Pinocchio's Final String

by C. Fulster

What if Pinocchio wasn’t just a puppet… but the most powerful magical artifact ever carved?

When the White Rabbit appears with a cryptic warning, Pinocchio learns a shocking he was carved from a tree unlike any other. A mystical Juniper tree brimming with ancient, raw magic called the Deantohr Draiocka. Now, the most sinister villains from every corner of the fairytale realm are hunting him, desperate to tear him apart and forge him into selfish weapons, relics… or a fate far worse.

To survive, Pinocchio must journey through twisted lands and corrupted stories, where nothing is as it seems and even the most evil spirits or trusting characters will test him. His only hope leads him to a powerful wizard, but the wizard’s warning reveals a fate of never-ending fear, and a shocking crossover twist no tale has ever told.

A dark, fast-paced novella of betrayal, survival, and transformation, Pinocchio's Final String is a gripping fairytale mashup that reimagines childhood icons in a world where magic is dangerous, and trust is the deadliest gamble of all.

81 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

About the author

C. Fulster is a seasoned electrician, devoted husband, and new father who moonlights as an award-winning writer, producer, and illustrator.

With more than sixteen children’s books, three animated screenplays, and one internationally acclaimed short film under his belt, his favorite hobby is quickly developing into a highlight reel of successful creative endeavors. He’s even donated the proceeds of five picture books to charity, and he hopes to become a best seller and adapt one of his stories for the silver screen.

In his free time, he can be found indulging his passions for hockey, spicy food, and relaxing.

He currently resides in Colorado with his beautiful wife, adorable daughter, and their two dogs.

Reviews

[Honey Dy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinocchio isn’t the story you remember.

The magic that gave him life is worth killing for…and the wood has a secret that will burn the fairytale world to ash.

Forget the cheerful puppet you once knew.

Wow! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What Curt has written is a razor-sharp, fast-paced descent into betrayal, survival, and monstrous transformations.

This twisted fairytale mash up, the childhood icons you've grown up with (Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Alice in Wonderland, The Little Mermaid, Rumpelstiltskin, Wizard of Oz, just to name a few) are thrown into a world where the magic cuts deeper than any blade, and trusting the wrong person might be the last mistake you ever make.

I absolutely loved this novella! Being a massive fan of fairytales growing up, and even to now as an adult, this was such a creative take!

5⭐️ all round, well done Curt!

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Picnnochio's Final String' is a story of survival. One day Pinocchio is cryptically warned by the White Rabbit that the wood he is made of is magical, and that villains will want him for it. From here we follow Piccnochio as he tries to find someone to trust.

This novella is full of nostalgia for all your childhood fairytales, and Fulster has done as incredible job making the characters even darker.

The ending is incredibly clever and heartwarming! This will always hold a special place in my heart.

[Holly Knightley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinocchio’s worst nightmare comes true as he’s chased through a mash up of well-known fairy tales. His journey leads him to The Hundred Acre Wood, but is it friend or foe waiting for him in the shadows? Read and find out. Great short story for anyone into fairy tale retellings. Lovely artwork throughout.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was a seamless blend of fairy tales everyone knows. Stories like Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel, and so many more. We follow Pinocchio on his journey of learning who to trust. He runs into quite a few villains and finds out that not everyone is what they seem.
This story keeps you turning the page right from the beginning. It’s a quick read that will keep you entertained if you like to read the darker side of fairy tales.
The ending had my jaw on the floor. It was the twist I never saw coming and I loved it! It was the perfect way to end this story. Amazing!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This retelling of a familiar tale feels anything but familiar. The names you know; the story, you decidedly do not.

This dark fairytale, told from the perspective of the one and only Pinocchio, takes us along a winding path of fear, hope, deception, wonder, magic, and adventure.

Spectacularly done.

*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark retelling of Pinocchio pulled me in from the very first page. The blend of mystery, danger, and twisted fairytales is so unique, every chapter feels like stepping deeper into a haunting dream. It’s fast-paced, emotional, and full of surprises. A brilliant story of survival and transformation!

[Alice Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carved from an ancient tree of forbidden magic, Pinocchio isn’t just a puppet, he’s the artifact every villain craves. Hunted through warped fairy tales and forced to face betrayals at every turn, he must uncover the truth of his cursed origin before his final string is cut.

[Cheyenne Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. This is one is all kinds of wild but it's so good i love it and I can't wait to see more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.