This fantasy/sci-fi mashup novel contains plenty of humor and heart. It asks interesting philosophical questions about humanity, many of which we glean through the eyes of robots. It’s a story of forgiveness, found family, and what it means to love unconditionally. It has accurate, positive queer representation, which is something the author, TJ Klune, always strives to provide. Now Vic has to save his father who is sent yo his old laboratory in the City of Electric Dreams and he also has to confront feelings about Hap.

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune is published by Tor Books and will be available April 25 wherever books are sold. Can’t expect an #OwnVoices work to go wrong with the rep! The Queer rep in this book is spot on, with one asexual character and one gay relationship. While Victor was growing up, he fixed two other robots that were relegated to the scrap pile long ago—the hilariously abrupt Nurse Ratched, who doles out one-liners that will leave you chortling, and the happily eager Rambo, a Roomba-esque vacuum cleaner who loves nothing more than cleaning up anything and everything. Life is good for Victor and his family as they live in the isolated cocoon of the forest. But the world he lives in is a grim one, where sentient robots have turned against their human creators and decidedly eradicated the species from the planet. Victor has never seen another human in his 19 years alive (or any working robots besides Gio, Ratchet and Rambo, for that matter), and for all he knows he could be the last human left. An utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family, and defeating bureaucracy.” — Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless

In a Nutshell: I am on a book high!!! A lovely found-family fantasy based on ‘Pinocchio.’ This is in the classic storytelling style, so expect meanderings and adventures on the way to the destination. This book is very close to perfect.” — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway New York Times bestselling author T J Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

A tiny vacuum robot screamed as it spun in concentric circles, spindly arms that ended in pincers waving wildly in the air. “Oh my god, oh my god, we’re going to die. I will cease to exist, and there will be nothing but darkness!” It shouldn’t have affected Vic as much as it did, hearing Hap say his name. In the grand scheme of things, it was nothing. But there was something to it. It made him feel big. It made him feel small. A modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book.” — Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling authorAnd how can I forget Victor - that sweet precious lonely boy, the last of his kind, the answer to saving humanity, who Gio described with such fondness --