Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

173 reviews

nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The whimsical writing and fantastical premise is often its strength, but some of the feel good-isms veer into cheese really fast. The characters were precious and unique, and I did love reading about each of their personalities.

I read some about the “inspiration” for this book being the so-called boarding schools for indigenous children in the US and Canada and then seeing how this book “solved” this parallel problem rooted in prejudice, segregation, and abuse/torture with one well-intentioned and hapless guy who never made any effort to connect with people before who comes to a bright and colorful island of misfits and is swept off his feet wasn’t right. It was dumping sugar on violent, systemic issues.

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readwithkel's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful 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? Yes

4.25

This book was just perfect.

I don’t typically read much fantasy, but this was so wonderful. The characters were endearing, the story was well-written, and the ending was better than I could have hoped for.

The only downsides: some of the dialogue felt a little forced and the plot was a bit predictable.

Highly recommend.

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sunsorbit's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

joensign's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

4.5

Content Warnings

fanboyriot's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

Read For:

Fantasy

Slow Burn

Found Family

Idiots in Love

Happy Ending

Think Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children vibes but kinda queer. I just felt kinda neutral about it. The humor was okay, the characters were okay, and the setting was kinda meh. I just felt like I had to force myself to keep reading and if I didn’t already own the book I would have stopped. Also, I thought there would be more queer rep to be honest so that was kinda disappointing. Not to mention the fatphobia.

I wasn’t going to read this given the reviews I’ve been seeing recently, however, I already own the first two books so I figured I’d see if it was as bad as some of the reviews were saying. And honestly, I just didn’t understand the hype about it. Even not knowing what the book was based on it was barely a 3-star rating for me, it just fell flat to me.

However, learning that this was based on the Sixties Scoop and how the author decided to turn what was a cruel and tragic piece of history he read about on Wikipedia about how the Canadian government removed a bunch of indigenous children from their literal homes and away from their family only to be adopted to white, middle-class families and he then took that information and basically turned it into a happy little fantasy where the kids live not in an “orphanage” but a “home” like, dude, why?

This kind of thing is still something native people are dealing with and as a white person, it should not be something you’re involved in like this. In America the Supreme Court literally is going to be voting soon on overturning ICWA so states can regain control to remove Native children from their homes and families, this isn’t just some fantasy. This story could have been written way better and in a way that did romanticize trauma and make light of a literal genocide.

I just wouldn’t recommend this one. There are some links on where I got my information from if you’re interested along with two reviews I think do a better job of explaining this than I did.

Links:

Source: https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A617930246/ITBC?u=uvictoria&sid=bookmark-ITBC&xid=0efbabda

Wikipedia: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixties_Scoop

Helpful Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4032060130

Another Helpful Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3601407534

Rep: Achillean, Queer MC

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laurajadeslibrary's review against another edition

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adventurous funny 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

3.5

Brief synopsis: Linus, a caseworker who works in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth is sent on a secret, classified assignment. To an orphanage that homes 6 of the most peculiar and potentially dangerous magical children. Linus was picked because of his strong work ethic and his regimented and diligent reports. He sticks by the rule book and leaves any emotions at the door before work. But throughout his investigation he realises that not everything or everyone are as they seem and it becomes more difficult for him to keep his heart shielded.

Writing: What beautiful characters. I fell in love with them all. I adored the character development for Linus. The story was eloquently written. Excellent dialogue that was very witty and humorous at times. The love story in the background was just the icing on the cake. A truly humble and heartwarming story.

My thoughts and views: This story was so sweet and charming and me feeling all warm inside! I found myself smiling so many times throughout this. It was such a cute and cosy read and I really enjoyed it 🥰

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thewritetofight's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

So good, I love this genre, it was so whimsical and allowed itself to be serious when necessary. I also loved the dynamic between Arthur and the kids, but if your looking for a lot of romance, there isn’t much until the end, except for some sprinkled through out the book.

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tiernanhunter's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

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kimtazo's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

5.0

Content Warnings

neurospicyreader's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Heartwarming, vulnerable, and achingly human.
I absolutely adored this. Were there flaws? a few. But this book had me crying in the best way. It is a massive hug.

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