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

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

422 reviews

kdelhan's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I think the author is much more than merely the anti-JK Rowling, it feels like a restrictive title! While I loved this sequel, it felt a little heavy-handed and predictable at many points, and I missed the plentiful magic and wonder of the first book. However, there were a bunch of fun twists and it's most definitely worth the read!

Content Warnings

shelleyreadsbooks's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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: Complicated

In the author's note at the end of the book, TJ Klune calls themself the "anti-JK Rowling," and I think this title is well-deserved. Klune has created a world that is as magical and delightful as Rowling could ever had hoped to do, with as much complexity, excitement, and suspense, but without all the dismissal of those who don't conform to societal norms of gender binaries and heteronormative relationships. This is where the true magic begins. This is the perfect continuation of House on the Cerulean Sea, and I would have expected nothing less. The only flaw with this books is that it is over.

I must also give kudos to Daniel Henning for his stunning voice acting in the audio book. I often find it tiresome when actors who read audio books "do voices" for different characters, because rarely can they do it well. This is, by far, the exception. A hearty well done for both the writing and the acting in this book. Arthur would be proud!

Content Warnings

ellie_1997's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad 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

Content Warnings

jthomasflaubert's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense 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: Complicated

Content Warnings

miagic_tome's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

God did I need a read like this. It’s been a hard time to exist the past few months. It was so hopeful and light at times I found myself gazing adoringly at the pages much like I’d expect Arthur to do.

The complexities of this book feel like a mirror to many of the difficulties we’re facing today in the world (especially the US) and I found the sense of community and togetherness in this story inspiring. Will add this book to my pile of “in case of the Bad Times™ : Break Glass”

Content Warnings

flopsiful's review against another edition

3.0

slow-paced

Ugh this is a tough one to rate because I loved the first book and I still love all the characters but this book felt quite clunky and cringe to me and while there were cute moments between characters, I was also quite bored in parts. There were so many moments that pulled me out of the book where it felt like a long tweet or an exert from a psychology textbook, even more jarring having it come out a 7-year-old’s mouth… I felt so aware of the author’s presence and there was such a prescriptive nature to the resolutions. The author’s acknowledgments were fire though 🔥

Content Warnings

maxgoatcher's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring

Content Warnings

wheelsandwhiskeyreads's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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: Complicated

TJ Klune has done what he set out to do; he has written another beautifully moving queer story while standing loud and proud as the antithesis to the bigots and TERFs who would let their fear and insecurity-masquerading-as-superiority create a world built on contempt.

This book is soul balm for anyone whose lives and loves have been weaponized by those with limited imagination. Read it and hope. Cry a little if you’re moved to. Then get on with the life-giving business of letting your joy shine bright and channeling your rage to build the better world this heart-swelling story represents.

Content Warnings