This book was too long. I just couldn't get into reading about the robots and Vic, as much as the author clearly tried to make them endearing. I did like Rambo, but he did get on my nerves as well. I felt that their journey just kept going on and on and there was so many things you just had to agree would be ok (like - where did Vic sleep? what did he eat? how did he use the bathroom or shower?)

It's hard to insert a human into a robot world because they are so different and have different needs and maybe it's just that I kept getting stuck on that? I don't know. Also, the parallel to Pinocchio was very obvious. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not but I didn't love it.

TJ Klune is such a talented author and this is just another example of his talent. This is a great story about what it means to be a human. He took what was already an interesting premise and made it his own, which impressed me. While it took me a minute to get into the story, once I was hooked I could not put it down. Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for this ARC!

TJ Klune's "In the Lives of Puppets" reimagines Pinocchio in a world where machines have overthrown humanity. The last human, Victor, lives in the forest with his mechanical family: a caring robot father, an overzealous medical bot, an anxious vacuum cleaner, and a reformed hunter-killer. When Victor questions his origins, their peaceful life unravels. Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, this heartwarming tale explores consciousness, family bonds, and the nature of humanity with both humor and depth.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is a super unique, heartwarming story that mixes sci-fi and fairytale vibes. It’s about a robot named Giovanni (or Gio) who lives in a forest with his inventor dad and two other robots. Their life is pretty chill, but then everything changes when they meet a human named Victor. It turns into this big adventure where Gio has to make tough choices about who he is and what it means to be alive.

I loved the world-building in this book. It’s super imaginative, with talking robots, strange creatures, and a deep look at what it means to have a soul. The characters are so lovable too, especially Gio—he’s kind of awkward but also really caring. The relationship between him and his "family" of robots is really sweet, and I wasn’t expecting to feel so emotional about a bunch of robots.

The writing is easy to read, and there are lots of funny and touching moments. The book has some cool action scenes, but it’s really the themes of love, identity, and belonging that stuck with me. It’s not all just fun and games, though—it gets pretty deep at times, but in a way that makes you think without feeling too heavy.

#InTheLivesOfPuppets // tjklunebooks: a heartwarming reimagining of Pinocchio with robots, this book was a delightful adventure about family, real and found. Klune’s books ALWAYS leaving you crying happy tears, but this one didn’t keep me as hooked as his first - still a must read! 4/5

There’s no denying this is a good book. However, the first and ending parts are so gorgeous that the rest of the book pales in comparison.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is an absolute gem! The mix of heart, humor, and thought-provoking themes about humanity, love, and what it means to be alive makes this book unforgettable. The characters—especially the quirky, lovable androids—really stole my heart. The world-building is unique and enchanting, blending whimsy with deep emotional moments. Klune's writing is warm and full of heart, making this a perfect read for anyone who loves a blend of fantasy, adventure, and meaningful connections. Highly recommend! 5 stars all the way!

I loved the klune other books so when I saw this was coming out I just had to read it!!
Even though it wasn’t my favourite of his books I still loved it very much, the character are always so good and feel real and I love the setting. The characters are developed and there is a a certain humor I love, it’s definitely more character driven then plot and I don’t think it’s as memorable as some of his other book but still very enjoyable and def worth the read!!

Thank you so much @TorBooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 25 April 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Gio is an android and inventor who has built a home in the forest with his human son (Victor) and salvaged machines (Rambo + Nurse Ratched). When Victor discovers a decommissioned and damaged android in the scrap yard he decides to try and restore it leading to a cascade of events that unearths Gio's past and threatens all of their futures.

WHAT I LIKED:
- Klune has mastered the perfect mix of pull-at-your-heartstrings emotions and laugh-out-loud humour
- Rambo + Nurse Ratched stole the show (I was cackling out loud on multiple occasions)
- the found family trope is perfectly executed
- the slowly building tension that something is going to happen (but the beginning truly was my favourite part)
- the nods to Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- once the 'quest' portion of the story kicks off I sadly lost interest (the characters weren't as charming and the journey wasn't especially compelling)
- whilst it was humorous, I found it far too easy to put it down and just not think about picking it back up again
- didn't connect or believe in the romance / emotional connection between Vic + Hap

I was excited to receive this Pinocchio inspired story by T. J. Klune from NetGalley last year. I attempted to read it at the time of its release, but I couldn’t get into it. I decided to give it another chance. This time I finished it, but I still was unable to connect with it. I enjoyed the allusions to Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz, but I found the plot a bit contrived and sometimes silly. I was especially put off by the many sexual references and the romance that develops. For me, the story would have been better without those elements.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

T. J. Klune has done it again. He is a master at creating the perfect found family. Who would have thought family would be found in a naughty roomba and a homicidal nurse robot? Klune takes the idea of what it means to be human in a world full of robots and it turns out, you don’t need to be made of bones and blood. Knuts and bolts can be just as human as the rest of us. This heartwarming/tear jerking read is excellent, cozy, and perfect in all ways.

DNF. I am a huge Klune fan so I’m not sure what went wrong, but I couldn’t get into this one so I put it down for now and will try again later. Nothing against Klune, I still will read whatever he writes next. And hopefully when I pick this one up again later it will work for me then.

Not my favorite TJ Klune book. Different, for certain.

This reads more sci fi than fantasy to me. If that’s your thing- you’ll love this one.

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC!

"In the Lives of Puppets" by TJ Klune is a heartfelt and imaginative story that combines science fiction with themes of family, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Inspired by Pinocchio, it follows Victor Lawson, a human living among a quirky group of robots in a whimsical yet dystopian world. When a secret from their past comes to light, they embark on a journey that explores the complexities of humanity, love, and redemption.
Klune's warmth shines through the humorous and touching relationships between the characters. Its creativity, endearing characters, and heartfelt moments make it a compelling read for fans of thought-provoking and emotionally rich stories. If you enjoy unique takes on classic tales with a mix of charm and depth, this might be a perfect choice.

This book was very good. I couldn’t put it down. Such an imaginative read. TJ Klune is an amazing author

This was a very sweet story about found family and what it means to be human, even though only one of the characters is actually human! I'm not that familiar with the Pinocchio story so I'm sure I missed references to it but I know it was loosely based on it. I really liked reading an adventure story with a gentle protagonist. I could really relate to Victor and how he was desperate to save his family but terrified at the same time. A great read.

Like nothing else I've ever read. A beautiful retelling of Pinocchio, set in the forests of Oregon, with the most wonderful cast of rescued robots. Klune's prose feels like a warm and much-needed hug from your best friend. I will be revisiting this novel for the existential crises, and the sarcastic threats.

Thank you (and apologies) to NetGalley for the readers copy in exchange for a (very late) review.

I think I’m the last person in my circle to read a TJ Klune book. No matter how many people have recommended their books or the fact this won the Goodreads Choice Award, it always seemed to skip my mind.
Now I get it. I’m deeply in my wholesome fantasy pocket era and TJ Klune is perfect.
Also Pinocchio retelling? That’s so cute.
In The Lives of Puppets was a nice, cozy time. A solid read.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune is a captivating, whimsical, and deeply moving novel that blends fantasy, science fiction, and heartfelt emotional exploration. The book, which is a part of Klune’s larger body of work known for its LGBTQ+ themes, intricate world-building, and character-driven storytelling, delivers an enchanting tale of self-discovery, love, and the quest for freedom.

This one took me a while to get into but once I did I became connected to the characters even though most were robots. I really enjoyed the relationship between Vic and the robots in is home and how he saw the best in all of them - including HAP.