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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
No
Really sweet book. The writing is very good and deserved a better audiobook production. Just a lovely, cozy read.
What an absolutely delightful read! Definitely different than what I’ve been immersing myself with lately but that didn’t stop me from thoroughly enjoying this book. It’s cozy and charming; with a beautiful happily ever after ending.
I loved every single character, even grumpy ole Merle. I particularly enjoyed the transformation the main character, Linus Baker, went through. In the beginning we are presented with a timid, afraid man, always doing as he was told and following the rules to a T - through out the tale, he gradually converted to someone who could, and would stand up for what he believed was right. He grabbed his life back and actually started *living*. And I’m so happy he did.
There are a lot of underlying lessons portrayed throughout the story, most having to do with showing love and kindness to others especially, those that are different. All excellent reminders for us readers here.
I loved every single character, even grumpy ole Merle. I particularly enjoyed the transformation the main character, Linus Baker, went through. In the beginning we are presented with a timid, afraid man, always doing as he was told and following the rules to a T - through out the tale, he gradually converted to someone who could, and would stand up for what he believed was right. He grabbed his life back and actually started *living*. And I’m so happy he did.
There are a lot of underlying lessons portrayed throughout the story, most having to do with showing love and kindness to others especially, those that are different. All excellent reminders for us readers here.
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Very heartwarming and wholesome! This book is enjoyable and very fast moving. The characters are all wonderful, if a little too perfect, and the writing style is cute and engaging.
I'd probably classify it as YA fantasy but it would be good for pretty much any age.
I'd probably classify it as YA fantasy but it would be good for pretty much any age.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
CW: death mentions (frequent), racism, genocide (alluded to), child abuse/neglect
Okay four stars cause it's so godamn cute. If you aren't into sickly sweet this definitely isn't for you.
However I really wish it had pushed the envelope more in terms of politics. I'd say it's at about a 12-14 year old level and doesn't provide much for adults unless you're a majority group member that doesn't think too deep. This quote by the author is quite revealing that he at least partly falls into that category:
"[The story] remained fuzzy until I stumbled across the Sixties Scoop, something I’d never heard of before, something I’d never been taught in school (I’m American, by the way). In Canada, beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1980s, indigenous children were taken from their homes and families and placed into government-sanctioned facilities, such as residential schools. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europe—to adopt these children."
I was also hoping for more in terms of conflict. There's plenty of families that struggle to meet the needs of their children, or who have children that could be at a risk to themselves or others and I think it would have been interesting and more impactful to see that reflected here. Instead its just kind of this perfect utopia the whole time where the kids have everything they need and are always loving and obedient.
One final criticism: there is only one black character (one of two described as POC) and in the audiobook he is given a dopey voice that makes it sound like he's stupid
All that being said, the characters are delightful and often funny. All the kids have very distinct and vivid personalities- Chauncey and Theodore were my favourites I think. And their dad??!!
Okay four stars cause it's so godamn cute. If you aren't into sickly sweet this definitely isn't for you.
However I really wish it had pushed the envelope more in terms of politics. I'd say it's at about a 12-14 year old level and doesn't provide much for adults unless you're a majority group member that doesn't think too deep. This quote by the author is quite revealing that he at least partly falls into that category:
"[The story] remained fuzzy until I stumbled across the Sixties Scoop, something I’d never heard of before, something I’d never been taught in school (I’m American, by the way). In Canada, beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the 1980s, indigenous children were taken from their homes and families and placed into government-sanctioned facilities, such as residential schools. The goal was for primarily white, middle-class families across Canada, the US, and even Europe—to adopt these children."
I was also hoping for more in terms of conflict. There's plenty of families that struggle to meet the needs of their children, or who have children that could be at a risk to themselves or others and I think it would have been interesting and more impactful to see that reflected here. Instead its just kind of this perfect utopia the whole time where the kids have everything they need and are always loving and obedient.
One final criticism: there is only one black character (one of two described as POC) and in the audiobook he is given a dopey voice that makes it sound like he's stupid
All that being said, the characters are delightful and often funny. All the kids have very distinct and vivid personalities- Chauncey and Theodore were my favourites I think. And their dad??!!
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Sweet and funny with quirky and loveable characters.
I had some reservations about it, bc the author said, he took his inspiration from Canada's "Sixties Scoop". As other reviewers have pointed out, Klune explained (rather nonchalantly) that writing something as a fantasy novel apparently falls outside his/the definition of cultural appropriation.
"I didn’t want to co-opt, you know, a history that wasn’t mine. I’m a cis white dude, so I can’t ever really go through something like what those children had to go through.
So I sat down and I was like, I’m just going to write this as a fantasy.”
Not sure he got the point about the problem of cultural appropriation tbh.
So there was always a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, whil listening to The House in the Cerulean Sea.
I had some reservations about it, bc the author said, he took his inspiration from Canada's "Sixties Scoop". As other reviewers have pointed out, Klune explained (rather nonchalantly) that writing something as a fantasy novel apparently falls outside his/the definition of cultural appropriation.
"I didn’t want to co-opt, you know, a history that wasn’t mine. I’m a cis white dude, so I can’t ever really go through something like what those children had to go through.
So I sat down and I was like, I’m just going to write this as a fantasy.”
Not sure he got the point about the problem of cultural appropriation tbh.
So there was always a nagging feeling in the back of my mind, whil listening to The House in the Cerulean Sea.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Oh my god I'm so obsessed with this book I need more of them ughhhhh the characters are so incredibly lovely I hold them all dear to my heart I haven't been able to put this book down and I'm so sad that its overrrrrr read please you won't regret it!!!
emotional
funny
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