Look, I have no excuse for having read this other than I saw the author, and I saw the topic, and I felt in the mood to watch a trainwreck. However, I overestimated my ability to read this Pinocchio retelling without being creeped out beyond all recognition. So far it feels like a weird horrifying version of A Psalm For the Wild-Built so I guess if that appeals to you, go for it. (I guess more charitably I will say that in my experience TJ Klune writes very cute kids and I thought this would be more of that? But the book starts with Victor already a teenager/young adult.) DNF @ 8%.

I’m giving this 3 stars because although it really is a Nope from me, I think that’s very much a personal taste thing. Other people might like this more!

"to love something meant loving the ghost inside, to be haunted by it"

First, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Tor for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are mine. I'd actually rate this 4.5 stars (if halves were a thing on GR).

At first when I heard this was a retelling of Carlo Collodi's "The Adventures of Pinocchio", I was a little hesitant to read it, because honestly, Pinocchio gives me anxiety and I don't love that.
I am, however, a sucker for robots. so.

I especially adored every part of the novel that took part in the forest. Being from Oregon, it was really awesome for me personally that that's where things start out. I automatically felt right at home in their world which is super comforting when I'm starting a new book. I am also finding that I'm a huge fan of novels that include a group of characters going on any kind of journey/quest, dangerous or otherwise; and of course anything that reps LGBTQ+, I am behind 100%. So basically this checked a lot of my boxes.
And speaking of LGBTQ+, I really really liked that one of the (later) characters in the book goes by they/them, even though it's never outright addressed. Maybe it's a robot-made-without-any-type-of-gender thing, maybe it's a nonbinary thing... regardless, I appreciated it a lot.

And the main characters, they were amazing. Though I did really like Victor, Gio, and Hap, my all time favorites were Nurse Ratched and Rambo. Oh my god I cannot even begin to explain how incredible these two are. I would probably read 50+ books just on them and their adventures.
Just about every single time they were speaking, I was either smiling or laughing out loud. Words cannot express the love I have for them and everything that they do and say.

I think the best way that I can describe this, is by saying that it feels like a hug for your heart..
It's incredibly comforting and sweet, and it made me smile consistently. There is adventure and there's suspense, but I never lost the feeling of being incredibly warm and (mostly) calm whenever I was reading.
I swear, this one will touch your soul.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in return for my honest review. I was attracted to the impressive cover, and I have also enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, hence I do have high expectation from this author. I have found the below on Goodreads, written by T.J. Klune himself:

"A queer retelling of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio starring an inventor named Victor, a mysterious android called Hap (Hysterically Angry Puppet), an anxiety-riddled Roomba vacuum named Rambo, and a sociopathic nursing machine, the Registered Automaton To Care, Heal, Educate and Drill (Nurse Ratched, for short)."

In the Lives of Puppets is a robotic world created by T.J. Klune. It is about a boy, Victor, who was raised in a secluded forest by a robotic father, Gio and his 2 robotic buddies, Nurse Ratched and Rambo. One day, as he was foraging at a nearby scrapyard, he has accidentally found a decommissioned robot and brought it home. Victor managed to activate and name it Hap. His blissful life in the forest came to stop when The Authority found a breach nearby and came knocking at their door. Through all the chaos, he learnt the hard way that he is the only human alive and some dark secrets his father has been keeping.

I have enjoyed Victor's journey especially from when the chaos started. It was a little slow and mundane for my liking when it started hence, I kept peeking behind and speedread at some point. As it slowly encroached the danger zone, I finally found the gist to read-on and embraced the adventure! Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy the way the author writes which is simple and straightforward with his own signature prose. It's just the pacing at the start.

Somehow, I kept comparing it with The house in the Cerulean Sea which I find it to be an awesome read! As such I did have a high expectation for this novel which I should have expelled from my mind in order to enjoy this better. Both the context is different, but I do still prefer the former. I am just amazed with the world building in this mechanical world that I can even imagined it! Klune truly is a wonderful storyteller and able to have it as relevant as possible.

If you are looking for something light, didn't mind a little LGBT and haven't read T.J. Klune's books, you should start with this and then read Cerulean Sea. They are not related but I would think the buildup is better :-)

“And above all yes…be brave.”

Was I sure I was going to love TJ Klune’s new book? Yes. Did I think I would get emotional over robots? No, that was definitely unexpected.

“In the Lives of Puppets” by TJ Klune (out April 25, 2023), we are taken through a sci-fi Pinocchio retelling. Shocking to no one, Klune does an amazing job building this world and telling us it’s history as we explore it’s future. This book gave my Wall-E and Brave Little Toaster vibes and I loved every minute of it. While I loved House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, I found myself diving in Puppets much easier. I was hooked and intrigued pretty quickly.

As always, great world building, great main characters, great side characters, great plot. All around great.

Thank you to @torbooks for the e-ARC!

While the story took me a little while to get into, I was immediately attached to the characters. My favorite part of Klune's writing is his ability to write real, believable, and flawed characters. A loose interpretation of the story of Pinocchio, this tale finds main character Victor forced onto an adventure with his robot companions. Going from their small forest hideaway to the City of Electric Dreams, the small band of friends are able to face new challenges by following the rules "Stick together...run if we have to...no dallying...no drilling...and above all else, be brave."

Fantastic story about family and finding your way. Speaks to how we choose our identities and how our actions and intentions form us. In the question of nature vs nurture, Klune seems to fall firmly in the nurture camp.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Though I did not like this novel as much as The House in the Cerulean Sea or Under the Whispering Door, I did find myself enjoying it for many reasons. The characters are really fun to read. They all have their quirks, and I found myself enjoying the dynamic between Nurse Ratched and Rambo the most. In my head, they were voiced by Sarah Paulson and Alpha 5, respectively. Redemption, forgiveness, loneliness, and family were all intriguing concepts to read about within the futuristic setting, and like other Klune novels I've read, I feel that there are several lines throughout that are sweet and beautiful.
I think my biggest issue was with the pacing. Some aspects of the story that I thought would be focused on more were over quickly, and other aspects that I thought would be brief were extended. I was about half way through the book, and I do not think that the journey had even begun. It just felt a little off.
Overall, I think that this book would be a good addition to anyone's shelf, and I will more than likely be recommending that my library purchase it.

I have been a huge fan of TJ Klune and this book is no exception. Each book by this author shows a new level of creativity & fantasy, while simultaneously touching on things that matter to us, things that bring peace, joy, contentment. Most often, this comes from relationships and the people we surround ourselves.

Klune took on a big undertaking by exploring a world made almost entirely of machines. Vic is the only remaining human, and this book explores the relationships he built with a small group of machines around him. It’s a beautiful testament to love- how machines can overcome their programming to find companionship and also how we will make sacrifices for those that they care about.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of In The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for this ARC.

This story was fascinating, and I could not put it down. All the characters had so much personality and heart. I laughed, I cried (literally teared up in the middle of work), and all the emotions in between. The search into humanity's flaws was fascinating, and the robot/human dynamic created a unique story. I give In The Lives of Puppets 5/5 stars.

In a story reminiscent of Pinocchio (deliberately, as is shown by the quotes at the beginning of each chapter) crossed with The Terminator, TJ Klune's newest novel is a mash-up of science fiction and fantasy. As the story of Victor and Rambo, Nurse Ratched and Hap and their quest develops, interesting questions about family, love, responsibility, and humanity all follow.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found the characters easy to root for. Part quest, part found family, all delightful (even though sometimes sad).

Klune did it again!!! Such an amazing book! I am so grateful to netgalley for allowing me to read this advanced reader copy

Another great book from TJ Klune, a whimsical queer Pinocchio retelling! Would recommend for purchase at all libraries.

Considering that the House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door are some of my favorites and comfort reads, I had really high expectations for this new book. Unfortunately, it did not do work me, and it truly breaks my heart.

In the Lives of Puppets is a retelling of Pinocchio, but you can easily see some references to Matrix and other classics from the Pop Culture.

If the writing style and the characters are as lovable as usual (I truly loved the humor and banter between the characters), the setting was a change with a SCI-FI/ dystopian vibes.

I must admit that Pinocchio and robots are not my favorites things, so it's part the reason i did not enjoy the book as much as i thought, but i also felt there was something lacking. The pacing and story were not as fluid as needed (especially around the second tier of the book) and it did not deliver his magic as usual.

Anyway, if you are a fan of the genre and the author, I believe it's a solid book and you should go for it.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Books for the ARC and the opportunity to give my honest review.

I have learned to never judge a book by it's cover. But, let's be honest, these covers are pretty amazing.

When I first picked up The House in the Cerulean Sea I was pretty sure it wasn't going to be for me. But boy, was I ever wrong. It made me realize that this author was really something special.

I'll admit, the premise of this book was a little weird sounding. Robots and the human who will save them, the themes throughout are heartwarming, even amidst some grief and heartache. This is a true go to author for me and one I look forward to reading time and time again.

A warm hug. As to be expected with TJ Klune's newest novel.

Each character with their own unique personality quirks and -isms that make you fall in love with them.

Nurse Ratched will make you laugh out loud several times throughout this book. Her honesty, candour and quick dry wit will stick with you long after you've read this book.

Rambo, the little Roomba that could, is like an innocent, charming puppy dog who only sees the world through brightly coloured glasses. These two are true opposites but come together with their love for Vic.

Victor Lawsons origin is truly one of a kind, and will grip you from the moment that you start reading this book. Vic has a great head on his shoulders, is persistent and kind beyond words. He ends up becoming an inventor or sorts, just like his father, Giovanni Lawson (or Gio). Their bond and relationship tugged at my heart strings.

Gio has a past that we learn about from the introduction of HAP (hysterically angry puppet), and proves himself to be a wonderful, caring and patient father.

This adventure will touch on all of your senses. Making their way to the City of Electric Dreams will make you feel as though you're right alongside our main characters, rooting for them and wishing for them to be a bit more cautious, but to still BE BRAVE!

In The Lives of Puppets is a magical, whimsical, heartwarming story that I am proud to add to my collection of TJ Klune novels. I would highly recommend you decide to take on the adventure that Vic, Nurse Ratched, Rambo and HAP go on!

This is one that I cannot WAIT for on audio!

A very special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy and the amazing opportunity to dive into a magical world created by TJ Klune.

Thank you to @netgalley and #torpublishing for the #gifted copy of this book!

I will be a forever reader of Mr. Klunes novels because they are so darn creative and addictive. This sweet adventure includes a ragtag group of friends/family that are not all human. In fact, most are robots made of metal found in the scrap yards and most are built with love either from Gio, Vic’s father or Vic himself. They live in a far off treehouse far away from the rest of civilization to make sure they are safe from the living machines and beings in The City if Electric Dreams.

One day, Gio is taken against his will, his memory wiped and unfortunately reprogrammed to destroy all humans. Vic and the rest of the family set off the find Gio and bring him back.

💭 Klune is such a skillful master of painting such descriptive characters and settings. I honestly can envision all the magic he writes. The world and setting from scrapyard, treehouse to being shoved in a box….I was right there with them on this adventurous journey. The characters in this story were so endearing I wanted to hug each and every one of them.

And let me tell you, holy moly I need a Nurse Ratched in my life! My favorite part of the book is when Nurse Ratched deploys her empathetic behavior, followed by immediately taking it away. I cannot tell you how many times in this book that alone made me laugh out loud. The loving relationship between Vic and Gio, Vic and Hap and the rambling Rambo were enough to just squeeze my heart. Simply perfection!

I certainly cannot wait for more from Klune! He is 100% and autobuy author for me! Thank you for sharing your magic!

I previously read The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune and really enjoyed it. I was really looking forward to having the same experience this time around but was sadly disappointed. I made it 50% through before DNF'ing. I really hate not following through until the end but was confident that not much would change after already making it half way.
The dialogue and humor this time around just didn't do it for me. I didn't find any of it to be funny or witty at all : (
I'm glad others enjoyed it. Will hold out for another book that can match his first.

Very disappointed...,.,...........to have finished this book. I've been utterly swept away by the world T J Klune has artfully sculpted. What on earth am I going to do, now I no longer have Nurse Ratched and Rambo in my life! The characters and settings are so skillfully carved, you can almost reach out and touch them!

I genuinely laughed out loud unexpectedly so many times, that my dog refused to sit on my knee anymore, and took himself off to bed.

There is sooooo much humanity and humour in this book, which is ironic as it is essentially about machines. But it also has some really important things to say about what humans are doing to this planet. And it raises really interesting questions, such as what makes us human? What makes a family?

The dialogue between characters is exceptional, and allows the reader to really appreciate the quirky personalities and behaviours of our protagonists. But did I really fall in love with an anxious hoover, and a sociopathic mechanical nurse? Well Yes. Yes I did!

I haved loved T J Klune's previous work and genuinely feel he is one of the most under appreciated authors of our time. This book only served to cement my high opinion of his work. Bravo!

Not my favorite of Klune’s books, but still worth a read. It’s a twisted retelling of Pinocchio, where the only human in a world of puppets has to find his dad and become the hero. His two companions were by far the best part and had me laughing throughout. I felt like the plot dragged a bit in places and some of the parts felt forced to fit the Pinocchio narrative, but it was still a nice story. I also appreciated the ace rep that wasn’t entirely aromantic. Very nice touch.

"What are the rules?"
"Stick together. Run if we have to."
"No dallying," she said. "No drilling, though that is the dumbest rule."
He finished: "And above all else, be brave."

***

Giovanni "Gio" Lawson, a 'retired' and lonely inventor, stumbles over an abandoned and run-down building in the middle of the woods and knows immediately that he's found the place he wants to call home. he lovingly fixes it up and, once he's filled the house with all his little gadgets and leftovers, he expands upward in a variety of treehouses that are carefully settled among the branches of the biggest fir tree in the clearing.

3 slow (and painfully lonely) years later, Gio hears a noise outside and finds a man and woman fleeing from the cover of the nearby trees. the woman carries a baby in her arms and begs Giovanni to take him and keep him safe; they swear they'll be back for him as soon as they can safely return, and then quickly exit under the pressing anxiety of whoever or whatever is chasing them catching up.

they never come back. Giovanni names the baby Victor, who grows up to become an inventor himself. Vic has a terrible habit of going to the local Scrap Yards to scavenge, a place that is very dangerous as it's crowded with giant non-sentient machines called Old Ones who just dump scrap metal and tech garbage in enormous unstable piles. Vic goes nonetheless, because sometimes he can find robots that he can actually repair. this is where he recovered the rest of his family; Nurse Ratched, an old medical bot with sociopathic tendencies and a hilarious sense of humor, and Rambo, a tiny robot vacuum with terrible anxiety who always tries to be brave.


"The squirrel has been treated," she announced, her screen displaying the words ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PATIENT INTERACTION. "It no longer has rabies and has gone to stay at a farm in the mountains with other squirrels where it will live happily ever after. Disengaging Empathy Protocol. I feel empty inside."
"Is it your sociopathy?" Rambo asked nervously as Vic turned his face toward the sky, praying to whatever would listen for the strength to go on.


Vic's relationships with Nurse Ratched, Rambo and Giovanni are at the heart of this book. he loves them all tremendously and they love him in return and when things go sideways the whole family takes off on the adventure together. their loyalty to one another was truly unparalleled. found family is my absolute favorite trope and nobody does it like Klune.

I particularly loved the way Nurse Ratched spoke to Vic. there were some hilarious moments, such as this one:


"See?" he told them as they left the Old One behind. "Nothing to it."
"Yes," Nurse Ratched said. "Absolutely nothing to it. I would be impressed except I do not find idiocy impressive. If I did, I would flirt with you."


but there were also some really touching ones. Vic is canonically asexual, which is absolutely lovely to see because it's so rarely featured in big publisher books. and apart from the representation itself being awesome to see, there's this really sweet passage with Vic thinking back to when he first understood what asexuality was, and Nurse Ratched talking him through it.


It wasn't until Nurse Ratched explained that sexuality was on a spectrum that it started to make more sense. She said it wasn't unheard of for people to identify as asexual, meaning those who were "ace" didn't experience attraction in the same way others did. Sex-positive or sex-repulsed, there was no wrong way to be.
"So I'm not malfunctioning?" Vic had asked nervously, mulling the word "asexual" over in his mind.
"You are not," Nurse Ratched had replied. "I also do not experience sexual attraction, and I am perfect. The same could arguably be said about you."


apart from Nurse Ratched being genuinely hilarious, the emotional gutpunch of the conversation was amazing! there's something refreshing about reading books that take place in non-heteronormative worlds that make it easier to exist in the crappy one we have.

and also, this book's nuanced commentary on mortality and death and grief were just incredible. Klune has a way of writing when it comes to grief. (his previous book, Under the Whispering Door, was extremely timely for me as I read it shortly after my dad passed. it was immensely healing to see death portrayed as a new door being opened.)

I'm so excited to recommend this book to people at the library and cannot wait for it be to published so I can start sharing it. I'm giving this book a confident 5/5 rating and believe wholeheartedly that it's the least it deserves.

***

"It is not a flaw, Victor. There must be no greater feeling in the world than to know that this isn't forever."

queer rep - achillean asexual mc, achillean love interest, bg nonbinary (they/them) characters
thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc ✨