Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

133 reviews

daisiesandbees's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization

Minor: Death of parent, Violence, Physical abuse, and Genocide

sockandkey's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

Devoured this in less than a week. Extremely disappointed when I realized the (white) author was inspired to make a lighthearted fantasy by the 60s scoop (yikes), which was handled poorly, in retrospect

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Hate crime, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Ableism, Eating disorder, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Self harm

sohva's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

One of the most heartwarming books I've read in a while! This is a perfect book when you just want to escape a bit to a sweet fluffy world. The only negative I have is that the book is occasionally a bit too cheesy.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, and Body shaming

Minor: Death of parent and Bullying

marthadude's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.5

Cute but almost to the point of cringe in places. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Hate crime

lonely_tardigrade's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

4.75

this book genuinely felt like a warm hug. it was the first book i’ve finished in probably a year or more. the vibes it gave off (not content) felt like the vibes of watching the owl house. a wholesome story with a bit of danger. and the characters are all so unique and lovable in their own ways.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia

Moderate: Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Torture, Child abuse, Violence, and Confinement

Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Abandonment, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Hate crime, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Murder

funky_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Racism

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Hate crime, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

grizzlysnack's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Physical abuse, Violence, and Death of parent

abbiechron's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

Seriously cannot recommend this book enough. The audiobook added lots of quirky character building with different voices. There were many smiles, heartaches, and times where I just sat laughing literally out loud. Fantastic comfort book with an undertone of mystery.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Murder, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, and Gaslighting

jessalex610's review against another edition

adventurous 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

3.75

One of the cutest books I’ve read this year! 

(8/24/22 edit)
I demoted it down a bit (4.5 to 3.75) bc while i still think it’s a cute book that handles themes of chosen family, belonging, and understanding in a sweet and hopeful way, reading about how this story is apparently inspired by the Sixties Scoop ruined the magic a bit. The way this sweet sugary story is supposed to be inspired from an unbelievably traumatizing part of First Nations history just leaves a sour aftertaste for me. Especially after reflecting on how savior-y Linus’ good guy arc developed over the story and the little things he said here and there. TJ Klune should’ve just said this was a cute gay book centered around mystical creatures and acceptance and just left it at that :/ but i am ultimately glad i ended up reading it for myself b/c without knowing this context, it was just the sweetest most wholesome story and i would die for every single kid in this book. 

And don’t let my criticism  dissuade you from reading the book! Just be aware, do your own research, and keep this context in mind as you read through. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement

Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry

m0usey's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

A really cute and fun read. There are some darker themes but it’s not tragic, and it feels good to read. Also, the world building is so good!! The picture the author paints of the world and of the characters jumps off the page and is totally immersive.

Overall it’s a lovely little love story about found family, finding happiness, and just a little bit of magic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, and Confinement