enchante's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia, Murder, and Emotional abuse
starlitpage's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Body horror
Minor: Homophobia
kimtazo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, Animal death, Child death, Homophobia, Suicide, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Death
gummifrog's review against another edition
- 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
I felt the summary for this book is misleading. The premise is not really "man is given 7 days to live a life after death," but more like, "man spends several months bettering himself and falling in love with what it is to be human, and then is suddenly given 7 days to say goodbye to the relationships that have finally given his life meaning." The plot is very slow burn, but it's full of heart and emotion. You really fall in love with Wallace and with the other characters that he meets.
Not to mention, this book is SO funny. TJ Klune brings incredible levity to a book about death. I was literally doubling over in laughter at some parts - and I never do that! It's not, like, wrinkle-your-nose-haha-so-literary-weird-funny, but oh-my-god-I-am-going-to-die-of-laughter funny. It has so many highs and lows, and I got a bit teary towards the end.
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it took a while to grow on me at the beginning. In its defense, I was recovering from a book hangover, so I'm not sure if it was the writing or the book.
Also! I read it on audio, and the narrator was incredible in both delivery and voice acting. If you tend towards audiobooks, this one was really well done!
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
marigold82's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Mental illness and Homophobia
beckcatbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death, Murder, Homophobia, and Violence
wormgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Cancer, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Homophobia
Minor: Abandonment
lisajh5858's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Homophobia
emmstuke's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Murder, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Homophobia and Child death
Minor: Cancer
kelly_e's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.0
Pub Date: September 21, 2021
T H R E E • W O R D S
Enchanting • Contemplative • Endearing
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When Wallace is collected from his own funeral by a reaper, it appears as though he may be dead. And when he arrives at a peculiar tea shop, meeting Hugo who offers to help him cross over, it confirms he is indeed dead. Wallace wasn't a very nice person in life nor did he really live, so when he is given a week to cross over, he sets about truly living and attempting to make amends.
💭 T H O U G H T S
This is one of those books that's hard to review because there were things that I absolutely loved, but there were other things that grated on me, but at the end of the day this is a compassionate exploration of life and love, and by extension of grief and death. Written in a light tone with Klune's trademark humour and wit, the soulful, well-developed characters make the book. Wallace and Hugo are the main focus, but for me it was really the supporting cast (Nelson, Mae, and Apollo) who really shone.
I was fascinated by the concept of a stopping ground between life and death. Having dealt with a lot of death in the past three years, in some way the idea gave me a sense of peace. The teashop setting, with its warm and inviting atmosphere felt like the perfect fit for such a place.
What didn't really work for me was the length. It just felt like it went on and on, when it easily could have been condensed in placed. And I definitely was not a fan of the ending. But it was the insistent focus on positivity and that "things happen for a reason" that didn't sit well with me.
Overall, it just never hit the mark on the profoundness it should have had even though I appreciated the personal growth. It wasn't the ending I was expecting, nor the one I wanted. I liked it, just didn't love it. But I'm definitely glad I read it and would recommend picking it up, but make sure you're in the right headspace.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• T.J. Klune fans
• book clubs
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"This life isn't an easy one. Day in and day out we're surrounded by death. You either learn to live with it, or let it destroy you."
"From the moment you're born, you're dying."
"Sometimes the best way to help someone is not to say anything at all."
Graphic: Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Animal death and Homophobia