Happy Sunday! I’m back today with “Sundays in Bed With….” a meme that dares to ask what book has been in your bed this morning. Come share what book you’ve spent time curled up reading in bed, or which book you wish you had time to read today! This meme was originally hosted by Midnight Book Girl.
Today I’m reading two buddy read books! I just started The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang with Dini, Joanna, and Chris, and I’m also reading In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune with Leslie. I’m really enjoying the characters, relationships, and amazing banter in In the Lives of Puppets. There are so many laugh-out-loud moments, and some really touching moments too!
I started The Poppy War this morning, so I’m not too far in, but I already love Rin and can’t wait to see where her story leads. I’m prepared to be emotionally destroyed. lol
About the Books:
Title: In the Lives of Puppets
Author: T.J. Klune
Page Length: 432
Publication Date: April 25, 2023
Publisher: Tor Books
Synopsis: In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots–fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.
The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled “HAP,” he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio-a past spent hunting humans.
When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.
Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?
Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful stand-alone fantasy adventure from the beloved author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.
Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Series: The Poppy War #1
Page Length: 545
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Synopsis: When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
Have you read either of these? What are you reading today? Comment below!
I read the Poppy War the year previous and I liked it up until the middle and the end! I’ll be interested to see what you think! I am undecided if I want to read the other two books in the series or not.
I’m not far in but I’m enjoying it so far. I’ve heart it’s going to rip my heart out by the end, so I’m a little scared. lol
THE POPPY WAR IS SO GREAT, LET MORE FANTASY NOVELS CUSS WITHOUT SOUNDING LIKE THEY’RE IN-CHARACTER AT A REN FAIRE
(I joke but it’s legit a factor ((for me anyway)) in how relatable and human the characters feel; I, too, say the cuss words, even if I do not need to sit the imperial exam while doing so, and it’s indicative of how much thought went into making them living, breathing people)
I love that!! I’m not too fat in yet, but I totally get what you mean. I already love Rin.
I love The Poppy War!! I hope you enjoy the rest of it!
Thank you!!
I am looking forward to reading The Lives of Puppets, I hope it is a good one.
Oooh, I hope you enjoy it, Carla!
Thanks, Julie.
I’m glad I get to join in on the buddy read! I haven’t started yet but will today. The weekends are hard for me to get any reading done haha.
lol – I hear you. Weekends are always a bit hectic. I’m a little over 100 pages in now.
I’m really keen to read Lives of Puppets and I’m glad to know you and Leslie are enjoying the read 😃 I didn’t get too far when I started reading the audio on the way to work and back home but the audio is reminding me why I loved it so much—and it’s also making me recall what all is coming up. 😂 I hope you continue to enjoy it, Julie!
Thanks, Dini! I’m a little over 100 pages in, and I’m nervous! Rin’s getting close to exams…
Can’t wait to read In the Lives of Puppets!! Not surprised to hear you’re really enjoying it!
I’m excited to hear what you think of it!
I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying In the Lives of Puppets! The Poppy War is still on my TBR, hope you’ll love it.
Thanks, Lindsey! It’s soooo good!