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Poppet Cycle #1
Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book 1
In a dark future, people with money live in doomed cities and use the recently deceased as repurposed servants and workers called poppets. Ellie DesLoge is the teen heiress of the company that makes and distributes poppets-your basic reprogrammed flesh robot complete with training chips and kill switches. If Ellie does everything her Aunt Cordelia says, she'll have a life of wealth and power. If she chooses to be what is planned for her, life will be perfect. Everything she ever dreamed. But something about her sweet poppet Thom goes against what Aunt Cordelia and tradition have taught her. Will she choose to believe what everyone knows is true or will she follow what her heart tells her about Thom? Her choice will change the world.
"Revelation is a creepy, heartbreaking, yet ultimately inspiring novel. Unflinching and powerful social commentary wrapped in a terrific story." -Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of V-Wars and Rot and Ruin
"This stark yet richly layered narrative, the first in Munro's anticipated Poppet Cycle series, is a study of privilege, persecution, and the power of love. A chillingly perceptive dystopia cementing Munro as an author of note. Revelation is a novel worthy of its title." -Lee Murray, two-time Bram Stoker Award winner and author of Into the Ashes
"With this, the first book in her Poppet Cycle, Donna J. W. Munro has transcended the zombie genre to create something unique, strange, and disturbingly relevant." -Lisa Morton, six-time Bram Stoker Award winner
"Revelation is a creepy, heartbreaking, yet ultimately inspiring novel. Unflinching and powerful social commentary wrapped in a terrific story." -Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of V-Wars and Rot and Ruin
"This stark yet richly layered narrative, the first in Munro's anticipated Poppet Cycle series, is a study of privilege, persecution, and the power of love. A chillingly perceptive dystopia cementing Munro as an author of note. Revelation is a novel worthy of its title." -Lee Murray, two-time Bram Stoker Award winner and author of Into the Ashes
"With this, the first book in her Poppet Cycle, Donna J. W. Munro has transcended the zombie genre to create something unique, strange, and disturbingly relevant." -Lisa Morton, six-time Bram Stoker Award winner
408 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2023
24 people are currently reading
1197 people want to read
About the author
Donna J.W. Munro
46 books366 followersDonna J. W. Munro’s pieces are published in Dark Moon Digest # 34, Flash Fiction Magazine, Astounding Outpost, Nothing’s Sacred Magazine IV and V, Corvid Queen, Hazard Yet Forward (2012), Enter the Apocalypse (2017), Beautiful Lies, Painful Truths II (2018), Terror Politico (2019), Burning Love, Bleeding Hearts (2020), Borderlands 7 (2020), Gray Sisters Vol 1(2020) and others. Check out her novel, Revelations: Poppet Cycle 1. Contact her at https://www.donnajwmunro.com or @DonnaJWMunro on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
December 17, 2020
I had a chance to read this before it's release date for a potential blurb. This is what I sent to the author: "As heir to the poppet industry, Ellie's world is perfect. She has the perfect beau, best friend, and life until she glimpses the rot underneath the gilded surface. This creepy dystopian tale contains a world that is both familiar and frightening, and where death is no longer an end."
The world in this book really stands out - it's a mix of old fashioned ideas like arranged marriages, balls, and proper etiquette with futuristic technology that creates Poppets, which are reanimated dead people that work as servants and laborers. Not to be confused with zombies as they are all chipped and programmed to obey and they don't rot. The questions about the poppets - are they property or slaves? Do they have souls? - are ones the main character grabbles with throughout the book. This story also reminded me of Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Same creepy vibe, but completely different story.
The world in this book really stands out - it's a mix of old fashioned ideas like arranged marriages, balls, and proper etiquette with futuristic technology that creates Poppets, which are reanimated dead people that work as servants and laborers. Not to be confused with zombies as they are all chipped and programmed to obey and they don't rot. The questions about the poppets - are they property or slaves? Do they have souls? - are ones the main character grabbles with throughout the book. This story also reminded me of Unwind by Neal Shusterman. Same creepy vibe, but completely different story.
April 5, 2021
Okay, there is a LOT going on here.
This is a "girl meets boy, finally realizes she's living in a dystopia, escapes" story. We've all read that story a million times, right? WRONG.
If you, like me, look at the cover art on this book and come away with no earthly idea what it involves, let me help. I would describe the plot of this book as "innocent debutante Ellie gets introduced to the horrors of zombie slavery."
The worldbuilding here just really jumps out from page one. The mixture of 1) old-timey dresses, balls, upper-class Southern-style snobbery and social rules with 2) the fact that everyone lives in dome cities tightly controlled by megacorporations whose economy runs off the labor of hordes of the domesticated undead has an exquisitely creepy, jarring effect.
Ellie's wide-eyed, soft-hearted character also presents an interesting contrast with the extent to which traffic in dead people permeates her life. The book starts off a little slow, but the "WHAT IS GOING ON" emotions provoked by experiencing the world itself held me over until the Zombie Rights Movement eventually kicked off the action.
The story is creepy and disturbing. It's very original. I essentially knew what was going to happen the whole time because, like I said, it's a well-trodden plot, but I didn't care. I was interested in peeling back each layer of Ellie's buried family secrets and the truth about her family's zombie-making empire.
The underground railroad allusions and themes are inescapable, twisting several different types of well-known stories into a shape I've never seen before. There were a lot of intriguing characters as well, with Ellie herself possibly near the bottom of the list. (Her ex-boyfriend is the least intriguing.) What an absolutely unhinged ride.
Overall, I was 100% blindsided by this book. It's better than its blurb and SO much better than its cover art. There is still so much here to explore, and I am absolutely going to read the next one in the series.
This is a "girl meets boy, finally realizes she's living in a dystopia, escapes" story. We've all read that story a million times, right? WRONG.
If you, like me, look at the cover art on this book and come away with no earthly idea what it involves, let me help. I would describe the plot of this book as "innocent debutante Ellie gets introduced to the horrors of zombie slavery."
The worldbuilding here just really jumps out from page one. The mixture of 1) old-timey dresses, balls, upper-class Southern-style snobbery and social rules with 2) the fact that everyone lives in dome cities tightly controlled by megacorporations whose economy runs off the labor of hordes of the domesticated undead has an exquisitely creepy, jarring effect.
Ellie's wide-eyed, soft-hearted character also presents an interesting contrast with the extent to which traffic in dead people permeates her life. The book starts off a little slow, but the "WHAT IS GOING ON" emotions provoked by experiencing the world itself held me over until the Zombie Rights Movement eventually kicked off the action.
The story is creepy and disturbing. It's very original. I essentially knew what was going to happen the whole time because, like I said, it's a well-trodden plot, but I didn't care. I was interested in peeling back each layer of Ellie's buried family secrets and the truth about her family's zombie-making empire.
The underground railroad allusions and themes are inescapable, twisting several different types of well-known stories into a shape I've never seen before. There were a lot of intriguing characters as well, with Ellie herself possibly near the bottom of the list. (Her ex-boyfriend is the least intriguing.) What an absolutely unhinged ride.
Overall, I was 100% blindsided by this book. It's better than its blurb and SO much better than its cover art. There is still so much here to explore, and I am absolutely going to read the next one in the series.
April 11, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
In a world somewhat similar to the Antebellum South, zombies, called poppets take the place of slaves. Early in the book, a poppet saves the protagonist's life, even though theoretically, they don't have souls or awareness. It's a lot like Uncle Tom's Cabin and similar works. A few years ago, all the poppets probably would have been robots.
In a world somewhat similar to the Antebellum South, zombies, called poppets take the place of slaves. Early in the book, a poppet saves the protagonist's life, even though theoretically, they don't have souls or awareness. It's a lot like Uncle Tom's Cabin and similar works. A few years ago, all the poppets probably would have been robots.
January 25, 2021
In a futuristic society, kind-hearted teen, Ellie, lives a pampered life full of luxury. She lives in a beautiful and safe domed world complete with arranged marriages, fancy balls, and incredible technology. She can literally order any outfit she wants and get it instantly with a couple clicks! She stands to inherit The DesLoge Corporation, the corporation started by her great-uncle and great-aunt that recycles the dead and turns them into poppets. Zombies? Not quite, . . . these poppets are chipped and programmed to obey and not rot. They are meant to be servants and perform all the jobs and duties in society that living humans do not want to do. In other words they are slaves. But that’s okay, right? I mean poppets are dead people who no longer have the ability to feel emotions, think, or talk. That’s what Ellie has always been told, even though she adores her personal poppet, Thom, and has always sensed there was more to him than meets the eye. Then when Ellie befriends the new boy, Moze from “the Wilds”, she learns from him that her family business may be more sinister than she was led to believe, and her world is turned upside down. Ellie must make tough choices and decide what really matters. Her family legacy and her promised beau and best friend or her beloved poppet and this new friend, Moze? Munro has weaved a fascinating dystopian tale that explores class, corruption, and love. Highly recommend.
April 13, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed it Munro’s fresh take on zombies. I’m excited to see what is in store for Mose, Thom, and Ellie. The characters were well developed and I felt their pain as I read them going through the club and as they discovered the truth about the poppers. Thanks for sharing your vision and I’m ready for the next book
February 28, 2021
Revelation is the first book in the new Poppet Cycle series by Donna J.W. Munro. The story follows Ellie DesLoge, the young heir to DesLoge Com, maker of poppets. What are poppets you may ask? Poppets are made by reanimating and programing corpses so that they can do all of those pesky tasks that high society can't be bothered with, such as cooking, cleaning, etc. They are considered property, fed poppet chow, and are generally believed not to have a soul or be capable of any independent thought. Sound familiar?
Ellie has grown up in a domed city, perfectly safe and protected, believing everything that society has told her about poppets. Until Moze, a boy from the wilds, transfers to her school and completely changes her way of thinking.
The book takes heavy influence from the antebellum South and Munro does such a wonderful job making the parallels between the poppets and enslaved peoples from American history. It was such an enjoyable journey watching Ellie's thoughts and opinions change over the course of the novel, even if I found myself frustrated with her at times. I highly recommend picking this one up and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes.
Ellie has grown up in a domed city, perfectly safe and protected, believing everything that society has told her about poppets. Until Moze, a boy from the wilds, transfers to her school and completely changes her way of thinking.
The book takes heavy influence from the antebellum South and Munro does such a wonderful job making the parallels between the poppets and enslaved peoples from American history. It was such an enjoyable journey watching Ellie's thoughts and opinions change over the course of the novel, even if I found myself frustrated with her at times. I highly recommend picking this one up and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes.
April 9, 2021
The story itself is really interesting as our protagonist learns more and more about her strange (to us) world. Better, though, is the allegorical tale about our categorizing people into humanity and other. It has long been a tribal trait to make that distinction, and never with benefits for the “others.” I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
May 2, 2021
Really cool and detailed worldbuilding, with just the right amount of creepiness. I loved the big reveal toward the end.
February 27, 2021
Beautifully written Young Adult dystopian piece about zombies and privelage. A fresh twist on the genre. If you are a Young Adult, have a Young Adult in your life (or you are a grown a** adult, like me, who loves the genre) you're going to want to read this.
February 27, 2021
Thought-provoking page turner you won't be able to put down!!
January 10, 2021
Revelation is the first in a series set in a dystopian future. The premise is about a society that has created "poppets" -- essentially zombies -- and domesticated them. The protagonist, Ellie, is the heir to the company that makes them, and the story looks through her eyes as she learns more about what her family has wrought. The first act is a great bit of worldbuilding, while the second and third out really takes off as Ellie faces some truly fateful situations.
Munro has a background in history, and it shows, especially in the way she draws influences from antebellum American history and its hard lessons on agency and humanity. But the novel never gets preachy, instead letting the storyline unfold and readers connect the dots. The ending is pitch-perfect, and sets things up beautifully for what I anticipate will be an epic journey. I can't wait to see what's next.
Munro has a background in history, and it shows, especially in the way she draws influences from antebellum American history and its hard lessons on agency and humanity. But the novel never gets preachy, instead letting the storyline unfold and readers connect the dots. The ending is pitch-perfect, and sets things up beautifully for what I anticipate will be an epic journey. I can't wait to see what's next.
March 10, 2021
Excellent book. Excellent premise. Love the whole set up and the multiple levels of the story. Counting the day until the second book comes out. Read it in two evenings.
July 13, 2021
Revelation is a dystopian story about a world where a class structure is at work. An underclass of poppets serves the upper echelons of society, and zombie mythos plays a vital role in the story. Ellie is heir to the company that creates and sells these poppets and finds herself in a pickle when she discovers that her family’s corporate fortune is not as innocent as she was led to believe.
There is also an element of romance in the story where Ellis meets a boy from the wilds. Ellie has many hard decisions to create an epic, exciting story that keeps you thinking about it after you are finished.
The story is suitable for young adult sci-fi fans. The lead female protagonist had an emotional journey filled with hard decisions to make. I felt the character had growth and was relatable. I appreciated the novel approach and found the book well directed for its genre.
I recommend this book to young adult readers and science fiction fans.
There is also an element of romance in the story where Ellis meets a boy from the wilds. Ellie has many hard decisions to create an epic, exciting story that keeps you thinking about it after you are finished.
The story is suitable for young adult sci-fi fans. The lead female protagonist had an emotional journey filled with hard decisions to make. I felt the character had growth and was relatable. I appreciated the novel approach and found the book well directed for its genre.
I recommend this book to young adult readers and science fiction fans.
April 24, 2021
Zombieriffic
Full disclosure - Donna’s a friend of mine, so I’m not exactly unbiased. But I’m also a lifelong reader of speculative fiction. There aren’t many zombie novels, but this book is a welcome addition to that canon. The underlying socio-political commentary is great, and I’m excited to see what happens next.
Full disclosure - Donna’s a friend of mine, so I’m not exactly unbiased. But I’m also a lifelong reader of speculative fiction. There aren’t many zombie novels, but this book is a welcome addition to that canon. The underlying socio-political commentary is great, and I’m excited to see what happens next.
November 10, 2023
“Revelation: Poppet Cycle, Book 1” by Donna J.W. Munro is YA dystopian fiction at its best and most breathtaking. The insight, characters, and profound concepts found within this tale remind me of several other YA reads that crossed over into the mainstream. I’m thinking especially of dystopian reads like “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent.” These books and others in the genre reached critical and popular acclaim because they are richly layered stories. They can be read on more than one level, depending on how much the reader is willing to invest. On the surface, they are exciting stories of how the world could be in the not-so-distant future. On a deeper level, they provide possibilities that should come with warning labels, encouraging one to think beyond the veneer of the tale.
In “Revelation: Poppet Cycle” we meet the main character, Ellie DesLoge. She is heir to the company that manufactures poppets. The process of turning freshly dead cadavers into programmable servants to handle the less savory tasks in society is ironically termed poppetry. Yeah, seriously. Imagine zombies that don’t rot and have been programmed to remove that nasty tendency toward eating humans. Now, instead of rotting away in a cemetery no one visits, or being flash-fried in the crematorium, dead loved ones can be sold to DesLoge Com so that their bodies may continue to serve society. What a great idea! No more menial tasks in this society, they are taken care of by mindless meat bags that no longer have thoughts, feelings, or souls.
Ellie understands she’s being groomed to take over the company, eventually. She also understands that while portions of poppet manufacturing are distasteful, the product is exceedingly useful and even delightful. Ellie adores her poppet, Thom. He’s been with her as long as she can remember, as a constant companion and servant. She actually has feelings for the old poppet, even though she knows that’s silly. He’s not alive. He can’t speak or communicate. He has no independent thought- only the programming provided by her aunt’s company. Yet Thom holds a special place in her heart, even as she approaches adulthood.
Ellie’s calm, pre-planned life hits a speedbump in the form of a teenager named Moze who has just come to live with his aunt following the death of his parents. It’s obvious Moze isn’t from the city, and none of the kids at school are warming up to him. When Moze’s aunt, a popular senator and powerful woman, asks Ellie to host a party for Moze to introduce him to society, she discovers there is much more to him than any of them suspected. Moze was raised in the Wild, outside the safety of the domed city. He’s also a Resurrectionist, opposed to her company using the dead to make poppets. Romeo, meet Juliet.
The author has taken a unique concept, casting our post-apocalyptic favorites, the zombies, in a more socially acceptable form. Then she threw in some “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” just to spice things up. There couldn’t be two more disparate genres than those she has deftly woven together here. Yet it works with amazing dexterity. As Moze begins to expose Ellie to the truth behind the poppet trade, Ellie has some very serious decisions to make. In her youthful ignorance, she thinks she’ll be able to change society’s viewpoint from the inside. But her dear auntie/DesLoge Com CEO makes it clear that Ellie’s ideas are childish, silly, and short-sighted.
Several characters within this tale are noteworthy. Ellie, Moze, and the two aunts are very well crafted with depth and emotions. Ellie’s school friends are reasonably deep as secondary characters. Then there are two characters that rank head and shoulders above them all as “sleepers.” For the sake of avoiding spoilers, I won’t mention names. But I will say that as Ellie’s world begins to implode, she discovers she is more loved and more cared for than she ever knew. People have made incredible sacrifices for her, and she has lived her life blissfully unaware.
This story took my breath away. At times, it had the breezy feel of YA romance reads as Ellie and her school friends argued over the inane first-world problems that only matter in high school. But the turn of a page would put me into an emotional tailspin as a dim light was aimed at the nasty, hidden evils of this society. I might be laughing at a witty comment, then fighting angry tears in the next chapter at the injustice of it all. I want to think nothing like this could ever possibly happen. Yet it already did, and in some ways still does.
I love the gentle approach the author used. At no point did this amazing work feel preachy or judgmental. In fact, the reader is privy to Ellie’s struggles as she tries to make sense of what she’s always known and what she’s recently discovered. I appreciate that the concepts of this novel were treated as multi-faceted issues.
Whether you’re a fan of young adult stories, dystopian tales, romance, sci-fi, coming-of-age, cyberpunk, or even historical fiction there is much to love about the genre-busting “Revelation: Poppet Cycle” by Donna J.W. Munro. For young adults, it’s a definite don’t-miss read. For adults like me, it’s an astounding, fresh look at societal issues in a profound yet entertaining novel. I’ve put my money where my mouth is; I’ve already bought the next book in the series because I want more of this story!
In “Revelation: Poppet Cycle” we meet the main character, Ellie DesLoge. She is heir to the company that manufactures poppets. The process of turning freshly dead cadavers into programmable servants to handle the less savory tasks in society is ironically termed poppetry. Yeah, seriously. Imagine zombies that don’t rot and have been programmed to remove that nasty tendency toward eating humans. Now, instead of rotting away in a cemetery no one visits, or being flash-fried in the crematorium, dead loved ones can be sold to DesLoge Com so that their bodies may continue to serve society. What a great idea! No more menial tasks in this society, they are taken care of by mindless meat bags that no longer have thoughts, feelings, or souls.
Ellie understands she’s being groomed to take over the company, eventually. She also understands that while portions of poppet manufacturing are distasteful, the product is exceedingly useful and even delightful. Ellie adores her poppet, Thom. He’s been with her as long as she can remember, as a constant companion and servant. She actually has feelings for the old poppet, even though she knows that’s silly. He’s not alive. He can’t speak or communicate. He has no independent thought- only the programming provided by her aunt’s company. Yet Thom holds a special place in her heart, even as she approaches adulthood.
Ellie’s calm, pre-planned life hits a speedbump in the form of a teenager named Moze who has just come to live with his aunt following the death of his parents. It’s obvious Moze isn’t from the city, and none of the kids at school are warming up to him. When Moze’s aunt, a popular senator and powerful woman, asks Ellie to host a party for Moze to introduce him to society, she discovers there is much more to him than any of them suspected. Moze was raised in the Wild, outside the safety of the domed city. He’s also a Resurrectionist, opposed to her company using the dead to make poppets. Romeo, meet Juliet.
The author has taken a unique concept, casting our post-apocalyptic favorites, the zombies, in a more socially acceptable form. Then she threw in some “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” just to spice things up. There couldn’t be two more disparate genres than those she has deftly woven together here. Yet it works with amazing dexterity. As Moze begins to expose Ellie to the truth behind the poppet trade, Ellie has some very serious decisions to make. In her youthful ignorance, she thinks she’ll be able to change society’s viewpoint from the inside. But her dear auntie/DesLoge Com CEO makes it clear that Ellie’s ideas are childish, silly, and short-sighted.
Several characters within this tale are noteworthy. Ellie, Moze, and the two aunts are very well crafted with depth and emotions. Ellie’s school friends are reasonably deep as secondary characters. Then there are two characters that rank head and shoulders above them all as “sleepers.” For the sake of avoiding spoilers, I won’t mention names. But I will say that as Ellie’s world begins to implode, she discovers she is more loved and more cared for than she ever knew. People have made incredible sacrifices for her, and she has lived her life blissfully unaware.
This story took my breath away. At times, it had the breezy feel of YA romance reads as Ellie and her school friends argued over the inane first-world problems that only matter in high school. But the turn of a page would put me into an emotional tailspin as a dim light was aimed at the nasty, hidden evils of this society. I might be laughing at a witty comment, then fighting angry tears in the next chapter at the injustice of it all. I want to think nothing like this could ever possibly happen. Yet it already did, and in some ways still does.
I love the gentle approach the author used. At no point did this amazing work feel preachy or judgmental. In fact, the reader is privy to Ellie’s struggles as she tries to make sense of what she’s always known and what she’s recently discovered. I appreciate that the concepts of this novel were treated as multi-faceted issues.
Whether you’re a fan of young adult stories, dystopian tales, romance, sci-fi, coming-of-age, cyberpunk, or even historical fiction there is much to love about the genre-busting “Revelation: Poppet Cycle” by Donna J.W. Munro. For young adults, it’s a definite don’t-miss read. For adults like me, it’s an astounding, fresh look at societal issues in a profound yet entertaining novel. I’ve put my money where my mouth is; I’ve already bought the next book in the series because I want more of this story!
October 19, 2024
TW: Mentions of human trafficking, discretion is advised.
This book did intrigue me when it came to the plot as I am interested in dystopian universes such as The Hunger Games series and Divergent. While reading, aspects of this book kept me from giving this book a glowing review.
The main issue was pacing. While I commend Donna J.W. Munro for the world building as I could clearly see what the world around me looked liked, they’re seemed to be an imbalance between the descriptions of the world around Ellie and pacing with Ellie realizing the truth of what Desloge Com really did with Poppets . There were times where I was taken out of the book because of the pacing, I never knew where the inciting incident was or when the second act would come in.
The other issue I had was the consistency of growth in the main character, Ellie. In the final scene of act 2 of this book, we see Moze take her to the corridors where all of the live citizens of the dome are using the poppets for there own sick game, either for sexual pleasure or torturing them through inhumane ways. She feels sick and wants to intervene, despite Moze’s concerns of getting caught. However, in the next chapter, she says that she wants to talk to Aunt Cordelia about pulling things back. It didn’t make sense because one moment she was going to intervene and risk getting caught and then the next she’s going back to her old patterns of doubt and teachings. It didn’t seem true and felt forced in my opinion.
Positives: As much as pacing was an issue for me, there were highlights such as the topic of human trafficking. As I learn in the second/third act, we learn that most of the citizens in the dome use poppets, dead people turned into servants and exploit them. It was handled with grace and integrity, having the viewers looking through the lens of not only the poppets but also Ellie and Moze as they are disgusted. It made me disgusted, but acknowledged that this issue does exist today and it really is sad as people will take advantage of people and exploit them for their own gain. It also made us think about the society and going against everything you were taught. I initially would’ve been against the whole system of letting dead people being below the living. However, it did make this conversation of would we really be against this system if we were taught about certain perspective of history our whole lives, which is what Ellie had to face down the road and meeting Moze. It was a clever and intricate way of having the readers think about what was humane vs. inhumane and to ask questions about what we really are taught.
Overall, this is an interesting read and if you are interested, read it. However, I’m not going to read the second or third book as this is a series.
This book did intrigue me when it came to the plot as I am interested in dystopian universes such as The Hunger Games series and Divergent. While reading, aspects of this book kept me from giving this book a glowing review.
The main issue was pacing. While I commend Donna J.W. Munro for the world building as I could clearly see what the world around me looked liked, they’re seemed to be an imbalance between the descriptions of the world around Ellie and pacing with Ellie realizing the truth of what Desloge Com really did with Poppets . There were times where I was taken out of the book because of the pacing, I never knew where the inciting incident was or when the second act would come in.
The other issue I had was the consistency of growth in the main character, Ellie. In the final scene of act 2 of this book, we see Moze take her to the corridors where all of the live citizens of the dome are using the poppets for there own sick game, either for sexual pleasure or torturing them through inhumane ways. She feels sick and wants to intervene, despite Moze’s concerns of getting caught. However, in the next chapter, she says that she wants to talk to Aunt Cordelia about pulling things back. It didn’t make sense because one moment she was going to intervene and risk getting caught and then the next she’s going back to her old patterns of doubt and teachings. It didn’t seem true and felt forced in my opinion.
Positives: As much as pacing was an issue for me, there were highlights such as the topic of human trafficking. As I learn in the second/third act, we learn that most of the citizens in the dome use poppets, dead people turned into servants and exploit them. It was handled with grace and integrity, having the viewers looking through the lens of not only the poppets but also Ellie and Moze as they are disgusted. It made me disgusted, but acknowledged that this issue does exist today and it really is sad as people will take advantage of people and exploit them for their own gain. It also made us think about the society and going against everything you were taught. I initially would’ve been against the whole system of letting dead people being below the living. However, it did make this conversation of would we really be against this system if we were taught about certain perspective of history our whole lives, which is what Ellie had to face down the road and meeting Moze. It was a clever and intricate way of having the readers think about what was humane vs. inhumane and to ask questions about what we really are taught.
Overall, this is an interesting read and if you are interested, read it. However, I’m not going to read the second or third book as this is a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
"Revelation" by Donna J.W. Munro is the first book of the series Poppet Cycle and it's the perfect beginning for a dystopian universe.
Set in a future world, approximately 150 years from now, the new era is ruled by a few companies. One of them is DesLoge Com, specialized in poppets, slaves that are build from deceased people that keep their abliities but not their personality or soul. Poppets are programmed to obey and they are treated as nothing but servants.
Cordelia's the one in control of the company; her niece, Ellie, will inherit it all. She's only 16 and she's been educated all her life as the heir of DesLoge Com. She's been told that poppets are things without feellings, she's been told that humans are better than them... However, her love for her poppet Thom, and the conviction that he's more than an empty shell, tells her otherwise.
Ellie's world turns around when Moze appears in her life. The new kid in class, that comes from the Wilds (outside her own world), shows her how much she's missing, how many truths have been hidden from her all this time.
I don't usually read dystopian books, but something in this one caught my attention and I'm so happy I gave it an opportunity. This story's worldbuilding is one of the best I've read in many years: it's coherent, interesting and it makes you get deep down in it without noticing. Besides, the author adds between chapters little pieces that help build that universe: news, notes, law cases... I found this part very refreshing and original, and one of the elements I enjoyed the most.
The characters are really deep and their personalities and reactions are really plausible. I was fascinated by Ellie's evolution: how her thoughts start to change, how she discovers how the world really works. She's smart, thoughtful, empathic and altruistic. I loved getting to know her and I can't wait to know more about her.
There were also very memorable quotes in the book, that I underlined and will revisit from time to time. The author is a magnificent writer, she moved me many times in many ways.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 5/5 stars is because in the final part I lost some interest. I'm not sure if that was because of the structure of the story or because I was in a different mood, but I disconnected a bit because there was a lot of action and less character evolution and worldbuilding.
In conclusion, "Revelation" is an enjoyable book that submerged me in a world I'm ready to visit again.
Set in a future world, approximately 150 years from now, the new era is ruled by a few companies. One of them is DesLoge Com, specialized in poppets, slaves that are build from deceased people that keep their abliities but not their personality or soul. Poppets are programmed to obey and they are treated as nothing but servants.
Cordelia's the one in control of the company; her niece, Ellie, will inherit it all. She's only 16 and she's been educated all her life as the heir of DesLoge Com. She's been told that poppets are things without feellings, she's been told that humans are better than them... However, her love for her poppet Thom, and the conviction that he's more than an empty shell, tells her otherwise.
Ellie's world turns around when Moze appears in her life. The new kid in class, that comes from the Wilds (outside her own world), shows her how much she's missing, how many truths have been hidden from her all this time.
I don't usually read dystopian books, but something in this one caught my attention and I'm so happy I gave it an opportunity. This story's worldbuilding is one of the best I've read in many years: it's coherent, interesting and it makes you get deep down in it without noticing. Besides, the author adds between chapters little pieces that help build that universe: news, notes, law cases... I found this part very refreshing and original, and one of the elements I enjoyed the most.
The characters are really deep and their personalities and reactions are really plausible. I was fascinated by Ellie's evolution: how her thoughts start to change, how she discovers how the world really works. She's smart, thoughtful, empathic and altruistic. I loved getting to know her and I can't wait to know more about her.
There were also very memorable quotes in the book, that I underlined and will revisit from time to time. The author is a magnificent writer, she moved me many times in many ways.
The only reason I didn't give this book a 5/5 stars is because in the final part I lost some interest. I'm not sure if that was because of the structure of the story or because I was in a different mood, but I disconnected a bit because there was a lot of action and less character evolution and worldbuilding.
In conclusion, "Revelation" is an enjoyable book that submerged me in a world I'm ready to visit again.
December 4, 2023
"Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book One" by Donna J.W. Munro is a captivating blend of old-fashioned traditions and futuristic technology, set in a dark future where the wealthy live in doomed cities and the recently deceased are repurposed as servants known as poppets.
From the outset, Munro presents readers with a richly imagined world, seamlessly combining elements of dystopia with innovative technological concepts. The concept of using the deceased as programmable robots adds a unique twist to the post-apocalyptic genre. The world-building is a standout feature, drawing readers into a society where traditional values coexist with advanced, and at times unsettling, technology.
The protagonist, Ellie DesLoge, serves as an effective lens through which readers explore this complex world. As the heiress of the company responsible for creating and distributing poppets, Ellie faces the weight of societal expectations and familial pressure. The tension between adhering to tradition and following her heart creates a compelling internal conflict for Ellie.
The character development is well-executed, and Ellie's connection with Thom, a poppet, adds emotional depth to the narrative. Munro skillfully weaves in elements of romance and self-discovery, elevating the story beyond the confines of a typical dystopian tale.
The novel also touches upon thought-provoking themes, drawing parallels between the use of poppets and historical issues such as slavery. This adds layers of complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the ethical implications of the society depicted in the story.
Overall, "Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book One" is a thoughtfully crafted and original work that successfully combines futuristic elements with historical inspiration. Munro's ability to create a compelling world, develop engaging characters, and explore meaningful themes makes this novel a standout in the dystopian genre. Readers looking for a fresh take on dystopian fiction with a touch of romance and societal reflection will find this book to be a rewarding read.
4.4 rounded down to 4/5
From the outset, Munro presents readers with a richly imagined world, seamlessly combining elements of dystopia with innovative technological concepts. The concept of using the deceased as programmable robots adds a unique twist to the post-apocalyptic genre. The world-building is a standout feature, drawing readers into a society where traditional values coexist with advanced, and at times unsettling, technology.
The protagonist, Ellie DesLoge, serves as an effective lens through which readers explore this complex world. As the heiress of the company responsible for creating and distributing poppets, Ellie faces the weight of societal expectations and familial pressure. The tension between adhering to tradition and following her heart creates a compelling internal conflict for Ellie.
The character development is well-executed, and Ellie's connection with Thom, a poppet, adds emotional depth to the narrative. Munro skillfully weaves in elements of romance and self-discovery, elevating the story beyond the confines of a typical dystopian tale.
The novel also touches upon thought-provoking themes, drawing parallels between the use of poppets and historical issues such as slavery. This adds layers of complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the ethical implications of the society depicted in the story.
Overall, "Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book One" is a thoughtfully crafted and original work that successfully combines futuristic elements with historical inspiration. Munro's ability to create a compelling world, develop engaging characters, and explore meaningful themes makes this novel a standout in the dystopian genre. Readers looking for a fresh take on dystopian fiction with a touch of romance and societal reflection will find this book to be a rewarding read.
4.4 rounded down to 4/5
October 15, 2023
The depth of this story is nothing short of remarkable, evoking reverberations of classics like "The Hunger Games" and "Divergent" as it weaves an enthralling, emotionally charged narrative around pressing societal issues. It represents the zenith of young adult dystopian fiction, encapsulating readers with profound insights, well-crafted characters, and thought-provoking themes.
At the core of the narrative is Ellie, the inheritor of a company responsible for creating "poppets." In future society the reanimating of the recently deceased to serve as programmable laborers are considered socially acceptable, as they are no longer plagued by their once insatiable cravings for human flesh. They are now soulless creatures that function as compliant companions, adept cooks, and more, perpetually wearing a serene, emotionless expression and devoid of thoughts, feelings, or the ability to voice their opinions. Or are they?
Ellie's life takes an unforeseen turn when she forges a friendship with Moze, a newcomer to her school from outside the city. Their connection deepens, and Moze becomes convinced that Ellie deserves to uncover the hidden truths about her aunt's company. What unfolds is a tale replete with grim revelations, shocking twists, sporadic moments of terror, and profound heartache.
This narrative seized my attention from the very beginning, immersing me in a utopian world where Ellie seemed to lead a charmed life, albeit beset with commonplace "first-world problems." However, this idyllic existence is soon shattered, plunging me into the tumultuous maelstrom of Ellie's world disintegrating around her. As she grapples with harsh realities, she awakens to her own blissful ignorance of the world that surrounds her. Whether you're a connoisseur of young adult literature, science fiction, steampunk, romance, dystopian tales, or historical fiction, this book promises an engrossing and masterfully written adventure.
At the core of the narrative is Ellie, the inheritor of a company responsible for creating "poppets." In future society the reanimating of the recently deceased to serve as programmable laborers are considered socially acceptable, as they are no longer plagued by their once insatiable cravings for human flesh. They are now soulless creatures that function as compliant companions, adept cooks, and more, perpetually wearing a serene, emotionless expression and devoid of thoughts, feelings, or the ability to voice their opinions. Or are they?
Ellie's life takes an unforeseen turn when she forges a friendship with Moze, a newcomer to her school from outside the city. Their connection deepens, and Moze becomes convinced that Ellie deserves to uncover the hidden truths about her aunt's company. What unfolds is a tale replete with grim revelations, shocking twists, sporadic moments of terror, and profound heartache.
This narrative seized my attention from the very beginning, immersing me in a utopian world where Ellie seemed to lead a charmed life, albeit beset with commonplace "first-world problems." However, this idyllic existence is soon shattered, plunging me into the tumultuous maelstrom of Ellie's world disintegrating around her. As she grapples with harsh realities, she awakens to her own blissful ignorance of the world that surrounds her. Whether you're a connoisseur of young adult literature, science fiction, steampunk, romance, dystopian tales, or historical fiction, this book promises an engrossing and masterfully written adventure.
October 25, 2023
ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
"Revelation," the first book in Donna J.W. Munro's Poppet Cycle series, paints a vivid picture of a futuristic society teetering on the edge of dystopia. The narrative centers around Ellie DesLoge, a privileged teenager set to inherit her family's corporation, which specializes in reanimating the dead (zombies) as obedient "poppets." These poppets serve as a compliant, tireless labor force, akin to slaves, catering to the whims of the elite. Munro brilliantly draws parallels to historical injustices, particularly the institution of slavery, through this creative, thought-provoking lens.
Ellie's perspective on the poppets is challenged when Moze, a newcomer from the "Wilds," enters her life. His insights and experiences open Ellie's eyes to the darker facets of her family's business and the morally complex nature of poppet creation. Munro excels in portraying Ellie's evolution, as she wrestles with her ingrained beliefs and undergoes a profound transformation in her understanding of the world.
The novel's commentary on class, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked power is both compelling and relevant. Munro's world-building skills shine, offering a well-crafted futuristic setting replete with advanced technology, lavish parties, and ethical quandaries. The story's thematic depth and the complexity of its characters make it a truly engaging read.
As Ellie grapples with the choices she must make, readers are thrust into a captivating exploration of morality and the importance of challenging the status quo. "Revelation" serves as a timely reminder that change often begins with questioning long-held beliefs and confronting uncomfortable truths.
Tropes: Dystopian, steampunk, pop culture references (Journey, the Hobbit, etc.), Zombies, working class vs the 1%, YA,
"Revelation," the first book in Donna J.W. Munro's Poppet Cycle series, paints a vivid picture of a futuristic society teetering on the edge of dystopia. The narrative centers around Ellie DesLoge, a privileged teenager set to inherit her family's corporation, which specializes in reanimating the dead (zombies) as obedient "poppets." These poppets serve as a compliant, tireless labor force, akin to slaves, catering to the whims of the elite. Munro brilliantly draws parallels to historical injustices, particularly the institution of slavery, through this creative, thought-provoking lens.
Ellie's perspective on the poppets is challenged when Moze, a newcomer from the "Wilds," enters her life. His insights and experiences open Ellie's eyes to the darker facets of her family's business and the morally complex nature of poppet creation. Munro excels in portraying Ellie's evolution, as she wrestles with her ingrained beliefs and undergoes a profound transformation in her understanding of the world.
The novel's commentary on class, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked power is both compelling and relevant. Munro's world-building skills shine, offering a well-crafted futuristic setting replete with advanced technology, lavish parties, and ethical quandaries. The story's thematic depth and the complexity of its characters make it a truly engaging read.
As Ellie grapples with the choices she must make, readers are thrust into a captivating exploration of morality and the importance of challenging the status quo. "Revelation" serves as a timely reminder that change often begins with questioning long-held beliefs and confronting uncomfortable truths.
Tropes: Dystopian, steampunk, pop culture references (Journey, the Hobbit, etc.), Zombies, working class vs the 1%, YA,
Read
August 28, 2024At Stoker Con in Pittsburgh in 2023, I attended a discussion of YA Horror which included author Donna W. Munro. It was a highlight of my Stoker Con experience, and I was thrilled to receive one of her books. I finally read her Revelation, the first novel in her Poppet Cycle, with my little Bear. It’s a beautifully written and realized dark, futuristic, societally codified utopia/dystopia where dead people are chemically reanimated as poppets. Poppets in this case are zombified slaves, treated to prevent physical rot, chipped with “kill switches,” and believed to be soulless and without feeling. Certainly, they are without rights. The story follows a young, privileged woman who is heir to the poppet-creating empire. However, she loves her personal Poppet, Thom, and tests his intelligence and reactions to prove to herself he has more to him than she’s been taught by society. When she meets a new student with revolutionary ideas, she learns disgusting truths about her way of life. This stupendous book is filled with parallels to the pre-civil war south and the Underground Railroad, of course, but it also delves into ideas of bodily autonomy, classism and social hierarchy, responsibility, and love. Its lead character is admirable and relatable, and who knew we could fall in love with a zombie?
I had to gloss over or explain (or try to explain) some of the stark, evil disclosures explored in this to my young lady, so it might be more appropriate for an older YA reader. These concepts would include potential trigger warnings such as abuse of a corpse, murder, rape, pedophilia, trafficing, etc.
I had to gloss over or explain (or try to explain) some of the stark, evil disclosures explored in this to my young lady, so it might be more appropriate for an older YA reader. These concepts would include potential trigger warnings such as abuse of a corpse, murder, rape, pedophilia, trafficing, etc.
March 5, 2022
This is a riveting book that examines the implications of class structure in a world in which an underclass of poppets has been created to serve the upper echelons of society. It’s a very sensitive and beautiful book, an original take on the zombie mythos. It isn’t very often that an author comes up with a truly original concept, but this book is definitely it. I would highly recommend Revelation Poppet Cycle as a compelling read.
Revelation Poppet Cycle is an inventive take on the zombie mythos in which reanimated humans are used as slaves. Ellie is caught in the middle as heir to the company that created and sells Poppets, the reanimated humans. Ellie has to make a choice between being heir to her family’s corporate fortune and exposing the corrupt practices that have given then great wealth. To complicate matters, Ellie falls in love with a boy from the wilds who was exploited by her family’s corporation. If Ellie doesn’t fall in line with her family’s corporation, they will kill Thom, her beloved poppet who is a continual source of support and saved her life as a child.
This book has tremendous heart, and it’s a powerful statement about using compassion to overcome corporate greed. The action really pulled me through the book, and characterization rang true. An imaginative interpretation of the old south mixed with a future domed society, Revelation Poppet Cycle is a powerful reflection on the darkness of human nature along with the hope for a better world. It has enough action and suspense to make it a real page turner, too.
Revelation Poppet Cycle is an inventive take on the zombie mythos in which reanimated humans are used as slaves. Ellie is caught in the middle as heir to the company that created and sells Poppets, the reanimated humans. Ellie has to make a choice between being heir to her family’s corporate fortune and exposing the corrupt practices that have given then great wealth. To complicate matters, Ellie falls in love with a boy from the wilds who was exploited by her family’s corporation. If Ellie doesn’t fall in line with her family’s corporation, they will kill Thom, her beloved poppet who is a continual source of support and saved her life as a child.
This book has tremendous heart, and it’s a powerful statement about using compassion to overcome corporate greed. The action really pulled me through the book, and characterization rang true. An imaginative interpretation of the old south mixed with a future domed society, Revelation Poppet Cycle is a powerful reflection on the darkness of human nature along with the hope for a better world. It has enough action and suspense to make it a real page turner, too.
November 25, 2023
This book reads like a scary futuristic story about a future where the dead are used as servants and soldiers while our main protagonist Ellie grapples with her families legacy with involvement with this tattered world.
I’m feeling a mixture of The Uglies & Divergent in this book to be honest. The world this story is set in is for sure feels like a world based on looks and future sciences that leave humanity in such a toxic state that it’s alarming. Roll in living in domes after wars decimated large sections of land leaving the ones left outside the dome susceptible to disease, lawlessness, and, before they got the serum to make the dead slaves,zombie like creatures roaming the empty lands. Throw in using deceased people to be your slaves and soldiers, you have a wacky but interesting setting.
Ellie, the main character, for sure falls into the category of a rich girl living in world that she is uneasy with. She questions why are things they are the way they are. It isn’t until she runs into a boy from the wilds(places outside the domes)Moze that her interest in the past and its artifacts began to unravel the stories she was raised on.
Overall this was a solid ya dystopian novel that had me intrigued, disgusted and had my heart racing at times. For sure a unique book with a fully realized world that is eerily similar to ours. I would recommend this book for sure. Will have you feeling a wide range of emotions.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
I’m feeling a mixture of The Uglies & Divergent in this book to be honest. The world this story is set in is for sure feels like a world based on looks and future sciences that leave humanity in such a toxic state that it’s alarming. Roll in living in domes after wars decimated large sections of land leaving the ones left outside the dome susceptible to disease, lawlessness, and, before they got the serum to make the dead slaves,zombie like creatures roaming the empty lands. Throw in using deceased people to be your slaves and soldiers, you have a wacky but interesting setting.
Ellie, the main character, for sure falls into the category of a rich girl living in world that she is uneasy with. She questions why are things they are the way they are. It isn’t until she runs into a boy from the wilds(places outside the domes)Moze that her interest in the past and its artifacts began to unravel the stories she was raised on.
Overall this was a solid ya dystopian novel that had me intrigued, disgusted and had my heart racing at times. For sure a unique book with a fully realized world that is eerily similar to ours. I would recommend this book for sure. Will have you feeling a wide range of emotions.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
October 20, 2023
Ellie belongs to one of the most powerful families in the domes and is in line to inherit the business of manufacturing Poppets. Poppets are mindless reanimated recently dead and are programmed provide all labor. However Ellie has always had a suspicion that her personal poppet, Thom, once acted on his own saving her from drowning as a child. Something that should have been impossible. After encountering a new student at her school she is introduced to new and dangerous ideas that cause her to question everything she thought she knew.
Revelation is adept at overlapping and combining the horrors of what is happening in this fictional world with the societal issues and horrors of our own world in a very chilling way. The contrast between the dark and disturbing moments against the glittering socialite world was well done and the escalation as we learn the full truth of what’s happening kept me reading late into the night. While Ellie may be a bit of a naive ingenue, I really enjoyed how her and the characters around her related to the world and each other. The world building was really interesting and I’m excited to explore it further in the next book. All in all a really interesting take on the ya zombie genre.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.
Revelation is adept at overlapping and combining the horrors of what is happening in this fictional world with the societal issues and horrors of our own world in a very chilling way. The contrast between the dark and disturbing moments against the glittering socialite world was well done and the escalation as we learn the full truth of what’s happening kept me reading late into the night. While Ellie may be a bit of a naive ingenue, I really enjoyed how her and the characters around her related to the world and each other. The world building was really interesting and I’m excited to explore it further in the next book. All in all a really interesting take on the ya zombie genre.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.
November 28, 2023
A big thanks to NetGalley and Hydra Publications for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
How have I not read this book sooner????
Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book One by Donna J. W. Munro is a YA science fiction novel that follows a teen heiress by the name of Ellie. In a dark future, people with money live in doomed cities and use the recently deceased as repurposed servants and workers called poppets. Ellie DesLoge is the teen heiress of the company that makes and distributes poppets–your basic reprogrammed flesh robot complete with training chips and kill switches. If Ellie does everything her Aunt Cordelia says, she’ll have a life of wealth and power. If she chooses to be what is planned for her, life will be perfect. Everything she ever dreamed. But something about her sweet poppet Thom goes against what Aunt Cordelia and tradition have taught her. Will she choose to believe what everyone knows is true or will she follow what her heart tells her about Thom? Her choice will change the world.
...................this book is and has so many things. Boy meets girl. Gritty and dystopian. ZOMBIES. But that's only the skim of it. This book has a butt ton of worldbuilding and detail that is all utterly amazing. You just need to read it. Like right now. You haven't read zombies like this.
How have I not read this book sooner????
Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book One by Donna J. W. Munro is a YA science fiction novel that follows a teen heiress by the name of Ellie. In a dark future, people with money live in doomed cities and use the recently deceased as repurposed servants and workers called poppets. Ellie DesLoge is the teen heiress of the company that makes and distributes poppets–your basic reprogrammed flesh robot complete with training chips and kill switches. If Ellie does everything her Aunt Cordelia says, she’ll have a life of wealth and power. If she chooses to be what is planned for her, life will be perfect. Everything she ever dreamed. But something about her sweet poppet Thom goes against what Aunt Cordelia and tradition have taught her. Will she choose to believe what everyone knows is true or will she follow what her heart tells her about Thom? Her choice will change the world.
...................this book is and has so many things. Boy meets girl. Gritty and dystopian. ZOMBIES. But that's only the skim of it. This book has a butt ton of worldbuilding and detail that is all utterly amazing. You just need to read it. Like right now. You haven't read zombies like this.
March 7, 2024
I want to thank NetGalley, to Hydra Publications, and the author Donna J.W. Munro for providing this e-ARC. Witch, I will be giving my honest and sincere review.
Ellie is naive and believes the world how is it shown to her. She lives in a futuristic world, where no one works and death can be recycled into a Poppet form, they act like robots thanks to a chip, with a program designed to do the labour for the owners. Ellie is attached to her Poppet in ways society would approve, she always challenged her poppet, Tom, to save her when she was a child, even now as a teenager she talks openly to him and acts like he responds to her questions, only when they are alone.
Ellise her mother and her aunt live in luxury, The company that recycles death the "Desloge Corporation" was started by her great-uncle, and she's supposed to inherit the ownership of the company.
Mozes arrives from "the wild" and things start to open Ellie's eyes, we go through a rollercoaster of emotions, and people she knows are not what she thought they were. from here on horrifying scenes are happening, the truth comes out, and she's not ready for it.
The world-building is really good and detailed.
#Poppetcycle #Dystopia #RevelationPoppetCycleBookOne #NetGalley #bookstagram #bookaholic #bookseries #booklover
Ellie is naive and believes the world how is it shown to her. She lives in a futuristic world, where no one works and death can be recycled into a Poppet form, they act like robots thanks to a chip, with a program designed to do the labour for the owners. Ellie is attached to her Poppet in ways society would approve, she always challenged her poppet, Tom, to save her when she was a child, even now as a teenager she talks openly to him and acts like he responds to her questions, only when they are alone.
Ellise her mother and her aunt live in luxury, The company that recycles death the "Desloge Corporation" was started by her great-uncle, and she's supposed to inherit the ownership of the company.
Mozes arrives from "the wild" and things start to open Ellie's eyes, we go through a rollercoaster of emotions, and people she knows are not what she thought they were. from here on horrifying scenes are happening, the truth comes out, and she's not ready for it.
The world-building is really good and detailed.
#Poppetcycle #Dystopia #RevelationPoppetCycleBookOne #NetGalley #bookstagram #bookaholic #bookseries #booklover
October 29, 2023
Don't let the innocent cover fool you; this book is about zombies and slavery.
Revelation is the first book in the new Poppet Cycle series, and it has some of the most unique dystopian world-building I've seen. The working class was defeated after an attempted revolution, and to prevent another rebellion, workers were replaced with reanimated corpses. Ellie is the heiress to the company that produces these "poppets," and so she sees no harm in the treatment of these robotic zombie-type creatures.
This book is much more thought-provoking than I expected. Court case briefings between each chapter really paint the world as horrific and there are certain scenes that reminded me a lot of Neal Shusterman's Unwind in that they made me sick to my stomach.
The world itself carried the book for me. The middle felt a bit slow and I didn't particularly love any of the characters, but the concepts present in the story kept me hooked.
If you're looking for a new kind of zombie story or a dystopian world that borders on horror, this book is for you.
3.5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for the free e-ARC!
Revelation is the first book in the new Poppet Cycle series, and it has some of the most unique dystopian world-building I've seen. The working class was defeated after an attempted revolution, and to prevent another rebellion, workers were replaced with reanimated corpses. Ellie is the heiress to the company that produces these "poppets," and so she sees no harm in the treatment of these robotic zombie-type creatures.
This book is much more thought-provoking than I expected. Court case briefings between each chapter really paint the world as horrific and there are certain scenes that reminded me a lot of Neal Shusterman's Unwind in that they made me sick to my stomach.
The world itself carried the book for me. The middle felt a bit slow and I didn't particularly love any of the characters, but the concepts present in the story kept me hooked.
If you're looking for a new kind of zombie story or a dystopian world that borders on horror, this book is for you.
3.5/5
Thanks to Netgalley for the free e-ARC!
March 7, 2024
I want to thank NetGalley, Hydra Publications, and the author Donna J.W. Munro for providing this e-ARC. Witch, I will be giving my honest and sincere review.
Ellie is naive and believes the world how is it shown to her. She lives in a futuristic world, where no one works and death can be recycled into a Poppet form, they act like robots thanks to a chip, with a program designed to do the labour for the owners. Ellie is attached to her Poppet in ways society would approve, she always challenged her poppet, Tom, to save her when she was a child, even now as a teenager she talks openly to him and acts like he responds to her questions, only when they are alone.
Ellise her mother and her aunt live in luxury, The company that recycles death the "Desloge Corporation" was started by her great-uncle, and she's supposed to inherit the ownership of the company.
Mozes arrives from "the wild" and things start to open Ellie's eyes, we go through a rollercoaster of emotions, and people she knows are not what she thought they were. from here on horrifying scenes are happening, the truth comes out, and she's not ready for it.
The world-building is really good and detailed.
Ellie is naive and believes the world how is it shown to her. She lives in a futuristic world, where no one works and death can be recycled into a Poppet form, they act like robots thanks to a chip, with a program designed to do the labour for the owners. Ellie is attached to her Poppet in ways society would approve, she always challenged her poppet, Tom, to save her when she was a child, even now as a teenager she talks openly to him and acts like he responds to her questions, only when they are alone.
Ellise her mother and her aunt live in luxury, The company that recycles death the "Desloge Corporation" was started by her great-uncle, and she's supposed to inherit the ownership of the company.
Mozes arrives from "the wild" and things start to open Ellie's eyes, we go through a rollercoaster of emotions, and people she knows are not what she thought they were. from here on horrifying scenes are happening, the truth comes out, and she's not ready for it.
The world-building is really good and detailed.
February 3, 2025
Revelation follows Ellie, her life seems to be perfectly: she’s heir to the top company in a future dystopian society, has her perfect match lined up for marriage & her zombie servant Thom is always there to take care of her. Until one day a boy comes into town & opens her eyes to things about Thom she’s been explaining away to herself until she can’t ignore them anymore.
If you’re looking for dystopian, zombie slaves, family secrets, navigating societal traditions & a hint of romance then this is the series starter for you!
I actually really liked this unique take on zombies. The world is a unique blend of futuristic technology, yet also following societal traditions of marrying for societal status, balls, etc. The author does a great job of painting a scene, which this does make each chapter on the longer side, but I was able to be fully immersed in this world.
I thought I knew where this story was going & was completely blind sided (in a good way)!! Once the groundwork of everything is laid out the book really starts to pick up. There are some darker themes/scenes so readers beware.
If you’re looking for dystopian, zombie slaves, family secrets, navigating societal traditions & a hint of romance then this is the series starter for you!
I actually really liked this unique take on zombies. The world is a unique blend of futuristic technology, yet also following societal traditions of marrying for societal status, balls, etc. The author does a great job of painting a scene, which this does make each chapter on the longer side, but I was able to be fully immersed in this world.
I thought I knew where this story was going & was completely blind sided (in a good way)!! Once the groundwork of everything is laid out the book really starts to pick up. There are some darker themes/scenes so readers beware.
October 15, 2023
Ellie, the heiress of a company responsible for creating Poppets. Ellie's deepest desire is to see emotions of the Poppet named Thom, who had shown her a unique connection during a near-drowning incident from her childhood. Her struggle lies in her compassion for the Poppets and the desire to prevent their abuse by their human owners. Poppets are flesh robots that are servants and workers for the human that own them. Will Ellie follow the life plan set by her Aunt Cordelia to have a perfect and comfortable life? Or will she change the trajectory to help the Poppets?
“Revelation: Poppet Cycle” by Donna J. W. Munro is a dystopian steampunk-like book focused on the theme of abuse against what society deems as lesser beings. The book has a lot of boring drawn out parts but still had a wonderful story. The cover is absolutely perfect. I liked the steampunk dystopian period drama sort of vibes. It reminded me of BioShock Infinite which was perfect. The social justice aspect is even important in today’s society with Ai that we can relate to. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.
“Revelation: Poppet Cycle” by Donna J. W. Munro is a dystopian steampunk-like book focused on the theme of abuse against what society deems as lesser beings. The book has a lot of boring drawn out parts but still had a wonderful story. The cover is absolutely perfect. I liked the steampunk dystopian period drama sort of vibes. It reminded me of BioShock Infinite which was perfect. The social justice aspect is even important in today’s society with Ai that we can relate to. I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars.
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