In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is a heartfelt and imaginative fantasy that explores themes of identity, love, and what it means to be human. The story follows Victor, an inventor who lives in a forest with his creations—robots and a gentle humanoid named Giovanni—when their peaceful life is disrupted by a mysterious visitor. As they embark on a journey to save the world, Klune weaves a beautiful narrative full of quirky characters, emotional depth, and moments of humor. This novel is a unique blend of whimsy and introspection, making it a must-read for fans of thought-provoking and enchanting tales.

In the Lives of Puppets was not at all what I thought it would be. That being said, I loved it so so much. Gio, an android and inventor, lives with his son Victor in a beautifully cobbled together quaint treehouse, along with Nurse Ratched, a medical robot, and Rambo, a robotic vacuum cleaner. One day, when Victor, Ratched, and Rambo are scavaging in what is ostensibly a junk yard, they find another android, his designation on his front smudged, but appearing to be HAP. What comes afterward is an adventure like nothing I could have imagined and far lovelier than I ever could have hoped. The LGBTQ representation that is the hallmark of many of TJ Klune’s books did not fail to tug at my heartstrings, and I would give a lot to be able to read this again for the first time. Alas I shall have to settle for recommending that others read it for the first time, which I most definitely do. 5 out of 5 stars, read this the second you have a chance. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor publishing for the e-galley.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an advanced reader, copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune has such a stunning cover that I couldn’t help but want to read another one by this author. The book follows an almost Pinocchio like tale that is very LGBTQIA friendly. Nurse Ratched was probably my favorite character but I did enjoy the relationship that formed between Vic and Hap as well. I would have rated the book higher but at times it story seemed to drag on and thus making it not one of my favorite books by this author.

Absolutely adore this author. Ilove their books so much. I'm so grateful I was able to read this book in advance, I missed the feelings this author's books bring

Even though this is not my favourite book by TJ Klune, it was so fun to read. I can't wait to read more by him.

This book felt like all the books I grew up reading and loving but with more off color jokes. I wish I could have had these diverse books growing up!

Take the movie AI with Haley Joel Osment, add in a reverse-pinnochio vibe, and witty and hilarious found family and make it super wholesome and warm and you've got In The Lives of Puppets. What else can I say, TJ Klune knows how to write whimsical fantasy, and pack a lot of heart and relevance into it. I will read anything he writes, including a grocery list!

Started to read this one but could not finish it. It’s too had because I really enjoyed T J Klune’s Cerulean Sea but the last couple of his books I’ve read, I could not get into. For this one, I was not a fan of the forced humor and the off-color jokes. I don’t consider myself a prude but the penis jokes in this were so off-putting. I also found myself distracted from the story by the annoying characters. Stopped at 10%

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune was the first of his books I’ve read, and it made a strong impact on me. At first glance, the story seems straightforward: a boy, his father, and their robot companions set off on an adventure. But as I read, I realized it was much deeper. This book is a poignant exploration of humanity—what it means to love, connect, and embrace our imperfections. Klune captures these themes with a wonderful mix of humor and heart. The humor, a blend of innocence and mischief, added a lightness that perfectly complemented the story’s emotional depth. It kept me smiling and feeling joyful throughout.

The science fiction elements were another highlight. Klune balanced the speculative aspects beautifully, providing just enough detail to make the world feel immersive without overwhelming the reader. It’s a tricky balance to strike, but he nailed it. The story started a bit slowly for me, as the first hundred pages were spent introducing the characters and setting the stage. However, the cozy tone kept me engaged, and once the main conflict emerged, I was completely hooked.

One thing I’ve realized about TJ Klune is that his stories make you feel like a kid again, stepping into a magical world where you root for the good guys and become immersed in the journey. His characters and their world feel so alive, drawing you in and staying with you long after the final page. For me, this is exactly what I hope for when I pick up a book—to be moved, entertained, and left thinking about the story long after it's over.

What I love about Klune's writing is the thought and insight he brings to his stories. They’re never “just stories.” Even if you don’t agree with every idea, the themes will make you reflect, which is always worthwhile. The novel is inspired by Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, though it’s very much its own unique tale. I appreciated that, as I’m not a fan of the original Pinocchio story. Here, “puppets” seem more metaphorical, referencing the strings that influence our thoughts and choices. I also noticed a touch of The Wizard of Oz, with its journey of one human and three loyal companions, all seeking something meaningful.

The heart of the story lies in its exploration of family—not one defined by blood but by choice. This theme resonated deeply with me, as the bonds between the characters are what drive the story forward. It’s also one of the most humane books I’ve read, despite most of the characters being robots or machines. Nurse Ratched, the hilariously sociopathic nurse machine, Rambo, the adorably needy Roomba, Vic, the human inventor, and Hap, the angry yet endearing puppet, each brought their quirks to this found-family dynamic. Their loyalty, humor, and love for one another were the glue that held the narrative together.

I also appreciated the representation in this book. Vic’s asexuality is depicted naturally and thoughtfully, becoming part of who he is without defining him entirely. It’s refreshing to see this type of representation done so well. Klune handles the topic with care and respect, offering subtle but meaningful insights into what being asexual can mean.

Overall, In the Lives of Puppets was a delightful read. It’s humorous, heartwarming, and thought-provoking, with characters that linger in your mind. While the pacing starts slow, it builds beautifully, and the ending—bittersweet yet hopeful—feels fitting for the story’s tone. Klune’s unique blend of creativity and heart makes this book a standout, and I can’t wait to read more from him.

Rambo and Nurse Ratched are my favorite characters, pinchers and tentacles (hands) down. I received an early copy of this story through Netgalley, but regrettably didn’t get very far the first time. (Dystopian fiction depresses me.)

This year (2025) I’ve been re-reading Klune’s books (Cerulean Sea, Whispering Door) and decided to tackle this again. The ending made me cry. Also, I’m stealing Rambo - he’s mine now.

This book was too long. I just couldn't get into reading about the robots and Vic, as much as the author clearly tried to make them endearing. I did like Rambo, but he did get on my nerves as well. I felt that their journey just kept going on and on and there was so many things you just had to agree would be ok (like - where did Vic sleep? what did he eat? how did he use the bathroom or shower?)

It's hard to insert a human into a robot world because they are so different and have different needs and maybe it's just that I kept getting stuck on that? I don't know. Also, the parallel to Pinocchio was very obvious. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not but I didn't love it.

TJ Klune is such a talented author and this is just another example of his talent. This is a great story about what it means to be a human. He took what was already an interesting premise and made it his own, which impressed me. While it took me a minute to get into the story, once I was hooked I could not put it down. Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for this ARC!

TJ Klune's "In the Lives of Puppets" reimagines Pinocchio in a world where machines have overthrown humanity. The last human, Victor, lives in the forest with his mechanical family: a caring robot father, an overzealous medical bot, an anxious vacuum cleaner, and a reformed hunter-killer. When Victor questions his origins, their peaceful life unravels. Despite its post-apocalyptic setting, this heartwarming tale explores consciousness, family bonds, and the nature of humanity with both humor and depth.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is a super unique, heartwarming story that mixes sci-fi and fairytale vibes. It’s about a robot named Giovanni (or Gio) who lives in a forest with his inventor dad and two other robots. Their life is pretty chill, but then everything changes when they meet a human named Victor. It turns into this big adventure where Gio has to make tough choices about who he is and what it means to be alive.

I loved the world-building in this book. It’s super imaginative, with talking robots, strange creatures, and a deep look at what it means to have a soul. The characters are so lovable too, especially Gio—he’s kind of awkward but also really caring. The relationship between him and his "family" of robots is really sweet, and I wasn’t expecting to feel so emotional about a bunch of robots.

The writing is easy to read, and there are lots of funny and touching moments. The book has some cool action scenes, but it’s really the themes of love, identity, and belonging that stuck with me. It’s not all just fun and games, though—it gets pretty deep at times, but in a way that makes you think without feeling too heavy.

#InTheLivesOfPuppets // tjklunebooks: a heartwarming reimagining of Pinocchio with robots, this book was a delightful adventure about family, real and found. Klune’s books ALWAYS leaving you crying happy tears, but this one didn’t keep me as hooked as his first - still a must read! 4/5

There’s no denying this is a good book. However, the first and ending parts are so gorgeous that the rest of the book pales in comparison.

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune is an absolute gem! The mix of heart, humor, and thought-provoking themes about humanity, love, and what it means to be alive makes this book unforgettable. The characters—especially the quirky, lovable androids—really stole my heart. The world-building is unique and enchanting, blending whimsy with deep emotional moments. Klune's writing is warm and full of heart, making this a perfect read for anyone who loves a blend of fantasy, adventure, and meaningful connections. Highly recommend! 5 stars all the way!

I loved the klune other books so when I saw this was coming out I just had to read it!!
Even though it wasn’t my favourite of his books I still loved it very much, the character are always so good and feel real and I love the setting. The characters are developed and there is a a certain humor I love, it’s definitely more character driven then plot and I don’t think it’s as memorable as some of his other book but still very enjoyable and def worth the read!!

Thank you so much @TorBooks for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 25 April 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Gio is an android and inventor who has built a home in the forest with his human son (Victor) and salvaged machines (Rambo + Nurse Ratched). When Victor discovers a decommissioned and damaged android in the scrap yard he decides to try and restore it leading to a cascade of events that unearths Gio's past and threatens all of their futures.

WHAT I LIKED:
- Klune has mastered the perfect mix of pull-at-your-heartstrings emotions and laugh-out-loud humour
- Rambo + Nurse Ratched stole the show (I was cackling out loud on multiple occasions)
- the found family trope is perfectly executed
- the slowly building tension that something is going to happen (but the beginning truly was my favourite part)
- the nods to Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- once the 'quest' portion of the story kicks off I sadly lost interest (the characters weren't as charming and the journey wasn't especially compelling)
- whilst it was humorous, I found it far too easy to put it down and just not think about picking it back up again
- didn't connect or believe in the romance / emotional connection between Vic + Hap

I was excited to receive this Pinocchio inspired story by T. J. Klune from NetGalley last year. I attempted to read it at the time of its release, but I couldn’t get into it. I decided to give it another chance. This time I finished it, but I still was unable to connect with it. I enjoyed the allusions to Pinocchio and The Wizard of Oz, but I found the plot a bit contrived and sometimes silly. I was especially put off by the many sexual references and the romance that develops. For me, the story would have been better without those elements.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.