Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

421 reviews

jjsoupsworth's review against another edition

5.0

funny hopeful 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: Yes

(There will be spoilers in this review!)

It took me a pretty long while to finish this book and I am absolutely shocked to say that it is just as wonderful as its predecessor to me.

This book is simultaneously more of the lighthearted shenanigans I've come to love in Klune's work and something infuriating and gut-wrenching. The courtroom scene that introduced Rowder made me want to set something on fire. As did everything out of the mouth of the secondary antagonist Marblemaw. The exchange between Arthur and Phee at the end of Chapter 11 nearly made me cry. The latter half of Chapter 12, but especially the line "And for the first time, Arthur Franklin Parnassus wept for himself" did make me cry.

And talking about moments that made me cry, I would be remiss to not mention the opening dedications. I started reading this book in early December of 2024 (if you know, you know). It was something I desperately needed to hear, and a great opener to a heartwarming story about the lengths people go to to protect their loved ones against hatred and abuse.

Content Warnings

ravensis's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous emotional inspiring 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: No

Content Warnings

jasminrain's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful 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: No

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one my all time favorite novels. While I enjoyed reading this book, I don't feel like it lived up to the first book of the series. It was cozy, wholesome and the characters were as loveable as ever. It discussed difficult topics and it has very relevant messages. However, I felt like the storyline itself was all over the place and as such it wasn't as enjoyable of a reading experience as the previous book.

Content Warnings

libraryfairyrachel's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous emotional inspiring medium-paced

A beautiful sequel 💙 I loved returning to Marsyas and spending time with this family again. Each character is so incredible and unique and sweet. It could’ve used like, 2 less moments of someone speechifying on good vs evil tho

Content Warnings

kayyla_snider's review against another edition

5.0

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

TJ Klune has done it again. Somewhere Across the Sea is a breathtaking continuation of The House in the Cerulean Sea that manages to be both whimsical and deeply emotional. Klune’s signature blend of heart, humor, and hope shines through every page, making this sequel not only a worthy follow-up, but a story that stands powerfully on its own.

The characters are as vibrant and lovable as ever, and the growth they go through is both touching and real. Linus, Arthur, and the children—especially Lucy—continue to surprise and delight, while new additions to the story add fresh depth and nuance. I don’t know how else to describe it other than reading this felt like being wrapped in a warm hug and gently reminded of the beauty in the world, even when it's hard to see. If The House in the Cerulean Sea was a fairy tale for those who never felt like they belonged, Somewhere Across the Sea is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—but love makes the journey worth it.

Unforgettable, magical, and full of heart.

Content Warnings

akswhy's review against another edition

1.75

challenging emotional tense 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

A surprisingly depressing, clumsy, follow-up to a lovely, cozy book. The metaphor was a blunt instrument despite the characters being consistent between the two books. Not worth the read to me.

Content Warnings