4.5 rounded up! I should not be surprised at this point that TJ Klune manages to write books that get to my heart. I loved House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, so no surprise when I also loved this one!

In the Lives of Puppets follows Vic, a main character out of place what once was his world. He has an odd band of hilarious, laugh out loud characters that surround him and make up his family. Vic is faced with making his world his own, forging friendships and finding family in the most unique of circumstances.

This book, while some may say has elements of a new-age Pinocchio, I didn’t feel was quite equivalent other than the invention aspect. I’m not saying that is a bad thing, and in my mind is actually preferable.

I truly enjoyed how the characters in this book made dark moments incredibly hilarious, while bringing a sense of true humanity to the humanless. Without giving too much away, Vic deals with the most human of life events - life, death, creation, confusion, and love - while only being able to process it all in a way he learned from a robot. The juxtaposition of life and invention was really interesting and made all emotions you get reading this book feel all the more genuine. I was left feeling like the end was perhaps a bit rushed compared to the beginning, but overall satisfied and happy. Big fan of TJ Klune!

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for this eARC!

In the lives of puppets

“What I would give to witness such a thing. There is nothing more powerful than a heart.”

Oh MY heart 😍. This book, y’all 👏🏻 TJ Klune melted my heart again with a fun adventure, quirky characters, and themes that pull at your heartstrings. This book felt like a warm hug, the kind that makes you happy cry.

Vic Lawson is a human who lives in the forest with three robots - his inventor Dad Giovanni, their trusty and pure-hearted vacuum Rambo, and a morbid humored medical robot Nurse Ratched. When Vic finds a new machine, Hap or Hysterically Angry Puppet, to add to their family at the scrap yard, he unleashes a chain of events that takes them all on an adventure to the City of Electric Dreams.

Check this one out if you are looking for:
🎭 A queer fantasy / sci-fi adventure
🎭 Themes of found family, love, and choosing who you want to be
🎭 Hilarious cast of characters with quotes like, “Enough talking about feelings that I absolutely do not have. They are pointless.”

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Books for this ARC! In the Lives of Puppets is on shelves April 25!

I really struggled with this one. I love Klune’s writing and was excited to dig into this one but it just fell flat for me. I found it hard to connect with the characters, it felt rushed in spots, and dragged on in others— just lacked the magic from his other works.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an eARC of this book

TJ Klune, you absolute LEGEND. I can't believe you blessed me with a Pinocchio retelling that is at the same time also a perfect WinterIron AU*. I cannot wait for this to come out and tell all my fellow shippers to get on this book ASAP! I will also believe there was an intended Hannibal reference.

Also, the gender reveal call-out? chef's kiss I honestly don't believe we deserve an author like Klune, but fuck am I going to be grateful for him. We have suffered enough, we deserve amazing robots who are sassy and enthusiastic. We also deserve [a sweet story between a human and a machine, even if I can't believe he got me to read that. Maybe I'll actually read Wolfsong one day, who knows? (hide spoiler)]

The strength of this book for me, lay in the side characters. No offense to Victor, but Rambo and Nurse Ratched were the absolute highlights of this book for me. I adore everyone of our beloved cast, but Nurse Ratched above all, was my favorite. I would die for her, and she would let me.

Seriously though, the relationships between these characters make the book. They're so strong, it radiates found family (shocker in a Klune book, right?) and because I am also currently making my way through Moby-Dick, I am extra, extra grateful for the perfectly distinctive voices all these characters have.

I do feel that maybe the actual story, leading up to the climax and the climax itself, was rushed a tiny bit in places, and dragged out in others, as if the pacing was off. It made it a bit more difficult to truly get immersed in the story. I think it might be because of my current state of mind that I wouldn't have minded just reading about them in their home, all cozy and warm, instead of everything else that happened, haha!

I went into this book fairly blind, so I did not expect what was basically a Quest. It was a good one, though, and once again I want this on my screen to watch. My brain can't really see things while reading, but with Klune's books it's so visceral to me, it's just out of reach for me. This book just screams colors to me, warm, cozy; a big hug. And that's the power of Klune to me.

I cannot wait to get my printed copy and reread this, and listen to the audio; hopefully this time without distractions taking me away from it, and without wishing we could have stayed in the first part of the story. Who knows, maybe then it'll feel like a full 5 stars to me.

Out of his three recent books, this had the least impact on me, but that's literally saying fuck all when the other two are Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, both of which I read at the exact right time. This book still had me swiping the final page with a literal squeak and hand clutching at my chest.

4-4,5/5

P.S. Rabbit screams are terrible, and having to read about one gave me literal chills. Wouldn't wish that sound on anyone.
P.P.S. Rabbit droppings are dry and odourless unless it's urine, diarrhoea, or the droppings they have in the morning to eat again. Basically, Hap was fine ;) (stress might only cause diarrhoea after the event, not during)
P.P.S. Thanks for coming to my bunny mom ted talk

*(view spoiler)

TJK has done it again!

This is a story that radiates pure love, family, humanity, and the freedom to choose who we want to be. 

These are themes that have become synonymous with TJK's storytelling and I love the comforting familiarity I experience every time I pick up one of his books. 

This is yet another story that will warm the heart and fill the soul.

What do you do when you’ve forgotten all you know? You start again from the beginning.

Which is exactly what I want to do right now. Start again from the beginning. This book made my heart hurt in so many ways I didn’t know possible. It wasn’t what I expected but also exceeded any expectation I could’ve had, if that makes sense? I was completely unaware of the plot before reading it and was surprised by the sci-fi elements. It’s definitely more futuristic when I expected old-time class. I loved every second of this book. From the dark humor to the heart warming family moments to the heart-wrenching sadness of grief and coping with the reality of humanity. The commentary on humanity and what it means to feel and have emotions, was so eloquently done. There were moments that I seriously looked at my life, wondering if I’m making the most of my time. This book was so beautiful, everything pieced together perfectly in a way that was so satisfying. I loved The House on the Cerulean Sea, but I think this is better.

I love TJ Klune! He writes so beautifully and weaves heartwarming and serious topics, while also balancing amazing character development.

This book has Pinnochio retelling vibes; "Victor is a real boy, raised by a robot dad and other robot friends. Victor discovers another robot that he makes work again. He's discovered, father kills his "soul"
to save Victor, then Victor and group go on trip to save dad."

A huge thank you to the author, publisher, and netgalley for a copy of this story in an exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book! I found myself tearing up at the humanity found in robots, who had learned to love. At one point Nurse Ratched makes a promise to Victor, knowing it is something that can't be promised but will make him feel better...and to me, that was it. I will say that I've seen this advertised as a LGBTQ Fantasy Romance, and I don't see that. There is a slight bit of romance in it; Victor being asexual feeling love for Hap (a robot) and that robot also returning the feelings - but to me, the story isn't about that. It's about loving humanity, and the beauty that is found in others, in the unknown parts of being human, having feelings, and being able to be guided by those feelings which are not concrete.
Quick recap - Pinnochio retelling; Victor is a real boy, raised by a robot dad and other robot friends. Victor discovers another robot that he makes work again. He's discovered, father kills his "soul"
to save Victor, then Victor and group go on trip to save dad. And a whole lot of emotions/feelings along the way!

I’m still so surprised the Klune’s books can continue to be so amazing. This books was beautiful, from the writing to the plot and characters. There wasn’t a moment where I didn’t want to stop reading. There wasn’t a point where I didn’t care what happened next to these character. These characters will stick with me for a long time, I will always remember the queen Nurse Ratched. This book can not be recommended enough.

I liked the story, but not as much as I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea. I loved the banter and character of Nurse Ratched and Rambo. I found them to be both hysterical. I find myself to be a lot like Nurse Ratched. I liked the tree house and the detail the author gave in the description of it in comparison to the Swiss Family Robinson as I loved the movie and always wanted to live in a tree house. I found at times that the book and chapters dragged on and was long in parts. I feel though that a lot of readers will enjoy the story. It seemed to be resembled after Pinocchio. I also liked how the main character Victor never gave up, no matter how much he wanted to. I enjoyed the story, but I didn't get the same feeling as I did when I read The House in the Cerulean Sea. It is not to say that the book isn't good because it is. The feelings are different.

This definitely isn’t one of TJ Klunes’s best. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and it is one of my favorite books but his last two adult books have been a little underwhelming. I found the book cute and light and very funny at times but I just didnt feel any real love for the characters and I didn’t really care all that much about what was happening to them. It wasn’t a bad book but not that type of book that I would go out of my way to recommend.

Another fantastic novel from TJ Klune. I was so excited to get my hands on this and it did not disappoint. I couldn't put it down and also never wanted it to end. Just a joy to read as usual.

2.5 Stars

A modern day queer retelling of Pinocchio (with a little Wizard of Oz thrown in there?)

Vic has grown up in the forest with his father Gio and his robot best friends (and extended family) Rambo and Nurse Rached. He spends his days exploring the forest and the nearby dangerous scrapyard. He and his father love to invent things and have built a happy and content life, until visitors from a nearby city threaten to take it all away.

Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door were a couple of my absolute favorite recent reads. I was ecstatic when I received an ARC for In the Lives of Puppets. Unfortunately the book fell flat for me. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and felt a lack of the warm and gushy sentimental feelings I'm used to getting from Klune's writing.. I wanted to love this book so much! I look forward to Klune's future writings, hopefully I'll feel that connection again.

TJ Klune's "In the Lives of Puppets" is AMAZING! Filled with his humor and wit and of course lots of heart, this is a book that will linger with you after you have finished the last page. I was laughing while I cheer the dynamic trio (plus 1) on their adventure and then crying tears of sorrow and joy moments later. I can see this being one of my top reads for 2023 and I can't wait to read Klune's next novel (whenever that may be).

When I first heard that this book was “A Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E retelling of Pinocchio” I was a little intrigued, but mostly worried that it wouldn’t be my cup of tea. That did not stop me, however, from literally shedding happy tears when I got approved for this ARC.

Klune, yet again, captured me from the very beginning with his amazing characters. The story begins with Gio, an android, building a solitary life for himself in the middle of a forest. After he becomes the father of a human son, Victor, he continues to create a wonderful life for the two of them. We skip forward to a grown Vic and meet his friends, Nurse Ratched & Rambo (an automated nurse machine and a robot vacuum) and they are amazing. The banter and beautiful familial bond between these characters was delightful from the first chapter. When they rescue and repair an outdated android named HAP everything changes. Hap joins their group and soon they must set out on an adventure to rescue Gio from the old life he was kidnapped back in to.

The story was beautiful, made me laugh out loud, and made the tears fall. The love this odd band of misfits has makes you wish you were part of their little family. Who wouldn’t want a snarky nurse robot that can tell you she loves and you threaten to drill out your insides all in the same sentence? Or a vacuum that loves old movies and isn’t a afraid to dream? Hap is the grump in the family and was probably my favorite character. I don’t want to say to much about him, for fear of spoiling anything, but just know I love him. ♥️

This book is definitely 5/5 ⭐️ and I already can’t wait to reread it!

If you're looking for the TJ Klune type characters who are lovable, quirky, and are a found family - this one will not disappoint! It has similar feel good vibes as his other books.

For me, I do feel like I struggled a bit in the beginning with pacing being a little slow. And because of the characters, sometimes the dialogue is a bit hectic in conversations.

Overall this was cute and a really unique story!

3.5 / 4 ish

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for approving my most anticipated book of the year.
While I was looking forward to the Pinocchio storyline and loved the Frankenstein element, the pacing was a problem.
30 % in and you still don't really know what is going on in that world. While the characters were funny at first, it was too much and over the top and started to annoy me as the characters have witty banter on every page, and there are way too many pages for this story. Also, dick jokes are not my cup of tea and I find it weird how many there are in this book. After 44% the story finally seemed to start and go somewhere. In this case, the characters decided to go to the city of electric dreams. From here on I liked it way better and basically couldn't put it down till the end. The Wizard of Oz element becomes quite clear. While I personally liked the inspiration from all the fairytales, I can understand the thinking of this not being that original.

Okay, so the first thing you need to know: I actually dislike Pinocchio. Both the Disney version and the original work by Carlo Collodi. It’s just not my cup of tea. So, when I heard that this was a retelling of the latter, I was nervous. I LOVE Klune’s other books, but when the basis is something I’m not a fan of, even I had my reservations.

The second thing you need to know: I ADORED This Book. And it’s capitalized, so you know it’s true.

Trust T.J. Klune to take a story that I dislike and spin one inspired by it, and somehow make it etch itself into my heart. And somehow, I even enjoyed the references, enjoyed spotting them and seeing how they factored into this new plot.

In typical Klune fashion, the characters are the heart of this story. Victor and Hap and Rambo and Nurse Ratched and Giovanni… all of them are well-done, in a way that breaks me and puts me back together. The vast majority of them may be robots, but at their heart they are so very human.

I laughed, I cried, I wanted to throw the book across the room as I read. All in the best ways. Similar to Under the Whispering Door, this one explores slightly darker themes and I loved that. His quirky, laugh-out-loud writing just pairs so well with a little angst.

If you enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea or Under the Whispering Door, I highly recommend picking this one up. This was easily one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it did not disappoint. Klune has, yet again, delivered all that he promised and more.

Release Date: April 25, 2023
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Tor Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis:
In a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots—fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.

The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labelled “HAP,” he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio–a past spent hunting humans.

When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to their whereabouts, the family is no longer hidden and safe. Gio is captured and taken back to his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.

Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?

Inspired by Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful stand-alone fantasy adventure from the beloved author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.

I am completely obsessed with this! TJ Klune is a superb writer and story teller. I fell in love with this story. It has compassion, love, kindness, a little adventure, humor and some unfortunate hard truths. I will be thinking of this book for a long time. It was so good and so perfect! Wish I could give it more than 5 stars.
I just reviewed In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every TJ Klune book that I’ve managed to read so far and this was no exception. This novel has the same flow and writing style which makes it so easy to read. I can understand why people say it has a Pinocchio esque feeling to it but for some reason it also reminded me of the Wizard of Oz.

Anyways, without getting into the story itself, the characters were amazing. Nurse Ratchet had me laughing out loud and cute little Rambo just made me want to hug him, despite being a vacuum cleaner. They definitely stole the show.

The final thing about this novel, is that it left m3 with more questions than answers. Usually I’m very satisfied with the endings but this one, not so much. Too many big things happened and the reader was left with several dangling carrots. Who knows, maybe there will be a second book?