Under the Whispering Door

Daniela A, Reviewer

After reading The House in the Cerulean Sea and recommending it to everyone I know, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review the ARC of his next book. This book is about Wallace - he's a pretty awful human. He's selfish, rude, insensitive and puts his work as a lawyer about everything else in his life. In the first chapter, Wallace dies. After his death, his ghost learns what it is to really live. This book is so heartfelt - there is so much emotion and growth in the characters. I loved that there was TJ Klune's trademark quirky humor which was good given the difficult topics of death, regret, guilt etc. I enjoyed this book immensely. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for the ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review. https://www.instagram.com/dani.reads.too.much/ https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4725184-daniela-arena

Lucy Kate O, Bookseller

I absolutely loved this book. It managed to feel completely different to 'The House in the Cerulean Sea', and yet felt reminiscent. This book caused me to reflect about the way I interpreted and felt about death, and was a truly emotional and beautiful read. Klune has done it again, with a deceptively complex concept exposing simple truths about what it is to be human.

Reviewer 671072

TJ Klune: author of queer book hugs. That’s the only way I can explain the magic that was The House on the Cerulean Sea and that is Under the Whispering Door. Though not related to the book that was Klune’s claim to fame, the world in Under the Whispering Door feels comforting and familiar after reading The House on the Cerulean Sea. Tough topics such as death, grief, murder, and suicide are tackled gently in this wondrous world featuring ferryperson Hugo, reaper Mei, grandfather Norman, and the protagonist Wallace. Pick up this book for an endearing story about creating a life in death. Thank you, @netgalley and @tjklunebooks for an advanced reader copy of Under the Whispering Door. Pick this up from your local bookstore on September 21!

Reviewer 708640

I will never not recommend this book! I love Klune's style so much. I wouldn't accept such sweetness from just anyone. Under the Whispering Door is like a warm hug I didn't know I needed. Wallace learning to live after he has already died makes the reader really think about how they are living now. What kind of legacy will they leave behind. What will tether you to the world? Wallace was awful. The worst. And yet, even he is capable of redemption. He was all along. Characters were amazing. Story was great. I have no notes.

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND INDIE BESTSELLER
An Indie Next and LibraryReads Pick!
A Locus Awards Top Ten Finalist for Fantasy Novel
A 2021 LibraryReads Favorite

“There is so much to enjoy in Under the Whispering Door, but what I cherish the most is its compassion for the little things—a touch, a glance, a precious piece of dialogue—healing me, telling me that for all the strangenesses I hold, I am valued, valid—and maybe even worthy of love.” —Ryka Aoki, Light from Uncommon Stars

“A warm hug of a book about a Grinch of a man who dies and a ferryman, who helps the dead in their journey onwards. Under the Whispering Door is a kind book, full of faith in the goodness of people, full of kind people showing how compassion is a strength. It broke my heart with its unflinching understanding that grief never goes away, never empties, only settles into the room of your soul like a strange souvenir. And then it healed me in the next breath.” —Cassandra Khaw, author of Nothing But Blackened Teeth

“Tenderness, wit, and skillful worldbuilding elevate this delightful tale. Fans of queer fantasy won’t want to miss this.” —Publishers Weekly

“The latest by Lambda Literary Award winner Klune is a winning story about grief, loss, and moving on. Readers will cry and be charmed by his wonderful characters.” —Library Journal

“Klune's latest is a sweet tale of grief and second chances, and a ghost story about not giving up on even the most lost of souls.” —Booklist

“TJ Klune is a master storyteller.” —The Mary Sue

“TJ Klune is doing powerful work that inspires and impresses. He is a gift to our troubled times, and his novels are a radiant treat to all who discover them.” —Locus

Praise for The House in The Cerulean Sea
A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER!
A 2021 Alex Award winner!
An Indie Next Pick!
One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020"
One of Book Riot’s “20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies”

"I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect." —V.E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"It will renew your faith in humanity.” —Terry Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of the Shannara series

“It’s a witty, wholesome fantasy that’s likely to cause heart-swelling.” —The Washington Post

“The House in The Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book.” —Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Touching, tender, and truly delightful, The House in the Cerulean Sea is an utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family, and defeating bureaucracy.”—Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless

“Sweet, comforting, and kind, this book is very close to perfect. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a work of classic children's literature written for adults and children alike, with the perspective and delicacy of the modern day. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” —Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway

“Quirk and charm give way to a serious exploration of the dangers of complacency in this delightful, thought-provoking Orwellian fantasy from Klune.... This tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klune’s wit and ingenuity.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Lambda Literary Award-winning author Klune (The Art of Breathing, 2019, etc.) has a knack for creating endearing characters, and readers will grow to love Arthur and the orphans alongside Linus... fans of quirky fantasy will eat it up. A breezy and fun contemporary fantasy." —Kirkus

“This is a sweet narrative about the value of asking questions and the benefits of giving people (especially children) a chance to be safe, protected, and themselves, regardless of what assumptions one might glean from, say, reading their case file.” —Booklist

“This inclusive fantasy is quite possibly the greatest feel-good story ever to involve the Antichrist.... The House in the Cerulean Sea will delight fans of Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series and any reader looking for a burst of humor and hope.” —Shelf Awareness

"A delightful tale about chosen families, and how to celebrate differences." —Library Journal

“If ever there was an author to watch out for, [Klune] is definitely that author.” —Culturess Daily