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linde13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
For context: as much as I love to read, I rarely buy books. The few books I buy tend to be nonfiction that I've read through the library and are useful enough that I want to refer back to; everything else, I'm normally happy to check out from the library and read once or twice. I haven't bought a fiction book in years.
I bought this one immediately after I read it.
I bought this one immediately after I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Confinement, Body shaming, and Cursing
Minor: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Body horror, Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, and Genocide
I added the body shaming/fatphobia tags because Linus is sensitive about his own weight for most of the book. Nobody else comments on it, except for the kids in a matter-of-fact and non-insulting way. Everything else is merely alluded to, either by Lucy (the Antichrist character) in comments that he makes for shock value that are all played for laughs (Blood/Body horror/Gore/Cannibalism) or as part of characters' backstories (Child abuse/Confinement/Death of parent/Genocide/Physical abuse).njh_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
I started this book first in December 2023 and couldn't get into it, so I put it to the side for a bit and then came back to it.
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
The kids all grew on me and each I thought was unique in their own way. I think some kids were fleshed out better/more than others (Lucy and Sal) and I think that was also due to who had the most one-on-one alone time with Linus (since the story follows Linus). Now that the sequel is coming, I hope this may change in the next installment. Just felt like some kids got more focus, which while I know no book would ever cover all characters equally, would've been nice to have a bit more in depth look at Chauncey besides just the bellhop/monster under the bed and Thalia besides gardening/grave digging and Phee with growing plants/being a sprite. Also just noticed that all the magical female characters in the book have something to do with plants.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Hate crime
Minor: Confinement and Child abuse
finnsnowbevi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Xenophobia
Minor: Cannibalism and Religious bigotry
a_familiar_place's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
sandysmith'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
4.25
I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick-started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. A fantasy magical book, The umbrella academy meets Mis peregrines home for peculiar children. It's a great thought provokin read, with a different slant on those with differences. Links Baker is the caseworker assigned to employed asses and to look at homes / orphanages by the Department in charge of magical youth. He is sent to the island The house on the Cerulean Sea to report on the practices of Arthur Parnasses and Zoe a sprite and 6 magical children. Wonderful with LGBTQ + themes. I loved it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Confinement
dmrains's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
I loved this book so much! I love all the children and Arthur and Linus and Zoe so much, I can't pick a favorite. I read this book faster than anything I've read in a long time because I couldn't wait to escape into their beautiful world
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Hate crime, and Confinement
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Death
hdunscombe's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, and Fatphobia
Minor: Toxic relationship
janchamp's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Child abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Forced institutionalization
jholdam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Fatphobia, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Confinement