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jenxreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Murder
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
sparklefarm's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Here's the thing about reading TJ Klune books. The setting is so cozy and the characters so heartfelt that if I read quickly enough, I don't catch how preachy it is. I don't necessarily mean that in a bad way, but both books that I've read are just so dang earnest. In this book I think the charming setting distracted me from the fact that I didn't actually see Wallace's transformation from asshole to great guy, or believe his growing connection to Hugo (also I definitely clocked their ages as like, 65 and 29 at first since it wasn't made explicit, which complicated things 😆). For me, a lot of telling vs showing. That said, I really enjoy how his books make me feel when I read them! So I'll probably definitely read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Cancer, Child death, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
scotia_mullin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Honestly when I read “The House in the Cerulean Sea” I isn’t think TJ Klune could top that. However this book did. This book was thought provoking and challenged what I think about life and death and what it’s important in our lives. It’s a depiction of death and grief which is original yet compelling, fantastical yet ‘truthful’. It doesn’t hide the finality of death or the fear and grief that come with it. The book made me cry more times than I can count and I was so invested in the characters I could not put the book down!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide
Moderate: Murder
sadetanssija's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Car accident, and Death of parent
jmf0688's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Did not expect the ending and you'll need tissue for the epilogue. Very funny characters, but the last 20 pages will make you cry.
The only thing that really annoyed me was some of the conversations. Almost all of them had pauses. I understand that conversations in this book are hard, so I believe it would be the case to find the right words, but it happened a lot throughout.
The only thing that really annoyed me was some of the conversations. Almost all of them had pauses. I understand that conversations in this book are hard, so I believe it would be the case to find the right words, but it happened a lot throughout.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Suicide and Murder
bookish_hollyx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, and Murder
beastybugs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Suicide and Murder
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
slatecake's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
3.75
Cozy and funny moments, but not the most engaging plot-wise, and somewhat cliche.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Suicide