Dates Read: March 2013
Continuing with my Young Adult reading, I decided to read Splendors and Glooms, a 2013 Newberry Honor winner. I thought the book started a little slow, and it was a little hard to get into the book (in fact, at one point, I almost returned it to the library without finishing it). I'm glad I kept going with the book, though, because the ending was great and was a definitely page-turner. I could see why this book was a Newberry Honor winner - the writing was great, the plot was unique and interesting, and overall it was a great story.
Summary: (from Amazon.com)
The master puppeteer, Gaspare Grisini, is so expert at manipulating his stringed puppets that they appear alive. Clara Wintermute, the only child of a wealthy doctor, is spellbound by Grisini’s act and invites him to entertain at her birthday party. Seeing his chance to make a fortune, Grisini accepts and makes a splendidly gaudy entrance with caravan, puppets, and his two orphaned assistants.
Lizzie Rose and Parsefall are dazzled by the Wintermute home. Clara seems to have everything they lack — adoring parents, warmth, and plenty to eat. In fact, Clara’s life is shadowed by grief, guilt, and secrets. When Clara vanishes that night, suspicion of kidnapping falls upon the puppeteer and, by association, Lizzie Rose and Parsefall.
As they seek to puzzle out Clara’s whereabouts, Lizzie and Parse uncover Grisini’s criminal past and wake up to his evil intentions. Fleeing London, they find themselves caught in a trap set by Grisini’s ancient rival, a witch with a deadly inheritance to shed before it’s too late.
