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maladaptivedaydreams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
This books is like being wrapped in a warm hug and you'll find, just like our protagonist, you become lovingly attached to everyone you meet along the way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence
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: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
nav26's review against another edition
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: Fire/Fire injury and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Abandonment
rtaire's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Two notes, the racism is fantasy!racism; the minority being discriminated against is magical beings but the reaction of the people, society, etc. all mirrors real-life bigotry. Also, the fatphobia is mostly internalized by Linus and insinuated in an off-screen doctor's appointment. His weight and "round shape" are commented on but Linus is the only one who views it negatively.chelseylb1988's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Cannibalism
codyemma's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
kbairbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
5.0
Yes. Just yes. I saw someone describe this in a similar way but it is a warm and bright and COLORFUL and happy queer hug. I fucking loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Cannibalism and Car accident
theoldestbennetsister's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Death of parent
shushkeepitdown's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Such a cute and fun book! I was laughing and squealing reading this. Linus the main character is an amazing character and I'm someone who is very fond of found family stories. It was such a good read and I loved all the characters involved. The story isn't that heavy even if it focuses on some dark themes such as mistreatment in orphanages. I would definitely recommend this for others to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Abandonment
biblio_millie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
I found the first half of this book incredibly slow and it did (as I was told) feel like a middle grade book. I’m not a massive middle grade book person so the first half was not fun for me. The second half was so good, fun, heartwarming, lovely. Maybe it’s just me but the start of it really dragged it down for me. If the whole book was like the second half it would be a 5 star. Also I know he came to terms with it in the end and kids are cruel but the comments about his weight, from himself and others, made me feel a bit icky.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse