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halftimelord's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.0
I loved The House in the Cerulean Sea and was really excited to pick up Under the Whispering Door but the tone didn't particularly work for me. I'm not a big fan of YA and some of the cutsey dialogue and descriptions clashed with the serious topics the book covers.
The story was pretty interesting, with some unexpected turns, and I liked the character of the Managerand the fact he turned out to be a good guy in the end? Maybe not completely, but an interesting twist. Wallace started off as SUCH an arsehole it was a bit difficult to buy his redemption, and considering his growth, some of the other characters (Desdemona, Harvey) are too one-dimensional in comparison.
The ending withNelson and Hugo accepting Nelson's death was really touching and handled well. I think if I'd had read this a few months ago very soon after losing a family member it would have hit a lot harder.
The story was pretty interesting, with some unexpected turns, and I liked the character of the Manager
The ending with
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide and Murder
becah'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
If you're a hypochondriac and has death anxiety like me, it will be difficult getting through this book at first, but I'm a Klune fan so I knew I would enjoy it eventually. About halfway I could finally get into it properly and the rest of the book flew by. I cried and cried and cried and now I'm tired but satisfied. I loved the characters, the scenery and the message, a beautiful book about grief and acceptance and family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Child death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Animal death
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
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
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
raintje's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Child death, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Car accident, Cancer, and Terminal illness
owliglot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I had a tough time getting into this book, and though part of it was simply timing, I think another part was just how unlikeable the main character Wallace was at the start. However, I am very glad I stuck with it because my patience was rewarded with excellent character development, a lot of heartfelt moments, and the sense that I, like Wallace, had become part of a lovely little chosen family in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Animal death, Chronic illness, Car accident, and Child death
lindsayflor_95's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Suicide, Murder, and Animal death