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

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

420 reviews

thecozybookgal's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

abbysingh's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Content Warnings

rachael_jo's review against another edition

5.0

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: Complicated

Content Warnings

pm_reads's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense 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

I really loved this sequel. Parts of the conflict seemed a bit too easily resolved, but I'm okay with it. The characters live in a better world than we do, regardless of its flaws. The parallels between what's happening in the story and what's happening in our world today are far too strong to ignore. It made me emotional several times just because of that. But I genuinely enjoyed this and the audiobook narration was fun, too. Some of the characters voices are hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud several times. Definitely recommend!

Content Warnings

queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition

5.0

emotional 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: No

5 ⭐ CW: child abuse mentions, death of a parent mention

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by T.J. Klune is book two in the Cerulean Chronicles. This book, just like the first one, was a big, warm hug! I cannot express how much I loved this. This was warmth incarnate.

This time we follow Arthur's perspective, and peer into his past and how he sees things with Linus and the children on the island. He is invited to speak about his experiences as a child in DICOMY custody in an attempt to make change in the way people and the government views magical beings. Unfortunately, there is one person in government who has made it her mission to find any reason to find fault with Arthur and the children. They must endure a representative from DICOMY coming to the island for two weeks on an inspection under the guise of "protecting the children."

The message in this book is clear: we should all get to be ourselves freely. Klune uses this story as an allegory for how governments are treating trans people. By claiming that laws that prevent people from being who they are are protecting children, they are really putting children in more danger. The hypocrisy is evident in the story and in real life. I loved the discussions around the words people use for themselves, and what it means to be a good person.

These characters are so wonderful! Chauncey is still my favorite, and is too pure for this world. I teared up several times reading this just from the sheer amount of heart and sweetness involved. This story is one of healing and found family. As someone who grew up in a not so great or accepting family, this was a balm to my soul. One of celebrating differences and knowing that those differences are what makes you special. I just know I will come back to these books again and again.

Content Warnings

theaterchild's review against another edition

4.75

funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

This book takes the strong undercurrent from the first book, and turns it into a tidal wave.
Discrimination is front and center in this book, handled with care and grace but also spoken about unapologetically.
While the first book is mostly from the point of view of Linus, this book shifts more to follow Arthur and we are taken on an emotional journey as he struggles with his past trauma, and the threats facing him and his family.

I think this book was beautifully written. While it wasn’t the same warm hug of the first book, it put into words the fights that many readers are fighting on a daily basis. It shows these readers that they are not alone, and I feel that it gives insight to those that are privileged to not have to fight the same discriminations.

Plus. Being back with the children of Marsyas Island is THE BEST THING EVER. I adore these children. I laughed out loud so many times through the course of this book, and sadly had no one to share in the humor with me! I sincerely hope for another book with these kids. Klune captures the ridiculously and wonderfilly bizarre things that kids say in the best way possible (and Daniel Henning brings them to life with the most incredible voices!) please please please bring me another book with these kids!!

Content Warnings

manyhighkicks's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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: Complicated

I liked this story! I’m glad to see this is listed as a part of “chronicles” — it definitely felt like it was setting up towards something big, and the story is set to continue, whereas the first felt more or less complete when I finished. I’ll be excited to read the next one (whenever it comes out!).

Content Warnings