Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Madame Tussaud's Apprentice by Kathleen Benner Duble

Posted by Paranormalangelblog at Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Synopsis

In 1789, with the starving French people on the brink of revolution, orphaned Celie Rosseau, an amazing artist and a very clever thief, runs wild with her protector, Algernon, trying to join the idealistic freedom fighters of Paris. But when she is caught stealing from none other than the king's brother and the lady from the waxworks, Celie must use her drawing talent to buy her own freedom or die for her crimes. Forced to work for Madame Tussaud inside the opulent walls that surround Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Celie is shocked to find that the very people she imagined to be monsters actually treat her with kindness. But the thunder of revolution still rolls outside the gates, and Celie is torn between the cause of the poor and the safety of the rich. When the moment of truth arrives, will she turn on Madame Tussaud or betray the boy she loves? From the hidden garrets of the starving poor to the jeweled halls of Versailles, "Madame Tussaud's Apprentice" is a sweeping story of danger, intrigue, and young love, set against one of the most dramatic moments in history.

Review

I received  a copy of this book for a honest review.

Let me start by saying that had I not received a copy of this book, I honestly  don't think i would have ever picked it up to read. Which would have been a shame as this book is fantastic.

Welcome to France  pre-revolution.  We are introduced  to  Célie and Algernon, two teenage orphans who are fighting  for  survival on the streets  of Paris.

Celie was saved by Algernon after the death of her family.  Not only does she owe him her life, but over time she has fallen in love with him. 

Forced to running cons and steal  to survive. Celie only outlet is her talent at drawing. But when a con goes wrong, her talent  for drawing is what can save her.

Enter Manon Tussaud who takes Celie into her care as her apprentice.  Where Celie  finds herself living in a comfortable home with nice, caring people who also teach her the trade of waxworks. The only thing missing is Algernon. Who she feels she owes her life to.

Since the death of ger family Célie has always wanted equality in France, but after spending some time living in Versailles she realises that the royal family might actually be as much prisoners in their life. Not everything is  as it appears to be. When  she sends  Algernon  a drawing of her time in Versailles, she will inadvertently  helps to incite the revolution .

Madame Tussaud's Apprentice is a story about a young girl trying to survive in a miserable and dangerous city. There  is also the added element of the French Revolution provided an intriguing and violent backdrop for this tale.  The twist at the end was a nice surprise and a great way to finish.

I really think that this is a book that you should add to your to read pile today .

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