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akswhy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this one more than The House by the Cerulean Sea; it was a little more grounded and adult. The fantasy elements are well thought out, but not hindered by over-explanation. Just a truly good book about grief and death and love and beauty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Car accident
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
michellesol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
alittlehopeful's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Wallace Price has achieved everything he ever wanted in life: an enviable position within a wealthy co-corporation and a reputation for success. Yet when he suddenly passes away from a heart attack, and awakens at his own funeral, he is forced to confront the idea that mortality may be a little more complex than he originally anticipated. Angry and unwilling to accept his death, he is led to Charon's Crossing - a way station for those who are waiting to cross over...and also a tea shop. There he meets kind-hearted Hugo, fiery Mae, and stubborn Nelson: an eclectic group of characters who endeavour to support those who are recently deceased. Yet, as these relationships deepen, Wallace begins to question everything he thought he knew. Did he really live a good life? And if not, is it possible to experience one after death?
Often, as a reader, I'm searching for a storyline that has me riveted; that keeps me frantically flipping the pages to find out what comes next. This isn't that type of book, and in this instance, that's for the best. Similarly to Klune's other works, it is slower. More heartfelt. It's like a warm hug, or a steaming mug of tea by the fire. Which has a certain irony as the central location of the novel is a tea shop.
This is the type of book to read slowly, and savour, and mull over. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics: losing a loved one, mental health struggles, and trying to become a better person. The quirky and flawed characters made me laugh. And sometimes cry. But in a good way. It holds all my favourite tropes: a beautiful redemption arc, found family, and a happily ever after. Plus, the idea of ghost dog just kept me smiling!
But while I adored the writing, and the underlying concept of this novel, there were some elements that felt very repetitive and similar to one of Klune's other works, the House in the Cerulean Sea. The notion of an ambitious, workaholic, middle-aged white man being fundamentally changed by extraordinary circumstances was almost recycled from this, and undermined the originality of the novel.
That isn't to say that I didn't love it. Because I did. But it is enough in this situation to stop me from rating this as five stars.
Often, as a reader, I'm searching for a storyline that has me riveted; that keeps me frantically flipping the pages to find out what comes next. This isn't that type of book, and in this instance, that's for the best. Similarly to Klune's other works, it is slower. More heartfelt. It's like a warm hug, or a steaming mug of tea by the fire. Which has a certain irony as the central location of the novel is a tea shop.
This is the type of book to read slowly, and savour, and mull over. It doesn't shy away from difficult topics: losing a loved one, mental health struggles, and trying to become a better person. The quirky and flawed characters made me laugh. And sometimes cry. But in a good way. It holds all my favourite tropes: a beautiful redemption arc, found family, and a happily ever after. Plus, the idea of ghost dog just kept me smiling!
But while I adored the writing, and the underlying concept of this novel, there were some elements that felt very repetitive and similar to one of Klune's other works, the House in the Cerulean Sea. The notion of an ambitious, workaholic, middle-aged white man being fundamentally changed by extraordinary circumstances was almost recycled from this, and undermined the originality of the novel.
That isn't to say that I didn't love it. Because I did. But it is enough in this situation to stop me from rating this as five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
heddasch's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
abijmieds's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Suicide, Torture, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
cats33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
A beautiful mix of A Christmas Carol and The Good Place. Lots of Neil Gaiman vibes. Loved it and cried towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content
sirkeili's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
3.5
When comparing it to the first book of TJ Klune I read, "The House in the Cerulean Sea", this book felt more reflective and philosophical.
Wallace as a character was a little harder to root for than Linus in the beginning, as he was more unapologetically nasty without remorse for his actions. Yet the book gives him time to reflect and the ability to fix what he broke, despite his current predicament of, y'know, being dead and all.
Hugo reminds me of Arthur, steady and compassionate, yet he holds a lot of hurt too. He blames himself for things out of his control, and his trauma deeply affects how he treats others — living or dead— in his life.
The rest of the crew's interactions are sweet and hilarious, and I absolutely love Nelson as a secondary character. He is very much the kick-in-the-ass Wallace so desperately lacked in his life.
However, it didn't give me the same excitement as Linus' story did, nor the same heart. Linus I rooted for, he was the underdog with a heart of gold who tries to usurp an unfair system. Wallace started off just unlikeable, and slowly eased into a more decent person.
Overall, it was a good story and I enjoy the reflection on one's life, and trying to make amends with what has come to pass.
Wallace as a character was a little harder to root for than Linus in the beginning, as he was more unapologetically nasty without remorse for his actions. Yet the book gives him time to reflect and the ability to fix what he broke, despite his current predicament of, y'know, being dead and all.
Hugo reminds me of Arthur, steady and compassionate, yet he holds a lot of hurt too. He blames himself for things out of his control, and his trauma deeply affects how he treats others — living or dead— in his life.
The rest of the crew's interactions are sweet and hilarious, and I absolutely love Nelson as a secondary character. He is very much the kick-in-the-ass Wallace so desperately lacked in his life.
However, it didn't give me the same excitement as Linus' story did, nor the same heart. Linus I rooted for, he was the underdog with a heart of gold who tries to usurp an unfair system. Wallace started off just unlikeable, and slowly eased into a more decent person.
Overall, it was a good story and I enjoy the reflection on one's life, and trying to make amends with what has come to pass.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
holliscsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
this was absolutely beautiful. A lovely reflection on life and death and grief with characters you couldn’t help but adore. TJ Klune is becoming one of my favorite authors!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt
clemrain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Klune is best to read in a slump. These simple romances with dynamic character and character relationships are such an easy and fun read. Extremely entertaining.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one. The start is immediately captivating but it slows considerably for a while before it picks back up again. Then it really runs.
I love the main characters. Yes, even the manager. Some side characters were very one dimensional, which is fine I suppose. But a lot of them seemed to serve the same purpose. Having a raging one for Hugo. Fr
The ending, look I’m all for the romance and the happy ending. I still don’t think Wallace should’ve been brought back to life. Unless there is a sequel in the works, then ok fine. But seriously the heartbreak of it all would’ve been so good. However, I was here for something feel good and it delivered so can’t fault it for that.
The writing is simple and easy. It does make me cringe sometimes, but like I’m a good way. Like I’m a teen again reading fic again. A bit repetitive and on the nose. However, again it’s exactly what makes it an easy read and doesn’t feel demeaning to the reader.
A cute and simple read littered with depressing ideas.
I had a bit of a hard time getting into this one. The start is immediately captivating but it slows considerably for a while before it picks back up again. Then it really runs.
I love the main characters. Yes, even the manager. Some side characters were very one dimensional, which is fine I suppose. But a lot of them seemed to serve the same purpose. Having a raging one for Hugo. Fr
The ending,
The writing is simple and easy. It does make me cringe sometimes, but like I’m a good way. Like I’m a teen again reading fic again. A bit repetitive and on the nose. However, again it’s exactly what makes it an easy read and doesn’t feel demeaning to the reader.
A cute and simple read littered with depressing ideas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual harassment