Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

311 reviews

biobeetle's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

My initial rating was higher until I realised the author used the 60s scoop as a basis for this, with some odd clashes of messaging that didn't sit right with me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse

gardeningwithbadintent's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring 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

This story was incredibly refreshing. The two love interests both know and accept their sexuality before the book starts, so we see a rare queer romance where the tension is not driven by homophobia but by a need for personal growth, which we get to see laid out so beautifully. It is also intertwined with the social battle of a fear of people who are different that smacks of all kinds of hatred, from racism to homophobia. It is realistic yet hopeful and such an excellent use and explanation of these themes in a book that I would not be very uncomfortable teaching to middle schoolers (if I didn’t live in America). I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Xenophobia

ramakn22's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

This story touched every piece of my heart.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia

Moderate: Confinement, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Body shaming, Abandonment, and Bullying

sargasso_c's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Confinement

Minor: Fatphobia, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

adalinemccormick's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia

Minor: Physical abuse, Murder, Animal death, Gore, and Confinement

itsmaryssae's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Child abuse

stephintoadventure's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Xenophobia

blakeandbooks's review against another edition

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia

Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia

Minor: Confinement

itsjoenna's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

I am but paper. Brittle and thin.

i love it. i freaking love it.
throughout the book, i smiled, screamed, laughed, cried, and most importantly i felt warm. this book feels exactly like that, a warm hug.

the children are truly delightful, i especially have a soft spot for Lucy, he's just so fun and unhinged lol i love him so much!!! as for Arthur and Linus, they're... 🫠🫠🫠

“You make me feel like I’m burning up from the inside out.” "You are a fire, and they need to know how you burn." 

yup, i think just those 2 quotes alone can explain it all 🫠💗

honestly i was quite busy when i pick up this book, so finishing it took a long time, but i enjoyed it so much. i literally wish it to never end, i just want to keep reading 🥹
i highly recommend it, 5 stars worthy.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia

Moderate: Fatphobia, Confinement, and Body shaming

n_iniel's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Confinement, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Mental illness and Child abuse