In 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 labelled “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?
⤖ My Review ⬻
T.J. Klune’s In the Lives of Puppets wasn’t even on my reading radar at first, and I hesitated a bit before requesting it for review. The synopsis didn’t quite hook me for some reason, but there was this gut feeling pulling me toward the book anyway. Now, having read it, I can say that the story was very different from what I expected and that I’m so glad I listened to my gut because this is one of my top Klune books to date!
I absolutely loved the characters, especially the androids, and would choose this group as my favourite group of Klune characters if someone told me I had to choose. They made me laugh and cry—the dialogue, banter, and interactions were just great. The characters were really the heart of In the Lives of Puppets (those of you who already read this one will likely notice what I did there).
The story itself was great too—I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a quest-type plot to this extent. In the Lives of Puppets was also quite the emotional rollercoaster for me. I don’t think I spent even one mine while immersed in these pages not feeling anything. In the Lives of Puppets was both heartwarming and heartbreaking, in true Klune fashion.
I’m glad that I was sent a physical copy to review, and was also accepted for the audiobook through NetGalley so that I could listen to a few chapters while on the go / doing chores around the house. I really enjoyed the narrator, and loved how they brough the characters to life with their narration style. I really enjoyed going on this journey with the characters, and can’t wait to see what Klune has in store for us next!
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Thank you for reading my review! Have you read this book? What did you think? And if you haven’t read it yet, do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
This book sounds amazing! The quest aspect sounds really intriguing
I absolutely loved it and hope you do too if you end up reading it!
It really is! And I hope you enjoy the book if you do end up picking it up 🙂
I completely relate to your initial hesitation about picking up T.J. Klune’s “In the Lives of Puppets.” Sometimes, a synopsis doesn’t quite do justice to the magic within a book. It’s that inexplicable gut feeling that often leads us to some of the most extraordinary stories.
I couldn’t agree more with your assessment. This book is an absolute gem, and I’m thrilled that you took the leap and gave it a chance. The characters, especially the androids, are a true standout. They bring such depth and emotion to the story, making them some of the most memorable Klune characters I’ve encountered. The way they interact and the witty banter they engage in is pure joy. It’s true; the characters are indeed the heart of “In the Lives of Puppets.” I wholeheartedly second your sentiment, and I’m sure those who’ve read it can appreciate the subtle wordplay in that statement. Cheers to unexpected literary treasures like this one!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! I’m glad you enjoyed In the Lives of Puppets as well.
I’m so glad I’m not alone on this one! Thanks so much for reading my review and for sharing your thoughts!