PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
Reasons why you should read it
The characters are so amazing and lovable
It has SHEET MUSIC in the book which is absolutely gorgeous (if you can read sheet music it's so wonderful to stop at the sheet music and play through)
Trans characters! (One of them doesn't show up till book two though)
Strong family themes. And intriguing family bonds
Princess who is plus sized and an inventor (love her)
Emersive formatting (switching from normal format (in first person) to a script format while not from first person. It also has letters, tellograms, wanted posters, etc. Scattered through the pages.
Author (Heidi Heilig) went to school for musical theater writing. And it shows! In the best possible way
The magic with the spirit fantouches in so gorgeous.
All the books are consistently good! I haven't read book 3 yet (can't wait) but book 2 did not disappoint. I imagine the 3rd one is just as good.
"Never show. Jetta's secret has kept her family from starving. It has made them the most famed troupe of shadow players in Chakrana. For with with a drop of blood, Jetta can bind wandering spirits to the silk or wood or leather of their puppets and bring them to life. But the old ways are forbidden. Jetta could be thrown in prison and left to Rot- or worse.
"As the rebellion swells through the country and desperation builds, Jetta's power becomes harder and harder to hide. Especially from Leo, the young smuggler with sharp eyes and secrets of his own. When he and Jetta capture the notice of both the army and the rebels, she may be the spark that lights the rebellion. . . If she isn't consumed by flame first."
Thank you Heidi Heilig! This book is amazing!