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A review by alba_marie
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Hate is loud only because it's a few desperate people shouting."
I honestly loved this book. It took me a long while to get to it... I was listening to another audiobook, and then there was the small matter of giving birth and taking home a small baby, not to mention hosting my family and what feels like half the county as visitors. So I kept hitting renew... until I realised I had just days left to finish the whole book. I managed it – only just! – and so glad I did.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting fantasy story about the world's most dedicated worker (and most boring man) Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Dept. of Magical Youth, who is sent on a top secret mission to analyse operations at an orphanage on a secluded island. At first stolid and painstakingly professional, he slowly becomes attached to the children at the house, sent there due to their "dangerous" magical traits or parentage. It is endearing to witness his transformation from soulless government bureaucrat to loving guardian and custodian of the orphanage and the six unusual children who live there, run by the enigmatic Arthur Parnassus and the kind-hearted forest sprit Zoe.
Linus' characterisation is predictable but nonetheless endearing. The end – my least favourite part – is a bit cheesy and you'll see it coming. But it'll put a smile on your face and warm your soul. And that's what this book is. It deals with complex issues such as social work and the foster system, prejudice and hate, self love and acceptance for who one is, but at the end of the day, The House in the Cerulean Sea is essentially comfort mac and cheese in book format. 100% recommend.
I honestly loved this book. It took me a long while to get to it... I was listening to another audiobook, and then there was the small matter of giving birth and taking home a small baby, not to mention hosting my family and what feels like half the county as visitors. So I kept hitting renew... until I realised I had just days left to finish the whole book. I managed it – only just! – and so glad I did.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting fantasy story about the world's most dedicated worker (and most boring man) Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Dept. of Magical Youth, who is sent on a top secret mission to analyse operations at an orphanage on a secluded island. At first stolid and painstakingly professional, he slowly becomes attached to the children at the house, sent there due to their "dangerous" magical traits or parentage. It is endearing to witness his transformation from soulless government bureaucrat to loving guardian and custodian of the orphanage and the six unusual children who live there, run by the enigmatic Arthur Parnassus and the kind-hearted forest sprit Zoe.
Linus' characterisation is predictable but nonetheless endearing. The end – my least favourite part – is a bit cheesy and you'll see it coming. But it'll put a smile on your face and warm your soul. And that's what this book is. It deals with complex issues such as social work and the foster system, prejudice and hate, self love and acceptance for who one is, but at the end of the day, The House in the Cerulean Sea is essentially comfort mac and cheese in book format. 100% recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime and Racism