TJ Klune has done it again. I need to go through his backlist now because I am simply obsessed.
Synopsis: Wallace Price, the grumpiest man there ever was ends up attending his own funeral. He starts to think he really is dead when a reaper shows up to take him to a small little tea shop in the middle of the woods instead of to the afterlife. Wallace meets the tea shop owner Hugo, a ferryman who helps souls that need to cross over. Wallace is very adamant about not being ready for his life to be over, but with this quirky little makeshift family and Hugo's caring soul, Wallace may learn how to live even after being dead.
Plot: It isn't often that I find a story that is completely unique and Klune DID THAT. I think that overall the story was a bit long, but I never got bored while reading. There was always something new going on that moved the plot along enough to stay interested. Some nice twists too but nothing completely out of the blue. The message and overall effect is what really gets me with his writing. The storytelling aspects are of course fantastic, but every time after putting down one of his books I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. There are definitely some darker themes at times, and it can get sad but there is an underline of hope that is beautiful and thought-provoking. Expect a good message, without being preachy, and a heartwarming story with this one.
Characters: I think this is always going to be where Klune especially excels. Don't get me wrong, plot was nice too but he KNOWS how to write unique characters that will make you instantly care about them. Even Mr. Grumpy himself I loved from page one. Watching the relationships grow and change and seeing their flaws along with well-developed arcs is really where the magic lies with this story. And we love the LGBTQ+ representation.
Whimsy and wonderful.
4/5 stars.
TW: Death and suicide.
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