Puppet
by Pauline C Harris
Genre(s) Retellings, Young Adult
Pages: unknown
Published: Oct 2014
Publisher: Patchwork Press
Summary: "Penelope lives in a
world of advanced technology but many claim society has yet to catch up.
Marionettes have advanced in the form of robots; lifelike creations
remote controlled to perform super human tasks.
When Penelope makes a deal with Jed, a marionette-obsessed scientist, she doesn’t fully realize what she’s getting herself into. In order for Jed to take her away from the orphanage she lives in, she must first agree to undergo his experiments and tests, ultimately creating something no one ever dreamed possible; the first living marionette.
As Jed shows off his scientific creation to the world, concerns arise surrounding Penelope’s abilities and what she’s capable of doing. Ordered to somehow lessen her abilities, Jed makes a desperate attempt to change Penelope to make her more human, more vulnerable. After Penelope lies to the officials about her past, Jed makes sure it’s the last one she’ll ever utter. The truth is now the only thing she is capable of telling.
As Penelope struggles with her past, her disturbingly new present, and her uncertain future, she is thrust into a magically twisted world of mayhem in search of the one thing she wants, but knows she can never have. The chance to be just a girl again. To be normal. To be real."
When Penelope makes a deal with Jed, a marionette-obsessed scientist, she doesn’t fully realize what she’s getting herself into. In order for Jed to take her away from the orphanage she lives in, she must first agree to undergo his experiments and tests, ultimately creating something no one ever dreamed possible; the first living marionette.
As Jed shows off his scientific creation to the world, concerns arise surrounding Penelope’s abilities and what she’s capable of doing. Ordered to somehow lessen her abilities, Jed makes a desperate attempt to change Penelope to make her more human, more vulnerable. After Penelope lies to the officials about her past, Jed makes sure it’s the last one she’ll ever utter. The truth is now the only thing she is capable of telling.
As Penelope struggles with her past, her disturbingly new present, and her uncertain future, she is thrust into a magically twisted world of mayhem in search of the one thing she wants, but knows she can never have. The chance to be just a girl again. To be normal. To be real."
Review: Puppet has a very interesting premise. Definitely a different twist on
the Pinocchio tales. More opposite in fact. Pauline C Harris lays out
an interesting foundation for storytelling. Sadly, though, I feel it
fell a bit short of it's potential.
Penelope (Pen for short) is an orphan girl taken in by a man named Jed. In return for a home, she had agreed to his experiments on her. Now she is a living marionette. Now I fell this is a bit of a futuristic time because marionettes are not dolls on strings. They are instead control by remote control. They are faster and stronger than humans. But Pen her has a mind and heart of her own.
When Jeb starts showing her off to the public, the authorities begin to view her as a threat. So to attempt to erase some of that threat Jeb "programs" her so that she cannot lie. As things go from bad to worse, Pen feels like she is losing her rights as a person.
It is obvious she is, She cares, loves and has a sense of being that a doll would not have. The one she loves most is Jeb's son, James. Even though they have been raised together for a period of time, she in no way looks to him as a sibling. He is her romantic interest and to protect him, she may have to reveal more than is smart to.
Again, like I said, potential with the marionette concept but I feel that so many questions were overlooked. Things that come into question are her time at the orphanage. Does she have human limbs or now looking more like the cover? How does the science work? What is up with the government? I felt that so many things were glossed over and the time should have been taken to go over more. It is a very short read and more information would have added so much to the story. As it is, I often felt very confused in the purpose of everything.
Penelope (Pen for short) is an orphan girl taken in by a man named Jed. In return for a home, she had agreed to his experiments on her. Now she is a living marionette. Now I fell this is a bit of a futuristic time because marionettes are not dolls on strings. They are instead control by remote control. They are faster and stronger than humans. But Pen her has a mind and heart of her own.
When Jeb starts showing her off to the public, the authorities begin to view her as a threat. So to attempt to erase some of that threat Jeb "programs" her so that she cannot lie. As things go from bad to worse, Pen feels like she is losing her rights as a person.
It is obvious she is, She cares, loves and has a sense of being that a doll would not have. The one she loves most is Jeb's son, James. Even though they have been raised together for a period of time, she in no way looks to him as a sibling. He is her romantic interest and to protect him, she may have to reveal more than is smart to.
Again, like I said, potential with the marionette concept but I feel that so many questions were overlooked. Things that come into question are her time at the orphanage. Does she have human limbs or now looking more like the cover? How does the science work? What is up with the government? I felt that so many things were glossed over and the time should have been taken to go over more. It is a very short read and more information would have added so much to the story. As it is, I often felt very confused in the purpose of everything.
**I
received a copy of this book from Patchwork Press in exchange for a
fair/honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**
I was torn by this book as soon as I saw the cover - I have a different book with a very similar cover. I am curious the premise sounds promising, but like you do not enjoy unanswered questions. I will keep an open mind. Thank you for sharing your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteNo! I was looking forward to this one because of that unique, interesting concept! Sadly, it sounds like it isn't as good as I was hoping. Well, shoot...
ReplyDeleteToo bad the book wasn't what you expected, I love the cover though!
ReplyDeleteInteresting concept though,don't you think?
ReplyDeleteI love the premise, but it looks like the world-building could trip things up...
ReplyDeleteTrix, vitajex(at)Aol(Dot)com