In the Lives of Puppets

Books | Fiction / Fantasy / Contemporary

4.1

(81)

TJ Klune

A NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND INDIE BESTSELLER!New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.Most Anticipated from BookPage • Goodreads • The Nerd Daily • Paste Magazine • LitReactor • OverDrive • LGBTQ Reads • Tor.com • LibraryReads • more“An enchanting tale of Pinocchio in the end times.” —P. Djèlí ClarkIn a strange little home built into the branches of a grove of trees, live three robots—fatherly inventor android Giovanni Lawson, a pleasantly sadistic nurse machine, and a small vacuum desperate for love and attention. Victor Lawson, a human, lives there too. They’re a family, hidden and safe.The day Vic salvages and repairs an unfamiliar android labeled “HAP,” he learns of a shared dark past between Hap and Gio–a past spent hunting humans.When Hap unwittingly alerts robots from Gio’s former life to 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. So together, the rest of Vic’s assembled family must journey across an unforgiving and otherworldly country to rescue Gio from decommission, or worse, reprogramming.Along the way to save Gio, amid conflicted feelings of betrayal and affection for Hap, Vic must decide for himself: Can he accept love with strings attached?Inspired by Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio, and like Swiss Family Robinson meets Wall-E, In the Lives of Puppets is a masterful stand-alone fantasy adventure from the beloved author who brought you The House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door.★ “An epic quest of rescue and discovery [with] the author’s trademark charm, heart, and bittersweetness.” —Library Journal, starred reviewPraise for TJ Klune’s previous work: "Like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket." —V.E. SCHWAB • “Very close to perfect.” —SEANAN McGUIRE • “Utterly absorbing.” —GAIL CARRIGER • "It will renew your faith in humanity.” —TERRY BROOKS • “It healed me.” —CASSANDRA KHAW • “Compassionate.” —RYKA AOKI

Buy now:

More Details:

Author

TJ Klune

Pages

432

Publisher

Tor Publishing Group

Published Date

2023-04-25

ISBN

125021744X 9781250217448

Community ReviewsSee all

"Very good and I highly recommend listening to this. "

Skye Edelson-Bennett

"It’s robots vs humanity in this story reminiscent of Pinocchio (and maybe a bit of Swiss Family Robinson), exploring what it means to be human and the need for connection. Another good one by TJ Klune. "

Jackie Davidson

"I love TJ Klune! I didn't like this one as much as his others, but it was sweet. The little makeshift family has some funny conversations that made me giggle."

Meagan Khatthaname

"Finished June 22nd. Loved this one like I love all TJ Klune "

Nikki Nienhaus

"A wonderful story of hope, bravery, and love. "

Tera B.

"This one didn’t have the same TJ Klune wonder his previous works have had, at least to me. However, as always, it is thought provoking, full of moments that make you lol as much as deeply ponder. Following Vic, Hap, Gio, Rambo and Nurse Ratched along their journey, it is so much more than just a story of a son looking for his father. TJ makes us look at what makes us human, and how those things make us wonderful and absolutely God awful. We are our own worse enemies and biggest fanatics. With the capacity to move mountains in the name of an immensely selfish unforgiving love. Because for love, we’ll create and destroy without cause. As always, the found family trope is perfection. How easy it was for me to love Hap and Vic’s interactions, Nurse Ratchet’s loyalty to Rambo despite her obvious annoyance at the very same. I can’t tell you how much I loved Rambo. Quirky, weird, annoying and so lovable, yet those little pincers will get you. Hap, knowing him was looking into a broken soul in need of some TLC, and how much did I absolutely love seeing how the clan gathered around him and slowly yet also instantly absorbed him as one of their own. Quirky, not so perfect, but worthy of love nonetheless. Gio, who, from creating total eradication also created hope and a new beginning. How quickly and easy it is to forget that the strength and focus required to overcome adversity and darkness would not be there without the challenge and difficulty times in the first place. But most fascinating to see in this story is the act of forgiveness, when placed against love, and how it’s not so black and white. Happy reading!"

Soni C.

"I usually give about a 25 to 30% chance before I DNF a book but this one lost me within the first chapter sorry to say. However I am finding my line, something about sexualizing robots is an automatic turn off when it comes to a book. "

Sarah

"I loved this. The dialogue was strong and had me laughing, but I personally identified most with Nurse Ratched, she's my soul robot and omg the absolute best. I also loved the way this was written the tone felt really comforting if you know what I mean, like I was sitting by a campfire while I read this or inside with a hot chocolate on a cold snowy day. It was a little nonsensical but I feel like that only added to it."

Sarah

"I really loved this book and how seen I felt through the MC. As someone on the asexual spectrum, it felt nice to see a main character like this. It felt refreshing from the typical sexualized books I tend to see. Also, I love this futuristic, robot, sci-fi theme. I couldn’t put down my book! Found family, robots, queerness, galore!! "

Quinno Wuinno

"Absolutely wonderful! The end had me in tears and I was hooked from the beginning! Definitely one of my favourites. The story was so unique and made you look at humanity in a different light. Vic and Hap now have my heart. "