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vmjanek's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death and Child death
Minor: Death of parent and Suicide
vael's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Animal death, Death, Murder, Suicide, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
cartermon4's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
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!
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
sunny15's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Death, and Animal death
Moderate: Suicide
carlyoc's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, and Death
larakmacon's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I really appreciated how TJ Klune handled the topics of death and grief. He writes in a way that makes even the most fantastical situations read so human. He has a truly gifted imagination and the writing capabilities to bring his stories to live.
Under the Whispering Door made me laugh, made me cry, and made me feel seen. It was a treasure to read.
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Death
raintje's review
- 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
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
ashtonebemis's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, and Animal death
zumo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Mental illness, Suicide, Death of parent, and Animal death