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artemis_rose_reads's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Read this if:
You are looking for something heartwarming about found family, celebrating bodily differences, with a gay romance between middle age men. It also shows that a mediocre person with privilege has the power and a responsibility to stand up for those harmed by institutions and racism.
You are looking for something heartwarming about found family, celebrating bodily differences, with a gay romance between middle age men. It also shows that a mediocre person with privilege has the power and a responsibility to stand up for those harmed by institutions and racism.
Don’t read this if:
You are looking for a story that completely and satisfactorily addresses the many ways that the Sixties Scoop harmed indigenous peoples, look elsewhere. It does put the responsibilities of fixing the problems onto the privileged, however they are made into a hero because their efforts are sadly rare.
You are looking for a story that completely and satisfactorily addresses the many ways that the Sixties Scoop harmed indigenous peoples, look elsewhere. It does put the responsibilities of fixing the problems onto the privileged, however they are made into a hero because their efforts are sadly rare.
With that it mind:
If you can understand that this book is unsatisfactory when it comes to properly addressing the many horrors of stealing and institutionalizing peoples because the people in power have decided that their birth families cannot care properly for their children. However it does a fairly decent job in showing the long term emotional and mental damage that this clauses in the children, but also the adults who have also had to live through this situation.
Does it solve everything and puts all the appropriate blame on the system and then fixes the problem? Nope, not even close. This is basically a love letter to the average person who does what is in their personal power to improve and protect the happiness of those who have been hurt by government and biases against the “other”.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
There is a lot of mentioning of potential triggers as it talks a lot about the traumas of foster care and a system purposely controlling underprivileged bodies and their rights. The current environment is safe, however all the children are battling the trauma from previous placements and this home is still under the control of the system. There is current bully and hate from the locals. Children also acting menacing/threatening death as a response to their previous traumas.bailey_sawka's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
oliverreeds's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
if i could rate this book higher than a five, i would do it. everything about this is incredible. i am crying from happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
spookily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, and Fire/Fire injury
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, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Confinement and Fire/Fire injury
secretsparrow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
It's become one of my all-time favorites! Cozy, queer romance that also deals with recognizing and overcoming personal and systemic prejudices. All the characters are incredibly dynamic and the writing is often very clever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Child abuse
Racism in the form of prejudices against magical peoplesmarisacarpico's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.25
Charming, but just on this side of cloying. A disservice to not classify this as YA, frankly. Had it been, I might be a bit more forgiving of some of the overemphasis in the writing or the way the stakes never feel quite as heavy as they should or that everything ends so neatly. As is, this feels a bit unsophisticated. The ideas are heavy-handed and the hopefulness feels naive. That said, I’m sure a lot of readers will appreciate that sentiment and I suppose I can’t necessarily fault this for engaging in wish fulfillment. It’s a good book, but one I wish I’d liked more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Racism
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I can’t think of any concrete words at the moment but this book felt like a literal trip to the beach - fresh, rewarding and I wish there was more to Linus & Arthur’s stories as we got to know the children of the island. It’s jam packed with humor, reality, and how to combat the ugliness of people not liking others just because of what they look like or may represent. Prejudice is an ugly concept and House in the Cerulean Sea took that and ran with it in a way that I didn’t see coming. Heart wrenching to the core. This book will stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, Racism, and Forced institutionalization