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sammirosewater's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Fatphobia, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Bullying, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Mental illness
fiveredhens's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
idk... relaxing style but the metaphor was very hamfisted
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Xenophobia
knunderb's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
A beautiful story if self discovery, learning what's truly important, and fighting for what's right, even if you're the only one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Mental illness
vee_the_tree's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, and Misogyny
faranae's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, and Mental illness
Minor: Bullying, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Alcohol, and Fatphobia
The book handles a wide range of potentially difficult topics with the lightest and gentlest of touches, so I think most of them will not pose a problem. However, Lucy's a bit morbid and has "spiders in his brain", and these elements recur frequently. There is a past confinement incident that is described in some detail towards the end of the book, but it is softened byartemis_rose_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Read this if:
You are looking for something heartwarming about found family, celebrating bodily differences, with a gay romance between middle age men. It also shows that a mediocre person with privilege has the power and a responsibility to stand up for those harmed by institutions and racism.
You are looking for something heartwarming about found family, celebrating bodily differences, with a gay romance between middle age men. It also shows that a mediocre person with privilege has the power and a responsibility to stand up for those harmed by institutions and racism.
Don’t read this if:
You are looking for a story that completely and satisfactorily addresses the many ways that the Sixties Scoop harmed indigenous peoples, look elsewhere. It does put the responsibilities of fixing the problems onto the privileged, however they are made into a hero because their efforts are sadly rare.
You are looking for a story that completely and satisfactorily addresses the many ways that the Sixties Scoop harmed indigenous peoples, look elsewhere. It does put the responsibilities of fixing the problems onto the privileged, however they are made into a hero because their efforts are sadly rare.
With that it mind:
If you can understand that this book is unsatisfactory when it comes to properly addressing the many horrors of stealing and institutionalizing peoples because the people in power have decided that their birth families cannot care properly for their children. However it does a fairly decent job in showing the long term emotional and mental damage that this clauses in the children, but also the adults who have also had to live through this situation.
Does it solve everything and puts all the appropriate blame on the system and then fixes the problem? Nope, not even close. This is basically a love letter to the average person who does what is in their personal power to improve and protect the happiness of those who have been hurt by government and biases against the “other”.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Minor: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
There is a lot of mentioning of potential triggers as it talks a lot about the traumas of foster care and a system purposely controlling underprivileged bodies and their rights. The current environment is safe, however all the children are battling the trauma from previous placements and this home is still under the control of the system. There is current bully and hate from the locals. Children also acting menacing/threatening death as a response to their previous traumas.rai's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Body shaming and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Violence, Torture, and Religious bigotry
jude7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was a fantastic book! The first maybe 10% or so before he went to the island was really slow, but I kept going because I knew I would enjoy the rest. I switched to the audiobook partway through as it was available at my library, and I really enjoyed it. Although the narrator bits sounded a bit robotic/stilted, the reading of all the characters different voices was really good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Hate crime, Physical abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Cannibalism
carisamarie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness
kelly_e's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Title: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5
Pub Date: March 16 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Whimsical • Feel-good • Comforting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When case worker, Linus Baker is given a special assignment at the mysterious island orphanage, home to the most dangerous magical children, his entire world is turned upside down. Linus, a by-the-book rule follower is tasked with ensuring the children are safe, and finds his own assumptions challenged when he meets the kids and the man who runs the orphanage. A powerful story of love and family, and finding a place to call home.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd recently heard T.J. Klune talk during an author event I attended, and instantly knew I wanted to read some of his work. I decided to start with The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I'd seen so many glowing reviews for. I'd like to start out by saying that fantasy books are not typically my cup of tea, and I tend to avoid them. Additionally, I'm often disappointed my books that are loved by so many, but this was a delightful surprise.
This was such an enjoyable and much needed reading experience for me. I loved the cast of unique and endearing characters, as each one brought something different to the table. I won't soon forget all of the positive and inspirational messages put forth in this phenomenal book. The writing was immersive and it just made me have hope in humanity when so many terrible things seem to be going on. The unconventional love story was a breath of fresh air, the tackling of contemporary issues such as homophobia and cultural bias were handled well, and the theme of what a family and home is added depth. I am always satisfied when a book takes me on an emotional journey, and this one did just that.
This is a special kind of book that doesn't come around everyday, a comforting embrace in the form of a book! Compassion, empathy and acceptance are something we could all use a little more of. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, and it's perfect for any mood. Eventually, I could see it becoming part of the school curriculum. I cannot wait to read his forth coming novel!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone whose ever felt like they don't belong
• readers looking for a literary hug
• Harry Potter fans
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'They fear what they don't understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I'm sure even they can't begin to comprehend. And since they don't understand the children, since they fear them, they hate them. This can't be the first time you've heard of this. It happens everywhere.'"
"'Home is where you feel like yourself.'"
"'Just because you don't experience prejudice in your everyday doesn't stop it from existingf0r the rest of us.'"
"The world likes to see things in black and white, in moral and immoral. But there is gray in between. And just because a person is capable of wickedness, doesn't mean they will act upon it. And then there is the notion of perceived immorality. I highly doubt Chauncey would even consider laying a tentacle on another person in violence, even if it meant protecting himself. And yet people see him and decide based upon his appearance that he is something monstrous.'"
"...home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with."
Author: T.J. Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 5
Pub Date: March 16 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Whimsical • Feel-good • Comforting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
When case worker, Linus Baker is given a special assignment at the mysterious island orphanage, home to the most dangerous magical children, his entire world is turned upside down. Linus, a by-the-book rule follower is tasked with ensuring the children are safe, and finds his own assumptions challenged when he meets the kids and the man who runs the orphanage. A powerful story of love and family, and finding a place to call home.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I'd recently heard T.J. Klune talk during an author event I attended, and instantly knew I wanted to read some of his work. I decided to start with The House in the Cerulean Sea, which I'd seen so many glowing reviews for. I'd like to start out by saying that fantasy books are not typically my cup of tea, and I tend to avoid them. Additionally, I'm often disappointed my books that are loved by so many, but this was a delightful surprise.
This was such an enjoyable and much needed reading experience for me. I loved the cast of unique and endearing characters, as each one brought something different to the table. I won't soon forget all of the positive and inspirational messages put forth in this phenomenal book. The writing was immersive and it just made me have hope in humanity when so many terrible things seem to be going on. The unconventional love story was a breath of fresh air, the tackling of contemporary issues such as homophobia and cultural bias were handled well, and the theme of what a family and home is added depth. I am always satisfied when a book takes me on an emotional journey, and this one did just that.
This is a special kind of book that doesn't come around everyday, a comforting embrace in the form of a book! Compassion, empathy and acceptance are something we could all use a little more of. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages, and it's perfect for any mood. Eventually, I could see it becoming part of the school curriculum. I cannot wait to read his forth coming novel!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• anyone whose ever felt like they don't belong
• readers looking for a literary hug
• Harry Potter fans
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"'They fear what they don't understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I'm sure even they can't begin to comprehend. And since they don't understand the children, since they fear them, they hate them. This can't be the first time you've heard of this. It happens everywhere.'"
"'Home is where you feel like yourself.'"
"'Just because you don't experience prejudice in your everyday doesn't stop it from existingf0r the rest of us.'"
"The world likes to see things in black and white, in moral and immoral. But there is gray in between. And just because a person is capable of wickedness, doesn't mean they will act upon it. And then there is the notion of perceived immorality. I highly doubt Chauncey would even consider laying a tentacle on another person in violence, even if it meant protecting himself. And yet people see him and decide based upon his appearance that he is something monstrous.'"
"...home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Child abuse
discrimination