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atlantisfrost's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.75
A cozy story that also gets deep into social issues. The young characters were my favourite part of the story; the adults really got on my nerves. I wasn't a fan of all the philosophical discussions (the dialogue wasn't realistic and tended to drag) and the way song lyrics were written into sentences. Other than that, the writing was wonderful.
Cerulean was recommended as similar to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, but I prefer Witches as a cozy, comfort, found-family read.
Cerulean was recommended as similar to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, but I prefer Witches as a cozy, comfort, found-family read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Hate crime
Minor: Child abuse and Religious bigotry
linde13's review
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).maelee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
ejsullivan's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Fatphobia
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
lee_noel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia
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
rosa_lina96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Maybe it's just because I'm a sucker for the found family trope (and narratives about a character realizing that something that seems completely out of their comfort zone is actually the right thing in their life after all), but this book almost felt like coming home after a long day at work and curling up in front of the fire. It left me with this warm, cozy feeling, and the underlying themes were handled rather respectfully through Linus's character. It reminds me a bit of Good Omens--witty humor and well-developed characters, while also not being afraid to tackle more serious subject matter. Very much looking forward to reading the sequel sometime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
annakh16's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
If I had a nickel for every time someone wrote a book about two gay beings trying to save a strangely likeable child-Antichrist from himself while failing to admit they are absolutely pining for each other, and also making Buddy Holly references… I’d have two nickels. Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird that it happened twice. (Yes, this is a Good Omens reference).
That aside: this book was exactly what I’d hoped it would be. It’s lighthearted but deep at the same time. The moral lessons are very on the nose sometimes, but the characters are talking to children after all.
Arthur is extremely likeable. (All of the characters are, but he particularly stood out to me). You can feel his warmth through the pages. The relationships and romances are incredibly wholesome - found family again! One reviewer here wrote that it’s a story about the joy of surrounding yourself with people who care about you and whom you care about in turn, and I think that’s exactly it.
The plot is very predictable and some aspects were a bit repetitive (is Linus really still scared of Lucy after about the 15th exaggerated threat?). But I don’t think that’s what the book is for. If you want a sweet, heartwarming, easy read that is both magical and pretty - this is that.
I do agree though that this book felt weirdly fatshamey - not just from the characters but the author as well. It kind of put a damp on the story and I sure hope this gets remedied in the next book.
I do agree though that this book felt weirdly fatshamey - not just from the characters but the author as well. It kind of put a damp on the story and I sure hope this gets remedied in the next book.
(While this didn’t affect my rating, I did find the narrator a bit robotic to start with. I got used to it though and ultimately enjoyed his take on all the characters).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia