From the Bookshelf of Challenge Corner…

In the Lives of Puppets

T.J. Klune

Start date: June 1, 2023

Finish date: June 30, 2023

Discussion: Book of the Month

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 7 topics — 756 comments total

Book of the Month

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* Previous BOTMs
By Felicia · 11 posts · 732 views

last updated Dec 27, 2024 06:25AM

* BOTM Polls!
By Alaina · 24 posts · 219 views

last updated Sep 19, 2025 07:58AM

showing 10 of 20 topics view all »

What Members Thought

Jun 08, 2024 Trisha rated it liked it

Shelves: goodreadschoice2023

I absolutely love this author and the other works. This one just wasn't my favorite (and that's okay). there were so many reasons to love this one - and it really should have worked for me. But I didn't love the banter of the machines and never felt pulled into the story. I still love this author and will look for other works! And Everyone should try to read this one - the writing is still lovely. ...more

8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 28, 2023 Jenn rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2023, books-i-own, dystopian, sci-fi, 4-star-reads, signed-copies, adult-fiction, lgbtq

Leave it to TJ Klune to make you sob over robots. This was my second book by Klune and, honestly, I was a little worried going in that it wasn't going to live up to my love for The House in the Cerulean Sea. I shouldn't have been worried. This book was lovely.

In a distant (or not so distant) future, humans have pretty much been eradicated by robots. Robots that they built but like all robots in sci-fi, they developed a consciousness. And as you know, this can go two ways - awesome or horrible. I ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Jun 15, 2023 Elle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-reads

It should come as no surprise that I loved this book. TJ Klune just has a knack for writing interesting tales with some serious heart. This adorably queer Pinocchio retelling with bits of other sprinkled in pop culture references had me hooked right away and I adored Klune's lovely characters. The snarky wit in his prose is incredibly humorous and his plot moved so incredibly well. I could not put this book down. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 30, 2023 Megan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: towers-teams-2023

Simply wonderful.

Maybe a little bit sickly sweet at times but sometimes, that's exactly what you need.

Also a big shout out for the Ace representation. - thank you for this T.J. Klune. ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 09, 2024 Marie (UK) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2024-reading-challenge, netgalley

A retelling of the tale of Pinocchio that felt a bit stilted at the beginning but became a gloriously deep undertaling

1 like · Like · see review

Oct 22, 2023 Caitlin added it · review of another edition

5-star narration but started losing interest in the middle

1 like · Like · see review

May 25, 2024 Shruti morethanmylupus rated it really liked it

3.5 stars, rounded up for GR

I had so much fun reading this one. The robots are hilarious and the adventure was fun. The blurb talks about the journey taken after Victor's dad is taken but that doesn't happen until nearly halfway into the book. The journey dragged in places, but I was never bored so I didn't mind too much. Like all of Klune's novels, the found family and acceptance of everyone exactly as they are themes were on point here. A lovely fun read. The humor isn't quite raunchy, but des ...more

Like · see review

Oct 10, 2023 Melanie rated it liked it

This disappointed me because I LOVE House in the Cerulean Sea and Under the Whispering Door so much but this was just kind of meh.

What is with ALL the sex jokes around a clearly uncomfortable asexual Vic? I didn't think they were funny at all. ...more

Like · see review