✨Book Review: In the Lives of Puppets✨
TL;DR: A whimsical Pinocchio retelling but instead with robots, found family, and a wooden heart at its center. A little uneven in pacing, but full of warmth, humor, and emotion. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
If Pinocchio, Swiss Family Robinson, and WALL-E had a baby, it would look a lot like this book. TJ Klune spins all three stories into a quirky and heartfelt adventure about family, identity, and love in the unlikeliest of places.
The characters is what makes this book: Victor, the lone human raised by machines, Hap, the ex-assassin robot wrestling with his past, and sidekicks like Nurse Ratched (equal parts terrifying and hilarious) and Rambo (the world’s most lovable, anxious vacuum). Their banter is sharp and funny, but also carries surprising depth. I’m personally Rambo’s biggest fan.
That said, the book had some parts I struggled with. The pacing for me really drags in the middle, but it was worth it. I also sometimes found myself really comparing to his other works and find this one isn’t as charming. Still, Klune’s strength is in creating warmth and connection, which I very much loved the characters. Even when the story stumbles, the characters and themes carry it through.
📚 Tropes you’ll find:
🤖Found family
🤖 Road trip quest
🤖 Well-developed characters
🤖 Adventure
A little uneven, but overall moving, imaginative, and full of heart; both wooden and real.
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As someone who loves a good character-driven story, 'In the Lives of Puppets' truly delivered, especially when it came to Hap. Many readers, myself included, are completely captivated by this ex-assassin robot. His journey from grappling with a violent past to becoming a protector within this quirky found family is, for me, the undeniable heart of the story. I found myself rooting for him every step of the way, especially as he navigates his own complex 'humanity' and loyalty. His internal conflicts, combined with his witty banter with Nurse Ratched and Rambo, provide some of the book's most memorable and touching moments. It's characters like Hap that really make you understand the true meaning of 'found family' and how love can transform even the most unexpected beings. I mentioned the pacing in my initial review, and I know some might hesitate because of it. But honestly, if you can push past that slower middle section, you're rewarded with such a rich emotional payoff. I found that embracing the deliberate pace allowed me to truly soak in the unique world-building and the nuanced character development. It felt less like a race to the finish line and more like a journey, which, in retrospect, perfectly suits the themes of the book. Trust me, the emotional resonance and the payoff are absolutely worth sticking with it. The core message of the book, for me, really resonated with that powerful quote I saw on the book's imagery: 'WHAT ARE THE RULES? STICK TOGETHER! RUN IF WE HAVE TO. NA DALLYING! NO DRILLING. AND ABOVE ALL ELSE, BE BRAVE!' This perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this unconventional family and their often-perilous adventures. It’s a story about loyalty, courage, and the universal quest for belonging, no matter how unusual your origins are. The imagery of a 'steampunk heart' from the cover also stuck with me – it’s such a perfect metaphor for the blend of mechanical and deeply emotional elements present throughout the book. Those robot illustrations really hint at the brilliant mechanical characters, each with their own distinct personality, far beyond simple machinery. If you're a fan of TJ Klune's other works, like 'The House in the Cerulean Sea,' you'll find that 'In the Lives of Puppets' carries a similar warmth and a focus on chosen families, though with its own unique robotic twist. It truly explores what it means to be alive and to love, even with a wooden heart at your core. This book is a wonderful escape for anyone looking for a heartfelt adventure with unforgettable characters and a profound message about identity and acceptance.