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elliereadsthings's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
”You’re made of strong stuff on the inside, and it’s what’s on the inside the counts.”
Moderate: Child abuse and Hate crime
Minor: Hate crime, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
horriblehorrid's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Confinement and Religious bigotry
kyeruhh's review against another edition
Graphic: Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, and Religious bigotry
analea_lucille's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Religious bigotry, Death, Torture, Violence, and Racism
nevermoregothic's review against another edition
- 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 question is asked several times throughout the book and each time its asked it becomes more important and the answer becomes stronger. And my answer, every single time it's asked, is yes, more than anything.
I don't exactly know what I was expecting when I started reading The House in the Cerulean Sea, I certainly wasn't expecting to fall in love with it and the characters the way that I have.
Cerulean Sea is an incredibly important narrative. It's not a story about prejudice, and discrimination, and fear, and hate though those are powerful themes within the story. No, it's a story about overcoming all of that, it's a story about strength and how it only takes a few voices at the start to make a real change and difference. This is a story about compassion, empathy, understanding, and most of all, love.
It's a shame that we still live in a time where people can relate to the characters in this book but it's because we live in such times that this story is so vital. Linus, Arthur, Zoe, and the children are symbols of hope when things feel impossible. The world is changing for the better though it can be hard to see that at times.
The story delves into themes that have faced the human race for a very long time. Institutional discrimination, the phrase "See Something, Say Something" a rather stark reminder of the way certain groups have been treated by society for many years, even today. Hatred and fear spurned on by a lack of understanding and a refusal to learn. It even delves into how children are often failed by societies that don't truly accept them, the dangers of treating children like numbers in a system rather than human beings. Yet despite all the hardships, there is hope, because a single, tiny flame can spread. A single person raising their voice can make a huge difference in the long run.
Cerulean Sea, at its core, is a love story. Though romance is part of it, it's more than a romance story. It's love in so many forms. Acceptance, self acceptance, family, compassion, understanding. It's all so important.
Love and education are stronger than prejudice, regardless of how stubborn hate may be. Linus and Arthur are symbols of that in so many ways.
I also admire the representation in this story. A realistic depiction of middle aged gay men as more than just middle aged gay men is fantastic to read about.
We are more than what others think of us and we are more than the factors that make us up. I absolutely adore this book, so deeply.
Moderate: Confinement and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
lanid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia
sockandkey's review against another edition
- 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
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
brassmonkey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Xenophobia and Fatphobia
Minor: Religious bigotry
jessalex610's review against another edition
- 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
(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.
Graphic: Child abuse and Confinement
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Religious bigotry
sarahfr1end's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Eating disorder, Bullying, Confinement, Dysphoria, and Religious bigotry