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

This book was so immensely heartwarming. I was really worried about it being over hyped with how much I’ve heard people rave about this book, but it did not disappoint.
I’m definitely learning that found family is one of my favorite tropes & this does that trope INCREDIBLY. Every day I was so excited to get back into this world to be with all the characters, it felt like home.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to everyone & anyone.

I do think it maybe was a little on the nose about some of the messaging it’s trying to convey, but I’m sure there are readers out there that need that & it didn’t detract from my personal enjoyment of the story.

Side note: Did anyone else get a Tim Burton vibe from this? Or was it just me?

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katelynndzindzio's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

4.75

Linus, a completely unremarkable man was tasked with an adventure. He just didn't know it yet. Breaking down his walls he fell in love, and not with just himself.

"He thought of the life he had. How he could ever have thought it'd be enough. His thoughts were alll cerulean."-Linus

Linus found where he belonged. The children, though they didn't seem like it at times, found their home. Arthur found his other half.

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thebookaddict's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-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

4.5

🇳🇱: Wat een leuk boek. Het was echt een boek met een mooie boodschap. Ik vond het zo mooi om te zien hoe deze kinderen langzamerhand werden geaccepteere. Alle personages waren zo mooi beschreven en ze paste allemaal zo goed bij elkaar. Ik ben wel van mening dat sommig taalgebruik niet thuishoort in een kinderboek, maar dit was verder niet storend. Het is een dik boek , maar het hield heel goed mijn aandacht vast. Doordat het zo goed geschreven is vlieg je erdoorheen.

🇬🇧: What a nice book. It really was a book with a beautiful message. I thought it was so beautiful to see how these children were gradually accepted. All the characters were written so beautifully and they all fit together so well. I do believe that some language does not belong in a children's book, but this was not disturbing. It's a long book, but it held my attention very well. Because it is so well written you can fly through it.

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scarlett_f's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

4.0

Recommend for teens+. Pages: P. 156 'A vagina being penetrated by a penis.' P. 263 use of pot/marijuana. PP. 274, 276 'deft little bitch'. P. 363 '...shove demerits up his ass.' The Anti-Christ. Just some items to be aware of that may not be suitable for a younger age. Positive queer representation. Belonging, family, nature vs nurture, inclusion, acceptance.

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plantbaybe's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

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moraina's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a cozy fantasy story centered around magical children that have otherwise been outcast and ostracized by society. When Linus goes to the island they inhabit as a by-the-book caseworker investigating the situation, he finds friendship, love, parenthood, and a home that he never anticipated finding. This book instills a whimsical sense of adventure and belonging, I really enjoyed it and think it would be great for a wholesome read on the beach. This was my first read by the author, but I will be checking out more of his work after reading this book!

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fred___'s review

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

This was written based on the 60s scoop. Indigenous populations have discussed often that it was not an appropriate thing for a white cis author to cover (and give a happy ending to) because it dismissed the trauma indigenous populations are still living.

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moond4ncer's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

I loved my experience with this book. Funny, witty, compassionate and a beautiful reminder of all the good things in life. I'll return to this book and recommend it to many friends.

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