A lovely speculative adaptation of Collodi's Pinnochio, Klune's IN THE LIVES OF PUPPETS weaves a touching and dreamlike tale I'd love to spend more time in.

I will admit, I am not a fan of the story Pinocchio, but it's T.J. Klune and I will basically read whatever he writes.

What makes us human? What is humanity? These are some of the questions Klune sets out to answer in his book about robots and humans and a robot run world.

Victor is on a quest to save his father Gio, who has been taken by the machines. See, Gio is also a machine with a very dark and secretive past, but he's also Vic's father. And Gio might be reprogrammed and forget all about Vic, and Rambo and Nurse Rachet. And so Vic, a real boy, sets out on his adventure with his family and newcomer Hap, who doesn't remember where he's from but may have an important role to come.

I love love love Rambo and Nurse Rachet. They added so much comic relief. I think I'll miss them the most. Can we get a short story with just the two of them??? They are my favorite!!!

The world Klune built is fantastical and scary. All of the different robots they meet on their journey are intriguing side characters. There's a lot of imagination in this book, with houses that shift and change shape and mechanical hearts. There's a lot of love between these pages.

And hope.

I’m working my way through tj klune’s books and I’m loving every second of it! I don’t know why it took me all year to get into this author!

Victor Lawson is the last human left on earth. But of course, he doesn't know that. His father, Gio, a humanoid robot designed to create, raised him deep in the woods, building and restoring other robots to join their small family and raising Vic without the knowledge of the outside world. But when the government finds Vic and Gio's hiding spot and takes Gia back to the City of Electric Dreams, Vic decides he must save his father. Accompanied by Nurse Rachet, a robotic medical caregiver, Rambo the talking Roomba, and his new find HAP (Hysterically Angry Puppet, Vic ventures from the forrest into the real world, discovering for the first time that this new world kills all humans. Furthermore, HAP, whom Vic rescued from the junkyard, is actually a wiped HARP, a series of robots designed to hunt and eradicate the human race. A design made by Gio himself. Vic and his team must learn how to survive their journey while protecting Vic from being killed, as well as learning to trust HAP and his ability to change and adapt from his previously murderous form. All while attempting to save Gio and restore him to his fatherly, loving self.

Like all of TJ Klune's novels, In the Lives of Puppets is a heartwarming soft-fantasy that delves into deeper themes of LGBTQIA identity, what it means to be human, and our places in a functioning, cohesive, accepting society. I especially love the ace/aro representation from Victor, as well as the hilarity that came from a world made almost entirely of robots. Klune was able to analyze humanity from a deeper level than ever before, and while there were slow moments that left me wishing for action, the conclusion was beautiful.

5 stars!
In the Lives of Puppets takes the classic story of Pinocchio and flips it on its head. What happens when a real human boy is surrounded by nothing but robots?
I absolutely loved this cozy-ish queer science fiction adventure. A found family that starts with Gio, an android, who raises his human son Victor, and they grow to include Nurse Registered Automaton To Care Heal Educate and Drill (or Nurse Ratched), a self-professed sociopath who threatens to drill everyone and Rambo, a Roomba vacuum who is quite the anxious little guy but I found to be such a delight. The final piece is Hap, an android Vic finds in the nearby scrapyard. However, Hap and Gio seem to have more than just Victor in common.
I read the eARC in tandem with the audiobook and found it to be so pleasant. The reader, Daniel Henning, is fantastic and brings such life (pun not intended) to each character.
I can absolutely see myself rereading this book time and again over the years. My thanks to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so charming and wholesome. In the Lives of Puppets was my first TJ Klune novel, and I was pleasantly surprised by how addicted I was to this book. It was funny and created a very immersive dystopian plot that I kept wanting to return to. It was fun and exciting while also being tender and heartwarming. A great queer novel with child-like wonder and great humor. In the Lives of Puppets is about a dystopian world where humans no longer exist except for one, Victor. Victor's father is a droid as well as his three friends. Read this to find out where the humans have gone; I promise you won't regret it!

This book, like all of Klune's work, is magical. In this book, the author has created enthralling characters and unusual plot lines that invite you to consider the concept of humanity. This trope is not an uncommon one - AI, robots, creation - but Klune has bought a youthful and magical twist to it all. I cannot recommend this book more.

I really enjoyed the first part of this book. We are following Vic, the human son of robot inventor Gio. They live in the forest with two other robots, Nurse Ratched and Rambo. One day, while exploring the scrap yard, they find HAP and bring him home. Vic fixes him up and gives him a heart. After that, things pretty much go down hill. Gio is taken, and it's up to the others to rescue him.

I loved Nurse Ratched and Rambo! They were my favorites and brought the comic relief, light-heartedness, and fun family bickering. They were hilarious and I would read a book with just the two of them going about their day.

The second part of this book seemed a little disconnected for me. After they left the woods to rescue Gio, it felt almost like a different book. Still enjoyable tho. I will say, I for sure cried during the ending/epilogue. It was sad and sweet and seemed hopeless at first. The ending of the epilogue was more hopeful, but you know it would never be the same.

I look forward to reading more of TJ Klune's work very soon. Especially with the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea coming out next year!

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, what an extraordinary and enchanting journey! "In the Lives of Puppets," by New York Times best-selling author T. J. Klune, takes us through a unique and fascinating tale, blending the nostalgia of Pinocchio with an epic adventure in a peculiar world.
In the quirky treehouse, three robots reside — the fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum eager for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, also calls it home. They form an unlikely, hidden, and safe family.
The story unfolds when Victor salvages and repairs an unknown android named "HAP." At this moment, we discover a dark past shared between Hap and Gio, a past dedicated to hunting humans. When Hap inadvertently alerts robots from Gio's former lab about 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. Now, the rest of Vic's makeshift family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.

Throughout this quest to save Gio, amid conflicting feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic is faced with a crucial choice: can he accept love with strings attached?
Inspired by Carlo Collodi's "The Adventures of Pinocchio" and with the vibe of "Swiss Family Robinson" meets "Wall-E," "In the Lives of Puppets" is a brilliant standalone fantasy adventure from the beloved author who brought you "The House in the Cerulean Sea" and "Under the Whispering Door."
The narrative is an epic quest of rescue and discovery, with the author's trademark charm, heart, and a touch of bittersweetness. Klune once again delivers a story that captivates and tugs at the heartstrings.
For those who enjoyed his previous works, this book is an impressive addition to the collection. And for those diving into T. J. Klune's world for the first time, get ready to be wrapped in a blanket of warmth, creativity, and a story that will stay with you long after you close the book.
I sincerely thank NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books, for providing early access to the ebook. The opportunity to explore this story before the official release made my reading experience even more special and enriching. I am grateful for this generous opportunity!

This book was so unserious until it wasn't, and I loved it! Like with The House in the Cerulean Sea, you get a seemingly odd assortment of characters who you fall in love with and a story that warms your heart. An interesting mix of fairytales with science fiction make for an approachable sci-fi book even if it's not the genre you normally gravitate toward. My one criticism of the book would be that the story unfolded very slowly but felt a little rushed at the end. Maybe it's just because I didn't want to leave the characters, or maybe I was waiting for more of a resolution because I (selfishly) wanted an entire world solution. Overall loved this one and will continue to read anything TJ Klune writes!

Take of love and family! My son giggles several times reading this book to himself. Great characters, especially the side kicks! Highly recommend!

I love tj klunes writing! So full of feeling and life. This book was magical. Sweet and heartwarming. Deep. A retelling of Pinocchio mixed with robots. I cried so many tears, but my heart is better for it. Highly recommend!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 "In the Lives of Puppets" is a captivating fantasy adventure that seamlessly weaves together elements of family, love, and the complex dynamics between humans and robots. The story unfolds in a peculiar home nestled within the branches of a tree, where an unlikely family of robots and a human, Victor Lawson, coexist in hidden harmony.

The characters, especially the fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson and the enigmatic android 'HAP,' bring a unique charm to the narrative. As Victor salvages and repairs 'HAP,' a dark shared past between HAP and Gio surfaces - a past spent hunting humans. This revelation sets the stage for a gripping journey filled with conflict, loyalty, and self-discovery.

The world-building is imaginative and otherworldly, taking readers on a journey across an unforgiving country as the family races against time to rescue Gio from his former life. The nods to Carlo Collodi's 'The Adventures of Pinocchio' add a layer of depth and nostalgia to the narrative.

What sets this book apart is the unexpected emotional connection I felt with the robotic characters. The author skillfully explores themes of love, acceptance, and the complexities of relationships, making the reader genuinely care for these non-human entities.

"In the Lives of Puppets" is a masterful standalone fantasy that showcases the Klune's storytelling prowess. The adventure is rich in both whimsy and heart, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read. Who would have thought I'd connect so deeply with robots? A delightful surprise that elevates this book to a four-star gem. 📚🤖❤️ #BookReview #InTheLivesOfPuppets #FantasyAdventure #UnexpectedConnections

Thank you SO much to TOR and Netgalley for allowing me an early sneak peak at In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune. Luckily for me, TJ Klune is an absolute auto-buy author for me. I have read *almost* everything he's ever published and I've absolutely loved everything I've read so far. In the Lives of Puppets is no different! The story is a sci-fi retelling / reimagining of Pinocchio and is heartwarming to say the least. Much like his previous few novels, the characters are 100% the reason his books are so good. How can I learn to love a talking vacuum? When someone asks me how to describe Klune's writing style, the only word I can ever conjure is "whimsical". He literally transports you to another world and if only for a moment you have escaped all of your woes and worries of the real world. While admittedly, a little long, I still love this book so much! Unputdownable.

While I looooved the House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door did not have quite the same overwhelming affect on me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect for TJ Klune’s most recent release. Luckily, it exceeded my hopes and then some! Though it was somewhat predictable, it only was because it was a critique on humanity and technology, both of which have yet to truly shock me. It was moving and beautifully written; Klune can really world-build in a way that is so accurate to real-life yet a dreamworld or two above it. He painted such beautiful imagery in what should have been a familiar dystopian with such distinct and funny personalities in each new character. The humor is clever and tactfully woven in with wonderful emotion.

On top of all the usual creative fantasy, there’s an asexual character! And not at all one I’ve read anything similar to before!

True to form for Klune, this book was exactly what I have come to expect from all his writing - a clever, heartwrentching, and beautifully human story that can be classified as more of an experience then a mere novel.

I loved this book and we have been stocking and selling it! Tj Klune is one of my favourite LGBT Authors (apologies for this review being so late!)

T.J. Klune has a way with words- there's no doubt about that. I definitely liked this story much less than Cerulean and Whispering Door. While the characters themselves were funny and endearing, I still didn't feel fully invested in their journey. It almost felt like.... nothing really happened? Also reading this made me realize I have no idea what the Pinocchio story is. I got vibes of The Wizard of Oz instead.

If TJ Klune knows how to write anything, it would be found family. As a long-time lover of TJ Klune's books, I can safely say I would die for any of these characters. They are all richly developed and endearing to read about. You can't help but want to root for all of them and want them to succeed. I also think that the most important aspect about TJ Klune's books is that it always reminds me to be optimistic about the world and people. It is so refreshing to read a book that confronts the harsh realities of humanity while never shedding the hopeful tone for a better future.

However, out of the previous books that I have read from TJ Klune (House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door), I do have to conclude that this is my least favorite. I think this book lacked the depth that the other two had in terms of the journey. The ending also felt a bit rushed and I would've liked to see more interaction between Gio and Victor.

Overall, this book still carries the charm of all TJ Klune's books and I had a good time reading it.

Gentle sci-fi - a Pinocchio retelling - is probably the best way to genre-fy this. There is a lot of heart, as one would expect from the author of Under the Whispering Door. The robot characters were funny and added some needed levity.

I didn't find this very interesting or look forward to picking it back up. The conflict just wasn't appealing to me.

I will keep reading what Klune writes.