What a wonderful book.
I don't know where to start reviewing it.
It is written in that beautiful way in which Tj writes. Creating unique characters and making relationships between them so pure and full of love.
I loved the story, it seemed super entertaining and the world and magic system is well explained and at no time it becomes boring to learn about it.
The characters are unique and so good. Each of them, each of the interactions between them and the main character are wonderful. As I said before, I didn't expect less from the author.
I feel that something that characterizes this book is the message that conveys, beyond the family and home, which are very important in it, this quote was the one that resonated in me the most, and I thinks that summarize this mesagge that colors the entire book:
"Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome. "

It is a very good read, it is super fast to read and entertaining. Above all, you will surely end up loving the characters as much as I do.
And you will wish to be there.

First I would like to thank the author and the publishers for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

I requested this book for three reasons: (1) I judged a book by its cover, (2) I liked the premise listed on NetGalley, and (3) one of my favorite authors was quoted on the NetGalley book page [Gail Carriger].

I am struggling to decide where to begin with this feedback/review, but the one thing that stands out most at the moment is that it made me have a good cry. It’s not that I am not a crier, but it certainly is not commonplace for a book to elicit that kind of reaction. It has happened many times before, but it has been a while – probably not since reading Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series. Trying to step back and analyze that response, I feel like I obviously established a strong emotional attachment to the characters and story.

Writing: (5.0)

My first thought on commencing to read The House in the Cerulean Sea was that it reminded me a lot of Neil Gaiman’s tone and prose in Neverwhere. T.J. Klune definitely has some writing chops, and it was very easy to fall into the story. I think the similarity in writing style is underscored by the benevolent relationship between Lucy and Arthur, which is reminiscent of Adam in Good Omens.

The dialogue was incredibly smooth and believable, and I never once felt like the writing pulled me out of the story. Neither did I feel like there were any instances of “info-dumps” nor extraneous writing that that felt sluggish or unnecessary.

As far as genres, this is certainly a fantasy book. It almost toes the line of YA, but the writing is just too well done to classify it as such in my mind.

Editing: (4.999)

At the time I did not think to mark down places, but I distinctly remember four occasions where extra words occurred that weren’t meant to be there, and one instance near the end of the book where a word seemed to be omitted. It strikes me as better than the average B&N classics in terms of editing.

Magic-system: (5.0)

In any fantasy, or pseudo-fantasy work, I feel like the magic systems are one of the key aspects that make or break a novel/series. They may not be key to the story, but they can disrupt the narrative if they are too unbelievable, which may be the case for a variety of reasons.

Here, because the magical or mythical beings have long been established in our myths and legends, there was no disruption for me. I also did not feel like the magic took away from the story, nor became a focal point: it was merely a thing that was and did not need to be over-analyzed, or distract me from my reading.

World-building: (5.0)

Although I never really knew where exactly the story occurred, I didn’t need to. The locations and environments were incredibly believable. I did not feel like maps or blueprints were necessary for my enjoyment of the story, nor that they would actually benefit the story or my immersion. The descriptions were thoughtful and well-written.

Characters: (5.0)

This, for me, was where the novel truly shined. Each of the main cast were so well thought-out, and loved every minute of their interactions. Each character was unique and I had no trouble believing that each action and dialogue was real and believable. There is not much else to say without giving up the story, so, well done.

Bravo.

Amazing.

Cheers.

Incredibly, incredibly well done.

Themes: (5.0)

I have never been much of an English-student, and I will not pretend to have a keen eye for literary analysis. Suffice it to say, it felt like the story gave commentary on the role of orphanages and the treatment of marginalized individuals and groups. Bigotry happened and it was believable and important without leaving my blood boiling.

I am trying to expand my reading beyond white authors writing about traditional binary genders and gender roles, and traditional male-female sexuality. There was a subtle romance through much of the novel that I never felt was forced or painted across the sky. The main romance was happy and endearing, in a British kind-of way: somewhat curt and proper without the flowery extravagance of more Latin or American types of tales.

Overall: (5.0 / 5.0)

For all intents and purposes, this novel is a solid five out of five for me. I have already recommended it to my wife, and I will certainly recommend it to anyone with even slightly similar tastes to my own. I do not know where or when the story is supposed to have taken place, but the story is kind of timeless in its own way. It’s the kind of book that I would leave out for a kid or an adult to read, that I would be happy to see in a library, or would be happy to see taught in a classroom: Sal’s poem alone deserves a place in any classroom, even as a poster on a wall.

This book is one of the rare few to deserve the epithet of "mesmerizing," both figuratively and literally - as if Lucy himself was locking me in. I did not want to put it down.

I hope that this makes some best-sellers lists and earns an award or two.

Hnnnnngskjfsd this book is an absolute masterpiece. Going in, i had only ever read Klune's The Lightning-Struck Heart, which while its a good book, it lacked a little in my opinion. But The House In The Cerulean Sea is a tale all of its own and its absolutely fantabulous.

What starts out as a grumpy old man performing his job under sufferance turns into a squee worthy love story that hit me in all the feels by the end.

The kidlets in the orphanage are no ordinary children but despite their differences, they are so ridiculously damn cute, I couldn't help but love them. The gnome Talia with her and threatening people with a shovel is a whole arse mood and I am here for it!

While for the most part, THITCS is upbeat and cute, Klune also expertly weaves a narrative that shines a light on opinions of today's society with wit and humour. At one point or another EVERY SINGLE DAMN PERSON from the orphanage is treated as a second class citizen for being 'different; be it for being the Anti-Christ, a gorgeous jellyfish boy who just wants to help people or a wyvern who loves buttons, every character bears the abuse from those who deem them 'other'. To the reader who feels they are perfect and that the world is all shining rainbows and cute puppies, this is not the book for you. But its also kind of the book for you because y'all need a wakeup call.

Basically I was absolutely enamoured with the entire thing and I cannot do anything except for highly recommend this gorgeous novel

I loved this book very much. I think is perfect, I wouldn't change a word, maybe I am biased because I liked every books by TJ Klune that I have read, I love his writing, I love the charecters and the universes he creates and this book is no exception.
I am going to recomand this gem to everyone, this is the kind of book that should be read at school, I am certain that it would help pop some bubbles.

There is nothing more wonderful than reading something from TJ Klune. This author always opens us to beautiful worlds with moving characters that are hard to forget. I’m always excited when I have one of his books in my hands and this time was no exception.

This book is beautifully written, with a universe that is easy to imagine and that is so colorful. When I was reading the hours passed like seconds and if I could travel to this wonderful world, I would do it in a second. Something that characterizes the stories of this author, is that there is always that message of friendship and family. This book has the most captivating, complex and wonderful characters. If you have already read something from TJ Klune, I assure you that you’ll enjoy this, and if it’s the first time you read something from him ... well, welcome and I hope you enjoy this story.

Whenever I wrote a review for this author's books, I can’t find the right words. The house in the Cerulean Sea tells the story of a very lonely and lost man, and that thanks to six children and another very special man, he can find his way home. It’s a story of discoveries and changes, of second and third opportunities, it’s about human nature itself and our ability to survive and love.

This is a book that mixes touching stories of six extraordinary children, with an amazing humor and a love story that will have you with a giant smile on your face. Reading this and imagining the adventures on this magical island was something I’ll remember forever. If there is something that TJ Klune knows how to do well, it’s to write the most amazing characters. Diverse characters, refreshing, imperfect, intriguing and captivating. TJ Klune’s Book are treasures.

Totally recommended, a book that is addictive and that I’ll surely be rereading another 10 times. I invite you to visit this distant island, full of the most extraordinary people you could find. I invite you to get lost in the forests of the island, the garden of the house and above all, in that Cerulean Sea.

Where do I even begin? Well, I think I have a new favorite book!
This story is so different from Klune's other books, but it was just as perfect!
It made me smile, laugh and cry all at the same time.
Such a magical story about a magical place, that feels so real when you read it.
You will love every single one of these characters... These children are the most amazing thing in the whole world, and you just want to adopt every single one of them. And Linus and Arthur, where do I even begin with them? They are just perfect.

Klune touches a lot of deep topics in this book, such as abuse and bullying, but he shows us, that we are perfect, just the way we are... no matter what other people might think. I think Arthur is a reminder of this! Everything he ''says'' throughout this book, made me feel better about myself, even though it had nothing to do with me at all.

I will be reading this again and again and again, because I need these characters in my life!
As soon as this get's published, you need to read it! It will stay with you for a very long time after you finish it.
Also, this is such a quick read... and you will wish it wasn't, because when you read the last page, you just want to go back!
Thank you TJ for this great piece of art! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and cry from happiness some more.

Have you ever read something that is something completely new yet familiar at the same time? That's how I feel about The House in the Cerulean Sea. I am totally in love with this book and I'm having a hard time pinning down exactly why. The best comparison I can come up with is that the story reads like what I'd imagine would be the result of Douglas Adams and Diana Wynne Jones combining forces to write a fantasy version of the Island of Misfit Toys but with paranormal creatures instead of toys and a dash of Good Omens thrown in for good measure.

The story follows middle-aged and easily forgotten caseworker, Linus Baker, who gets sent by upper management to investigate a troublesome group home for magical children that has seemingly been kept a secret from everyone.What Linus finds when he gets to the orphanage was nothing he was expecting or even remotely prepared for.

This book is heartwarming, sentimental, weird and absolutely and utterly delightful! I picked it up for the queer romance and I kept reading for the six dangerous children, their mysterious caretaker, the invisible case worker, and the found family trope. The children are a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist and they are weird and just downright perfect! My heart was a puddle of heartwarmed goo by the time I finished this book.

I immediately wanted to go and start this book again when I finished and that is the highest praise I can give a book.

I quickly fell in love with the children and their mysterious caretaker, Arthur. I fell in love with Linus too but it took a bit longer. It was quite easy once we got to see him interact with everyone at Marsyas Island. The worldbuilding in this book is on the light side for a fantasy book but that doesn't mean that it wasn't absolutely delightful and well done. I want to go live on the island with everyone and have adventures with them every Saturday.

A major theme running through out the book is that you don't need to live up to other people's expectations of what you should be solely based on who or what you were born. You don't have to be a monster even if look like one and that's what everyone expects from you. It's okay to be different. It's crucial even. It's about finding yourself, your place, and your happiness and being true to it. I've had this book finished for a while now and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since.

I am a sucker for the found family trope and the one in this book was so precious! I could read a whole series about them! And the romance! It wasn't overwhelmingly at the forefront but it was sweet and beautiful and I was rooting for it as soon as they met on page for the first time! Also, can I comment on the fact that this is a standalone contemporary fantasy? I can't remember the last time I read one and it's part of what I loved about this book!

The House in the Cerulean Sea is heartwarming, delightfully diverse, wonderfully queer, and a bit ridiculous but in the best way. It's one that I can confidently say has already made my favorite books of the year list.

This was my first TJ Klune book and, if all of his books are written like this one, he deserves the hype. Definitely read this for the contemporary fantasy setting and the queer romance but stay for the precocious children and the found family trope. I can't recommend this one enough! It's one I will be definitely adding to my collection and I will be shouting my love about for the rest of the year. Now if you'll excuse me, I have TJ Klune's whole backlist to read.

This review will be posted on the Goldilox and the Three Weres blog on the release date of March 17, 2020.

This was nice and enjoyable, although a bit too predictable. It also was the first book by TJ Klune I actually finished, so there’s that.

He‘s a very popular queer fantasy and romance author, but even though I tried several of his books, I never really got into them. One of my problems with his writing was his sense of humor which just never quite worked for me (but then I am very weird about humor in fiction, especially in romance). Still, I was very curious about his releases with Tor and was lucky to get an ARC for both his upcoming books.

Overall, I would sum up my experience by saying there was a lot to like but nothing to get excited about. Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, DICOMY in short. He‘s an ordinary man who likes his routines, but his life changes when he is sent on a very special case to a very special orphanage under the “care“ of DICOMY. And everything there goes exactly the way you’d expect.

I love stories about found families, and the book had loads of fantastic bits about just that. I loved the way Linus’ relationships to the kids develops, and the warmth and kindness that suffuses the book.

The thing is, I didn’t mind that much that there weren’t any surprises - I found myself thinking that I wouldn’t mind reading several books about the kids and Linus and Arthur just living their lives. But it felt like that if there is an overall plot them it should at least be a bit more interesting ? I also found the romance between Linus and Arthur somewhat lacking in sparks - the destination of that particular journey was so obvious that it felt like some steps were missed while getting there.

The message of “normal“ people being afraid of people who are “different” and of overcoming those fears is certainly timely and appropriate, but maybe a bit too on the nose. As for the sense of humor, there definitely were some funny bits - DICOMY and Extremely Upper Management for example - but it wasn’t too over the top for me.

I had a good time reading this book, and was pulled into the world pretty much immediately. Still, I would have liked a bit more sophisticated plot - I checked, and at least on Netgalley it looks like it’s not YA. For an adult fantasy novel I would say it’s a bit too lacking in substance to be satisfying (especially considering the relatively steep price). Still, it has lots of things going for it, so it is worth giving it a try if you’re looking for something comforting and sweet.

I first noticed the description of “The house in the cerulean sea” a few months ago on a list of SFF books to look out for in 2020. I instantly knew I needed to read this book because of the atmosphere, characters, and heart it promised. Here I am, having just put this book down, and I am so pleased to say that it exceeded all of my expectations.

The atmosphere of this novel was addicting. This was wholly due to TJ Klune’s beautiful writing and style. From the way the characters spoke, to the description of each location, to the insertion of lyrics throughout the text, and, of course, to the entirely well-rounded and realized characters - I was in it the entire novel because the world was meticulously built for me. This world felt real instantly, even in the midst of the obvious magical undertones. For example, DICOMY workers suffer from the same office gossip, nepotism, self-consciousness about appearances, bad cafeteria food, and small workspaces as we do even in our decidedly unmagical world. I found it hilarious how they weren’t in awe of what they were doing everyday – and it made me instantly think of my own life, living my own childhood dream, and how boring and tedious it oftentimes feels.

I found myself wanting to drop in throughout my day to see what Linus was up to – whether he was putting up with his neighbor, admiring his sunflowers, smelling the ocean air, or having his “bubble popped” amongst the best rag-tag group of orphans I’ve ever met. Even more, I instantly loved following Linus’ thought process, because it was unbelievably relatable. The spiraling that we convince ourselves is logical, the adherence to arbitrary rules just because they’re “the rules,” the way we become comfortable even in the midst of oppression… I was so invested in Linus, in his loneliness, in trying to get him decidedly less lonely, in whether he would ever find his “here,” all because I felt I knew him. I appreciated how intimate the third person writing was; how I was able to observe Linus’ world and behavior from the outside, but still follow his trains of thought as they meandered and, quite often, led to insight that both inspired and riled me up. These reflections always led me to either laughing out loud or quietly contemplating how true/absurd/completely relatable Linus is.

I don’t want to get into too much detail of what Linus finds when he takes his assignment at the house in the cerulean sea, because the unfolding of Linus’ experience is so beautiful, tender, tough, and real – and every reader of this novel should experience this for the first time alongside Linus. I will say that every moment we spent on the island with Linus felt like pure magic. I came to know the characters he met as real people as I fell in love with them through Linus’ perspective. The representation was significant and meaningful, but also felt incredibly natural.

More than anything, I love how TJ Klune took classic fantasy trope characters and breathed new life into them. Seriously, this book felt like a breath of fresh, magical, sea-salted air. I miss these characters already, and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to get to meet them too.

At first, I was confused why we didn’t know the history of magical people and why they’re marginalized. We didn’t get some grand prologue outlining the big magical reveal and the immediate consequences that led us to where we see Linus today. But by the end of the novel, I felt like I didn’t need an explanation. I didn’t need to know because I knew these characters. I knew their hurts, their hearts, and how the world saw them. I didn’t need to know why they were separated or feared to know it was wrong. I felt more independent and thoughtful, which allowed me to examine my own behaviors and whether I am contributing to prejudice or oppression in my own very real world.

Things I didn’t love – well, there’s not much. There are a couple tropes that I’m not a huge fan of. I am anxious to share, as they feel “spoilery.” However, I know most of my co-workers, students, and friends actually love these tropes and wouldn’t think twice about it. Of course, I want to know what happens to Linus (and others) in the future, but the unknown, even if uncomfortable, allows my imagination to explore the world TJ Klune has given us even more.

It is obviously no surprise based on the review above that I highly recommend “The House in the Cerulean Sea.” I would recommend this book especially to anyone looking for LGBT representation and contemporary readers interested in fantasy tropes. Fans of fantasy novels, character-driven and “found family” stories will be extremely satisfied with this novel. If you are looking for high or epic fantasy, you will only be disappointed in the scope of the world in that regard. That being said, I found the fantasy aspects of this world to be entirely fulfilling and exciting.

I cannot wait to hold a finished copy of this novel in my hands, and to have it in my collection to loan out and love for the rest of my reading days.

I couldn't get into the book until well past the halfway point, when it actually started to gain some momentum. Until that point, there was really no antagonist (and the one that there is is cartoonish and relatively non-threatening) and very little plot. Once I got into the groove of this being a slow burn that was all about building characters, I got into it more.

I found the whole thing rather juvenile, though, and many of those young characters grated on me, particularly Lucy. I eventually came around on him, but his over-the-top, goofy persona of gory threats being filtered through a cute kid's mouth got old very quickly.

By the time I got to the end, I was invested in Linus and the kids, and I got very emotional at points, but overall, it's cliche-ridden (the monsters as a metaphor for LGBTQ+ people is played out) and silly, but it's still effective some of the time.

A heartwarming fantasy book that should also appeal to readers of mainstream fiction, as the novel largely deals with themes of tolerance and acceptance. Endearing characters, well-paced emotional beats, and solid prose made this a satisfying read.

I loved the interplay of the drearyness of Linus and the optimism / quirkiness of the residents of the island.
Without being derivative, this story manages to evoke hints of both Snicket and Pratchett which is an oddly delightful combination.

By-the-book caseworker investigates an anything but normal orphanage... This fun and funny fantasy/romance with cinematic comedy styling is set in a world where the magical is segregated and magical children without family end up in carefully monitored orphanages. Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker, is assigned to investigate the most magical orphanage anyone’s ever seen. The inhabitants include a grumpy gnome, a teen who transforms into a Pomeranian when startled, a something (possibly jellyfish related?) that’s the sweetest little entity in the world who just wants to become a bellhop, a forest sprite, a wyvern, and 6-year-old, overly dramatic Lucy (probably literally a son of Satan). Linus is only interested in finding out that the children are safe (including from each other) and cared for by the mysterious head of the orphanage, Arthur Parnassus—and with such a powerful group that seems a little hard to believe. Fans of Gaiman, Pratchett, and McGuire in particular take note.

The House In the Cerulean Sea follows Linus Baker, a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Linus spends his time overseeing the well-being of magical children in government-sanctioned orphanages, and drafts reports summarizing his findings for the higher-ups. One day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and is given a highly classified assignment: to travel to a secret orphanage and report on the state of everything there.
Linus is a wonderful character. In the beginning of the book he is hard-set on doing his job objectively without forming any attachments to the children he visits and learns about. He has a cat, but other than that there isn’t much besides work to fill Linus’ time. As he spends more time at the secret orphanage, Linus learns the importance of open-mindedness, and one’s own happiness. This story was delightfully adorable, and I loved that the focus was on family and tolerance. The characters were all unique and I fell in love with all of them instantly. This story is so heart-warming I highly recommend you check it out.
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A sweet and low-heat paranormal romance about the magical equivalent of a CPS caseworker investigating a remote orphanage and its mysterious caretaker. The Evil Faceless Bureaucracy(tm) is so over-the-top terrible that it sort of beggars belief that our hero, a diligent and fundamentally decent cog in the machine, could have managed to keep his head in the sand as to the true nature of his work for seventeen years, but if you don't mind a cartoonishly awful bad guy, this is a very cute story full of found family feels. Lots and lots of bonding with the various orphans, several speeches about how they're all people who deserve to be treated with love and kindness, etc. The late addition of the local mayor, a no-nonsense woman who runs the garden supply store, is a total showstealer. The book ends with the romance and immediate conflict safely resolved but a more global battle looming on the horizon, which I think was a great way to wrap the story up!

I have not been more excited about a children's book and hopefully series since Harry Potter and all of Rick Riordan's book until this one. This wonderful tale is about magical children and changing one's perspective. Mr. Baker works for DICOMY an organization that proclaims to protect magical youth when they do just the opposite. He is sent on a month long mission to discern if the orphanage by the sea should be shut down. What he finds is a loving family of gifted and different children with a caretaker that is willing to fight for their acceptance and well being. This would make an awesome addition to the film world. I pray there are additional books about this house!

For my first book of 2020 I couldn’t have read a more delightful one. Full of magic and beauty and silliness and love-it’s a joy to read. The characters are well developed and I got attached to all of them very quickly. I had tears throughout from laughter and from sadness. Big points for LGBTQ characters. I didn’t want to leave them at the end.

It can be a bit heavy handed on how prejudice is bad and there are some pretty repetitive paragraphs throughout on it but there are worse problems to have. There is some odd focus on the protagonist’s weight that I could really do without. But even with those issues I highly recommend across the board.

This book sounded quirky and interesting, but I just could not get into it and I can't put my finger on why. It might just be that it wasn't what I wanted at the time, so I'll give it another shot later. For now, it's one that I did not finish.

Super sweet story which I think would be well-aimed at a high middle-grade or YA audience. The influences come through loudly and clearly here (Pratchett, Gaiman, Wynne Jones all in style and character inspiration). At times I had trouble figuring out the time period or technologies available in this alternate world, and the book's messages were heavily signalled, but I enjoyed this story of a found family, of questioning the rules, and the mild romance.

Often when you look forward to something it does not live up to expectation. This story just didn’t work for me. That is not to say that it is a bad book or that it isn’t worth the effort.

The plot is simple and there are no secondary threads. It is focussed on acceptance of diversity, particularly in the young. The central character represents blind adherence to the norm and the purpose of the story is to see how he reacts when placed out of his comfort zone and is forced to look beyond what he believes is right.

The world-building is interesting with a vivid distinction between the three main locations. Each represents a different set of attitudes and the weather and description of physical features reflect the beliefs and behaviours of the residents. This a parallel world where some things are familiar and yet others are twisted into extremes; for example, the city bears similarities to those depicted in the movies: The Dark City and Blade Runner.

The island, the orphanage and its residents are the central feature of the story and these would have been more interesting had it not been for other books such as Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. Nevertheless, characterisation is good and is strongest with the children, who have the most interesting personalities. The central adult character, as noted, is used as a vehicle for attitude change and when this happens there is no subtle transition and sadly his credibility is lost when this occurs. The other adult characters are not as richly developed and are, to a certain extent, kept at a distance. As such there are a number of instances where the reader would expect plot or character development and this didn’t happen. The children provide the humour and the nuances of personality that are lacking in the grown ups.

The book does offer romance, but it is not the central theme. The difficulty with this is that the central character is focussed on his role rather than extraneous influences and the other character is positive but remote through much of the story. When they ultimately get together it is fade to grey behind closed doors so this is kept rather chaste. Sexuality is not seen as an issue at all so there is no tension to affect the situation.

The pace of the story is steady. There is no real tension or sense in which the plot would not be resolved in an anticipated way. Where conflict arises it is interesting to note that the central character becomes the dominant voice both internalised and outwardly and things work out the way he wants them to. Where there is any indication of strife, this is often reported rather than experienced. As such there is little to drive the story forwards. The characters are likeable and offer personalities that are interesting and it is this rather than the plot that holds the reader.

The story resolves in a very predictable and positive way and the happily ever after is neat and leaves few loose ends. There are certain characters and their histories that are mentioned in the book but remain undeveloped, as such it is unclear whether there will be any further stories, although this seems unlikely as the plot is resolved.

To reiterate, this was not a bad book at all and made for a pleasant read but it could have been a lot more.