Scan barcode
scarlett_f'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
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Drug use, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
bzliz'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? Yes
5.0
The adults of the world are so lovely but the children made my heart soar. They’re all so distinct- a lot of authors struggle to flesh out their underage characters- and individually special. I was delighted by every foul threat from Lucy and Talia just as much as I enjoyed their respective passions for music and gardening. Theodore challenged everything I have believed about family in the real world. Phee and Chauncey rounded out the crew, showing opposite desires entirely yet desiring their family most of all. And sweet Sal. I think Linus needed him the most. He needed a reminder of how the system can fail and how he as an individual can make an extraordinary difference to a child in need.
I cannot recommend this book to everyone enough, but I especially recommend it to anybody who has ever felt stuck in their own life, longing for more.
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
alisonvh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Xenophobia and Abandonment
twoweeeeks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Xenophobia
Minor: Physical abuse, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
avciera7'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
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Body shaming and Child abuse
shanellewrites's review against another edition
1.75
The fatphobia in this book was also troubling. Repeatedly, comments are made about the main character's weight, including once where he says essentially (I can't remember the exact words) that it was a problem he could overcome if he tried hard enough.
The degree that a book (or other piece of media) is unproblematic does not always correspond with its value, but those issues made me feel deeply uncomfortable.
Unfortunately, even on a technical level, I also felt let down. The setting was well drawn, but the story was weak, with extremely heavy-handed and forceful application of the themes.
Graphic: Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Fatphobia
bageltop's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse
erikagibson126's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Colonisation
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
If I had to describe this book in one word it would be- whimsical. It also gave me Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends vibes. If you love found family tropes, you’re gonna eat this up!
The book’s setting is a world where there are both “normal” people and magical beings of all varieties. It follows our main character, Linus, who is a government/case worker and his job to ensure that magical children in the orphanages are being cared for and treated appropriately. His new assignment is super classified and takes him out to investigate the children in the house of the cerulean sea.
The children are the stars of the show in this novel. They’re all so unique and quirky and I absolutely adore them all. I think the author does a great job of describing and building out the characters, I could picture them vividly in my mind. Linus has a lot of growth as a character, which I really enjoyed. You can tell he always had good intentions, however misguided. He has to unlearn a lot of propaganda which his latest assignment really helps him with.
I thought there were some slow parts throughout the book. I was really unsure about the writing style in the first 25%; I felt I was reading a children’s book, but it did pick up for me after that. The chapters are on the long side which made it drag a bit. It’s a predictable story, but overall sweet and endearing. I like that the characters were able to inspire change by the end of the story.
Graphic: Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Body shaming, and Confinement
_izzi_'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: Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Violence, and Forced institutionalization