A review by niffler_for_words
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

“You want me lost, but I am found in the breaths I take, in the space between heartbeats. I am found because I refuse to be in black-and-white, or any shade of gray. I am color. I am fire. I am the sun, and I will burn away the shadows until only light remains. And then you will have no choice but to see me”

Finding my way one more time to that crooked house in the Cerulean Sea felt like a delicious treat, even if it was only for a few chapters. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is one of my most anticipated reads this year and in that excerpt, I met again everything I loved in the first book.

It was like coming back home after a long trip, or seeing your old college friends after years. Just like in HCS, I couldn’t help but laugh (hard), cry (a lot), and, most important, felt seen and heard. Chapter one begins a year after the events in the first book, all the children have grown up, which doesn’t prevent chaos from reigning in the house, as puberty lingers over some of its residents. This time, as Arthur and Linus travel to the city, Arthur is the stranger, and this is his POV we follow. They left their colourful family at home on the island, and it feels like the book will be darker, even though what I could read until now wasn’t. 

I found in these few chapters the same comfort and depth I had felt while reading HCS, that feeling that we have here a book that can (and should?) be read by anyone, no matter if they’re an outcast or not, no matter their age. Once again, with the use of metaphors (or direct speech) the author confronts us to diversity and how we can make our voice heard. I can’t wait until September to read the whole book (this review will be enriched and/or changed then) –or before, should a complete ARC be available. 

Thank you so much NetGalley, TJ Klune and Tor for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.