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A review by craftysnailtail
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I'm sure I'm biased because I'm a fan of Klune, but I really enjoyed this sequel. It honestly wasn't what I expected, but who he dedicated this novel to immediately told me my assumption that this would be another extremely cozy, funny fantasy, was incorrect.
It's been a very difficult few years, as so many politicians, authors, etc have been extremely vocal about their disdain for specific members of the LGBT+ community. And I really felt like Klune was fed up and ready to use his skills as a writer to express this. That's what this book is. The politics are heavy, the analogy to real life is no longer charmingly blurred, and Klune does not mince words. I can understand why some people might find this repetitive and too in your face, but as someone who has watched friends suffer and fear for their own safety, some even having to leave their homes due to discriminatory laws- I didn't think it was over the top at all.
I laughed, I cried, and in the end, I'm left with the hope that change can happen if we fight for it. The children were just as delightful as the first book and their growth was realistic and sweet. There wasn't much romance in this one, but the little bits we did get were sappy and adorable.
It's a difficult read, which I didn't expect prior to starting. But I hope people will still give it a shot, because it's good. We need books like this. And I'm so happy it was Klune who took on the challenge.
It's been a very difficult few years, as so many politicians, authors, etc have been extremely vocal about their disdain for specific members of the LGBT+ community. And I really felt like Klune was fed up and ready to use his skills as a writer to express this. That's what this book is. The politics are heavy, the analogy to real life is no longer charmingly blurred, and Klune does not mince words. I can understand why some people might find this repetitive and too in your face, but as someone who has watched friends suffer and fear for their own safety, some even having to leave their homes due to discriminatory laws- I didn't think it was over the top at all.
I laughed, I cried, and in the end, I'm left with the hope that change can happen if we fight for it. The children were just as delightful as the first book and their growth was realistic and sweet. There wasn't much romance in this one, but the little bits we did get were sappy and adorable.
It's a difficult read, which I didn't expect prior to starting. But I hope people will still give it a shot, because it's good. We need books like this. And I'm so happy it was Klune who took on the challenge.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Sexism, Abandonment, and Colonisation