m_johnson194's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
des_talks's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.5
samantaned's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ambarista's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
3.75
holliekshutt's review against another edition
5.0
☆ catch more of my reviews at librarylonersblog.co.uk ☆
A socially-awkward guy, stuck in the cog-winding machine that is his typical 9-5 job, gets invited on an epic adventure to the Cerulean Sea, where an unorthodox group of shunned children reside, simply trying to exist being their amazing, authentic selves.. if this minor excerpt isn’t enough to entice you into this story, I don’t know what will. T.J Klune has created one of the most heart-warming stories that I have ever read, and quite literally, as put by V.E Schwab, is like being wrapped in a big gay blanket.
The themes of this book are spotlighted throughout – prejudice and self-acceptance, and I feel like most, if not all, readers can resonate with this. Despite the insidious nature of these themes, what Klune has managed is to keep them somewhat light-hearted and easy to read about. Having worked in childcare previously, these themes really did strike a cord with me, especially considering they’re centred around the child characters. Nobody, should ever feel inferior or unworthy based on appearance, background, or any other factor. And whilst this book is purely fiction, something to escape realities of life, upon closing the book, these prejudices are right there in plain sight. This book reminded me that it’s easy to become ignorant towards this. Theodore shouldn’t have been treated differently because of his anatomy. Chauncey should have equal opportunities regardless of his physical nature. And Lucy shouldn’t be subject to Anti-Christ exorcism from being the child of Satan.
These all seem obvious when written down, but then why isn’t this the case for people of minorities, be it race, religion or disability? That’s where I find this book excellent, to get me thinking about all of these social and economic crises amongst the idyllic setting of the Cerulean Sea.
think my favourite character had to be Chauncey by far – the simplicity but heart-wrenching nature of his aspirations to be a bellhop, but feeling that because of his anatomy, he isn’t worthy and better fitted as a monster. This is so sad, but his optimism and innocence amongst all that is against him was honestly inspiring.
Of course, Lucy was also up there with one of my favourite characters, his quick wit and dark humour cracked me up, and the reactions that caused from Linus made for an interesting parlay throughout the novel.
Oddly enough, for me, I felt the least connected with Linus. I’m not sure if this is simply down to my innate connection with the children, but I just didn’t feel as connected with him as I did the other characters. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy him as the protagonist, in fact I think it’s very clever how, despite in theory being the ‘main character’, we see each character develop almost just as much as each other, setting up the structure for multiple attachments. I feel this is so rarely done in books, with ‘side characters’ being just that – pushed to the side with not much knowledge or connection to them at all. But Klune has eradicated that entirely with this book, and that in itself get’s extra points from me.
I feel like it is possible to give this book quite an in-depth review without giving any major spoilers – it is quite a predictable story in that sense, which if that’s something you’re opposed to, then perhaps this book isn’t for you. I know there is a community out there dedicated to dark, sad, thrilling books, however let me call out to you. If those themes ever get slightly *too* aggressive for your brain, this would be the perfect pick-me-up, a book to cleanse the palette and restore some faith in humanity.
A socially-awkward guy, stuck in the cog-winding machine that is his typical 9-5 job, gets invited on an epic adventure to the Cerulean Sea, where an unorthodox group of shunned children reside, simply trying to exist being their amazing, authentic selves.. if this minor excerpt isn’t enough to entice you into this story, I don’t know what will. T.J Klune has created one of the most heart-warming stories that I have ever read, and quite literally, as put by V.E Schwab, is like being wrapped in a big gay blanket.
The themes of this book are spotlighted throughout – prejudice and self-acceptance, and I feel like most, if not all, readers can resonate with this. Despite the insidious nature of these themes, what Klune has managed is to keep them somewhat light-hearted and easy to read about. Having worked in childcare previously, these themes really did strike a cord with me, especially considering they’re centred around the child characters. Nobody, should ever feel inferior or unworthy based on appearance, background, or any other factor. And whilst this book is purely fiction, something to escape realities of life, upon closing the book, these prejudices are right there in plain sight. This book reminded me that it’s easy to become ignorant towards this. Theodore shouldn’t have been treated differently because of his anatomy. Chauncey should have equal opportunities regardless of his physical nature. And Lucy shouldn’t be subject to Anti-Christ exorcism from being the child of Satan.
These all seem obvious when written down, but then why isn’t this the case for people of minorities, be it race, religion or disability? That’s where I find this book excellent, to get me thinking about all of these social and economic crises amongst the idyllic setting of the Cerulean Sea.
think my favourite character had to be Chauncey by far – the simplicity but heart-wrenching nature of his aspirations to be a bellhop, but feeling that because of his anatomy, he isn’t worthy and better fitted as a monster. This is so sad, but his optimism and innocence amongst all that is against him was honestly inspiring.
Of course, Lucy was also up there with one of my favourite characters, his quick wit and dark humour cracked me up, and the reactions that caused from Linus made for an interesting parlay throughout the novel.
Oddly enough, for me, I felt the least connected with Linus. I’m not sure if this is simply down to my innate connection with the children, but I just didn’t feel as connected with him as I did the other characters. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy him as the protagonist, in fact I think it’s very clever how, despite in theory being the ‘main character’, we see each character develop almost just as much as each other, setting up the structure for multiple attachments. I feel this is so rarely done in books, with ‘side characters’ being just that – pushed to the side with not much knowledge or connection to them at all. But Klune has eradicated that entirely with this book, and that in itself get’s extra points from me.
I feel like it is possible to give this book quite an in-depth review without giving any major spoilers – it is quite a predictable story in that sense, which if that’s something you’re opposed to, then perhaps this book isn’t for you. I know there is a community out there dedicated to dark, sad, thrilling books, however let me call out to you. If those themes ever get slightly *too* aggressive for your brain, this would be the perfect pick-me-up, a book to cleanse the palette and restore some faith in humanity.
irfoxwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A lovely story with a euphoric sense about it, despite some of the difficult content.