I have been a fan of TJ Klune for going on 6 years, and I am happy that he is finally with a publisher that will help him reach a wider audience. Despite having read most of his work, "The House in the Cerulean Sea" feels refreshing. It seems like TJ is talking in a new voice, one we have not heard before.

Linus Baker works for DICOMY or Department In Charge Of Magical Youth, evaluating whether their orphanages are following the Rules and Regulations, and ensuring the safety of said youth. His latest assignment is on Marsyas Island, the home of 6 children under the care of Arthur Parnassus. Linus's experience on the island and with its inhabitants makes him question his strictly-structured work and his dull life.

If asked, I wouldn't be able to choose who among the children is most endearing - Talia the gnome, Phee the sprite, Theodore the wyvern, Sal the shapeshifter, Chauncey the blob(?), or Lucy the son of Satan. They are the heart of this story. Seeing them learn to accept themselves, and have others accept them as well, is a beautiful and magical thing. TJ writes about found families, and once you embark on this journey, you wouldn't want to leave.

I am so excited for people who will be reading TJ Klune for the first time. 4.5 of 5 stars.

The exercise of an “honest review” is an interesting one. Generally on goodreads I write frank reviews to vent or to remind myself of my thoughts for later. I tend to pick my reading for recreational purposes. That meshes well when I get a netgalley book to review which I would normally read anyway.

This book I asked for on the off chance that I’d like it, as some Klunes are desert island reads for me. Having quickly ascertained that this book was awful, I had to think a bit about what to do. If I had downloaded the sample from amazon, that would have been the end of it. If I had bought it, I would not have continued to read it, and returned it for a refund.

I’m not a professional book reviewer who has a broader job to review books, and liking or disliking a book is less central to how she goes about it.

But I got the copy in exchange for an honest review. Perhaps I got one out of a limited number, so it seems unfair not to do what I undertook.

If you like Klune, you will probably like this book. This is more juvenile fabulist Klune, not adult Klune. This is also Klune writing in this particular moment in time - of growing stress, hate, fear polarisation and evil on the part of those in power. This book is, in part a response to current political trends in the Anglosphere. In the book he basically exhorts all of us to speak out against tyranny and do what we can to stop it. Can’t argue with that.

Here are some issues I have with the book which many readers will not: the story is a bit like a fairy tale (I hate fairy tales) or a fable (I hate fables). The story is all about the kids (I hate kids).

Having said all those lengthy disclaimers, here is my review:

God it was awful.

The book starts out with the humour of discomfort. The MC is a misfit in a toxic workplace with a confined uncomfortable life. It reads like Victorian misery. There is a bit of an easier of Englishness about the whole thing, perhaps the way everyone is trapped in miserable powerless lives. At the same time it has a there of self fulfilment/individuality which is very American.

The book read like a juvenile. At one point I popped onto Amazon to see whether the book was marketed as for kids or young adults, and it is not. The narration talks down to the readers. The narration talks a lot generally. It is wordy and self indulgent. Someone has been reading too much Douglass Adams recently.

It’s pretty clear in the early chapters how the book is going to unfurl.

You can just tell By about page 5 that the MC’s arc will be about finding himself, a found family and self realisation. (And it was).

So he goes off to check out an orphanage for unusual children. At this point it is confirmed that the main theme is “even if you are unusual/a bit fat/everyone thinks you’re evil, you are a good person, accept yourself as you are. We should accept and welcome everyone”. (And there was).

There is lots of uncomfortable exchanges with people which I did not enjoy.

You can tell there is going to be a romantic arc between the MC and the fellow who runs the orphanage, and some revelation about the shenanigans of those in power. (And there was).

This can be targeted at Young People as there isn’t any sex in it.(not that young people care, but older people in charge of marketing apparently do).

Another annoying aspect: spoilers at the end the MC moves back to the island to live with his new BF who runs the orphanage and the kids. It’s a Government Orphanage. Wouldn’t any self respecting government have concerns with someone just turning up and moving in?

Let me start by saying how versatile a writer Mr. Klune is. I have read most of his previous works and this book is so different but in a wonderful way. The imagery the author creates makes the lucky reader enter a make believe world that not only do you feel could actually exist but one you wish desperately does.

Mr Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department In Charge of Magical Youth or DICMY. He is a timid and non descript 40 year old man that just blends in with the wallpaper. He tries to stay out of the limelight and avoids any confrontations. His job is to inspect the orphanages and check on the magical children's welfare. Summoned to see the Extremely Upper Management astounds him. Why would they ever meet with the likes of him? During a very awkward meeting on Linus' part he is ordered to go on a classified level 4 assignment. This sounds too top secret for the poor man.

A group of problematic children are currently residing in a somewhat untraditional orphanage and Linus is tasked to make sure the Master of this home, Arthur Parnassus is qualified to handle the special nature of these orphans. Linus will have to spend a month on an isolated Island where they live.

Oh the Island, what an amazing blend of magical qualities exist there! The headmaster Arthur is a sweet and very protective role model for the extremely unique children left in his care. Arthus does things in his own way which has vexed the DICMY, hence the reason for Linus to snoop. The eclectic group of youngsters utterly captivated me. As the story progessed I sensed a feeling of urgency and I wanted the children to be protected but also allowed to experience freedom wihout the gross mislaid monitoring of humans.

I will not go into any details of the children. This is for to enjoy. I was mesmerized as I learned about all of their mystical and yet endearing personalities this band of precocious orphans embodied. They are flawed and perfect at the same time and the world needs to stop pushing them aside.

The slow romantic burn between Linus and Arthur had me feeling they were made for each other. Neither man is a super model and they know their own weaknesses. You will rejoice when Linus discovers how much strength he carries beneath his ordinary existence.

I strongly recommend this beautiful adventure because to call it a mere reading experience would be a disservice. Thank you Mr. Klune for this magical journey.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC for my reading pleasure. A review was not a requirement.

Linus Baker has a grumpy cat, a small house, and not much else. Well he has The Rules and Regulations. They are his life as a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He has multiple copies of the 900 page book. He uses them as away to maintain distance from the children he interacts with. It is only proper that he do so, and Linus is proper. However, the Extremely Upper Management of DICOMY has an assignment for Linus. He is to go and observe the orphanage of Marsyas Island to see if the children are a danger. They don't give him much information and Linus is surprised by what he finds. The six children are not what he expects nor is the headmaster Arthur Parnassus.

I've never read T.J. Klune before and I was intrigued by the description for this book. After finishing I can honestly say I don't know why I haven't read any of T.J. Klune's books before, but I will be reading more now. This was one of those few books that when I finished it I was sad because I was going to be leaving the characters and the world. My immediate thought was that I could just start over at the beginning. I felt like I really got to know the characters. They were fully formed which isn't always the case. This story was a little sad but it was also very funny. I would hope so since one of the characters is a six year old Antichrist.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is book that gives the reader exactly what they want but isn't predictable. I love everything about it: the setting, characters, humor, relationships, and story. It had me laughing and crying, at different points. I will be recommending it to my friends, family, and maybe even strangers. It is just that good.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Charming and quirky, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a light and joyously uplifting tale by Lambda Literary Award–winning author, T.J. Klune.

Linus Baker is a man who is fastidiously in love with rules. It makes him the perfect candidate for the bureaucratic job of investigating orphanages for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, DICOMY. When he is instructed by Extremely Upper management to investigate an orphanage on an island, occupied by dangerous youths, Linus’s small, grey, grim world as a cog in the machine of government agency is lit up in brilliant colors, if only he can be bothered to see it.

At first reticent, down right petrified and a little bit of a wet noodle, Linus discovers the occupants of the orphanage are more than their records imply. With hopes feelings, and dreams, these magical children, deemed monsters by some, weasel their way into Linus’s heart. So too does the calm and caring proprietor, Arthur Parnassus, whose fierce love and loyalty for these unique children is as endearing as his strange outfits and peculiar teaching methods.

Too long Linus has followed the rulebook, thinking he was doing his best for the magical children whom he has interviewed throughout his long tenure at DICOMY. With the help of Arthur and his wards, he begins to see he wasn’t doing near enough, and so his heart dares to start beating, and he finds that life should be lived in color, not at some dreary desk, under constantly grey skies.

At times reminiscent of the movie ‘Brazil’ by director Terry Gilliam, Klune paints his own picture of a man seeking out the true joys of life, the true joy of living at all really. Witty, fun, filled with laughter and so much hope, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a refreshingly brilliant novel, utterly enjoyable.

my review will be posted on my website on Feb 17/20
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One of the things I love about TJ Klune is the way that he continues to write new stories that surprise me. No one is as original in their storytelling as TJ and I would encourage everyone to read one of his books. Previously, my favorite of his books was "How To Be Normal"... I have to revise that now to say "The House In The Cerulean Sea" is now my favorite. It rings so true for me, and probably for many people.

This story is about finding your place. That's the long and the short of it. Found family is something that often appears in Klune's books. The people we love, the people who see us for who we truly are and accept us without hesitation, those are our families.

Linus Baker works for the government. He goes out to orphanages and ensures that the rules and regulations are being followed. He has a set routine. He has a home. He has a cat named Calliope. And then... he is sent to an island ... to an orphanage with some very unique children.

I'm not sure what makes this book more special, the children in the house, the Lovely spirt of Arthur Parnassus or the messages. As always TJ welcomes us to a world in which some characters are wonderfully unusual. They face prejudice, they have been mistreated, and they are still finding a way to be loving and unique and marvelous.

All the characters in this book have parts of them that could be considered to be flawed.. but are they really? As Sal says in the story, "Sometimes, things get chipped and broken, but there's still good in them."

Sal is a were pomeranian. That alone should be enough to convince you to read this book. How can you not want to know the story of that???? The children are all unique and lovely, I was brought to tears a few times by the interactions that Linus had with the children. My favourite is Theodore the wyvern. This character doesn't even speak and yet, Klune has created a little soul on the page that will tug at your heartstrings. And Lucy... the antichrist. What can you expect when you read about the antichrist as a six-year-old? You can expect to love him and laugh at his quirkiness. This is the way of TJ Klune.

Definitely add this to your list of books to read this year. It's a lovely story, full of valuable lessons and moments. I loved it.

This book was a very enjoyable read! Take a helping of Miss Peregrine, add a dash of 1984 along with a pinch of queer romance, and you get The House in the Cerulean Sea. I am hoping that this was just a jumping-off point for a series, because I would love to see these children grow (and be introduced to new ones!).

Linus Baker is a drone. He knows this. His bosses know this. The only thing that makes the protagonist of T.J. Klune’s sweetly affecting novel, The House in the Cerulean Sea, different from all the other office drones is that he really does care about his job. Linus works as an inspector for the Department in Charge of Magic Youth, overseeing operations at various orphanages that house children with magical abilities. He is scrupulously fair about reporting his observations and always has the welfare of the children uppermost in his mind. Of course, once he leaves, it’s up to others to carry out his recommendations. Linus doesn’t think too much about that part. At least, he doesn’t think too much about what comes after his reports until he makes an extended visit to a special orphanage on a remote island.

Everything about Linus’ trip to Arthur Parnassus’ orphanage is unorthodox. Linus only has the minimum of documentation about Parnassus’ unusual wards (one of whom is apparently the Antichrist and another is, well, no one knows what he is). He has to take his cat with him because it’s too short notice to get a pet-sitter. Linus is supposed to spend a month at this orphanage, which is far longer than normal. It’s so long that Linus can’t help but get involved with Parnassus’ charges and see them as much more than the monsters they’ve been labeled as. It’s so long that Linus has a chance to understand Parnassus’ methods of treating his charges as the damaged, special people they really are—no matter what they look like. Unfortunately, it is clear to everyone but the obliviously upright Linus that he is not supposed to have a favorable report about Parnassus’ operation.

The House in the Cerulean Sea was just what I needed after reading something as heavy as Beloved. Although there are plenty of incidents of bigotry, this book was so full of love and acceptance that I nearly cried at its beautiful resolution. I adored the characters—from Linus’ intolerance of rudeness to Parnassus’ determination to Lucy’s (Lucifer) macabre sense of humor to Chauncey’s hope to be a bellboy to Theodore the wyvern’s horde to Sal’s fragility—and was so happy and relieved to see that there would be a happy ending for them. This book was a joy to read.

Full disclaimer! I am a huge fan of TJ Klune!! His writing style is very versatile and matches his characters and stories perfectly. I have been waiting for this book to come out since he announced it.
It did not disappoint!!!! This book is a breath of fresh air in this socio-political climate !!!!
It is funny and light but still deals with the topics of acceptance , open mind ness and discrimination.
It is a story about how we often let ourselves become part of a system that is not working properly and that we don’t agree with !!!!!
Linus could have been unlikable but is not because he is willing to learn an listen to other opinions then his own.
The children are adorable and the story is just told beautifully
Great debut in mainstream !!!
A Must read - 10/10 would recommend!!!!

Loved loved the uniqueness of this book along with the kids that were my absolute favorite. The setting, the imagination is just phenomenal by TJ.

Copy in exchange of an honest review.

I read this two weeks ago and I can't find the correct words who tels how I'm feeling with this.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is about Linus Baker and his big adventure in Marsyas Island Orphanage. He's a goverment Case Worker and he didn't know who will find until he is there. Yes, he is an specialist in magicals orphanages, but nothing compares with this house.

This is a story about how beautiful is the singularity, the friendship, and confirms that you can find a home where you least expect it.

This book is THE BOOK you want to read with childrens. It's about all types of love, respect, family, truth and friendship. Everything is so cute and epic and you can feel every character and the island where they live. I want to meet them and take care of the garden.

TJ Klune is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite books right now.


Spanish and Goodreads version

Linus Baker es un empleado del Departamento a Cargo de los Jóvenes Mágicos y pasa sus días examinando el bienestar de los niños de los orfanatos estatales.
Un día, es llamado por sus jefes y se le asigna una misión ultra secreta en The House in The Cerulean Sea. Linus no sabe que o con quienes se va a encontrar en la isla, y todo será una gran sorpresa para nuestro querido protagonista.

Adopté a todos los protagonistas de esta historia. En total son unas diez criaturas de distintas especies y una más interesante que otra.

En esta novela, TJ Klune nos habla sobre discriminación hacia las minorías, bulling, y que siempre existirá un lugar seguro para cada quien. Lo difícil es encontrarlo.

Se exploran las historias de vida de todos los personajes y se explica por qué son especiales y necesarios en la trama. Sin duda alguna NECESITO leer sobre el futuro de estos niños.

La historia de este orfanato y sus cuidadores es de lo más bello que he leido en mucho tiempo. Cosidero a esta novela una muy buena obra para leer con niños y exijo que este presente en bibliotecas de todos los niveles educativos.

La narración de TJ es muy llevadera y se lee muy rápido.

I already finished this book yesterday and I’m still rather speechless. It’s like the most magical book I’ve picked up in a while and I do read a lot. You know that empty feeling when you finish a book and don’t know what to do with yourself. I want to make it my mission to make everyone I know read this utterly wholesome fantasy novel.

Linus Baker works for a company that checks on orphanages for children with magic and if they have the right to remain open. One day he gets that secret assignment to investigate Marsyas Island Orphanage. And that is how he ends up on this beautiful island in the Cerulean Sea with all these wonderful, mysterious children: Talia (a gnome), Phee (a sprite), Theodore (a wyvern), Chauncey (no one really knows what he is), Sal (a were-Pomeranian) and Lucy (the Antichrist)... and of course their charming caretaker Arthur. Always Arthur.

This stunning book that teaches us so much about acceptance, tolerance and what it feels like to do everything to protect your friends and found family will win you over in a heartbeat. And so will Linus, Arthur, and the kids.

The House in the Cerulean Sea had me in tears through the final chapters - in an absolutely good way. You can’t just not love these unique and stunning characters. They are such a delightful ensemble. Every single child is so special and their stories are so compelling and heartbreaking. I was so enchanted by everyone and it was impossible to put that book down.

I can honestly say I adore and would recommend this book with all my heart. I am a huge TJ Klune fan but he really did an outstanding job on this one. It almost reads like a love letter.

This is the sweetest and most wholesome book I have read in a long while. Magical children! Found Families! Changing the hearts and minds of those set against you! Learning about yourself! It sounds like a middle grade book, doesn't it? It could easily be handed to an older middle grade kid and enjoyed, I think. It was so tender and while I got a little heavy handed on some of the messages, a little sappy, sometimes you just need an extremely kind novel. It was also very funny and I found myself smiling constantly while reading it. If you're looking for a light, loving, and all around enjoyable read, this is the book for you.

Overall, this was an enjoyable story. The characters were well-developed and were more than just stock characters you could find in any scifi/fantasy story. The story itself starts out very well and immediately pulls you into Linus's world. I liked him a lot at the beginning, but became disappointed with his initial reaction to the children when he arrived on the island. Not that he should have immediately been comfortable with everything he was seeing, but he kept going on about how important it was to make sure the children were being well cared for and then he treats them pretty poorly. I thought his reaction to Lucy was a bit over the top and it made him a weak character (you could see why people tended to overlook him and treat him with indifference).

Linus Baker has an extremely boring life: as a caseworker assigned to supervise orphans he spends most of his days writing reports and reading the rulebook. Except the children who he’s tasked with protecting are magical, and his most recent assignment might just upset his regimented approach to his job. With whimsy and kindness, TJ Klune explores how the people around us make us want to be better, and what it takes to make a home. Whether sprite, wyvern, or human, the endearing characters in this book will make you just a bit more hopeful about the world, and what you can do with your place in it.

this book was SO. WONDERFUL. found family of weird magical children in a messed up world that they manage to make their own little home in :’) the main hero is a slightly naive investigator who goes to assess potential problems on their island (for a corrupt government agency) and finds LOVE 💗 my heart grew 3 sizes. what a lovely tale of acceptance and overcoming personal prejudices.

Absolutely delightful story! The characters were perfectly realized and the story was just great! Loved every page.

This book is a bit silly in the best possible way. The villains are caricatures. The heroes are sweet. The message is unmistakable. It is a good book to gently introduce otherness to those who have yet to encounter it for themselves.

What an amazing story.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started this...was this going to be crazy and out there or angsty and drama filled......well it’s a delightful mixture of both.
This story takes place in a time when there are magic beings around us. For “their” safety they are segregated as children and raised in”orphanages”. Linus, the main character, is a somber, joyless character. He seems to only take enjoyment in knowing he does his job (making sure the orphanages are run properly and that the children aren’t being mistreated) to the best of his ability.
When he is tasked with checking on a super secret orphanage, Linus doesn’t know what he’s in for.

The characters are so unique. I loved getting to know all the children and their caretakers. Linus absolutely steals the show though. He learns so much about himself and what he is capable thanks to a group of misfits.

This was a beautiful and heartfelt story that I cannot recommend enough!!!

4.5* rounded up.

Man, TJ Klune truly can do no wrong in my opinion. While I had some minor problems with this book, overall, I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to get a finished copy once it gets published.

This is a book about magical children, found family, discrimination, hope and finding out what "home" means when you least expect it.

Probably my biggest issue with this book is the setup. While I loved our, of course not at all lonely or miserable, main character Linus from the first page, I do think the setup for the story was a little lengthy. I was so excited for the actual story to start that I didn't want to read about Linus going to work, taking the bus home, going home, sleeping, going to work again etc., I was just waiting for something exciting to happen. And while I get that this is to get to know the world and the main character, there were just too many "transitional scenes" where Linus would be going from one place to another. But once Linus finally got to the island, I was completely hooked and didn't want to stop reading.

Which brings me to my next point: I absolutely fell in love with all the characters! All the children's personalities were so unique and different, I had no problems keeping them apart at all. I really enjoyed getting to know them all together with Linus over the course of his time on the island. I also really liked the setting and the world of this novel. It's not really clear at what time period this story takes place, because while there's computers and telephones around, there are also record players being used and Linus has to send all of his reports in a letter via the post office. So while that was a little confusing, I also kinda liked that this world was not only unique in the way that it has magical beings in it.

Speaking of magical beings, I loved how many different kinds of magical beings this world had, from a werewolf boy that turns into a pomeranian, to a blob in the floor and female gnomes to the literal son of Satan himself. They were all so different, but they were all not only the sum of their parts. All of them had such unique personalities, they all had their own hopes and dreams and hobbies and I love them all dearly!

On another note, I love that the romance in this took a complete backseat to the rest of the story. If you're thinking about reading this for the romance, look elsewhere, but if you're a sucker for found family and heartfelt stories just like me, please read this!

While this book deals a lot with discrimination against magical beings and socitey as a whole, I love how there's always a little glimmer of hope, no matter how dire everything seems. Although I will also say that this book never got as dark as I was expecting it to. I will say that there were some characters and plot developments that seemed just a little too convenient, especially considering how the people and the town next to the island was set up through the novel. But I can't say that I didn't like to see that there is still good to be found in other people. I just thought it was a little too convenient for the story.

This story overall really touched me, though, and I was close to tears pretty much the entirety of the last couple of chapters!

Overall, 100% recommended. I love this book with all my heart!