Books with title Puppeteer's Apprentice, The

Mouse, a timid orphan growing up in medieval England, has little happiness in the world. But then, when she comes across a puppeteer so talented that he can make the puppets talk and dance as if they were little humans, Mouse realizes that true happiness is within reach -- and the key is learning how to make the puppets dance! What she doesn't realize, however, is just how much she and her prospective mentor have in common and how much, one day, they will share.

Mouse works in the scullery at Dunston Manor, peeling onions, stirring the pots, sweeping the floors, and doing her best not to get into trouble with the fractious cook. Alone at night in the dark corner she calls home, she wishes for something wondrous to happen and dreams of a better life. But what chance does she have, a girl born with nothing, not even a proper name? Then Mouse sees a puppet play and knows at once what she must do. Somehow she must learn to make the puppets dance. Somehow she must become the puppeteer's apprentice. But the puppeteer is harboring some uncomfortable secrets, and Mouse doesn't know whether she has the courage it takes to fulfill her dreams. How Mouse finds her place in the world, and a very special name, is the heart of this thoroughly absorbing and remarkable story set in medieval England.

Impressed by the work of the puppetmaster and his apprentice, Tavia’s ruler, The Margrave, has ordered dozens of life-size marionette soldiers to be sent to Wolfspire Hall. When the orders for more soldiers come in with increasingly urgent deadlines, the puppetmaster’s health suffers and Pirouette, his daughter and protégé, is left to build in his stead. But there is something far more twisted brewing at Wolfspire―the Margrave’s son wants Pirouette to create an assassin. And he wants her to give it life. With Tavia teetering on the brink of war and her father dying in the dungeons, Pirouette has no choice but to accept. Racing against the rise of the next blue moon―the magic that will bring her creations to life―she can't help but wonder, is she making a masterpiece...or a monster?

"This book offers a story that is creative, historical, and skillfully crafted. Thick with just the right amounts of drama and danger, every chapter left me wanting more.""A Knight tale with heart & substantce. . . . .The twist at the end of the book leaves you wanting more and looking forward to the sequel."After five years of apprenticeship, Artamos De'spada travels north on a trial mission that will bring him to the climax of his training in the king's secretive Black Knight society. Accompanying him is his mentor, Adrian Rizzo "Rizz", and fellow Black Knight, Falita Kain.Artamos's mission is simple; escort of the king's betrothed safely from the Cromanian boarder to Caltania. It's a five day travel in which Artamos is required to lead Rizz, Falita, and others. But the trip is wrought with danger, and while Artamos struggles to maintain command in the face of his youth he must work to protect the king's betrothed from bandits while facing forbidden love and betrayal.

Mouse, a timid orphan growing up in medieval England, has little happiness in the world. But then, when she comes across a puppeteer so talented that he can make the puppets talk and dance as if they were little humans, Mouse realizes that true happiness is within reach -- and the key is learning how to make the puppets dance! What she doesn't realize, however, is just how much she and her prospective mentor have in common?and how much, one day, they will share.