# Master of Puppets

By Eric Ugland · Master of Puppets, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/master-of-puppets-7e2db212/

Special Agent Del Roosevelt prepared carefully for the apocalypse. He still wakes in a trash heap as a small, red, furry doll. Reaching the wizard in a tower may be his way forward, with a scholarly rat and a banished little dinosaur as possible allies.

## What makes it funny?

All that survival training meets a body without thumbs. Del panics and fails despite his preparation, making his confidence in being ready for disaster a running joke.

### The comedy at work

Del trusts his training to make him useful in a crisis, then discovers that he cannot even rely on having thumbs. His panic gives the carefully prepared professional very little chance to look competent.

### Try this if…

The adventure follows tower climbing, quests, and gains in levels, with strange creature companions and wisecracking minor characters. The comic cast includes sarcastic landlords and murderous cookies.

### Good to know

The fuzzy creatures share their world with violence and cult-like crusaders. Nick Podehl narrates the audiobook; reviewer Anthony Gallo singles out his character voices when discussing the first two books.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · LitRPG
- On the shelf: Portal fantasy · Progression fantasy
- Kind of humor: Absurdism · Situational comedy
- Story ingredients: Incompetent heroes
- Format: Novel
- Length: 504 pages
- Audiobook: 12 hr 9 min
- Published: 2024

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Master of Puppets | Aethon Books](https://aethonbooks.com/book/master-of-puppets)
- Book information: [Master of Puppets: Master of Puppets, Book 1 (Unabridged) by Eric Ugland - Apple Books](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/master-of-puppets-master-of-puppets-book-1-unabridged/id1765641966)
- Book information: [Bibliographic listing](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/u/eric-ugland/master-of-puppets.htm)
- Author commentary: [Author catalog](https://www.ericugland.com/)
- Review: [Review by Anthony Gallo](https://www.indiefantasyreviews.com/post/master-of-puppets-when-good-puppets-get-violent)
- Author commentary: [Author book description](https://www.ericugland.com/books/2024/master-of-puppets)
- Publisher: [Publisher](https://aethonbooks.com/book/master-of-puppets)