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tanja_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
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? N/A
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. It was cosy and violent and laugh out loud funny. Set in the future where robots have taken over and inspired by the Pinocchio story, it is another story all about the choices made and atoning for sins when conscience kicks in. I loved the world built by TJ Klune, but it was the characters and their charm (or sociopathy) that kept me hooked - especially Rambo and Nurse Ratched. Definitely glad I found this at the library on sale!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
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
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
lilo000's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Who would've thought a book about robots would make me think about humanity, sentience, and purpose. This book had great world-building and character development. Definitely touching and makes you root for the underdogs. The humor is also fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Violence
sophie42's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, and Genocide
Moderate: Kidnapping, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming and Animal death
bohemianhermit04's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Animal death and Blood
lumidouce's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping and Violence
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
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
n00basaur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Violence