Murmuration is a very different tone from your average TJ Klune story, but wow, what can’t he do? The ability to go from the cozy, colourful stories that we all know and love and give one of those same settings an unsettling undercurrent while still being so hopeful, addictive, and romantic, is a marvellous feat. Klune manages to truly make the reader understand how it feels to slowly lose your grip on a perfect reality and not know what is real, except the things that ground us most in life— those we love. While this is a republishing of one of Klune’s older works, I would not guess based on the depth and quality of the writing had I not already known. Welcome to Amorea!

TJ Klune, they could never make me hate you. No one writes books like this. That beautiful balance of cozy, almost wholesome, with romance and fantasy that never feels derivative or out of place. Truly his books are so unique and this one is no different. And I love a crow theme, it's easy to get me that way. Another great one from one of the best queer romance writers of our time.

I thought that nothing Klune wrote would ever top House in the Cerulean Sea for me, but Murmuration is really challenging that top spot. There are plenty of clues scattered throughout the book to help the reader predict what might be happening, but I still never saw the true story coming. This was way darker than I expected it to be, but I actually really appreciated that, maybe because I wasn't expecting it. The ending is bittersweet - I wanted it to happen, and there was really no other way it could have happened, but it still causes conflicting feelings in me. I'm going to be recommending this one for sure...though maybe not for readers looking for a hug :)

I loved this SO MUCH!!! I was hooked from start to finish, and have not stopped thinking about it!

This was smart, thought provoking, mysterious, and romantic in a Twilight Zone sort of way.

While it's not a fast-paced plot, it is never dull, and I was always excited to pick it back up.

It's hard to be specific without giving anything away, but I love a book that makes me reflect on humanity, and I absolutely LOVED this!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC! And thanks to TJ Klune for pulling this out of the vault!

The first book by this author but not the last! What a strange tale! Mike has the perfect job- he owns and operates a charming bookstore in a cozy little town. He’s got a crush on a waiter who works at the local diner. He starts to remember odd things about his life that don’t make sense. What follows is the Twilight Zone!

Murmuration is a beautifully strange, emotional, and deeply thought-provoking novel that showcases TJ Klune's incredible ability to blend imagination, heart, and big questions about what it means to be human. With its unique premise and unforgettable characters, this is a story that stays with you long after the final page.

Klune creates a world filled with mystery and quiet wonder, slowly revealing its secrets while keeping readers invested in the lives of the characters at its center. The atmosphere is both nostalgic and unsettling, balancing moments of warmth and humor with deeper explorations of love, identity, memory, and belonging.

The characters are the true heart of the novel. They are beautifully written, imperfect, and incredibly easy to care about. Klune has a gift for creating relationships that feel authentic and emotionally powerful, making the joys and struggles of the characters feel deeply personal.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing the mystery to unfold gradually, but the emotional payoff makes the journey worthwhile. Readers looking for a fast-paced thriller may not find that here, but those who appreciate character-driven stories with elements of speculative fiction will find much to love.

Murmuration is a moving, imaginative, and unforgettable exploration of connection and the enduring power of love. TJ Klune once again proves his talent for creating stories that are both wonderfully unusual and profoundly human.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.