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payton_taylor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
peytonm's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm, a story with a lovely, lighthearted tone that also deals with systemic child abuse and abandonment. The kids, deemed 'monsters' by the government, are adorable, and Arthur, their foster father, competently and lovingly guides them through childhood. Lucy (short for Lucifer) especially shines.
The dystopian government's stooge, Linus aka our main character, leads a miserable life. I mean, I could barely get through the first third of the book because he was just endlessly shat on. When he arrives at the house for a government inspection, his life improves. He finally sees the ocean, he enjoys the sunshine, he goes on adventures with the children. A quibble for me - a lot of fat talk about Linus. At the house, it's treated as more of a fact than an insult but still. In his office, it is treated as an insult. It's nice that he grows to question his part within this terrible system, but... why did it take this long? I don't know. The tone made it seem like it wanted to be a romantic 'escape from the city to the country side with bonus romance' story, but it felt at odds with how terrible society was.
The dystopian government's stooge, Linus aka our main character, leads a miserable life. I mean, I could barely get through the first third of the book because he was just endlessly shat on. When he arrives at the house for a government inspection, his life improves. He finally sees the ocean, he enjoys the sunshine, he goes on adventures with the children. A quibble for me - a lot of fat talk about Linus. At the house, it's treated as more of a fact than an insult but still. In his office, it is treated as an insult. It's nice that he grows to question his part within this terrible system, but... why did it take this long? I don't know. The tone made it seem like it wanted to be a romantic 'escape from the city to the country side with bonus romance' story, but it felt at odds with how terrible society was.
emm_roo's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
5.0
livinliterary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
A heartwarming and enchanting story that had me laughing and crying in equal measure. TJ Klune masterfully blends humor, emotion, and a touch of magic to create a story that is both uplifting and deeply moving.
The banter among all of the kids easily became the most enjoyable. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book and I felt so fulfilled and happy every time I picked it up.
This story handles some extremely heavy but very important topics and I think Klune weaved all of those elements into the story so smoothly so that they never felt overwhelming, but they were very clear and easily understood. Honestly, this book is just beautiful.
I loved Linus and his character development, but my favorite part of the story were the kids, especially Lucy. (I never imagined that a book with the Anti-Christ as a character could be so funny!) I loved Linus and Arthur, and their character development.
This book is going to stay with me for a very long time. I absolutely adore this story and these characters. Thank you TJ Klune for this beautiful book.
The banter among all of the kids easily became the most enjoyable. I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book and I felt so fulfilled and happy every time I picked it up.
This story handles some extremely heavy but very important topics and I think Klune weaved all of those elements into the story so smoothly so that they never felt overwhelming, but they were very clear and easily understood. Honestly, this book is just beautiful.
I loved Linus and his character development, but my favorite part of the story were the kids, especially Lucy. (I never imagined that a book with the Anti-Christ as a character could be so funny!) I loved Linus and Arthur, and their character development.
This book is going to stay with me for a very long time. I absolutely adore this story and these characters. Thank you TJ Klune for this beautiful book.
angela_p's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
jbrock13's review against another edition
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
3.75
ellenconverse's review against another edition
3.0
This was an easy, cute, and heartwarming story but in my opinion, it could have been half as long. I am a big fan of foreshadowing but Klune’s writing made this plotline so predictable that I knew what was going to happen 1/3 of the book in.
I think that we could learn a lot about this book and translate how the magical individuals of this story were treated to how marginalized communities were (and continue to be treated) today. There are definitely some parallels to real life. Reading about abusive experiences at orphanages made me think about the recent news of the “schools” for Native Americans. I could see this story and characters being an easy way to explain understanding and appreciating differences in others to children (or others who haven’t experienced much outside of their demographics).
This book made me smile and laugh more than I anticipated. I was won over by the kids just like Linus was, and I could really start to picture Marsyas Island. I liked the message stated over and over again that we are more than just parts of us. The bad parts of us don’t makeup who we are, and neither does society’s interpretation of us. The Antichrist can be a sweet little child and someone who looks like a monster can dream of becoming a bellhop.
This book preaches kindness, self-love, and acceptance. All three things that I think we can all focus on a little more.
All that said, I think this story could have been done in about 200 fewer pages. It was cute and I enjoyed it, but the storyline was drawn out and started to lose its appeal to me. I would recommend this book, but not one that needs to go to the top of anyone’s reading list.
I think that we could learn a lot about this book and translate how the magical individuals of this story were treated to how marginalized communities were (and continue to be treated) today. There are definitely some parallels to real life. Reading about abusive experiences at orphanages made me think about the recent news of the “schools” for Native Americans. I could see this story and characters being an easy way to explain understanding and appreciating differences in others to children (or others who haven’t experienced much outside of their demographics).
This book made me smile and laugh more than I anticipated. I was won over by the kids just like Linus was, and I could really start to picture Marsyas Island. I liked the message stated over and over again that we are more than just parts of us. The bad parts of us don’t makeup who we are, and neither does society’s interpretation of us. The Antichrist can be a sweet little child and someone who looks like a monster can dream of becoming a bellhop.
This book preaches kindness, self-love, and acceptance. All three things that I think we can all focus on a little more.
All that said, I think this story could have been done in about 200 fewer pages. It was cute and I enjoyed it, but the storyline was drawn out and started to lose its appeal to me. I would recommend this book, but not one that needs to go to the top of anyone’s reading list.
nicole_the_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This book grew on me - I didn't love the first 50 pages of exposition and was genuinely disappointed, but once I met the whole cast of characters I slowly fell in love. This was ultimately such a sweet, slow, comforting story (which is funny, considering one of the children is the antichrist) - it had a very distinct feeling to it, vaguely 50s surreal fantasy/scifi? - and the characters all had such lovely distinct voices (I loved how I could see Linus' personality come through as he became more comfortable with Arthur and the children). I picked this up from Hager Books a couple years ago and finally read it this year in honour of Pride Month, and to make a point of reading the books I own. I really enjoyed this book, and can see it being one that I pick up whenever I need a hug. I saw myself in Linus and how disillusioned he was with the world - I hope I can find home the way he did.
bdlin101's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This book is so freaking delightful. The children are so cute. Everything kind of felt like getting a warm hug. I loved the queer representation. I read Under the Whispering Door first and liked it better and it’s the only reason this isn’t a 5 star book.
lucentluc's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0