group of writers on Facebook, including myself, was approached by fellow member Alayan, who asked if anyone would mind critiquing Puppet Parade before it was published. As a bit of a nerd, I jumped at the thought of reading a book pre-publishing - not to mention, of course, that it was pretty much free - and accepted the offer immediately. I then read a few pages and, like I usually did, closed the window and promptly forgot about the book amid a mountain of schoolwork.
This is probably one of the greatest mistakes I have ever made in my life.
"Puppet Parade" saved my reading life, once Alayan gave me the kick up the backside I needed to take some time off from excessive revision and my own projects. It reminded me what it was like to live a book, to become so closely entangled in the plot and setting and characters that you forget your body needs sleep. It has a beautifully simple style, but one which subtly creates a vast range of emotions in the reader; this, combined with the fantastic, perfectly varied setting makes the book one of the most memorable I have ever read. There are a few unexpected shocks - despite its deceptively childish title and style, this is certainly a book with some exceedingly dark moments - and a few expected plot twists, the combination of which makes the novel not only original but also believable. Which, for a book that's basic premise involves talking, walking puppets, is a pretty amazing achievement.
Quite simply, this book is a fantastic little gem. I would recommend it to anyone, anywhere, any time. It is the perfect escape from the mundane, monotonous drag that is everyday life and you're sure to find your dream home within its pages. Like me, I'm sure you'll ask yourself as you read - where do you belong in the Parade?
December 22, 2012
Goodreads MUST put half star ratings! It must! Because while this book is not up to the par of a few of my 4 star books it is definitely better than 3 stars.
3.75 Stars
I think I'm being a bit too generous but I absolutely enjoyed the book. The entire book read like a fairytale to me... the characters were all a bit magical. My favorite is Andrew the Annoying ass.
The book revolves around Oliver, a puppeteer and Sophie - a fairy-talesque Damsel in Distress character. Sophie lives with her (evil) stepmother who keeps her locked in her bedroom by telling her that Sophie is ugly and the entire world will hate her for her face. For eleven of her nineteen years Sophie had believed her stepmother an has not looked at her
The characters at times seem younger than nineteen or twenty-five but that made the fairy-tale vibe work even better for me. It was like a princess and her knight out on a quest in a mysterious land. It was refreshing and entirely new to read. Apart from little issues
I'd be sure to watch out for more books from the author.
This ebook was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2015
I too know Zen from the blogging community and relate with her chocolate addiction and love for stories. When I heard she had written her first book, I had to read it and see what it was all about.
And the book is impressive. Not only does she set the mood right away - something dark and hopeful at the same time - she also succeeds in having you follow the lead of the 2 main characters and the puppets, as if there was nothing more normal than that. Once embarked on the Parade, you don't really know what to make of it all and you can't see where it is all going, but slowly, something creeps into your mind and you realize there's something wrong going on; you can't stop reading, because you want to know what and how Sophie & Oliver will get out of there.
I won't divulge the end of the story, which is quite spectacular and well put. It is an easy read, it is very original in its writing, it is not just another story about puppets, it is charming and enchanting.
There are a few typos, easily overlooked when caught in the story.
Great work for a self-published first book!
And the book is impressive. Not only does she set the mood right away - something dark and hopeful at the same time - she also succeeds in having you follow the lead of the 2 main characters and the puppets, as if there was nothing more normal than that. Once embarked on the Parade, you don't really know what to make of it all and you can't see where it is all going, but slowly, something creeps into your mind and you realize there's something wrong going on; you can't stop reading, because you want to know what and how Sophie & Oliver will get out of there.
I won't divulge the end of the story, which is quite spectacular and well put. It is an easy read, it is very original in its writing, it is not just another story about puppets, it is charming and enchanting.
There are a few typos, easily overlooked when caught in the story.
Great work for a self-published first book!
October 3, 2012
Puppet Parade is a magical story, filled with adventure and wonder.
The main characters are Oliver (the Puppeteer), his puppets and Sophie, a girl that escaped from her evil stepmother. Oliver's puppets abandon him after they are brought to life. Oliver goes after them and on the way he meets Sophie. They both embark in a wonderful adventure and a word of gypsies, magician, entertainers and more.
The story was out of the ordinary and entertaining. The characters where all unique and interesting. It was a great debut novel.
The main characters are Oliver (the Puppeteer), his puppets and Sophie, a girl that escaped from her evil stepmother. Oliver's puppets abandon him after they are brought to life. Oliver goes after them and on the way he meets Sophie. They both embark in a wonderful adventure and a word of gypsies, magician, entertainers and more.
The story was out of the ordinary and entertaining. The characters where all unique and interesting. It was a great debut novel.
April 14, 2012
4.5*s
Review posted here
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
Review posted here
http://bookpassionforlife.blogspot.co...
May 22, 2012
--Full, non-spoiler review courtesy at Book & Movie Dimension a Blog--
Sophie Perkins a young girl comes down with a dehibilating sickness that lasts some time. Her stepmother keeps Sophie locked away so she wont be contagious. So while Sophie's father is away and dies Sophie's hope of soon being released is dashed since now her stepmother swears that the illness she contracted has left he horribly ugly! For that reason she wont allow Sophie to see her face so that she doesn'f feel disgusted by her appearance. Years pass, and Sophie's now a young woman who still hasn't seen her own face or even seen the world. Yet, Sophie's wish is to get to be out there regardless if she's ugly.
Then there is Oliver the lonely puppeter rejected by his parents for having chosen his trade of puppetry. Oliver has as a young man grown a huge loner. Isolating himself from people in favor for his puppets! His puppets that all contain fascinating and unique characteristics. Though Oliver seems lonely he has chosen his isolation unlike Sophie though they both don't realize how much the're truly not experiencing in life.
Kneeling to the power of a shooting star, Oliver and Sophie , remember an old wive's tale that if you mean a wish when there is a shooting star it comes true. Sophie wishes for freedom while Oliver wishes for his puppets to come to life so he can finally have a family. These two unexpectedly meet while Oliver's puppets spring to actual life and escape from Oliver leading them to each other. Sophie seeking to help Oliver tries to bring back his puppets. The same puppets who chose to escape him since they felt Oliver only kept them locked away with him where they never saw the light of day. Unfortunately, they are both soon dragged into the myterious Puppet Parade that at first seems like paradise considering people living in various town they stop at seem happy but it is far from it. Sophie and Oliver must keep each other from falling under the in actuality sinister, Puppet Parade.
Zeibab Alayan's Puppet Parade is her first novel which is somewhat of an impressive book. Meaning that it has an engaging story and incredibly new Fantasy world that is fun as well as humurous although very dangerous too. In Puppet Parade, we see from both Sophie and Oliver's perspectives throughout the story. We venture to a story where it begins in our world centered in reality but slowly we come into contact with a hugely magical whole other side. One girl seeks and one boy seeks to be less alone where finally they find what they seek unwittingly with each other.
Zeinab has a fantastic voice that is very multi-faceted and humorous based on which characters she's chaneeling at any given moment. Helps to capture your attention. We as the reader are introduced to a very creative story as well as characters. A gem of a book, really. This book is not only amzaing but contains ample amounts of creativity with strong messages at work in the background.
For fans of Fantasy that embrace new ideas in the otherwise full corners of fairy-tale creations and Adventure Fantasy works.
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Fantasy
Sophie Perkins a young girl comes down with a dehibilating sickness that lasts some time. Her stepmother keeps Sophie locked away so she wont be contagious. So while Sophie's father is away and dies Sophie's hope of soon being released is dashed since now her stepmother swears that the illness she contracted has left he horribly ugly! For that reason she wont allow Sophie to see her face so that she doesn'f feel disgusted by her appearance. Years pass, and Sophie's now a young woman who still hasn't seen her own face or even seen the world. Yet, Sophie's wish is to get to be out there regardless if she's ugly.
Then there is Oliver the lonely puppeter rejected by his parents for having chosen his trade of puppetry. Oliver has as a young man grown a huge loner. Isolating himself from people in favor for his puppets! His puppets that all contain fascinating and unique characteristics. Though Oliver seems lonely he has chosen his isolation unlike Sophie though they both don't realize how much the're truly not experiencing in life.
Kneeling to the power of a shooting star, Oliver and Sophie , remember an old wive's tale that if you mean a wish when there is a shooting star it comes true. Sophie wishes for freedom while Oliver wishes for his puppets to come to life so he can finally have a family. These two unexpectedly meet while Oliver's puppets spring to actual life and escape from Oliver leading them to each other. Sophie seeking to help Oliver tries to bring back his puppets. The same puppets who chose to escape him since they felt Oliver only kept them locked away with him where they never saw the light of day. Unfortunately, they are both soon dragged into the myterious Puppet Parade that at first seems like paradise considering people living in various town they stop at seem happy but it is far from it. Sophie and Oliver must keep each other from falling under the in actuality sinister, Puppet Parade.
Zeibab Alayan's Puppet Parade is her first novel which is somewhat of an impressive book. Meaning that it has an engaging story and incredibly new Fantasy world that is fun as well as humurous although very dangerous too. In Puppet Parade, we see from both Sophie and Oliver's perspectives throughout the story. We venture to a story where it begins in our world centered in reality but slowly we come into contact with a hugely magical whole other side. One girl seeks and one boy seeks to be less alone where finally they find what they seek unwittingly with each other.
Zeinab has a fantastic voice that is very multi-faceted and humorous based on which characters she's chaneeling at any given moment. Helps to capture your attention. We as the reader are introduced to a very creative story as well as characters. A gem of a book, really. This book is not only amzaing but contains ample amounts of creativity with strong messages at work in the background.
For fans of Fantasy that embrace new ideas in the otherwise full corners of fairy-tale creations and Adventure Fantasy works.
Overall: Amazing read!
Genre: Fantasy
March 6, 2012
An amazing debut novel, Puppet Parade brings us to a semi-realistic world where magic rules, dreams still come true and evil has a personification. It begins innocently enough, with Oliver met Sophie and they stumbled upon the world of the Parade. At first they loved this new world -- to a certain extent, at least -- but slowly they began to realise that there was something more about the Parade -- something not so innocent that not many people had realised.
That's all I can say about this story without too much spoiler. When I read Puppet Parade, strangely enough I found myself reminiscing my childhood. Maybe that's because I found 'fairy tales' in this book. I felt like reading a new fairy tale as Oliver and Sophie travelled through the Parade, changing town as they tried to gather ten of Oliver's puppets back. Each town is unique in its own way, as if each of them is an opening to a new fragment of this fairy tale. The descriptions of each town are so colourful, you could almost see it as if you were right there next to Oliver and Sophie. My favourite is the duo's adventure in the town of Aristocracy, when they were trying two of Oliver's puppets, Princess Patricia and Lord Lance.
The characters are so lively, you couldn't help but adore their individuality. All of them seemed to have a motivation of their own -- Oliver wanted to retrieve his puppets, which he considered his own family; Sophie wanted to run from her home-prison and to find a normal life; Oliver's puppets wanted to make the best use of their newfound life. As the story unfolded, each of them began to change, slowly yet surely, until they became better persons from they had been at the beginning of the story.
Overall, I couldn't find any problem in the plot of Puppet Parade, except perhaps for two things that I found rather confusing. First, in the town of Aristocracy, Charlotte introduced Oliver to Patricia using his name, even though she shouldn't have known his name until a bit later. Second, when Daveak (my apologies if I spelled his name wrong) saw Oliver and Sophie in the morning, he ran away without an explanation. Perhaps it's just me, but until the end I couldn't find any reason why he should've run away -- or did I just miss it?
Nevertheless, all these are minor errors in this very interesting book. Extremely recommended for those who love fantasy and/or want to embrace their inner childhood.
That's all I can say about this story without too much spoiler. When I read Puppet Parade, strangely enough I found myself reminiscing my childhood. Maybe that's because I found 'fairy tales' in this book. I felt like reading a new fairy tale as Oliver and Sophie travelled through the Parade, changing town as they tried to gather ten of Oliver's puppets back. Each town is unique in its own way, as if each of them is an opening to a new fragment of this fairy tale. The descriptions of each town are so colourful, you could almost see it as if you were right there next to Oliver and Sophie. My favourite is the duo's adventure in the town of Aristocracy, when they were trying two of Oliver's puppets, Princess Patricia and Lord Lance.
The characters are so lively, you couldn't help but adore their individuality. All of them seemed to have a motivation of their own -- Oliver wanted to retrieve his puppets, which he considered his own family; Sophie wanted to run from her home-prison and to find a normal life; Oliver's puppets wanted to make the best use of their newfound life. As the story unfolded, each of them began to change, slowly yet surely, until they became better persons from they had been at the beginning of the story.
Overall, I couldn't find any problem in the plot of Puppet Parade, except perhaps for two things that I found rather confusing. First, in the town of Aristocracy, Charlotte introduced Oliver to Patricia using his name, even though she shouldn't have known his name until a bit later. Second, when Daveak (my apologies if I spelled his name wrong) saw Oliver and Sophie in the morning, he ran away without an explanation. Perhaps it's just me, but until the end I couldn't find any reason why he should've run away -- or did I just miss it?
Nevertheless, all these are minor errors in this very interesting book. Extremely recommended for those who love fantasy and/or want to embrace their inner childhood.
April 29, 2012
If you were to take a fairy tale, a Tim Burton movie, a few romance shavings and a scoop of action adventure, you would essentially have a good idea of what's in this book. I found "Puppet Parade" through Goodreads, and knowing nothing more than what I read on this site's blurb, I dove in and never regretted it once.
Puppet Parade was not without faults, but it was full of charm. In a story that has such a great action propelled plot, the characters really stood out. Oliver, the puppeteer who has chosen to seclude himself from people. Sophie, the stepchild who has never seen her own face. 10 puppets, each true to the silly names they were given. And if that weren't enough, the towns that populate the magical world Oliver and Sophie stumble upon are aristocrats, magicians, entertainers and more.
Alayan presents this wonderful cast of characters, and does a good job taking us along on their journey. They grow, change and ultimately find the things they were looking for.
There were two main things that stood out to me as amazing: the title of the book, how as you delve deeper into the story it takes on different meanings, and the moment I realized that there was even more to the story than a puppeteer searching for his runaway creations. The explanation came just as I was questioning the world Sophie and Oliver were wandering in.
The low points for me were these: there were a few mistakes throughout the text. They aren't major things, but I caught a few of them and that is always a little disheartening. The very, very end of the book seemed out of place. For the most part, we'd journeyed with this action-filled book, but the end was exposited. It almost felt like an info dump. As much as I appreciated the resolution, I wish it would've been handled a little more deftly.
And there is the line I'm ultimately straddling here. It was a wonderful book, but it wasn't the best writing, you know? In a story that could've had so many more rich descriptions, I found that even the descriptions we did get lacked art. As impressed as I was by the characters and concept, there were times I imagined what this could've been in the hands of a more seasoned author.
That isn't entirely fair to Zeinab Alayan, however, who produced a very good debut and deserves to have others discover her work.
As I briefly mentioned in the beginning, this book really made me think of Tim Burton. Any chance we could get him on the movie version? No? No? No?
Puppet Parade was not without faults, but it was full of charm. In a story that has such a great action propelled plot, the characters really stood out. Oliver, the puppeteer who has chosen to seclude himself from people. Sophie, the stepchild who has never seen her own face. 10 puppets, each true to the silly names they were given. And if that weren't enough, the towns that populate the magical world Oliver and Sophie stumble upon are aristocrats, magicians, entertainers and more.
Alayan presents this wonderful cast of characters, and does a good job taking us along on their journey. They grow, change and ultimately find the things they were looking for.
There were two main things that stood out to me as amazing: the title of the book, how as you delve deeper into the story it takes on different meanings, and the moment I realized that there was even more to the story than a puppeteer searching for his runaway creations. The explanation came just as I was questioning the world Sophie and Oliver were wandering in.
The low points for me were these: there were a few mistakes throughout the text. They aren't major things, but I caught a few of them and that is always a little disheartening. The very, very end of the book seemed out of place. For the most part, we'd journeyed with this action-filled book, but the end was exposited. It almost felt like an info dump. As much as I appreciated the resolution, I wish it would've been handled a little more deftly.
And there is the line I'm ultimately straddling here. It was a wonderful book, but it wasn't the best writing, you know? In a story that could've had so many more rich descriptions, I found that even the descriptions we did get lacked art. As impressed as I was by the characters and concept, there were times I imagined what this could've been in the hands of a more seasoned author.
That isn't entirely fair to Zeinab Alayan, however, who produced a very good debut and deserves to have others discover her work.
As I briefly mentioned in the beginning, this book really made me think of Tim Burton. Any chance we could get him on the movie version? No? No? No?
December 9, 2012
While not my typical cup of tea (I do find puppets sort of creepy), I have to admit, this book surprised me. It was far less about the puppets and far more about the characters and their relationship as it evolves. The idea of the Parade was fantastical, original and I totally loved it.
Both Oliver and Sophie were interesting, multidimensional characters who evolved as individuals as well as in their relationship as they travel the Parade, searching for Oliver's lost puppets. Throughout the first 90% or so of the book, there is a great layering of world, hints, allusions and explanation that I found myself really enjoying. I even grew very attached to the puppets as I found each one of them very well developed.
I had two hang ups about the book that keeps it from being a 5-star, one was occasionally odd dialogue and a lack of developed setting (outside the Parade) that, for me, was really irritating. I'm not sure if it was meant to feel like it could take place anywhere, but I couldn't tell if it was Anywhere, England or Anytown, USA, or even Whoknows, Germany. There was just enough detail for me to start feeling like I had an idea of where it took place, then it pulled back or alluded to something that really messed me up. This was particularly irritating at the end of the book. I also had difficulty placing the time--whether it was 1950s or 1800s, I just couldn't quite figure it out.
The second one was that the last 10% or so, for me, lost all of the mystery and the layering. It may even be the last 7% or so, but I went from watching the story unravel and being lead to connections and conclusions to info-dump after info-dump. The subtleties and details were handled so beautifully through the course of the novel that the end, to me, felt like it almost belonged in another book or was written by another person. Disappointing when the bulk was so beautifully handled.
It may be of interest that the book is apparently meant to be an allegory (as evidenced by an analysis included in the back). Since I have zero interest in allegory and political commentary, I didn't pay it any attention, but if that's your thing, it could definitely add a whole new dimension to the novel.
On the whole, though, Puppet Parade is an admirable premier and one that any fantasy-lover should pick up. The characters and the writing as whole have me looking forward to the next thing the author produces.
Both Oliver and Sophie were interesting, multidimensional characters who evolved as individuals as well as in their relationship as they travel the Parade, searching for Oliver's lost puppets. Throughout the first 90% or so of the book, there is a great layering of world, hints, allusions and explanation that I found myself really enjoying. I even grew very attached to the puppets as I found each one of them very well developed.
I had two hang ups about the book that keeps it from being a 5-star, one was occasionally odd dialogue and a lack of developed setting (outside the Parade) that, for me, was really irritating. I'm not sure if it was meant to feel like it could take place anywhere, but I couldn't tell if it was Anywhere, England or Anytown, USA, or even Whoknows, Germany. There was just enough detail for me to start feeling like I had an idea of where it took place, then it pulled back or alluded to something that really messed me up. This was particularly irritating at the end of the book. I also had difficulty placing the time--whether it was 1950s or 1800s, I just couldn't quite figure it out.
The second one was that the last 10% or so, for me, lost all of the mystery and the layering. It may even be the last 7% or so, but I went from watching the story unravel and being lead to connections and conclusions to info-dump after info-dump. The subtleties and details were handled so beautifully through the course of the novel that the end, to me, felt like it almost belonged in another book or was written by another person. Disappointing when the bulk was so beautifully handled.
It may be of interest that the book is apparently meant to be an allegory (as evidenced by an analysis included in the back). Since I have zero interest in allegory and political commentary, I didn't pay it any attention, but if that's your thing, it could definitely add a whole new dimension to the novel.
On the whole, though, Puppet Parade is an admirable premier and one that any fantasy-lover should pick up. The characters and the writing as whole have me looking forward to the next thing the author produces.
April 12, 2013
“Puppet Parade” is the debut book written by my 10+ year long school friend Zeinab Alayan and I will give it an honest 3.70/5.0 stars rating.
Like many of the past short stories and fan-fictions written by Zeinab during secondary/high school, I greatly enjoyed reading her first published book and I wouldn't let it down whenever I had the chance to continue reading (had to surreptitiously press the stand-by button on the side of my Samsung Note 2 every time my boss would pass behind my work laptop screen *snigger*).
I’ll try not to disclose the events of the novel since I don’t want to spoil it for potential readers.
So, to start off, the author gives a great description of the characters (Sophie and Oliver) backgrounds in the first two chapters and she connects them consistently with each other through the wishing star. The great thing about the initial chapters of the book is that they grab the reader’s attention unlike others which wait till halfway to start some action. Overall, the writing style and choice of vocabulary used by the author helps the reader visualize the different scenes in the book (maybe an artwork book can be created for Puppet Parade ;)?), and the chapters transition seamlessly between one another and don’t leave you disconnected. However, sometimes some details and repetitions in the books can make it tedious to read. Also, the book could’ve ended in a more innovative way.
A lot of the occurrences and events in the books seemed to be influenced by fairy-tales and other adventure and fantasy books/video-games (Harry Potter and Kingdom Hearts perhaps?), but that’s OK as it is normal to be inspired by others’ works to produce owns originals, regardless if it was works of writing or art, and I know Zeinab is one of the most avid readers I've ever met.
In conclusion, I can see this book made into a 5 to 10 episode TV mini-series like “The 10th Kingdom”, if anyone ever watched this back in 2000. This is a great fantasy book for all ages and it will give you a sufficient dosage of magic, adventure and sentiment as required. I look forward to reading more works from Zeinab Alayan.
Like many of the past short stories and fan-fictions written by Zeinab during secondary/high school, I greatly enjoyed reading her first published book and I wouldn't let it down whenever I had the chance to continue reading (had to surreptitiously press the stand-by button on the side of my Samsung Note 2 every time my boss would pass behind my work laptop screen *snigger*).
I’ll try not to disclose the events of the novel since I don’t want to spoil it for potential readers.
So, to start off, the author gives a great description of the characters (Sophie and Oliver) backgrounds in the first two chapters and she connects them consistently with each other through the wishing star. The great thing about the initial chapters of the book is that they grab the reader’s attention unlike others which wait till halfway to start some action. Overall, the writing style and choice of vocabulary used by the author helps the reader visualize the different scenes in the book (maybe an artwork book can be created for Puppet Parade ;)?), and the chapters transition seamlessly between one another and don’t leave you disconnected. However, sometimes some details and repetitions in the books can make it tedious to read. Also, the book could’ve ended in a more innovative way.
A lot of the occurrences and events in the books seemed to be influenced by fairy-tales and other adventure and fantasy books/video-games (Harry Potter and Kingdom Hearts perhaps?), but that’s OK as it is normal to be inspired by others’ works to produce owns originals, regardless if it was works of writing or art, and I know Zeinab is one of the most avid readers I've ever met.
In conclusion, I can see this book made into a 5 to 10 episode TV mini-series like “The 10th Kingdom”, if anyone ever watched this back in 2000. This is a great fantasy book for all ages and it will give you a sufficient dosage of magic, adventure and sentiment as required. I look forward to reading more works from Zeinab Alayan.
April 16, 2012
Puppet Parade is magical and gripping, I didn't want to put the book down.
The book follows the characters Sophie and Oliver as they journey through town after town, searching for his puppets. But as they, journey they realize that each town has a specific theme to it i.e. religion, entertainment, gypsies, beauty, magic,academics, etc. Within the towns they travel, they meet different challenges as they try to recover the puppets.
The one thing I must say Zeinab Alayan has done exceeding well in was character development. By the time the book ends, both Sophie and Oliver are still the same characters but have fundamentally changed. They find that they no longer desire the things they did before. They have learned more about themselves through their perilous journey.
As I read the book, I kept trying to pick who's point of view I enjoyed more, Sophie's or Oliver's. But I can't choose. There were times I enjoyed one more than the other but I was never bored or urging the author to just end the chapter go back to the other person's point of view.
Besides some swearing and a few grammatical and spelling errors, I found the Puppet Parade to be well written. Each puppet was different and the characters they met in the towns were never the same. This is something I found very refreshing. I never found any two characters that I can say were the same. Each were different and well written. Alayan seems to excel in character creation.
The plot itself was very enjoyable. I can't say I've ever come across anything like this. Right before the real bad guy was revealed I made myself look up and guess, and thought for sure I was right (I'll refrain from divulging this guess), but I was wrong. Now that I think back, Oliver's reaction should've tipped me off that I was wrong in the first place but hey, it was fun to guess.
The book follows the characters Sophie and Oliver as they journey through town after town, searching for his puppets. But as they, journey they realize that each town has a specific theme to it i.e. religion, entertainment, gypsies, beauty, magic,academics, etc. Within the towns they travel, they meet different challenges as they try to recover the puppets.
The one thing I must say Zeinab Alayan has done exceeding well in was character development. By the time the book ends, both Sophie and Oliver are still the same characters but have fundamentally changed. They find that they no longer desire the things they did before. They have learned more about themselves through their perilous journey.
As I read the book, I kept trying to pick who's point of view I enjoyed more, Sophie's or Oliver's. But I can't choose. There were times I enjoyed one more than the other but I was never bored or urging the author to just end the chapter go back to the other person's point of view.
Besides some swearing and a few grammatical and spelling errors, I found the Puppet Parade to be well written. Each puppet was different and the characters they met in the towns were never the same. This is something I found very refreshing. I never found any two characters that I can say were the same. Each were different and well written. Alayan seems to excel in character creation.
The plot itself was very enjoyable. I can't say I've ever come across anything like this. Right before the real bad guy was revealed I made myself look up and guess, and thought for sure I was right (I'll refrain from divulging this guess), but I was wrong. Now that I think back, Oliver's reaction should've tipped me off that I was wrong in the first place but hey, it was fun to guess.
April 24, 2012
I felt a little like Alice while reading Puppet Parade by Zeinab Alayan, or maybe that should be Pinocchio as it deals with puppets. No, Alice is definitely the right fit. Reading Puppet Parade is like entering the world of Wonderland. The characters (puppets and other people) are quirky and amusing. There are worlds within the world, all of which make up a whole that is quite fascinating. It's a bizarre but incredibly fun world.
The two main characters (Oliver and Sophie) have both been trapped in their lives, one by choice and one by force. Once their paths have crossed, they decide to set out on the journey to find Oliver's puppets who have come to life and fled their own captivity. This journey takes them into a world where things aren't quite what they seem and where finding out the truth could be dangerous.
Just like Wonderland there are some bad and dark things at work, and there are characters you just don't want to cross. Oliver and Sophie are determined though and follow the path right into the heart of evil.
So if you're interested in an Alice-like story that's a geared for a more adult you, then you should read Puppet Parade. Come meet Oliver, Sophie, and Oliver's puppets (the Lewd Lion, the Annoying Ass, the Meak Monster, just to name a few) and get for the train ride (no, not down the rabbit hole) you'll likely never forget.
*Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for a review*
The two main characters (Oliver and Sophie) have both been trapped in their lives, one by choice and one by force. Once their paths have crossed, they decide to set out on the journey to find Oliver's puppets who have come to life and fled their own captivity. This journey takes them into a world where things aren't quite what they seem and where finding out the truth could be dangerous.
Just like Wonderland there are some bad and dark things at work, and there are characters you just don't want to cross. Oliver and Sophie are determined though and follow the path right into the heart of evil.
So if you're interested in an Alice-like story that's a geared for a more adult you, then you should read Puppet Parade. Come meet Oliver, Sophie, and Oliver's puppets (the Lewd Lion, the Annoying Ass, the Meak Monster, just to name a few) and get for the train ride (no, not down the rabbit hole) you'll likely never forget.
*Disclosure: I received this book for free in exchange for a review*
May 16, 2012
Puppet Parade by Zeinab Alayan brings forth an adventure the reader is pulled into. Oliver and Sophie's lives start out dull and boring. Neither one knowing really what the outside world is about. The journey starts out with Sophie locked in her room and Oliver locking himself in his shop. Both characters were well crafted. They only knew the world of isolation until Sophie breaks free. At the same time, Oliver who crafts puppets looses his own work because of them coming alive.
Sophie and Oliver run into each other and this is where the magically enlightening journey begins. Without realizing it, they are pulled into the parade of magical towns which are categorized by theme. In each town, there's something new that pulls the reader in and makes them want more.
The only downfall I found within this journey is the fact that some things are overly detailed. It seemed like the story was drawn out. I caught myself skipping over some places in the end because it seemed easy to guess what would happen. I think this is a great YA book for those who are interested in magic and puppets. I give this book four (4 ****) stars.
Sophie and Oliver run into each other and this is where the magically enlightening journey begins. Without realizing it, they are pulled into the parade of magical towns which are categorized by theme. In each town, there's something new that pulls the reader in and makes them want more.
The only downfall I found within this journey is the fact that some things are overly detailed. It seemed like the story was drawn out. I caught myself skipping over some places in the end because it seemed easy to guess what would happen. I think this is a great YA book for those who are interested in magic and puppets. I give this book four (4 ****) stars.
March 19, 2025
When I first received the book to read, I was really excited, because stories about puppets and the life surrounding it was a very interesting appeal. However I found several descriptions in the novel to be too lengthy, and did not really appeal to me at all. There were times when I found myself wanting to stop turning the pages, but I persevered on because there was that certain spark in the story that pulled me forward.
Towards the end, I started ignoring the mistakes, and the descriptions that were too much, and focused on the interesting plot. I found the ending to be quite disappointing. Sort of anti-climatic. Overall, it was a rather nice read, but not one I'd go back too again and again.
I understand that this is the author's first novel and I applaud the fact that the storyline really is a gem. Its just the way she places descriptions, and emotions in the stories that make it not so much a great read. The characters were nicely fleshed out, but should've been more real.
I wish the author all the best for her upcoming novel! She will be able to produce many more gems if she continues to improve herself in fleshing out the story better.
Towards the end, I started ignoring the mistakes, and the descriptions that were too much, and focused on the interesting plot. I found the ending to be quite disappointing. Sort of anti-climatic. Overall, it was a rather nice read, but not one I'd go back too again and again.
I understand that this is the author's first novel and I applaud the fact that the storyline really is a gem. Its just the way she places descriptions, and emotions in the stories that make it not so much a great read. The characters were nicely fleshed out, but should've been more real.
I wish the author all the best for her upcoming novel! She will be able to produce many more gems if she continues to improve herself in fleshing out the story better.
June 18, 2012
This was a fun and different story. There is a great sense of mood throughout the whole thing that really catches the reader’ attention, giving the novel a kind of flavor that makes it great to read. There’s a gothic darkness that I really enjoyed. Now, having said that, I did find some of the descriptions too long. They sometimes disrupted and slowed down the plot when it needed to stay crisp and fast-paced, maintaining some of the mood but not overwhelming us with details.
The characters are really varied and fun. The puppet creator and the girl who joins up with him make for great foils of each other, while the puppets are as creepy as you’d expect but also much more interesting than I would have imagined. There are many other characters which fill in the rest of the novel, each one with his or her own peculiarity, making for a great cast.
I was quite impressed with the novel’s conclusion, as all the loose ends were addressed in a careful manner. So, all in all, I do recommend this book for those of you who love a bit of gothic-ness and strangeness in your stories.
The characters are really varied and fun. The puppet creator and the girl who joins up with him make for great foils of each other, while the puppets are as creepy as you’d expect but also much more interesting than I would have imagined. There are many other characters which fill in the rest of the novel, each one with his or her own peculiarity, making for a great cast.
I was quite impressed with the novel’s conclusion, as all the loose ends were addressed in a careful manner. So, all in all, I do recommend this book for those of you who love a bit of gothic-ness and strangeness in your stories.
January 25, 2013
It took me awhile to get into this book. The puppets' language at the beginning really turned me off. I didn't like the puppets because they were crude and mean, and I didn't understand or relate to Oliver at all. I had no idea where Oliver was, or where Sophie was. Where was the original town? And, what time period are we talking? But, I kept reading and then I couldn't stop. I got picked up by The Parade and got lost in all of its magical towns. I especially loved the town with all the libraries and colleges. That's where you would find me, for sure. As I read, I found a softer side of Oliver and Sophie and really started to like them. I ended up really enjoying this book, and am glad I read it. There were a few spelling and grammatical errors, and there is quite a bit of language. There is also some violence. The Violence Town is scary and very graphic. I would recommend this book for ages 16 and up. You may read my full review on my book blog: www.the-readathon.blogspot.com.
April 6, 2016
Surprisingly addicting
I think I came across this book a long time ago on a giveaway list and marked it to read. I decided to finally begin reading it a couple of days ago and found myself absorbed in this story. I have a neutral feeling about puppets, but the idea of animated ones didn't really spark my interest. By the time Sophie and Oliver reached the second town I was really liking this story. I'm not going to lie.. Igor was very creepy. Overall, this book was an easy read and I liked it.
I think I came across this book a long time ago on a giveaway list and marked it to read. I decided to finally begin reading it a couple of days ago and found myself absorbed in this story. I have a neutral feeling about puppets, but the idea of animated ones didn't really spark my interest. By the time Sophie and Oliver reached the second town I was really liking this story. I'm not going to lie.. Igor was very creepy. Overall, this book was an easy read and I liked it.
March 31, 2012
When I received my copy of this I was really looking forward to a, what I thought, very good-sounding book, and I wasn't disapointed in any way. This book is really a page turner from start to finish. The characters leap out of the pages and the plot is amazingly well written with so many twists and turns and that even a hard-core reader would be able to feel surprised. Alayan has written a masterpiece and I look forward to reading more of her work!
July 2, 2012
The cover drew me in and once I read the description of the story I bought the book immediately. Right from the start the story was exciting and filled with adventure. I loved the characters, the descriptions and the overall story. It is clear to me that this author is a great storyteller and I am really looking forward to any future books. If you’re looking for an exciting, original story, this is it!
November 29, 2012
I loved the storyline and how it swept me away with all of the details and the depth of the characters. I was never without this book and I took it everywhere, the grocery store, in the car.. I just could not put it down. I have already told a few people about it and they are interested in reading it also.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
September 4, 2015
A very clever story akin to old-time fables. Two lead characters with interesting circumstances who play well of each other and each shows their own merit. It's a very magical story both with bright whimsy and dark nightmares, but the concept is clever and the execution is a fun ride. The writing is good with just enough revealed at any point in time to keep the reader guessing.
August 21, 2015
This book was great, a page turner, I recommend it to everyone.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews