A review by rachelroo13
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

5.0

I thought The House in the Cerulean Sea was an amazing book, but this one hit so hard. It was less quirky, more mature (though still entertaining), and the entire take on the afterlife was something I didn't know I needed. Wallace, despite being a complete dick during life, was somehow endearing even as he struggled to accept death. Nelson was wise and funny, Mei was the perfect caring yet feisty Reaper, and Hugo... oh Hugo. A tall man who owns a tea shop, helps ghosts move on, and wears colorful bandanas every day? I didn't stand a chance. The way Wallace was able to grow by helping others both living and dead while he worked through his own issues was inspiring. And the ending.... I sobbed. Literally sobbed. Nothing could prepare me for the epilogue. The fact that Klune made a place for animals in the afterlife, saying they leave with a piece of our own souls, tore me to shreds. I highly recommend this one to any and everyone.