Deep in the forest, in a time where man and machine can coexist side by side, an inventor android named Giovanni Larson lives with a sociopathic refurbished nurse machine, a highly-anxious but very loyal robot vacuum, and his human son, Victor.
For Giovanni, Vic, and their unlikely companions, life in the protection of their hidden wood is full of wonder. Then, one day, Vic discovers the remains of an android they name "Hap" in the scrap yard near their homes in the trees. Following in the steps of his father, Vic restores the mysterious machine and unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will alter the course of their lives forever as a shared, dark past between Giovanni and Hap comes to light.
A rather dystopian, robot-riddled retelling of Pinocchio, "In the Lives of Puppets" is teeming with the kind of dark, laugh-out-loud moments, unforgettable misfit ensembles, and heartstring-tugging magic that trademarks TJ Klune at his very, very best. This story is an adventure of the most creative and epic proportions in every way, and at its core, tells the kind of found-family story that everyone needs to read at least once in their lifetime.
I simply couldn't get enough of Hap, Vic, and the other characters in this book; when all was said and done--and I rarely say this--I wanted this book to be even longer. Klune, as always, demonstrates his mastery at weaving whimsical stories with life's most imperative questions, and for me, the resounding question here is:
What does it mean to truly love someone, past, broken parts, and all?
Rating: 5 stars
Publication Details: Out Today, Tor Books
Huge thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing me with my review copy!
