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garbitchdisposal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Child death, and Suicide
badbadwolf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Violence, Suicide, Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, Infidelity, and Homophobia
rebeccadiv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Animal death
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
cozyfantasyfaetay's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Mental illness, Infidelity, Medical trauma, and Medical content
erenreads12's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The middle section felt strong and more engaging, and for a time felt like a solid 3 star - however it seemed as though Klune didn't even realise the strongest points of his novel and didn't capitalise on the most moving components, leaving me feeling unsatisfied with a series of what should have been impactful events.
Although the story ended in what I feel was the best and most appropriate way, the execution here (and at pivotal moments throughout) felt rushed and lacked impact. A little frustrated and disappointed by this book.
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Death
basil_touche's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
However, I think my main problem with this book is that Wallace's development doesn't feel earned. He changes his ways quite rapidly once he's in the tea shop and it's not really shown in enough depth for my liking. This in turn made his romance with ferryman Hugo just feel forced, I felt as though other characters or the narrative kept pointing out they had feelings for each other and I just didn't really care if they got together or not.
There was also some pacing issues as while the first few chapters were great at setting up the narrative, after they arrived at the tea shop not much happened and it became a slog up until 150 pages in, to which it picked up again for a few chapters before dipping again. I also don't like how some of the side characters were written (Desdemona and Harvey spring to mind) they felt rather one note and flat. Throughout the book I just kept wishing there was more things explored with the characters, sure they talk about grief in a personal way but it felt like they just kept repeating themselves after a point. It just felt too twee for my liking.
They were some aspects I did quite like, Nelson is my favourite character, love the idea of an old ghost who really doesn't care what other people think of him now but still cares deeply for his grandson and his friends. Cameron's story I thought was tragic and told in such an interesting way that it his exit from the narrative felt really satisfying. Also how when ghosts go through the door we're not shown what they see, only their reactions. Also Apollo the ghost dog, gotta love a ghost dog.
Again, maybe it's on me for setting my expectations to high for this. If you like Klune's other novels, you'll probably like this one. I'll still check out his other work, I just better tamper my expectations first.
Graphic: Animal death, Mental illness, Child death, Murder, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Car accident
bussmanbooks3000's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, Cancer, Death, Child death, Blood, Animal death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
eva_ds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Suicide attempt
soggywaffle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Death
thebankofbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Suicide, Terminal illness, Cancer, Body horror, Murder, Child death, Chronic illness, and Self harm