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sarah_shelf's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Once again a fantastic book by TJ Klune. His narrators and characters all have such vibrant personalities. As soon as I started I knew I was going to love Wallace as much as I hated him because yes he’s awful in the beginning, but he has such a distinctive voice as well. I was having such fun with the characters I completely forgot about the week-long deadline until it shows up near the end (minor spoiler, I guess?) So much of this book is Wallace learning and growing, making connections with Hugo and Nelson and Mei, and adapting to the day-to-day life of Charon’s Crossing. There isn’t much of a plot until the back end of the book and usually that drives me crazy. But I enjoyed this book so much I hardly noticed (though once I did, the tension, questions, and emotional turmoil from the plot kicking in made up for my ensuing apprehension.)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death
Minor: Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Blood, and Child death
snazzyrhombus's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
so disappoinged by this!! it started off so strong but it really tapered off unfortunately. the big plot twist at the end of the first chapter really caught me off guard, i found it so interesting and was excited for the book from there, really set up an interesting scenario. i just don't think the main character's journey was developed cautiously or thoughtfully enough at all - it all happens way too fast and feels quite unrealistic. i know that dying is a big event in wallace's existance that could trigger a change in attitude in anyone but it was very jarring to have a glimpse into his character while he was alive, being as cruel as he was, and then all of a sudden he has tears rolling down his cheeks, and within a couple of days he has a silly crush on some cute guy and is hugging everyone and being all friendly? very unrealistic. also about him and hugo, that felt weird as well - genuinely not to be weird but i feel like it's pretty unrealistic for an ex corporate big masculine lawyer to be completely okay with being into men and being out as bisexual, i feel like since he was toxically masculine no way would he have been out like that if he was a real person. also not just that but him being jealous all the time of hugo interacting with anyone else ever was so cringey and again unrealistic for someone who is an ex toxically masculine lawyer
i feel like the humour is silly and endearing in places, but for the most part quite cringey and VERY millenial, like old quirky tumblr type vibe.for example mei always having knives and shit was so cringey i hated every time there was a joke about that, and there are a few violence or threat related comments wallace makes near the beginning that seem to be intended as jokes from the author, same sort of vibe as the mei knife comments, that i also hate and are very difficult to oicture an actual toxically masculine corporate lawyer saying
the character development of the main character overall was so insanely unbelievable and unrealistic that it made the cool parts of the book difficult to enjoy. i love the way that the world was displayedand the idea that the book has about the process of duing and the afterlife is quite magical and beautiful it was a shame i couldn't fully enjoy it.
ALSO THE ENDING WAS TERRIBLEABSOLUTE PET PEEVE WHEN AUTHORS WIMP OUT OF KILLING A CHARACTER ESPECIALLY FOR ROMANCE LIKE SHUT UP would have made way more sense for wallace to die for his arc to be complete since he was demanding to come back to life at the beginning, him eventually accepting death and going through the door would have made so much sense as an ending, BUT NO
ok anyway yeah mid
i feel like the humour is silly and endearing in places, but for the most part quite cringey and VERY millenial, like old quirky tumblr type vibe.
the character development of the main character overall was so insanely unbelievable and unrealistic that it made the cool parts of the book difficult to enjoy. i love the way that the world was displayed
ALSO THE ENDING WAS TERRIBLE
ok anyway yeah mid
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
looking4thedr's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
This book is important.
This book had me laughing, crying and feeling everything in between. It has such amazing, charming and funny humour coupled with just fantastic emotional depth. The characters are also phenomenal and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their progress and growth throughout the story.
I loved how the story makes fun of Wallace in the beginning, and continues to do so throughout the book. It humbles him very satisfactorily, to both us the readers as well as the other main characters.
Wallace’s growing relationships with each of the other characters was comforting to watch as they grew into a family.
Also the entire second half of the story had balling my eyes out (in a good way), because of how the author wrote about grief and letting go and being thankful and about getting a certain amount of time with a person. It really struck an emotional cord with me. Moreover, the other reason for my tears was Wallace’s absolute tragic relationship with Hugo, because every time he was reminded they couldn’t touch I wanted to cry, because they loved each other so much and it was so unfair.
The ending was a bit of a shock, but I knew there would be a twist at the end. I could smell it. And what an absolutely marvellous twist it was. I couldn’t be happier. Although, I was still bittersweet (a theme I’m noticing) about Nelson’s end. I loved him so much, and his relationships with Hugo and Wallace, acting as the cool grandad / father figure. There’s more I probably want to say, but I’ll leave it here for now.
This book took me on a fantastic journey with characters that felt like real people, and was thoroughly easy to read (structurally, not emotionally, it’ll take a while to recover from this… in a good way), and everything that was introduced near the beginning of the story was resolved by its end. This is truly one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a while.
This book had me laughing, crying and feeling everything in between. It has such amazing, charming and funny humour coupled with just fantastic emotional depth. The characters are also phenomenal and I thoroughly enjoyed watching their progress and growth throughout the story.
Wallace’s growing relationships with each of the other characters was comforting to watch as they grew into a family.
Also the entire second half of the story had balling my eyes out (in a good way), because of how the author wrote about grief and letting go and being thankful and about getting a certain amount of time with a person. It really struck an emotional cord with me. Moreover, the other reason for my tears was Wallace’s absolute tragic relationship with Hugo, because every time he was reminded they couldn’t touch I wanted to cry, because they loved each other so much and it was so unfair.
The ending was a bit of a shock, but I knew there would be a twist at the end. I could smell it. And what an absolutely marvellous twist it was. I couldn’t be happier. Although, I was still bittersweet (a theme I’m noticing) about Nelson’s end. I loved him so much, and his relationships with Hugo and Wallace, acting as the cool grandad / father figure. There’s more I probably want to say, but I’ll leave it here for now.
This book took me on a fantastic journey with characters that felt like real people, and was thoroughly easy to read (structurally, not emotionally, it’ll take a while to recover from this… in a good way), and everything that was introduced near the beginning of the story was resolved by its end. This is truly one of the most impactful books I’ve read in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, Suicide attempt, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
marsonmars's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
If you ever wanna read a book, were you have to stop once every chapter because you are crying so hard you can't see the page anymore, this bad boy is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Suicide, Mental illness, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, Suicide attempt, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Car accident, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
princessdana36's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
How can a book be emotional, heavy, and lighthearted?! Read this book and you will understand. It was so so good. I love TJ Klune as an author. He asks the hard questions as well as admitting the unknowable in the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Animal death, Child death, Death, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
hocuscrocus's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Man... TJ Klune is maybe a wizard.
This is the second of his I've read and it's the second time I've ugly cried over his books.
This book is such a beautiful exploration of life, death, and grief but in a way that is loveable and fun. I found myself actually feeling comforted in a place I didn't know I needed it after reading this.
Also, as usual, the queerness shines through beautifully.
Thanks for the catharsis, Mr. Klune.
This is the second of his I've read and it's the second time I've ugly cried over his books.
This book is such a beautiful exploration of life, death, and grief but in a way that is loveable and fun. I found myself actually feeling comforted in a place I didn't know I needed it after reading this.
Also, as usual, the queerness shines through beautifully.
Thanks for the catharsis, Mr. Klune.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Suicide, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Animal death
kelseyr713's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
I’m living with fresh grief, so this really hit hard for me. The quality of writing is a little stiff at times, and I wish we got to know the characters a bit more, but because of how much I was invested in the story and everyone’s relationships, I can overlook those things. Whimsical, funny, and poignant. I was sobbing through reading towards the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Animal death, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Child death, and Death of parent
dhutton1997's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Nelson. Apollo. Mei. Wallace. Hugo.
It was such a beautiful book that discussed what happens to someone once they have passed away.
Slow start but man does every single detail add to this beautiful world.
It was such a beautiful book that discussed what happens to someone once they have passed away.
Slow start but man does every single detail add to this beautiful world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Suicide, Grief, and Animal death
liamourie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Grief, Self harm, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Death of parent, Animal death, Car accident, and Mental illness
findingthefantasticstory's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I loved this, I live it so much that I'm lost for words. I'm trying to write this review but I'm struggling to put how I feel into words.
All I can really write about is the characters. I loved them all. Klune is great at writing characters you really fall in love with. Even thought the novel is slow paced, the characters make you want to keep reading. You want this found family to be together forever no matter what it takes. I won't even get started on the character development in this book. All the characters develop in different ways through being involved with Wallace.
Also the way it deals with grief is so unique. I fell like this book would help people who have lost a loved one.
I think this book may have changed me emotionally. I'm writing this only a few minutes after finishing the book and I am shaking with emotion. I just need everyone to read this book.
All I can really write about is the characters. I loved them all. Klune is great at writing characters you really fall in love with. Even thought the novel is slow paced, the characters make you want to keep reading. You want this found family to be together forever no matter what it takes. I won't even get started on the character development in this book. All the characters develop in different ways through being involved with Wallace.
Also the way it deals with grief is so unique. I fell like this book would help people who have lost a loved one.
I think this book may have changed me emotionally. I'm writing this only a few minutes after finishing the book and I am shaking with emotion. I just need everyone to read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Death, and Suicide attempt