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A review by davinareads
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
TJ Klune, HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CRY SO MUCH. This book wrecked my tear ducts. It wasn’t even sad—I’m just emotionally weak.
From the moment I started reading, The House in the Cerulean Sea, felt like being transported to an early 2000s animated movie—vivid, colorful, and full of heart. I can’t fully explain why, but I could absolutely see this playing out as a beautifully illustrated movie. It was so detailed.
Despite the somewhat bleak opening, there was a warmth woven into every page. It felt cozy, even when the story tackled heavier themes. And the cuteness? Overwhelming. Not just "oh, a single tear" cute—I mean full-on sobbing, snot included. I was disgusting. Nearing the end, I completely lost it and gave up trying to not cry.
The characters are EVERYTHING. They’re fictional, sure, but so incredibly well-written that they felt real. They had depth, heart, and a charm that made me want to protect them all. The found family theme was executed perfectly, and I will physically fight anyone who says otherwise.
This book is for those who love sweet, hopeful, feel-good stories. If you’re a sappy person, this will be your comfort read. If you’re someone who hates “fake hope” or ultra-wholesome narratives, this probably isn’t for you.
At its core, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a bright slice of light in an often dark world, and sometimes, that’s exactly what I need. Imagine X-Men, but instead of superheroes fighting battles, it’s a group of magical kids just trying to find a place to call home.
From the moment I started reading, The House in the Cerulean Sea, felt like being transported to an early 2000s animated movie—vivid, colorful, and full of heart. I can’t fully explain why, but I could absolutely see this playing out as a beautifully illustrated movie. It was so detailed.
Despite the somewhat bleak opening, there was a warmth woven into every page. It felt cozy, even when the story tackled heavier themes. And the cuteness? Overwhelming. Not just "oh, a single tear" cute—I mean full-on sobbing, snot included. I was disgusting. Nearing the end, I completely lost it and gave up trying to not cry.
The characters are EVERYTHING. They’re fictional, sure, but so incredibly well-written that they felt real. They had depth, heart, and a charm that made me want to protect them all. The found family theme was executed perfectly, and I will physically fight anyone who says otherwise.
This book is for those who love sweet, hopeful, feel-good stories. If you’re a sappy person, this will be your comfort read. If you’re someone who hates “fake hope” or ultra-wholesome narratives, this probably isn’t for you.
At its core, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a bright slice of light in an often dark world, and sometimes, that’s exactly what I need. Imagine X-Men, but instead of superheroes fighting battles, it’s a group of magical kids just trying to find a place to call home.