Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

44 reviews

njh_books's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

 I started this book first in December 2023 and couldn't get into it, so I put it to the side for a bit and then came back to it.

Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.

The kids all grew on me and each I thought was unique in their own way. I think some kids were fleshed out better/more than others (Lucy and Sal) and I think that was also due to who had the most one-on-one alone time with Linus (since the story follows Linus). Now that the sequel is coming, I hope this may change in the next installment. Just felt like some kids got more focus, which while I know no book would ever cover all characters equally, would've been nice to have a bit more in depth look at Chauncey besides just the bellhop/monster under the bed and Thalia besides gardening/grave digging and Phee with growing plants/being a sprite. Also just noticed that all the magical female characters in the book have something to do with plants.

Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.

Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.

Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.

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Some favorite quotes:

“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)

“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)

“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)

“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)

“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)

“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)

“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376) 

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail

dmrains's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

I loved this book so much! I love all the children and Arthur and Linus and Zoe so much, I can't pick a favorite. I read this book faster than anything I've read in a long time because I couldn't wait to escape into their beautiful world

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Hate crime, and Confinement

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Death

emmagreenwood's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Racism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Grief, and Hate crime

scarlett_f's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

4.0

Recommend for teens+. Pages: P. 156 'A vagina being penetrated by a penis.' P. 263 use of pot/marijuana. PP. 274, 276 'deft little bitch'. P. 363 '...shove demerits up his ass.' The Anti-Christ. Just some items to be aware of that may not be suitable for a younger age. Positive queer representation. Belonging, family, nature vs nurture, inclusion, acceptance.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Drug use, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury

thebibutterfly's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Although this is a  slow-paced story with very simple and sometimes stilted prose, it’s a new favourite! Not only is every detail purposeful and well-placed, but the characters are fully fleshed-out and beautifully crafted. The relationship was slowly and painstakingly developed, which was a welcome change in a fantasy novel. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked reading from Mr. Baker’s POV, but by the 30% mark, I understood why the author chose him. It’s an interesting depiction of prejudice and the approach to the topic is nuanced and thoughtful. Absolutely adored Arthur and Talia, but Lucy was honestly the star of the show.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Confinement

starlily's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, and Abandonment

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, and Body shaming

Minor: Violence, Torture, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Grief

keelirae113's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

This book is a love letter to everyone who has ever been made to feel that they don’t belong. You deserve a family who loves you just as you are, even if that means you have to go out and find them for yourself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Ableism, Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders

fatedefied's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Xenophobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Homophobia

friendly_neighborhood_grandma'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

4.5

I loved the narrator! 
The story is very wholesome, reminds me of the secret society of irregular witches, maybe even better:) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Child abuse, Abandonment, Ableism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Confinement, and Cursing

sallytiffany's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

I liked the book. Thought it was well done. But definitely wasn’t as good as the hype. But well done characters and a good moral. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Racism, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief