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dyer's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
The characters were well done by Klune. I enjoyed the humor Nurse Ratched and Rambo brought into the novel.
I was uncomfortable by the intimate relationship between human and nonhuman. I didn’t understand the purpose of Heaven/the pyramid being a place where robots could engage in taboo sexual acts or all the references to sex and nakedness in general in the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
kmart_ceo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Minor: Death
jippieyay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Grief and Panic attacks/disorders
hambo221's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide and Gore
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
lonelylooper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Grief, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Animal death, Sexual content, and Animal cruelty
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.75
Finished reading: January 14th 2024
"Sometimes, it's the smallest things that can change everything when you least expect it."
This book was one of my most anticipated releases last year, because there is something about the way T.J. Klune writes his stories that makes it SO easy to fall in love with both the characters and the writing. I admit that I was a bit worried that some people didn't seem to enjoy In The Lives Of Puppets as much as some of his previous releases... But thankfully I didn't end up being one of them. I knew that I was going to end up giving this story a high rating almost as soon as I started reading it. There is just something about the writing style that just works for me, and the author always does such a fantastic job creating the most wonderful, flawed and quirky characters... The cast in In The Lives Of Puppets is no different, and I loved spending more time with them. Rambo and Nurse Ratched are absolutely hilarious with their banter! It's true that there isn't really much happening in especially the first half, and I was expecting to have more worldbuilding with this strange world the story is set in. This is without a doubt a character-driven story, but somehow I didn't really mind the slightly weaker plot and lack of details. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that I was completely charmed by both the writing and characters, and I was more than happy to just soak everything up and treasure every moment spent in their company. I could have done without the sexual innuendos and references, but as a whole I liked what the connection between Vic and Hap added to the plot. This story is pretty obviously a retelling of both Pinoccio and other classics, and I personally enjoyed spotting the different references. All in all, while In The Lives Of Puppets isn't my absolute favorite T.J. Klune book, I still had a fantastic time reading this story. These characters will stay with me for a long time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Grief, Death, Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Abandonment, Animal death, Death of parent, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Violence
dearhaleynicole's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After reading "In the Lives of Puppets." I'm convinced TJ Klune is one of my all-time favorite authors. I will read anything this man writes, at this point. I have SOBBED my eyes out at the now three books I've read by him (The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, and now this one). The House in the Cerulean Sea is actually my favorite book I've read to date, but I'm just such a fan of the way TJ writes his characters. They feel so real and flawed and broken and beautiful all at once. And somehow the characters work to lift each other up in such caring ways that feel so raw and genuine I think it takes me off guard most of the time. He'll sneak up with something profound and stunning like...
"What if I wish for impossible things?" "Then you're doing it right. It always seems impossible when you first start.", or
"I’ve never been more human." "Why?" Dad asked. "Because I breathe, but I can’t catch my breath."
...that just stops you in your tracks and you're like wow. Yeah. I just had a lot of moments reading this book and feeling that. The tone for In the Lives of Puppets is definitely a darker one but still finds pockets or joy and humor in the uncertainty.
I loved the observations on life, emotions and relationships TJ chose to depict amongst this odd, sweet found family group. Very heartwarming moments to read about self-discovery and purpose from not only the perspective of a human in a android society, but androids learning to feel human emotions. Such a strangely weird but amazing concept! I was surprised that this one got me so emotional. Thought this one wouldn't get me in my feels quite as much as the other books I've read from his back stock, but boy was I wrong.
Note: I listened to the audio book for the first two parts of the book and then finished off reading Part 3 from my physical copy of the book and I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook if you are able to snag a copy of it1 It was a phenomenal listen! I only switched over to my physical copy because my Libby loan ran out and I already owned the book because I'm a huge TJ Klune fan already.
"What if I wish for impossible things?" "Then you're doing it right. It always seems impossible when you first start.", or
"I’ve never been more human." "Why?" Dad asked. "Because I breathe, but I can’t catch my breath."
...that just stops you in your tracks and you're like wow. Yeah. I just had a lot of moments reading this book and feeling that. The tone for In the Lives of Puppets is definitely a darker one but still finds pockets or joy and humor in the uncertainty.
I loved the observations on life, emotions and relationships TJ chose to depict amongst this odd, sweet found family group. Very heartwarming moments to read about self-discovery and purpose from not only the perspective of a human in a android society, but androids learning to feel human emotions. Such a strangely weird but amazing concept! I was surprised that this one got me so emotional. Thought this one wouldn't get me in my feels quite as much as the other books I've read from his back stock, but boy was I wrong.
Note: I listened to the audio book for the first two parts of the book and then finished off reading Part 3 from my physical copy of the book and I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook if you are able to snag a copy of it1 It was a phenomenal listen! I only switched over to my physical copy because my Libby loan ran out and I already owned the book because I'm a huge TJ Klune fan already.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
jqmnew's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Genocide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content
themookintosh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This story and the world it is set in is incredibly immersive. TJ Klune does a fabulous job of weaving words to craft complex characters you'll fall in love with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Minor: Genocide