kaerischel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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,
ristretto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
adrihean's review against another edition
4.0
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.
toggle_fow's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
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.
More...