I love these characters SO MUCH 😭 They’re so perfect and I’d read about their adventures any day. I had such a great time but the last 20% fell flat for me. I know that the point is to give our community stories full of hope where we win sometimes, so maybe I’m just so full of trauma (lol) that this just didn’t feel believable? But I also think that it was hard to feel the tension in this book because everyone is just so emotionally regulated and always makes the right choices. Even when Arthur lets go a few times, he is still doing it in the safest way possible. So the ending felt anticlimactic. But not sure if that’s the book or just me lol.

It took me so long to mentally and emotionally prepare myself to read this book. The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorites so I was terrified that this book was going to fall short. This was a ridiculous thought because even though TJ Klune can break my heart, I always trust him to handle my heart with care. He loves these characters and wouldn’t do anything to cause unnecessary harm.

I loved this. I loved that we got Arthur’s point of view this time so we could see how his brain works, how much he loves his family, and how willing he is to do whatever it takes to keep them safe. A truly poignant book and story in 2024, but really it’s ultimately so hopeful. I kept thinking “the horrors persist, but so do I,” and boy, if that isn’t the Arthur Parnassus mantra, I don’t know what is.

TJ Klune is such a real one, making sure that his readers know that his books are a safe place for them to go to, as evidenced by his dedication, author’s note, and acknowledgements at the end.

If this is where the series end, I’ll be happy and satisfied. If there are more, I won’t drag my heels on reading them because I trust the story TJ Klune is here to tell.

the sequel I didn’t know I needed! felt like I was being wrapped in a blanket surrounded by my favorite characters again. loved seeing the growth and closure we all needed.

Do I think this needed to be a series? No. House on the Cerulean Sea was a wonderful standalone for years. I’m not going to complain about expanding on Arthur’s past and the world of this series in general. It was like a welcome surprise. The scenes with the kids were adorable and I hope that they are present for more of the book than not.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is everything fans of The House in the Cerulean Sea could have hoped for—charming, tender, and brimming with love in all its magical, messy forms. TJ Klune once again proves himself a master of cozy fantasy, crafting a world that feels like a warm hug even as it tackles themes of grief, belonging, and the legacies we choose to carry. The return to Marsyas is both nostalgic and fresh, and Klune balances whimsy with emotional weight in a way that’s as comforting as it is cathartic.

The characters remain the heart of it all. Linus and Arthur’s relationship deepens with grace and vulnerability, and the children—each delightfully strange and full of soul—continue to steal every scene they’re in. Klune’s humor sparkles, his dialogue sings, and beneath the enchanting setting is a thoughtful meditation on healing, chosen family, and what it means to build a kinder world. There’s a gentleness to the storytelling that feels radical in today’s often cynical literary landscape.

If there’s a critique to be made, it’s only that the pacing in the middle stretches a little thin—but honestly, it feels intentional, like a lingering exhale before the final emotional crescendo. Somewhere Beyond the Sea isn’t just a sequel—it’s a love letter to hope, growth, and the beauty of staying soft in a hard world. Klune delivers another heartfelt triumph that will leave readers misty-eyed, smiling, and maybe just believing in a bit of magic again.

I loved this book, almost as much as the first one. The only thing I didn't like was that this particular version wasn't the full story, but only an excerpt. I wish I would have been able to get access to the full book, rather than having to find it elsewhere.

The first book in this series is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was very excited to see how everything turns out for this beautiful found family. Predictably, I cried at the end of each chapter in this excerpt. I love how thoughtful, loving, and honest Linus and Arthur are in the face of adversity. I’m so excited to see where the story goes, how the showdown with the government turns out, and how David slots into this beautiful family.

Appreciated this shore excerpt. It got me even more excited to read the book when it released. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Arthur’s life and how that shaped him. It was also great meeting new characters and seeing their family grow, even in the face of hate and fear. Great messages all around.

When I requested this, it didn't say excerpt. I don't want to read it bc the book doesn't come out until September and I won't be able to wait bc I know it will be good!

I can not wait to read the whole book. This first chapters left me so hooked and wanting to go get the physical book. I can’t have enough of all this characters, soooo happy to back with all of them from the previous book. Love everything T.J. Klune writes.

After adoring *The House in the Cerulean Sea*, I had high expectations for *Somewhere Beyond the Sea*, and TJ Klune did not disappoint. This sequel is a beautifully written, heartwarming tale filled with love, acceptance, and whimsical charm. Klune’s storytelling remains magical, with vivid world-building and endearing characters that feel like family. The themes of found family, hope, and embracing differences shine through, making it an emotional and uplifting read. The humor and warmth perfectly balance the deeper moments. If you loved the first book, this one will steal your heart all over again. An absolute must-read and an absolute addition to my high school library.

I already want to re-read this. I can not get enough of TJ Klune's writing. And I love this world, I love the cast of characters, the dialogue, the banter. Such a comfy, lovely, cozy read.

3.9 ⭐️ I absolutely adore these characters. I loved seeing the kids again and their personalities, especially Lucy and Chauncey 🥹. Butttt was this book necessary to read? Nooo, it could have easily ended with the first book. It was a bit long for the storyline, so it took me a while to finish. But it’s impossible not to adore this story; it could easily be made into a cute cartoon movie or show. Glad I finished the series.

This book was everything I could hope for! Gave me just as much magic as the first in the series. So glad we got to revisit this world!

TJ Klune’s Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a masterful, soul-stirring story that demands to be seen, heard, and felt. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it reaches into the depths of your heart, offering comfort and courage in equal measure. Much like his previous work, The House in the Cerulean Sea, this novel feels like a warm hug in a time when the world can seem overwhelmingly vast and frightening.

When reviewing House in the Cerulean Sea, I wrote:
“I honestly believe that sometimes a book finds you when you need it to the most. Nothing could prepare me for the beauty that is. My soul needed this. Something so beautiful, something so accepting, something with so much heart and love.”

The sequel continues this tradition, radiating hope and inclusivity at a moment when they’re most needed. When my LGBTQIA+ community stands on a precipice of the unknown, this book’s message is clear: there is magic in being unapologetically yourself, and there is power in being seen.

One of the most poignant moments of the book captures this truth:

"See me. See me for who I am. I am magic. I am human. I am inhuman. See me. I am a boy. I am a girl. I am everything and nothing in between. See me. You do. You see me. You recoil in fear. You scream in anger. See me. I bleed. I ache. You see me, and you wish you hadn’t. You wish I was invisible. Out of sight, out of mind. Unseen, faded, muted. You want my color. You want my joy. You want a monochrome world with monochrome beliefs. You see me, and you want to take it all away. But you can’t. You want me lost, but I am found in the breaths I take, in the spaces between heartbeats. I am found because I refuse to be in black and white, or any shade of gray. I am color. I am fire. I am the sun, and I will burn away the shadows until only light remains. And then you will have no choice but to see me."

This passage celebrates the resilience and vibrancy of living authentically in a world that often seeks to dim unique lights. Klune’s characters radiate individuality: mischievous Lucy, the music-loving Anti-Christ; Talia, a proud, bearded garden gnome; Theodore, a wyvern with a fascination for shiny buttons; Phee, a forest sprite capable of growing mighty trees in an instant; Sal, a playful shapeshifter; Chauncey, the ever-helpful amorphous bellhop; and David, a stage-loving Yeti. At their core are Arthur, a fiery Phoenix fiercely devoted to his charges, and Linus, his compassionate co-parent. Together, they prove that family is forged through love, acceptance, and belonging—not bound by blood.

The joy in Klune’s prose is palpable, a reminder that laughter and love are not just comforts but acts of rebellion and survival.

"Let them listen to what joy sounds like. Maybe they'll learn a thing or two."

This joy is intricately woven with hope,

"This was hope; the children, love letters to a future that had yet to be decided. Yes, Arthur thought as Sal grinned shyly, hope was the thing with feathers, but it was also in the hearts and minds of those who believed all was not lost, no matter the odds."

Klune’s message is simple but profound:

"It doesn’t matter what we look like, it doesn’t matter where we came from, or what we can do. All that matters is that we’re here, together, being anything and anyone we want to be."

These words remind us that community and connection transcend differences, and they hold the key to a brighter, more magical world.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a love letter to those who dream of a better, kinder world. It’s a testament to the magic that inclusivity and acceptance can bring. For anyone seeking hope, for anyone yearning for a story that sees them, this book is a beacon. TJ Klune reminds us that we are fire, we are color, and we have the power to light the way forward.

This was the perfect sequel to one of my favorite books. This brought back all the cozy vibe that the first one had to offer but with some new characters and another round of added mystery. I would definitely recommend this cozy read for others to read.

I was very excited to read Somewhere Beyond the Sea as I absolutely devoured House on the Cerulean Sea. I even got to go to the launch of Somewhere Beyond the Sea in my local bookstore. As much as I was excited and felt like a little kid in a candy store going to the book launch I was very disappointed in the speech and the way the author expressed his personal views. It was not about the book at all. Bashing other authors and anybody who disagreed with his views made a very fun thing very not fun fast. I did not want to be preached at at a book event. As much as I loved this series I won't be continuing this series. All of these opinions are my own.

I loved this! It wasn't quite as magical as the original book - I don't think it could've been possible to capture that feeling again - but it was so great to return to Marsyas Island and spend more time with the Magical Youth there. I did not enjoy the overall story as much in this book as I did in the first, but I loved seeing how the relationships of the Magical Youth grew with each other, Arthur, Linus, as well as the folks on the mainland.

I mean, I loved the snippet, but when I requested this it wasn't obvious that it was only a few chapters. Will pick up the whole thing when I get a chance.

Liked this book a lot’ this author writes about hard mental topics and makes it look easy. Very readable and always an adventure to get to the ending of the book. He is unique and fun.