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adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Blood, Death of parent, Deportation
emotional
funny
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:
Complicated
This was both stinking cute and also so infuriating. I loved the main characters, especially the kids and it was made more enjoyable because the kids each had distinct voices (applause for the voice actor). It was infuriating in that campaign against magical children could be an analogy for literally SO many marginalised groups in the real world 😠😔 I'm excited to see how the author continues the world especially with Zoe making the town and island one area again and enforcing the old treaty
I also laughed at the whole anti-J.K. Rowling part at the end, hell yeah!
I also laughed at the whole anti-J.K. Rowling part at the end, hell yeah!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation
Minor: Body shaming, Homophobia, Transphobia
adventurous
challenging
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was so good except for the ending.
Arthur is such a great character and an even more incrddible father. The way he navigated being a good father while protecting his children from the harm of bigots was very well done. It was nice to see the evolution of his relationship with Linus as well. They are both such well-rounded and flushed out characters that juxtapose and compliment each other so well. I loved learning more about his past and the trauma he still carries. It was nice to see more of the children and how welcoming they were to a new family member. The conga line of bigots who wanted to tear this family apart infuriated me in the most tantalizing way. Their circular arguments and unwillingness to see anything beyond their own points was infuriating, which meant it was spot on.
The ending, however, felt satisfying at first before devolving into a happily-ever-after that was too sugar coated. For a series that tackles the homophobia the community faces every day, the ending felt flat and too perfect. It felt like a fantasy, which is ironic since the whole premise is fantastical. I'm happy for the characters but dissatisfied by it at the same time.
Arthur is such a great character and an even more incrddible father. The way he navigated being a good father while protecting his children from the harm of bigots was very well done. It was nice to see the evolution of his relationship with Linus as well. They are both such well-rounded and flushed out characters that juxtapose and compliment each other so well. I loved learning more about his past and the trauma he still carries. It was nice to see more of the children and how welcoming they were to a new family member. The conga line of bigots who wanted to tear this family apart infuriated me in the most tantalizing way. Their circular arguments and unwillingness to see anything beyond their own points was infuriating, which meant it was spot on.
The ending, however, felt satisfying at first before devolving into a happily-ever-after that was too sugar coated. For a series that tackles the homophobia the community faces every day, the ending felt flat and too perfect. It felt like a fantasy, which is ironic since the whole premise is fantastical. I'm happy for the characters but dissatisfied by it at the same time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Excrement
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This book was pretty much everything I needed it to be. Klune's writing is just beautiful, and his characters are so well developed that stepping back into this world felt like greeting old friends. This book certainly has a slightly darker tone in places than the first book, digging deeper into the prejudice and hate that the characters face from the wider world. Reading the story from Arthur's point of view was a real treat, and it allows the reader to gain much needed insight into the complexities of his character.
My only criticism is that the ending felt a bit abrupt and rushed, with a lot thrown at the reader in a very short space of time. However, the rest of the book, and the deep love I have for Arthur, Linus and their kids kept this from being too detrimental to the story. At the end of the day, I love everything that this book represents, and salute the Anti-J.K. Rowling for continuing to put these important stories out into the world. I'll be revisiting Marsyas Island for years to come, and will be encouraging as many people as I can convince to do the same.
My only criticism is that the ending felt a bit abrupt and rushed, with a lot thrown at the reader in a very short space of time. However, the rest of the book, and the deep love I have for Arthur, Linus and their kids kept this from being too detrimental to the story. At the end of the day, I love everything that this book represents, and salute the Anti-J.K. Rowling for continuing to put these important stories out into the world. I'll be revisiting Marsyas Island for years to come, and will be encouraging as many people as I can convince to do the same.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Sexism
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i love this book for what it is, which is a love letter to trans and queer kids and fan service to die hard cerulean sea lovers. i meannnn, Arthur’s POV with wholesome found family ooey gooey two-dads-adopt-their-foster-kids antics?? what’s not to love.
however as a sequel i love it less because i do have issues with the pacing and repetitiveness. i think this book and books like it are super important, but it just felt like core points of the book are repeated ad nauseam and the pacing felt off. it took me weeks to get through the first 75% of the book but a few hours for the rest, unsure if this was a me thing or pacing in the book.
i love this world and as much as i don’t think this sequel was necessary, i liked it. definitely will reread the epilogue when i want to cry again.
however as a sequel i love it less because i do have issues with the pacing and repetitiveness. i think this book and books like it are super important, but it just felt like core points of the book are repeated ad nauseam and the pacing felt off. it took me weeks to get through the first 75% of the book but a few hours for the rest, unsure if this was a me thing or pacing in the book.
i love this world and as much as i don’t think this sequel was necessary, i liked it. definitely will reread the epilogue when i want to cry again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization
Minor: Body shaming, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
adventurous
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
Title: Somewhere Beyond the Sea
Author: T.J. Klune
Series: Cerulean Chronicles #2
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: September 10, 2024
T H R E E • W O R D S
Magical • Wholesome • Repetitive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything.
Arthur Parnassus lives a good life built on the ashes of a bad one.
He's the master of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six dangerous and magical children who live there.
Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. He is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. And there's the island's sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.
But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.
And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name that Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they're at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'll admit I was absolutely shocked when T.J. Klune announced Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the sequel to the much beloved House in the Cerulean Sea. I honestly didn't think it needed a follow up, yet I was definitely curious. My curiosity made it an easy add to my TBR and landed on my 2024 most anticipated releases list.
This follow up is Arthur's story and at times really read like a long monologue, which often took me out of the story itself. I'll admit is was like coming home to be back on Marsyas Island and I still absolutely loved all the characters. However, I felt like there was too much backtracking to the previous book and lots of things felt the same as in the first book. Additionally, I thought the narrative lagged as it veered into the preachy lane.
Yes it had the same whimsical and happy tone, yet sadly for me, Somewhere Beyond the Sea felt entirely unnecessary. The book isn't bad it just isn't the same and didn't feel as refreshing as I would have wanted it too. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it just didn't need to be written. It was worth the read, but could also easily be read as a standalone without reading book one.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• good people doing good things
• the characters from The House in the Ceulean Sea
⚠️ CW: child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting, bullying, confinement, abandonment, xenophobia, racism, homophobia, transphobia, death, death of parent, grief, forced institutionalization, hate crime, violence, body shaming, religious bigotry, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"But I believe the greatest weapon we have at our disposal is our voices. And I am going to use my voice for you, and for me. Hate is loud. We are louder."
"There is magic in the ordinary, magic that has the power to change the world."
"Even the smallest of things can change the world, if only one is brave enough to try."
Author: T.J. Klune
Series: Cerulean Chronicles #2
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: September 10, 2024
T H R E E • W O R D S
Magical • Wholesome • Repetitive
📖 S Y N O P S I S
A magical house. A secret past. A summons that could change everything.
Arthur Parnassus lives a good life built on the ashes of a bad one.
He's the master of a strange orphanage on a distant and peculiar island, and he hopes to soon be the adoptive father to the six dangerous and magical children who live there.
Arthur works hard and loves with his whole heart so none of the children ever feel the neglect and pain that he once felt as an orphan on that very same island so long ago. He is not alone: joining him is the love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. And there's the island's sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.
But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his dark past, he finds himself at the helm of a fight for the future that his family, and all magical people, deserve.
And when a new magical child hopes to join them on their island home—one who finds power in calling himself monster, a name that Arthur worked so hard to protect his children from—Arthur knows they're at a breaking point: their family will either grow stronger than ever or fall apart.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'll admit I was absolutely shocked when T.J. Klune announced Somewhere Beyond the Sea, the sequel to the much beloved House in the Cerulean Sea. I honestly didn't think it needed a follow up, yet I was definitely curious. My curiosity made it an easy add to my TBR and landed on my 2024 most anticipated releases list.
This follow up is Arthur's story and at times really read like a long monologue, which often took me out of the story itself. I'll admit is was like coming home to be back on Marsyas Island and I still absolutely loved all the characters. However, I felt like there was too much backtracking to the previous book and lots of things felt the same as in the first book. Additionally, I thought the narrative lagged as it veered into the preachy lane.
Yes it had the same whimsical and happy tone, yet sadly for me, Somewhere Beyond the Sea felt entirely unnecessary. The book isn't bad it just isn't the same and didn't feel as refreshing as I would have wanted it too. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe it just didn't need to be written. It was worth the read, but could also easily be read as a standalone without reading book one.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• good people doing good things
• the characters from The House in the Ceulean Sea
⚠️ CW: child abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting, bullying, confinement, abandonment, xenophobia, racism, homophobia, transphobia, death, death of parent, grief, forced institutionalization, hate crime, violence, body shaming, religious bigotry, cursing
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"But I believe the greatest weapon we have at our disposal is our voices. And I am going to use my voice for you, and for me. Hate is loud. We are louder."
"There is magic in the ordinary, magic that has the power to change the world."
"Even the smallest of things can change the world, if only one is brave enough to try."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexism, Transphobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, War