I am yet to find a TJ Klune book that I don't rate 5 stars - theres something about their world-building and characters that make me fall in love with the story.

A book mostly about robots, but such a wholesome message about what it means to be human. A Pinocchio retelling with elements of Wall-e and somewhat a wizard of Oz feel, it had me hooked and feeling so many emotions throughout.

I will admit, it’s not my usual choice of book and the first few pages I wondered if it was for me, but I am so glad I carried on as it just became such a lovely book with the most perfect characters. It made me laugh (especially nurse Ratched), smile, cry and have me rooting for Vic, Hap, Rambo and Nurse Ratched and loving the banter along the way.

This book was all about family, helping others and choosing your own destiny and I loved it completely. My favourite character has to be Rambo. He is so adorable, I need him in my life!

It is the first book I’ve read from TJ Klune and it really won’t be my last. So glad I took a step out of my comfort zone to experience this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I loved it so much, I bought the physical copy too!

Such a wonderful book! I adored the characters in this book. They all had their own distinct personalities and were incredibly charming in their own ways. Humour is woven throughout this book and it kept me laughing throughout but it also had me crying ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review - puppets

In the Lives of Puppets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Deep in the forest lives a boy with his father Gio, Nurse Ratched and Rambo… Rambo is a robot bursting with positivity and insecurity. Nurse Ratched is a sadistic healing robot who at her core is a caring mother figure. These two and Victor spend their time scouring the junk yard for useful stuff until they find Hap when their lives change dramatically.

When I read Klune, I expect a tale involving family, hope, love, loyalty - something that pulls my heartstrings and shows us that being ‘different’ isn’t really different at all.

Here we have a retelling of Pinocchio with elements of Wizard of Oz smooshed in showing that love will find a way and that families don’t come in one size or have to be related. These things should be obvious to us in 2023 but we’re living in a world that still features war, famine, poverty and hate. Go figure!

After finding Hap, you’ll love what that stands for, events change dramatically and our small family face the enormous challenge of putting their lives back together. Will you coo? Might there be tears? Will you get a warm glow? You will if you’re human! No, wait…. If you have a soul? If you have a heart?

Thanks go to PanMacmillan and Netgalley for an E-arc, all opinions are my own.

I love all of tj klunes books, the whimsical feel. Just pure vibes mixed with amazing characters and world building I absolutely adored this book and can't wait for more from this author

Inventor android Giovanni Lawson has built a home for himself in the forest, far from civilisation. When a distraught couple entrusts him their son, he raises the human boy as his own and teaches him to repair robots. Their little family grows to include an anxious vacuum cleaner named Rambo, and Nurse Ratched, a sociopathic healthcare automaton.

At the beginning of the novel, Victor salvages a damaged android with the designation HAP from a scrapyard. However, when he repairs the android, a shared dark past between Hap and Gio comes to light, which threatens their existence. When Gio is captured, Victor and his bots must embark on a journey to the City of Electric Dreams to rescue him from decommissioning, or worse, reprogramming.

The rules for their quest?
Stick together.
Run if we have to.
No dallying.
No drilling.
And above all else, be brave.

In The Lives Of Puppets kept me reading until way past my bedtime for the characters. Considering Victor Lawson is the only human character in a cast of androids and robots, this novel overflows with emotions and heart and offers a lot of insights into what makes us human. There are so many passages I highlighted!

Klune has created a superbly written found family of lovable machines. Among the characters, Nurse Ratched stood out. I particularly enjoyed her dry wit and disparaging comments upon disengaging her empathy protocol.

In The Lives Of Puppets is inspired by The Adventures of Pinocchio, but I agree with the comparison I've seen that it also has a feel of The Wizard of Oz to many elements, particularly with the journey following a road to the City of Electric Dreams, and the discussions around robots having hearts.

I had high expectations for this, and wanted to love it. Initially in the forest, I did - it was clever and creative and pulled me in. Sadly once they left the forest, everything after just fell flat for me. I slogged through because I’m almost incapable of DNFing, but it was hard work.

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

A wonderful tale of found family, what it means to belong, and hope.

I adored this story! Right from the start we are introduced to Giovanni, who has made his place in the woods, along with his human son, a vacuum robot that is always anxious, and a robot nurse who has the most mordbid and funny one-liners ever!

The scene was set up really well for a story that follows Vic, the human boy as he unearths an android for parts, and then all hell breaks loose. I loved his character- he was forgiving, kind and funny. The two other androids were also great, their witty banter and constant banter kept me entertained throughout. I also really liked the mystery element of how Vic came to end up in the forest, and the rest of the world reacted to this little pocket in the woods.

This is a short book, and I was at the edge of my seat the entire time! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the e-arc!

As always for a TJ Klune read, I loved this. It contains all the important elements that are synonymous with his work - hope, family, humanity and freedom - and continues to be a charming cosy fantastical read that I know I'll come back to time and time again just as I did with Cerulean Sea and Wolfsong. A book that feeds the soul.

Wow, just wow! T J Klune returns with a retake on Pinocchio and it is as close to perfect as you can get. Victor is a human, living in a world of robots. Brought up in the woods, by Gio and his friends Rambo, the vacuum cleaner with a penchant for Top Hat and the wonderfully sadistic Nurse Rached when they discover a strange robot and bring it back to life. They're unaware they've inadvertently brought the Authority to their woodland haven and their lives are turned completely upside down.

As usual, Klune creates a world so unique and wonderful and creates the most incredible characters. Each one rises vividly from the page and warms your heart with their vulnerability, pride and of course, above all else, being brave. The inhabitants of his world are so vibrant and memorable, you find yourself sobbing about a speech made by a Hoover! I love his dream of writing books where everyone, regardless of labels, is accepted as the wonderful and unique creature they are. Inclusion so pure and simple you are never aware you're reading it!

Klune's recent books are fairy tales for the modern age. He delves into what makes us a human and you walk away feeling as though you've absorbed a warm mug of cocoa. I honestly can't praise this book enough. I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, but this is my new favourite.

Thank you so much to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review. Read it! Just please, please read it!

In the Lives of Puppets is a dystopian kind of take on Pinocchio (which I've not read) and follows Victor, the only human left and his band of robots that all have feelings on an adventure to save his father from the robots who do not have feelings and want to eradicate humans from the planet. It's a tale of being human in a non-human world and essentially being different and vulnerable in a society not capable of acceptance.

I went into In the Lives of Puppets expecting humour, quirk and heartbreak but ultimately feeling all the love and while I did get some of that, I don't think it was quite as much as I hoped for after reading some of Klune's other books that I have absolutely adored.

That being said, it was a sweet story with endearing characters (a mish-mash family as expected in a Klune novel) and it was enjoyable to read. I paced through the first half a lot quicker than the second, having the characters introduced and developed was my favourite as I was eager to meet Klune's latest creations and they were all so deliciously kooky but as much as I think we were supposed to be angled towards Vic and Hap, I was there all for Nurse Ratched and Rambo to be honest, their rapport was right on my humour line.

I'm struggling to put my finger on exactly what I found lacking in the book but it definitely lost its lustre for me the more I read. I was waiting to get my heart squeezed but I just didn't feel it and as the plot wasn't hugely dense, which I can usually overlook if I bond with the characters well enough. I could have done with that deeper connection to the characters to really tip me over the line into loving this.

Klune will always be an auto-buy author for me, I love his imagination and easy narrative style and In the Lives of Puppets is no exception, I find his books unique and a real treat to read and recommend to friends and family but sadly this one isn't my favourite.

From the moment I read the blurb I knew I was going to love this. TJ describes this as “A queer retelling of Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio starring an inventor named Victor, a mysterious android called Hap (Hysterically Angry Puppet), an anxiety-riddled Roomba vacuum named Rambo, and a sociopathic nursing machine, the Registered Automaton To Care, Heal, Educate and Drill (Nurse Ratched, for short).”

Yup SOLD!!!

TJ Klune has a way of creating such beautifully realised, whimsical stories, filled with the most ADORABLE characters you’re ever likely to read, and this bunch are no exception!

I read, and very much enjoyed Under The Whispering Door (even if it did make me sob), and then I read The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I loved even more. In The Lives of Puppets is very much in the same vein as the previous two; with heartbreakingly wonderful characters for you to root for, and soul crushing challenges for them to overcome.

The banter in this one is absolutely top tier (Nurse Ratched is the Queen of snarky-humour and is the sassiest character I’ve ever read), and the relationships between this motley crew just shine. This is found-family in the most tender and touching way. Rambo will forever be my favourite though; and I want to protect him at all costs!

I will say I struggled just a little with the pacing early on, and I thought the messages and morals of this one were just a little too on-the-nose and heavy handed for my tastes, but neither take away from the wonderful world Klune has built here. A beautifully warm story of family and belonging, and one I highly recommend.

This falls somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars.

It pains me to say this, but overall the book was just "fine". I had no major problems with it, but I just couldn't connect to the story for some reason, and I don't know why that is. I really liked the writing (I laughed a lot) and the characters (Nurse Ratched is hilarious!) and I liked the allusions to Frankenstein, Pinocchio, and Wizard of Oz, but once I put the book down I wasn't motivated to pick it back up. Overall, I liked the book, but I didn't love it the way I loved Cerulean Sea or Whispering Door.

I didn't finish this one. I recognize the great writing, but this one wasn't my taste. I will give the author another try with on of his other books

"Above all else, be brave."

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Three words to describe this book: hopeful, emotional, whimsical

The writing - Klune has a mastery over writing stories that feel timeless and ageless. Though the themes of this story are clearly adult, it reads (much like The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door) like a whimsical middle grade novel in the best way. His writing is absolutely beautiful in its simplicity. It sucked me in from page one.

The story itself - I feel like the story can be divided into three parts: Beginning, Adventure, and AFTER. I would have been content with an entire novel covering the Beginning, seeing Vic and Gio in the house in woods, Vic salvaging parts, fixing Hap, etc. The Adventure felt off. The time they spent traveling felt like it lasted too long, and the actual climax of the book felt rushed. AFTER was heartbreaking in so many ways, despite being a little hopeful. I would have liked more exploration of that time as well.

The characters - As always, Klune shines through his characters. Vic's struggles with grief and forgiveness drive the story, bringing the reader into his mindset beautifully. Nurse Ratched, at times, felt like forced humor, but at other times was a great balance to the heaviness of the themes. I'll be honest, I had to look up art of Rambo, because I was picturing something along the lines of K9 from Doctor Who, completely forgetting that Roombas exist, but once he was solidified in my brain, he was easily my favorite. His anxieties and being brave despite them truly resonated with me. Through all of the characters, Klune manages to explore the complexities of human emotion despite having only one actual human in the lot.

I sobbed. That's it. That's the rest of the review.

Another heartwarming story from Klune - this time a little Wall-E influence which was absolutely adorable! As usual, the cast is dynamic, bubbly and whimsical and carry the heart of the story. One not to be missed!

In The Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

Who doesn’t love a retelling - oh and by retelling I mean the story of Pinocchio which takes part in a not-so-distant future with robots which possess endearing qualities you did not know you wanted in a Roomba floor cleaner.

TJK's latest book is a heartwarming and familiar story that explores themes of love, family, and personal choice. From the very first page, like with previous TJK novels the characters draw you in an almost childlike way- who were all richly developed and had unique personalities and backstories. TJK's writing style is fluid yet quirky, the plot is well-paced, with just the right amount of tension and drama to keep me engaged.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how it approached a very well known story by inserting characters and scenarios that turns the original on its head. Whilst keeping the story undeniably comforting. It also has moments of fun, which quickened it’s pace, which I feel that younger audiences would enjoy. There were times when I thought I knew where the story was going but found that the lovely plot twists kept me wanting to read on.

Overall, I would highly recommend TJK's latest book to anyone looking for a heartwarming and satisfying read but who is also looking for a fresh take on a retelling with wonderfully cute characters. A lovely example of the “What If” scenario in storyboarding - What if we took the story of Pinocchio and added in some robots and set it near a scrapyard with LGBT undertones - it’s wonderfully imaginative in that way.

Whether you're a fan of the author's previous work or a newcomer to their storytelling, this book is sure to leave you feeling uplifted with a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

This review was made possible by Net Galley - always appreciated , never a chore.

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4.5 stars round up to 5

I really love T.J. Klune’s work and this truly drove it home for me. He has such a way with his writing that makes me very emotional.

The real stand out, for me, were the characters in this book. My two particular favourites being Nurse Ratched and Rambo. The dynamics the family had together and how this was expressed through the dialogue was beautifully done. The whole message of the how wonderfully painful it is to feel emotion was perfectly expressed through all the main characters.

My only tiny issue was the pacing was a little slow in places but it really didn’t affect the story much.

Overall, this is a great book and is definitely one of Klune’s best.

I don’t think there will be a book from Klune that I won’t like
A masterpiece

Even if I am not a fan of Pinocchio I loved every second of this
And that’s his styling power really

Another TJ Klune book that destroyed me completely, but put me back together again. This author is just somuch, I can’t emphasise enough how much I love this or every book I’ve read. As ever, not that I’d expect any less this is so entertaining, full of humour anc wit, but it’s also sad, so so beautiful and full of emotion. I tell a lie, it’s full of heart , soul and humanity, just as TJ Klune always pours into his books, we need everyone to read these and maybe the world wouldn’t be so cruel if they felt the emotion in these books, but I’m probably naive, but for now just tell everyone you know with a functioning heart to read (maybe try the odd non functioning heart too)
Beautiful

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.