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tiffharrison's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly magnificent and heartbreaking. I can only hope death is this beautiful.
sage__evans's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
A heartwarming look at humanity and love. This book is sooooo good
aclopez6's review against another edition
5.0
(Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!)
I need to preface this review by noting that I am biased--I adored TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I put off reading and reviewing this book because I was so excited. Y'all, this book did not let me down.
The book begins with our main character, Wallace, a very rigid, unsympathetic lawyer...during his final hours alive before he experiences a heart attack, and then witnesses his own poorly attended funeral. We then encounter Mei, a Reaper, who brings Wallace to meet a ferryman in a tea shop (also, love this setting detail!). The character development in this book is brilliant, and I appreciate the humor sprinkled throughout a book focused on grief, loss, and love. There are a few difficult topics such as suicide, divorce, child illness, death of parents, which the main characters handle with grace, while Klune still includes mentions of more harmful side characters--which makes these moments feel more realistic. This is a book that I intend to buy a copy of once it is available, and I am excited to add this book to my favorites!
As a high school teacher, I would add this book to my classroom library, and would encourage some to make this a book club or reading circle book choice (I say choice only because some families do not feel comfortable with mentions of ghosts, demons (brief, joking mention), or higher powers.
I need to preface this review by noting that I am biased--I adored TJ Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, and I put off reading and reviewing this book because I was so excited. Y'all, this book did not let me down.
The book begins with our main character, Wallace, a very rigid, unsympathetic lawyer...during his final hours alive before he experiences a heart attack, and then witnesses his own poorly attended funeral. We then encounter Mei, a Reaper, who brings Wallace to meet a ferryman in a tea shop (also, love this setting detail!). The character development in this book is brilliant, and I appreciate the humor sprinkled throughout a book focused on grief, loss, and love. There are a few difficult topics such as suicide, divorce, child illness, death of parents, which the main characters handle with grace, while Klune still includes mentions of more harmful side characters--which makes these moments feel more realistic. This is a book that I intend to buy a copy of once it is available, and I am excited to add this book to my favorites!
As a high school teacher, I would add this book to my classroom library, and would encourage some to make this a book club or reading circle book choice (I say choice only because some families do not feel comfortable with mentions of ghosts, demons (brief, joking mention), or higher powers.
svenja98's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
sayyahtobookseh's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
brookfieldbee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
sarahjover's review against another edition
1.0
Dit leek wel een slecht AI gegenereerde boek. Alsof het een check-list heeft afgewerkt: etnische diversiteit, queer, humor, romantiek en diepgang over leven en dood. Super inclusief enzo, maar jezus wat een slechte uitvoering.
Er zaten stukken in wat ‘grappig’ moest zijn, maar het leek alsof je een kindercartoon aan het lezen was.
Don’t even get me started over de honden geest. What in the world.
Ik heb veel lovende woorden gehoord over TJ Klune, maar ya done. NEXT.
Er zaten stukken in wat ‘grappig’ moest zijn, maar het leek alsof je een kindercartoon aan het lezen was.
Don’t even get me started over de honden geest. What in the world.
Ik heb veel lovende woorden gehoord over TJ Klune, maar ya done. NEXT.
clowncharles's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
shrimi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.5