The Puppet Record

by M.L. Candelario

In the distant future, humans have spread to multiple planets and have discovered a conscious alien race. Yawmkind and humankind exist peacefully under a joint government called the Bastion, but this unity is tested when groups of human children simultaneously vanish on every human settlement. Stowed away on the ship sent out to investigate the disappearances, Joey Omaha must battle his addictions or risk ruining the mission.

Unknown Binding

First published December 1, 2013

About the author

Michael Candelario grew up on the eastern coast of North Carolina, USA. He developed a love of reading when he was three years old, and a love of writing many years after that. He used to write terrible short stories and songs when he was in his awkward middle-school phase. But don't judge him for that.

At the age of 19, Mike married Megan in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina. When he was almost 22, the pair had their first son. Shortly after Michael graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Creative Writing, the couple had their second son. Mike lives in North Carolina with his amazing family and hopes to finish many creative projects in the coming years.

Mike did not grow up watching sports, but he has become a diehard fan of Arsenal FC. He has also been adopted into the Washington Redskins' fandom through his wife's family. COYG, and HTTR.

Reviews

[Aleah Helms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really well-written first novel! I'm impressed by how completely whole the universe Candelario creates feels, with a full-range of social and political dynamics. Every chapter brings about an intriguing new discovery.

[Cate's Book Nut Hut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once in a while there comes a debut piece of fictional writing that has me wanting to tell anyone who will listen how good it is; this is one of those times. From the very first page, I was sucked into this highly believable and well thought-out futuristic world and this made this a novella that was very hard to put down.

Despite it being only 199 pages in length, this Author manages to produce a well-rounded piece of writing that leaves the reader wanting more. This is a book that is not to be taken at face value, with an intricate and intriguing plot line, including plenty of twists and turns that would keep even the most diehard of adventure readers hooked to the end.

The main protagonist is the character that really made me think. At first I couldn't bring myself to even remotely like him, but as the book progressed the Author developed him in such a way that he wormed his way into my affections. He is a young man who is battling demons in the form of an addiction, whilst trying to do the right and moral thing concerning those he works with. I have never suffered from an addiction, apart from reading, but the Author has apparently done a great deal of research into this area, and this shines through when they write about the trials and tribulations the main character goes through to hopefully triumph. Using a mix of human and alien characters in this book, the Author is also able to convey through their writing, in a non-preaching way, that everyone is connected and similar in some way, whether it is through a way of thinking or a gesture. This made one of the alien characters particularly likeable, and very much a person I would like to have as a family member, but as to which one that would be, you would just have to read the book. Although I did not agree with some of the points of view put across by the characters, this in no way detracted from my enjoyment of the book; it just gave me food for thought and great enjoyment when pondering over the possibilities.

The world building in this novella is superbly executed, not just through the sheer imagination of the Author but also by the way in which they allow the technology and history of this world to be narrated to the reader by the books characters. This adds a definite ‘human’ touch to the book which made me feel like the characters, and the Author, would perhaps like me to visit and stay awhile in their world. Not content to stick to one particular world, the Author spreads the tale out across this unknown universe and, in doing so, is able to make the reader wonder if there could possibly be such a place outside of the scope of current space exploration. Full of philosophical ideas and some religious perspectives, this little book will, if nothing else, make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about life and maybe even step outside your comfort zone to examine new ideas.

Not your usual run of the mill sci-fi book, the fast paced and riveting plot will keep you turning pages to the very end. I would very highly recommend this novella to all who love a good sci-fi book, and also to those who enjoys adventure tales. I will definitely be reading more from this Author.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2014/07/07...


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

[Mary Fonvielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Puppet Record will lead you through a believable futuristic universe and drop you off at a twist that you'll never expect. This is the sort of scifi that I'd expect to see on the big screen one day. The setting dabbles in speculative science and adds a dash of philosophy and religion that leave you with a well-balanced story that you won't want to put down. An excellent debut novel. I look forward to whatever Mike has for us next.

[Bryant Rudisill · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a predominantly non-fiction reader, this novel has ignited a fiction-fervor in my bones. It's altogether rewarding to engage a piece of literature whose philosophical meanderings can be so effortlessly assimilated into its overarching--and interesting--plot line. It's engulfing from start to finish.

[Andrew Kofink]

A Creative and Winding Plot

This book will keep you surprised at every point in the story, waiting to see what will happen next, all set in a creative realistic future.