Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this so ahead of time, truly a gift.

As a self-professed TJ Klune fangirl who has at multiple points considered getting lines of text tattooed on my body, hoo boy did I cry finding out this was available for me. And as I've come to expect, I was not let down in the slightest.. Following the traditions of Cerulean Sea and Whispering Door, this is very much another easy narrow-scope fantasy with a softboi/grump slow burn romance. And I ate it UP.

The story follows Victor, a human who was adopted by a found family of sentient robots living in the forest away from civilization. Victor finds a new robot to rehabilitate, and through what comes of that, is forced into the world at large, to see what society has become while they've been removed from it, as well as the roles his friends and family used to play in that society. Victor wouldn't be complete without his trusty sidekicks/best friends, a cheery naive vacuum named Rambo (who I exclusively read in the voice of GIR from Invader Zim, to many giggles from the audience. It's me. I was the audience) and an old angry semi-sociopathic medical bot named Nurse Ratched.

This book checked every box for me, my heart was warmer, I got tears in my eyes over the SMALLEST moments of progress and relationship building. It was a more plot-driven story than his first two standalones, which were both very character-driven, but that did nothing to take away from the characters and their growth. TJ had a lot to say about humanity and the strength and weakness that comes with emotions and conscience and love. I have some thoughts on the ending that I might add in a spoiler tag later or maybe once release day hits, but I love where it leaves. I had an incredible time with this, and I already can't wait to read it again after its release day.

Once again TJ Klune has done it again. I laughed, I cried and was led for a longing of more! Each of his books seems to focus on a found family and in The Lives of Puppets, he weaves a journey that you won't be able to forget.

In The Lives of Puppets 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕/5

Summary:
Get ready to embark on a magnificent fairytale-like adventure! Set within a deep peculiar forest lives a man - who is not human but rather an android. Gio Lawson is an inventor, creator and father to a human boy Victor Lawson. Victor and his robotic companions, Rambo ( a roomba vacuum with social anxiety disorder) and “Nurse Ratched” (a caregiver with sociopathic tendencies) spend their days out in the Scrap Yards.
They discover, salvage and reanimate a decommissioned android who his named HAP.
After a tragic loss the group engages on a heaven bound mission that is dangerous, full of dark discoveries.

What I Liked:
- TJ always creates the most peculiar, original, quirky characters guaranteed to make the reader laugh and cry.
- The world-building is strong, vivid, tangible.
- The story had a great flow and did not stall.
- The humour was not forced or exaggerated. It was perfect.

What Could Have been Improved:
- There were a couple of scenes that I would have shortened. Some of them may not have been necessary to carry the desired effect of the book.
- Personally I found the detailed discussion with the Blue Fairy could have been more simplified to explain the past and current situation.

Final Thoughts:
Firstly, after reading this book everyone will be purchasing a Roomba vacuum cleaner!
I compare TJ’s books to wearing a cozy blanket and the reader will want to immerse themselves into this world.
Personally, this book feels like a fusion of a queer Disney film mixed with
I-Robot and The Velveteen Rabbit.
There is an abundance of life lessons stemming from human complexity. Love in all it’s aspects is not limited or defined by one belief. The book reinforces that we are unique individuals who can dare to be brave in a world of uncertainty.
My favorite robotic character (Nurse Ratched) who is quick-witted with dry humour and completely pathological at times. I might have to buy one.
I am thankful that TJ took a leap of faith with this new novel. It’s extraordinary!

My deepest thanks to Tor Books, NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this amazing book.

another masterpiece by one of my all time favorites authors! no one writes warm queer stories quite like tj klune. full review to come!