Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Ház ​az égszínkék tengernél by TJ Klune

983 reviews

dillonsees's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is in my top 100 books of all time! It invites you on this journey with many fun and very lovable characters. Its reminds you it’s the little things like a button or a song, maybe a touch of someone’s hand in yours or even a dance with someone you care for. 

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cindypepper's review against another edition

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hopeful 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

3.75

I generally liked The House in the Cerulean Sea, but I would have appreciated this a lot more had I read it in 2020 (aka sequestered in my apartment and in dire need of all the cozy reads). The setup was very high-stakes, but the plot ended up feeling low-stakes, such that I kept expecting something to happen. I liked the characters (Lucy was lowkey my fave), even if Nigel was a total drip for most of the book. It's a smooth, easy read that would make a good (literary) palate cleanser.

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rueys's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

adorable and emotional, coupled with enchanting prose from klune . don't expect this book to change your life or something, but go into it knowing that its message will hit home :] 

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meghan_w's review against another edition

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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? Yes

5.0

Wrap me up in this book 🥹 Sweetest story! This book shows the beauty and power of found/chosen family. We don’t have to be flesh and blood to be family. This story uses such beautiful imagery and the sweetness of children to teach us the importance of loving instead of hating. I personally love kids and their wit, so the story hit perfectly for me in that regard. The author captures the innocence and not so innocent aspects of children/teenagers. I have such a passion for children being treated with love, regardless of their family of origin and background. All kids deserve adults who love them. And just as importantly - adults also deserve love and happiness in their lives. We’re not meant to lead mundane lives revolving around 9 to 5/Monday to Friday. This story reminds us to find what makes us happy outside of our daily responsibilities. 

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atlantisfrost's review against another edition

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funny 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

3.75

A cozy story that also gets deep into social issues. The young characters were my favourite part of the story; the adults really got on my nerves. I wasn't a fan of all the philosophical discussions (the dialogue wasn't realistic and tended to drag) and the way song lyrics were written into sentences. Other than that, the writing was wonderful. 

Cerulean was recommended as similar to The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, but I prefer Witches as a cozy, comfort, found-family read.

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linde13's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

For context: as much as I love to read, I rarely buy books. The few books I buy tend to be nonfiction that I've read through the library and are useful enough that I want to refer back to; everything else, I'm normally happy to check out from the library and read once or twice. I haven't bought a fiction book in years.

I bought this one immediately after I read it.

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vampymary's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

This is such a lovely lighthearted fantasy. And the descriptions are great, you can totaly imangine the ambiance and the characters. Part of me hopes they will make a movie/series out of this book because it would do great on screen.. part of me hopes they dont in fear of it being misrepresented and ruined

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njh_books's review against another edition

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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.

____________________
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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lisa_m's review against another edition

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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

4.25


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ejsullivan's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0


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