The initial chapters have left me thoroughly engaged and hungry for more. The author's ability to draw me into the story from the get-go is commendable. I'm eagerly looking forward to delving deeper into the narrative and uncovering the twists and turns that surely lie ahead. Once I've journeyed through the entire book, I'll provide a comprehensive review, capturing my thoughts on the characters, plot development, and overall impact of the story.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

IM GONNA NEED THE WHOLE THING NOW PLEASE

NetGalley is intended to "helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies". With this being just an except, not more than an introductory chapter, there's no way to actually review the book or leave feedback. I might have missed that this was just a tiny part of the book, but this feels like a marketing ploy to bolster reviews from blind reviewers.

I would like to preface this by saying that The House in the Cerulean Sea was one the best written books I’ve read in a long time…and I read a lot. I will also say that I love seeing LGBTQ+ representation and the way the first books both subtly and not-so-subtly reflected social issues, so it really doesn’t bring me any pleasure to say how disappointed I was in the first 6 chapters of this books.

I was excited in the beginning, getting to see how Arthur made his way back to the island…I wish that was the story you were telling. I got whiplash with the quickness that this turned into nothing more than a recitation of current news headlines with a skin of the last book slapped on top. I love social commentary and think that it’s important to bring light to these issues…but it didn’t even feel like you tried to create issues in the world you created, just pulled everything (the whole thing about the secretary of education and trans kids? Come on) that’s bothering you from the political section of the newspaper and changed the names.

Maybe I’m wrong, maybe as the book goes on you actually did write a story and come up with another beautiful and compelling plot that makes me question the higher order of the world (Under the Whispering Door was another profound book that holds a special place in my heart) and not just 300 pages of you airing your issues with the US political and social landscape at the moment.

And here’s the thing, I don’t blame you. Things are awful right now. But you’re a writer, and while I get that something’s need a heavy hand, I feel like I’m being force fed political ideology (that I agree with even) and it’s not landing right.

I will read the book when it comes out, however this has seriously dampened my excitement for it. Whatever the rest of the book hold, I wish you all the best and look forward to seeing more of your work in the future.

The first 4 chapters were magical. I’m beyond ready to return to this little island and spend more time with Lucy, and Arthur and the rest of the gang.

Thank you for the chance to preview this book! It was a joy to find myself back in this world, back with these delightful characters and their found family. The voice of the story matches the voice of the first book; it felt as if I had never left. I liked where the story picked up, and this preview left me intrigued. My only criticism is now I have to wait too long for the rest of the story! Thanks again :)

Loved the excerpt! Will definitely be purchasing this book for myself and others I recommend it to. Such a wonderful continuation for this found family.

I had a love/hate relationship with this excerpt….I loved absolutely everything about it but hated that it was only a small taste of the next book in this delightful series!

TJ Klune creates the most imperfectly lovable characters and it felt like coming home to go back to the island from The House in the Cerulean Sea. The prologue and first four chapters gave a hint of what’s to come and I can’t wait for September to read more!!

All I can say is that I CANNOT WAIT for the full book to be released! This little excerpt was delicious and far too short!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy of this excerpt in exchange for my honest opinion.

This being an excerpt was a cruel joke 😫. But can I just say I am so excited to be back in this world. I adore these characters and cannot wait for the entire book to be released so I can lose myself in their story again. 🖤 Protect Arthur and those children at all costs.

Now give us a Chauncey spin off TJ pleaseandthankyou.

A really interesting excerpt and I love that we’re seeing that these characters are in a different place now, as well as a little bit more of where some of them come from.

I’m curious to see what direction the whole book goes in and how this world and these characters get expanded in this installment.

I received a temporary digital copy of Somewhere Beyond the Sea Excerpt from NetGalley, Tor Books and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Like many other reviewers, I requested Somewhere Beyond the Sea believing I was going to receive the book; however, it was just an excerpt. It was nice to be back with Arthur and the children at the orphanage, but it seems as if Arthur will have many more battles in this book as he is fighting for the rights and acceptance of the children within society.

I'm a bit annoyed that this was only an excerpt and not the whole arc...how am I supposed to give a review based on only four chapters? What I did read was interesting, but I'm only comfortable in giving 3 stars.

How wonderful is is to step back into the world of The House in the Cerulean Sea. The magical children are just as lovable and funny as I was expecting, and it was a pleasure to see how Arthur and Linus have settled into a life together. It seems that this novel is going to be higher stakes than the last, and I can't wait for the novel to be fully released so I can dive into it.

This was not enough! I am absolutely dying to fully immerse myself in this world again. I live and breathe the wonderful characters of this universe, with the softest of spots in my heart for Chauncy. I am so, so, so freaking excited to read the rest of this!!

I'm practically frothing at the mouth with excitement to read the full book! Klune is a genius and this excerpt bodes SO well.

I adored this excerpt and CANNOT WAIT for the book to come out. My only complaint is that it was only an excerpt!

Okay, this excerpt was both a blessing and a curse.

I am so excited and it was so incredibly amazing. But - WHAT A TEASE!!!

I need it all, ASAP.

I am so excited for the rest of this story and will be foaming at the mouth waiting for release date.

I had the honor of receiving an excerpt of this book as an ARC, I absolutely adored the first book in this series as well as Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune.
I frankly was unsure how to proceed in giving this review, I received about 60 pages of the book and tore through it (I’m not so patiently waiting for a completed copy!) After some thought, I decided to write this review as I would any other. What did I think?
I will update this review when I finish the full book, however this made me extremely excited! In my opinion the themes we all loved from The House on the Cerulean Sea (And TJ Klune as an author) have been again perfectly
portrayed in this sequel!
-
I did not leave my review in my StoryGraph as I have not yet finished the book. ◡̈

I’m so excited to read the full book. It sounds just as warm and sweet as the first book! It is so exciting to revisit the characters we loved and to meet some new ones. It feels like a warm hug.