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jodar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I found this dystopian, science fiction novel of the future disappointing.
It’s a novel of two halves: The first half has a setting of almost Edenic innocence, which the author tries to reinforce through a whimsical tone, rather immature humour and the MC’s crude, adolescent-level sexual attitudes. The first half seems more like a YA rather than adult novel. The second half, which begins with a sort of expulsion from Eden, is much stronger. The MC character learns the truth about the world and his place in it. The tone of the writing is more cutting, albeit lightened from time to time with more of same silly humour. Although in the second part the action is rather melodramatic and the outcomes are quite predictable, it does at least present all the characters with dilemmas to face.
Some interesting themes are explored – friendship, personhood, forgiveness, free will – but for me this is done from a pretty superficial, “progressive” point of view without a lot of nuance. I come away from the story with a feeling of melancholy, moral grubbiness and cosmic brutality.
Addendum: The ebook I read came with a prequel short story, “Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!”, which explores many of the same themes and I thought was more compelling than the novel.
It’s a novel of two halves: The first half has a setting of almost Edenic innocence, which the author tries to reinforce through a whimsical tone, rather immature humour and the MC’s crude, adolescent-level sexual attitudes. The first half seems more like a YA rather than adult novel. The second half, which begins with a sort of expulsion from Eden, is much stronger. The MC character learns the truth about the world and his place in it. The tone of the writing is more cutting, albeit lightened from time to time with more of same silly humour. Although in the second part the action is rather melodramatic and the outcomes are quite predictable, it does at least present all the characters with dilemmas to face.
Some interesting themes are explored – friendship, personhood, forgiveness, free will – but for me this is done from a pretty superficial, “progressive” point of view without a lot of nuance. I come away from the story with a feeling of melancholy, moral grubbiness and cosmic brutality.
Addendum: The ebook I read came with a prequel short story, “Reduce! Reuse! Recycle!”, which explores many of the same themes and I thought was more compelling than the novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Grief, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Sexual content, Confinement, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
andonsmom's review against another edition
The blurb did not give indication of the true story going on.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
nelli_lakatos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
“𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒𝓈, 𝒾𝓉'𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝓂𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓃 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝒾𝓉."
A unique and inspiring tale of family, self-discovery, love and adventure.
In the Lives of Puppets was the most heartwarming and meaningful story that I’ve read in a while. I have grown so attached to the characters I wished them the best because they deserve everything.
I highly recommend this masterpiece of a book to everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Animal death, Violence, Bullying, Death, Dementia, and Genocide
jessica_simonetti's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
cluelessavian's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
the sexual content is told mostly as jokes/gags, but there is a point a character just shows off they can change genitalia on spot LOLtamara_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Genocide
Minor: Death, Blood, and Sexual content
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
elderwoodreads's review against another edition
I think almost every chapter has a character sexually harassing the protagonist and it's played off as funny. Not for me, big ick. Loved the story besides that though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
brandenburgreads's review
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It was great in the beginning and funny. Then it took a hard left and was sexual for no reason. I didn’t enjoy the last fourth of book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
hopefully86's review against another edition
I don't typically review books I DNF, but felt compelled with this one.
Where "House in the Cerulean Sea" was timely and heartwarming, Klune missed the mark with "In the Lives of Puppets". The cover art and blurb made this sound like a Pinocchio retelling. What we got instead is a creepy oversexualized teenage boy joke.
The first chapters were so unsettling I'm no longer reading books from this author in the future. If you have children, I do not recommend letting them read this.
Where "House in the Cerulean Sea" was timely and heartwarming, Klune missed the mark with "In the Lives of Puppets". The cover art and blurb made this sound like a Pinocchio retelling. What we got instead is a creepy oversexualized teenage boy joke.
The first chapters were so unsettling I'm no longer reading books from this author in the future. If you have children, I do not recommend letting them read this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content