A central theme of In the Lives of Puppets is freewill, the essence of humanity. Vic may very well be the last human left alive, and the robot he finds (HAP – aka Hysterically Angry Puppet) was specifically designed to eradicate the human race. We are treated to a textbook version of the events leading up to the robot apocalypse and the annihilation of humanity. And we are also shown that some of the robots have been able to break free of their programming and make their own decisions.

With all the recent discussions about Artificial Intelligence, the idea of robots developing emotions is one that should be considered. (And often is, let’s be real here.) The robots that make up Victor’s family experience sadness, loyalty, bravery, determination. They are every bit as human as the human they protect. It very much reminded me of Humans, in that it explores love and friendship between humans and androids and delves into how much humanity can be in a machine.

Like Klune’s other works, it features a queer romance, and a very non-traditional one. After all, Vic is human, and Hap is decidedly not. I like the idea of this more than the execution, primarily because I had trouble feeling the connection between the two characters. I suppose it’s because Vic has lived an extremely isolated life, and Hap’s memory was wiped so this is the only existence he knows. It’s a desert island romance; are the feelings genuine, or because they’re the only people they know?

Similarly, while I appreciate that Vic identifies as asexual – as asexual protagonists are not very common – it seems disingenuous that he lives set apart from the rest of society. He may be the only human left in existence. How could he possibly know that he doesn’t experience sexual attraction if he’s never been around anyone else? The book has an explanation, but the situation bothered me.

Nonetheless, Vic and Hap’s tentative exploration of something that is brand-new for the both of them is very charming. I will still count this as a win for ace representation because Vic is at least portrayed as having emotions, which a lot of ace characters are not. I didn’t expect to emotionally identify with robots, but I found myself weeping as I read the last few chapters. (Although, really, are you surprised?) The ending is bittersweet, but hopeful enough to be somewhat satisfying. I will admit that this isn’t my favorite book of Klune’s. But I do think it’s an enjoyable read.

Who am I to dislike a book starring an anxious Roomba? Clearly, Roombas are ALL anxious. The personification of one is something we all needed.

I thought it was a one off for me to love strange creatures and a sci-fi/fantasy combo when I read The House in the Cerulean Sea but Klune has done it again. I absolutely loved this story and its characters. I haven't laughed out loud at a book in a while but the quick-wit in this one is just perfect and the lines are delivered in such an endearing way. This one is heartwarming, challenging and sweet without being saccharine. The audio of this one is absolutely perfect...it adds even more to the already big personalities. Definitely recommend!

This is definitely the strangest of Klune's books so far, and I occasionally found it to be a bit much, but overall it was every bit as charming, heartwarming, and poignant as I expect Klune's works to be. The premise of a Pinocchio retelling was interesting, and it kept enough of the same basic elements to be recognizable, but recombined them in intellegent, relevant new ways that made the story wholly its own.
I highly recommend this book to young adults AND adults, sci-f/dystopia fans, and especially to geeks of all kinds (the many geek-culture references were one of my favorite parts). An excellent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for an ARC of this book!

4.5 STARS

Available on April 25, this imaginative retelling of Pinocchio was just the heartwarming diversion my reading life needed. Deep in the forest, in a whimsical treehouse home, Victor Lawson, a human, lives with three robots: Giovanni Lawson, an extremely human-like android and the only father Victor has ever known, Nurse Ratched, a salvaged (and slightly sociopathic) healthcare machine, and Rambo, a sentient and very anxious Roomba. Their lives together are filled with generally safe adventure, camaraderie, and peace, but when Vic, Nurse Ratched, and Rambo reanimate a mysterious android (named Hap, or Hysterically Angry Puppet) they found in the scrapyard, their lives are turned upside down.

If you've loved T.J. Klune's other books, or are looking for something full of delight, love, and adventure, go ahead and preorder. Special thanks to Tor Books and Netgalley for the ARC! (FYI: Do note that this one is a bit more adult in tone than THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA or UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR, in my opinion.)

I found this book to be incredibly lovely and a fascinating take on the story of Pinocchio. I would call this book a combination of Wall-E and Pinocchio (with a dash of Frankenstein mixed in because you don't have a character named Victor who puts parts together and creates a man without that kind of connotation).

Victor, a human, lives with his father, Gio, an android, and two other robot family members, a sociopathic nurse droid named Nurse Ratched and the most adorable vacum in the world, Rambo. They live in a series of tree houses cobbled together in a forest in a dystopia where humans are hunted to extinction and machines rule the world. Klune has clearly given a lot of thought to the type of world this is and the mistakes that are repeated by the robot overlords.

When Victor discovers another android, HAP, and brings him home to his father, this triggers a series of events that has him and his found family traveling across the country to rescue his father.

Klune has such a way of writing found families. The characters here made me laugh and made me emotional and I had so much fun with this book that also made me think about the nature of humanity and this world and the nature of our relationship to machines. What is love and in what ways is it unconditional.

I would do anything for Rambo - he has my entire soul.

Thank you SO much to Tor books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited when I saw that I was approved for this ARC, even though I’ve had mixed feelings about T. J. Klunes’ other works. I loved Under the Whispering Door so much, but I couldn’t really get into The House in the Cerulean Sea and ended up not finishing it.

Overall, this book kind of has weird vibes and at the beginning I was pretty confused by the plot, but neither of those things were bad. I wasn’t the biggest fan of how Vic’s background was developed (without spoiling anything) but I know I’m probably the only one bothered by that. The general concept was really interesting and I liked the twist towards the end. I actually don’t think I’ve read a book centered around robots before and I’m not sure it’s something I’ll pick up again, it just wasn’t my favorite aspect of the story. I really liked the ending though, I’m always a big fan of a semi-ambiguous ending and this really worked for me. 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

All the stars! Just like the other TJ Klune books I’ve read, this felt cozy without being low-stakes. I laughed out loud and nearly cried several times. The characters are delightful, from an anxiety ridden vacuum to a slightly sociopathic robot nurse RATCHED. I now need to read Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio to fully understand the inspiration.

I love books with AI charactes and robots, and this Pinocchio-esque story of found family and survival was enchanting. Nurse Ratched, the snatky, slightly angry and violent med robot, was my favorite. Rambo is a gullible, faithful vacuum with an everlasting optimism. This would appeal to those who love Becky Chambers' Psalm for the Wild-Built.

I just finished the book I have lovingly been calling “The Robot Book” and my heart is full in ways I never expected.

I didn’t know what to expect from this book about creator androids. A Pinocchio retelling involving robots sounded interesting, but I didn’t expect to have half the joy or any of the heart feels that I do having now finished it.

First, if you are a found family lover, this book is your North Star. The found family and loving relationships had by these ROBOTS is endearing and magical in all the best ways.

We have our slightly angry Nurse robot whose empathy protocol is hardly ever enacted but yet loves anyway. We have a Roomba named Rambo who loves musicals, and throws trash into the air and calls it confetti. The creator, Gio who is a robot with a dark past who decided to create a different reality for himself.

And we have Vic. Our little human who we will tear down the world for.

This book is endearing, full of love in all of its complicated forms, and by the end I am finishing this feeling so hopeful.

I have so many thoughts, and honestly if you would have told me last week this robot book would be giving me an existential crisis I wouldn’t have believed you, but here we are.

I’m in heaven.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune continues the heartwarming, quirky, found family, and romantic themes from The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door. In the Lives of Puppets is a fun retelling of Pinocchio and explores what it means to be human. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where androids and robots are sentient, the story focuses on an android, his adopted human son, and their robot friends. When one of the family is stolen away, the others set out on an adventure to get them back.
This book was an entertaining romp, and fans of TJ Klune's previous heartwarming books will also enjoy this book. While I enjoyed this book, of the three books, this one is my least favorite. The humor was more crude in a way that felt unnecessary, overdone, and inserted simply for shock value. And while sweet, I felt less invested in the romance from this book. Overall I still recommend it to fans of TJ Klune. I recommend reading Becky Chamber's A Psalm for the Wild-Built, which shares many similar themes with In the Lives of Puppets.

3.5/5

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune will be available on April 25, 2023.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

TJ Klune has done it again, y’all.

It’s hard to pinpoint a reason why many readers instantly add this author’s releases to their libraries. Between the heartwarming characters such as Gio and Rambo, the random punchlines perfected by Nurse Ratched, and the glorious world-building of Vic’s futuristic, apocalyptic world, Klune has created another masterpiece.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see In The Lives of Puppets next to modern classics within the next few decades. If it doesn’t win several awards, this reader will be shocked.

4.5⭐️

This was so magical, funny, heart warming and gave me invisible hugs. I loved this comical cast of characters, some machines some human and human-like, how they all came together and made a family. This story is incredibly unique and imaginative. I was immersed in the world of the “puppets” and was laughing out loud especially at Nurse Rachted. I loved how the characters love for each other knew no bounds, and despite their inner workings, braved the new world together. It was a little long and drawn out in a few parts, but overall I loved it so much!

This is super nice story of a family made from missing parts. Beautiful characters, mind bending intelligent world. TJ Klune has done it again. It's a quirky story about the family you choose. I think in this day and age that is a very important story to tell and to read! Thank you for tge advance reader copy. It was awesome.

I received an advance reader's copy of this book from the publisher.

This was the second book I have read by this author, and I looked forward to immersing myself in this new world the author created. I felt like I was along for the ride on an epic journey that reminded me at times of the Wizard of Oz, with a ragtag band of characters that you just can't help falling in love with. My favorite characters were Rambo and Nurse Ratched, and I found myself laughing many times due to their unique personalities. One of my favorite quotes from the book: "He believed that happiness comes not from bodily pleasures or wealth or power, but from living a life that's right for your soul". While reading this book I found myself telling friends how much I was enjoying reading it, and every time mentioning Rambo and Nurse Ratched. This book is an example of a dystopian read that's perfect for me, with a storyline full of survival, hope, and found family.

Victor Lawson is Giovanni's son. They live together in the forest with two other robots they've found and repaired. Things are simple, or as simple as they can be. Until Victor comes across another android and rescues it. What starts as hopeful companionship transforms into adventure, sorrow, rescue, and growth. Victor Lawson is only human, but that certainly won't stop him.

TJ Klune, if you could stop ripping my heart of out my chest, that would be ideal. Or rather, not ideal. Klune's books have always been spectacular but I found this the most endearing of them all. The reverse Pinocchio tale was a delight, switched around for a single boy and a world full of robots and androids, rebellion and delight. I liked how well Klune kept to the original tale, but in a world that allowed for a lot more humanity despite the circuits.

As always, the romance was perfect. It is full of growth and self realization and wonder. It captures the heart of love, this one in particular. The found family (literally) was strong and loyal. The pacing felt much slower, despite it happening very quickly throughout the book. Overall, I loved it and I'll be rereading it again soon.

After reading the synopsis for this book, I thought it’d maybe be a little more sci-fi/different than my usual reading comfort zone, but it absolutely was not. I love love LOVED this! This story was fantastic and truly had it all: tender moments that made me tear up, moments where I laughed out loud, and moments where I was on the edge of my seat. Even though it’s a longer book, it never felt like there was extra or unnecessary content, and I honestly could not put it down. Vic is such a wonderful MC, and his chemistry with the supporting characters is unmatched, natural, and fun to read. It also feels incorrect to call them “supporting characters”, since they play such a big part throughout the book. Overall this was an interesting, well-written, and surprisingly touching story that left me feeling happy. What more could you ask for?

2.5 stars. I really wanted to love Klune's newest novel, a robot-populated retelling of "Pinocchio", but this one really fell flat for me. Everything just felt a little forced, from the storyline, to the aggressively whacky sidekicks, to the romance completely devoid of chemistry. Klune writes unabashedly sentimental stories, and some of them have really worked for me, but this one never found its footing. It's a fairly faithful retelling, until it isn't, and I think it would have been a lot more enjoyable 1. without the romance and 2. with slightly toned-down side characters, who would have benefited from a deeper layer of personality and less attempt to always be saying and doing "funny" things. Despite all that, the story does fly by and so far I appear to be in the minority with my feelings about the book, so give it a try if you've enjoyed Klune's previous works. I will still be reading any future novels he writes. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for a digital review copy.

I hate to DNF an ARC, and I’ve never done it before, but this book was becoming such a chore I had to put it down at 28%. Life is too short!

I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea because it felt fresh and different than anything I’d ever read, and it felt like Klune’s writing was the warm hug we didn’t deserve but all needed in 2020. But then Under the Whispering Door was a flop for me - it felt like a rehashing of Cerulean Sea and didn’t land. When I heard about In the Lives of Puppets, it sounded so different I decided to request it and give Klune one more shot.

On one hand, it is really different story than his other two most popular books, and the characters felt new and distinct, especially the robot side characters with very memorable personalities. However, I’m starting to realize Klune does have a formula that just doesn’t work for me: a curmudgeon + a found family who thaws the curmudgeon’s heart and teaches him how to love and be part of a family (I didn’t finish this, but I assume that’s where it’s going). For me, the writing is just too cheesy, too earnest, too saccharine to handle. I want to love it, I want to find the characters funny and lovable, but it’s just not what my cold, cynical heart wants to read. Plus, I am not usually bothered by this, but the discussion of sex and penises and masturbation in just the first 28% were too much and felt cringy. I have finally accepted that TJ Klune is not for me anymore.

That said, if you liked both Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, I think you will love this one. All the elements that didn’t work for me will be perfect for other readers, and I’m excited for this book to make its way out into the world and find them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was a wonderful book filled with both whimsey and heartache. As a teacher I don't think I could incorporate this into my curriculum however, I will definitely be adding this to my class bookshelf.

While you can see the influence of Pinocchio on the story it never feels like a direct adaptation more so it feels as if though the spirit of the story is always there.

As with all of TJ Klune's book the writing is wonderful and the characters are all fleshed out and sympathetic. I will say that "Under the Whispering Door" is still my favorite but that is more of a preference than anything. I think my students will love Gio and the humor that a killer robot brings.

However, the complex relationship between Hap and Vic is what really drew me in and kept me reading. I learned to car deeply about these two characters. I often found myself smiling while reading this book but more than once I had a few tears in my eyes.

TJ Klune has another hit on his hands and I cannot wait to see what other readers have to say about this book.