I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love TJ Klune and he’s done it again!

I will say I struggled to get into this book but once I did I couldn’t put it down! I feel like we keep getting the same books with different characters over and over but then here’s comes TJ Klune with something brand new for us to fall in love with.

This book was absolutely incredible and I will definitely be recommending it to everyone!

There’s something innately beautiful about each and every book that TJ Klune releases.

That beauty comes from the fact that he infuses every single novel, from The House on the Cerulean Sea to Under the Whispering Door to Wolfsong, all of which occupy a quirky, cosy slice of fantasy-goth/dystopian-apocalyptic literature, with an innate, fervently buoyant humanity which celebrates what it means to be connected, part of a family and be loved without condition for who you are.

For anyone who has been rejected for their true self or bullied to within an inch of their life, existential or otherwise, or has felt adrift in a world without family or friends to call their own, Klune’s books are a warm and huggable balm for the soul, as well as being a muscular treatise on why unconditional love matters so damn much.

His latest gem of a novel, In the Lives of Puppets, very much fits into that mold, telling the story of the strangest of found families who, despite defying conventional ideas of who belongs together – and let’s be fair, convention usually gets it more wrong than right and is often so narrow it could crush you with its unimaginative strictures on what is and isn’t acceptable – are just what each other needs, now in a warm and fuzzy present and later in a nightmarishly adventurous present where so much of what they love and value is put very much in mortal jeopardy.

Set at an indeterminate time in the future – the novel at one point refers to something having not been the case for centuries so we’re talking well down the chronological line here – In the Lives of Puppets centres on a family of four living hidden deep in a verdant forest in what they refer to as Orey-gone – father Giovanni Lawson, sociopathically hilarious medical worker Nurse Ratched, cleaner Rambo and Victor, a young man who tinkers and invents in his lab high in the trees (their home is a treehouse built by Giovanni) and who is fond of visits to the local scarp yards where all kinds of salvageable goodies await.

The big point of difference here, and it is a doozy, is that Gio, as he’s often known, Ratched and Rambo are all machines of one kind or another, while Victor is very, very human, his presence, we are initially led to believe, the product of two people racing through the clearing where the treehouse sits and thrusting their baby into Gio’s arms.

The truth turns out to be something else entirely, and while that is best left to the reading, the reality is that however Victor came into Gio’s life, his presence is something the three robots value more than anything in the world, with Rambo, who’s impishly, delightfully naive and sweet and Ratched, who’s acerbically funny, and brutally playful with a heart of gold, especially grateful to the young man for rescuing them from the scrapheap.

It turns out, and this only emerges when Vic, as he’s referred to by his family, rescues an android called “HAP” from the junkyard, that the reason why Gio raced to find sanctuary far out in the woods many years earlier is because machines have taken over the world, working to rid the planet of their “pest problem” known as humans, all while enforcing a group think which punishes free thought by any machine.

Leaving aside the irony of machines rising up against their makers only to be enslaved by their own kind, this dark reality means that no one can find the family or Vic is most certainly dead; unfortunately though, somehow the Authority in the City of Electric Dreams tracks Gio down and he’s captured and taken back to his old lab where he reprogrammed to be something entirely terrible and not at all the kind loving father he rebelled against his programming to be.

Victor decides he can’t simply let Gio be surrendered to a mindless fate worse than death, and so the four remaining family members – Hap is accepted but only with great reluctance by the other three who all struggle with the fact that’s he’s an ex-people killer; granted his memory is wiped and he remembers noting of this but still, he’s scary and dangerous until he proves not, which he happily does – set off across a machine-run America to find and save Gio, regardless of the dangers such as suicidal mission poses.

The threat posed weighs most heavily on Vic of course, who is likely the last of his kind, and the object of virulent hatred by an unyielding machine mind authoritarianism which maintains it wiped out humanity for the good of the environment but which essentially has far darker, murderous motives at work.

On their journey, Vic has to wrestle with whether he can accept love, as the book’s blurb notes, “with strings attached” from Hap who it turns out is more than capable, just like Gio, Nurse Ratched and Rambo before him (but even more so given his bloodstained past) of thinking for himself and choosing a path more kindly inclusive, connected and loving that was in place previously.

At every juncture, In the Lives of Puppets is a supremely affecting delight and joy.

Yes, the stakes are fearsomely terrifying, and there’s no guarantee that anyone will emerge unscathed but somewhere in the middle of all the love and family on the chopping block narrative there is so much light, and hope and hilarity – the banter between Rambo and Ratched alone makes the heart sing, with Rambo a particular slice of happy naivety that makes you feel good to be alive – and a celebration of queer identity and a robust defense of being yourself and for being loved for that authenticity that you feel as if you’ve been gifted with the biggest of all hugs albeit tinged with possible treachery and loss.

In the Lives of Puppets is yet another feather in Klune’s considerable cap, a story that admits how dark life can be, horrifyingly so in fact, but which also knows how powerful love, hope and connection can be and how, with that on your side, pretty much anything is possible, even in the face of the greatest and bleakest of odds.

I think that anyone who loved House in the Cerulean Sea would adore this book. This book is so quirky and fun.

Overall I did enjoy this book, though at times it did kind of drag. First off I have to say that I absolutely adored Rambo the anxiety ridden Roomba and Nurse Ratched. Their banter was awesome. So we start off with Gio finding this place in the woods and deciding to fix it up, he then decides that it needs to be bigger, as he ran out of space, and starts to build up. One day, he meets a couple who are on the run from something and they end up leaving behind who we come to know as Victor, their child. We get to watch them grow as a family until one day the Terrible Dogfish come along and destroys their him and take Gio away. Now we have the adventure in traveling to City of Electric Dreams to get Gio back. The story is kind of a cross between the Wizard of Oz and Pinocchio IMO. We do find out what became of the world and the humans and some secrets come to light. I didn’t feel that we actually got to their HEA, but we were pretty darn close.

While I didn't enjoy this as much as Klune's two previous novels, this one still has his fun writing style. Found friends through and through, this post-apocalyptic story has all the machinations of the Pinocchio retelling that it is. The characters were fun and entertaining & the sheer acceptance they had in each other was really beautiful. I found the build up and overall main conflict resolution a little lackluster.

Part Pinocchio, part terminator, part gay love story, all mixed together with some humor and a lot of spare parts. The characters are well developed and very messy. Nurse Ratched might save you or drill you, Rambo will always say the most inappropriate thing at the most inappropriate time. Gio is old and wise, until he isn't, and Victor is a typical teenager raised with no peer group who might have to save them all. They all come together to create a family, and they will do anything and go to any length for each other. This story doesn't say much for the human race, and I think I'm going to turn off all the technology in my house, or at least not let any of it communicate with each other, but this is meant to be a spoiler free review, so make that decision for yourself.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for an advance copy. My opinion is my own.

I needed to sit before writing this review. I LOVED Cerulean Sea; it was my top book of last year. I made everyone in my family and friend circle read it. So, when I was seeing reviews that PUPPETS was just as good, I was pumped! However, I didn't find this one to be as good. I did enjoy it. There are some really funny moments, and some moments where I couldn't help but smile. Rambo was cute, Nurse Ratched was funny, but I didn't connect with this story as much as Cerulean Sea. I loved the found family aspect, and I think this one is best done on audio to keep all the characters straight.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Do I even need to tell you to run out and get the newest TJ Klune book at this point?? If so let me just say that I spent so much time laughing/cackling OUT LOUD because of this book both in a dark room alone and in the presence of other humans and that has NEVER happened. It was funny, stupid, and stupid funny all at the same time wrapped around Klune's signature heart and comfort. Be it ebook, audiobook, physical book, buying, or borrowing PLEASE give this title a chance to steal your heart.

"In The Lives of Puppets' by TJ Klune is a dystopian Pinocchio retelling full of heart and substance. This is one of the funniest books I've read all year. The robot vacuum had me laughing out loud! The characters are unique, complex, and heartwarming. I highly recommend this sweet book to all readers!

This is a dystopian story where the robots humanity created are now in control. It’s about the found family of android Giovanni Lawson, his human son Victor Lawson, and their companions Nurse RATCHED and Rambo and the newest addition of android HAP, expanding horizons, and being brave.

As usual, TJ Klune has crafted a masterful, heart wrenching tale about beating the odds and finding love in the unexpected. It’s also full of little Easter eggs for his dedicated readers to find.

I also have listened to the audio, and Daniel Henning was spot on.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and Macmillan Audio for the privilege to escape into the newest TJ Klune world by gifting me both a digital and audio ARC. The audiobook was amazingly narrated by Daniel Henning - 5 stars!

Gio leaves the City of Electric Dreams and finds a house in the woods where he starts his new life. Gio becomes dad to Victor, the last human on the planet, as well as his companions Nurse Ratched and Rambo. They find a robot in the junk yard, Hap, that Victor brings back alive. When Gio is taken, the group go off to rescue him.

This book is reminiscent of PInocchio and I loved this book and these characters - plus the narration is just wonderful so you will feel like you know them (especially Rambo). Everything has a touch of magic and humor, but at the heart of all TJ Klune's books is the sense of inclusion, acceptance, friendship, loyalty, and love. This is an absolute must read (and listen to!) if you are a fan of TJ Klune!

In the Lives of Puppets is a mix of Pinocchio, The Wizard of Oz, and Wall-E in TJ Klune's newest found family novel. I absolutely loved all of the characters in this novel, but Nurse Ratched was perhaps my favorite. I loved her sassy attitude and how she would do anything for those that she loved. She didn't let the fact that she was an android get in the way. Klune's writing made me quickly fall into the world and I didn't want to leave. I was slightly afraid of going into the novel after not loving Under the Whispering Door, but I shouldn't have been afraid. In the Lives of Puppets blew me away and in a good way. I know I'll be re-reading this in the future and recommending it to friends too.

3.5 stars
TJ Klune has such a way of creating complex characters that tug at your heartstrings, even when they aren't human (i.e. a robot vacuum and nurse bot). He captures the both the joys and flaws of humanity so well and weaves it into his magical stories. While I had a tougher time falling into this book plot-wise than I have with some of his previous books, I did still enjoy it and many aspects of it. Nurse Ratched's one-liners were excellent, I wanted to give Vic a big hug, and the "tree house" painted a lovely picture in my head. There were times where I felt like plot was very start, stop, start, stop, but overall I think many will enjoy this book.

I am excited for this one and a big fan of TJ Klune. Thanks to NetGalley, TJ Klune, and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Headlines:
Quirky, HAPpy and sad
Found family (of course)
A story of halves

If In the Lives of Puppets leaves me with one impression it's the found family goodness that is Klune's signature move and he does it so well. This family however was the weirdest yet, one that really grew on me and dragged me on board with the whiplash dialogue.

This was a story of two halves, the first half I adored, the second half was less engaging as the characters moved from a take on Pinnochio to what felt like the Wizard of Oz to me. When the story completed and came full circle, it brought satisfaction (mostly) in culmination. It wasn't wrapped in a bow but it was enough.

The characters in this book were special. Vic at the centre but the pages were equally shared with Gio, Nurse Ratched (my personal favourite), Rambo and Hap. There were so many highlights and laugh out loud moments with Nurse Ratched; I loved her demented banter.

"I'm old enough to be your motherboard. Please do not flirt with me if you do not mean it."

There were themes gently behind the whole tale about humanity, the direction we're moving, what humanity strives for and overall about kindness. Klune never preaches, he just cleverly crafts the words.

Overall, this was a truly interesting standalone from Klune and one I will remember.

Thank you to Tor Books for the review copy.

A book about androids and robots that is so remarkably human and emotional, TJ Klune really nailed this.

The story follows the lives of inventor Victor, his dad Gio, sociopathic medical robot Nurse Ratched, and the adorable robot vacuum Rambo, when they come across a decommissioned and damaged robot, HAP — which they dub the Hysterically Angry Puppet. Soon, a journey ensues from their home of Ory-Gone to the City of Electric Dreams (aka once Sin City). A beautiful story of loyalty, friendship, love and humanity, this is like the perfect combination of Pinocchio and the Wizard of Oz.

I couldn’t love this story more. Also-loved that I read this as I traveled from my current home of Oregon, back to my home of Las Vegas and seeing these little reminders in the story just hit my heartstrings even more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the ARC! Happy pub week!!

I loved this book almost as much as I loved House in the Cerulean Sea, which is a lot. The characters are loveable and relateable, the plot is quick and believable. I've never felt such strong feelings for robots before. Loved it, just loved it.

TJ Klune has a remarkable ability to write a story that fills you with so much warmth, It’s like settling in next to a fire on a cold day with your favorite blanket and just letting the warmth take over. You feel it all the way into your heart and soul. Insert happy sigh here.
This story finds an incredible cast of characters living in an odd home built into the branches of tall trees in the forest. An inventor named Giovanni, a small Roomba type robot named Rambo, a sociopathic medical robot named Nurse Ratched, a human named Victor and the mysterious android Hap, short for Hysterically Angry Puppet call this place home. When one of the group is captured they find themselves on a rescue mission as well as a journey of love and acceptance.

Another heart warming story with the same vibe and atmosphere as House on the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. 5 ⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

#TJKlune #IntheLivesofPuppets #NetGalley

While this book is cute and has a very cozy steampunk-ish feel to it, it’s by far my least favorite of Klune’s adult fantasy books. The comedy is honestly the only complaint that I have but it was a constant thing. Rolling my eyes at every other attempted joke almost ruined the experience. I do love the premise, but the robot companions needed to be a little quieter.

What if humans had been eradicated and all that was left were a bunch of silly robots? What if you took Pinocchio and mixed it with The Wizard of OZ and made it queer? That is In the Lives of Puppets in a nutshell. Gio, android and inventor lives with his human son, Vic, Rambo: the vacuum, and Nurse Ratched (just as hilarious as she sounds). When they accidentally awaken HAP, Gio is hauled off to The City of Electric Dreams, and it's up to this ragtag crew to get him back.

I had to sit on this for a while because I had a hard time figuring out what to rate it. First the characters! The characters are so silly and mismatched but somehow they all work perfectly together. There wasn't a single character in this book I disliked (which is pretty rare for me really). And it's so hard to pick a favorite, but probably (definitely) Rambo. What I didn't like about this book was that it felt really long. Toward the end of the middle the story dragged and dragged and it took almost until the end to get me back into. In my opinion, it probably could have been pared down to make it more digestible. All that said, loved the characters and the story was fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.