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alexpursley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Absolutely amazing. TJ Klune was able to capture his own grief in a way that was not just cathartic for him, but for all who read this beautiful book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
ceelo1581's review against another edition
This book began as a sweet, often hilarious novel that would take the reader on an unexpected journey through death.
I had a difficult time with Wallace’s transition from living to death. He began as this character that was easy to dislike, rough and rude, all business. I wanted to see a little bit of that in the afterlife too, at least when he first realized he was no longer living. But he almost instantaneously became this submissive and emotional guy who wanted to share his feelings with anyone and everyone, and I did not find it completely believable. (I say that as someone who hasn’t quite experienced death yet, so maybe that isn’t a fair characterization.).
The first few chapters were fantastic, and I could not wait to read more. However, it really began to drag at about a quarter of the way through. The constant dialogue was exhausting. The premise of a great story was there, but it kept lagging and never really made it to its full potential. I expected to see more flashback scenes to Wallace’s life (e.g. with his mom and the peppermint candy canes) because that was where the magic seemed to be.
Some of the characters were fantastic. Nelson and Mei were my favorites. Others just seemed to be filler characters and were never developed in a way that made them stand out (Cameron, the Manager, Desdemona). Their contributions did not add to the storyline at all. Also, I thought that the hook and cable was a bit odd.
Some of the characters were fantastic. Nelson and Mei were my favorites. Others just seemed to be filler characters and were never developed in a way that made them stand out (Cameron, the Manager, Desdemona). Their contributions did not add to the storyline at all. Also, I thought that the hook and cable was a bit odd.
The romance factor also just came out of left field. The flirting between two of the characters was weird and awkward. There was zero chemistry between the two of them, so it really detracted from the story overall. I understand that the author wants to paint LGBTQ in a positive light, but this missed the mark.
I gave it my best shot, but when I found myself dreading picking it up, I knew it was time to move on to something else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Grief, and Murder
marta_v's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
✨Ciertamente un libro que no pensaba leer, pero que gracias al club de lectura de Bibliotecas Arcoiris le he dado una oportunidad. La llorera que me pegué leyendo el último 25-30% del libro no me la esperaba.
✨Una historia sobre la muerte, sobre aprender a ser mejor persona y de cómo todo ello nos afecta a nosotras mismas y a aquellas personas que nos rodean. Mis aplausos a quien lo haya traducido, porque aunque no lo he leído en inglés, todo el sarcasmo, la ironía, la alegría y la desesperanza de los personajes te atraviesan igual que si lo hubieses leído en versión original, algo que no siempre sucede con las traducciones.
✨¿Por qué un 4,5 en vez de un 5? Desde que me dijeron (ajam ajam) que los 5 se reservaban para historias que te han cambiado la vida, soy algo más tacaña con mis 5 estrellas, aunque antes las repartía bastante frecuentemente. No son 5 porque a pesar de haberme gustado mucho, al principio le faltaba un je-ne-sais-quoi para engancharme (que al final sí lo tenía).
✨No creo que lo vaya a volver a leer, porque realmente lloré muchísimo, y no creo que me apetezca volver a pasar por ello, pero quién sabe. Quizás más adelante lo vuelva a leer y lo vea de otra manera.
✨Una historia sobre la muerte, sobre aprender a ser mejor persona y de cómo todo ello nos afecta a nosotras mismas y a aquellas personas que nos rodean. Mis aplausos a quien lo haya traducido, porque aunque no lo he leído en inglés, todo el sarcasmo, la ironía, la alegría y la desesperanza de los personajes te atraviesan igual que si lo hubieses leído en versión original, algo que no siempre sucede con las traducciones.
✨¿Por qué un 4,5 en vez de un 5? Desde que me dijeron (ajam ajam) que los 5 se reservaban para historias que te han cambiado la vida, soy algo más tacaña con mis 5 estrellas, aunque antes las repartía bastante frecuentemente. No son 5 porque a pesar de haberme gustado mucho, al principio le faltaba un je-ne-sais-quoi para engancharme (que al final sí lo tenía).
✨No creo que lo vaya a volver a leer, porque realmente lloré muchísimo, y no creo que me apetezca volver a pasar por ello, pero quién sabe. Quizás más adelante lo vuelva a leer y lo vea de otra manera.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Death of parent
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.bamcd9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Cancer and Mental illness
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
auntieerrica's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
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
aroraback's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
existential crisis and gently therapized
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Suicide