I love TJ Klune’s writing style and how he builds worlds and strong lovable quirky characters. Gio the creator builds a beautiful home in the woods. He has Victor his son and they make their own family. From old machines they bring to life Rambo a vacuum, nurse and HAP. Each machine has their own personality and sense of humor and just funny.

The nurse was my favorite character and she had so many funny lines and just loved her funny personality and humor.

This is a queer retelling of Pinocchio which is just so heart warming.

I really do like Klune's writing so much, but this one was missing a little something for me. I still really enjoyed the book, but not as much as Klune's previous novels. We will definitely be adding to our collection.

Everything TJ KLUNE writes is GOLD and this one is not exception.

The beginning is a little slow, but it is to be expected to set up the world. Once I got to about 35%, it picked up a a lot.

There’s adventure, found family, romance, and robots! The last 20% made me tear up.

TJ KLUNE has a way with making you fall in love with characters. I laughed out loud sooo much reading this book. Nurse Ratched was by far my favorite. Her dry and sarcastic humor had me dying.

The romance was sweet and the chemistry off the charts.

This book is fantastic and a 5 star for me. TJ KLUNE just has a way of writing the found family trope that no one else can surpass. If you’ve read any of his other books, you will love this one!

Highly recommend!

First of all, a major thank you to Tor for this ARC copy of In the Lives of Puppets- I was SO incredibly excited to be approved for this title! I am a huge fan of House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, so I was already looking forward to this one. This book pulled at my heartstrings- I loved the interactions between characters and found myself actually giggling out loud at some of the dialogue. This story explores identity, humanity, family, grief, and forgiveness in such a heartwarming AND heartbreaking way. I think anyone could find a lot of meaning in this book- I thought there were a lot of really important messages and quotes throughout the story, and I think it could really resonate with a large audience. That being said, I would probably recommend Under the Whispering Door to someone over this book, just based on my personal preference! Again, thank you for the opportunity to read In the Lives of Puppets, and be sure to check it out when it's released this April!

TJ Klune is master of creating a fantasy world and filling it with characters you can’t help but love. His latest novel, In the Lives of Puppets, is no different. In his previous two novels he has given us a disgruntled or unhappy character and carried them through the narrative until they found their happiness. In this novel he starts us with a character that has it all, and then he takes it all away.

I loved these characters. Their emotion was palpable, whether it was joy, sorrow, or any emotion in between. I have not read such humanity in characters in a long time… and from robots no less!

I LOVE TJ Klune his books are just so amazing. The writing, the plot, the characters, everything was amazing in this book. I don't even usually like dystopian type books (I'm not sure this is listed as dystopian) but somehow TJ Klune made me fall in love with this world. I really enjoyed everything about this book. I would definitely recommend it to a friend!

This book was SUCH a delight and my favorite read from TJ Klune so far.

I'm not usually sold on retellings or fiction that explores the philosophical connections between AI/robots and humanity, but this hooked me right from the beginning. It's such a sweet story of found family, redemption, and identity. It's funny, deep, and sometimes heartbreaking. I adored the ending, especially compared to what Klune's book "Under the Whispering Door" left me wanting.

My only complaint is that I wish there had been a more intentional or thorough exploration of Victor's asexuality. I haven't come across a lot of books with asexual characters who aren't also aromantic, so this was a really interesting and necessary representation. But any discussion of it felt somewhat disjointed from the rest of the narrative.

Also, not a criticism of the book but of the blurb: it reveals WAY too much! I think it needs to be cut back, because it really took away from a good majority of any surprise factor in the first half of the book. I think it can be rewritten in an effective way that sells the story without spoiling anything. This is my biggest recommendation for the book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC!

I wanted to love this book the way I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, but there was just something missing for me. Whereas u couldn’t put the other two down, I struggled to pick this one up and continue reading. I felt less connected to the characters and less invested in the outcome. Maybe it was the sci-fi aspect to the story. Still a solid read, just lacked the magic of his previous ones.

I absolutely love TJ Klune's books and this new one has made my list. It is a fantastic sci-fi, a little dystopian story filled with adventure and love. The fact that Klune can make robots such engaging characters says so much for his writing. His novels always have a morale and Puppets is no different. - definetly buying this in hardcover when it is published.

Loved every single second. I loved nurse ratched and Rambo so much. This would be such a beautiful film. Their banter/dialogue truly made this book and I’ve already preordered a copy to put on my shelf!

Gio is a creator who lives with his son Vic in the Woods of a futuristic world run by robots. They seem to be in hiding, living outside of the general population with re-built robots named Nurse Ratched and Rambo. When they are discovered one day and separated Vic and the robots begin a journey to reclaim Gio and find what their purpose is in this new world. Though a much darker world than those in Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door, Klune still gives the reader a look at love and hope for a better future.

“All right. What are the rules?”
“Stick together!”
“Run if we have to.”
“No dallying!”
“No drilling.”
“And above all else, be brave!”

It is no surprise to anyone that I love TJ Klune. When I read House in the Cerulean Sea, I instantly fell in love with his beautiful ability to create the most heartfelt found family stories. In The Lives of Puppets is no exception, and if anything, this might be my favorite book he’s written. I know.. Shocking. In the Lives of Puppets is a story of family and love, but it’s also so much more. It tackles the beautiful and hideous sides of human society in a thoughtful, unique adventure. TJ found a way to mesh the heart of House in the Cerulean Sea, the insightfulness of Under the Whispering Door, and the humor of The Green Creek Series into one. It’s truly a masterpiece.

In the lives of puppets is a Pinocchio retelling that follows a father (android) and son (human) who live in a secluded treehouse in the woods. Other inhabitants of the house include a witty and humorous nurse robot and an anxiety ridden roomba vacuum. One day, Victor (aforementioned human) finds a mysterious robot labeled “HAP” in a local scrap yard. This discovery helps to uncover his father’s dark past, sparking an adventure Victor never thought possible.

There is so much to love about this book. From the characters, to the found family, to the humor, to the adventure, I truly think there is something for everyone. In typical Klune fashion, the found family was top tier. I loved this little group of misfit robots (and human) with all my heart. Each character was crafted so beautifully, with their own distinct personality, you simply cannot not love each and every one of them. However.. Rambo completely stole the show for me. I love that vacuum more than I can put into words. This book was also HILARIOUS. Nurse Ratched is honestly the funniest robot in existence. I was cracking up everytime she opened her mouth.

The romance in this book is adorable, however like many of TJ’s other books, it is not the main focus of the story. Klune puts a stronger emphasis on the found family dynamics for sure. Also, as to be expected, this book has fantastic queer representation, including asexual representation! Victor identifies as asexual and Klune did a phenomenal job with his character. I love how he didn’t shy away from talking about asexuality directly and normalizing Victor’s experience/identity through this book.

Finally, this book makes you think hard about human society, and plays with your emotions while doing so. One second I was crying, another I was cringing, and the next I was smiling like an idiot. Everyone needs to read this stunning novel when it releases on April 25th!

We have been blessed by a new TJ Klune book!

In the same style as every Klune book I've read so far, we get this beautiful gift of a gift, with a gentle story told with love and care. In this case, we have a retelling of the original Pinocchio, though there's a feeling of Wizard of Oz in some places.

What really shines in this book are the characters.This (literally) found family is so beautifully human, despite almost every one of them being a robot. Except for Victor, who is asexual rep!* I'm obsessed with Rambo, the little roomba that could.

The themes of identity, memory, and family are strongly present. That might be why I didn't connect as much with this book, compared to the last two novels of Klune's, because these themes aren't pertinent in my own life. But I am certain they'll be powerful for a whole bunch of readers.

I wish there was a bit more exploration of the world, but I understand that the focus was meant to be on the characters. But as a result, the plot felt a little... easy? The stakes were high, but I felt the characters made it through them a bit too easily for me.

It's a fun, beautiful read that's perfect for fans of the author and for readers who are just discovering him.

*There's a big debate in the community, though, that I need to point out. We aces are trying to step away from the robot analogy. You would not BELIEVE how many times we hear it. So while I love Vic, and he does represent a fully believable asexual character, the fact that he was raised by robots, in a world of robots, brings the analogy a little too close for comfort.

This book is something very special and I want to keep it close to my heart forever. The story of the lawsons is touching, funny and adventurous at the same time.

Klune writes witty and charismatic characters, especially Nurse Ratched made me laugh out loud through the book.

I enjoyed every second of this fantastic (or more sci fi) read and hope to read more from this amazing author.

His last book is already on our recommended book shelf and this new one will be for sure too!

T.J. Klune just doesn't seem to miss. This book is full of heart (figuratively, but also literally) and little emotions that eviscerated me. I loved this book. There's more to say, of course there is, but the words escape me, so I'll just write this: only Klune could create the end of the world as we know it with charm and wistfulness. Dystopia has never been so whimsical, or so gut wrenching.

What a wonderful and unique retelling! I love books that remind me what it means to be human and alive and TJ Klune is so good at that!

Favorite Book Alert!!!

My first read of 2023 set the bar REALLY high!
Honestly * I don't even know what to say! TJ Klune has done it again.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is the perfect book, in my opinion.

Believe it or not, this book has characters as loveable as the ones in Cerulean Sea.
Once upon a time, humanity dreamed of machines that would be just like humans. But machines observed and learned, and eventually, things got a little out of hand.

Victor lives in the middle of the woods with his "father" Gio. A man who's not a man. Victor's friend's are Rambo, an old vacuum, and Nurse Racthed, a vintage robot whose purpose once was to take care of humans.

I swear, these two characters will make you laugh out loud!!! They're probably my favorite part of the whole book.

This book is sci-fi mixed with adventure, romance, drama, and philosophy. It'll make you think of how amazing it is to be a human. How beautiful our flaws are. How incredible it is to feel things.

"Sometimes, it's the smallest things that can change everything when you least expect it."

I recently had the pleasure of reading "In The Lives of Puppets" by TJ Klune, and I must say it was an absolute delight. The story follows a human named Victor, a Nurse Robot named Nurse Ratched, a human hunting robot named HAP, and a vacuum cleaner named Rambo. If anyone can get you to have feels for a vacuum cleaner, it's TJ! There are also a few easter eggs for you if you know what to look for, which is always fun for me.

"In The Lives of Puppets" is a retelling the classic tale of Pinocchio, but with a fresh and modern twist. As a fan of all things TJ Klune, it's no surprise that this story hits big on the themes of found family (one of my favs), forgiveness, and what we owe to each other.

TJ Klune has a gift for creating rich, complex characters that are easy to relate to and root for, and this book is no exception. The characters are all lovable and fully realized, and their relationships with one another are heartwarming and genuine. The writing is top-notch, with vivid descriptions, and dialogue that is funny, poignant, and always on point.

Overall, "In The Lives of Puppets" is a beautifully written, deeply moving tale that will stay with you long after you've finished reading. I highly recommend it to fans of TJ Klune and anyone who loves a queer retelling of a classic story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“Just because you had parts missing doesn’t mean you don’t deserve a chance.”

I was lucky enough to receive and eARC of In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune from TorBooks and the below is my review.

In the Lives of Puppets is a reimagining of Pinocchio that centers on Victor Lawson. Vic is a lone human raised in the forest by an android. Alongside his father and his two best friends (a vacuum with anxiety and a robot nurse with murderous tendencies) Vic learns to love his home and to create. When Vic and his robot friends stumble across a damaged android their lives will never be the same.

Let me start by saying that there is no way this review will do justice to the feelings I have around this book. When I first heard that we were getting a story from Klune that featured an asexual main character AND robots my brain overheated from excitement. Ya girl is an (aro)ace who loves robots and so it feels like this book was made just for me. Despite this book resonating with me in such a personal way, I am confident that others will love it too.

This is a story of creation and of family. It is one of humor and heartache. It’s a mixture of adventure and the mundane. So, yeah. It’s a TJ Klune book. For those that have read much of Klune’s backlog I can say that In the Lives of Puppets is more in the same vein of style as The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door than it is his older works. In my opinion it is TJ Klune’s best work to date. It probably goes without saying, but this one gets five bright and shining stars from me!

In the Lives of Puppets will be released on April 25th, and I can’t wait for that day to be here so you can all meet Vic and his robot family. 💕

Exactly what you expect to get from TJ Klune. Great characters, emotional storyline, colorful theme with underlying messages about humanity— It’s good and bad sides.

Great story. I loved Cerulean Sea so much. This one I liked, but not as much as I’d expect. I’m just not the target audience… Sci-fi vibes.

I didn’t realize the Pinocchio retelling until I read the reviews— I think I’m going to need to watch Pinocchio again now!