Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

63 reviews

dr_dumpling's review against another edition

4.0

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

Content Warnings

awaywithforestfae's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

An electric symphony of diversity, and dismantling oppressive systems of power. All wrapped up in Klune's own brand of cosy fantasy full of colourful characters!

If you haven't read the first book in this series, it follows a group of magical children in an oppressive orphanage system designed to take away their power and make them "normal". But despite this, the orphanage leader rebels, trying to bring joy and light to all of the children's lives. The cast of characters includes: a seaslug boy who wants to be a bellhop, a little girl who is a garden gnome, a teenage boy who shifts into a tiny Pomeranian dog, the actual Antichrist, and many more!

So much of this book was reality instead of fantasy. The trial which T.J Klune based on the horrific trial of the family of a trans child felt terrifying to read. Both because of the reality and parallels, and also because of a certain judge keenly modelled after a certain transphobic, sinister children's author. It was a heart-wrenching and so so grounded portrayal of systems of oppression and the people who run them, as well as those who fight back.

But alongside that, the beautiful queer and magical joy that Klune portrays brings so much light. We can kill them with kindness, kill them with words, with proof of their abuse. We can bite back by showing our queer joy, by being ourselves, being a community, being a family. All of us together.

The characters were electric as always, I loved getting to build on what I knew of old characters, and get to know new ones. My favourites are still Chauncey and Sal, but I truly love all of the Marsyas family.

I was also keenly following along with Klune's retro music references, adding them to a playlist as I went along, which really added to the ambience of the book! Despite all of the tension and worrying events, so much of this book gave a beautiful ambience. It is perfect to read on a summer day in nature, or nursing a chilled drink with Ella Fitzgerald on in the background. I would recommend making a day of reading some of it with the matching vibes! It will not disappoint.

All in all, a great queer read if you want a mix of tension and stakes, with a cosy and hopeful undertone. It will leave you with a glow, and a penchant for rebellion.

Content Warnings

antimony27's review against another edition

4.5

emotional funny hopeful 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

Content Warnings

moonsmistress's review against another edition

5.0

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

Content Warnings

mxfrazzle's review against another edition

3.75

hopeful fast-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

Content Warnings

peace_love_on_planet_earth's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging 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: Complicated

This was hard going at the beginning, just from the subject matter. I’ve heard mixed things about this series but I adored the first book. This didn’t have the same overall feel and I didn’t enjoy it as much. That said I loved the interactions with the children, I loved how they parent. At times this felt very loaded within the current political climate which I think was meant to be the point, esp with that declaration at the end from TJ. I just hope she doesn’t catch wind of it! Anyway mixed feelings about this one.

Content Warnings