Reviews with content warning for Torture - The House in the Cerulean Sea

I enjoyed this book a lot. I wanted to find a fantasy book with queer characters that didn't use typical fantasy love stories, and this book delivered. Unfortunately, Klune's inspiration for the premise of this book is extremely questionable at best and I would heavily consider that anyone look that up before decided to read this book. Part of me wants to say that you can enjoy the story if you can look past it, but personally I can't ignore it when he could have entirely avoided most if not all of the problematic content. Disheartening, but that's on me for not doing my diligence beforehand.

Content Warnings

lilacs_book_bower's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

On the surface this is a sweet book. A bureaucrat named Linus goes to an orphanage to see how things are going with the magical children and their mysterious headmaster, for lack of a better term. The kids are sweet and he comes to love them and Arthur, the headmaster (who deeply loves and cares for the children). I was very fond of Arthur and the children, and was passingly fond of Linus. We are told he is by the book and seems unflappable, which is why he was chosen for this review by the government agency he works for. But he sort of dithers around and seems very surprised and shocked by the kids. We are constantly told how wonderful he is, but I don't quite see it? Because he is open-minded and not a jerk to the kids? I also think the book is a smidge too long. I found it to be a soothing book about giving people chances and not judging them for being different, and that everyone deserves a place to call home with people who love them.

HOWEVER, there are some controversies about this book, as Klune was at least partially inspired by residential schools, where Indigenous children were taken from their families and placed in to orphanages, treated brutally (some even killed) to try to assimilate them into white society and culture. There are also some excellent points to be made about trauma and children in foster care systems, and whether or not that is accurately reflected here in the book. As I have no experience with the foster care system, and I am not an Indigenous Person, or even a person of color, I do not want to make a judgement call on this, nor do I feel able to. I have seen comments on both sides about these issues. What is clear is that Klune is using the magical children as an allegory to show the oppression of a marginalized group by society, culture, and the government. I think we can all appreciate the attempt. But how people feel going from there is really going to be up to each person and their individual lives and experiences. The story and the characters are sweet and soothing, but there is still a lot I feel uncertain about. I did not want to ignore the issues that many other readers have addressed much better than I have.

Content Warnings

marleennieke's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Very nice and cosy read about being different. Easy to read.

Content Warnings

abookwormspov's review

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

kimtazo's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Content Warnings

pastelmeganes's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book was absolutely delightful. The characters had so much life and made my heart swell with all their different, quirky personalities. The children of the house for the most part had some sort of quality to them that made them stick out. My favorite character by far was definitely Talia. All the children in the house had growth in their own way whether it be in regards to their individualistic dreams/aspirations, cultural connection or self actualization. This book was so light hearted and i felt happy after reading it. There were moments where i actually laughed out loud which was a nice surprise since many books dont get that reaction from me.

overall, the story had an important message about not being a product of your birthright but of how you are nurtured and live the life you are given. That anybody has the capacity to do good as easy as they are to do evil. If i had to pick ONE critique, i felt that Phi’s story fell a little short but her connecting with Zoe about their culture was sweet and very healing for her. I would say she was the least memorable child for sure.

Content Warnings

More...