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arysuh's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
Le bouquin feel good par excellence. Qui nous dit, contrairement à la doxa actuelle, que même si on ne s’aime pas soi-même, il se trouvera toujours quelqu’un pour nous aimer. C’est touchant, c’est pour toutes les générations, c’est un vrai doudou 🫶🏻
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism
zannayo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
I fell in love with this book. I want to read a hundred more just like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement and Abandonment
Minor: Hate crime
genesis_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
A wonderfully well written novel about found family, acceptance, and learning to look beyond what's on the surface.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
jefferz's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.0
The House in the Cerulean Sea has a plot, genre and tone that ordinarily isn’t quite my taste, but T.J. Klune’s execution and lowkey sarcastic humor kept me going. Hopefully optimistic, sweet, and a very comfortable easy read, this is not my typical genre but it’s still a novel I don’t regret picking up. The plot is predictable and some extended metaphors and social commentary are a bit on the nose (this has a tone and approach better suited for YA, apart from a few rare adult-natured jokes), but it’s unapologetically warm and has so much mass-appeal.
Other reviews describing The House in the Cerulean Sea as a modern fairy tale are quite appropriate. The style of narration told from the perspective of the main character Linus Baker evokes that nostalgic fairy tale feel that’s felt through Klune’s descriptive visuals and dialogue (the house for example screams fantasy fairy tale aesthetic, including the gorgeous interpretation on the cover). While reading this, I could instantly see this being adapted as either an animated or live-action miniseries. Linus Baker is a refreshing, atypical main character aged 40, overweight, uptight, queer, no frills government worker who serves as the perfect foil to the otherwise fantasy-filled story and cast. His constant freak-out or groaning reactions are quite funny, and Klune does a particularly good job at writing humor derived from innocently honest kid-adult interactions. The cast of “orphans” are diverse and were the highlight of the read for me, particularly Lucy’s hilariously dark humor.
As expected, there are good themes and metaphors included such as prejudice or ostracization of those that are different (magical beings are an obvious parallel to the queer or really any minority group). Nearly all the conflict and resolution has to do with this prejudice and bigotry, though the portrayal is still imo mild and only just negative enough to serve its narrative and thematic purpose. At the end of the day, this is still a cozy and comforting book that feels like a warm hug against the harshness of society. In fact, I’m convinced TJ is clever and purposely writes scenarios where as an adult jaded reader, you would expect something really bad to happen in certain situations. Repeatedly the book feels like it knows where the reader’s fears will go, and then goes in an unexpectedly positive direction (this purposeful tactic is something Heartstopper also utilized very successfully, likely contributing to why kids, teenagers, and adults all love both series).
Negatively critiquing this novel feels like kicking a puppy due to how sweet and well-meaning it is, however I cannot deny that the story occasionally felt slow for me. I likely would’ve been fully invested had I read this when I was 14-17, but as an adult, I felt like the plot and pacing was a little too rosy for me (then again, I’m heartless and love dark, hard-hitting works). Despite the stakes being high for Arthur’s orphanage during Linus’s investigation, it still felt like an overly casual and mild affair. This is the kind of read where you know everything will somehow work out perfectly, which is fine since it commits to it, but it still takes away some of the urgency for me. The synopsis also makes a point to highlight the romance in the book, but I personally felt like the romance is quite minor and serves as a small bonus rather than being a main plot point. The focus is primarily on the kids and their well-being while any romantic development is only lightly touched on occasionally. I don’t think the romance is badly done by any means, just that it’s not in the forefront and probably shouldn’t be the reason why you pick up this book to read (and ofc it’s vanilla based on the book’s content, any spice would absolutely not work with this book so you’re not going to get anything beyond a sweet kiss).
Overall though, this was a pleasant and quick read. This was obviously not going to be a favorite of mine based on the genre and style, but I thought it was successful in what it was trying to do. Well-executed, consistently paced, subtly funny with a sophisticated sarcastic kind of humor, I understand and get why The House in the Cerulean Sea is a beloved book. It also functions well as a decisive and resolved standalone novel, so I’m curious to see where T.J. Klune goes with the sequel novel due to be released soon in a few months (total coincidence that I read it now). I hear it’s written both as a sequel and as a companion novel told from Arthur’s perspective instead, I’m definitely going to give it a try when it’s out in September.
Other reviews describing The House in the Cerulean Sea as a modern fairy tale are quite appropriate. The style of narration told from the perspective of the main character Linus Baker evokes that nostalgic fairy tale feel that’s felt through Klune’s descriptive visuals and dialogue (the house for example screams fantasy fairy tale aesthetic, including the gorgeous interpretation on the cover). While reading this, I could instantly see this being adapted as either an animated or live-action miniseries. Linus Baker is a refreshing, atypical main character aged 40, overweight, uptight, queer, no frills government worker who serves as the perfect foil to the otherwise fantasy-filled story and cast. His constant freak-out or groaning reactions are quite funny, and Klune does a particularly good job at writing humor derived from innocently honest kid-adult interactions. The cast of “orphans” are diverse and were the highlight of the read for me, particularly Lucy’s hilariously dark humor.
As expected, there are good themes and metaphors included such as prejudice or ostracization of those that are different (magical beings are an obvious parallel to the queer or really any minority group). Nearly all the conflict and resolution has to do with this prejudice and bigotry, though the portrayal is still imo mild and only just negative enough to serve its narrative and thematic purpose. At the end of the day, this is still a cozy and comforting book that feels like a warm hug against the harshness of society. In fact, I’m convinced TJ is clever and purposely writes scenarios where as an adult jaded reader, you would expect something really bad to happen in certain situations. Repeatedly the book feels like it knows where the reader’s fears will go, and then goes in an unexpectedly positive direction (this purposeful tactic is something Heartstopper also utilized very successfully, likely contributing to why kids, teenagers, and adults all love both series).
Negatively critiquing this novel feels like kicking a puppy due to how sweet and well-meaning it is, however I cannot deny that the story occasionally felt slow for me. I likely would’ve been fully invested had I read this when I was 14-17, but as an adult, I felt like the plot and pacing was a little too rosy for me (then again, I’m heartless and love dark, hard-hitting works). Despite the stakes being high for Arthur’s orphanage during Linus’s investigation, it still felt like an overly casual and mild affair. This is the kind of read where you know everything will somehow work out perfectly, which is fine since it commits to it, but it still takes away some of the urgency for me. The synopsis also makes a point to highlight the romance in the book, but I personally felt like the romance is quite minor and serves as a small bonus rather than being a main plot point. The focus is primarily on the kids and their well-being while any romantic development is only lightly touched on occasionally. I don’t think the romance is badly done by any means, just that it’s not in the forefront and probably shouldn’t be the reason why you pick up this book to read (and ofc it’s vanilla based on the book’s content, any spice would absolutely not work with this book so you’re not going to get anything beyond a sweet kiss).
Overall though, this was a pleasant and quick read. This was obviously not going to be a favorite of mine based on the genre and style, but I thought it was successful in what it was trying to do. Well-executed, consistently paced, subtly funny with a sophisticated sarcastic kind of humor, I understand and get why The House in the Cerulean Sea is a beloved book. It also functions well as a decisive and resolved standalone novel, so I’m curious to see where T.J. Klune goes with the sequel novel due to be released soon in a few months (total coincidence that I read it now). I hear it’s written both as a sequel and as a companion novel told from Arthur’s perspective instead, I’m definitely going to give it a try when it’s out in September.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Homophobia, and Xenophobia
katrina_golov's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
One of my favorite books ever.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia
av1010's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
pbandjane_library's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
almostelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Religious bigotry
bluedilly's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Death is wonderful to music. It makes the singers sound like ghosts.
When I started reading this, I didn't expect it would take me seven months to finish! You might wonder why I stuck with it for so long, but it was nice to have a book like this around, something light and simple, easy to pick up and easy to put down, especially for those tedious waits at bus stops when you still need to be half aware of your surroundings. There were a few things about Klune's writing style and worldbuilding which didn't hit the spot for me, but I dearly loved all of the children, and Linus and Arthur were quite sweet together.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
helixlhart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
This story hit me right in the feels. Simultaneously heartwarming and gutwrenching at times, and achingly beautiful storytelling. Just the thing to read if you need a little hope and lot of courage.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse