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Reviews tagging 'Hate crime'
La casa en el mar más azul. Edición especial: Edición especial con cantos tintados by TJ Klune, Carlos Abreu Fetter
209 reviews
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book reads like a dated children's movie that feels as whimsical as Klaus and tries very hard to be progressive. It's been touted as a YA novel and as difficult as some of these topics might be for more children, marking it for YA while having older white men as protagonists seems like a stretch. At best, it's middle grade.
I appreciate its blunt cartoonish-ness though, it suspends your disbelief for a while. An orphanage for difficult, magical children visited by a dull, old caseworker who does his best to do right by them. His world gets a little less dull when meeting the unorthodox orphanage at Marsyas and its owner (or, master, however weird that sounds on paper). It writes itself like a rom-com, and it kind of is. A really cartoonish, quirky, and charming rom-com with a lot of little kids running around.
I found myself growing to like this book even after the initial chapters. It was slow-going at first, and the turn wasn't as subtle as it was fast. The narration itself wanting both to put us in Linus' head (especially in cases of extreme anxiety) while also keeping us out of it (in this case, when he starts warming up to the children).
A little nitpick of mine while reading this book was that I couldn't place its time period or place. It deems itself to be placed in the South but the speech patterns for some were suggestively British. There are scenes where it suggests that it is set in the present (record stores telling one of the children that they liked old music and the existence of computers), but Linus still has to send correspondences and reports through the post and if it were placed in America, the speech patterns would also suggest that this would technically be a period piece on top of its magical realism.It all comes to a head during the later chapters, when Arthur and Linus talk about how Arthur is the first magical being to ever have run their own orphanage and that he was silenced and prohibited from revealing it. Holding the suggestion that of all the years these institutions have existed not a single activist group had arisen. Linus talks of magical beings in professional roles but says nothing of activist groups or names any.
Again, this is a cartoonish rom-com of a children's-not-YA book banking on the fiction of a fake marginalized group, but so maybe expecting it to be a little less like that would be disingenuous. The criticism exists though.
Here, on the other hand are some very problematic things I found about it:
I appreciate its blunt cartoonish-ness though, it suspends your disbelief for a while. An orphanage for difficult, magical children visited by a dull, old caseworker who does his best to do right by them. His world gets a little less dull when meeting the unorthodox orphanage at Marsyas and its owner (or, master, however weird that sounds on paper). It writes itself like a rom-com, and it kind of is. A really cartoonish, quirky, and charming rom-com with a lot of little kids running around.
I found myself growing to like this book even after the initial chapters. It was slow-going at first, and the turn wasn't as subtle as it was fast. The narration itself wanting both to put us in Linus' head (especially in cases of extreme anxiety) while also keeping us out of it (in this case, when he starts warming up to the children).
A little nitpick of mine while reading this book was that I couldn't place its time period or place. It deems itself to be placed in the South but the speech patterns for some were suggestively British. There are scenes where it suggests that it is set in the present (record stores telling one of the children that they liked old music and the existence of computers), but Linus still has to send correspondences and reports through the post and if it were placed in America, the speech patterns would also suggest that this would technically be a period piece on top of its magical realism.
Again, this is a cartoonish rom-com of a children's-not-YA book banking on the fiction of a fake marginalized group, but so maybe expecting it to be a little less like that would be disingenuous. The criticism exists though.
Here, on the other hand are some very problematic things I found about it:
- That the concept of children in homes like these were allegorical to the abduction and institutionalization of Indigenous children is a tad concerning, seeing as there is not a single child of color.
- There's a lot of rampant fatphobia in this book, coming from the narrative character and the people he used to work with.
- There were a lot of Whoopi Epiphany Speeches that kind of feel awkward.
- We also have a Black woman who fulfills a caretaker role
and is a being of magic , and though the book doesn't treat her badly, one should be mindful of the fallings of tropes like these.
Overall, despite its flaws, it's a cheesy rom-com of a book that reads like a dated children's movie on the vein of Klaus and maybe a bit of The Parent Trap. It is what it is and despite all of that, is kind of stronger than the sum of its parts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Violence
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
My goodness, this book. THIS BOOK. I think the best way to describe The House in the Cerulean Sea is Animal Crossing in book form. I’m not kidding. The story is touching, heartfelt, and provides eloquent commentary on social issues. The book starts with Linus Baker, a caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Linus is assigned a new case at a classified orphanage in the Cerulean Sea with a group of magical creatures. There, adventure awaits.
This is the book I will be pushing into the hands of all adult readers. I urge you to pick it up; I guarantee you will love it. The children at the orphanage are what make this book spectacular. They are hilarious, kind, puzzling, and incredibly intelligent. So rarely do I connect with a book as magical as this one. Believe the hype.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Xenophobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
The audio book has a fantastic reader in Daniel Henning.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-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:
No
For a hot second there, this book was everywhere. And the waitlist at the library for it is…intense. But I have to say, I officially added myself to that waitlist only after seeing @readingismagical and @tracycatherinereads rave about it. Took me awhile to get my hands on it, btu here we are. And WHOA was it worth the wait!
Linus Baker is a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, extremely rules-conscious and comfortable with doing his job and returning home to his small house with his cat and his records as company. But his attention to minute detail catches the eye of Extremely Upper Management and he is given a highly classified special inspection project – a month long visit to an orphanage where particularly dangerous magical children are sent. Linus arrives at the orphanage expecting the worst, only to find that, no matter their incredible abilities/appearances, the six children are just that: children. Plus, there is something about the master of the orphanage, Arthur Parnasus, who mysteriousness and clear love for/protection of the children pulls at Linus in a way he never would have anticipated.
My goodness. This is like, the most perfect comfort novel that was ever written. Like, wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket in front of a fire with a warm (boozy) drink on a cold, rainy day level of comfort. Linus made me smile from page one, his little quirks and clear feelings of not fitting in and rule-following was just super sweet, even when you wanted to yell at him to shake it up, let go of the rules and look past the “right in front of his nose.” So, naturally, I was super excited to see him thrown out of his little bubble with no preparation – it was endearing to the extreme to watch him struggle, knowing that it was necessary and important growth for both his own happiness and the lives/safety of the children he loudly claimed to defend. With that, watching him grow into a person that didn’t just say he cared, but learned how to truly show it and follow-through on it in meaningful ways was heart-warming. Plus, the clear connection between himself and Arthur, and the complexities of how it grows, enhanced/supported by Linus’ oddities in ways that he could never have known himself capable of was wonderful and, again, so heartwarming. Now, Linus was of course our “hero,” but the supporting cast, from Arthur to the island’s caretaker sprite Zoe, to the village mayor Helen were shining beacons of love and acceptance as well. Plus, the children themselves. Oh my goodness – here is a found family to melt you heart like you’ve never met. Quirky in all the best ways! From Lucy’s world-burning proclamations to Chauncy’s obsession with bellhops, to Theodore’s button hoard to Sal’s quiet strength to Talia’s gardening and death threats to Phee’s magical natural connections I just loved them all so much! So. Much.
Looking a little deeper though, this was also a spectacular parable about the dangers of complacency and ignoring what doesn’t immediately affect us, the limitations and passive danger of routine. The messages about the imminent need for acceptance, the horrible ways differences turn to fear which turns into hate, the inevitable harm that comes from separating people who are different/special for their own safety, and the incredible benefit (for everyone) that comes from stepping outside of one’s personal bubble/reality to see things from other perspectives are all phenomenally communicated. This story is sweet and wholesome and full of happy endings, but it is also full of clear warnings about how being a “good” person isn’t enough, that injustice/prejudice must constantly and actively be fought in order for change/eradication to be possible. Klune also asks important questions about who was involved when rules for “the greater good” were made and whose voices weren’t at the table for those decisions. He also addresses tough questions about protecting children from versus preparing them for the reality of the world and where the line is there, who decides it, which children benefit or are harmed by who makes those calls for them. Honestly, the combination of inspirational and uplifting plotlines versus reflective and philosophically challenging themes into something that is both comforting and challenging is truly a marvel.
If you have ever been maligned or side-lined for being different, you’ll find a home in this story. Klune’s own experiences as a queer person have clearly informed his writing and the comfort and love and recognition of marginalization in these pages for that community comes through with strength and clarity. Plus, it’s done with a writing style that is snarky, fun, tongue-in-cheek just full of nostalgia for anyone who grew up reading old-school MG fantasy (but like, with way better representativeness/inclusivity, obvs). If you enjoyed the Series of Unfortunate Events, X-Men, or the Wayward Children series, you will love this one – it takes aspects of all those, but combines them with a charm all its own. And like, just look at that cover! *heart eyes* But seriously, you’ll finish this book full of joy and fullness, knowing that there really is no one right way to be as a family/person/community, as long as you have acceptance and love. Let me add my voice to those others who are unreservedly recommending this book!
“Why is it that I must always worry about tomorrow?”
“They fear what they don’t understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I’m sure even they can’t begin to comprehend. […] This can’t be the first time you’ve heard of this. It happens everywhere.”
“Sometimes […] our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that and learn from it, we can become better people.”
“Because even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes, so long as we don’t let our fear become all we know.”
“Arthur says that we should always make time for the things we like… If we don’t, we might forget how to be happy.”
“Home is where you feel like yourself. […] Home is where we get to be who we are.”
“Just because you don’t experience prejudice in your everyday doesn’t stop it from existing for the rest of us.”
“It was just…hidden away. I knew what to look for because I listened for it. As long as you listen, you can hear all manner of things you never thought were there to begin with.”
“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.”
“We get trapped in our own little bubbles, and even though the world is a wide and mysterious place, our bubbles keep us safe from that. To our detriment. […] But it’s so easy because there’s something soothing about routine. Day in and day out, it’s always the same. When we’re shaken from that, when that bubble bursts, it can be hard to understand all that we’ve missed. We might even fear it. Some of us even fight to try and get it back.”
“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”
“But those of us who dream of impossible things know just how far we can go when pushed to do so.”
“...there can be magic in the ordinary.”
“Sometimes, he thought to himself in a house in a cerulean sea, you were able to choose the life you wanted. And if you were of the lucky sort, sometimes that life chose you back.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Hate crime
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was cute and fun and sweet. It's not a book to analyze and have deep discussions about. It's just a light, fluffy read. That's what I wanted from this book, and it's what I got. I think the message was sweet but so oversimplified and watered down that it felt like it was barely saying anything at all, and that was really my main complaint. The characters are all one-dimentional - although also very sweet - and all made just to deliver this message, and the message felt weak. Still, very cute.
I'll also note that the audiobook made me feel a little like I was being talked down to. I don't know if it was the prose or the narration itself, which is why I specify the audiobook. It was very simple prose, and the tone just felt condescending. It was the kind of audiobook that I picked up as a kid and made me swear off audiobooks for the next 10 years. It does get better later in the book - or maybe I just got used to it - but something to be aware of.
Characters: 6
Plot: 7
Setting: 9
General appeal: 7
Writing style: 6
Originality: 9
Ending: 8
I'll also note that the audiobook made me feel a little like I was being talked down to. I don't know if it was the prose or the narration itself, which is why I specify the audiobook. It was very simple prose, and the tone just felt condescending. It was the kind of audiobook that I picked up as a kid and made me swear off audiobooks for the next 10 years. It does get better later in the book - or maybe I just got used to it - but something to be aware of.
Characters: 6
Plot: 7
Setting: 9
General appeal: 7
Writing style: 6
Originality: 9
Ending: 8
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
I came into this book immensely hesitant. I'm not a fan of romance. I find most stories to be either be too quick with the development, or so slow I forget it was even a part of the book. And overall, it's just not my thing. Additionally, I'm a fan of horror and thriller stories. So, aside from the urban fantasy and found family aspects, I thought I wouldn't get much from a "lighthearted" and "romance" book. This was not helped by me finding the main character, Linus, to be a very different protagonist than I expected: A 40-something year old child service worker with a stuffy, distant attitude.
I teared up three times, and by the epilogue, my eyes were so wet I had to wipe them with a paper towel to be able to see the words on the screen.
I very rarely cry from any story. When I do, I know it has ensnared me. I also very rarely think about books in terms of "Boy, I really wish people would write fanfiction about this." So imagine my surprise when I read nearly seven chapters straight.
The romance isn't the main aspect of this story. The main love story is Linus taking on a fatherly role towards the children in the 'orphanage' and how those kids grow to love him. The way each character developed was so subtle I barely noticed how much had changed until the end.
One complaint I had while reading this story was, "How is this described as lighthearted and middle-school reading?" The story almost feels dystopian at first. A society blatantly prejudiced against the supernatural, going as far as to harm children in its hatred. I'm a black, trans-masc person, so some parts of this story took me by such surprise that I was actually uncomfortable.
But that's not an actually a complaint. By the end of the story, I understood. It's a story about overcoming your own bigotry, learning from people you never expected to interact with (much less care for), and taking the first steps in changing society. Parts of this story gets dark, but I would happily hand this book to a pre-teen.
This story literally made me feel brighter. It made me more confident about choosing the best path in my life, no matter what society says it should be.
I teared up three times, and by the epilogue, my eyes were so wet I had to wipe them with a paper towel to be able to see the words on the screen.
I very rarely cry from any story. When I do, I know it has ensnared me. I also very rarely think about books in terms of "Boy, I really wish people would write fanfiction about this." So imagine my surprise when I read nearly seven chapters straight.
The romance isn't the main aspect of this story. The main love story is Linus taking on a fatherly role towards the children in the 'orphanage' and how those kids grow to love him. The way each character developed was so subtle I barely noticed how much had changed until the end.
One complaint I had while reading this story was, "How is this described as lighthearted and middle-school reading?" The story almost feels dystopian at first. A society blatantly prejudiced against the supernatural, going as far as to harm children in its hatred. I'm a black, trans-masc person, so some parts of this story took me by such surprise that I was actually uncomfortable.
But that's not an actually a complaint. By the end of the story, I understood. It's a story about overcoming your own bigotry, learning from people you never expected to interact with (much less care for), and taking the first steps in changing society. Parts of this story gets dark, but I would happily hand this book to a pre-teen.
This story literally made me feel brighter. It made me more confident about choosing the best path in my life, no matter what society says it should be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Murder
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-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
This book deserves ALL THE STARS. All of them. This was the sweetest book I've read in a long time and the best slow-burn I think I've EVER read.
A more full review to come.
A more full review to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Violence
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia
Minor: Confinement, Hate crime