This one feels more conscientious than the previous installment, a lot more careful with Arthur and Linus explaining things and even the children seeming to take a lot of care with their words. It feels true to how some of these conversations SHOULD go in real life, but it also feels ever so slightly preachy. The target audience isn’t likely going to need an explanation to the level of detail that is provided.

I’m also very intrigued by the choice to have Arthur narrate when Linus narrated the previous one. So far it doesn’t feel super different from the second half of Cerulean Sea (after Linus shed his government drone persona), but there’s potential for a lot of change as the book goes on.

TJ Klune never misses. I am just ecstatic and so excited to buy this book. Under the Umbrella bookstore would love to do something with TJ Klune someday!!

Strong character development. Wholesome moments. Witty dialogue. High stakes in a short time span. Familiarity mixed with the unknown. Awkwardly placed prologue that could be improved with a more clear starting point. Rich worldbuilding. Discloses hope alongside the fear of rejection. Recommended for those in search of a space they belong in. Overall, an average read.

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC excerpt of Somewhere Beyond the Sea. This is the highly anticipated sequel to TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea.

While this excerpt only included the first four chapters, they give off the same cozy vibe that Cerulean Sea did, and TJ’s sarcastic and hilarious writing style shines through once again! If there is one thing I know I can count on with TJ’s books, it is that I will literally laugh out loud, and Somewhere Beyond the Sea was no exception to that!

Yet despite that, there are some more serious topics that are touched upon, but they are handled with care and grace. I’ll be honest that one small section of this excerpt even made me cry because it was so lovely and heartfelt.

As of right now, I would give what I’ve read a solid 4⭐️, but I am hoping that the full story will bump it up from there! I am anxiously awaiting the release of this book come September, and I can’t wait to add to this review once I get my hands on the full copy!

Thank you to Tor Books for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

Heartwarming in a way that makes you feel hopeful about the world again. First few chapters I got to read made me smile so big I must have looked like a big dork.

Story: 5 Characters: 5 Engagement level: 5

Highlights
- Such sweet endearing characters forming a loving family.
- Linus' gift and especially Sal's poem was everything.
- Great teaser for a big legal fight for good

Lowlights
- Disoriented with the opening pages and what time frame they were in until chapter 1 started
- I want to read the rest of the chapters now!

Notable quotes:
"I am going to use my voice for you and for me. Hate is loud. We are louder."

"I fear we're on the cusp of either salvation or destruction."

"Rebirth. Perseverance. Color. Life. Everything important in the smallest of packages."

"So many people want to eat my food. This must be what it feels like to be God."

"I'm not a monster.. And I'm as handsome as crap."

"I accidentally reversed gravity when I was trying to measure butter."
"That makes sense. I bet that happens to a lot of people because cooking is hard."

I was provided with an excerpt from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was thrilled, as a newer NetGalley user, to be granted an opportunity to read a 60+ page excerpt from Somewhere Beyond the Sea, Klune’s newest novel following his wildly successful, House in the Cerulean Sea.

(Disclaimer: The first installment is a cinnamon roll of a book and I was happy to eat it UP. Absolutely loved it! I also loved The Extraordinaries series as well, which is in my top favorite book series of all time.)

I really enjoyed the excerpt I was able to read. Cozy, yet deep, with a familiarity to the first novel that I was happy to see again. The prologue got me instantly hooked getting to see Arthur’s perspective from the jump (and a really interesting timeline shift).

I instantly recalled his story from the first novel and was transported back to hearing the pieces of his story and having so much empathy for him and how he handled it all. Starting the book this way got me all in my feelings!

Can’t wait to read the entire book because from what I read I can see it definitely is on par with the first in the series!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the sequel to the House in the Cerulean Sea that we've all been waiting for. The story is told from the point of view of Arthur Parnassus and follows his journey as he testifies before the government that oversees magical children. He is fighting for his orphanage which is home to magical children that possess different magical abilities. He is joined by his lover, Linus, who previously worked for the government and now lives on the island with Arthur. The pair are fighting to overcome stigma and prejudice against magical children and to create a safer world for the kids they love so much. This excerpt is gripping, emotional, and funny all at once and I can't wait for the full book!

This sequel somehow creates the same warm-fuzzies that the first book provided. TJ Klune has still got it, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the full book. Everyone is going to want this one.

This is a classic example of a sequel that never needed to happen. The original was a great stand alone that I thoroughly enjoyed at the time, however now this seems to just be diluting the world. I didn't remember hardly any of the characters, and there was definitely not enough of a recap for me to catch up. Even if this was a full novel digital copy and not just an excerpt, I probably would've still dnfed.

I loved this so far. It is a sweet continuation of the story. I fell in love with the characters the first time around and I love how this is already building upon their unique personalities. I am looking forward to reading more.

I was blessed by @torbooks and @netgalley to get to read the first four chapters of one of my most anticipated books coming this fall!

The book follows the quirky bunch of characters from The House In The Cerulean Sea. Arthur and Linus are setting out from the island to go and speak out for the magical youth.

From the four chapters I read I can already tell I'm going to love this book as much as book one. l've already laughed at several scenes in this preview.
I cannot wait til this book comes out! September 10th has never felt so far away.

A continuation of a beautiful story with a lovely set of characters who have found family in each other. The magical youth are growing up and changing while their caretaker continues to fight for their well-being. Readers of this excerpt will be anxiously awaiting reading the rest of this adorable book!

I was able to read the first few chapters of Klune's new novel. Klune quickly and craftily reintroduces us to the characters from the first novel in his Cerulean Sea series. Lucy (a personal favorite) is still as charming as ever. The preview I received ends right as the first act drama is about to commence. My appetite is wetted.

I am, again, excited by Klune's use of the mundane machinations of a crushing bureaucracy as the big bad in this series. can't wait to continue reading this when it comes out.

Loved seeing these characters again and anticipating a new adventure. Looking forward to reading the rest!

The House in the Cerulean Sea was the book that introduced me to and made me fall in love with the genre of magical realism. I’ve read several great books since reading this one, but none have even come close to the joy the first four chapters of Somewhere Beyond the Sea brought me. The book immediately draws the reader in with a heartwarming reintroduction of the children that quickly reminds us of how mischievous and pure-hearted they are. Since we last heard from them, Arthur’s and Linus’s relationship has developed into something sweet and comfortable. It doesn’t take long before the story dives into a suspenseful mission led by Arthur and Linus. The four-chapter excerpt ends right as something big is revealed to them.

I truly cannot wait to get my hands on the remaining chapters. I highly recommend checking this book out as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, be sure to read or reread The House in the Cerulean Sea in preparation of this book’s launch!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and TJ Klune for the advanced digital excerpt in exchange for my honest review.

Just finished the ARC excerpt of this one and it’s looking as though I’m going to love this book just as much as I did the first one. I love these characters and to get to be back in this world again. So excited to read the full book when it releases!

At this time, only an excerpt of the ARC has been given out, but reading it has solidified my excitement for the full novel! This is the follow-up to Klune's highly awarded The House in the Cerulean Sea, and we spent the whole first novel falling in love with the strange little cast of characters ensconced on Marsyas Island. Switching from Linus' perspective to Arthur's is a new way to engage with the family, one that adds even more to the story. I can't wait to get my hands on the complete copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for this ARC of Somewhere Beyond the Sea. As a big fan of The House in The Cerulean Sea, I got literal goosebumps hearing that Klune would be publishing a sequel. He has a unique way with words that deliver quirky humor and deep emotion.
It was wonderful to read about the children again. Each one of them have a special place in my heart and they deserve the best! Arthur and Linus are kind, loving parents that only want to protect their children from the hatred of the world.
This excerpt was a pleasure to read and I eagerly await the release of the full novel.

This was I just an excerpt and not the full book, but it was wonderful. I loved House on the Cerulean Sea and I loved this too! TJ Klune’s writing is so magical and beautiful. I highly recommend this series, so cozy and sweet.

It was so enjoyable to slip back into the world of The House in The Cerulean Sea- however briefly… I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the full version in September and immersing fully. There may be hints of future disturbance in the way of life on the idyllic island, and I need to know all!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a 4 chapter excerpt- which has totally whetted my appetite! I fully expect the complete book to be another 5* read!