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4.45 AVERAGE
4.45 AVERAGE
I really thought I was going to enjoy this book. Considering all the praise it got, I was near certain of it. But instead of a captivating and imaginative new fantasy, I felt like I reread [b:Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children|9460487|Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children, #1)|Ransom Riggs|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1623449170l/9460487._SY75_.jpg|14345371] as told from the point-of-view of a social services worker. Except Miss Peregrine's is correctly listed as a young adult work, where this wasn't, and really, really should have been.
You may think my low rating is because there is a gay romance weaved into the background of the novel. It's not. That was one of the more believable and charming aspects of the novel. You may also think it's because of the controversy about how this book was inspired by "the Sixties Scoop," but I honestly do not know enough about that historical event to pass informed judgement on whether this book is appropriating it or not. So, onto my actual complaints.
My first issue was the setting waffling between fairy tale magical realism (the government is always referred to as "Extremely Upper Management," and other little silly things) and being grounded in reality (the deaths of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in a plane crash are mentioned). So we're clearly in our world, or a version of it, but it's not rooted anywhere specific, in either location or time, although it seems vaguely English (they mention "maths" at one point). But it's never mentioned where this society diverted from ours and how we got to the place where the story is set. Which I found to be a constant low grade frustration.
But I could have easily gotten over that gripe if the story drew me in and I found myself immersed, but that leads me to my second issue — the pacing, which was far too slow. The protagonist was too dull to have us witness the minutiae of his life at the speed the story was told. I understand it was done so we could understand who the character is, but that point was made quickly enough, and the pace never quickened throughout the entirety of the novel.
Beyond that, there's the resolution. For one thing, you see it coming a mile away. From reading this far into the story, you know a feel-good ending is coming. But how it was done just doesn't work.
So, yeah, in short, this novel didn't commit far enough to a single tone, the pacing was far too slow, it had a dull point-of-view character, and the ending was telegraphed and unbelievable. I am genuinely baffled by the high ratings and constant recommendations of this novel.
You may think my low rating is because there is a gay romance weaved into the background of the novel. It's not. That was one of the more believable and charming aspects of the novel. You may also think it's because of the controversy about how this book was inspired by "the Sixties Scoop," but I honestly do not know enough about that historical event to pass informed judgement on whether this book is appropriating it or not. So, onto my actual complaints.
My first issue was the setting waffling between fairy tale magical realism (the government is always referred to as "Extremely Upper Management," and other little silly things) and being grounded in reality (the deaths of Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper in a plane crash are mentioned). So we're clearly in our world, or a version of it, but it's not rooted anywhere specific, in either location or time, although it seems vaguely English (they mention "maths" at one point). But it's never mentioned where this society diverted from ours and how we got to the place where the story is set. Which I found to be a constant low grade frustration.
But I could have easily gotten over that gripe if the story drew me in and I found myself immersed, but that leads me to my second issue — the pacing, which was far too slow. The protagonist was too dull to have us witness the minutiae of his life at the speed the story was told. I understand it was done so we could understand who the character is, but that point was made quickly enough, and the pace never quickened throughout the entirety of the novel.
Beyond that, there's the resolution. For one thing, you see it coming a mile away.
Spoiler
Linus returns to Arthur and the orphanage, because of course he does.Spoiler
Linus quit his job and moved there on a whim. With no job or prospects. How is he going to afford to eat? Can you eat the magical glow of a feel good story? He becomes a whistleblower, which is great, but doesn't pay the bills. And DICOMY must know he is the whistleblower, but they just let him live on the island with no retaliation and no consequences? Really?So, yeah, in short, this novel didn't commit far enough to a single tone, the pacing was far too slow, it had a dull point-of-view character, and the ending was telegraphed and unbelievable. I am genuinely baffled by the high ratings and constant recommendations of this novel.
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
Awe TJ Klume is just so good at turning grumpy managers into the enlightened people they are meant to be. I loved the children so much in this book- but also the adults. Zoe, Helen, Arthur…all play such vital and unexpected parts throughout. I know there is a sequel and can’t wait to see how the group takes on DICOMY in the sequel.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a feel good novel about found family and middle age romance, about being yourself no matter what others think, about not judging others because they are different from you.
That said, it is so precious and twee I struggled to finish it. The House in the Cerulean Sea is for adults who loved A Series of Unfortunate Events as a kid and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children as a teen and want to read an adult book in the same style. The House in the Cerulean Sea has two middle-aged main characters and is written (mostly) as if it is for middle schoolers.
The plot is 100% predictable, but that can be comforting. Every Heart a Doorway has similar bones, but I found it more original and less hitting-you-over-the-head-with-a-blunt-object. I listened to the audiobook and the text is very repetitive. There were a few times when I wondered did it start over? Didn’t I hear this already? Then I realized the author was repeating himself for effect. A little too often to be effective on me.
I kept asking myself, where are there so many magical orphans? Then I read about the author's inspiration and thought, hmm, perhaps there are not that many magical orphans. The book was inspired by the Sixties Scoop, a terrible real life time period in Canadian history, when indigenous children were first stolen from their parents and then had their language and culture stolen from them. I’ve no doubt that the (non-indigenous) author meant basing his story on this history to be for the good, but I found it unsettling.
A second romance was crammed in at the very end. Not every person has to end up in a happily-ever-after romance in a book. Since he was writing sequels, I would have preferred the author to hold that out for a sequel if he insisted on it happening.
One comment on the audiobook – the narrator pronounced the word “gazebo” as gaz-eh-bo. Maybe that is actually how it is supposed to be pronounced, but I have never heard it pronounced any way but gaz-ee-bo. The word gazebo appears in the book an astonishing number of times, and the pronunciation never stopped annoying me. 😊
I’m glad I finally read it but I won’t be reading the sequels. I can see why the story appeals to people but it did not work its magic on me.
That said, it is so precious and twee I struggled to finish it. The House in the Cerulean Sea is for adults who loved A Series of Unfortunate Events as a kid and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children as a teen and want to read an adult book in the same style. The House in the Cerulean Sea has two middle-aged main characters and is written (mostly) as if it is for middle schoolers.
The plot is 100% predictable, but that can be comforting. Every Heart a Doorway has similar bones, but I found it more original and less hitting-you-over-the-head-with-a-blunt-object. I listened to the audiobook and the text is very repetitive. There were a few times when I wondered did it start over? Didn’t I hear this already? Then I realized the author was repeating himself for effect. A little too often to be effective on me.
I kept asking myself, where are there so many magical orphans? Then I read about the author's inspiration and thought, hmm, perhaps there are not that many magical orphans. The book was inspired by the Sixties Scoop, a terrible real life time period in Canadian history, when indigenous children were first stolen from their parents and then had their language and culture stolen from them. I’ve no doubt that the (non-indigenous) author meant basing his story on this history to be for the good, but I found it unsettling.
A second romance was crammed in at the very end. Not every person has to end up in a happily-ever-after romance in a book. Since he was writing sequels, I would have preferred the author to hold that out for a sequel if he insisted on it happening.
One comment on the audiobook – the narrator pronounced the word “gazebo” as gaz-eh-bo. Maybe that is actually how it is supposed to be pronounced, but I have never heard it pronounced any way but gaz-ee-bo. The word gazebo appears in the book an astonishing number of times, and the pronunciation never stopped annoying me. 😊
I’m glad I finally read it but I won’t be reading the sequels. I can see why the story appeals to people but it did not work its magic on me.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Bland. Read like a middle-grade novel, except with sluggish pace.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Cosy and whimsical but sickly sweet and very overly simplistic messaging. I really enjoyed the writing style in the beginning but as the story progressed it became way too too heavy handed. Too many “inspirational” monologues and too much telling instead of showing. We are hit over the head with the moral lessons, which lack any interesting nuance or exploration. I started to feel like I was reading a book for kids, and I honestly wonder why it isn’t marketed that way? It’s very after school special.
The pacing at the start was great but dragged a bit in the middle. Maybe because a lot of the interactions were quite repetitive and surface level and there was so much about the world that wasn’t explained but could’ve added intrigue and depth. Some of the kids are funny but overall they felt one dimensional. And none of the character progression felt earned enough.
like the mayor doing a complete 180 after one conversation about gardening?? And Linus is suddenly not worried about Lucy being the antichrist because..arthur says he’s a good person? Ok but he still has these insane powers and that’s just never addressed. Not to mention the big reveal was a bit anticlimactic.
The pacing at the start was great but dragged a bit in the middle. Maybe because a lot of the interactions were quite repetitive and surface level and there was so much about the world that wasn’t explained but could’ve added intrigue and depth. Some of the kids are funny but overall they felt one dimensional. And none of the character progression felt earned enough.
lighthearted
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
Excellent book- I finished it in 24 hours. So cozy, it invoked the same feelings in me as Legends & Lattes- hope of a world that has conflict but also so much potential.
The characters were so lovable, it made my heart warm and I def teared up a bit while reading.
Also I LOVED the queer rep!
EDIT: RE: TJ Klune controversy for the premise of this book and its relation to The Sixties Scoop- I did read his statement on this. While the story is a much watered down/simplified version of events such as The Scoop, at the core of the book was the message of kindness, a frustration for the world as it is, and a desire to build to the world as it should be. I recognize my privilege in being able to separate the two sentiments, and so these opinions are coming from that place. I wish I hadn’t waited this long to read it but I am glad I have now.
The characters were so lovable, it made my heart warm and I def teared up a bit while reading.
Also I LOVED the queer rep!
EDIT: RE: TJ Klune controversy for the premise of this book and its relation to The Sixties Scoop- I did read his statement on this. While the story is a much watered down/simplified version of events such as The Scoop, at the core of the book was the message of kindness, a frustration for the world as it is, and a desire to build to the world as it should be. I recognize my privilege in being able to separate the two sentiments, and so these opinions are coming from that place. I wish I hadn’t waited this long to read it but I am glad I have now.
adventurous
hopeful
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:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring