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A review by orionmerlin
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
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
4.5
Characters: 9.5/10
Look, if you don’t like these characters, you might actually be heartless. Wallace Price starts off as a walking red flag, but watching him morph into an actual decent human (posthumously, of course) is weirdly satisfying. Hugo is a saint, Mei is a delightful menace, and Nelson is the grandpa we all wish we had. They’re not just warm bodies filling space; they matter, and you actually care what happens to them. Wild concept, right?
Look, if you don’t like these characters, you might actually be heartless. Wallace Price starts off as a walking red flag, but watching him morph into an actual decent human (posthumously, of course) is weirdly satisfying. Hugo is a saint, Mei is a delightful menace, and Nelson is the grandpa we all wish we had. They’re not just warm bodies filling space; they matter, and you actually care what happens to them. Wild concept, right?
Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10
A tea shop for dead people? Somehow, Klune makes this feel like the coziest, most profound place ever. It’s ethereal, it’s intimate, it’s the kind of setting you wish existed just so you could go sit in it and contemplate life (or death, in this case). Sure, some corners of this world could have used a little more exploration, but as it stands, it’s beautifully immersive.
A tea shop for dead people? Somehow, Klune makes this feel like the coziest, most profound place ever. It’s ethereal, it’s intimate, it’s the kind of setting you wish existed just so you could go sit in it and contemplate life (or death, in this case). Sure, some corners of this world could have used a little more exploration, but as it stands, it’s beautifully immersive.
Writing Style: 9/10
Klune’s writing is that perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous—like a warm hug but with occasional existential dread. It’s emotional without being manipulative, witty without trying too hard, and just works. The dialogue actually sounds like people talking (shocking, I know), and the prose is smooth enough that you don’t even notice you’ve been emotionally wrecked until it’s too late.
Klune’s writing is that perfect mix of heartfelt and humorous—like a warm hug but with occasional existential dread. It’s emotional without being manipulative, witty without trying too hard, and just works. The dialogue actually sounds like people talking (shocking, I know), and the prose is smooth enough that you don’t even notice you’ve been emotionally wrecked until it’s too late.
Plot: 8.5/10
Watching Wallace go from insufferable to actually bearable (and eventually likable!) is the emotional arc I didn’t know I needed. The exploration of grief, death, and what comes after is handled with surprising levity without losing its weight. Sure, the middle drags a bit, but the overall emotional punch makes up for it. Just don’t expect a thrill ride—it’s more of a slow burn that sneaks up on you with feelings.
Watching Wallace go from insufferable to actually bearable (and eventually likable!) is the emotional arc I didn’t know I needed. The exploration of grief, death, and what comes after is handled with surprising levity without losing its weight. Sure, the middle drags a bit, but the overall emotional punch makes up for it. Just don’t expect a thrill ride—it’s more of a slow burn that sneaks up on you with feelings.
Intrigue: 9/10
Even in the slower sections, this book never lost my interest. I needed to see Wallace figure himself out, and the relationships kept me invested. There aren’t any massive plot twists, but that’s not the point—this is all about the journey, and Klune makes you care about every step.
Even in the slower sections, this book never lost my interest. I needed to see Wallace figure himself out, and the relationships kept me invested. There aren’t any massive plot twists, but that’s not the point—this is all about the journey, and Klune makes you care about every step.
Logic/Relationships: 9/10
If there’s one thing Klune nails, it’s relationships. The found family vibes? Immaculate. The chemistry between Wallace and Hugo? Beautifully done. The afterlife rules? Just structured enough to work without bogging down the story in unnecessary lore dumps. Nothing feels forced, and the emotional payoffs land exactly where they should.
If there’s one thing Klune nails, it’s relationships. The found family vibes? Immaculate. The chemistry between Wallace and Hugo? Beautifully done. The afterlife rules? Just structured enough to work without bogging down the story in unnecessary lore dumps. Nothing feels forced, and the emotional payoffs land exactly where they should.
Enjoyment: 9/10
This book is like comfort food with an existential crisis baked in. It’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it makes you think about life in a way that doesn’t feel like a chore. Even with some pacing hiccups, it left me feeling something, which is more than I can say for half the books I read. So yeah, I’d absolutely recommend it—just be prepared for the emotional damage.
This book is like comfort food with an existential crisis baked in. It’s heartfelt, it’s funny, it makes you think about life in a way that doesn’t feel like a chore. Even with some pacing hiccups, it left me feeling something, which is more than I can say for half the books I read. So yeah, I’d absolutely recommend it—just be prepared for the emotional damage.