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teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Racism, and Forced institutionalization
archaicgambit's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.5
So I had to wait 20 holds on my library to get my hands on this book. I love the illustrator, I heard there was a queer romance and it felt like slice-of-life a fairytale. I was hyped.
The prose is solid (though it did not blow me away), the characters are sweet (this is what earns it the 2.5 alongside the gorgeous cover), but the sophistication in which the political issues were handled felt supremely lacking. At first I thought the magical children were a placeholder for all types of discrimination at once, which felt more becoming for a MG book than an adult one. I asked some friends if it ever became more nuanced but they admitted it resolved with a "first step."
The idea of magic orphanages or safehouses is well-explored territory. X-men, Umbrella Academy (which is used as a comp on the cover), HBO's The Nevers. In each of these the magical childrens' inception is spontaneous. At first I thought this book followed suit and it would be a metaphor for disability or homophobia.
The House on the Cerulean Sea does itself a disservice by racializing the childrens' magic, tying them to magical races that the text casually admits have been largely genocided and forced to assimilate to the human world. Another friend of mine tipped me off that the author admitted to being directly inspired by the history of Residential schools, and knowing that made it very difficult to keep reading as bodies keep being found in the news, though I tried another 60 pages.
While I believe regardless of identity one should be able to explore social issues, historic tragedies, and their meaning, the tone felt eerily saccharine given the inspiration and the allegory of the magical children both felt too close to the Residential schools and not directly connected enough. The tonal dissonance may be triggering for some, though I don't mean to shame anyone who loves this book.
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
greymalkin's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Child abuse and Racism
eddine's review against another edition
- 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
this book was just so heartwarming and just sooo gooood
went into this thinking i wouldnt use much of my tabs but nOooOo
the kids are just so dkn wholesome i wanna keep them all in my pocket and keep them
CHAUNCEY MY BOI YOU ARE THE BEST BOI AND BEST BELLHOP THERE IS
it needs more hype than it deserves
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
eligru's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This is a story about an orphanage for children with magical powers narrated by a forty-something government official with a huge heart. Hence, it is not a children's book (but still ok for older kids/young teens to read).
It was all so cute and the world-building so beautiful, that I couldn’t stop reading it. Too bad, it’s a standalone cause I would love to keep following these character's lives. But I guess TJ Klune’s other books will have to do ;)
Also the audiobook is amazing! Already looking forward to re-listing/re-reading this!
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
sov_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Child abuse
lovely_lisa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child abuse
justreaditem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know there's a lot of controversy over the author, and although I don't condone anything they've done or agree with their views, I thought I'd try this book on a platform where it was freely available to me.
The message of the book is very clear. Just because someone is different, it doesn't mean they are scary or evil. Don't judge a book by it's cover. Treat people with kindness and give everything an open mind.
It's a sweet story which tackles homophobia and racism (I guess it's technically speciesism), family dynamics and loving yourself no matter your shape or size.
I will say that I found it lacking in race with the human presenting characters. All bar one or two, everybody was white. The main protagonist was a white man and it did give the story hints of white saviourism.
If it sounds up your street, give it a go!
Graphic: Racism
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Racism
anastasiamakes's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent