Title: In the Lives of Puppets
Author: TJ Klune
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication date: April 25, 2023
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Summary
Victor Lawson lives in the woods with his adoptive robot father, Giovanni Lawson, and their two robot friends, Nurse Ratched and Rambo. They have a happy life, until Victor uncovers an unknown robot from the salvage yard, Hap. Victor decides to take it home and fix it, because every robot is worth fixing. Everyone deserves a second chance.
When Hap accidentally alerts other robots to Giovanni’s location, he gets taken away. So, Victor and his little group of robots decide to go on a quest to save him. But their journey will reveal a dark connection between Hap and Giovanni. It leads to the question: can Victor really trust Hap?
Review: In the Lives of Puppets
Thanks to Tor Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of In the Lives of Puppets to review! Of course, it’s TJ Klune, so I knew I had to read it. At first, I was a little skeptical at the fact that this is a Pinnocchio retelling, but I should have trusted Klune to make a story you’re bound to care about.
Like any TJ Klune book, you will be immediately sucked in by the characters. The little robot found family that Victor has is adorable, and yes, you will form an emotional connection to these robots. Nurse Ratched is hilarious, and Rambo the little vacuum robot has an anxiety disorder. What isn’t to love about them? The way they question some of Victor’s human things is endearing, funny, and will just make you love them even more.
While there are moments of humor, this book will also probably make you cry. The way Victor’s journey to save his adoptive father is woven into the world building of the book is a little bit genius, honestly. You get the story as Victor is getting the story, which means it doesn’t feel like you get bogged down by too many details. It also allows you to feel all the emotions and truly appreciate the cast of characters we have.
All in all, I think fans of House in the Cerulean Sea will definitely enjoy this one. It has some of the same quirkiness, and all of the great characterization that we love to see. Definitely pick it up when it comes out in April!