Review:

“It took you dying to find your humanity. It’s hysterical if you think about it.”

If The House in the Cerulean Sea is the feeling of a warm hug, Under the Whispering Door is the cathartic feeling of a good cry. Under the Whispering Door is a lot heavier and thought-provoking, I ended the book with a tears in my eyes. Although there were many moments that I wanted to cry, Klune does a great job of making me laugh unexpectedly, too.

“Wallace wondered what it said about his life (and death) that he’d ended up in a kitchen in a lopsided house in the middle of nowhere wearing nothing but a bikini.”

This is a book about death and afterlife. It’s the perfect novel whether you believe in a God or not. Honestly, as someone who doesn’t feel at home in organized religion, it was perfect for me, but I can see those with extreme faith taking heart in it as well. Klune builds a world where afterlife is possible for even the most unlikely of people and makes you believe there could be a specialized version of life beyond death for us all.

I thought the Husks (lost souls that haven’t made their way to crossing through the Whispering Door, tried to stray too far from the village, and become disturbed beings) were so interesting. The main characters find themselves helping these Husks and I thought this was a lovely metaphor for the ability to seek redemption in our lives (and in the afterlife). As a trigger warning, there was a character that died by suicide who became a Husk, and he lives in a Hellish limbo. The characters are determined to help him come back to himself and cross. I think Klune took some of the scary parts of religion and made them his own. It seems as if he has faith for something beyond death but he doesn’t buy into to the finality of Hell, to a place where you are never able to escape your misdeeds.

“It’s all about your mind and how you focus it.”

The only issue I saw with this book was Wallace going from one of the most ruthless, business oriented people to almost immediately changing into a soft hearted man after dying. The change could have happened more organically, it felt too instantaneous. It wasn’t enough to put me off too much though, and I guess if anything could change a person, experiencing your own death and being able to reflect on your life would be it. I didn’t devour this book in the same way as I did Cerulean Sea, but I think that’s good. This is a book to be savored and turned over slowly, it requires a bit deeper of thought.

TJ Klune has solidified himself as a “must buy” author in my eyes. Also, thanks for making Apollo the goodest boy around. Can’t resist an animal companion! This is one of those books that is hard to explain, but should be experienced. I think that sums up most of the books Klune writes.

tried to start this, had trouble getting into it - i'll try again another time but for now, this was difficult to get to and i didn't have the time to commit.

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐨𝐨𝐫

𝑶𝒏𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒚:
A whimsical/Pixar story about loss, death, love, and tea!

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
This story was so beautiful!!!! After reading House in the Cerulean Sea I had such high expectations. This story totally meet them and more. Still that same whimsical humor that we expect from TJ Klune with the added narrative of something more deep. A story about death that made me feel alive!!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the ⁣ chance to read this book :)

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I LOVE TJ Kline! There is a whimsy to his storytelling rooted in thoughtful, sincere, and complicated characters. Somehow I always end up in tears.

As much as I enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, I knew I would enjoy Under the Whispering Door as well. TJ Klune did not disappoint! I loved this one even more.

What really happens after we die? Is it really the end for us? Is there life and redemption after death? Can there ever be a second chance for us if we find ourselves full of regrets after our deaths? No one can ever really know until we experience it for ourselves, but through Klune’s imagination, we can ponder one possibility in this tale.

In this book, you will find fantasy, grief, heartache, character growth, all packaged up in a unique love story with queer representation. All along the way, you will be wondering if there will be a happy ending. You’ll have to read this one to find out!

4.5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Before reading UNDER THE WHISPERING DOOR, I was afraid TJ Klune was overhyped: his previous novel was (and still pretty much is) everywhere on Bookstagram, and I just couldn't get myself to buy it. Now, I am looking forward to adding it to my — already very much out of control — TBR 😍

This is such a lovely and heartbreaking story. It discusses death, grief and self-improvement with amazing ease and delivers a smooth and light narration and a great bunch of deep, multifaceted characters. In short: chef’s kiss 👌

Enjoyable story, likeable characters. The details of who could touch what when were wishy washy enough to nag at me but the story was lovely.

A delightfully warm and comforting read about death and grief featuring yet another fun cast of characters. Did I tear up? Yes - twice, actually. But something is holding me back from giving this five stars, and I think it was the romance. While perfectly nice by the end, I did feel as though it came a little out of nowhere. And the plot is very similar to The House in the Cerulean Sea, which is fine because sometimes we just need a familiar story to hide away into. This book also features a grumpy and unhappy man in a corporate job who finds himself in a new home and while there, discovers new friends and a relationship, and as similar as it was to his previous book, I still ate it up all the same. I actually brought this book with me to the gym because I wanted to finish it today so badly haha. But of the two, I can't say that this one is my favorite. It's still good and I enjoyed reading it, don't get me wrong, but it took me a little longer to get into the story.

After Wallace dies, he is taken by Mei, a reaper, to a tea shop in a small village and is placed under the care of Hugo. Hugo is a ferryman and it is his job to prepare Wallace for his transition to the afterlife. It all seems very simple, yet this story is anything but. It explores what it means to lead a good life and what happens when we die. T.J. Klune writes a beautiful tale of love, loss, friendship, and family, all while exploring the deeper meaning of things. The setting is described in intricate detail so that you can visualize the beauty and simplicity of the tea shop. The depth of each character's personality helps the reader to connect with and appreciate each one. I feel that the story could have been a bit shorter, as it felt repetitive at times, but I understand the author's purpose in writing as he did. I do not want to say too much about the story itself as it is something that should be fully experienced by the reader and not spoiled in a review. I will say though that Chapter 11 had me laughing out loud.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of #UndertheWhisperingDoor by #TJKlune in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars

Thank you so much for letting me read this book before it came out. It was a real feel good book, but with a deeper meaning. It took a bit longer than usual for me to get into the book, but once I got there, there was no way to put it down. The character development in this book was phenomenal, but at the same time felt very natural. As soon as I finished this book, I ordered The house in the cerulean sea, because if it is anything like this one, I'm gonna be in love!

This book is simply stunning. This is a story of growth, acceptance and moving on. This is the story of Wallace Price, a very cruel and selfish lawyer. Wallace dies and his second life starts, his life after Death. Wallace meets Hugo Freeman, the ferryman, Mei, the Reaper and Nelson, the quirky and very much dead grandfather. Together they help Wallace accept his new status and they hope he will move forward to the new stage of his life.
This book is very moving and gripping. I adored all the characters and really felt for their plight. Mei is hilarious, as is Nelson, Hugo is loving and empathetic, and Wallace is the glue that binds them all together.
T

This is a story about what comes next.

I can totally see why so many readers are enjoying this one, but I struggled with it. I think I may come back to it at a later point- I found it too depressing currently. That being said, it was very well written & if you’re in the mood for something that will make you think about the nature of life this may be a good fit!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️. 💫 rounded to 4.

Thank you so much Macmillan-Tor/Forge, for this eArc!

Wallace Price is a high-achieving, cold hearted, workaholic attorney until he meets a swift and unexpected death. He quickly finds himself at a peculiar tea shop in an unknown but somehow familiar forest, and with the help of a Ferryman named Hugo prepares himself to "move on" to whatever is next. In death Wallace is challenged to grow and connect with others in ways he never did in life.

I positively adored "Under the Whispering Door!" What a moving, bittersweet, beautiful story about grief and loss and what it means to love. Thank you so much to NetGalley providing a copy of this book!

What happens after you die? Is there a Heaven? A Hell? A whole lot of nothing? It's a question that we've been asking ourselves for as long as we've known what death was. And in TJ Klune's "Under the Whispering Door," Reapers and Ferrymen usher the recently deceased from the world of the living to whatever form their afterlife takes. For most, this transition happens without a problem. But for some, like Wallace Price, it's quite a difficult affair. "Under the Whispering Door" is a gorgeously written, expertly plotted, and deeply emotional read. Perfectly balancing humor, melancholy, and deep sadness, "Under the Whispering Door" dives deep into what it means to be a good person. It’s a thrilling fantasy, a sweet romance, and an emotional exploration of grief. All in all, it’s a must-read.

Wallace Price was not a good man. And it took him dying to finally figure it out. After being led to a mysterious tea shop by Mei, a self-described Reaper, Wallace meets Hugo - a ferryman tasked with ushering the recently deceased to their afterlife. The problem is that Wallace isn't ready to move on. And not only that, he can't even accept that he's dead. Lucky for him, though, he's got plenty of time to come to terms with his death - and maybe, just maybe, the chance to make up for the life he didn't live. "Under the Whispering Door" is less of a story about death and more of a story about what it means to live. It's not a book about ghosts, it's a book about a specific ghost and the relationships he forms in his afterlife.

If you've ever seen "Dead Like Me" or "Pushing Daisies," you'll have a pretty good hint as to what kind of a story this is. Hugo easily fits in amongst the Reapers in "Dead Like Me" or alongside Ned in "Pushing Daisies". Characters that help the recently deceased learn how to move on. It's a common trope in fantasy literature, but one that's utilized very well here. Klune focuses less on the specifics of how the afterlife works, and instead, laser-focuses on Wallace's specific emotional arc. How he changes from this closed-off, bitter person into someone who genuinely cares for himself, his friends, and even his loved ones. As a ghost, Wallace grows more than he ever did while he was alive. And it's an absolute delight to witness.

Perhaps the first thing you notice about "Under the Whispering Door" is how gorgeously written it is. "Under the Whispering Door" is a very whimsical novel. And it can be very difficult to capture that kind of whimsy in prose without coming across as overly descriptive - or so poetic it veers into “purple prose”. But Klune walks that tight rope perfectly. His prose is just descriptive enough that you can understand what’s going on without being so descriptive that it slows down the pacing. And while he definitely veers into some poetic prose at times, it always feels purposeful and insightful. These moments of more whimsical prose are rooted in what’s going on with the characters

With how much the book revolves around the concept of death and grief, it would’ve been easy for things to grow too depressing. But luckily, Klune strikes a great balance between the lighter moments and the more serious ones. There are occasional moments where the tone wildly swings from humor to sadness, but they mostly work quite well. The parts of the book that are meant to be funny are genuinely funny. I rarely audibly laugh at books, but there's a sequence about halfway through the book involving a seance that made me cackle. And the same is true for the sadder moments. It never feels maudlin or overwrought with emotion. Everything is very character-driven and rooted in their real experiences. The entire cast of characters feels authentic and lived in. And so those moments of sadness feel earned. It's exposition, sure, but it's character-driven exposition rather than plot-driven exposition.

"Under the Whispering Door" has some of the best plotting I’ve seen in a while. While it’s not really the kind of book that’s trying to wow you with twists and turns or anything, it’s still clear just how much effort Klune’s put into making sure everything comes together. No detail is random. Everything he introduces has some kind of payoff, even if it’s something that initially feels unimportant and minor. If you're paying attention, you can see the broad strokes of where the story is going - but in a good way. It means that Klune perfectly lays the groundwork for every single aspect of the story. Nothing feels like it came out of left field because Klune perfectly sets everything up - even if you didn't realize that's what was happening when it happened.

However, that’s not to say that the narrative is without fault. A lot of time passes between some chapters. And during this unseen time, Wallace often makes quite a bit of headway towards accepting his situation/being a better person/falling for Hugo, etc. It would have been nice to get to experience these moments as they happened, rather than having it summed up in a throwaway paragraph.

I’m also conflicted about the ending. On an emotional level, it works very well. But on a narrative level, it sort of feels like a copout. You see it coming from a mile away (though the exact specifics aren’t as easily predictable). But it feels slightly at odds with the novel’s themes. To say any more would veer into spoilers, but the success of the ending is largely gonna depend on what you wanted out of this story. The more invested you are in the characters and their relationships, the more you’re liable to like the ending.

There’s also a general lack of urgency to most of "Under the Whispering Door". For a book about a character needing to come to peace with being dead so he can move on, there is a general lack of urgency to things until very late in the novel. Now, to be fair, that lack of urgency feels like an intentional choice. It is a character-driven story. So, it's all about how Wallace grows in his afterlife. How he changes and becomes better. And the leisurely pace supports this.

So because of that, it's a little offputting when the literary equivalent of a ticking timer is draped over the story. Narratively, it does make sense. Wallace needs a kick in the rear in that moment to finally make a choice. But it still feels odd. I wish Klune had either introduced the time limit earlier on or had just fully embraced the leisurely pacing. But it's a very minor issue because everything else about the book is just so dang delightful.

At the end of the day, "Under the Whispering Door" is an absolutely delightful read. It's the literary equivalent of snuggling up with a comfy blanket. Sure, there's a general lack of subtlety to all of the book's themes. And sure, the plot has a few issues and the ending's bound to be a bit divisive. But I dare you to walk away from this book without a smile on your face. "Under the Whispering Door" prioritizes character growth to a twisty-turny plot, and it's absolutely the right call. The prose is gorgeous and easy to read, the whimsy leaps off the page, and the characters are so well-written and realized that you feel like you genuinely know them. If you're a fan of light-hearted, yet emotional, whimsy - or if you like shows like "Dead Like Me" and "Pushing Daisies" - then "Under the Whispering Door" is a must-read.

New favorite book unlocked! I absolutely adored this book! It’s dark and real and depressing and funny and sweet and will make you feel all the emotions. It will make you think about life and death and the people close to you. It will make you want to take a leap and try something new. It will make you want to drink a good cup of tea. It will make you want to eat some baked goods too. I would 100% recommend this book!

Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy of this in exchange for a mn honest review.

This was a good story but to me it felt very similar to House in the cerulean sea. I still enjoyed it quite a bit. It was also a little on the long side and I feel like some storylines could’ve been cut out.

This was a brilliant book. I enjoyed so many things about it: the developing relationships, the internal growth of the characters, the tea. I knew what would happen throughout the book, but that didn't really bother me, because it was nice to see the results. There was some serious sobbing on my end all through the book.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a free and unbiased review! It was amazing!!!

Tj really outdid himself with this story. While this story does deal with death, TJ blends in just the right amount of humor to keep it from being too angsty. I loved the journey Wallace goes through. Only after dying has he learned how to enjoy life. Hugo was a lovely character. He would have to be in order to do what he does. Like all his other stories, Under The Whispering Door is very character driven! You will come to love Wallace, Hugo, Mei, Nelson and even Apollo the ghost dog!

Tears. I cried so hard and so much throughout this book. It felt refreshing to cry like that, but I also felt as if I was being wrecked by this story. Not because it is a terribly sad tale, but more because of my personal connections to death, moving on and grief over lost chances.

This book is wonderfully written by Klune. The story is alive and rich with a fun cast of characters, including a ghost dog who is the best of boys! The storytelling in itself feels warm and encompassing and it makes the book un-put-down-able without being a thrilling page-turner. Quite the opposite actually. The ending is pretty obvious, but it was still everything I wanted and I wasn’t mad at it.

Following Wallace Price felt similar to following Ebenzer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol in the sense that you can’t believe they were that shitty, and yet you can’t help but cheer them on as they try to better themselves.

I already cannot wait to reread this at some point. I know I will get that fuzzy feeling of returning to a good story and a set of wonderful characters. I highly recommend this, especially if you’ve read and liked The House in the Cerulean Sea! But even if you’ve never heard of T.J. Klune, then give this book a go! I promise, you won’t want to put it down.

In life, Wallace Price is not a good man. His suits are fancy, his work is everything and he'll do whatever it takes to get the job done. Heaven forbid anyone get in his way. In death, Wallace is given a second chance to become the man he could have been.

His heart begins to warm up after his body has turned cold. Once he's had a little time to adjust to being dead, that is. Under the Whispering Door is a story about friendship, love, life, death and tea. Lots of tea.

TJ Klune knows how to pull on my heartstrings, that's for sure. This is the second of his books that I've read. I absolutely adored The House in the Cerulean Sea and had already decided that he is an auto-buy author for me. That fact firmly remains after reading this book. His characters are complex and his stories are meaningful and rich ‒ even more than Wallace was financially in life, and in love after his death. Under the Whispering Door, much like the House in the Cerulean Sea, shows that family isn't just who you're stuck with or who you deserve, but who you need. I loved this book. I can't think of a negative thing to say about it. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me think about the people I love. During tough times, or any time, this is the kind of read you need.