TJ Kline can do no wrong. I love every single book I have read from this author and can’t wait to continue to see the progression of their career. Everyone should go pick up this book. I can’t wait!!

The first few chapters of this book was like putting on a warm blanket on a rainy night. I loved hearing about the happenings of the children, especially my favorite, Chauncey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an excerpt ARC.

Disclaimer – this is only an excerpt, so I can only comment on what I have read.

I loved the first book so much, and I think this one will be no exception. We pick up here after the events of the first book, focusing on Arthur’s perspective now as he and Linus travel into the city to make a statement to the government.

This excerpt was everything I hoped it would be – so sweet and funny, I settled right back into all the characters and their quirks.

I cannot wait to read the whole book when it’s out!

Klune has delivered a stellar sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea! I cannot wait to read the entire thing. We will be purchasing several copies since our patrons adored House in the Cerulean Sea at bookclub.

I LOVED the first book and based on this excerpt, I'm excited to read the second! Wish this was a full ARC, but I'll be patiently waiting for Sept. 10, 2024.

Based on the excerpt, I can’t wait to read this book! It picks up not long after the first book and the warmth and magic of the characters and setting rush right back.

As many others have said, I wasn’t aware that this was only a small excerpt of the book and not the completed arc. I don’t think I can give a higher rating without finishing the book but I’m excited to see where the story goes.

So I like so many before me didn’t realize the “arc” was only an excerpt.

I haven’t read the first book I’ll be the first to admit but it is on my list of to be read. I didn’t feel reading this excerpt like I was coming into the middle of a series which is nice. It did make me a lot more curious about the first book so it is being moved up on my TBR order for sure.

I liked the few chapters I read. I enjoyed the dynamic with Arthur Linus and the kids. I might officially call birthdays, birt days from now on because I got a belly laugh out of that. The excerpt was a nice taste of what’s to come! 3.5 out of 5 star for now!

Thanks NetGalley, Tor Publishing Group, and TJ Klune for the excerpt!

I NEED the rest of this book. I read the first book in this series and I was in love. It is magical, sweet, hopeful, but still complex. It uses magical humans and other magical beings as an allegory to discrimination in the world. It is inspiring and deep. The beginning of this sequel comes from the perspective of Arthur, the owner and leader of an orphanage for magical children. He decides to enter the world and talk about the mistreatment he faced as a magical child growing up through the government system. I am eager to see the political and social ramifications of Arthur's public testimony and the aftermath of said testimony. It is beautifully written and descriptive while still being entertaining and fun. I can't wait until the book is released!

I shouldn’t have read this so early. I’m (impatiently) awaiting the release so I can read more than just the first 6 chapters. 😅

It’s shaping up to be a great book!

This is such a highly anticipated read for me and this excerpt did nothing but make me more excited! The writing is gorgeous as can be expected from TJ Klune and the change of narrator is refreshing. I was sucked into the story immediately and am very excited to read the rest of the book.

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.