Also on the editing side is assistant editor Kristin Temple. Kristin had key input on the character of the Manager （as I tend to try to break my own in-world rules）， and that strange boy who is not really a boy is who he is because of her. Thanks, Kristin.
Next, the sensitivity readers. Not to diminish the work anyone else did on this book, but the sensitivity readers were, perhaps, some of the most important. Of the five central characters—Wallace, Hugo, Nelson, Mei, and Apollo—three are characters of color. The sensitivity readers sifted through various iterations with a fine-toothed comb and provided extremely beneficial notes. I’d like to thank the sensitivity readers at Tessera Editorial, as well as moukies, who made the character of Hugo that much better.
Saraciea Fennell and Anneliese Merz are my publicists and cheerleaders, and all around some of the best people an author could ask for on their team. I don’t know how they do what they do, but we’re all the better for them and the tireless work they do.
The higher up are Tor Publisher Devi Pillai, President of TDA Fritz Foy, VP and Director of Marketing Eileen Lawrence, Executive of Publicity Sarah Reidy, VP of Marketing and Publicity Lucille Rettino, and Chairman/Founder of TDA Tom Doherty. They believe in the power of queer storytelling, and I’m grateful they are letting me make the fantasy genre that much gayer.
Becky Yeager is the marketing lead, meaning it’s her job to get the word out about my books. One of the big reasons they’ve been read as widely as they have is her work. Thanks, Becky.
Rachel Taylor, the digital marketing coordinator, runs the Tor social-media accounts and makes sure everyone sees my dumb tweets about my books. Thanks, Rachel.
On the production side of things, you have production editor Melanie Sanders, production manager Steven Bucsok, interior designer Heather Saunders, and jacket designer Katie Klimowicz. They make everything look as good as it does. In addition, I’d like to thank Michelle Foytek, senior manager of publishing operations, who coordinates with production to get all the exclusive materials into the right editions.
And the jacket, man. The jacket. Go stare at it for just a moment. See how freaking rad that is? That’s because of Red Nose Studios. Chris has the uncanny ability to somehow dig around in my brain and make my imagination come to life in the form of the amazing jacket art he’s made for me. I am in constant awe of the work he does. Thanks, Chris.
I’d also like to thank the Macmillan sales team for all their support and hard work in getting this book—and all my others—out to bookstores everywhere. They are the best cheerleaders an author could ask for.
Thanks to Lynn and Mia, my beta readers. They get to read the stories before anyone else, and so far, they haven’t run screaming yet, so I count that as a win.
Thank you to Barnes & Noble for selecting Under the Whispering Door as an exclusive edition （if you haven’t seen the little something extra in the B&N edition, you should definitely check that out）。 Also, to the indie booksellers and librarians all over the world who’ve championed my books to readers, thank you. I am forever in your debt and will do whatever you ask of me, even if that means helping you hide a body.
Last, to you, the reader. Because of you, I get to do this whole writing thing as my job. Thank you for letting me do what I love most. I can’t wait for you to see what comes next.
TJ Klune
April 11, 2021
READ ON FOR
?MEI’S
INTRODUCTION TO
??REAPING
Welcome, MEIYING. You have been assigned to reap HUMAN BEINGS. If there has been a clerical error and you are not supposed to be reaping HUMAN BEINGS, please submit a request to the Manager for the correct materials. Since time is of the essence, your request will be reviewed with utmost urgency. Currently, the wait time is TWO YEARS SEVEN MONTHS SIXTEEN DAYS.
INTRODUCTION TO REAPING
Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’ve been selected for one of the most honorable positions in the known universe: Reaper! Reaping is as old as time itself because where there is life, death is sure to follow. Mortality is a dense and complicated subject, and while this introduction is by no means comprehensive, the following 7,598 pages will provide you with an outline of what your new job will require. Please keep in mind that every culture on PLANET EARTH has its own views and customs when it comes to death, so it is important for a Reaper to have a clear understanding of what that might entail. The reaping program is intensive, but then it needs to be. There is never a time when a subject is more vulnerable. It is important for a Reaper to be kind, courteous, and empathetic, all while remembering that the Reaper represents the Universe. You are the face of death and should act accordingly: with professionalism and diplomacy. Let’s begin, shall we?
SECTION I
WHAT IS A REAPER?
Reapers have a long and storied history on PLANET EARTH. Harkening back to the early days of HUMANKIND, reaping has played a major role in the passage from the end of life to the beginning of eternity, and has been depicted in many different forms.
For example, in WESTERN EUROPE, the specter of death was portrayed as a HUMAN SKELETON. Fun! In the MIDDLE EAST, Death was shown to be THE GOD KNOWN AS MOT OR MAWETH. This is also fun!
While these are just a couple of examples, they mean the same thing: you! And with this, you might be wondering: What exactly is a Reaper? That’s a very good question, MEIYING. To that end, let’s explore what it means so that your HUMAN BRAIN can begin to comprehend your new position. In the ENGLISH LANGUAGE, a Reaper must act thusly: Respond
Efficiently
And with
Patience
Empathy and
Respect
Yes, yes. Acronyms make us excited too. We hope you are having as much fun as we are, MEIYING.
But in all seriousness, being a Reaper means dealing with HUMANS when they are scared, sad, and sometimes angry. Most beings don’t like to consider their own mortality, and it is the job of the Reaper to ensure their passing is handled with care while working in conjunction with the Ferrypeople （more on them in Section III）。
For example, WHITE HUMAN WOMEN experience joy from THE PHRASE LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE. If you are assigned to a WHITE HUMAN WOMAN, remind HER of LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE, and you’re sure to see a SMILE on HER HUMAN FACE.
This is, of course, just one example. Since HUMANS come in ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AND COLORS, you will be required to tailor each experience of the Dearly Departed （DD） to match that specific DD. One size does not fit all in life or death, and it’s important for the Reaper to be able to make split-second decisions based upon the DD that is assigned to them. What follows is a list of 927 points meant to assist you in making said decisions. Please make sure to memorize each one. You will be tested. Get one wrong, and you might have your mind wiped before being returned to where you came from!
1.??DO NOT PANIC! PANICKING ONLY MAKES THINGS WORSE.
SECTION DXLI
UH OH! YOUR DD IS UPSET. NOW WHAT?
You have received a new assignment. You have reviewed the file along with your Ferryperson and have come up with a plan to bring your DD back to begin the transition process. Remembering what it means to be a Reaper—Respond Efficiently And with Patience, Empathy, and Respect—you travel to the location where your DD awaits.
Oh no!
Your DD is angry. They do not want to be dead. Since HUMANS are SOMEWHAT INTELLIGENT, they might not be ready to accept the fact that they have died. They are yelling and trying to break things, such as YOUR FACE or A COFFEE MUG. Do you: A）？Tell them they are overreacting B）？Break things with them C）？Try to come up with a plan to thwart death and destroy the system that has worked perfectly since time immemorial and thus throw the natural balance into chaos D）？Leave them where you found them and go back home If you selected any of the above, please notify the Manager immediately for reevaluation of your employment, as this was a trick question. The correct answer is E）： Let them expel their anger while maintaining a soothing presence and ensuring the safety of yourself, the DD, and anyone who might be in the immediate vicinity.