Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

209 reviews

n_iniel's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Mental illness and Child abuse

indigoriverboat's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

This book is lighthearted, whimsical and joyful, but it has some pressing societal and moral questions that it addresses too. The characters are charming and lovely. The children bring so much joy and innocence to the story. It’s a romp getting to read about their lives and the tone of the books is both fantastical and hilarious. 

If you know much about the real life counterparts to the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, there are some very real horrors that a skirting around this story, which are referred to briefly in the book. As an adult reader with that knowledge the stakes can feel quite high, even knowing that the book ends happily. 

I truly enjoyed this read. It would make a great book club discussion. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Xenophobia

Minor: Confinement, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Fatphobia

sallytiffany's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

I liked the book. Thought it was well done. But definitely wasn’t as good as the hype. But well done characters and a good moral. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Racism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

suzydunk's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

ravenpuff's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Religious bigotry

megb64's review against another edition

lighthearted sad 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, and Fatphobia

glitterstained's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Abandonment, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Forced institutionalization

silverhill's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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

4.25

Go with the audiobook. I usually prefer print, but the audio was a delight with all the different voices! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, and Body shaming

Minor: Confinement

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization

julierambaeck's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I wanted to cry in every chapter because of the wholesomeness! Probably the cutest book I have ever read! Loved it loved it loved it!!!!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Minor: Death of parent