A review by cultbyproxy
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

“There is a catharsis to grief, though we don’t usually see that in the midst of it.” 

I started writing this review when I was only 30% into the book. If that doesn’t show how much I love this book, I don’t know what will. 

Klune has a gift for writing some of life’s greatest tragedies in such a hopeful manner. Similar to The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under The Whispering Door follows a male protagonist journeying through a difficult situation: death. Or more specifically, what comes after death. We see Wallace Price as he moves on to what comes next with the help of some unique characters and even aids a few characters along his journey.

Klune’s characters are always captivating and have unique quirks that truly make the reader feel invested in not only the storyline and all it’s little twists and turns, but the wonderful characters and their developments. He alludes to The House in the Cerulean Sea several times through pictures of “an island in the middle of the sea, a strange home set on its cliffs” that are hung on the walls of the house and that is a minor detail which really stuck out to me. 

Klune has a striking voice that comes out on his pages and it has only gotten stronger in his second novel. His attention to detail in the timing of his plot and how to better construct his story doesn’t go unnoticed and I can’t wait to see what else he has in store for us.
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