Madame Tussaud's Apprentice: An Untold Story of Love in the French Revolution

If you're looking for a book where heads rollLOOK NO FURTHER. This is about the French Revolution and beheading and letting-the-people-eat-cake basically MY KINDA BOOK. Except for the fact that I felt really disconnected with the writing style. This could possibly be just me??? The story felt average. I grew up addicted to In Search of Honor and if you just gender-swap the narrator -- basically EVERYTHING is the same. Wax works. Prisons. Betraying revolutionary friends. Father-killed-in-hunting- [...]

I loved it. Over the past few months, I've developed a love for young adult fiction based upon the French Revolution, and Madame Tussaud's Apprentice is among the most passionate and engaging I've read thus far. Celie is homeless, thrown out onto the streets of Paris an orphan and not being able to afford the roof over her head. Rescued by Algernon, a young man living on the streets and has taught her to steal from the wealthy to survive. Algernon seems oblivious to her feelings towards him and [...]

3 1/2This book surprised me, I don't know what I was expecting, but sure wasn't what I got. That is a good thing in case you are wondering. When I found that I had won this in a giveaway I had a moment of worry. I don't usually care for YA books, and I have never liked the kind that have twenty-first century characters clothed in period dress and in a historic time since I get jolted out of the time slot by the characters' actions. But, this book didn't do that. I like that everyone acted natur [...]

At first, I absolutely adored this book. After further contemplation and after the initial buzz settled, my love wasn't quite as strong.Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice can easily be summarized as thus: it is a story of a girl unwillingly caught up in the midst of one of the most contentious periods in history--The French Revolution. She is torn between joining the revolutionaries and staying impassive, a choice which will ultimately determine her fate in this war. Duble’s interpretation of the R [...]

4.5 starsInitial Thoughts Upon FinishingThis was brilliant and clever and I loved it. Such a clever representation of the French Revolution and utterly unique. This is one of the most interesting stories I've read in historical fiction - Madame Tussaud? Yes please.Madame Tussaud’s ApprenticeThis book was unbelievably enjoyable. The reason I first noticed it was because of its stunning cover, but then I read the title and decided that I absolutely had to have it. But then it got even better, wh [...]

Really enjoyed this interesting book. I would love to read some more historical fiction after this book. It did feel a little bit rushed at some points, but that didn't bother me since I really wanted to know how the story would continue. Overall I very much enjoyed this book :)

Originally on the my link text">The Bookworm InsiderCelie has lived on the streets ever since her dad was killed by one of the rich nobles of France and the rest of her family perished from starvation. Luckily Algernon, her handsome partner-in-crime *literally*, 'rescued' her, and since then they have been living off stealing from the wealthy of Paris, and plotting how to join the tight-knit rebellion against the aloof and unaware monarchy (including the infamous Marie Antoinette). After a ch [...]

When I received this book from Bloomsbury, I didn't know anything about it. After reading the blurb, I wasn't sure if I would actually enjoy it. I haven't read many books about the French Revolution, and I'm really fussy about historical stories. But I do know who Madame Tussaud is, and the thought of her having an apprentice intrigued me.So I decided to give it a go and I'm glad I did.Célie and Algernon are teenage orphans who live on the streets of Paris and survive the only way they know how [...]

I picked up a copy of the ARC at BEA.Celie is an orphan, living on the streets of Paris with her partner in crime, Algernon, on the eve of the French Revolution. They stay alive by stealing from the aristocracy. When they have the chance to steal from the Comte d'Artois - the king's brother and the man responsible for the death of Celie's father - she jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, she is caught when a fellow orphan accidentally steals a bag of wax heads from the famous Madame Tussaud. Mada [...]

I considered stopping reading this book quite a few times. I didn't though, and I can't say I'm glad I stuck to it.I was just hoping that at some point things would start kicking off and I'd be more interested in the story, but unfortunately that didn't happen.None of the characters really impressed me or were very memorable.The plot didn't do much for me and I felt like everything that happened in the book was rushed.Things started to get a little better when the revolution began, and the book [...]

I'm always up for a story about the French Revolution, and until now, I didn't know that Madame Tussaud had been involved. This is a well-researched, well-crafted novel. I loved the details about life at Versailles, and I found Celie a strong and appealing heroine.

Review to follow - great book for age 12+ with backdrop of French Revolution and that fascinating woman Mme Tussaud.

I wish I hadn't read this.

Really cool seeing the French stuff before my trip! Yay

Even though this book is written for the YA market;adults(myself included) will probably like this interesting,rather off-beat tale about fictional 15 year old Celie Rousseau ;who goes from living by her wits and hoping to be a part of the burgeoning Revolution in the streets of 1789 Paris along with her accomplice (and unrequited love) Algernon, to working for Famed Wax-Works Artist Madame Tussaud. After they get caught by King's brother, the Comte' De Artois whom,as a result to having Celie's [...]

3.5 stars. This review also appears on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for more reviews!A copy of this book was provided by Bloomsbury Australia for review. All opinions are my own.This was an enjoyable historical fiction novel set during the French Revolution. Even though I love my historical fiction, this is the first one that I’ve read about 18th century France, and I found it to be highly fascinating.In this book, our protagonist, Celie, is an orphan living on the streets of Paris with Alge [...]

This was a good, solid historical read. Duble did a great job of showcasing each side's point of view and making each sympathetic. Placing Celie with the famous Madame Tussaud was a great touch and it was rather refreshing to have such an interesting historical figure in the mix. The book does do that thing where the author reminds you the characters are speaking another language by using words here and there in that language that the reader would know. For example, here it's oui, non, mon dieu, [...]

This was my first historical fiction novel and I'm not too much a fan of romance, but this book was amazing. The French included in this book was easily understood and the character growth was on point. I found that I was cheering for the couple as the story continued and when the characters felt sad or unhappy I felt the same way. I have always wondered what it was like to have some of the experiences that people had in the past and I was thrilled that the experience was immersive. I would cert [...]

This story is set in France just before, and during, the French Revolution. Célie was fifteen when her father was shot by men employed by Comte de Artois (the king’s brother) because he was unable to pay the iniquitous taxes demanded. When her mother and younger brother die of starvation six months later, Célie is evicted from the only home she has ever known. Having no relatives or friends to turn to, she decides to head for Paris to join with those who are determined to change the plight o [...]

I realized while reading this book that ive totally missed out in reading historical fiction centered around the French Revolution. Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice or MTA (which is what I will now refer to it as because its easier) is set in the midst of the French Revolution and its beautiful. I kind of feel like I was sneakily taught a few things about the Revolution and I love that!Celie is living on the streets and has for sometime now. She has since her parents died. One for chasing a chicken [...]

Madame Tussaud's Apprentice, written by Kathleen Benner Duble, Is a story set in 1789 and throughout the french revolution. Celie(the main character) is very brave. Like when she stood up against the guards(sergents) when she wouldn't tell them where the other thief was (pg.24). Celie is also very talented when it comes to drawing, when the lady (Manon) she started to draw what Manon and the guard thought was the other thief. They said it was so detailed (pg.28). Lastly Celie is very smart when [...]

3.5/5Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice was an interesting read and I liked the way the fictional story and real events were weaved together.I have to admit, I don’t know a lot about the French Revolution, but the author’s note at the end of the book was very informative and gave insight into a lot of what happened in the book. I did a bit of Wiki-ing after finishing the book, and it’s clear that the author toned down things a bit and changed up some stuff to make things easier to read. I was f [...]

My love/hate affair with historical fictionI've always struggled with historical fiction so I have to admit when I got this in the mail I was just ehh but the cover staring at me day in and day out eventually won me over. With the French Revolution in its infancy, Celie and Algernon seek rebellion with the commoners against the French monarchy. Similar to the tune of classical literature during the same time period Madame Tussaud's Apprentice struggles to take off in the first half of the novel. [...]

2.5 starsWhen I received Madame Tussaud's Apprentice in the mail, I was really excited. I absolutely love historical fiction and I've never read anything about this time period before. I've been to the New York City Madame Tussaud's a few times and have always thought it was really cool, so I couldn't wait to read a story about this famous and intriguing character. And look at that cover!! Gorgeous.Ultimately, the book ended up being not as great as I'd hoped it was going to be. I was looking [...]

Copy of eARC provided by the publisher in exchange for fair review.Review will be available on my blog: Fantasy FindingsWhen it comes to historical fiction of any stripe there's a very real danger that all authors face: that they will inscribe modern mores and beliefs on characters who likely would not hold them if they were true to the time period. I believe that Benner Duble has fallen into this trap.Celie is a illiterate peasant girl. Her father was killed by a noble-man for trespassing on hi [...]

Firstly, I think this cover is gorgeous. It's a beautiful blood red and the title is this shiny gold. It's B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L. And even the spine's title is gold. EEKKK, the prettiness is tooo much!!!Anyway back to normality.This book was very surprising. I didn't expect myself to enjoy it as much as I did. I am a huge fan of French history, the language, the culture. Aasma @ Infinity Reads can back me up on this one. She just came back from the lovely country and my fangirling emotions went craz [...]

Read more of my reviews at My Full Bookshelf ReviewsI received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review via Edelweiss.Madame Tussaud's Apprentice has its flaws. Mainly how the romance between Celie and Algernon turned out, but I'll get to that later. Still, this book sucked me in, something that no book had been able to do in three weeks. For that alone, I think this book deserves a good rating, flaws aside.I will admit that when I started this book, however, I didn't automatica [...]

Read This Review & More Like It At Ageless Pages Reviews2.5 starsA moderately engaging look at the French Revolution that suffers from one of the worst romances in recent memory. Celie Rousseau is a homeless orphan, living in the back alleys of Paris with her savior, Algernon, a boy with revolutionary dreams. They steal from the rich, through a combination of housebreaking and rigged card games, and are feeling quite proud of themselves for it. Until a fellow thief botches his take and their [...]

Reviewed by RachelIn 3 words: French revolution, well-written female characters, artFor fans of: Les Miserables, The Scarlet PimpernelWhat I liked: The protagonist Celie, the historical plotIf it wasn’t a book it would be: an 18th century paintingThis historical YA novel tells the story of Celie, a clever young girl who is growing up as the worst days of the French Revolution are approaching. Celie is an orphan and lives on the streets of 18th century Paris. She has no one but herself and Alge [...]

My Thoughts – This book turned out be exceptional. When I had received it and read the back I wasn’t sure I was going to like it. I have this rule though. I will read the first five chapters of a book before I completely decide if I am going to like or not like the book. The books like I said was exceptional and it surprised me. It really surprised me and I am glad it did.Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice is about a girl named Celie and a boy named Algernon. They have both shared in their loss [...]