SamI’ll forever be grateful to T.J. Klune for his ability to give us stories that feel like hugs in the form of paperbacks. Similar to his book, The House in the Cerulean Sea, Klune’s queer fantasy Under the Whispering Door explores what it means to be a good person. Dealing with themes of love, grief, and empathy, this book challenges the idea that people are irredeemable.
“When a reaper comes to collect Wallace from his own funeral, Wallace begins to suspect he might be dead. And when Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop, promises to help him cross over, Wallace decides he’s definitely dead. But even in death he’s not ready to abandon the life he barely lived, so when Wallace is given one week to cross over, he sets about living a lifetime in seven days.”
Under the Whispering Door is a wonderful example of the type of tortuous slow burning romance that so many of us queer bookworms are fond of. As the protagonist is a ghost, he and his love interest are unable to have any physical interaction. However, that does nothing to dull the blossoming connection between them.
The cozy atmospheric teahouse, Charon’s Crossing, acts as the perfect setting to let this wholesome story of love and found family unfold. The quirky ensemble of characters helps bring balance to the journey between darker and lighter themes within the book. Overall the story left me with a sense of comfort and connection. So if you haven’t read Under the Whispering Door yet, now is the time!
The first time you share tea, you are a stranger. The second time you share tea, you are an honoured guest. The third time you share tea, you become family.
