As much as I enjoyed the characters, their relationships, and the world of In The Lives Of Puppets, I had to put it down at 60%. The story dragged and the pacing was off. Some parts would go so quickly, and other parts just seemed to go on forever. The dialogue was unlikeable and even annoying at parts, quirks of speech for the characters aside.

I was really looking forward to reading this one since I've heard such good things about Klune, but I was reading myself into a slump the more I forced myself to read.

If you’re familiar with TJ Klune, then you know to expect a heartwarming, sometimes bittersweet, emotional queer love story. In the Lives of Puppets is no exception, except the love interest is an android and the story is loosely based on Pinocchio (more of a nod to its origins than an actual retelling). On a personal level, this story wasn’t for me - I have a visceral dislike of Pinocchio and struggle with human/android love stories, but if you’re fine with those aspects, you’re in for a treat. And either way, Nurse Ratched and Rambo are maybe the two funniest robots in recent fiction.

I’ll be honest, I really really tried to love this one but I think it was a miss for me. Every page I read was work, and after a few too many attempts at getting into this one I ended up DNF-ing this one at 57%. Life is too short to read books that don’t bring you joy. With that said, I do think TJ Klune got really close to a hit with this novel and if you’re a fan of his or maybe just really like Pinocchio or that Haley Joel Osment movie from the early 2000’s about a little robot boy/artificial intelligence this will probably be for you.

As always thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read cool things before they get published. It’s an honor and a pleasure most of the time!

Although I love the charming style Klune seems to have in all of his novels, I struggled with the narrative of this one. It took me much longer to read than normal, however I did find the characters lovable and funny.

When I tell you I squealed when I saw I was approved for an ARC of this book! I'd been eagerly awaiting its publication since 2021, when I first discovered TJ Klune and I read the description of In the Lives of Puppets, a queer Pinocchio retelling featuring robots. SIGN ME UP.

Now, is Pinocchio one of my least favourite Disney movies? Yes. I have probably blocked most of it at this point, all I know is that it always filled me with anxiety. This book did the opposite of that. I laughed, I cried, but above all, it filled me with hope and a renewed sense of faith in humanity, as all good science fiction books usually do.

In this story, we follow Victor, a young man who lives in a forest with his dad, a robot inventor named Giovanni, and his friends, a slightly sociopathic robot nurse (Nurse Ratched) and an anxious little robot vacuum (Rambo). One day, Victor salvages an unfamiliar robot named HAP and brings him back to life, unleashing a chain of events that wrenches Victor from his safe secluded life, forcing him to learn many unwanted truths about himself and his world.

I absolutely adore this story, and it is definitely one I will be rereading upon publication. I immediately fell in love with the characters (I will be making many inspirational posters from Nurse Ratched's aggressive quotes, like <i>WOMAN UP, BUCKO. THIS WON'T HURT A BIT</i>). In true Klune fashion, the writing is a perfect mix of humourous and emotional. The themes explored include love, family, and friendship, which also appear in his other standalone novels, but I thought this one added nuances in its exploration of forgiveness and what it means to be human.

As a veteran sci-fi reader, one who grew up on Asimov's robot stories, I felt that the science in this book was not very rigorous, but I didn't mind, as I was more invested in the characters and their journey. There is a hint of romance which was very cute.

<b>In summary, if you like stories about found families, lovable murderous robots, and impossible quests, I would thoroughly recommend this book.</b>

<i>Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest feedback.</i>

TJ Klune delivers a clever, whimsical, quietly thought-provoking, and at times heartbreaking tale with “In the Lives of Puppets.” I enjoyed it tremendously - from discussions of humanity and what it is to forgive to found family and cheesy comic relief this story packs a punch. This story is one to savored, especially if you feel a malfunction coming on.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. TJ Klune can do no wrong! What a wonderful novel. The world that Klune has crafted is incredible and the book takes the reader through quite the whirlwind. A must read!

I was so excited to get an advanced copy of In the Lives of Puppets. I love T.J. Klune’s works, and Under the Whispering Door is one of my all-time favorite reads. I enjoyed this one, but I also have some mixed feelings about parts of the story I adored the main characters and the relationships, and the dialogue is exceptional. I also love the writing and Klune’s storytelling. The author has a way of touching your heartstrings and pulling you in from the start with endearing and memorable characters and storylines. Throughout my reading, I highlighted so many quotes that moved me or spoke to me in some way. Klune knows how to put in words feelings that are often inexplicable.

If you took iRobot, the beginning of WALL·E, Pinocchio, and The Wizard of Oz and smashed them all together with a little bit of Swiss Family Robinson, you would have this book. It has thought-provoking dystopian elements and messages, an epic journey, a beautiful love story between a father and a son, and a cool tree house made from scraps. But the stars of the book are the characters.

Like Klune’s other works, the found family in this story is brilliant. Vic’s bond with his father is wonderful. From the first chapter when Gio speaks of his love for baby Vic, I could feel the deep and true bond between father and son, and I hoped beyond hope that they would reunite. Vic's new relationship with Hap, a humanoid Vic. Rambo, and Nurse Ratched save from the junkyard is also fabulous and heartwarming. I also loved Rambo and Nurse Ratched! Rambo is an anxious Roomba (so cute!), and Nurse Ratched reminded me of a snarky, sociopathic version of Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons. They are both quite devoted to Vic, the only human in the story, and they kind of remind me of the relationship Luke Skywalker had with R2D2 and C-3PO except way funnier. Rambo and Nurse Ratched’s conversations and endless dialogue are hilarious and charming, and there are so many laugh-out-loud moments. However, by the end, some of their joking became a bit too much.

The messages are also really powerful and thought-provoking. It’s a dystopia, so it makes you think about what brought society to this point. Is it possible to forgive? What makes us human? What makes a family? What lengths are you willing to go to for someone you love? Can people (and robots) change? What is the cost of indifference? There are so many interesting ideas explored. However, at the end of the book, I was left with some questions that weren’t answered, especially regarding the world and the background story. I was disappointed that these elements weren’t explored in more detail and resolved. I also thought the ending was a bit abrupt, especially since I was left with more questions than answers.

All in all, I enjoyed the story. The characters and writing style are amazing, and the story is very touching. I think fans of Klune or heartwarming sci-fi fantasies will enjoy the book, especially if they like strong and unique family units and futuristic worlds.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It brought me joy, it made me cry, it was fun and cozy and all of the characters were absolute delights. The heart of Wall-E, the ingenuity of Pinocchio, and the adventure of Swiss Family Robinson. This book has it all!! I would expect no less from TJ.

I immediately thought of Anakin Skywalker in the beginning when he was looking for scraps in the scrapyard. Victor looking for pieces with his robot friends, that he helped rescue, just gave you that good feeling but also understand that he is still alone. And the love he has for his mechanical father in the beginning is heartwarming. I love Nurse Ratchet’s humor! It is uplifting at times. I have caught myself laughing out loud at some of the funny remarks.
I love the way this book shows the difference in human emotions and programmed emotions. Humans need validation, reassurance and encouragement. Robots, on the other hand, do not. I love the reference to Wizard of Oz when he says “Once, there was a woodsman make of tin. He said, “I shall take the heart, for brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.” Rambo laughed . “Tin. Are you sure?” Sounds fake, but Okay”

When Victor finds the humanlike robot, HAP, in the scrapyard. His life is set on a path that his father, Gio, never wanted for him. Victor will find out the truth about HAP, Gio, and his own past. Things his father would rather have been kept hidden to protect Victor. Now, Gio is gone and Victor and his friends must take a journey to the City to find Gio and bring him home.

It is a remarkable retelling of a beloved classic Pinocchio in a futuristic setting. For example, a huge robotic whale takes Victor’s father, so he sets out to find where it took him and bring him back home. I absolutely love this story! I would highly recommend it to everyone!

In the Lives of Puppets is indeed, full of life. The characters are so lovable and say the most charming and witty things. I enjoyed the characters immensely. However, the plot is dull. Very little happens to propel it along. Sure, there are some interesting events that happen sporadically, but it’s not enough to make the plot satisfying. This is a chronic problem I have had with Klune’s work. I will say that Vic, Rambo, Nurse Ratched, and Gio have imprinted on my soul. I love them so much. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am not at all surprised that I loved this book. This was quite a bit different from Cerulean Sea & Whispering Door with the sci-fi themes and dystopian approach but it still had the unbelievably adorable characters you couldnt help but fall in love with. Who would have thought that a book about robots would make me laugh out loud (many times, ask my husband) and then bring me to tears? This book really focused on the importance of family, all shapes and sizes and what you would do for the people (or robots) you love. There were hilarious one liners, sarcastic and sassy robots, action, and romance. This book was also incredibly sad at times in many ways. The reason this book isnt a 5 for me was the pacing was a bit slow and I wanted more in the end. I am not sure what "more" that is. And if I could read a novella just with Rambo & Nurse Ratched I would be absolutely stoked. They may be the funniest characters I have read in a long time. I highlighted so many sarcastic comments from Nurse Ratched. In the words of Rambo....I want to be her when I grow up.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. Each character was so distinct and really had their own voice and storyline. It both felt very reminiscent of how TJ Klune can always make you feel, and yet something totally new. If I had one critique, I would say that the story was a bit longer than necessary. Although there were no parts of the book that I disliked, I am taking away that this book's main goal is to make you feel things as opposed to remember every detail of the plot to try and figure out the ending. I think it probably wasnt about 15-20% in that I really felt connected to the story, but by the end I was very invested in what was going to happen. Very heartfelt, very worthwhile, and I would certainly recommend to anyone who has enjoyed one of Klune's past books or anyone trying to get into cozy fantasy.

This book went from delightful to hear warming to heart rending and back! Cinematic in its scope and descriptions (hopefully someone is smart enough to see its potential as an amazing animated feature film) In the Lives of Puppets is quite the ride. Full of witty dialogue and a thought provoking plot I couldn’t put this one down. Billed as a queer retelling of Pinocchio, and there are many Pinocchio-esque features in this novel, that description falls far short of what the story is, which is an absolutely wonderful piece of writing. Loved Nurse Ratched and Rambo’s banter.. reminded me somewhat of R2-D2 and C-3PO! And at the “heart” of it all a beautiful story about love in all its various incarnations. Just wonderful. Am I gushing too much?

At this point, I will pick up and read every TJ Klune book that comes out. I have enjoyed both his adult and YA books so I was excited when I received this eARC. I preordered my copy months ago, had completely forgotten the synopsis, and was able to start reading without any idea what was in store.

"In the Lives of Puppets" starts in the middle of a forest with a human and his robot friends. Before reading, I did not realize that I needed a Sci-Fi book set in nature! The characters are all entertaining and I found myself snorting out loud on multiple occasions.

I got what I expected with any book by TJ Klune: witty banter, a vivid setting, and a story full of heart. Twenty pages until the end, I still did not know what would happen. But as I read the last words, there was that feeling of the story ending up exactly where it should.

If you want a book that you can immerse yourself into, with characters that jump (or roll) off the page, and leave with more hope for humanity, pick up this book.

(Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for the eARC!)

This book was so wildly imaginative, as expected from TJ Klune. It was moving and heart wrenching and bittersweet, completely compelling from start to finish. I didn’t know that it was a sort of retelling going in, but all of the references were handled well and were very enjoyable, and the story wasn’t so close to any other it paid homage to to make it tedious or predictable. Completely lovely, I can’t wait for this to officially release so I can read it again.

I love anything Disney related. Yes, I know Pinocchio was around before Disney but Disney was my first experience with Pinocchio. That alone had me wanting to sign up for this one! I loved everything about this. It completely crossed multiple genres and makes me remember why I love TJ Klune so much.

This book was okay. The concept of Pinocchio in the end times was intriguing, but I felt it was just okay in its execution. The author did a good job of weaving together themes of humanity and hope, and I appreciated the humor (Rambo had me laughing out loud) and heart in the story. However, I didn't find it as engaging as some of TJ Klune's other work, such as The House in the Cerulean Sea. Despite this, I was still touched by some of the passages in the book and the idea of a more considerate and compassionate society that the author presents.

Thanks to NetGalley, Author TJ Klune, and Tor Publishing Group for the access to this eARC for an honest review.

TJ Klune is all about writing heart-warming stories and In The Lives of Puppets is no different. A Futuristic retelling of Pinocchio in a dystopian world filled with robots, this book is funny, eccentric and a thought-provoking look at love and acceptance - no matter who or what you are.

TJ Klune has written another incredible story! I was not sure what to expect from this story, but the first few chapters had me - Victor and the robot friends he has are too perfect. An anxious little roomba, a straightforward take no nonsense Nurse robot and his father Gio, a creative soul - they were all so different and funny together. Then they find a new friend to bring into their lives and he really completes the group.

Without giving any spoilers, this group goes on the adventure of a lifetime, learning about themselves, learning about each other and building trust that will never go away. It’s a sweet story, well written and funny.

The one reason I’m not giving it 5 stars, as that I almost wish the ending gave us more. To me it ended leaving me not feeling super fulfilled and wishing there was maybe one more chapter or so.

But overall a great book! I’m a TJ fan through and through.