Lies of a Toymaker
In Kelly Ann Jacobson’s retelling of Pinocchio, Lies of a Toymaker, a girl embraces heroism and self-discovery.
Paige is the daughter of a traveling toymaker who’s always on the move. Her loyalty to her mother keeps her secluded from a normal life. She longs for change—to be somewhere away from the paint fumes and wood shavings she’s always known. She wants adventure, friends, and a semblance of stability.
On an otherwise routine business trip, Paige meets the fairy prince Alexio, who’s being held captive away from his home world. She is pulled into another realm where toys come alive to battle the evil Deathsprites who seek crossdimensional conquest. As her mother’s past secrets come to light, Paige enters the fray, battling for the fate of both worlds.
Imaginative and meticulous, the narrative follows a wide cast of characters through shifting chapters. All have their own secrets, budding relationships, and dreams. Together, they discover who they are and where they belong. The story blends innocence and maturity in its descriptions of toy battles and the grim results that follow. Between Paige bickering with a plastic cricket companion with an attitude and fending off possessed animatronic clown-penguin abominations, strangeness and fun are plentiful.
Endearing touches of romance also arise between several queer characters. Harrowing battles and the resolution of personal conflicts drive the story to its fitting conclusion, though some plot threads remain open enough to leave Paige and her companions room for future adventures.
In the fun fantasy novel Lies of a Toymaker, a girl explores her sense of identity and purpose in a world where toys come alive.
Reviewed by
Brandon Pawlicki
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
