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thewritetofight's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
So good, I love this genre, it was so whimsical and allowed itself to be serious when necessary. I also loved the dynamic between Arthur and the kids, but if your looking for a lot of romance, there isn’t much until the end, except for some sprinkled through out the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Classism
When I put ableism for the content warnings, it’s mainly targeted towards the magical people in the book.sacath's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This charming story about strange magical children told from the perspective of non-magical adult Linus Baker is the found family book you need to cheer you up anytime.
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism and Ableism
madelynfrank'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? Yes
5.0
I think at this point I’ll give any book that makes me cry 5 stars.
Truly funny, heartwarming, interesting world building, great imagery, cool characters. Felt very idealistic/wish fulfillment- which I absolutely loved. Do you want to go to a perfect island and have supportive dads that will stand up for u.
Truly funny, heartwarming, interesting world building, great imagery, cool characters. Felt very idealistic/wish fulfillment- which I absolutely loved. Do you want to go to a perfect island and have supportive dads that will stand up for u.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Hate crime
sarahfr1end's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Eating disorder, Bullying, Confinement, Dysphoria, and Religious bigotry
slipp99's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
a cute whimsical feel good story
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Child abuse
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Fatphobia
amndaj's review
4.75
I loved this book, would give it a 4.9 if I could. I loved the author's descriptions of setting and characters, both of which I loved. The ending was lovely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, and Fatphobia
bookishchef's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
2.0
So I gave this a 4,5 when I originally read it.
But I have since then v much changed my mind about TJ Klune and whether I condone him taking the Sixties Scoop as a form of inspiration.
So now it's 2 stars.
But I have since then v much changed my mind about TJ Klune and whether I condone him taking the Sixties Scoop as a form of inspiration.
So now it's 2 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Genocide, Grief, and Physical abuse
kamiellen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"And what a party it was. There was food—so much so that Linus thought the table would collapse under the weight of it. There was roast and hot rolls and salad with cucumbers that crunched between their teeth. There was cake and pie and bowls of tart raspberries they could dip in cream.
And music! All kinds of music. There was a record player sitting on the counter, and the day the music died was bright and loud with Ritchie and Buddy and the Big Bopper singing from beyond. Lucy was in charge, and he never failed to disappoint.
They laughed on this day. Oh, how they laughed. Even though Linus thought his heart was breaking, he laughed until there were tears in his eyes, until he was sure his sides would split. As the sun began to set and the lanterns grew brighter, they laughed and laughed and laughed."
• • •
On paper, this book was right up my alley: gay romance, misfit children, magical beings, a home on the sea, a small town, outdoor adventures, cynicism becoming optimism, confronting discrimination, sticking it to the man... And the truth is, I liked it! Bit I didn't love it. It didn't blow me away. As heartwarming as it was, I felt that the world-building was lacking, some of the character development was lackluster, and the writing was littered with clichés—and that really reduced the impact of the story for me. Nevertheless, we love gay happy endings!
And music! All kinds of music. There was a record player sitting on the counter, and the day the music died was bright and loud with Ritchie and Buddy and the Big Bopper singing from beyond. Lucy was in charge, and he never failed to disappoint.
They laughed on this day. Oh, how they laughed. Even though Linus thought his heart was breaking, he laughed until there were tears in his eyes, until he was sure his sides would split. As the sun began to set and the lanterns grew brighter, they laughed and laughed and laughed."
• • •
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Bullying, Colonisation, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
nav26's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
Linus is an employee for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He's a case worker who inspects the orphanages for magical children to ensure the children are treated well, and makes recommendations on whether the orphanages should stay open or not. Linus has his routines and is content with his life in the gray, rainy city with his cat, Calliope. When Linus is assigned to a mysterious orphanage on Marsyas Island that supposedly houses the most dangerous of magical children, his whole life changes.
I adored this book. It felt like a children's book written for adults, in the best way: whimsical, magical, fun, tender, and so so heartwarming. I genuinely felt happy after finishing this one. It started a little bit slow for me when things were being set up, and even once Linus arrived on the island. But soon I was excited to see the children's antics and to learn more about who they were. It was wonderful to see how Linus's views changed and his heart opened as he spent more time on the island. The children stole my heart in the exact way they stole Linus's - slowly and without me even realizing. All of a sudden I was like "of COURSE Lucy would say that" or "typical Talia". The connections made between Linus and the children make you genuinely care for all of the characters deeply. TJ Klune invites you into this special world and warms your heart so easily, and it's amazing to watch as Linus realizes the life he's always led is not nearly enough anymore. Will definitely be reading TJ Klune's other novel, Under the Whispering Door, when I get a chance!
I adored this book. It felt like a children's book written for adults, in the best way: whimsical, magical, fun, tender, and so so heartwarming. I genuinely felt happy after finishing this one. It started a little bit slow for me when things were being set up, and even once Linus arrived on the island. But soon I was excited to see the children's antics and to learn more about who they were. It was wonderful to see how Linus's views changed and his heart opened as he spent more time on the island. The children stole my heart in the exact way they stole Linus's - slowly and without me even realizing. All of a sudden I was like "of COURSE Lucy would say that" or "typical Talia". The connections made between Linus and the children make you genuinely care for all of the characters deeply. TJ Klune invites you into this special world and warms your heart so easily, and it's amazing to watch as Linus realizes the life he's always led is not nearly enough anymore. Will definitely be reading TJ Klune's other novel, Under the Whispering Door, when I get a chance!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
allybw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation, Classism, Fatphobia, and Child abuse