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vmjanek's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
A lovely, reflective read with unique and lovable characters and a wholesome, optimistic outlook on death. Minus 1/2 star because the ending (prior to the epilogue) felt rushed to me, especially compared to the leisurely pace of the rest of the story. Although I loved the outcome, I am still a bit confused on the steps that got us there — although maybe that's exactly the point, i.e. the fates are capricious and do whatever the @#$& they want. Still, a warm hug all the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
devination's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
If you like me dove into this book right after The House at the Cerulean Sea, be warned that this is a very different story. TJ Klune still has a fantastic ability to write whimsically serious stories with absolutely fantastic characters, and there's even a dog! A very good dog! But it's although deeper, tougher and sadder. Still, a great book that will stay with me and something I might reach for when dealing with grief and loss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Suicide
vael's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Animal death, Death, Murder, Suicide, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
cartermon4's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Grief, Murder, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Terminal illness, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
tessrc's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
3.25
I love TJ Klune’s imagination, and he has a particular gift for writing supporting characters - Nelson and Apollo being big standouts for me in this book, as well as Cameron - in a way that makes them really come to life. I also enjoyed the conceit of this book, though I felt at times that it was somewhat clumsily explained or brushed under the rug with “no one understands that” or something similar. My biggest complaint was Wallace. I didn’t find him to be believable, particularly his dialogue, which swung between sounding like a parody of a British supervillian and like an earnest lovestruck teenager. His transformation was fun to watch but I wasn’t sure I ever understood his problem at the beginning. Still, I had a lot of fun in these pages and had trouble putting it down when I got to the last quarter. Recommend as an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide
julierambaeck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Is this a 4 or 4.5?
This was a cozy book (don't mistake that for an easy read - it is absolutely not), with the cutest tea shop, heartwarming characters and lovely writing. When I read the last chapter, I was quite surprised that I hadn't shed a single tear, because this book is quite sad - but still hopeful. Then I read the epilogue and bawled my eyes out... so there is that.
I think what might bring this down to a 4 for me, is how the characters ended up. I think I would have preferred a different ending, I thought this was maybe a little too "easy".
And then again is this a 4.5? I think so!
This was a cozy book (don't mistake that for an easy read - it is absolutely not), with the cutest tea shop, heartwarming characters and lovely writing. When I read the last chapter, I was quite surprised that I hadn't shed a single tear, because this book is quite sad - but still hopeful. Then I read the epilogue and bawled my eyes out... so there is that.
I think what might bring this down to a 4 for me, is how the characters ended up. I think I would have preferred a different ending, I thought this was maybe a little too "easy".
And then again is this a 4.5? I think so!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
sunny15's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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 of parent, Child death, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide
delooneytunes's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
If you like the good place and enjoy drinking tea, you’ll love this book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
carlyoc'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
4.0
"The first time you share tea you are a stranger. The second time you share tea you are an honored guest. And the third time you share tea you become family." This saying from the Balti people plays a central role in the book, as does tea itself. Be sure to have a mug handy while you read!
I would call this a cozy read if it didn't tackle such heavy topics as grief and death acceptance.
Other themes include found family and second chances.
Wallace Price was a selfish, uncaring person in life. In death, he learns to be kind, be empathetic, and do good, thanks to the influences of a found family who work at a tea shop that acts as a transition point for ghosts moving on to the next world.
First, he meets Mei, a reaper who collects him from his own funeral as he watches his ex-wife revel in his death and his old coworkers fake the appropriate amount of mourning. Mei was born with the ability to see and touch ghosts, which aids her as she brings Wallace to the tea house to meet Hugo, the Ferryman. Hugo's job is to talk to the ghosts over a steaming cup of tea chosen specially to bring out soothing childhood memories. He reassures them that the next world is nothing to fear and lead them over the threshold (or more literally through a trap door in the ceiling of the tea shop's fourth floor). But Wallace is not prepared to go. He has so much growth and learning left to do as he spends weeks haunting the tea house and getting to know its occupants.
I would call this a cozy read if it didn't tackle such heavy topics as grief and death acceptance.
Other themes include found family and second chances.
Wallace Price was a selfish, uncaring person in life. In death, he learns to be kind, be empathetic, and do good, thanks to the influences of a found family who work at a tea shop that acts as a transition point for ghosts moving on to the next world.
First, he meets Mei, a reaper who collects him from his own funeral as he watches his ex-wife revel in his death and his old coworkers fake the appropriate amount of mourning. Mei was born with the ability to see and touch ghosts, which aids her as she brings Wallace to the tea house to meet Hugo, the Ferryman. Hugo's job is to talk to the ghosts over a steaming cup of tea chosen specially to bring out soothing childhood memories. He reassures them that the next world is nothing to fear and lead them over the threshold (or more literally through a trap door in the ceiling of the tea shop's fourth floor). But Wallace is not prepared to go. He has so much growth and learning left to do as he spends weeks haunting the tea house and getting to know its occupants.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, and Death
raechrae'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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, and Suicide