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evarinya's review against another edition
- 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
2.25
I didn't like the "preachy" tone either - the idea of show don't tell seemed a little bit ignored, most things were either only told or shown and then explained afterwards. And sure, there were some good messages there, but it just felt very contrived.
The kids were somewhat cute after about half the book, once they had stopped with those annoying death threats.
The story was very much predictable, which doesn't have to be bad, but somehow in this case there... was not even a tiny twist on it or any kind of other kind of surprise...
Somehow the end made it even worse,
I mean, I do read books to escape from reality, but... this felt awkward to me...
I get that it's supposed to be all cozy and comforting, but I find if its too sugary it starts to feel fake at some point... And in this case it somehow managed to do just that.
Perhaps becasue I somewhat recently read "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches", which had a very similar theme but did it better (imho).
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
wai'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
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Xenophobia
marionlundqvist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
thequeengeek'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? No
3.5
It still was well written and I'm glad I read it.
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Xenophobia
jennyoli96'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
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Confinement, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse
jackyy93'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? It's complicated
3.5
I personally thought some of the dialogue was awkward to read, and that TJ Klune continuously made unnecessary comments about the mc's weight and played it off as the "bluntness of children"??
The writing reads more as a middle grade book, but if you're in the mood for something lighthearted and inspiring to read, you might enjoy this!
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Fatphobia
Minor: Child abuse
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: Bullying and Confinement
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
abwashere'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: Body shaming
itsalina'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? No
4.0
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Body shaming and Hate crime
arshiya_amreen90786's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Homophobia