Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - The House in the Cerulean Sea

"Don't you wish you were here?"
This question is asked several times throughout the book and each time its asked it becomes more important and the answer becomes stronger. And my answer, every single time it's asked, is yes, more than anything.
I don't exactly know what I was expecting when I started reading The House in the Cerulean Sea, I certainly wasn't expecting to fall in love with it and the characters the way that I have.
Cerulean Sea is an incredibly important narrative. It's not a story about prejudice, and discrimination, and fear, and hate though those are powerful themes within the story. No, it's a story about overcoming all of that, it's a story about strength and how it only takes a few voices at the start to make a real change and difference. This is a story about compassion, empathy, understanding, and most of all, love.
It's a shame that we still live in a time where people can relate to the characters in this book but it's because we live in such times that this story is so vital. Linus, Arthur, Zoe, and the children are symbols of hope when things feel impossible. The world is changing for the better though it can be hard to see that at times.
The story delves into themes that have faced the human race for a very long time. Institutional discrimination, the phrase "See Something, Say Something" a rather stark reminder of the way certain groups have been treated by society for many years, even today. Hatred and fear spurned on by a lack of understanding and a refusal to learn. It even delves into how children are often failed by societies that don't truly accept them, the dangers of treating children like numbers in a system rather than human beings. Yet despite all the hardships, there is hope, because a single, tiny flame can spread. A single person raising their voice can make a huge difference in the long run.
Cerulean Sea, at its core, is a love story. Though romance is part of it, it's more than a romance story. It's love in so many forms. Acceptance, self acceptance, family, compassion, understanding. It's all so important.
Love and education are stronger than prejudice, regardless of how stubborn hate may be. Linus and Arthur are symbols of that in so many ways.
I also admire the representation in this story. A realistic depiction of middle aged gay men as more than just middle aged gay men is fantastic to read about.
We are more than what others think of us and we are more than the factors that make us up. I absolutely adore this book, so deeply.

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miller8d's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

2.5

I absolutely loved the personalities in this story and the palpable familial love. Everyone was very charming and it was delightful and charming to follow their stories. My only complaint is that

the actual core story of the book, about the rip-off Harry Potter ministry and the backstory at the end blah blah, was quite boring to me and took up far too much time in the book. I wish there had been a more original and more enticing foundation of logic/exposition for the story’s characters to work off of.

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jencolumb0's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.75

A solid queer romance in a magical world. It felt like someone put Alyssa Cole books in a blender with Harry Potter. Satisfying but I would have preferred more of the joy in the epilogue unleashed earlier in the book and milder threats from Lucy.

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ruthmoog's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring mysterious medium-paced

4.75

Despite the threats of gruesome death throughout, it's silo cute and wholesome!

A real story feeling to this, and great for a non-scary Hallowe'en read.

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daisiesandbees's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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