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saoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-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 apparent cutoffs were mind boggling for some reason. The book was much telling it is of a calling towards a purpose and sentiments which a lot of people might ignore on a daily, likely kept with their stereotypes adjourned. I had to get used with the third person point of view since lately I was reading YA ones. The details to be exact were otherwise roundabout imaginative which seemed realistic to a fault, except its on an otherworldly setting. As a matter of fact I loved it. It wasn't the type to be all-consuming for a day, well for me, it had to take its time. The book made a lot of wonderful insights and profound lessons which can touch a person's heart. Lucy, Talia, Theodore, Phee, Chauncey, and Sal. These six kids were unlike any other kids. Aside from them being supernatural, they were especially lucky to be a part of a family in the Marsyas Orphanage - it was home. "But I wasn’t living, then. The life I had before wasn’t living. It was getting by." Zoe, the island sprite's words, struck me. It left a pang on my chest as it made me think of my own. Many things in this world do come temporary, though I believe nothing can ever be permanent at some point but when your safe space, that comforting little bubble gets popped, all of a sudden things around you become more vivid and different. You can no longer appease that mundane life. Change as I see is such a beautiful thing, and its one thing that this book has taught me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, and Abandonment
kalin_grace's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent
andrecantug's review against another edition
funny
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
4.5 it’s really sweet, and talks about discrimination, and love, so much love.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
for_esme_with_love's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
I was expecting to love this book and was a little bit disappointed. I really disliked the narrator for the audio book which may have influenced my experience of the story as well. The characters (especially the children) are great and the found family vibe is extremely sweet. However, the politics of the book are pretty questionable, with a strong connection between Klune's magical orphanages and the legacy of residential schools for indigenous children. The allegory becomes muddled, and the ending presents an overly cheery outcome that emphasizes individuals overcoming bias as the solution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
wee_ramekin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Xenophobia
Minor: Confinement, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
jagaylord's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Absolutely superb story driven by Amazon characters and what it means to understand who we are and seeing beyond the things that divide us to the people beneath.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
katsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Please don't buy this book. While I found it to be very heart-warming, the inspiration behind it are the residential schools that forcibly institutionalized indigenous children throughout North America. This author is not a bad person. He wrote a beautiful story with horrific inspiration. I understand the desire to create good out of something so awful. His message is beautiful and well-intentioned but a white man making money off of the pain of a marginalized community is not okay in any way. If you are interested in this title, please consider buying it second-hand so the author doesn't receive the proceeds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Title: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5
Pub Date: March 16 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Whimsical • Feel-good • Comforting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When case worker, Linus Baker is given a special assignment at the mysterious island orphanage, home to the most dangerous magical children, his entire world is turned upside down. Linus, a by-the-book rule follower is tasked with ensuring the children are safe, and finds his own assumptions challenged when he meets the kids and the man who runs the orphanage. A powerful story of love and family, and finding a place to call home.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd recently heard T.J. Klune talk during an author event I attended, and instantly knew I wanted to read some of his work. I decided to start with The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I'd seen so many glowing reviews for. I'd like to start out by saying that fantasy books are not typically my cup of tea, and I tend to avoid them. Additionally, I'm often disappointed my books that are loved by so many, but this was a delightful surprise.
This was such an enjoyable and much needed reading experience for me. I loved the cast of unique and endearing characters, as each one brought something different to the table. I won't soon forget all of the positive and inspirational messages put forth in this phenomenal book. The writing was immersive and it just made me have hope in humanity when so many terrible things seem to be going on. The unconventional love story was a breath of fresh air, the tackling of contemporary issues such as homophobia and cultural bias were handled well, and the theme of what a family and home is added depth. I am always satisfied when a book takes me on an emotional journey, and this one did just that.
This is a special kind of book that doesn't come around everyday, a comforting embrace in the form of a book! Compassion, empathy and acceptance are something we could all use a little more of. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, and it's perfect for any mood. Eventually, I could see it becoming part of the school curriculum. I cannot wait to read his forth coming novel!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone whose ever felt like they don't belong
• readers looking for a literary hug
• Harry Potter fans
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'They fear what they don't understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I'm sure even they can't begin to comprehend. And since they don't understand the children, since they fear them, they hate them. This can't be the first time you've heard of this. It happens everywhere.'"
"'Home is where you feel like yourself.'"
"'Just because you don't experience prejudice in your everyday doesn't stop it from existingf0r the rest of us.'"
"The world likes to see things in black and white, in moral and immoral. But there is gray in between. And just because a person is capable of wickedness, doesn't mean they will act upon it. And then there is the notion of perceived immorality. I highly doubt Chauncey would even consider laying a tentacle on another person in violence, even if it meant protecting himself. And yet people see him and decide based upon his appearance that he is something monstrous.'"
"...home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with."
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5
Pub Date: March 16 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Whimsical • Feel-good • Comforting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When case worker, Linus Baker is given a special assignment at the mysterious island orphanage, home to the most dangerous magical children, his entire world is turned upside down. Linus, a by-the-book rule follower is tasked with ensuring the children are safe, and finds his own assumptions challenged when he meets the kids and the man who runs the orphanage. A powerful story of love and family, and finding a place to call home.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd recently heard T.J. Klune talk during an author event I attended, and instantly knew I wanted to read some of his work. I decided to start with The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I'd seen so many glowing reviews for. I'd like to start out by saying that fantasy books are not typically my cup of tea, and I tend to avoid them. Additionally, I'm often disappointed my books that are loved by so many, but this was a delightful surprise.
This was such an enjoyable and much needed reading experience for me. I loved the cast of unique and endearing characters, as each one brought something different to the table. I won't soon forget all of the positive and inspirational messages put forth in this phenomenal book. The writing was immersive and it just made me have hope in humanity when so many terrible things seem to be going on. The unconventional love story was a breath of fresh air, the tackling of contemporary issues such as homophobia and cultural bias were handled well, and the theme of what a family and home is added depth. I am always satisfied when a book takes me on an emotional journey, and this one did just that.
This is a special kind of book that doesn't come around everyday, a comforting embrace in the form of a book! Compassion, empathy and acceptance are something we could all use a little more of. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, and it's perfect for any mood. Eventually, I could see it becoming part of the school curriculum. I cannot wait to read his forth coming novel!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone whose ever felt like they don't belong
• readers looking for a literary hug
• Harry Potter fans
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'They fear what they don't understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I'm sure even they can't begin to comprehend. And since they don't understand the children, since they fear them, they hate them. This can't be the first time you've heard of this. It happens everywhere.'"
"'Home is where you feel like yourself.'"
"'Just because you don't experience prejudice in your everyday doesn't stop it from existingf0r the rest of us.'"
"The world likes to see things in black and white, in moral and immoral. But there is gray in between. And just because a person is capable of wickedness, doesn't mean they will act upon it. And then there is the notion of perceived immorality. I highly doubt Chauncey would even consider laying a tentacle on another person in violence, even if it meant protecting himself. And yet people see him and decide based upon his appearance that he is something monstrous.'"
"...home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse
discriminationhandful_of_frogs's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
mikaelaandherbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
Adored this book and all the characters!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Child abuse