Scan barcode
giulianalb99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
Qué libro TAN bonito, 5 estrellas se le queda corto. Lo llevaré siempre en mi corazón. Este libro me ha hecho sentir tantas cosas bonitas e incluso me ha hecho llorar. Los personajes son increíbles y me ha encantado ver cómo evolucionan y lo mucho que se quieren todos e incluso hacen que te sientas como en casa. Arthur y Linus tienen mi corazón para siempre y los niños también. Me parece un libro súper importante por los temas que trata (como, por ejemplo, la segregación, la aceptación de uno mismo, los prejuicios, etc.) y por eso recomiendo a todo el mundo que lo lea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Racism, Confinement, Mental illness, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
pastelmeganes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
This book was absolutely delightful. The characters had so much life and made my heart swell with all their different, quirky personalities. The children of the house for the most part had some sort of quality to them that made them stick out. My favorite character by far was definitely Talia. All the children in the house had growth in their own way whether it be in regards to their individualistic dreams/aspirations, cultural connection or self actualization. This book was so light hearted and i felt happy after reading it. There were moments where i actually laughed out loud which was a nice surprise since many books dont get that reaction from me. overall, the story had an important message about not being a product of your birthright but of how you are nurtured and live the life you are given. That anybody has the capacity to do good as easy as they are to do evil. If i had to pick ONE critique, i felt that Phi’s story fell a little short but her connecting with Zoe about their culture was sweet and very healing for her. I would say she was the least memorable child for sure. .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Racism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Abandonment
Minor: Torture
kellan_writes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
When I first start this book, I wasn't sure how I would rate it, because I found Linus at first completely unlikeable. Which isn't surprising, he very much reminds me of Dent, Arthur Dent. But once he reaches the house in the Cerulean Sea, everything changed.
This book is funny, and moving. I laughed, and I even teared up. The relationships felt real, and the children delighted me to no end. I never once thought I would have such emotions about the Antichrist(We don't use that term here) and a small green creature who doesn't even know what he is, but all he wants to be a bellhop.
We are more than the sum of our parts. This book takes issues that we are still facing today and also gives us hope.
This book is funny, and moving. I laughed, and I even teared up. The relationships felt real, and the children delighted me to no end. I never once thought I would have such emotions about the Antichrist(We don't use that term here) and a small green creature who doesn't even know what he is, but all he wants to be a bellhop.
We are more than the sum of our parts. This book takes issues that we are still facing today and also gives us hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Xenophobia
anna_wa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Grief
Moderate: Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse
caitlinjadams'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? It's complicated
5.0
What a lovely, lovely book about humanity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Cannibalism, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
uhm_kai's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
this was so wholesome, 5 stars because it made my heart feel full
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Hate crime
sirkeili's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am absolutely floored by how much I love this book. From Linus' introduction, to his growth throughout the novel, to his final arc where he shines the brightest had me hooked.
Linus is both incredibly oblivious, and incredibly endearing. He reminds me a lot of Aziraphale; trying to do his job perfectly, but ultimately failing due to his endless compassion, empathy and boundless love. The amount of times I was screaming both "Linus, for the love of god, LOOK" followed by me nearly crying at how soft he was is numerable.
The kids? Arthur? Zoe? All of them were so endearing, and I loved them all so much. Theo and Lucy both are top contenders for my favourite kid, mostly due to their antics, but all of them are hilarious gremlins and their meddling is priceless.
I was not surprised Arthur was magical, as the hints were there, but the fact he was a FUCKING PHEONIX did actually. The scene where Linus protects Helen from the rock, and you see how absolutely lethal Arthur can be in his form was absolutely cinematic. The fact they have to have Zoe babysit the kids so they can bone each other in peace was absolutely hilarious as well, the poor things can't catch a break. They're adorable dads, and the fact they are trying to save more children to give them a safe home, made me so damn emotional.
Overall, this feel-good story about found family and overcoming our own self-made limitations is a phenomenal novel. I hope to see more of Linus and his family soon, I do miss them so! ❤️
Linus is both incredibly oblivious, and incredibly endearing. He reminds me a lot of Aziraphale; trying to do his job perfectly, but ultimately failing due to his endless compassion, empathy and boundless love. The amount of times I was screaming both "Linus, for the love of god, LOOK" followed by me nearly crying at how soft he was is numerable.
The kids? Arthur? Zoe? All of them were so endearing, and I loved them all so much. Theo and Lucy both are top contenders for my favourite kid, mostly due to their antics, but all of them are hilarious gremlins and their meddling is priceless.
Overall, this feel-good story about found family and overcoming our own self-made limitations is a phenomenal novel. I hope to see more of Linus and his family soon, I do miss them so! ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Fatphobia, Confinement, Grief, and Religious bigotry
singalana's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Tässäpä varsinainen hyvän mielen kirja. Kirjan luettua jää sellainen olo, että tarina jatkuu vielä, ei varsinaisesti siksi, että odottaisin kirjalle jatko-osaa, vaan tuntuu siltä kuin hahmot jatkaisivat elämäänsä vielä kirjan päättymisen jälkeenkin.
Kirjan hahmot ovat kaikki erilaisia sekä myös varsin erikoisia ihmisiä ja olentoja. Paitsi ehkä päähenkilö Linus, joka ainakin omasta mielestään on varsin tavallinen. Pidin erityisesti päähenkilön kasvusta, se oli hellyyttävää ja inspiroivaakin. Pitäisin koko kirjaa eräällä tavalla inspiroivana. On hieno saavutus kirjalle, jos se onnistuu herättämään lukijassa tunteita ja halun muuttaa jotakin omassa elämässään.
Tarina kertoo sosiaalityöntekijä Linus Bakerista, joka lähetetään työkomennukselle saarella sijaitsevaan orpokotiin, jossa on maagista nuorisoa. Orpokodin kohtalo on Linuksen käsissä, sillä hänen huolellisesti laadituista raporteistaan riippuu, mitä orpokodin kohtalosta päätetään.
Välillä kirja eteni minun makuuni paikoitellen hieman hitaasti, ja äänikirjan lukijalla oli hieman kuiva tyyli (toisaalta se oli ehkä sopivaa, ottaen huomioon että kirja kerrotaan Linuksen perspektiivistä. Kirja herätti muuten minussa sopivasti tunteita, ja olo lukemisen jälkeen oli oudolla tavalla toiveikas. Hyvän mielen kirja, jossa on äärimmäisen kaunis kansi.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
tabear's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Cursing, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Hate crime
kyeruhh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Several other reviewers have shared the same sentiment that I do abt this book: initially enjoyed it but, upon learning what the book was inspired by, cannot in good conscience recommend it. Other reviewers have but it into words better than I can, so I encourage people to 1) read their reviews and 2) listen to indigenous and First Nations people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry