Puppet By Pauline C. Harris Review

Puppet

by Pauline C. Harris

Goodreads Synopsis:

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.

 

Review:
Absolutely enchanting re-telling of the classic, Pinocchio.

I loved the twists that Harris included in her new, modern, version of Pinocchio. The change from puppet turning in to a living being to living being being turned into Puppet was not only intriguing but kept me enthralled.

The sci-fi of the book that replaced the magic of the classic tale was magic itself, leaving the reader wondering how far off Harris is from the truth as time goes on. Could it be possible to take a seemingly normal girl and make her the perfect being? One who is fast and strong and absolutely truthful at all times and who cannot go against an order. And even though you can't see them, poor Pen has so many strings pulling her about it could make your head spin.

Harris used a classic morality tale and made an entirely new one for the modern age. It reads quickly and easily and leaves you satisfied though wishing it hadn't ended. Everything you could look for in a book.

I loved Jed as Geppeto, Pen as Pinocchio and James as her conscious/

I highly recommend this to all fairytale fans, sci-fi fans, or just readers in general.

4/5 Stars

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Readers Who Enjoyed The Following Will Probably Enjoy Puppet:

 The Lunar Chronicles Series  

Ella Enchanted  

The Peter and the Starcatchers Series

Alistair Grim's Odditorium Review

Alistair Grim's Odditorium (Odditorium #1)

by Gregory Funaro

 

Synopsis From Goodreads:

 

This cinematic, action-packed middle grade fantasy adventure set in Victorian London brims with fresh magic and has the cozy feeling of a classic.

Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master.

All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own.

There's no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands-and his new family from suffering a terrible fate.

Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.

 

Review:

 

Perhaps a little slow to start, Alistair Grim's Odditorioum was a wonderful escape from the monotony of life. Perfect for middle grade readers the eccentricity is captivating and Funaro completely pulls you into the story. It reads quickly and leaves you wanting the next book in a series. What else could you ask for?   

 

Grubb is the perfect anti-hero and the book reads like an anthem for any one who never felt all that special and wished that they were more. (With some magic thrown in of course). 

 

I really liked the fact that I think both boys and girls will enjoy reading this one. Sometimes books can be a bit to gender focusd, thinking that they have to meet their audience, when really a good book can be loved by all!

 

4/5 Stars

 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

 

You or the Young Adult in your life will probably enjoy  Alistair Grim's Odditorioum if you or they enjoyed:

The Harry Potter Series   

 

The Septimus Heap Series  

The Magic Thief Series

The Land Uncharted Cover Reveal!

Title: The Land Uncharted

Author: Keely Brooke Keith

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Publisher: Edenbrooke Press

Summary:

Lydia Colburn is a young physician dedicated to serving her village in the Land. Day and night, she rushes by horseback to treat the ill and injured, establishing a heroic reputation as the village’s new doctor.

Naval Aviator Connor Bradshaw is flying over the South Atlantic Ocean on a mission to secure any remaining sources of fresh water in a 2025 world torn apart by war. A malfunction activates his aircraft’s ejection system, parachuting his unconscious body to the shore of a hidden land. 

Lydia risks her safety to help the injured outsider despite the shock of his mysterious arrival and the disastrous implications his presence could have for her peaceful society, which has gone undetected for seven generations.

Connor searches for a way to return to his squadron, but his fascination with life in the Land makes him protective of Lydia and her peaceful homeland. And while Lydia’s attraction to Connor stirs desires she never anticipated, it also pushes an unwanted admirer to stage a dangerous attempt to win her affection.

As Connor tries to keep the Land off the radar, he learns the biggest threat to Lydia lurks in her village. But when Lydia’s greatest passion and darkest fear collide, will she look to the past or the future to find the strength to survive?

Add The Land Uncharted to your shelf on Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, or FictFact

***

Pre-order today!

 Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Smashwords * iTunes

 Have your ebook of The Land Uncharted signed via Authorgraph!

Advance Praise for The Land Uncharted:

"I was caught up in the characters and the story line from the first pages and hated to see it end.” -Ann Ellison, Goodreads reviewer

"Not only is Keely's writing beautiful and full of vivid detail, but the story and characters are incredible! I love the way she crosses genres and how well it all blends together.” -Christina Yother, author of Reverie

"The premise is unique, the characters - realistic, the storyline - consistent and entertaining, and the language - fluent. It has just the right touch of conflict, suspense, longing and hope.”- Annalise Joy, Goodreads reviewer

About the Author

Keely is a bass guitarist and lives on a hilltop south of Nashville. When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys dancing, having coffee with friends, and sifting through vintage books at antique stores. 

Author Links:

Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Instagram * Pinterest

Cover Reveal Organized by:

Being Thankful

So I have been on Hiatus for awhile and I am sorry for abandoning you all. Settling in to my new life has been an adjustment.

Living with a two year old has been a whole new experience for me and although it can be stressful at times I LOVE IT!

I start two new jobs tomorrow and although I am going to be crazy busy I am going to try to be more active over here. Again I apologize profusely. Please forgive me.

A couple weeks ago my mom challenged me to take time each day and write about 3 things I am thankful for in my life for at least 5 days. Today's post, I felt, warranted sharing over here.

Why? Because today I shared about why I am so very very thankful for writers, librarians and books in general.

So here it goes!

  I am thankful to the writers of the world.

For those brave enough to put the stories that claw at their souls day in and day out on to paper for the world to see and read and judge.

You, dear writers, will never know how many lives you have not only touched, but saved.

I have been pretty open about the fact that I have battled Depression, as well as various other mental illnesses, my whole life, though it was only diagnosed in my late teens. It came over me surprisingly young and I often felt hopeless and alone in this world. I was often anxious and didn't feel like anyone liked me or that I fit in. But you, my dear dear authors, you created these magical special places for me to visit. Where nobody asked me to try to fit in or even participate but let me feel like I was a part of something big and life changing and sometimes even magical.

When I was at my lowest, when I thought I couldn't go on, sometimes you were the ones who got me through to another day. Sometimes "just one more chapter" got me through the longest nights and life was worth living just to reach the end of another book. Or I could tell myself I could get through the hardest times just to wait for the next installment of a series.

For a while (and for many it will seem silly) my life was measured in Harry Potter Volumes instead of years. Because I couldn't die not knowing how the story ended. And then I had to see how all the movies played out. And oddly enough that's how J.K. Rowling got me from 5th grade to being 23 and married.

Writing is important. Your work is important. It may at times be underrated and undervalued but I think I can say with all sincerity and all honesty that writers saved my life.

It started with simple picture books, like "I Like Me"
and

"Little Critter"


and of course my Dad's favorite "Where the Wild Things Are"

My parents read to me from "Free to Be You and Me"
 
 and The Big Book of Peace" often
 
and my love for reading grew slowly, as I found reading difficult, but soon I was a Boxcar Child,

a Member of the Babysitters Club,
 
Under the Covers with Goosebumps
 
Solving Mysteries with Nancy Drew

and Traveling to Narnia
 
and Tarabithia.
 
My mom read me the beautiful morality tales like "The Giver"
 
and "Number The Stars".
 
Books were like water or air to me. I needed them to live. I still do.


So every day of my life I am thankful for books. And writers.


Writing the last post made me realize that I missed a very important group of people. I am thankful for not just writers but Librarians who make books accessible to kids, and adults, like me.
Who take the time to read children's and Young Adult literature and recognize it's importance in the world and it's art form. ( I point these out specifically because they are my favorite and often thought of as lesser in the book world.)

Without librarians this world would be a very sad place indeed. Who would make book recommendations that fit your needs so perfectly?

So I am thankful for librarians. They too have played such a huge huge part in my life.


After Reading this my husband said that it reminded him of a song that was special to both of us while growing up. I am posting it here for anyone who may need to hear it.

The song is called Hold On by a Band called Wilson Phillips. David and I used to listen to it on what is nowadays called "Repeat" but since we had it on cassette we had to constantly rewind it to listen to it over and over.

I hope it helps you as much as it helped us. And I hope you find the thing that helps you hold on. That helps you get through those long and hopeless nights. For me it was books. For my husband it was movies. Find what helps you and hold on to it tight. Never let it go. Don't let anyone let you feel bad for what helps you get through life.

I have also decided to share a very popular song that is out right now because I have to admit that I listen to it a lot. The message is one that hits VERY close to home and it encourages me every time I hear it. Again It may seem silly to some but I again I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me.

So without further ado here is the phenomenal Taylor Swifts "Shake It Off"



I was teased a lot. I was bullied. I know what it is like. I still go through it. I still don't fit in. I know I never will. And ever day I try to embrace that a little more. I try to make that something to take joy in instead of something that depresses me.

And it's difficult. I may be an "Adult" but it doesn't end. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. But it does get better. It may not magically end after High School but it will happen if you work hard. If you work to love yourself. If you work hard to stop caring so much what those people over there are thinking and saying it hurts less and less. Because you know what? They are ALWAYS going to find something to talk about. That's a heart problem on their part. Like the sayong goes "The Hater's Gonna Hate" So hold your head high and Shake it Off.

I still have nights where books are the only thing that gets me through. Where I have to turn on that song that reminds me that their opinion doesn't matter. And that's ok. Because that's life. And if I let those people win, if I let them hurt me so bad that I ended my life I wouldn't be around for the beautiful and amazing things that this world has to offer.

I wouldn't get to see the end of my own story.

And if YOU let them win, we wouldn't get to see the end of yours.






I may be busy but I will ALWAYS have time for you. If you need to talk and it is a life threatening situation please call the number above. But if you are struggling with other issues and just need a friend I am here. No Judgment. Just Love.


And I encourage you all to take the challenge. Whether it be in your journal, on your Facebook page or your blog or however you express yourself. For five days find three things in your life that you are truly thankful for. It may be a difficult challenge to complete but it will be well worth it in the end.