First let me say I think you met the challenge, def a doll or puppet, although could be mistaken for a toy instead. Either way I like your subject, very creative lighting, nothing standard about side lighting, maybe just a touch softer would have helped, not sure of your diffuser but maybe try to soften it or make it appear larger then it is.
I like the background, but I wish you had maybe used a bit of a reflector on camera right so you can fill in the shadows just a touch and give a bit of detail to the left side of subject.
Overall I think you did well. And scored just about where I would have put it.
Is it a doll/pupper, or a toy? I need to give benefit of the doubt on this challenge. It's hard to tell. I do like the lighting and and expression of this critter, whatever it is.