A review by boba_n_books
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

It’s difficult to find the words to describe this book. As I’ve just finished the last page, I find myself feeling heartbroken but hopeful—probably how Vic felt in the epilogue. 

This story about a human and his robot father touched me in ways I didn’t know it would. Vic’s found family of misfits is reminiscent of Klune’s other novels and is just as heartwarming. When it comes down to it, this is a book about heart—how it can be contradictory but so beautiful. It is about how no one needs to remain stagnant; we always have the choice of who we are and who we will become. 

I can’t recommend this, and all of Klune’s other books, enough. His stories are ones humanity desperately needs. 

I appreciated that this wasn’t the happy ending I’ve come to expect from Klune. Even though it’s left me feeling sad, it was lovely in its own right. It leaves the reader to decide how Vic’s story ends instead of defining it for him. No one is the same after a life changing event—not even robots.
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