I consider TJ Klune to be one of the most important fiction authors of our time, and after three of his books, I now consider his works to be must-read, pre-order, mark on the calendar and wait anxiously for their release day status.
Now that the gushing is out of the way, let’s talk about this one. I appreciate that each of Klune’s books are different, even though the feeling and important topics are the same: found family, living the life you imagine even if it’s a journey to get there. In the Lives of Puppets steps into the world of the future, with a bit of a Matrix feel, with traces of Pinocchio.
Klune, as always, makes the supporting characters seem like main characters, each with purpose, soul and some much-needed comic relief. The easter eggs hidden throughout the book are delightful (Nurse Ratchet and a little vacuum you just want to hug). There’s a journey and some loss, and the ending, while happy, doesn’t necessarily look like you thought it would or should, but leaves you thinking – which in the end makes the world just a little bit of a better place.
432 pages
Published by Tor Books
Characters 4
Story 4
World-Building 4
Spice N/A
Diversity 5
Total Stars 4
Would I buy this book for myself or a friend? Yes
Will I recommend this book to readers? Yes
