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Puppet Master
Oryan Jeckstadt is the empire’s perfect soldier—celebrated as a hero, crowned as Warlord, and feared as a weapon. But behind the glory lies a man shackled by secrets, haunted by betrayal, and desperate for the one thing war can never give him: peace.
When whispers of his father’s murder ignite a fire for vengeance, Oryan plunges into a shadow war where loyalty is a lie and survival means becoming the monster he swore he’d never be. As the bloodiest conflict in history rages, he faces enemies on every front—an empire pulling his strings, a phantom from his past bent on his destruction, and the darkness within himself.
Far from the battlefield, Celeste fights her own war. Once the woman who gave Oryan hope, she now struggles to protect their son from forces that would silence them forever. Her love is his last tether to humanity—but will he find her before the empire tears them apart?
From the brutal training grounds of the Elite Guard to covert missions in hostile territory, Puppet Master is a relentless ride of intrigue, betrayal, and heart-pounding action. When the smoke clears, one question remains: Can the empire’s greatest warrior escape the strings of the puppet master—or will vengeance consume everything he loves?
Perfect for fans of military thrillers, epic sci-fi, and emotionally charged drama, this second installment of The Last Archide series will leave you breathless and desperate for the next chapter.
When whispers of his father’s murder ignite a fire for vengeance, Oryan plunges into a shadow war where loyalty is a lie and survival means becoming the monster he swore he’d never be. As the bloodiest conflict in history rages, he faces enemies on every front—an empire pulling his strings, a phantom from his past bent on his destruction, and the darkness within himself.
Far from the battlefield, Celeste fights her own war. Once the woman who gave Oryan hope, she now struggles to protect their son from forces that would silence them forever. Her love is his last tether to humanity—but will he find her before the empire tears them apart?
From the brutal training grounds of the Elite Guard to covert missions in hostile territory, Puppet Master is a relentless ride of intrigue, betrayal, and heart-pounding action. When the smoke clears, one question remains: Can the empire’s greatest warrior escape the strings of the puppet master—or will vengeance consume everything he loves?
Perfect for fans of military thrillers, epic sci-fi, and emotionally charged drama, this second installment of The Last Archide series will leave you breathless and desperate for the next chapter.
- GenresScience Fiction
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2022
22 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Chad R. Odom
14 books12 followersChad R. Odom was raised on starships, swordplay, and stories that asked what happens when ordinary people stand against impossible odds. Born in St. Charles, Missouri, he fell in love with fantasy at eight years old after discovering The Hobbit—a spark that led to decades of rereads of The Lord of the Rings and a lifelong obsession with epic worldbuilding.
His imagination expanded through Star Wars, classic science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and Orson Scott Card, and the mythic storytelling of comic books and superheroes. Combined with a deep interest in history and religion, these influences shaped his fascination with gods, immortals, and the fragile line between power and sacrifice.
A quiet, introspective childhood gave way to discipline and leadership—earning Eagle Scout at fifteen, competing in wrestling, and entering the U.S. Army at seventeen. While serving a mission in Las Vegas from 2001 to 2003, Chad filled battered ninety-nine-cent notebooks with character names, maps, sketches, and plotlines—early fragments of the world that would one day become The Last Archide.
He began writing the series in earnest in 2006. The first novel, Warlord of Navarus, was traditionally published in 2010, but its release fell short of the story’s potential. Rather than abandon the world he had built, Chad tore the series down to its foundations and rebuilt it—just as his publisher collapsed. He turned to self-publishing in 2018, finally releasing the re-forged saga to readers in 2019.
When he’s not writing, Chad enjoys sports, board and card games, film, and reading across genres. He remains active in his faith and local community and lives outside St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife, Katherine, and their children.
Chad writes epic fantasy and science fiction for readers who love vast worlds, flawed heroes, ancient powers, and the belief that hope can survive—even when the gods have failed.
His imagination expanded through Star Wars, classic science fiction from Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, and Orson Scott Card, and the mythic storytelling of comic books and superheroes. Combined with a deep interest in history and religion, these influences shaped his fascination with gods, immortals, and the fragile line between power and sacrifice.
A quiet, introspective childhood gave way to discipline and leadership—earning Eagle Scout at fifteen, competing in wrestling, and entering the U.S. Army at seventeen. While serving a mission in Las Vegas from 2001 to 2003, Chad filled battered ninety-nine-cent notebooks with character names, maps, sketches, and plotlines—early fragments of the world that would one day become The Last Archide.
He began writing the series in earnest in 2006. The first novel, Warlord of Navarus, was traditionally published in 2010, but its release fell short of the story’s potential. Rather than abandon the world he had built, Chad tore the series down to its foundations and rebuilt it—just as his publisher collapsed. He turned to self-publishing in 2018, finally releasing the re-forged saga to readers in 2019.
When he’s not writing, Chad enjoys sports, board and card games, film, and reading across genres. He remains active in his faith and local community and lives outside St. Louis, Missouri, with his wife, Katherine, and their children.
Chad writes epic fantasy and science fiction for readers who love vast worlds, flawed heroes, ancient powers, and the belief that hope can survive—even when the gods have failed.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 2, 2019
Celeste and Oryan get a few golden hours before he has to leave to be the Empire's Champion in the war between Navarus and Vollmar. The greatest Centauri now must prove himself as a soldier both in training and on the battlefront. While Oryan is trying to keep himself and his men alive, Celeste is at home facing her own battles and unexpected events.
This is a non-stop action-packed book with D-Day-like battles. The strategy and battle descriptions make you feel like you are part of the battalion. The writing is excellent. You can't keep from being caught up in Oryan's world. I have loved this boy from his first scene. His strength and determination are unmatched. The lessons he learned from his father have helped him become a man to be respected. I was in awe of him during the battle scenes. His brains and bravery kept his men alive. Even as he becomes more powerful, there is so much political intrigue surrounding him. He has no idea of the manipulations. Even so, I was disappointed in his actions later. Vengeance consumed him. He forgot who he was and what was important. I missed Oryan and Celeste and what could have been. I look forward to the next book so much. I have faith that Oryan will be the man he needs to be. Not for his country or the emperor or the troops but for himself and his love.
This is a non-stop action-packed book with D-Day-like battles. The strategy and battle descriptions make you feel like you are part of the battalion. The writing is excellent. You can't keep from being caught up in Oryan's world. I have loved this boy from his first scene. His strength and determination are unmatched. The lessons he learned from his father have helped him become a man to be respected. I was in awe of him during the battle scenes. His brains and bravery kept his men alive. Even as he becomes more powerful, there is so much political intrigue surrounding him. He has no idea of the manipulations. Even so, I was disappointed in his actions later. Vengeance consumed him. He forgot who he was and what was important. I missed Oryan and Celeste and what could have been. I look forward to the next book so much. I have faith that Oryan will be the man he needs to be. Not for his country or the emperor or the troops but for himself and his love.
April 27, 2020
And the hits keep coming
I loved the first book in this series and this far I am still amazed. Every time I think I know all the players, the author twists 're talents a little and what we think we know is not the whole picture.
I am now starting on the 3rd book and cannot wait to continue....
I loved the first book in this series and this far I am still amazed. Every time I think I know all the players, the author twists 're talents a little and what we think we know is not the whole picture.
I am now starting on the 3rd book and cannot wait to continue....
November 2, 2020
The series starts off slow but builds with a brutal force. My only criticism is no fault of the writer Chad Odam as it has to do with the narrator of the audio version.as I’m only on book 3, I will wait for my final review.
November 30, 2018
Action-packed and full of adventure. Loved reading this one. I was gripped to every page.
July 7, 2023
This is a really good story. On to the third book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews