Puppet Master
Published on 7. May 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-84255-620-7 (ISBN)
Description
From riches to rags, Milena is growing up in the city of Prague at the turn of the twentieth century. Her parents' once prosperous theatre lies in disrepair and her life seems to be in ruins, and has been since that fateful night her father died in a tragic accident and Milena's beautiful, talented Mother went missing. No trace of her has been found. But Milena has never lost hope that she will come back. The day she meets the flamboyant Puppet Master and his menacing proteges, the twins Zdenko and Zdenka, under the shadow of Prague's famous Astronomical Clock in the Old Town square is, coincidentally, the date of her mother's birthday. And it's the day Milena's grandmother chooses to reveal to her the story of her ancestors...and of her legacy. Or perhaps it's not such a coincidence. Joanne Owen's debut novel skilfully mingles the legends of Bohemia in a story rich in the traditions of circus, theatre and magic, all set in a city waiting to lay bare a myriad of secrets. Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2009 and the Carnegie Medal.
Reviews / Votes
a chilling historical fantasy for young readers, and everything from its starkly austere cover to its ominous tag line point towards kid-horror THE BOOKBAG a mysterious and gripping read DISNEY GIRL 'I loved this magical, spooky book and i thought it was very original. I rate it 10/10. -- Chloe Dennis (Aged 12) FIRST NEWS 'This beautifully crafted novel... is rich in the tradition of circus, theatre and magic. Skillfully woven into the chilling tale of a charismatic puppet master, a missing heiress and a very determined heroine are some wonderfully memorable fairy and folk tales from central and eastern Europe. The vivid descriptions and gothic atmosphere which the author creates transport the reader deep into 19th Century Prague. -- Julia Eccleshare LOVE READING An original witch's brew of myth, history, fable and fun...well worth a read THE PRAGUE POST A vivid tale of intrigue and mystery... The ciy is described in such exquisite detail... For a child, this is a story to really get your teeth into, for an adult there is so much detail you will be challenged not to come away a little spell bound THE FOUR OH FIVE.CO.UK Beautifully illustrated...intriguing, masterful and keeps the reader guessing right until the end ARMADILLO ONLINEMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Hachette Children's Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84255-620-7 (9781842556207)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Joanne Owen
Puppet Master
E-Book
06/2011
Orion Children's Books (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
€3.99
Available for download
Person
Joanne Owen was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and read Social and Political Sciences with Archaeology and Anthropology at St John's College, Cambridge. She has worked in children's bookselling and publishing ever since. She plays bass guitar and accordion in a band and lives in North London with her partner, Lloyd, and an ever-growing collection of marionettes. PUPPET MASTER is her first novel.