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Marionette
Paige Alexander is seventeen and has her whole life in front of her. One day her girlfriend comes home to discover that Paige has slit her wrists. Paige isn't insane, but she acts like she is. Why?
After the incident, Paige agrees to go to therapy to appease her girlfriend, Jess. However, Paige doesn't believe that therapy will help her. She believes she’s beyond help. Paige doesn't want to find herself and she doesn't want to relive her painful past in order to come to terms with it. What Paige wants is control over her life, which she hasn't had since her birth.
During her childhood, Paige is blamed for a family tragedy, when in fact, her twin sister, Abbie was responsible. Abbie doesn't come forward and Paige becomes the pariah of the family.
To add to Paige’s woes, while attending a college in a small town in Colorado, the residents are in the midst of debating whether or not gays and lesbians should have equal rights. Tension is high and there’s a threat of violence. She isn't out of the closet and pretends to be straight at school since she fears what will happen if her parents find out she’s a lesbian. Will she end up dead like her best friend, Alex?
After the incident, Paige agrees to go to therapy to appease her girlfriend, Jess. However, Paige doesn't believe that therapy will help her. She believes she’s beyond help. Paige doesn't want to find herself and she doesn't want to relive her painful past in order to come to terms with it. What Paige wants is control over her life, which she hasn't had since her birth.
During her childhood, Paige is blamed for a family tragedy, when in fact, her twin sister, Abbie was responsible. Abbie doesn't come forward and Paige becomes the pariah of the family.
To add to Paige’s woes, while attending a college in a small town in Colorado, the residents are in the midst of debating whether or not gays and lesbians should have equal rights. Tension is high and there’s a threat of violence. She isn't out of the closet and pretends to be straight at school since she fears what will happen if her parents find out she’s a lesbian. Will she end up dead like her best friend, Alex?
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2013
52 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
T.B. Markinson
70 books1,156 followersT. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn't writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in England, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 11, 2014
Marionette is a book about a very difficult subject and it is told with the utmost sensitivity and understanding. T B Markinson does an amazing job of drawing the reader into Paige Alexander’s world of self-loathing, suicide and lesbian love. Paige is a teenage girl about to commence college life as a fresher but who is also under-going counselling. On the face of things she appears to hate or belittle her own family and the new students with whom she must share her accommodation. Although the above list of ingredients for this novel would normally make this reader shy away from it, plus the fact it is taking place in an American college where terms and language are unfamiliar to me, I was intrigued and hooked from page four!
The tale of Paige’s gradual transformation into a caring young woman with a rewarding future and happy relationships through friends and Jess, her girlfriend, is told in such a non-judgemental way by the author that I grew to care about her more and more. We are not subjected to torrid descriptions of sexual behaviour between gay (or straight) couples, as you may typically expect, but the closeness between Paige and Jess is made very apparent in such a skilful way by T B Markinson that I hoped throughout the story that the pair would stay together.
It is evident that Paige is not seeking the reader’s sympathy or pity but does want to find a way out of her tangled and tragic past life. There are humorous moments injected from time to time and the story builds to a satisfying conclusion, though I felt it was a little rushed near the end in clearing up some loose ends. I would have liked to have known a lot more about her sister, Abbie, for example.
Marionette is a very well-written book that I can heartily recommend to anyone who seeks a tale of relationships between family and friends, where serious difficulties are treated with respect and humility. It is gratifying to find a young author, like T B Markinson, who is able to teach this (very) mature male reader something more about life that would not normally be considered, and written in such a thought provoking fashion. Well done, T B.
The tale of Paige’s gradual transformation into a caring young woman with a rewarding future and happy relationships through friends and Jess, her girlfriend, is told in such a non-judgemental way by the author that I grew to care about her more and more. We are not subjected to torrid descriptions of sexual behaviour between gay (or straight) couples, as you may typically expect, but the closeness between Paige and Jess is made very apparent in such a skilful way by T B Markinson that I hoped throughout the story that the pair would stay together.
It is evident that Paige is not seeking the reader’s sympathy or pity but does want to find a way out of her tangled and tragic past life. There are humorous moments injected from time to time and the story builds to a satisfying conclusion, though I felt it was a little rushed near the end in clearing up some loose ends. I would have liked to have known a lot more about her sister, Abbie, for example.
Marionette is a very well-written book that I can heartily recommend to anyone who seeks a tale of relationships between family and friends, where serious difficulties are treated with respect and humility. It is gratifying to find a young author, like T B Markinson, who is able to teach this (very) mature male reader something more about life that would not normally be considered, and written in such a thought provoking fashion. Well done, T B.
July 26, 2016
"Reading always gave me comfort. It was a way to get away from me," so says our main character, Paige Alexander, someone I have a feeling I'd enjoy knowing in real life.
I can't remember the last time I read a novel that set such a distinct mood and got under my skin, leaving me thinking long after I finished it. This is something that takes a while to read...because it's so good you don't want to rush it and there's so much to take in: family issues, suicide, college life and even some mystery.
As I do a lot when I read, I jotted down notes and quotes and found myself wishing I had had books like this to read when I was a teenager. At one point our main character thinks with frustration and pain that her friend's boyfriend Wesley (most appropriately nicknamed "Weasel") is always flirting with other women and treating them badly, yet society thinks she (as a lesbian) is the "the freak, the outcast, the downfall of society."
Throughout the novel, T.B. Markinson merges strong atmosphere with riveting plot and very likable characters you grow to care for deeply. She also pulls off the rare feat of making observations about society, life and human beings without sounding preachy or taking away from the storyline. ("I don't hate men. I'm just gay. I can't explain why.")
Marionette is painfully funny at times ("I wish idiots would recognize they're idiots") and starkly sincere (Paige is facing more than any one person should have to face at her age and the interactions with her counselor Liddy are convincingly awkward, then, later, emotionally moving). The way the author captures the young adult voice is simply amazing. The secondary characters are not only important and complementary to all that happens, they become part of a group that proves that unrelated people can come together and form a family tighter than any blood ties.
Marionette pleases in every way that you would want a book to please you and it takes a serious topic (suicide) and it gives it the care, attention and thoughtfulness it deserves. I wasn't counting on there being a rather significant suspenseful element, which in less capable hands could have been a huge detractor from everything else.
Another big plus for me is how Paige's relationship with her girlfriend Jess is presented. So much fiction with lesbian themes places way too much emphasis on the physical aspects of romance. Here, Markinson pretty much draws the curtains closed on that part of life. What Paige and Jess share becomes all the more sweeter and more tender because so much of their relationship revolves around mutual love, understanding and compassion. They are happy in the bedroom, but that's not what makes their connection work, that's secondary to how they are always there for each other and just connect.
Marionette is something I will definitely be keeping on my Kindle and reading again. It also makes me want to go back and read T.B. Markinson's first book A Woman Lost. I will be eagerly on the lookout for her next novel.
I can't remember the last time I read a novel that set such a distinct mood and got under my skin, leaving me thinking long after I finished it. This is something that takes a while to read...because it's so good you don't want to rush it and there's so much to take in: family issues, suicide, college life and even some mystery.
As I do a lot when I read, I jotted down notes and quotes and found myself wishing I had had books like this to read when I was a teenager. At one point our main character thinks with frustration and pain that her friend's boyfriend Wesley (most appropriately nicknamed "Weasel") is always flirting with other women and treating them badly, yet society thinks she (as a lesbian) is the "the freak, the outcast, the downfall of society."
Throughout the novel, T.B. Markinson merges strong atmosphere with riveting plot and very likable characters you grow to care for deeply. She also pulls off the rare feat of making observations about society, life and human beings without sounding preachy or taking away from the storyline. ("I don't hate men. I'm just gay. I can't explain why.")
Marionette is painfully funny at times ("I wish idiots would recognize they're idiots") and starkly sincere (Paige is facing more than any one person should have to face at her age and the interactions with her counselor Liddy are convincingly awkward, then, later, emotionally moving). The way the author captures the young adult voice is simply amazing. The secondary characters are not only important and complementary to all that happens, they become part of a group that proves that unrelated people can come together and form a family tighter than any blood ties.
Marionette pleases in every way that you would want a book to please you and it takes a serious topic (suicide) and it gives it the care, attention and thoughtfulness it deserves. I wasn't counting on there being a rather significant suspenseful element, which in less capable hands could have been a huge detractor from everything else.
Another big plus for me is how Paige's relationship with her girlfriend Jess is presented. So much fiction with lesbian themes places way too much emphasis on the physical aspects of romance. Here, Markinson pretty much draws the curtains closed on that part of life. What Paige and Jess share becomes all the more sweeter and more tender because so much of their relationship revolves around mutual love, understanding and compassion. They are happy in the bedroom, but that's not what makes their connection work, that's secondary to how they are always there for each other and just connect.
Marionette is something I will definitely be keeping on my Kindle and reading again. It also makes me want to go back and read T.B. Markinson's first book A Woman Lost. I will be eagerly on the lookout for her next novel.
November 9, 2017
4.5 rounded to 5. I downloaded this book after reading a series by the author. I then proceeded to avoid reading it for a few months because I thought it’d be all dark and depressing and I hate that. The main character has been through a shit-ton (that’s a literary term don’t you know ;-D) of heart ache and strife so she’s cynical and bitter; she’s also funny as hell. She thinks things in her head that are so true but probably shouldn’t be said out loud.
It was so interesting to me to see how someone so bitter can start to heal and her character becomes softer as the book proceeds. She starts to forgive herself and seems to learn how to be a friend.
The ending is completely unexpected but in hindsight it’s not that surprising considering her family is completely whacked. I have some childhood baggage (don’t we all?) but these parents made me grateful for my imperfect family.
I feel like I’m rambling so I’ll end by saying this is a great story. Like, really good. Y’all should check it out. Yep.
It was so interesting to me to see how someone so bitter can start to heal and her character becomes softer as the book proceeds. She starts to forgive herself and seems to learn how to be a friend.
The ending is completely unexpected but in hindsight it’s not that surprising considering her family is completely whacked. I have some childhood baggage (don’t we all?) but these parents made me grateful for my imperfect family.
I feel like I’m rambling so I’ll end by saying this is a great story. Like, really good. Y’all should check it out. Yep.
September 22, 2020
Dang... this was brilliantly intense. I woke up and thought I'd read a chapter or two but ended up finishing the whole thing instead. Everything that came out in the story was surprising to me and... it was just so good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2013
I recently got my hands on a copy of MARIONETTE.
I was a bit hesitant about reading a book from someone I know…ye Gods…what if I hate it ?? Especially when you are dealing with subject matter such as this book does…attempted suicide, homosexuality, hiding who you are and dysfunctional family bonds.
Suicide has touched my life…and in every case…every single one…those left behind are broken and shattered and struggle to find their way past the moment that the person who took their life passed the burden on to them.
I grew up trying to be the perfect daughter, wife, mother…never trusting that the real me was good enough. I hid behind a veneer of what I perceived was acceptable.
As for dysfunctional family bonds…I am writing a book on those. From experience.
Thus…when I started reading Marionette…I was like…oh no !!! Because the beginning of the book starts with a failed suicide attempt.
Then…wham bamm thank you ma’am, you step right in to her crazy family where Paige hides everything important about herself.
Three out of four boxes I know about…Marionette was hitting close to home.
Paige Alexander is a young woman who has lived her life with parents who frankly…need shooting on sight. Seriously. These are the sort of people that were they dogs…then they would be euthanized to protect the community .
Paige loves Jessica. Secretly. Why you may ask ? Well, for that you need to read Marionette.
What can be a problem with books such as this one, I have found at least, is making the characters believable. Too many writers turn the people in their books in to cardboard cutouts that have no real dimension to them.
As Paige goes off to college, and to counseling, piece by piece we get to travel within [think Fantastic Voyage] her until we finally end up completely in Paige’s head, really knowing her.
Along the way we also get to know Jess better. Quite early on you wonder a bit about whether Jess is all she seems. I am not going to give any spoilers here, so if you want to know the answer to that…you know the drill…get the book. Why does this older, educated, confident, funny woman want to be with the younger, damaged Paige ?
The other characters in the book, except for the completely hellish parents, are all well written complementary characters. Not that the parents aren’t well conceived, they are just downright evil people.
Liddy, Paige’s counselor, is one of my favourites in the book. Slowly through Liddy, we the reader get to know Paige.
Then there are the college friends. Audrey [the roommate], aptly nick named ‘Minnie Mouse’ by Paige. Jenna and Karen [the suite mates]. Jewels, Emily, Tom, Ben and Aaron. Paige’s relationship with Tom provides a few nice twists.
Then there are:
Mel and Wesley. Talk about a couple who need a swift kick.
Alex. Paige’s childhood friend. This was one of the saddest but most unexpected relationships in Marionette.
Abbie. Paige’s sister. Abbie has more than her share of demons too.
Julia. Who runs a diner and through her food has become part of Jess’s family and so therefore also Paige’s.
This is a book about relationships. How they can grow and surprise you. How you can survive the ugly ones and rejoice in the ones that lift your spirit. It is also about secrets.
I read Marionette in one sitting. Then I went back to read it again for this review and was just as delighted the second time.
Thank goodness it has also been edited and proofread. Self published books that haven’t are sadly too many to name these days. They do little to serve the readers or the authors who can’t be bothered to make sure that their finished book actually is that – finished.
I look forward to reading the next of T B Markinson’s efforts after this.
I was a bit hesitant about reading a book from someone I know…ye Gods…what if I hate it ?? Especially when you are dealing with subject matter such as this book does…attempted suicide, homosexuality, hiding who you are and dysfunctional family bonds.
Suicide has touched my life…and in every case…every single one…those left behind are broken and shattered and struggle to find their way past the moment that the person who took their life passed the burden on to them.
I grew up trying to be the perfect daughter, wife, mother…never trusting that the real me was good enough. I hid behind a veneer of what I perceived was acceptable.
As for dysfunctional family bonds…I am writing a book on those. From experience.
Thus…when I started reading Marionette…I was like…oh no !!! Because the beginning of the book starts with a failed suicide attempt.
Then…wham bamm thank you ma’am, you step right in to her crazy family where Paige hides everything important about herself.
Three out of four boxes I know about…Marionette was hitting close to home.
Paige Alexander is a young woman who has lived her life with parents who frankly…need shooting on sight. Seriously. These are the sort of people that were they dogs…then they would be euthanized to protect the community .
Paige loves Jessica. Secretly. Why you may ask ? Well, for that you need to read Marionette.
What can be a problem with books such as this one, I have found at least, is making the characters believable. Too many writers turn the people in their books in to cardboard cutouts that have no real dimension to them.
As Paige goes off to college, and to counseling, piece by piece we get to travel within [think Fantastic Voyage] her until we finally end up completely in Paige’s head, really knowing her.
Along the way we also get to know Jess better. Quite early on you wonder a bit about whether Jess is all she seems. I am not going to give any spoilers here, so if you want to know the answer to that…you know the drill…get the book. Why does this older, educated, confident, funny woman want to be with the younger, damaged Paige ?
The other characters in the book, except for the completely hellish parents, are all well written complementary characters. Not that the parents aren’t well conceived, they are just downright evil people.
Liddy, Paige’s counselor, is one of my favourites in the book. Slowly through Liddy, we the reader get to know Paige.
Then there are the college friends. Audrey [the roommate], aptly nick named ‘Minnie Mouse’ by Paige. Jenna and Karen [the suite mates]. Jewels, Emily, Tom, Ben and Aaron. Paige’s relationship with Tom provides a few nice twists.
Then there are:
Mel and Wesley. Talk about a couple who need a swift kick.
Alex. Paige’s childhood friend. This was one of the saddest but most unexpected relationships in Marionette.
Abbie. Paige’s sister. Abbie has more than her share of demons too.
Julia. Who runs a diner and through her food has become part of Jess’s family and so therefore also Paige’s.
This is a book about relationships. How they can grow and surprise you. How you can survive the ugly ones and rejoice in the ones that lift your spirit. It is also about secrets.
I read Marionette in one sitting. Then I went back to read it again for this review and was just as delighted the second time.
Thank goodness it has also been edited and proofread. Self published books that haven’t are sadly too many to name these days. They do little to serve the readers or the authors who can’t be bothered to make sure that their finished book actually is that – finished.
I look forward to reading the next of T B Markinson’s efforts after this.
November 12, 2013
The second novel by T.B. Markinson starts out with a plan. The “plan” is not one that is easy to read but I was drawn into this novel from the very first sentence. With that first sentence the stage is set for the rest of this excellently written and often suspenseful novel as the reader is transported into the world of the main character, Paige, a young woman with more secrets than she is admitting to.
The plan involves a failed suicide attempt and while those details were so difficult to read I can only imagine the emotions and feelings that swirl around in the mind of someone like Paige who not only has current life issues to deal with but also carries with her secrets and baggage from her past.
T.B. Markinson skillfully weaves a tale of real and raw emotions that the reader feels a part of while at the same time addressing social issues such as gay/lesbian acceptance in society today as well as stigmas attached to seeking professional psychiatric care. There is a lot packed into this book!
A bit of romance, a bit of suspense with a touch of social issues injected make this such a wonderful book to read that I have already gifted it to one friend and plan to give more as gifts in the future. The book is written in first person but all of the characters are so interesting that you feel you are a part of each and every person that is described on the pages.
I have had the privilege to read “A Woman Lost”, T.B. Markinson’s debut novel and loved it and just have to say that the second novel, “Marionette” is even better. Please keep the books coming, T.B. Markinson!!! We can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
The plan involves a failed suicide attempt and while those details were so difficult to read I can only imagine the emotions and feelings that swirl around in the mind of someone like Paige who not only has current life issues to deal with but also carries with her secrets and baggage from her past.
T.B. Markinson skillfully weaves a tale of real and raw emotions that the reader feels a part of while at the same time addressing social issues such as gay/lesbian acceptance in society today as well as stigmas attached to seeking professional psychiatric care. There is a lot packed into this book!
A bit of romance, a bit of suspense with a touch of social issues injected make this such a wonderful book to read that I have already gifted it to one friend and plan to give more as gifts in the future. The book is written in first person but all of the characters are so interesting that you feel you are a part of each and every person that is described on the pages.
I have had the privilege to read “A Woman Lost”, T.B. Markinson’s debut novel and loved it and just have to say that the second novel, “Marionette” is even better. Please keep the books coming, T.B. Markinson!!! We can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
November 8, 2013
Curiosity pretty much sums up the emotion you feel as you read Marionette. The book is a true page turner!
Paige Alexander is seventeen and although she has her whole life in front of her, she doesn't want to live it. Her older girlfriend, Jess, comes home to find that Paige has slit her wrists.
When Paige leaves for college she promises Jess that she will go to therapy, which she instantly regrets doing. Paige doesn't believe there is help for her, nor does she want to relieve her painful past....
But what is that painful past?
And why is Paige afraid of ending up murdered like her best friend, Alex?
If all this wasn’t bad enough, Paige is afraid to let anyone know that she is a lesbian. Tensions are already high at her small college, as the students debate if gays are entitled to equal rights. As the debates turn violent, Paige begins to worry about a new person in Jess’s life.
I love the way that TB told this story. It was incredibly realistic. Little by little Paige allowed her therapist and her college roommates in. But as the reader you couldn’t help wonder if Paige was always being honest. Was she telling the therapist the truth or was she just making stuff up to appease her? Many times while reading I had my doubts. These doubts made me read faster. I had to find out what made Paige tick.
All the characters were well developed. Paige had a wicked / sarcastic sense of humor that often had me laughing out loud. And I loved the “cast of characters” that made up Paige’s college life. They were all so relatable!
Paige Alexander is seventeen and although she has her whole life in front of her, she doesn't want to live it. Her older girlfriend, Jess, comes home to find that Paige has slit her wrists.
When Paige leaves for college she promises Jess that she will go to therapy, which she instantly regrets doing. Paige doesn't believe there is help for her, nor does she want to relieve her painful past....
But what is that painful past?
And why is Paige afraid of ending up murdered like her best friend, Alex?
If all this wasn’t bad enough, Paige is afraid to let anyone know that she is a lesbian. Tensions are already high at her small college, as the students debate if gays are entitled to equal rights. As the debates turn violent, Paige begins to worry about a new person in Jess’s life.
I love the way that TB told this story. It was incredibly realistic. Little by little Paige allowed her therapist and her college roommates in. But as the reader you couldn’t help wonder if Paige was always being honest. Was she telling the therapist the truth or was she just making stuff up to appease her? Many times while reading I had my doubts. These doubts made me read faster. I had to find out what made Paige tick.
All the characters were well developed. Paige had a wicked / sarcastic sense of humor that often had me laughing out loud. And I loved the “cast of characters” that made up Paige’s college life. They were all so relatable!
February 12, 2014
Markinson’s in your face writing style really brings this story to life. You can’t help but become wholly immersed in the storyline. As a reader you have a front seat to the action as you are completely in the main character’s head becoming part of the story yourself. The author melds reality with fiction so seamlessly that you can’t help but be awed. She also brings a great deal of harsh & tough topics to the forefront, building her story around them and showing what can and will be. That said, it left me with a smile on my face at the end.
The cast of characters in this tale were vivid without ever becoming larger than life. Markinson plays up both the best and the worst in her characters, leaving you with a clear picture that gives you a look in to the deepest part of them. She also doesn’t just develop her characters as individuals but as part of a whole, both with the relationships that they are intimate parts of and those that they stand on the fringes of. It lends an extra air of intimacy to the story.
Overall this was quite the intriguing and captivating read. It was my introduction to the author and would definitely spark me to read more of her work. I’d also recommend it to those who want a novel that will make you think and fell.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The cast of characters in this tale were vivid without ever becoming larger than life. Markinson plays up both the best and the worst in her characters, leaving you with a clear picture that gives you a look in to the deepest part of them. She also doesn’t just develop her characters as individuals but as part of a whole, both with the relationships that they are intimate parts of and those that they stand on the fringes of. It lends an extra air of intimacy to the story.
Overall this was quite the intriguing and captivating read. It was my introduction to the author and would definitely spark me to read more of her work. I’d also recommend it to those who want a novel that will make you think and fell.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2014
I actually don’t like reading. It’s funny though, as an author, reading should be part of writing. But that’s not the case here in Marionette. At the very first page, I know it’s about suicide, which one of the topics that always interest me as I’m also writing about psychological-drama.
Once I started reading I honestly couldn't stop as I was sucked in by how realistic everything was. From beginning to end I felt like I was right there with the main character, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw because everything is so realistic. I am drawn in by the prologue, thinking I might know what’s going on, but I actually knew nothing.
The author weaves a brilliant storyline that leads us to believe that there is a desperate soul lies inside each one of us; there is always another face hidden behind a mask that even the wearer does not know anything about.
This novel also has lots and lots of humor in it. I still remember at one part of the conversation I really laughed out loud cause I hit me in real life. Overall, this reading was pretty psychological and taught me a lot of things I didn’t know. It gave me the feeling of wanting to read more and more, until I realized that I’ve reached the end of the book.
Once I started reading I honestly couldn't stop as I was sucked in by how realistic everything was. From beginning to end I felt like I was right there with the main character, feeling what she felt, seeing what she saw because everything is so realistic. I am drawn in by the prologue, thinking I might know what’s going on, but I actually knew nothing.
The author weaves a brilliant storyline that leads us to believe that there is a desperate soul lies inside each one of us; there is always another face hidden behind a mask that even the wearer does not know anything about.
This novel also has lots and lots of humor in it. I still remember at one part of the conversation I really laughed out loud cause I hit me in real life. Overall, this reading was pretty psychological and taught me a lot of things I didn’t know. It gave me the feeling of wanting to read more and more, until I realized that I’ve reached the end of the book.
January 7, 2014
I read T.B. Markinson's first Book A Woman Lost and loved it. Marionette did not disappoint as a second novel. The characters are very likeable, yet slightly flawed. Although it is enjoyable to read about those perfect women that we all dream about sweeping us off our feet, it is much more satisfying to me to read about slightly flawed people because that is reality. What makes them so endearing is that you really like them and can root for them because their flaws are endearing. They are the classic underdog that you desperately want to come out on top. Paige the main character is sarcastic, witty, funny and completely likeable. You not only want her to prevail, you need her to, and she does in the end. The book has humor, mystery and a whole lot of heart. There is sadness, but not over the top melodrama. A great story that unfolds as the hints throughout keep you turning that next page until the wee hours. The book is priced way too low. Worth every penny and more.
March 22, 2015
Marionette pulls you in from the very first page. I couldn't read it fast enough! Paige, a seventeen-year-old girl, tries to commit suicide, but is rescued by her girlfriend, Jess, before she succeeds. Starting her freshman year of college, Paige makes a promise to Jess to see a therapist for the next year. Throughout these sessions and Paige’s flashbacks, her difficult childhood is revealed, along with dark family secrets.
Paige is easy to identify with, and though she isn't the friendliest girl, her witty inner dialogue is funny and endearing. I formed an instant connection with her and had a vested interest in her story. T.B. Markinson’s writing is phenomenal and the story addicting! I absolutely love this book!
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Paige is easy to identify with, and though she isn't the friendliest girl, her witty inner dialogue is funny and endearing. I formed an instant connection with her and had a vested interest in her story. T.B. Markinson’s writing is phenomenal and the story addicting! I absolutely love this book!
*I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2014
Marionette is about college girl, Paige, who is battling some heavy issues, most of which she is trying to keep secret and that's part of her struggle. At times she seems resentful (which is totally expected and reasonable under her circumstances - no spoilers) but she's got a huge heart although she tries to hide that fact. I connected with Paige on so many levels. She is a true to life character with hardships, a sense of humor, and compassion. She's a character you can't help rooting for. I loved that there was a little bit of a mystery intertwined with this novel as well. I enjoyed reading Paige's story and I'm looking forward to reading Markinson's next book.
November 9, 2013
Marionette
Suicide is such a difficult topic to write about, I wasn't sure I could get through this book. However, the book isn't depressing or full of despair. The story had twists and turns throughout and after a few chapters I forgot it was in first person. I never really connected with the characters, but I was invested in how things would work out or not work out for the characters. I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for something different than your typical romance.
Suicide is such a difficult topic to write about, I wasn't sure I could get through this book. However, the book isn't depressing or full of despair. The story had twists and turns throughout and after a few chapters I forgot it was in first person. I never really connected with the characters, but I was invested in how things would work out or not work out for the characters. I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for something different than your typical romance.
September 16, 2014
Paige is a college student keeping many things inside. She attempted suicide, her best friend died, and her mother has treated her horribly for many years over something someone else did. Also, she’s in the closet, afraid to come out as a lesbian.
There are many interesting psychological elements in this novel, and another nice touch is the family intrigue, which involves some dark secrets bubbling to the surface. I immensely enjoyed the author’s other books, but this one might be my favorite.
There are many interesting psychological elements in this novel, and another nice touch is the family intrigue, which involves some dark secrets bubbling to the surface. I immensely enjoyed the author’s other books, but this one might be my favorite.
January 28, 2021
A rollercoaster of emotions for me, mostly because I identify with Paige and how she dealt with her suicide attempt by using humor. I had a LOL moment when Jess was finally described as a foot shorter than Paige, since her character just seemed to be so big. I just wish all therapist were as good as Liddy, it would help so many more people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2013
I have noticed lately that the literary market seems to be flooded with more books than ever before, and oftentimes the book you pick up to read today seems very similar to the book you read last week. Then along comes a story that is refreshing and unique, that captures your attention from the first sentence and doesn’t let you out of its grasp until the last page is turned. Even then the characters still roam around in your mind as you slowly process a climax that is like a bucket of cold water thrown over your head, shocking yet eye opening. After the shock wears off, you find yourself rooting for the characters to find happiness and move on with their lives. Such is the case with Marionette by T.B. Markinson.
Paige Alexander should be happy. She has finally left home to attend college and has a girlfriend who cares about her deeply, but the effects of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family - under the influence of a rich and controlling father and an evil and crazy mother - have left her damaged, so much so that the opening chapter is a rant at herself for failing at suicide. Paige has been controlled her whole life like a puppet on a string. Her true self and her dreams have been continually squashed, and she desperately wants to reclaim herself, but with everything she knows about her family and the futileness she feels in her situation, she attempts suicide as a way to successfully gain control of her life because in death she would be free. Paige is always trying to hide, to disappear. She hides her suicide attempt from her family because she’s afraid they will lock her up, she hides the fact that she is gay from her college roommates, and there are even things that she has hidden from her girlfriend, who is the only person that she can truly be herself with. However, she is not the only one who has been hiding things, and as one truth after another is revealed, Paige realizes that she needs to break free from her past. After years being controlled by others, can Paige find a way to cut the strings and live her life on her own terms?
Marionette has the most captivating opening that I have ever read in a book. My interest was piqued from the first sentence, and I knew right away that Paige was going to be a fascinating character. What appealed to me right off the bat was her sarcastic humour. Paige is an amazing and complex character who has been deeply hurt and is being eaten up inside by guilt, and she often uses her sarcasm to build up a shield around herself because she has no desire to let people into her life. She is trapped in a past full of painful memories and considers herself broken, beyond repair. However, to me she was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and I quickly became engrossed in her life, wanting to see if she would get the help she needed and find the peace and happiness that she so obviously deserved. And Paige is only one of a varied cast of characters, each believable and interesting in his or her own way, and a great contrast to each other.
What made the greatest impression on me as I read Marionette was that it is truly the whole package. There’s a little bit of everything – secrets and mystery, suspense, power and corruption, humour, gay/lesbian issues, abuse and psychological issues, and romance, and they all meld together perfectly to create a wonderful journey of discovery and healing. Markinson’s skills as a writer impress me more and more with each novel she writes. She is like an artist who paints a picture with words so that you can actually visualize the scene you are reading, and while doing so she also draws out every emotion for the reader to experience along the way.
I could go on and on about Marionette for hours, but suffice it to say there were surprises around every corner which made it impossible to put down. I highly recommend it.
Paige Alexander should be happy. She has finally left home to attend college and has a girlfriend who cares about her deeply, but the effects of growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family - under the influence of a rich and controlling father and an evil and crazy mother - have left her damaged, so much so that the opening chapter is a rant at herself for failing at suicide. Paige has been controlled her whole life like a puppet on a string. Her true self and her dreams have been continually squashed, and she desperately wants to reclaim herself, but with everything she knows about her family and the futileness she feels in her situation, she attempts suicide as a way to successfully gain control of her life because in death she would be free. Paige is always trying to hide, to disappear. She hides her suicide attempt from her family because she’s afraid they will lock her up, she hides the fact that she is gay from her college roommates, and there are even things that she has hidden from her girlfriend, who is the only person that she can truly be herself with. However, she is not the only one who has been hiding things, and as one truth after another is revealed, Paige realizes that she needs to break free from her past. After years being controlled by others, can Paige find a way to cut the strings and live her life on her own terms?
Marionette has the most captivating opening that I have ever read in a book. My interest was piqued from the first sentence, and I knew right away that Paige was going to be a fascinating character. What appealed to me right off the bat was her sarcastic humour. Paige is an amazing and complex character who has been deeply hurt and is being eaten up inside by guilt, and she often uses her sarcasm to build up a shield around herself because she has no desire to let people into her life. She is trapped in a past full of painful memories and considers herself broken, beyond repair. However, to me she was stronger than she gave herself credit for, and I quickly became engrossed in her life, wanting to see if she would get the help she needed and find the peace and happiness that she so obviously deserved. And Paige is only one of a varied cast of characters, each believable and interesting in his or her own way, and a great contrast to each other.
What made the greatest impression on me as I read Marionette was that it is truly the whole package. There’s a little bit of everything – secrets and mystery, suspense, power and corruption, humour, gay/lesbian issues, abuse and psychological issues, and romance, and they all meld together perfectly to create a wonderful journey of discovery and healing. Markinson’s skills as a writer impress me more and more with each novel she writes. She is like an artist who paints a picture with words so that you can actually visualize the scene you are reading, and while doing so she also draws out every emotion for the reader to experience along the way.
I could go on and on about Marionette for hours, but suffice it to say there were surprises around every corner which made it impossible to put down. I highly recommend it.
January 5, 2015
4.5 stars
Paige Alexander has lived a life of luxury and wealth but has suffered at the hands of sociopathic parents and constant self-doubt. When her botched suicide attempt lands her in counseling Paige begins to search deep within herself and face her demons. However, life gets even more messy when her girlfriend has secrets, she has a gay fake boyfriend, and a hate crime threatens to expose her sexuality for all to see. Will Paige pull it all together or is she too doomed for this world?
Upon reflection I feel this story has a main theme of balance. Paige is a lovable character with a snarky attitude and horrible people skills who has a dark past and even darker assumptions. Therefore this novel is a balance of humor and sensitivity mixed with dark and deep undertones. Surprisingly I found this novel very dark for a young adult book. One thing I liked was the author didn't always spell it out for the reader- we are revealed the secrets and darkness bit by bit and then left to analyze the aftermath ourselves.
I would dare any reader to not like Paige- and she's actually a very unlikable character. However, she's also witty, honest, and genuinely raw which makes her lovable. I did feel Paige was a younger version of the author's last novel's main character. Paige was affluent and a tinge arrogant as Lizzie was in A Woman Lost. Also, both redeemed themselves in the end by learning humility and opening up to those who loved them. As a reader I wonder if this type of character is someone the author relates to or is the author sending us a bigger message?
A VERY sensitive subject is tackled in this novel and I believe the content was written with grace and understanding. Self-harm is a very difficult topic to understand and to create a character who suffers from such inflictions is definitely a risk. However, Paige tells us how it is- she's not out looking for attention or pity- she just wants the easy way out of a hard life. Paige also ponders the aftermath and learns her self-injurious actions were indeed selfish after seeing the damage done to her girlfriend.
The ending wasn't what I expected but was just as equally shocking and vivid that I am definitely going to have a book hangover! I could feel regret and remorse for Paige for over-looking a certain person in her life but could also feel the freedom Paige felt as her demons could not chase her anymore. I highly recommend this book not only to young adult readers but to mature readers as well since many difficult topics are addressed.
Paige Alexander has lived a life of luxury and wealth but has suffered at the hands of sociopathic parents and constant self-doubt. When her botched suicide attempt lands her in counseling Paige begins to search deep within herself and face her demons. However, life gets even more messy when her girlfriend has secrets, she has a gay fake boyfriend, and a hate crime threatens to expose her sexuality for all to see. Will Paige pull it all together or is she too doomed for this world?
Upon reflection I feel this story has a main theme of balance. Paige is a lovable character with a snarky attitude and horrible people skills who has a dark past and even darker assumptions. Therefore this novel is a balance of humor and sensitivity mixed with dark and deep undertones. Surprisingly I found this novel very dark for a young adult book. One thing I liked was the author didn't always spell it out for the reader- we are revealed the secrets and darkness bit by bit and then left to analyze the aftermath ourselves.
"I should mention that I have terrible gaydar. Jess likes to put my skills to the test, but unless a guy is flaming or a girl is so butch that I feel like pissing my pants in fear, I invariably fail the test."
I would dare any reader to not like Paige- and she's actually a very unlikable character. However, she's also witty, honest, and genuinely raw which makes her lovable. I did feel Paige was a younger version of the author's last novel's main character. Paige was affluent and a tinge arrogant as Lizzie was in A Woman Lost. Also, both redeemed themselves in the end by learning humility and opening up to those who loved them. As a reader I wonder if this type of character is someone the author relates to or is the author sending us a bigger message?
"I'm like an iceberg; I only share a tiny fraction of my life with people, just enough to skim the surface."
A VERY sensitive subject is tackled in this novel and I believe the content was written with grace and understanding. Self-harm is a very difficult topic to understand and to create a character who suffers from such inflictions is definitely a risk. However, Paige tells us how it is- she's not out looking for attention or pity- she just wants the easy way out of a hard life. Paige also ponders the aftermath and learns her self-injurious actions were indeed selfish after seeing the damage done to her girlfriend.
"There is a beauty about death. No one can bring you back."
The ending wasn't what I expected but was just as equally shocking and vivid that I am definitely going to have a book hangover! I could feel regret and remorse for Paige for over-looking a certain person in her life but could also feel the freedom Paige felt as her demons could not chase her anymore. I highly recommend this book not only to young adult readers but to mature readers as well since many difficult topics are addressed.
October 15, 2014
My Review
Marionette is not type of book I usually pick up. To be honest, I've never been interested in LGBT books, and must confess that this is the first one I've ever read. The author requested to review it, and I happily accepted since I haven't read any book that discusses homosexuality. However, it took me some time to get in the mood to read it.
Marionette tells the story of Paige Alexander, a young college student, who has always hidden the fact that she's gay; not because she's ashamed of it, but because she fears that her parents will find out. She has a hard time dealing with her childhood trauma; her controlling father and evil mother see her as a possession, a thing they can bend to their own will. Furthermore, her twin sister doesn't seem to care about her at all. The story is told from Paige's point of view, and gets us involved as we follow her around, and see how she deals with with all the issues in her life.
Paige is a very pleasant narrator. She is sarcastic, and has a great sense of humor. She isn't very open with people, and doesn't make much conversation with those who are out of her inner circle of friends. So, it was really entertaining to read whatever was going on in that little brain of hers. She is a very complex and interesting character which is why I enjoyed Marionette so much! Initially, I didn't understand why she attempted suicide, but as I learned more about her past, everything brilliantly clicked into place!
Although she has grown neglected by her parents, Paige does have Jess and some friends who truly care about her. Jess is Paige's girlfriend, and is a very lively and loving person. Unlike Paige, she doesn't hide the fact that she's gay; on the contrary, she passionately fights for gay rights. I love their relationship! The author beautifully conveys their feelings for each other without focusing on the physical aspect. Aside from Paige and Jess, the other characters are notable and I feel that their vitality is what made this book really fun to read!
Overall, I really loved this book! It discussed a lot of deep topics, but still managed to make me laugh. It wasn't too serious, and had tons of hilarious parts that kept me from being bored. The main character had so many issues, but I've grown to care for her. If you're looking for an issue book that doesn't take things too seriously then you should read it!
Marionette is not type of book I usually pick up. To be honest, I've never been interested in LGBT books, and must confess that this is the first one I've ever read. The author requested to review it, and I happily accepted since I haven't read any book that discusses homosexuality. However, it took me some time to get in the mood to read it.
Marionette tells the story of Paige Alexander, a young college student, who has always hidden the fact that she's gay; not because she's ashamed of it, but because she fears that her parents will find out. She has a hard time dealing with her childhood trauma; her controlling father and evil mother see her as a possession, a thing they can bend to their own will. Furthermore, her twin sister doesn't seem to care about her at all. The story is told from Paige's point of view, and gets us involved as we follow her around, and see how she deals with with all the issues in her life.
Paige is a very pleasant narrator. She is sarcastic, and has a great sense of humor. She isn't very open with people, and doesn't make much conversation with those who are out of her inner circle of friends. So, it was really entertaining to read whatever was going on in that little brain of hers. She is a very complex and interesting character which is why I enjoyed Marionette so much! Initially, I didn't understand why she attempted suicide, but as I learned more about her past, everything brilliantly clicked into place!
Although she has grown neglected by her parents, Paige does have Jess and some friends who truly care about her. Jess is Paige's girlfriend, and is a very lively and loving person. Unlike Paige, she doesn't hide the fact that she's gay; on the contrary, she passionately fights for gay rights. I love their relationship! The author beautifully conveys their feelings for each other without focusing on the physical aspect. Aside from Paige and Jess, the other characters are notable and I feel that their vitality is what made this book really fun to read!
Overall, I really loved this book! It discussed a lot of deep topics, but still managed to make me laugh. It wasn't too serious, and had tons of hilarious parts that kept me from being bored. The main character had so many issues, but I've grown to care for her. If you're looking for an issue book that doesn't take things too seriously then you should read it!
December 8, 2013
You know how sometimes a book just slowly creeps up on you and before you know it, you are right there, in the moment and the rest of the world has disappeared? Marionette by T. B. Markinson did that to me! Paige carries more baggage than the usual teen, her past is twisted and filled with painful memories and deceit, her present is filled with more deceit, more pain and she has carefully constructed her personal walls to hold her emotions in check. In this deep and thought-provoking coming of age story, Paige learns to accept her past, accept her present and look forward to a brighter future, all because she learns to accept herself as she is, instead of seeing herself as a damaged and broken creature, unworthy of love and acceptance.
T. B. Markinson has told a dark story of the journey for one girl to personal redemption and has done it well as she skillfully drives her characters through the maze of this story. Do not expect a fast and furious read, every detail and emotion in these pages are essential to the story, so settle in and you will take something away that will stay with you long after you finish that last word. Although dark at times, Ms. Markinson tells her tale with feeling, as she brings her characters to life, flawed, yet loyal to each other and the secrets they harbor.
Do I recommend this book? Yes! From the content to the writing style, Marionette is one of those books that will enlighten and open your eyes to those who choose a different lifestyle and what they face both internally , as well as from the world around them. Is it YA appropriate? Definitely, I highly recommend this to teens!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review, this is a keeper!
Published by T. B. Markinson, November 6, 2013
Genre: YA Romance, Gay/Lesbian
Number of pages: 290
Available from : Amazon
T. B. Markinson has told a dark story of the journey for one girl to personal redemption and has done it well as she skillfully drives her characters through the maze of this story. Do not expect a fast and furious read, every detail and emotion in these pages are essential to the story, so settle in and you will take something away that will stay with you long after you finish that last word. Although dark at times, Ms. Markinson tells her tale with feeling, as she brings her characters to life, flawed, yet loyal to each other and the secrets they harbor.
Do I recommend this book? Yes! From the content to the writing style, Marionette is one of those books that will enlighten and open your eyes to those who choose a different lifestyle and what they face both internally , as well as from the world around them. Is it YA appropriate? Definitely, I highly recommend this to teens!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review, this is a keeper!
Published by T. B. Markinson, November 6, 2013
Genre: YA Romance, Gay/Lesbian
Number of pages: 290
Available from : Amazon
September 17, 2014
I was sent this book for an honest review. And let me tell you, I was a little weary at first about this one. For one its a new author for me, I always run screaming with new authors! BUT T.B. Markinson surprised me and that is hard to do. I really enjoyed this book. Most of the “gay/lesbian” books these days try to over compensate for something. I still haven’t figured it out what it is yet but its like its all in your face BAM! With that said please don’t think I am anti gay, because that is the funniest thing that could be said about me.
ah but I LOVED Paige. Full out girl crushed on her. She reminds me so much of a friend of mine, Amber. I found myself laughing throughout most of the story. I loved how Markinson added the whole romance, drama, and suspense into one book, but still made it a great book for YA. Jess threw me off a little bit here and there and I was surprised when Paige stayed with her after the whole Davey incident, while it was a great scene I just felt that Paige brushed it off and the way I saw her character I didn’t understand why she would do that. That wasn’t really her so to speak. I also loved how the whole college life was played to what college life is really like in a dorm room and not those fake college experiences that never really happen in real life. This one though as awesome. I could pick someone I knew in RL and add them to one of the characters. I loved that.
I wished we got to see more of Paige’s sister, Abbie. I know that they didn’t get along but I felt like I was missing something by not having more of her in the story. Maybe a phone call or middle of the night visit or something. I feel like I lost out on something important by not knowing more of her. Maybe there will be a “sequel” where we get Abbie’s side of things. Why did she kill her parents? Did we ever really find out why? Because I am still sitting here trying to figure it all out. I hate that feeling where the book ends and I’m left with more questions than I know what to do with!
Now, I say go, BUY this book and then COME talk to me about what you think. Just remember Paige is my girl crush so you can’t have her! Go with Minnie or Karen. ;)
ah but I LOVED Paige. Full out girl crushed on her. She reminds me so much of a friend of mine, Amber. I found myself laughing throughout most of the story. I loved how Markinson added the whole romance, drama, and suspense into one book, but still made it a great book for YA. Jess threw me off a little bit here and there and I was surprised when Paige stayed with her after the whole Davey incident, while it was a great scene I just felt that Paige brushed it off and the way I saw her character I didn’t understand why she would do that. That wasn’t really her so to speak. I also loved how the whole college life was played to what college life is really like in a dorm room and not those fake college experiences that never really happen in real life. This one though as awesome. I could pick someone I knew in RL and add them to one of the characters. I loved that.
I wished we got to see more of Paige’s sister, Abbie. I know that they didn’t get along but I felt like I was missing something by not having more of her in the story. Maybe a phone call or middle of the night visit or something. I feel like I lost out on something important by not knowing more of her. Maybe there will be a “sequel” where we get Abbie’s side of things. Why did she kill her parents? Did we ever really find out why? Because I am still sitting here trying to figure it all out. I hate that feeling where the book ends and I’m left with more questions than I know what to do with!
Now, I say go, BUY this book and then COME talk to me about what you think. Just remember Paige is my girl crush so you can’t have her! Go with Minnie or Karen. ;)
November 14, 2014
Paige is a troubled freshman in college who is trying to start fresh. She is continuously held back by her family’s sordid secrets and the way her past binds her and drags her back into it. When she tried and failed to commit suicide, Paige is forced to deal with her conflicted feelings, and upon the insistence of her girlfriend Jess, promises to see the college counselor once a week. From her homophobic Catholic roommate to her girlfriend’s misguided mission to help everyone around her, Paige will have to learn to deal with who she is and what happened in her past. In learning who she is, Paige will discover the most juicy, horrific secret of them all.
From the very beginning through to the very end, I was hooked. The opening was wonderfully executed by introducing a fluid and fantastically intriguing writing style. The end was one of those one liners that is so satisfying as the final sentence of a novel.
Paige is such a dynamic character. She may talk about herself as having specific characteristics and personality traits, but her character has depth. The narrative style reminds me of the style used in the movie Warm Bodies. T.B. Markinson and the Warm Bodies screen writer Jonathan Levine employ continuously running inner-dialogue that is amazingly interesting and spot on for the character. I am in love with Paige and how she tells her story. Her thoughts are juicy, spicy, and vivid. This would make a very good audiobook.
This book had me laughing as much as the Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. The main character Paige is one for a witty comeback that makes for such a fun read. Her unintentional humor as a person makes these situations even more funny. One of my favorite lines was Paige’s response to one of Liddy’s comments about how Liddy doesn’t do her job for the money. Paige says to Liddy, “I suppose prostitutes could say the same thing.” (Location 462).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the witty comments in Warm Bodies, wants a book that integrates the LGBTQ community without being obvious about it, or would like a dynamic YA book featuring a troubled college-aged female protagonist.
From the very beginning through to the very end, I was hooked. The opening was wonderfully executed by introducing a fluid and fantastically intriguing writing style. The end was one of those one liners that is so satisfying as the final sentence of a novel.
Paige is such a dynamic character. She may talk about herself as having specific characteristics and personality traits, but her character has depth. The narrative style reminds me of the style used in the movie Warm Bodies. T.B. Markinson and the Warm Bodies screen writer Jonathan Levine employ continuously running inner-dialogue that is amazingly interesting and spot on for the character. I am in love with Paige and how she tells her story. Her thoughts are juicy, spicy, and vivid. This would make a very good audiobook.
This book had me laughing as much as the Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. The main character Paige is one for a witty comeback that makes for such a fun read. Her unintentional humor as a person makes these situations even more funny. One of my favorite lines was Paige’s response to one of Liddy’s comments about how Liddy doesn’t do her job for the money. Paige says to Liddy, “I suppose prostitutes could say the same thing.” (Location 462).
I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the witty comments in Warm Bodies, wants a book that integrates the LGBTQ community without being obvious about it, or would like a dynamic YA book featuring a troubled college-aged female protagonist.
January 7, 2014
MARIONETTE by T.B. Markinson tells the story of Paige Alexander, a college freshman, who describes herself as “an effed-up individual who dwells on the past and tries to numb myself constantly. I don’t use drugs, although I’ll drink. I just numb myself by disappearing when I’m with people.”
And it is no wonder Paige is “effed-up.” She comes from an incredibly wealthy, powerful family whose business interests remain murky. She has a twin sister, Abbie, who has failed to own up to her part in an accident that left their mother disabled when they were children, and a best friend who she watched get forced into detox only to die mysteriously of a heroin overdose while there. To top it off, Paige is trying to hide the fact that she is gay from parents who would most likely harm her if they knew.
The book opens with Paige’s suicide attempt, which was aborted by her lover, Jess. Shortly thereafter, Paige goes away to college, but maintains a relationship with Jess, who is not too far away from the college Paige attends. Paige promises Jess to see a therapist while at school. Amidst therapy and trying to recover from her attempt to end her life, Paige seeks to put up a straight front with her college roommates, all the while uncovering chilling events about her past.
MARIONETTE is a very compelling read. Paige is a skillfully-crafted, three-dimensional character whom we care about, immediately and throughout. Though at first there is a question as to her reliability as a narrator—at times one questions whether she is just being paranoid—Paige’s credibility comes out as the story progresses. The book really heats up toward the end, as all the pieces of the skillfully developed plot, get tied together in a neat and frightening package. I am not sure what Markinson has in store for Paige and some of the other characters in this novel, but I hope the story continues. MARIONETTE is a satisfying, thrilling read that delivers from the outset and packs a powerful wallop at the end.
And it is no wonder Paige is “effed-up.” She comes from an incredibly wealthy, powerful family whose business interests remain murky. She has a twin sister, Abbie, who has failed to own up to her part in an accident that left their mother disabled when they were children, and a best friend who she watched get forced into detox only to die mysteriously of a heroin overdose while there. To top it off, Paige is trying to hide the fact that she is gay from parents who would most likely harm her if they knew.
The book opens with Paige’s suicide attempt, which was aborted by her lover, Jess. Shortly thereafter, Paige goes away to college, but maintains a relationship with Jess, who is not too far away from the college Paige attends. Paige promises Jess to see a therapist while at school. Amidst therapy and trying to recover from her attempt to end her life, Paige seeks to put up a straight front with her college roommates, all the while uncovering chilling events about her past.
MARIONETTE is a very compelling read. Paige is a skillfully-crafted, three-dimensional character whom we care about, immediately and throughout. Though at first there is a question as to her reliability as a narrator—at times one questions whether she is just being paranoid—Paige’s credibility comes out as the story progresses. The book really heats up toward the end, as all the pieces of the skillfully developed plot, get tied together in a neat and frightening package. I am not sure what Markinson has in store for Paige and some of the other characters in this novel, but I hope the story continues. MARIONETTE is a satisfying, thrilling read that delivers from the outset and packs a powerful wallop at the end.
November 15, 2013
This book had two things that are always hard for me to read about, rich and stupid parents and teenage suicide. I absolutely cannot stand stupid parents and teenage suicide is hard for me because l was once a teenager. Anyway thanks to Ms Markinson for my copy. The story is about Paige, a rich teenager with really messed up rich parents and twin sister. After an attempted suicide she decides to go to therapy whiles in college because of a promise she made to her girlfriend. The rest of the book then tells us why she tried to kill herself and how therapy and the love of the woman she love helped her come out stronger. I kept wondering if the author was writing what she knows or simply did a very good research because she was very thorough. I cannot imagine the amount of time and research she must have put into the book. I really appreciated how she started the book with the attempted suicide first otherwise l would have simply guessed what the ending was and stopped reading. I actually thought l knew where the book was going so l was taking my time with it till l got to about 25% then l couldn’t put it down. It literally became a suspense for me and I kept turning the page because l wanted to find out how Paige was going to come out of her misery and the answers to all the twists in the book from the other characters, and l was not disappointed. This is the second book that l have read from the author and they were both page turners for me. I hate reading long reviews and l try not to write one so in short, l highly recommend this book.
Now if l can figure out how to put the message Paige suggested to her roommate on my voice mail without anyone calling social services on me l will be very happy.
Now if l can figure out how to put the message Paige suggested to her roommate on my voice mail without anyone calling social services on me l will be very happy.
July 4, 2014
I was a bit surprised to plunge into the first chapter about an attempted lesbian suicide where our heroine swears more than once. It wasn't what I expected. I hadn't anticipated something so gritty.
So once I'd moved on from my preconception, I got stuck into the novel. Paige is one hell of a strong character and dominates the novel. Her childhood is always there in the wings, impacting on her life, even when she has left home to go away to college/school/university or whatever Americans call it. This constant draw on her from the past was powerfully done, not too much, but always there in the background. She comes from a rich family, but one without love. Well, not for her anyway.
Most of the action is set around Paige's time at university (?) in Colorado and the characters she mixes with. Secondary characters are well-portrayed and I felt I was there with her.
It's very much a novel about a young woman growing up and overcoming everything, her wealth, some bad family incidents in the past and accepting her homosexuality and being open about it.
T. B. also uses a real incident that happened while she was at college. A young man was beaten up for being gay and later died, and an adaptation of this appears in the book. For me, this was a turning point in the book, when it seemed to get harder and very, very realistic. Life away from home, isn't just about drinking and chatting and fancying people. It's about victimising people because they are homosexual and killing them.
I liked the harshness, the well-portrayed characters, and the superb main character. I liked the unexpected twists towards the end.
So once I'd moved on from my preconception, I got stuck into the novel. Paige is one hell of a strong character and dominates the novel. Her childhood is always there in the wings, impacting on her life, even when she has left home to go away to college/school/university or whatever Americans call it. This constant draw on her from the past was powerfully done, not too much, but always there in the background. She comes from a rich family, but one without love. Well, not for her anyway.
Most of the action is set around Paige's time at university (?) in Colorado and the characters she mixes with. Secondary characters are well-portrayed and I felt I was there with her.
It's very much a novel about a young woman growing up and overcoming everything, her wealth, some bad family incidents in the past and accepting her homosexuality and being open about it.
T. B. also uses a real incident that happened while she was at college. A young man was beaten up for being gay and later died, and an adaptation of this appears in the book. For me, this was a turning point in the book, when it seemed to get harder and very, very realistic. Life away from home, isn't just about drinking and chatting and fancying people. It's about victimising people because they are homosexual and killing them.
I liked the harshness, the well-portrayed characters, and the superb main character. I liked the unexpected twists towards the end.
November 22, 2014
After a suicide attempt, seventeen-year-old Paige promises her girlfriend Jessica to see a therapist for at least a year at college. While Jessica -a few years older- is an "out and proud" lesbian, Paige is "in the closet". Liddy is a perceptive and friendly therapist who always does her best for her patients. Paige is from a rich, but dysfunctional, family. She feels guilty for the death of her best friend Alex a few years ago. Colorado is getting ready to vote about lesbian and gay rights.
Written with the dark humour expected, 'Marionette' is a lesbian novel for young adults. It is Paige's story and as she is the narrator, it follows the ups and downs of her moods, her trains of thoughts, her fears and her determination. There is more than her friends know in her suicide attempt.
I enjoyed the comfort of Paige's relationship with Jessica and the cosiness sometimes chaotic of her friendships with Mel and Julia. Paige has actually more friends that she thinks, she just have to let them in. Her roommate Karen is determined. But Paige is so afraid of her parents finding out about her sexuality and locking her up in a mental institution, that she hides and even pretends to be straight by going on dates with Tom -unknowing of this boy's own secret.
I like the mixture of light humour and despair. It feels very real, and even so a reader, you can't wait for Paige to reach the age of 18 and be free from her past. The ending is sudden and unexpected, but still believable. Maybe it is true that college is a life-changing experience. Whatever it is, Paige grows and learns between the first and last pages of 'Marionette' and it makes the readers feel warm and wiser.
Written with the dark humour expected, 'Marionette' is a lesbian novel for young adults. It is Paige's story and as she is the narrator, it follows the ups and downs of her moods, her trains of thoughts, her fears and her determination. There is more than her friends know in her suicide attempt.
I enjoyed the comfort of Paige's relationship with Jessica and the cosiness sometimes chaotic of her friendships with Mel and Julia. Paige has actually more friends that she thinks, she just have to let them in. Her roommate Karen is determined. But Paige is so afraid of her parents finding out about her sexuality and locking her up in a mental institution, that she hides and even pretends to be straight by going on dates with Tom -unknowing of this boy's own secret.
I like the mixture of light humour and despair. It feels very real, and even so a reader, you can't wait for Paige to reach the age of 18 and be free from her past. The ending is sudden and unexpected, but still believable. Maybe it is true that college is a life-changing experience. Whatever it is, Paige grows and learns between the first and last pages of 'Marionette' and it makes the readers feel warm and wiser.
November 20, 2013
Paige Alexander is heading off to college and in love with her incredible girlfriend Jess. But then she slits her wrists. As a promise to Jess, Paige agrees to see a therapist while going to school. No one truly knows her and she likes it that way. Yet she never breaks her word. Some promises are easier to keep than others.
MARIONETTE is honest and original. There are a lot of stories out there of teen angst, but many are written with rose-tinted glasses. Not this one. The reader is taken on a real and emotional journey with suicide, abuse, and gay issues. Nothing is held back nor is it overly done. The fact that there's no pretense won me over and sucked me into the story.
Each character was crafted wonderfully, layer upon layer to their personalities. These are people all of us could know. No stereotypes or flat cardboard players. I liked just when you thought you had someone figured out, another layer was revealed. Nothing happened fast. It was a slow unveiling and suitable to the damaged soul Paige is.
It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. It's not fast-paced nor does the mystery keep waving right in your face. You find out something new, get comfortable with it, and then there's the next twist. I thought I knew where it might end, but I was surprised where the tale took me. It's not often a book can surprise me anymore.
MARIONETTE is honest and original. There are a lot of stories out there of teen angst, but many are written with rose-tinted glasses. Not this one. The reader is taken on a real and emotional journey with suicide, abuse, and gay issues. Nothing is held back nor is it overly done. The fact that there's no pretense won me over and sucked me into the story.
Each character was crafted wonderfully, layer upon layer to their personalities. These are people all of us could know. No stereotypes or flat cardboard players. I liked just when you thought you had someone figured out, another layer was revealed. Nothing happened fast. It was a slow unveiling and suitable to the damaged soul Paige is.
It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked. It's not fast-paced nor does the mystery keep waving right in your face. You find out something new, get comfortable with it, and then there's the next twist. I thought I knew where it might end, but I was surprised where the tale took me. It's not often a book can surprise me anymore.
August 14, 2014
I finally finsihed reading Marionette tonight! I started reading the book a while ago but put it aside becaue of lack of time. I promised myself I would finish it over the summer and I don't regret that promise. Towards the end I didn't want to put the book down because I wanted to find out what would happen next!
Paige Alexander is a young woman from a very wealthy family who happens to be gay and tries to commit suicide in the beginning pages of the book. Her girlfriend Jess, older by a few years finds her and makes her promise to seek therapy while she is away at a small college that Paige chose to get away from her family and to stay out of the lime light, so to speak.
Iniatially, Paige struggles with confiding in her therapist, or Jess for that matter. She keeps things close to her chest and doesn't open up easy. But over the course of the story, she starts opening up and inviting people into her life, albeit slowely.
As the story goes on, we find out why Paige tried to commit suicide, why she can't stand her parents and why she wants to "disappear"!
When I first heard about the book and saw the first cover, I mentioned to T.B. Markinison that the first thing that came to mind was "looks can be deceiving and you never know what goes on behind closed doors", that certainly was the case with this book!
Paige Alexander is a young woman from a very wealthy family who happens to be gay and tries to commit suicide in the beginning pages of the book. Her girlfriend Jess, older by a few years finds her and makes her promise to seek therapy while she is away at a small college that Paige chose to get away from her family and to stay out of the lime light, so to speak.
Iniatially, Paige struggles with confiding in her therapist, or Jess for that matter. She keeps things close to her chest and doesn't open up easy. But over the course of the story, she starts opening up and inviting people into her life, albeit slowely.
As the story goes on, we find out why Paige tried to commit suicide, why she can't stand her parents and why she wants to "disappear"!
When I first heard about the book and saw the first cover, I mentioned to T.B. Markinison that the first thing that came to mind was "looks can be deceiving and you never know what goes on behind closed doors", that certainly was the case with this book!
December 3, 2013
I suspected I’d enjoy T. B. Markinson’s Marionette, as soon as I saw the cover. Once I’d read the first sentence, I was hooked.
As it turns out, Markinson’s new novel doesn’t disappoint.
A coming of age story with an edge of suspense, Marionette kept me up late two nights in a row. I couldn’t put it down. And one night only turned into two when I fell asleep, Kindle in hand, dreaming something vaguely based on the character who had so captivated me.
Marionette tells the story of Paige Alexander, a seventeen-year-old college freshman in love with an older woman. When girlfriend Jess finds Paige with her wrists slit, she insists the younger character commit to a year’s worth of therapy. Told with a few flashbacks, the novel takes place over the course of those months, revealing a family secret, the significance of which Paige doesn’t fully understand, at least not at first. Things get really interesting when we find out that Paige’s best friend has been murdered. From then on, it’s a race to the finish. At least, it was for me.
And it will be for you as a reader, as well. I suspect we’ll be reading more compelling Markinson novels in the coming years.
I’m already a fan!
Don’t wait. Read Marionette today. You’ll be glad you did!
As it turns out, Markinson’s new novel doesn’t disappoint.
A coming of age story with an edge of suspense, Marionette kept me up late two nights in a row. I couldn’t put it down. And one night only turned into two when I fell asleep, Kindle in hand, dreaming something vaguely based on the character who had so captivated me.
Marionette tells the story of Paige Alexander, a seventeen-year-old college freshman in love with an older woman. When girlfriend Jess finds Paige with her wrists slit, she insists the younger character commit to a year’s worth of therapy. Told with a few flashbacks, the novel takes place over the course of those months, revealing a family secret, the significance of which Paige doesn’t fully understand, at least not at first. Things get really interesting when we find out that Paige’s best friend has been murdered. From then on, it’s a race to the finish. At least, it was for me.
And it will be for you as a reader, as well. I suspect we’ll be reading more compelling Markinson novels in the coming years.
I’m already a fan!
Don’t wait. Read Marionette today. You’ll be glad you did!
January 28, 2014
Paige Alexander had it all planned out, step by step, except for one important detail: how long it would take to actually die. Now she has to face the scars left behind both on the inside and the out. She made a promise to her girlfriend, Jess, however, and is determined to keep it. Can she find a way to deal with her dark past while simultaneously having to face her future in a college with new friends she never thought she could have? You will just have to read this book to find out.
Have you ever read a book where you hated one page and loved the next, yet you just couldn't stop reading? Well, this was that kind of book for me. I was unsure whether I liked it or disliked it from the very first page. Whenever I start a book I must read the whole book no matter how good or bad it is. I am very glad I finished this book. It was well written and heartfelt. The characters are believable and it flows well. I am not even sure what about it rubbed me the wrong way. I think it is because it started with an attempted suicide, and this set the tone for the whole piece. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, self-expression, or books about someone taking charge of their life and giving it a run for its money.
Have you ever read a book where you hated one page and loved the next, yet you just couldn't stop reading? Well, this was that kind of book for me. I was unsure whether I liked it or disliked it from the very first page. Whenever I start a book I must read the whole book no matter how good or bad it is. I am very glad I finished this book. It was well written and heartfelt. The characters are believable and it flows well. I am not even sure what about it rubbed me the wrong way. I think it is because it started with an attempted suicide, and this set the tone for the whole piece. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance, self-expression, or books about someone taking charge of their life and giving it a run for its money.
September 10, 2016
Suicide has been described as a permanent solution to a temporary problem, but when teenager Paige Alexander botches her suicide attempt, her problems are anything but temporary. As far back as she can remember, her family life has been hate-filled misery, but now, God help her, she's starting to understand why. She has uncovered some of her powerful family's secrets, and they are horrifying, overwhelming... and dangerous.
When Paige goes away to oollege, she has to hide secrets of her own. To please her girlfriend Jess, she's seeing a therapist regularly, and she can't let anyone know about that. In spite of the hot weather, she's hiding behind long-sleeved shirts, because she doesn't want anyone to see the telltale scars on her wrists, either. Oh, yeah, and she's also trying to hide the fact that she's a lesbian. Not an easy task when she has three annoying boy-crazy roommates, and it gets worse when homophobia raises its ugly head on campus.
Does this book deal with some heavy subjects? Yes. Is it a depressing story? No. Absolutely not. And it isn't some in-your-face book about sex, either. It's about friendship and love. It is in parts heart-breaking, but it is also uplifting and heart-warming. Even funny. And eye-opening.
When Paige goes away to oollege, she has to hide secrets of her own. To please her girlfriend Jess, she's seeing a therapist regularly, and she can't let anyone know about that. In spite of the hot weather, she's hiding behind long-sleeved shirts, because she doesn't want anyone to see the telltale scars on her wrists, either. Oh, yeah, and she's also trying to hide the fact that she's a lesbian. Not an easy task when she has three annoying boy-crazy roommates, and it gets worse when homophobia raises its ugly head on campus.
Does this book deal with some heavy subjects? Yes. Is it a depressing story? No. Absolutely not. And it isn't some in-your-face book about sex, either. It's about friendship and love. It is in parts heart-breaking, but it is also uplifting and heart-warming. Even funny. And eye-opening.
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