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A Fable of Wood and String
Would it hurt you to just do as you’re told?
The O’Connell siblings live in the shadow of their parents’ past, held back by the obligation to keep the people of Stagmil safe when their father has to lead the non-hunters of their village to drive off a wyvern.
Lily doesn’t trust the stranger who calls herself Madeline when she staggers into the pastoral lands. The puppeteer seems to take an interest in Lily’s musical abilities on the family mandolin, and she teaches Lily new music. Lily’s had songs stuck in her head before, but nothing like this.
Twins Seth and Tiffany however can’t wait for their father to return so they can get on with the sheering and try to see the world. Seth should at least be helping hunt the wyvern, and as for Tiffany, she wants to take her best friend Molly with her and head to the nearest city.
The twins and other teens from their village are lured by song into the woods and transformed into marionettes: Seth breaking free before he can be strung, and Lily tainted in a way she doesn’t understand. They have the skills to track the woman down; but to restore Seth to his body, and rescue Tiffany and the others?
Tracking the woman takes them far from the familiar woodlands they know, across the sea to an enchanted castle, where in an effort to rescue their sister they’ll learn something much more sinister than turning folk into puppets is going on.
They’ll get help, of course, but not from who they expected.
After all, last Seth checked, foxes are only supposed to have the one tail.
The O’Connell siblings live in the shadow of their parents’ past, held back by the obligation to keep the people of Stagmil safe when their father has to lead the non-hunters of their village to drive off a wyvern.
Lily doesn’t trust the stranger who calls herself Madeline when she staggers into the pastoral lands. The puppeteer seems to take an interest in Lily’s musical abilities on the family mandolin, and she teaches Lily new music. Lily’s had songs stuck in her head before, but nothing like this.
Twins Seth and Tiffany however can’t wait for their father to return so they can get on with the sheering and try to see the world. Seth should at least be helping hunt the wyvern, and as for Tiffany, she wants to take her best friend Molly with her and head to the nearest city.
The twins and other teens from their village are lured by song into the woods and transformed into marionettes: Seth breaking free before he can be strung, and Lily tainted in a way she doesn’t understand. They have the skills to track the woman down; but to restore Seth to his body, and rescue Tiffany and the others?
Tracking the woman takes them far from the familiar woodlands they know, across the sea to an enchanted castle, where in an effort to rescue their sister they’ll learn something much more sinister than turning folk into puppets is going on.
They’ll get help, of course, but not from who they expected.
After all, last Seth checked, foxes are only supposed to have the one tail.
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Published June 30, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 20, 2025
Imaginative and action-packed young adult fantasy.
A Fable of Wood and Strings is the first book in author L.T. Getty’s new Puppetmaster Duology and is an imaginative tale of what happens when an evil puppeteer comes to the small village of Stagmil. Lily and her young twin siblings, Seth and Tiffany, are targeted by a beautiful stranger who stumbles into their town when the men are away hunting an injured wyvern that has been attacking their livestock. The stranger, a monster behind a magical mask, lures the children of the village into the woods and them into marionettes with spider silk as strings. Lily and Seth, with the help of a mysterious village outcast and other magical beings, must work together to save Tiffany and the other children before it’s too late.
The author’s world-building is extensive and detailed as the story unfolds. Lily is a kind and considerate daughter who longs for more than her life in Stagmil, and her parents depend on her so much to help not only their family but the village as well. Seth and Tiffany are fun as a typical bratty younger brother and sister. They are relatable characters and easy to get behind and root for. I thought the adult villagers were a pretty sorry lot to Lily as a whole. They were demanding and ungrateful, using and abusing Lily verbally. She’s way more forgiving than I would have been in her shoes.The plot was by far one of the more creative ones I’ve encountered, with vividly frightening monsters, magical foxes, and a wise sword master in Zin. The characters are definitely put through the wringer, and this is just book one!
With its engaging and relatable characters and imaginative plot, I recommend A FABLE OF WOOD AND STRINGS to young adult fantasy readers.
August 5, 2025
Book Review: A Fable of Wood and String by L.T. Getty
A Fable of Wood and String is an eerie, imaginative tale that blends dark fantasy, folklore, and sibling loyalty into a haunting adventure. L.T. Getty crafts a richly textured world where music becomes a mysterious weapon and puppets aren't always made of wood. At the heart of the story are the O’Connell siblings, burdened by the weight of their family’s duty and entangled in the strange magic that descends upon their pastoral village. When a suspicious puppeteer named Madeline arrives, what begins as curiosity swiftly turns to dread as villagers are transformed into marionettes under her spellbinding influence.
Lily’s quiet strength and growing unease around Madeline add layers of suspense, especially as her bond with music is both a gift and a curse. The narrative doesn’t shy away from unsettling elements, but grounds itself in the fierce loyalty between siblings—especially when Seth escapes his own transformation and sets off to rescue his sister Tiffany and the others. The journey takes them from familiar forests to strange, magical lands, where even allies are unpredictable, and nothing is quite as it seems—especially not talking foxes with more than one tail.
Getty’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, wrapping readers in an old-world charm with a Grimm-like edge. The book resonates with themes of personal agency, transformation, and the power of resisting manipulation—whether through strings or song. A Fable of Wood and String is a darkly enchanting tale for readers who enjoy fantasy rooted in folklore, with a touch of menace and a deep emotional core.
A Fable of Wood and String is an eerie, imaginative tale that blends dark fantasy, folklore, and sibling loyalty into a haunting adventure. L.T. Getty crafts a richly textured world where music becomes a mysterious weapon and puppets aren't always made of wood. At the heart of the story are the O’Connell siblings, burdened by the weight of their family’s duty and entangled in the strange magic that descends upon their pastoral village. When a suspicious puppeteer named Madeline arrives, what begins as curiosity swiftly turns to dread as villagers are transformed into marionettes under her spellbinding influence.
Lily’s quiet strength and growing unease around Madeline add layers of suspense, especially as her bond with music is both a gift and a curse. The narrative doesn’t shy away from unsettling elements, but grounds itself in the fierce loyalty between siblings—especially when Seth escapes his own transformation and sets off to rescue his sister Tiffany and the others. The journey takes them from familiar forests to strange, magical lands, where even allies are unpredictable, and nothing is quite as it seems—especially not talking foxes with more than one tail.
Getty’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, wrapping readers in an old-world charm with a Grimm-like edge. The book resonates with themes of personal agency, transformation, and the power of resisting manipulation—whether through strings or song. A Fable of Wood and String is a darkly enchanting tale for readers who enjoy fantasy rooted in folklore, with a touch of menace and a deep emotional core.
October 5, 2025
A Fable of Wood and String weaves a hauntingly magical tale that lingers long after the last page . Set in the mysterious village of Stagmil, the O’Connell siblings are trapped by duty and dark family secrets . As strange music begins to invade their lives, Lily’s connection to the mandoline becomes more than a talent – it’s a key to untangling a web of mystery . The atmosphere is thick with suspense, and every page turns like a note in a twisted melody .
The story takes a wild turn when Seth, Tiffany, and the other villagers are ensnared by a puppeteer’s sinister songs, transforming them into marionettes . The tension between what is real and what is enchanted grips you tightly . Seth’s desperate attempt to save his family leads to unexpected alliances and faraway lands , where danger and wonder walk hand in hand . The pacing keeps you hooked, blending folklore with a touch of eerie fairy tale.
What makes this story truly unforgettable is its deep exploration of family, choice, and the unseen forces controlling fate . The villain is as mysterious as they are captivating, while the siblings’ bond grows stronger through peril . If you love dark fantasy with just the right hint of whimsy and horror , this book will play its tune in your heart long after the final chapter closes .
April 30, 2025
This book, “A Fable of Wood & String” by L. T. Getty is an absolute masterpiece! It would have been a full five stars if not for the need for a bit more editing. Getty tells an enchanting and captivating story of young villagers caught up in the world of adventure and terror. When a strange woman comes waltzing into their tiny village after a wyvern attack, no one except Lily notices how different and off the woman is. Before Lily can get her removed from the village, an enchantment is set, and many of the young are taken and turned into marionettes. Now it is up to Lily and her little brother, Seth, to follow the trail and try to get their sister and friends back. Along the way, they are helped out by some very interesting foxes, some of which seem to have multiple tails.
The story L. T. Getty shares in “A Fable of Wood & String” is absolutely bewitching. I have never been one to read a book about marionettes. They normally creep me out, but they are real people in this book who have been enchanted. There is no cursing and only very minimal romantic content, a few kisses, and some innuendo commentary common among teenagers. The book is technically for a young adult audience, but I feel like mature middle grade readers could also handle the book. It touches on psychological trauma quite a bit, but not in too severe of a way. I do not have much more to say other than everyone needs to go read this book! You will not be disappointed!
For a more detailed review, go to the link below: https://readerviews.com/reviews/a-fab...
The story L. T. Getty shares in “A Fable of Wood & String” is absolutely bewitching. I have never been one to read a book about marionettes. They normally creep me out, but they are real people in this book who have been enchanted. There is no cursing and only very minimal romantic content, a few kisses, and some innuendo commentary common among teenagers. The book is technically for a young adult audience, but I feel like mature middle grade readers could also handle the book. It touches on psychological trauma quite a bit, but not in too severe of a way. I do not have much more to say other than everyone needs to go read this book! You will not be disappointed!
For a more detailed review, go to the link below: https://readerviews.com/reviews/a-fab...
January 22, 2025
I was granted complimentary access to A Fable of Wood and String as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Goddess Fish Promotions. Thank you to all involved in affording me this opportunity! As always, my thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
A Fable of Wood and String is the story of three siblings (Lily, Seth, and Tiffany) and their quest to set things right after an evil magical puppeteer turns several villagers, Tiffany included, into marionettes. This is the sort of world where wolves aren't the greatest threat to flock because wyverns exist, and it's apparently not unheard of to encounter a kitsune, so reverse Geppetto seems to fit in just right!
I really enjoyed the dynamic between the siblings and everyone else they meet along the way. The banter and quips sound like a group of close friends who are thoroughly in-character on D&D night, and the level of detail given during action scenes is just enough to visualize it without losing the momentum of the story for the sake of prose.
I hear this is part of a duology, and I think that means I need to read the other half! If you like long, fun fantasies, you need to check this out.
A Fable of Wood and String is the story of three siblings (Lily, Seth, and Tiffany) and their quest to set things right after an evil magical puppeteer turns several villagers, Tiffany included, into marionettes. This is the sort of world where wolves aren't the greatest threat to flock because wyverns exist, and it's apparently not unheard of to encounter a kitsune, so reverse Geppetto seems to fit in just right!
I really enjoyed the dynamic between the siblings and everyone else they meet along the way. The banter and quips sound like a group of close friends who are thoroughly in-character on D&D night, and the level of detail given during action scenes is just enough to visualize it without losing the momentum of the story for the sake of prose.
I hear this is part of a duology, and I think that means I need to read the other half! If you like long, fun fantasies, you need to check this out.
November 5, 2024
A Y/A Haunting Fantasy Tale...
"A Fable of Wood and String" by L.T. Getty blends pastoral fantasy with folklore horror in a darkly enchanting tale. When a mysterious puppeteer arrives in the village of Stagmil, her sinister magic transforms villagers into living marionettes. The story follows three siblings: Lily, a talented musician, and twins Seth and Tiffany, whose lives are shattered when Tiffany falls victim to the puppeteer's enchanted song.
Getty crafts an atmospheric journey that begins in a simple rural village before expanding into a broader fantasy realm as Lily and Seth pursue their sister across the sea to an enchanted castle. While encountering supernatural creatures, they discover darker forces at work. The author successfully balances horror elements with themes of family loyalty and hope, creating an engaging read for fans of folk horror and fantasy alike. Highly recommended.
"A Fable of Wood and String" by L.T. Getty blends pastoral fantasy with folklore horror in a darkly enchanting tale. When a mysterious puppeteer arrives in the village of Stagmil, her sinister magic transforms villagers into living marionettes. The story follows three siblings: Lily, a talented musician, and twins Seth and Tiffany, whose lives are shattered when Tiffany falls victim to the puppeteer's enchanted song.
Getty crafts an atmospheric journey that begins in a simple rural village before expanding into a broader fantasy realm as Lily and Seth pursue their sister across the sea to an enchanted castle. While encountering supernatural creatures, they discover darker forces at work. The author successfully balances horror elements with themes of family loyalty and hope, creating an engaging read for fans of folk horror and fantasy alike. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews