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tanouska's review against another edition
3.5
this one wasn't quite it for me, but I'm glad I read it so I can see how Klune's writing evolved ^^
pippin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-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? No
5.0
bmzhang's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
House in the cerulean sea is one of my favorite books I've ever read. This is one of the worst books I've ever read. Split one, indeed.
teresab78's review against another edition
3.0
OMG! The first part of the book was slow. I know it was need for world building, but still. The last part was all action, though I could have done with out the narrative forewarning; I already knew I wasn't going to like the end. It didn't end on as bad of a cliffhanger I had thought and it had much more romance than I expected. However "little man" should only be ever be used to reference a little boy, not a grown man of 25. Seven wavered between brutish and devoted in his treatment of Felix and Felix needed some major emotional control. I liked the story well enough that I will probably read the next book to find out what happens. I liked the world and the side characters, the narration just needed some editing.
write_of_passages's review
3.0
TL;DR: Burn has all the hallmarks that set apart TJ Klune's writing--powerful characters, emotional, supernatural elements, queer romance--without the polished finesse of his other works. It wouldn't be my first choice for his writings, but still offers an interesting world to get lost in without high emotional investment.
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: These characters are likeable enough. Not my favorite in relation to other characters the author has given us. The main romance to me is borderline uncomfortable, which is possibly connected to the author's thematic intent, however it had the adverse effect of leaving me less invested in their success.
PLOT/SETTING: To me the plot is stronger than the characters, though I felt myself skimming in several places when the pacing felt too bogged down. I also struggled with the usage of 'secrets' in the plot (see my profile re: miscommunication/secrets as plot devices). Similarly, one of the major plot-twists that led to the climactic moment didn't have any foreshadowing which left me feeling that it wasn't very realistic.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
While this story had the potential for high-emotional intensity, I would label it as right in the middle: the plot and stakes are heavier than a beach read, but the execution leave this story more surface-level than a cuttingly-deep life-changing read.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
This story is meant to have a sequel, but I finished this book feeling 'fulfilled' because my emotional investment was low enough that I didn't lose out from anything missing the mark. The end in fact finally left me feeling that a turning point had occurred in the relationship with the main romance that was a breath of fresh air, and I hope to see the protagonist come into his own in the sequel.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
I'm a huge fan of TJ Klune's and yes, I would still eventually read this book, but definitely after I'd exhausted my other options from his writings.
THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER-FREE
CHARACTERS: These characters are likeable enough. Not my favorite in relation to other characters the author has given us. The main romance to me is borderline uncomfortable, which is possibly connected to the author's thematic intent, however it had the adverse effect of leaving me less invested in their success.
PLOT/SETTING: To me the plot is stronger than the characters, though I felt myself skimming in several places when the pacing felt too bogged down. I also struggled with the usage of 'secrets' in the plot (see my profile re: miscommunication/secrets as plot devices). Similarly, one of the major plot-twists that led to the climactic moment didn't have any foreshadowing which left me feeling that it wasn't very realistic.
EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.
While this story had the potential for high-emotional intensity, I would label it as right in the middle: the plot and stakes are heavier than a beach read, but the execution leave this story more surface-level than a cuttingly-deep life-changing read.
CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled?
This story is meant to have a sequel, but I finished this book feeling 'fulfilled' because my emotional investment was low enough that I didn't lose out from anything missing the mark. The end in fact finally left me feeling that a turning point had occurred in the relationship with the main romance that was a breath of fresh air, and I hope to see the protagonist come into his own in the sequel.
WOULD I GO BACK IN TIME AND READ THIS BOOK KNOWING WHAT I KNOW NOW?
I'm a huge fan of TJ Klune's and yes, I would still eventually read this book, but definitely after I'd exhausted my other options from his writings.
madscientistcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not my favorite Klune book and it ends on a cliffhanger that will never be concluded D:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Transphobia
abhidnya's review
2.0
oooooo boy i have lots of problems with this one. i went in with high expectations. having read wolfsong and into this river i drown which both are emotionally gripping stories, i expected the same here. but this one is too fast paced, there's no character development. felix is immature, childish and so fucking extra. this book is just so dramatic and ott. it is way too long and every character other than felix and seven were interesting to me. the tone was a problem too. the humour seemed forced and the 'dark' parts weren't convincing enough. sometimes i felt like the story didn't take itself seriously and at other times, it was the opposite.
doesn't mean i didn't enjoy reading it, i did. i just wanted more. is there a sequel? i want to know more about maxius.
doesn't mean i didn't enjoy reading it, i did. i just wanted more. is there a sequel? i want to know more about maxius.
claudia_marcela's review
2.0
Felix ha estado escondiéndose durante años tras ser el causante de una tragedia familiar. Va de hombre en hombre y no se toma la vida en serio. Hasta que un desconocido llegué a su vida como un tren y ponga su vida patas arriba al hablarle de lo importante que es para el mundo en realidad.
¿Qué es esto? ¿Dos estrellas para un libro de TJ Klune? ¿Que no adoro cada palabra escrita de este hombre? Siempre existe una excepción a la regla, claro.
El autor nos engancha en una historia sobre humanos con poderes elementales, sobre un elegido y una profecía que habla de su destino y su importancia en el mundo. Incluye personajes carismáticos y una dinámica de grupo que es un claro preliminar a la grandiosidad de la manada Bennet en Greencreek.
Entonces si tiene tantos elementos emocionantes, ¿por qué no me enganchó? Mi gran problema son los protagonistas y su relación. Felix es un playboy y niñato berrinchudo y Seven es preocupantemente obsesivo. Sin importar la cantidad de explicaciones que nos pueda dar el autor sobre lo predestinado de su vínculo y que están hechos el uno para el otro... su relación dominante/obsesiva y casi primitiva me enciende todos los focos rojos que plagan nefastamente el romance erótico. Y como es Felix el narrador, resultan insufribles sus diálogos internos a pesar de lo interesante que pudiera resultar la historia.
Se deja leer y sirve para pasar el rato, eso sí. Para los que gusten de leer esta clase de química de pareja, seguro será más disfrutable que para mí.
El nivel de inglés para leerlo es intermedio alto (por todas las introspecciones de Felix, que necesitan un mayor nivel de comprensión).
Lo Mejor
La química grupal del Circulo. Me habría gustado conocer más del resto.
Lo Peor
El vínculo entre Seven y Felix es casi enfermizo. Una cosa es el instalove, esto es instaobsesión.
Citas
The choices humans make are like a ripple in a pond. They carry from one to another, bouncing, dancing. Colliding. And still they go on. But you. The choices you make are like a tsunami in the ocean.
¿Qué es esto? ¿Dos estrellas para un libro de TJ Klune? ¿Que no adoro cada palabra escrita de este hombre? Siempre existe una excepción a la regla, claro.
El autor nos engancha en una historia sobre humanos con poderes elementales, sobre un elegido y una profecía que habla de su destino y su importancia en el mundo. Incluye personajes carismáticos y una dinámica de grupo que es un claro preliminar a la grandiosidad de la manada Bennet en Greencreek.
Entonces si tiene tantos elementos emocionantes, ¿por qué no me enganchó? Mi gran problema son los protagonistas y su relación. Felix es un playboy y niñato berrinchudo y Seven es preocupantemente obsesivo. Sin importar la cantidad de explicaciones que nos pueda dar el autor sobre lo predestinado de su vínculo y que están hechos el uno para el otro... su relación dominante/obsesiva y casi primitiva me enciende todos los focos rojos que plagan nefastamente el romance erótico. Y como es Felix el narrador, resultan insufribles sus diálogos internos a pesar de lo interesante que pudiera resultar la historia.
Se deja leer y sirve para pasar el rato, eso sí. Para los que gusten de leer esta clase de química de pareja, seguro será más disfrutable que para mí.
El nivel de inglés para leerlo es intermedio alto (por todas las introspecciones de Felix, que necesitan un mayor nivel de comprensión).
Lo Mejor
La química grupal del Circulo. Me habría gustado conocer más del resto.
Lo Peor
El vínculo entre Seven y Felix es casi enfermizo. Una cosa es el instalove, esto es instaobsesión.
Citas
The choices humans make are like a ripple in a pond. They carry from one to another, bouncing, dancing. Colliding. And still they go on. But you. The choices you make are like a tsunami in the ocean.