An impressive, very loose retelling of Pinocchio with great diverse representation.
Like TJ Klune's previous books, the supporting cast of characters are the real hero's of this book. Nurse Ratched with her sarcastic negativity and dark humor and Rambo the anxious, overly friendly vacuum had me rolling with laughter. He has a wonderful way of adding depth to all his characters. Unlike TJ Klune's other books, this book is heavy on the sci fi aspect and less so fantasy - but still having a grandiose adventure tied in. While I did like this book, I preferred his previous two more, that could just be me though! Overall a great new book by TJ Klune and if you liked his previous books - you will adore this one too!


* I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review*

Who knew that a story about robots could be so funnt and so heartbreaking at the same time. There were so many times where this book made me laugh with the robots bantering back and forth. This is a world where robots rule and all the humans have been killed except for one, Victor. If he is found he also will be killed. Gio, Victor's father has been taken and Victor, Rambo, Nurse Ratched and Hap have to go into the city to get him back. The journey is filled with adventure and excitement as they make their way into the city. I do have to say the beginning of the novel was a bit slow for me. It took a bit to get into but around the 30% mark things definitely picked up for me. Thank you to Netgalley and Tor publishers for allowing me to read an ARC.
4.25/5

Another beautifully written, magical tale by TJ Klune!

Without giving too much away...
Vic Lawson lives in the forest with his father, Giovanni Lawson, and their two magnificent, robotic friends: Nurse Ratched (the nurse robot) and Rambo (the vacuum). Together they make a fun, creative group! One day, while in the scrap yards, Vic and his friends stumble upon a decommissioned machine and they set out to help bring him back to "life." Little do they know that doing so will change their immediate futures and the fate of the whole world.

The characters in In the Lives of Puppets were such a joy to get to know. Rambo stuck out to me the most, with his quirky joy and silly nature. He made me laugh out loud and even thinking about him still makes me smile.

The writing of this story, in true Klune fashion, is stunning. It takes you along on the journey and gives you vivid, beautiful scenery along the way. Easy to follow with plenty of depth, it's easy to get lost in, as with any world TJ Klune creates.

The plot and pacing of the book were interesting, and the exploration of the concepts of robots, AI, and the future of humanity brought a level of intensity to this story that I wasn't expecting. And while I did enjoy it, I think the Sci-fi aspect didn't quite impact me as much as it will other readers. Nevertheless, I think anyone who has enjoyed Klune's previous stories will enjoy this one, as well.

Thank you Tor, TJ Klune, and NetGalley for an ARC of In the Lives of Puppets in exchange for my honest review!! It's truly an honor!

3.5⭐️ / 5

I, unfortunately, did not finish this book. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, but I didn't connect to the characters in In the Lives of Puppets in the same way. I felt like the characters were recycled from Cerulean Sea (Nurse Ratched has the same personality/humor/jokes as Lucy). I felt like this had a lot of potential, but it fell flat for me. The main characters Klune writes are all very similar as well, although I did appreciate and acknowledge the addition of an asexual main character, which is a fantastic addition for representation!

The beginning took a lot of energy to get into, and even 35% into the book, I felt bored and disengaged.

Out of respect for TJ Klune and the publisher, I will not be sharing my review on Goodreads or my social media! I think other people will enjoy this book, it just was not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the ARC of In The Lives of Puppets.

Things I liked about the book:

• the cast of side characters (especially Nurse Ratched and Rambo) were hilarious and wonderful
• the world Klune built was vivid and imaginative
• it had his signature mix of quirky and sweet, bringing humanity to the un-human

Overall, more sci-fi than I’d normally like, and if readers are expecting a story like his two previous books, this won’t be it. But it was sweet and a fun, charming adventure! I recommend it to anyone that loves sci-fi and fantasy.

4,5
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.
First, let me say I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, it's a genre that I only read once in a very long while. Despite that, I decided to give it a try since I read the Green Creek saga from this author and adore it so much (also not a huge fan of werewolves but I guess T.J Klune can make me love things that I usually don't like). The strongest point for me was the characters, each character had a very strong and unique voice to them but most important is how they interacted with each other despite being so different. There's a strong theme of "found family/ chosen family" although the book if any of you like this trope I would highly recommend this book (or the Green Creek saga). Another thing that I loved about this book was the setting. The huge imagination the house brings to the table, almost like a tale, I longed for it, I wanted to go to the woods and find the space where Vic, Gio, Rambo, Nurse Ratched, and Hap live in. This book really felt like a warm hug, if you're in need of a warm, safe, and cozy read I would highly recommend reading this book.

Wow! What a Fantastic ride this story was! The author brought us to a world full of imagination and at the heart of it all--- Heart, Hope, Love.

This is truly a reimagined world in which the tale of Pinocchio gets twisted and turned. I read in awe of the creative juices that the author turned into beautiful words. I loved the message of hope. Hope in humanity, hope of acceptance, hope of being loved and being able to love.

Beautiful book. I actually was wanting just a little bit more. I thought it just kind of ended. I was ready for a few more pages. Again, great messages but I wanted to see Hap and Vic move on in life.

I could totally see this book made in to a movie. I would watch it again and again. Someone please pick up that option for us!

Yet another queer fantasy by TJ Klune! I really liked this novel, as I have liked all of this authors work. This work focuses on a human who goes on a quest to rescue is robot father from the robot authority. It hits on the found family trope, as well as love coming in all types. I really appreciated how the characters went on the traditional epic journey in this book! Overall, 5/5

I’m usually a fan of TJ Klune. And this is probably an unpopular opinion. But I could not finish this book. This was a major let down for me.

Holy moly. If I had read any of the reviews before actually diving into this ARC, I’m not sure what I would have anticipated. But my mind is kind of blown. It’s weird. It’s incredible. At times a little uncomfortable, heart breaking, and hilarious - you’ll experience it all. And whoa.

This is like a futuristic, Pinocchio-like, tale of machines, humans, and finding oneself. I experienced so many emotions while reading this, from the snarky humor of Nurse Ratched, to the innocence of Rambo, to the drive and love of Victor.
Android Gio has built his own house, lab, and little corner of Earth for himself, where he resides with his “son” Victor, a nurse machine Ratched, and basically a roomba named Rambo.

I couldn’t help but fall in love with these characters, their stories, and the unfolding of this story. It’s a masterpiece like none other.

I would not consider myself a big sci-fi reader but I loved this so much. I highly recommend this & am so thankful to both NetGalley & Tor publishing group for this ARC in exchange for my honest receive.

Beautiful book but it took me awhile to actually get into to - unlike his previous books. Not sure if it was because it was so fantastical or what but once I did I loved the characters and the amazing found family and adventure. Heartwarming!

In the Lives of Puppets invites readers into the heart of a peculiar forest in which three robots live—a fatherly inventor named Giovanni Lawson, a somewhat sadistic yet kind nurse machine and a small Roomba vacuum desperate for love. Together with a human, Victor Lawson, they make a family, hidden and safe from the outside world.

When Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled HAP, however, he learns of his father’s dark past— a past that was spent hunting down humans and eradicating them.

When Hap unwittingly alerts robots to their whereabouts, the family is no longer safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory, all memory of his loved ones wiped clean. So together, Vic and his family must journey across the dangerous country and rescue Gio before he is reprogrammed. Along the way to save his father, Vic has to deal with conflicted emotions, betrayal and fear, blossoming affection and more for Hap. In the end, Vic must decide: can he accept love with all its strings attached?

One of these days I will finish a book by TJ Klune and not scream “emotional damage” at the top of my lungs for the next hour but this is not that day.

This man has made me care about many a thing over the past few years (including but not limited to wolves, bellhops, dead dogs and odd houses in the middle of the forest) and now he’s added machines to the list. That’s right, after reading In the Lives of Puppets, one of my new favourite characters is a Roomba vacuum called Rambo. A Roomba made me tear up. Made me laugh. Made me feel for him. You can’t make this stuff up.

Of course, this story has a fantastic cast of characters. From Victor’s father Giovanni that I just want to hug for eternity to Victor himself (asexual rep for the win!) to Victor’s best friends Nurse RATCHED and Rambo and of course, our fearsome, angry and hysterical puppet Hap, each character is as vivid as if they’re standing right next to you. Hilarious dialogue surrounding being human and…having human needs to what makes you truly feel alive, this story oscillates between hysterically funny and utterly heartbreaking—you know, the trademark Klune mix. Wouldn’t be a Klune book if you don’t need tissues for both your tears of pain and of laughter.

Also, the plot twists in this story. Listen, I have seen the Disney adaptation of Pinocchio maybe twice in my life as a kid so I don’t know if these plot twists are still as shocking if you know the original story but let me tell you, I was flabbergasted. Flabbergasted, I tell you, at some of these twists that wreak absolute havoc on Victor and his gang. From unexpected characters popping up to unlikely allies and…other events that make you question your own definition of humanity and machines, there’s just no dull moment in In The Lives of Puppets.

For the sake of spoilers, I won’t talk more about the plot but what I will say is that I am forever confused by how TJ Klune gets better with every single book. Yes, he was already fantastic but with every book I pick up, I keep subconsciously waiting for me to say “Okay, this was great, but not as great as…” and it just—never happens? I was SURE that nothing could beat my love for Wolfsong (and then the entirety of Green Creek happened). I was CERTAIN nothing could beat The House in the Cerulean Sea. And then this book happened. Man, whatever you’re doing, TJ, please keep doing it. I will never not need the boost of straight-up serotonin your books release in my body, mind and soul.

Anyways, long story short, if you’re a long-time fan of Klune’s trademark ridiculously funny humour, facepalm-inducing secondhand embarrassment, characters that will grip your heart and rip it out of your chest (only to then help you patch it up and make it better than ever before) and subtle yet insightful commentary on the human race and how love is the best thing we do, then you need to pick this book up immediately.

And if you’re new to this author, let me just say: In The Lives of Puppets is the perfect place to start. I promise it’ll be worth it (it being the trauma you’ll go through reading about your favourites having to face hell). But also, please be ready with tissues for the final chapters. You’ll need them.

Combining a queer retelling of Pinocchio with Klune’s trademark humour and tendency to both break and mend hearts in the same story, In The Lives of Puppets is a masterpiece that will make you question what it means to be human.

The rules: Stick together. Run if we have to. No dallying. No drilling. And above all else, be brave.

I loved this. I just want to be in a room with all of TJ Klune's characters surrounding me in a big, giant group hug. In the Lives of Puppets is a whimsical, heart-warming, queer science fiction reimagining of Pinocchio. TJ Klune has once again made me fall in love with an adorable cast of loveable characters. I'm a sucker for the found family trope, and this one delivered on that front.
The main characters:
-Vic, an asexual human inventor grappling with questions of humanity and what it means to exist.
-Gio, is an android coming to terms with his past creations.
-Nurse Ratched (Registered Automaton To Care, Heal, Educate, and Drill), a hilarious sociopathic nursing robot.
-Rambo, an utterly adorable, anxious Roomba.
-Hap (Hysterically Angry Puppet), a damaged android with a mysterious past.
There are many heartfelt moments, a venture into the unknown, hilarious laugh out loud moments thanks to Nurse Ratched, and serious moments where characters are grappling with difficult subjects like depression, grief, and purpose.
This is a great read for those who enjoyed Becky Chamber's Monk and Robot series, Martha Well's Murderbot Diaries, and the films Wall-E and the Brave Little Toaster. (I love all of these, which explains why I absolutely loved this book).
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and TJ Klune for the opportunity to review this electronic advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. It’s due to be published on April 25, 2023.

Also sharing this review soon on Instagram at @hannahthelibrarian_

To be perfectly honest, I never thought I would be lucky enough to have been chosen to read this book early. I was all set to wait until April. And after Under The Whispering Door, which I was obsessed with, I could only hope that the experience reading it matched the hopefulness I had for it. Let me tell you it absolutely did. This author has such a way with words, using exactly the right ones, invoking imagination and opening the mind. I will forever treasure finding this author and the books that have come to mean so much.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley

This was a hilarious heartfelt tale by Klune. Every book of his gets stronger and stronger. If you are a fairy tale fan and love whimsy, I would highly suggest this book.

What a lovely story!!!! TJ Klune has knocked it out of the park once again. I have yet to read anything by him that didn't make my heart burst with happiness. This book was pure joy, pure love, and pure comfort. I loved the characters and reading about their journey. I felt so filled with warmth devouring each word of this. Love.

I enjoyed this book immensely. The book tackles what it is to be human, and what our future could be. I found the plot to be moving and I was quite attached to the characters. I loved the eccentricities of the side characters as they added to the story in a necessary manner. Definitely a worthwhile read for anyone.

Ok, TJ. I expect ALL your books to be warm and cozy hugs from here on out. The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door took us to different places and we met different characters. The misfits, found family, and the heart of the books always shows up. Sometimes you wonder how will this fit together. Is this fantasy, contemporary? This one is a Pinocchio retelling. It also has some Wizard of Oz themes. I can't wait for you to read this. I fell in love with robots, and I hope you do too.

TJ Klune is an automatic read for me and I adore his storytelling and whimsical character creation. In the Lives of Puppets hit me in the feels with the characters - I instantly attached to them and was happy giggling at their banter and chosen family energy.

When the action scenes started I was still invested, but perhaps a little less. The energy and pace shifted so much that I was on the back foot, and then when I caught up, it shifted down again. I really love when authors take their core strength, in this case lovable chosen family that you instantly love, and branch out into new and interesting plots or genres. For me, the action scenes were okay but the family scenes were what really did it for me.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the chance to read this book early, I love this author and felt so lucky!

TJ Klune doesn't miss. Another heartwarming story that makes you want to crawl into the book to spend more time with these lovely characters. I don't typically enjoy retellings (remember when every YA fantasy was a retelling?) but this one stands up enough on its own, and I could mostly forget it was a Pinocchio story. The found family dynamic in this story reminded me 'Cerulean Sea' in the best way.