Sally Bosco

I just read this really amazing book: Revelation-Poppet Cycle by Donna J.W. Munro. It’s 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.

Here’s a synopsis: In a dark future, people use the dead as servant workers called poppets. 16 year old Ellie must choose between a life wealth and power and the love she feels for her poppet, Thom. A boy from the wilds shows her that poppetry isn’t as innocent as she’s been led to believe. Will she follow tradition and step up as the leader of DesLoge Com, her family business that produces the poppets, or follow her heart that believes there’s more to Thom than the “meat machine” that she’s been taught he is? Her choice will change the world.

Here’s a Q&A with Donna about Revelation.

Q. How are the poppets not like zombies?

A. They aren’t gross or trying to eat you. Poppets are dead bodies that get brought back by chips and science to be free labor. They aren’t just machines or monsters though. 

Q. Who is your favorite character in the book.

A. Probably Moze, the boy from the wilds. He is the Jiminy Cricket for Ellie. He’s the one who helps her open her mind to understand that she’s been wrong about poppets even if she’s been kind to them.

Q. Do you use your students as inspiration for your characters?

A. All the time. In this series, Ellie is inspired by a Student Council president I had about 8 years ago. There’s a general who comes up in the next book who is based on a senior I have right now as well as four new characters in the fourth book who asked to be in the book. They’ll know who they are. The thing that’s cool about being a high school teacher is that I get to listen to teens all the time. Teenagers have life by the reins. They are so strong and open to new things, but also are so unsure. Writing a teen is infinitely more interesting than a close-minded adult. 

Q. What is your favorite scene in the book?

A. I don’t want to give too much away, but it is absolutely the ending. You’ll have to wait to see why!

Q. Will guys like this book even though there’s a girl protagonist?

A. The funny thing is, Ellie is the protagonist, but maybe not the hero. There are many heroes that emerge in this world. I think guys can find themselves in Moze and Natan easily. 

You can purchase Revelation: Poppet Cycle Book 1 on Amazon.

Read more about Donna J.W. Munro on her webpage, DonnaJWMunro.com.