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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is what a stand-alone turned duology looks like. Before i get any hate, I really loved the House in the Cerulean Sea, one of my favorite books ever and when i saw that it had a second part I immediately had to read it, which i somehow regret.
Now my review:
The trial I enjoyed it so much, I liked what I was reading, the bold attitude of Arthur, the resistance of the DICOMY and DYCOMA, it made me tense, like it is when you're watching a TV Show and you want your favorite character to get their way but you see everything is going to hell and you're like ''wow, how is him going to get out of this?'' super exciting. Then it went downhill for me.
Arthur, Arthur just turned into this phylosophical person, but in the annoying way, talking to their kids in a super cryptical way, i wanted to skip all his dialogues, for real.
This time Zoe Chappelwhite, is turned more into a secondary character, since Linus is 24/7 we don't see much of her as in the first book, who was kind of a bummer, but anyways i could live with that.
The kids are still charming which it was my first worry, the new kid, David, was spectacular, i loved his character a dramatic yet shy Yetti, (Chauncey i love you), Lucy still charming, in this part i think he made me laugh so much more than in the House in the Cerulean Sea, Phee was more bold in this one, and Talia of course, always digging graves. Theodore had more impact on this one to me, we can see the kids even teaching David, how to understand his language. My only problem was with Sal, Sal, the shy kid who turned into a Pomeranian, was giving lectures to everyone, all the timeee!!! for me it was so annoying to see him treating the adults like that because it didnt seem like in the House in the Cerulean Sea. Also, the lectures were all the same, Arthur and Sal were always talking about how everything will get solved if you are yourself, and that you shouldn't hide and speak up, i dont remember picking an Self-help book tbh.
Anyways, I think this sequel shouldn't have existed to be honest, the first book was a masterpiece.
Now my review:
The trial I enjoyed it so much, I liked what I was reading, the bold attitude of Arthur, the resistance of the DICOMY and DYCOMA, it made me tense, like it is when you're watching a TV Show and you want your favorite character to get their way but you see everything is going to hell and you're like ''wow, how is him going to get out of this?'' super exciting. Then it went downhill for me.
Arthur, Arthur just turned into this phylosophical person, but in the annoying way, talking to their kids in a super cryptical way, i wanted to skip all his dialogues, for real.
This time Zoe Chappelwhite, is turned more into a secondary character, since Linus is 24/7 we don't see much of her as in the first book, who was kind of a bummer, but anyways i could live with that.
The kids are still charming which it was my first worry, the new kid, David, was spectacular, i loved his character a dramatic yet shy Yetti, (Chauncey i love you), Lucy still charming, in this part i think he made me laugh so much more than in the House in the Cerulean Sea, Phee was more bold in this one, and Talia of course, always digging graves. Theodore had more impact on this one to me, we can see the kids even teaching David, how to understand his language. My only problem was with Sal, Sal, the shy kid who turned into a Pomeranian, was giving lectures to everyone, all the timeee!!! for me it was so annoying to see him treating the adults like that because it didnt seem like in the House in the Cerulean Sea. Also, the lectures were all the same, Arthur and Sal were always talking about how everything will get solved if you are yourself, and that you shouldn't hide and speak up, i dont remember picking an Self-help book tbh.
Anyways, I think this sequel shouldn't have existed to be honest, the first book was a masterpiece.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
A story of accepting yourself and those around you without apology, for exactly who you are. A story about what we all hope ‘family’ will look like.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
2.75 ⭐️ Reeeally wanted to love this more. The first book remains one of my top favorites, but this one just felt so unnecessary and overall preachy?? Like I LOVE reading about inclusion and LGBT characters and seeing justice for the under-represented. Of course that stuff is great and I actively seek it out!! But this book felt like it was crafted around a political viewpoint instead of the fantasy world and characters that shined in the first book. It was as the though the narrative was written to tick off buzzwords and force in diversity while ignoring a more engaging plot. I felt like I was being beaten over the head with the same repetitive lectures on representation, parenting, inner truth etc. I just kept thinking “Yes, I agree!! Now let’s get this story going!” I’m all for fighting against bigotry and oppression but the execution lacked the heart and genuine spirit of the first book. I’m so sorry, TJ!! I do still love you and your quest to be a strong voice for the queer community.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
emotional
hopeful
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:
No