Reviews

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

leentje_aan_zee's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

tinobambino's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

pinkish's review against another edition

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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

3.75

This book was really sweet, the characters are enjoyable and I really enjoyed having a moderately dislikable main chapter for a while lmao.

My gripes lie with the dialogue which can feel unnatural, I suppose the world is supernatural but the dialogue made the characters feel sort of stage play-esque. I wish the characters felt more real at times.

And personally when Linus was going on about the ethics of the "orphanages" and how society needs to change I felt a bit peeved since I the reader obviously felt the same and the amount of times he talks about the injustices makes me feel like he's trying to convince me of his view point and I'm like king I'm already there can we move on with the story please


Other than that it was sweet and  predictable, but sometimes that's just what we want :) a recommended read for someone looking for LGBTQIA+ sweetness and especially if you have a soft spot for cute kids

rdyourbookcase's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

The characters were the highlight of this book. My favorite was Talia. However, the hype raised my expectations, so I was a little disappointed. It was a sweet story, but not as captivating as I thought it would be.

kay_west_reads's review against another edition

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4.0

My first TJ Klune book, and it will be the first of many. This is perfect for middle schoolers and can't wait to read it to my kids. I'm not much of a fantasy reader, but that didn't stop me from connecting with the humanity in every character in the story.

euanwhosearmy's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

A wholesome, gentle, heartfelt story.

lookmairead's review against another edition

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4.0

Dear Mr. Klune:
I solemnly swear the contents of this review are accurate and true.

bookstashread's review against another edition

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5.0

“Home isn’t always the house you live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”

Ugh. This book - absolutely beautiful.

Linus Baker is this boring but insanely likeable man. He’s a rule follower, but he has a heart of gold and has just fallen out of love with life. This book is about his spectacular journey.

Linus works for this evil corporation who essentially keeps tabs on magical people. And Linus’ job is to go to orphanages that house these magical children and ensure they are getting the care they deserve. When he’s assigned to a very “unique” orphanage… his life will never be the same.

Phee, Sal, Theodore, Lucy, Chauncey, and Talia (the kids at the orphanage) are seriously the freaking cutest. I mean they all captured my heart in different ways but doooooooode I absolutely loved Talia. She is so cute and cracked me up the entire book.

And Linus and Arthur - their love was so pure. I felt like the grinch reading this book.. my heart growing in size as I read it. This book was truly special.

My one tiny complaint is the chapters are long in this book… making it feel longer than it was I think? But that’s my only complaint.

Ok, lastly, this quote will stay with me forever:

I am but paper. Brittle and thin. I am held up to the sun, and it shines right through me. I get written on, and I can never be used again. These scratches are a history. They’re a story. They tell things for others to read, but they only see the words, and not what the words are written upon. I am but paper, and though there are many like me, none are exactly the same. I am parched parchment. I have lines. I have holes. Get me wet, and I melt. Light me on fire, and I burn. Take me in hardened hands, and I crumple. I tear. I am but paper. Brittle and thin.

saphirre's review

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  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

hrh_victoria's review

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adventurous dark 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

5.0