Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune is an anticipated 2024 fall release for many readers, including myself. Klune's authentic, heartfelt writing is crisp and warm. Seeing the Cerulean Sea characters again (even just for this short preview) felt like going home. I cannot wait to get my hands on the final copy.

Perfectly charming. I'll admit that the thought of a "Cerulean Sea" sequel had me hesitant given how much I adored the story as a standalone, but (likely as expected), I've been sucked right back into Klune's whimsical world. In this 4-chapter excerpt, readers are reintroduced to Marsyas Island through the eyes of its caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. Sweet shenanigans ensue and an activism-centric plot is set in motion. Skeptics need not fear, this should delight.

The first four chapters brought me back to my favorites and I cannot wait for the full novel to be released. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced teaser.

I just read the excerpt of this book that NetGalley and Tor Publishing shared with me in exchange for an honest review. It was only the first 4 chapters, so that is what I will be reviewing.

I enjoyed The House in the Cerulean Sea, so I was excited to read more about the characters I had gotten to know in this sequel. It seems that Somewhere Beyond the Sea is going to be even more overtly metaphorical than the first book (which didn't go light on the metaphor, either), so if you like things a little more nuanced, this isn't for you.

Arthur and Linus are going to the DICOMY (the government department that handles magical children) to speak about magical people and children, in particular. They want non-magical people to understand that the unknown doesn't have to be feared. Instead, there has a been a change in plans, and it is going to be a little bit different from what they planned.

That's where the ARC ended: in an elevator going to whatever awaits them at the DICOMY.

I don't know how I feel about what I've read. It ended right when something was going to happen. Due to the oppressive use of metaphor (since I don't have anything more to go on), I'm going to round up to 3 stars and hope that when I finally get to read the complete book, I'll want to edit that up.

I had the pleasure of reading the first 4 chapters of Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I was captivated instantly and so eager to continue the story of Arthur, Linus and their magical children. I anticipate this book will be filled with hope, love, laughter and challenging but beautiful life moments.

I loved the Cerulean Sea and this excerpt has me so excited for book 2. I cannot wait! Thank you to the publisher and Net galley for the preview!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Tor Books for the Advanced Reader Copy. I enjoyed this excerpt, which is limited to the first four chapters of the book. I think TJ Klune is an excellent writer and I actually loved the first book in this series. But in light of Klune’s comments about using The 60's Scoop as inspiration for this series, I don’t feel comfortable with continuing to read his work. Should he make amends and show that he’s learned from indigenous people and turned that learning into restorative action, I will reconsider.

I utterly LOVED House on the Cerulean Sea and you know how it is with books that you love; you wish that there was a sequel or that they would go on longer. So I was overjoyed to see a sequel and to revisit the characters!

Honestly, to only give an excerpt is just mean. To tease me??? I'm so excited to be back in this world with these characters. Lucy and Chauncey and Talia? The absolute best. I only read 4 chapters but I need the full book IMMEDIATELY. I cannot wait.

I didn't realize that this was only an excerpt until I started reading it, and now I'm DESPERATE for the book to come out next week so that I can read the whole thing! I am not a huge fantasy reader, and House in the Cerulean Sea was what I like to call "fantasy-light" — so easy to digest, so relatable, and close enough to reality to allow non-fantasy readers like me to dip my toes in. I love TJ Klune and have enjoyed all of his books. This sequel has been highly anticipated for me, and now it's even harder to wait for the book to come out next week!

Why did I read this before the publication date?! Now I have to wait a week for the rest!!

This was a wonderful excerpt and immediately placed me back in the world of The House by the Cerulean Sea. I am looking forward to Arthur's POV, revisiting the children, and meeting some new characters along the way!

I absolutely adore this series and everything about it. This was no different and more than what I expected.

Thank you for this ARC!!

I'm beyond thrilled to have had the opportunity to read this—it's absolutely fantastic! Every page was a delight! Truly a remarkable read that exceeded all my expectations so excited for the rest!

This sequel was everything I was hoping it would be. The characters were just as endearing as the first book and they were SO funny in this book, they had me laughing out loud. This ebook only provided me with the first few chapters, but thankfully I had the audiobook as well so I was able to finish it. These two books are wonderful and will definitely be rereads in the future. There aren’t any other books quite like these!

The excerpt is amazing! I love that we get a preview of Arthur’s perspective. I can’t wait for the whole book. I wish I got the whole book to read!

"Somewhere Beyond the Sea" picks up where "The House in the Cerulean Sea" left off, diving straight into the joyful life that Arthur Parnassus has built with his husband, Linus, and their six magical foster children. The story begins with the children planning a surprise, setting the stage with touching, heartwarming moments filled with love and humor among the characters. However, the tranquility is soon interrupted as Arthur prepares to leave the island to testify at a hearing on the failures of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He and Linus travel to the city, where they get their first hint of trouble: Linus discovers a listening device hidden in the bathroom of their hotel room.

The next day, as they arrive at the courthouse, they're overwhelmed by a chaotic scene of protestors, counter-protestors, and reporters. Inside, they are approached by a mysterious woman who claims she can connect them with someone willing to help. Tension escalates when she reveals that the hearing has been co-opted for political gain by a radicalized politician who has already backed harmful legislation like "Don't Say Gay" and the denial of healthcare for transgender children.

Klune extends the premise of the first book—that people fear and hate what they don’t understand—and directly ties it to the current state of society. His portrayal of the family that Arthur and Linus have created with their foster children radiates love, kindness, and compassion. This installment promises to be just as captivating and heartfelt as the first.

I was provided an excerpt of the book in exchange for a review.
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This is one of my top anticipated books of 2024. So sad this was only the first four chapters but it makes me even more excited for the book to come out.

I was so delighted to be revisiting the world of The House on the Cerulean Sea that I devoured this excerpt. Our Beloved Arthur has returned to the island after a 28 year absence and hopes to revive the love and community of magical children. All of our favorites are in this excerpt, from lovable Chauncey the bellhop to Lucy, who can’t help his parentage and impulses. I would encourage readers to read the House on the Cerulean Sea first, (in fact, it is one of my most often recommended reads) because the fiction of Beyond the Sea will be even more lovely. I can’t wait to finish this book when it is released!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for the excerpt!

Thank you Net Galley and Publishers for the sneak peak at this book.
I was instantly brought back to one of the worlds I love. I really think this book will take us on another journey of found family, heart warming lessons and a well thought out ending!

TJ Klune is back with the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea! Although this was just a four chapter preview, I already fell back in love with the magical characters from the first book. This one tells Arthur’s story and starts out with him being summoned to revisit his dark youth with a hearing at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. This time Linus is by his side to provide all his support and love but when a new child comes into the mix, will he shake up the peaceful harmony that Arthur has created on Marsyas Island and threaten their protected way of life? This one comes out September 10 and I’m excited to read it in its entirety! Thank you to @netgalley and @torbooks for the e-arc preview in exchange for my honest review. #thehouseintheceruleansea #tjklune #somewherebeyondthesea #fantasybooks #septemberreads #newbooks #bookworm #bookstagram #magicalbooks