A review by spootilious
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.5

 

Read: January 5, 2025

Title: Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Series: Cerulean Chronicles #2

Author: TJ Klune

Genre:  LGBTQ Fantasy

Rating: 2.5/5

Review: 
In short: This was cute. 

TBH: I chose the worst time to read it. The issues in this book hit far too close to home at the moment. I knew going in that this was an anti-Rowling and very politically based novel. Yet, it was the sequel to such a sweet and heart-warming book… so, I wasn’t too sure what I was getting into. 

What I got was a strange mix of venom and sugar. I struggled with it. I have to respect Klune for wanting to be the anti-Rowling and he’s not doing a bad job of it… However, doing so in the Cerulean chronicles feels odd… even if it makes sense considering the premise of the government. Still, it’s such a contrast to the first book. 

I also found it to be extremely unsubtle, which made it a bit more boring than I expected it to be. 

Like the first, the dialog struggled in places but the characters (with few exceptions) were adorable and the idea behind it was engaging.

Overall a solid book, though I may have enjoyed it more if the anti-rowling message was chosen for a different one of his series. 

QUOTES:

N/A