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naiu_cs's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was one of my favorite books but I have recently discovered that T. J. Klune took inspiration for this book from the sixties scoop, during which countless indigenous children were taken from their families and homes to residential schools where they were abused, forced to give up their culture and way worse (please research the topic yourself for a sufficient, uncensored explanation). Due to this indigenous people have spoken out about how harmful this book is to them, their trauma, and their history. However his writing and creation of relatable three.dimensional character's is worth noting, so I am not banning him from my tbr entirely, though in the future, I will approach his books with caution.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, and Child abuse
winters_night's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Panic attacks/disorders
hanaahbi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
annapox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Ableism, Cursing, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Death, and Violence
prettycloud's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Minor: Cannibalism, Gore, Animal cruelty, Religious bigotry, Blood, Eating disorder, Body horror, Cursing, and Violence
the book has generally a light tone and does not dwell on painful events too long (it focuses more on institutional violence)—many of the characters have previously been through traumatic events and are healing, so though we hear about their traumas, we don't experience them in real time with the narrative. a lot of the minor content warnings are for graphic threats made by a disturbed child and do not reflect events in the book. if you can read "alice in wonderland," you can read this.aidamaria_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
The House in the Cerulean Sea is such a comforting, funny and fantastical story. I enjoyed every minute of it and even snorted out loud in public while reading at the train station (because of something Lucy said, if I remember correctly). If this book doesn’t get turned into a film, preferably animated, I’ll be gravely disappointed. I could see the scenes so vividly inside my head and all the children in Arthur’s orphanage melted my heart. They’re such endearing characters and Linus’s internal monologues cracked me up. Never in a million years did I think I’d like to adopt the literal Antichrist, but here we are. 😈 To be fair, my cat sometimes acts as a bringer of destruction upon my world: the little booger chews on books I leave on the table! 😼
This book gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 out of 5) rating from me, despite several discussions going on about the author, where he got his inspiration for this novel and what actions he should or shouldn’t take when it comes to certain matters. I’m tired of cancel culture. This is a wonderful and sweet and hilarious and heartwarming story and I’m very grateful TJ Klune wrote it. He’s a witty writer, so let him do what he does best. If he wants to be an activist too, that’s great, but if he doesn’t, that’s fine too.
This book gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 out of 5) rating from me, despite several discussions going on about the author, where he got his inspiration for this novel and what actions he should or shouldn’t take when it comes to certain matters. I’m tired of cancel culture. This is a wonderful and sweet and hilarious and heartwarming story and I’m very grateful TJ Klune wrote it. He’s a witty writer, so let him do what he does best. If he wants to be an activist too, that’s great, but if he doesn’t, that’s fine too.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Bullying, Body shaming, Abandonment, Confinement, Cursing, and Death of parent
rose_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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 completely feel in love with this book. I adore the characters and the setting, and I loved the whole idea of fantasy and magic in an otherwise normal world. I loved that the whole sentiment of the story was about equality no matter who or what you are, but also that you don’t have to be content with a boring life simply because it’s ‘normal’. Something so really loved was how each of Linus’ relationships with the people on the island changed. Sal went from being terrified of him to being someone he looks up to, Chauncey went from someone who was though to be a ‘monster’ to a bellhop after Linus tells him he can do anything. Phee was so kind to him and even made him a little flower! And Theodore taking all of his buttons then showing him is hoard! And the two scenes of him first coming to the island and then returning, of him and Talia in the garden and her threatening ti kill him, but lovingly! And him and Lucy bonding over music! And him being so amazing after people were cruel to him and his nightmare! Linus and Zoe and mlm and wlw solidarity, I love them. Honestly, Linus and Arthur and the goddamn DEFINITION of true love. I love all the little moments between them, Linus thinking about his laugh and his smile, Arthur saying he loves that Linus is ‘just him’ and their kiss was just *chef’s kiss*. I also really loved how T.J Klune peppered in things about the phoenix before Arthur revealed it was him, like how he knew one and all. I also loved how Linus reacted to him, he was just so in love!! Them two are jus t the perfect dad’s and I love them all so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
trulydevious's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Homophobia
anni_swanilda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
lucygoosey522's review against another edition
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
so cute! i couldn’t put this book down, it just made my heart so happy. only reason it doesn’t get 5 stars is i thought the last little bit of the book was a little off, seemed like the writing got lazy and the development of the characters was a little rushed. other than that, i loved all the characters and their relationships with each other. the world building isn’t confusing, but still cool!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia