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The Puppet Kingdom
Red has no memory of her past and no vision of her future. What she does know is that something hunts her— and haunts her— and it is putting everyone she loves in danger. She can only hope to unravel the mystery of her origin in time. But it seems that the truth might be far stranger than anyone ever realized, and she might very well disappear before she finds the strength to confront her enemy. Can Red save all the stories of the world... and still claim the boy she loves?
- GenresFantasy
284 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
286 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 27, 2013
I wrote this book, and I think it's pretty decent. While there are some issues with diction and characterization, I can still read it without wincing, even six years later.
The Puppet Kingdom is an outgrowth of my long love of fairy tales and modern day retoolings of them a la Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint. I love the idea of magic being a part of the everyday world, just around the corner or under our feet. And what could be more everyday than suburbia? From the rampant sprawling strip malls to the mazes of narrow streets and identical houses, it's all here. If magic can be found in such mundanity, it can be found anywhere.
I also wanted to write a strong female protagonist - one who learns and grows, who has many facets to her personality and who comes to recognize her own worth. I wanted to write a heroine I would have loved to have read when I was sixteen, whom I would have connected with on a very personal level. I think I succeeded, but I'm not the best judge of how she'll resonate with readers, am I?
Anyway, I'm quite fond of Red and Zack and all the other inhabitants of the Puppet Kingdom. I hope others will enjoy them as well.
The Puppet Kingdom is an outgrowth of my long love of fairy tales and modern day retoolings of them a la Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint. I love the idea of magic being a part of the everyday world, just around the corner or under our feet. And what could be more everyday than suburbia? From the rampant sprawling strip malls to the mazes of narrow streets and identical houses, it's all here. If magic can be found in such mundanity, it can be found anywhere.
I also wanted to write a strong female protagonist - one who learns and grows, who has many facets to her personality and who comes to recognize her own worth. I wanted to write a heroine I would have loved to have read when I was sixteen, whom I would have connected with on a very personal level. I think I succeeded, but I'm not the best judge of how she'll resonate with readers, am I?
Anyway, I'm quite fond of Red and Zack and all the other inhabitants of the Puppet Kingdom. I hope others will enjoy them as well.
October 29, 2013
I wrote this book, and I think it's pretty decent. While there are some issues with diction and characterization, I can still read it without wincing, even six years later.
The Puppet Kingdom is an outgrowth of my long love of fairy tales and modern day retoolings of them a la Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint. I love the idea of magic being a part of the everyday world, just around the corner or under our feet. And what could be more everyday than suburbia? From the rampant sprawling strip malls to the mazes of narrow streets and identical houses, it's all here. If magic can be found in such mundanity, it can be found anywhere.
I also wanted to write a strong female protagonist - one who learns and grows, who has many facets to her personality and who comes to recognize her own worth. I wanted to write a heroine I would have loved to have read when I was sixteen, whom I would have connected with on a very personal level. I think I succeeded, but I'm not the best judge of how she'll resonate with readers, am I?
Anyway, I'm quite fond of Red and Zack and all the other inhabitants of the Puppet Kingdom. I hope others will enjoy them as well.
The Puppet Kingdom is an outgrowth of my long love of fairy tales and modern day retoolings of them a la Neil Gaiman or Charles de Lint. I love the idea of magic being a part of the everyday world, just around the corner or under our feet. And what could be more everyday than suburbia? From the rampant sprawling strip malls to the mazes of narrow streets and identical houses, it's all here. If magic can be found in such mundanity, it can be found anywhere.
I also wanted to write a strong female protagonist - one who learns and grows, who has many facets to her personality and who comes to recognize her own worth. I wanted to write a heroine I would have loved to have read when I was sixteen, whom I would have connected with on a very personal level. I think I succeeded, but I'm not the best judge of how she'll resonate with readers, am I?
Anyway, I'm quite fond of Red and Zack and all the other inhabitants of the Puppet Kingdom. I hope others will enjoy them as well.
November 21, 2013
This is a story unlike others I have read before. The idea of tale-as-character and all the problems it raises is pretty fascinating, and the characters that Red meets on the way to fulfilling her most important mission are dynamic and fun. It drags a little bit in the first half, but it's worth it in the end. A really strong debut work!
February 25, 2014
A promising debut work, "The Puppet Kingdom" tells the story of Little Red Riding Hood when she finds herself manifested in the "real world." I love when books both retell and explore the power of fairy tails, and this book is at its best when it is showcasing the effects stories have on people's lives. Combined with a strong teen protagonist, interesting world-building, and an action-filled plot, "The Puppet Kingdom" sets the stage for a fine tale.
February 25, 2014
I was recommended this book by a friend, and am very thankful that they turned me on to it!
Despite being a new author, as far as I can tell, Ms. Newton has a knack for storytelling that is incredibly engaging, as well as a prodigious vocabulary that lends it lyricism. This story covers a wide range of experiences with aplomb, from the main character's outside take on modern life to fantastical adventures that bring interesting twists to several old classics. I was genuinely impressed with how different the novel began, as a sort of more staid reverse anthropology – albeit told from our own mythos, to how the story concluded, with adventure, moral contention and growth, and some excellent fantasy elements.
I guess my biggest issue with this book, and it is a small one, is that the arcs of the narrative, especially at the beginning, are so engaging that it is hard to find a lull to pause in (leading to me running late after reading, more than once!). Even in the depictions of the mundane, the author's way with words (and metaphor) left me turning the pages.
In fact, after finishing the book I had that glow of excitement you sometimes get when discovering a new series, and a persistent hunger to read more. I was, I'll admit, a little disappointed that there wasn't a sequel (yet?).
Overall, an excellent debut, and I certainly hope Ms. Newton does not keep her readers waiting too long for the next tale, or Tale! (a little joke from the book) ;)
Despite being a new author, as far as I can tell, Ms. Newton has a knack for storytelling that is incredibly engaging, as well as a prodigious vocabulary that lends it lyricism. This story covers a wide range of experiences with aplomb, from the main character's outside take on modern life to fantastical adventures that bring interesting twists to several old classics. I was genuinely impressed with how different the novel began, as a sort of more staid reverse anthropology – albeit told from our own mythos, to how the story concluded, with adventure, moral contention and growth, and some excellent fantasy elements.
I guess my biggest issue with this book, and it is a small one, is that the arcs of the narrative, especially at the beginning, are so engaging that it is hard to find a lull to pause in (leading to me running late after reading, more than once!). Even in the depictions of the mundane, the author's way with words (and metaphor) left me turning the pages.
In fact, after finishing the book I had that glow of excitement you sometimes get when discovering a new series, and a persistent hunger to read more. I was, I'll admit, a little disappointed that there wasn't a sequel (yet?).
Overall, an excellent debut, and I certainly hope Ms. Newton does not keep her readers waiting too long for the next tale, or Tale! (a little joke from the book) ;)
September 6, 2016
It's fascinating to me to imagine fairy tale characters being thrown into modern times. Though normally no strangers to darkness in the world (there's always a villain), somehow the hope of good conquering evil becomes a little more real, and challenging, when the hero is pitted against foes in an unfamiliar world.
The protagonist of the story is Red, classic and sweet Red Riding Hood who finds herself seeking shelter in a theater, pursued by a shadow and unsure of where she came from. She is quickly befriended by a boy who works in the theater and takes her under his wing, introducing her to his family and others in the theater. From there, Red and her new friends must figure out her history, and why it seems that beloved fairy tales are steadily disappearing.
Red proves herself to be no damsel in distress, standing on her own two feet and being a good role model for young girls. The plot is well-paced and engaging, and the characters are vivid and easy to sympathize with. Plus, there are a number of beautiful illustrations throughout, perfectly highlighting important moments in the story by providing lovely and detailed visuals. An engaging story for young readers on up: anyone who enjoys adventure and wants an excuse to revisit the characters from favorite fairy tales, and fall in love with new ones.
The protagonist of the story is Red, classic and sweet Red Riding Hood who finds herself seeking shelter in a theater, pursued by a shadow and unsure of where she came from. She is quickly befriended by a boy who works in the theater and takes her under his wing, introducing her to his family and others in the theater. From there, Red and her new friends must figure out her history, and why it seems that beloved fairy tales are steadily disappearing.
Red proves herself to be no damsel in distress, standing on her own two feet and being a good role model for young girls. The plot is well-paced and engaging, and the characters are vivid and easy to sympathize with. Plus, there are a number of beautiful illustrations throughout, perfectly highlighting important moments in the story by providing lovely and detailed visuals. An engaging story for young readers on up: anyone who enjoys adventure and wants an excuse to revisit the characters from favorite fairy tales, and fall in love with new ones.
April 13, 2017
Such an easy book to fall into, and full of little surprises along the way. The writing keeps a fairy-tale feeling going the whole time, even when it's describing a perfectly mundane scene.
October 5, 2016
First novel, and I was really impressed! Shades of Michael Ende.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews