Scan barcode
molly918's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
sgpartyhat's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Wallace Price is a bit of an asshole. Okay, a lot of an asshole.
That is, until, he dies.
TJ Klune's Under the Whispering Door asks: what if when you died, you stopped at a tea shop on the way to whatever's next? That's just what Wallace does, shepherded by a reaper and a ferryman, and none too happily at that. But death has a way of changing people--the dead most of all.
Klune spins a tapestry of warm tea and warmer conversations, of love and loss and grief and fear and the occasional Eldritch being as old as time itself. His characters are imperfect, messy, and a comforting reminder that we are, too. His romance writing is loudly quiet and beautifully crafted, glowing embers and a raging fire all rolled up into one. His worldbuilding is whimsical and grand, and while it's looser than some of the fantasy I've read, that feels fitting for the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Many of the characters in the book are dead, so their deaths affect the story.vampymary's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
That was.. just wow
Maybe it’s because I know he wrote it with a very personal note. But it felt really personal.. raw.. so full of emotion.. and yet still light hearted enough not to feel depressed whilst reading it.
Loved every bit of it…
Maybe it’s because I know he wrote it with a very personal note. But it felt really personal.. raw.. so full of emotion.. and yet still light hearted enough not to feel depressed whilst reading it.
Loved every bit of it…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Suicide, and Murder
elearmo's review against another edition
5.0
I read The House in the Cerulean Sea last month and I immediately proclaimed it my new favorite book. I was curious to see if TJ Klune's other books hit for me just as hard as the first one did and I was not disappointed. Klune truly has a gift at approaching daunting subject matters in such a hopeful, unique, and beautiful way. This book is primarily about death and grief. It is very heavy at times. I cried more reading this book than I did THITCS but it was so so good. Don't get me wrong - it is by no means all doom and gloom. The humor throughout had me cracking up, too! At this point, I am eager to read any TJ Klune books I can get my hands on!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
petra_eller's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
makbrandt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I didn’t enjoy this book as much as House in the Cerulean Sea, but I did still enjoy it. I sobbed through the last 1/4, and a book hasn’t done that to me in a longgggg time.
Didn’t appreciate the shade towards cats, though.
Didn’t appreciate the shade towards cats, though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Grief, and Murder
ladythana's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Murder
pink_alex's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wallace Price is a workaholic and a little mean. Then he dies and finds himself at his own funeral and no one is really sad to see him go. There is also a strange person - Mei. She is a Reaper, there to pick him up and take him to Charon‘s Crossing, where he meets Hugo and his strange family. Hugo is a ferryman helping people to cross over into the afterlife.
Once at Charon‘s Cross, Wallace starts a new life. He starts to see what he missed and doesn’t want to let go. He builds new friendships, sees the value in kindness.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. Wallace touched my heart with all his grumpiness and humanity. It is fascinating to see how he changes and becomes the person he was supposed to be. I had tears in my eyes more than once and I also laughed out loud. This book is full of feelings and it left me with a smile and a heart full of hope for the people I have lost in my life.
Once at Charon‘s Cross, Wallace starts a new life. He starts to see what he missed and doesn’t want to let go. He builds new friendships, sees the value in kindness.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the characters. Wallace touched my heart with all his grumpiness and humanity. It is fascinating to see how he changes and becomes the person he was supposed to be. I had tears in my eyes more than once and I also laughed out loud. This book is full of feelings and it left me with a smile and a heart full of hope for the people I have lost in my life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Suicide
dan_no's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"To be loved is to be changed", this quote is perfect for this book.
Under the Whispering Door has been sitting on my bookshelf for forever now. I mostly didn't want to be disappointed (I definitely wasn't this is by far one of the best book I've read this year) and I also didn't want to be heartbroken (I wasn't, not really). Even though I cried a lot, it wasn't necessarily sad, but the sincerity of it all got to me and well I'm only human so I cried. This book oozes love and T. J. Klune's writing mesmerizes me.
I'll never be able to drink tea the same way... I also never thought I 'd cry reading a bunch of metaphor about it but there's a first to everything, no?
This was insanely therapeutic, it makes you think and it's sad and yet it's warm and comforting. You know what, it was healing.
Under the Whispering Door has been sitting on my bookshelf for forever now. I mostly didn't want to be disappointed (I definitely wasn't this is by far one of the best book I've read this year) and I also didn't want to be heartbroken (I wasn't, not really). Even though I cried a lot, it wasn't necessarily sad, but the sincerity of it all got to me and well I'm only human so I cried. This book oozes love and T. J. Klune's writing mesmerizes me.
I'll never be able to drink tea the same way... I also never thought I 'd cry reading a bunch of metaphor about it but there's a first to everything, no?
This was insanely therapeutic, it makes you think and it's sad and yet it's warm and comforting. You know what, it was healing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Grief
_fathimanourin1234_'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I loooooovvvveeeee thisssss book......🩷🩷
TJ klune never disappoints. He always made me cry while I read his book. I always stared at the wall after finishing his books. I always wished there was a sequel (for standalones) for that particular book. Same goes here.
This is the best. I enjoyed this book from the very first page to the last page. I'm glad I bought this book and I read it.
There are so many quotable sentences or paragraphs in this book. And that paragraphs or sentences always made sense. There are so many funny scenarios and also so many emotional scenarios. Especially at the final few chapters. I always teared up. And I cried after finishing this book.
All the characters - Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Nelson, Apollo etc... They were very loving and kind and cute and also sassy at the same time. There are other side characters in this book as they are as important as the main characters, all of them are not likeable. But most of them are loveable. Someone of them,who are already dead, will make your heart tear into pieces just by hearing their story.
And the final chapters, there were so many twists and turns, I wish I could say out loud, but I can't because it will be spoilers.I cried when Apollo and Nelson crossed the door. I wept hard. I wanted them to stay a little longer. But as hugo and wallace said, that may felt like home or they felt like they are free. We don't know anything.
I wish there were a sequel. Delving into more of Hugo's and Wallace's love story, they being lovey dovey, and also more about Mei. And more new guests.
I Wishhhh...
Anyways... Thank you TJ Klune fo writing this book..
Goodbye Wallace & Hugo, Mei, Nelson, Apollo, & Charon's Crossing..
TJ klune never disappoints. He always made me cry while I read his book. I always stared at the wall after finishing his books. I always wished there was a sequel (for standalones) for that particular book. Same goes here.
This is the best. I enjoyed this book from the very first page to the last page. I'm glad I bought this book and I read it.
There are so many quotable sentences or paragraphs in this book. And that paragraphs or sentences always made sense. There are so many funny scenarios and also so many emotional scenarios. Especially at the final few chapters. I always teared up. And I cried after finishing this book.
All the characters - Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Nelson, Apollo etc... They were very loving and kind and cute and also sassy at the same time. There are other side characters in this book as they are as important as the main characters, all of them are not likeable. But most of them are loveable. Someone of them,
And the final chapters, there were so many twists and turns, I wish I could say out loud, but I can't because it will be spoilers.
I wish there were a sequel. Delving into more of Hugo's and Wallace's love story, they being lovey dovey, and also more about Mei. And more new guests.
I Wishhhh...
Anyways... Thank you TJ Klune fo writing this book..
Goodbye Wallace & Hugo, Mei, Nelson, Apollo, & Charon's Crossing..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, and Mental illness