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purplesaturday's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Hate crime
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Body shaming
alba_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I honestly loved this book. It took me a long while to get to it... I was listening to another audiobook, and then there was the small matter of giving birth and taking home a small baby, not to mention hosting my family and what feels like half the county as visitors. So I kept hitting renew... until I realised I had just days left to finish the whole book. I managed it – only just! – and so glad I did.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting fantasy story about the world's most dedicated worker (and most boring man) Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Dept. of Magical Youth, who is sent on a top secret mission to analyse operations at an orphanage on a secluded island. At first stolid and painstakingly professional, he slowly becomes attached to the children at the house, sent there due to their "dangerous" magical traits or parentage. It is endearing to witness his transformation from soulless government bureaucrat to loving guardian and custodian of the orphanage and the six unusual children who live there, run by the enigmatic Arthur Parnassus and the kind-hearted forest sprit Zoe.
Linus' characterisation is predictable but nonetheless endearing. The end – my least favourite part – is a bit cheesy and you'll see it coming. But it'll put a smile on your face and warm your soul. And that's what this book is. It deals with complex issues such as social work and the foster system, prejudice and hate, self love and acceptance for who one is, but at the end of the day, The House in the Cerulean Sea is essentially comfort mac and cheese in book format. 100% recommend.
Moderate: Hate crime and Racism
natroze's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Not on content warnings list: adoption/foster system trauma and abuse. Note: most xenophobia and racism in the book is directed at mythical/fantasy being characters (fairies, shapeshifters, etc). Also of note: does fall into the “character of color turns into an animal” trope; the one character I recall being described as black is a shapeshifter who turns into a dog, who has also suffered some of the most realistic-to-life adoption system trauma/abuse.jamirama's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, and Forced institutionalization
baearles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
jae_bird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Minor: Child abuse, Hate crime, and Violence
pastelkerstin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Violence and Death of parent
aj_langley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse, Hate crime, and Racism
uhm_kai's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
nehanaomi's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment