Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

58 reviews

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Not quite the same vibe as the first one. The villian was verging on cartoonishly villainous. I liked the first one better but it was still good. I want more of the kids, less Arthur, sorry Arthur.

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

I loved this book. I knew, well hoped that I would love this book and I did. T.J. Klune's House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is the ideal kind of follow-up, it far surpasses the first in it's character, beauty, and message. I had no idea what to expect from a sequel, but what T.J. Klune has done here has created a seed of hope for me as a trans person. His narrative challenges the culture of discrimination that we currently exist within, a world divided between those in power and those without rights and dignity.

For those who loved the children in the first book, you will love them even more in the sequel. You will love all of the people of Marsyas more than you ever thought possible. And you will hate the government even more as the true pain they've enacted upon magical youths and adults is revealed. Somewhere Beyond the Sea dives into historical and personal trauma and so I warn those looking to read this wonderful book, to please be in a place where you can have space to comfortably process any emotions that Arthur's story, Zoe's story, and the children's stories may bring up in you.

This book is about fighting for those your love and for what is right while learning to love and forgive yourself in the process. This book is about coming together as a community, realizing those you share space with you are more like you than what meets the eye. This book is about challenging yourself and overcoming fear. This book is all this and more and I am better for having read it.

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I adore Arthur, while his story definitely shone light to the theme that wasn't quite tackled on the first book, I expected most of the events on this one. 

Also note that I am deeply attached to Mr Linus Baker so first book is still my beloved but this sequel is still loved. Like the rest of the characters, I'm also usually disagreeing with public figures (politicians), because it's true. They put themselves above the people that they serve. Arthur and his family's frustration can be felt. Peole are always blinded by hate and refrain from understanding a new perspective if it didn't fit with theirs. 

I hope the world learns to be more understanding, albeit not as welcoming but open to differences and deviate from the norm. 

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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: No

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a beautifully written, poignant (though not entirely necessary) sequel. The summary is somewhat misleading, and I appreciated the commentary on politicians, but
the photo of Rowder about to slap Lucy made me uncomfortable because I felt like it implied parallels between BLM and cops
.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

this book made me hopeful for the future of folks who not have been previously accepted by the ruling group. there is hope for us where we find joy 

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Another queer, funny, and heartwarming book filled with endearing characters, although I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first. It felt a little more forced and heavy handed in exploring the message.

Update: When I read this book, I was unaware that the primary inspiration was taken from residential schools and their violent, traumatic history. These schools and their hard have never truly or fully been acknowledged nor have reparations been made to victims and their families. Knowing this and the author’s lack of response or, to my knowledge, contribution to organizations supporting those affected, I will unfortunately no longer be recommending these books and would hesitate to invest in other works at this time, especially over other authors. 

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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: Yes

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