T.J. Klune once again delivers a queer magical adventure in his latest novel, “Under the Whispering Door”, where death marks the beginning of a new journey. Klune, known for his enchanting storytelling, first captured my attention with “The House in the Cerulean Sea”, which I read in 2023. While “Under the Whispering Door” offers moments of wonder and charm, it ultimately falls short of the depth and emotional realism (if such a thing exists in a magical realm) that I was hoping for, which hindered my overall enjoyment of the book.

The novel presents a unique approach to exploring grief, one that resonated with me on a personal level as it brought back memories of loss in my own life. For this, I give Klune significant praise. Additionally, I commend him for crafting a budding gay romance that gracefully avoids the stereotypes and clichés often found in portrayals of gay relationships in literature.

In conclusion, while “Under the Whispering Door” wasn’t my cup of tea (consider that a nod to a particular plot element), I still appreciated the underlying message it sought to convey. I look forward to seeing Klune continue the Cerulean Chronicles with the upcoming release of “Somewhere Beyond the Sea”, expected this fall.

2.5 ⭐️