The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune follows the story of Linus Baker, a bureaucratic caseworker who is tasked with investigating an orphanage for magical children on Marsyas Island. Through his interactions with the children, including Lucy the Antichrist and other unique characters like a were pomeranian and an endearing blob, Linus undergoes a transformative journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love. The book combines elements of fantasy, found family, and queer romance, all wrapped in a heartwarming and enchanting narrative that explores themes of empathy, understanding, and the power of love.
The writing style in The House in the Cerulean Sea is described as charming, delightful, and heartwarming, with a touch of humor and magical realism. The story unfolds with a mix of whimsical elements, poignant moments, and gentle allegory, creating a narrative that celebrates diversity, found family, misfits, and queer love. The characters, especially the magical children, are portrayed with real and relatable emotions, making the book a comforting and uplifting read that resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.
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Has Romance?
The House in the Cerulean Sea has a medium level of romantic content, focusing on the developing relationship between the two male leads, Linus and Arthur.
From The Publisher:
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.
An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place-and realizing that family is yours.
A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER!
A 2021 Alex Award winner!
The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner!
An Indie Next Pick!
One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020"
One of Book Riot's "20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies"
Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune's bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger)
Ratings (637)
Incredible (165) | |
Loved It (221) | |
Liked It (124) | |
It Was OK (75) | |
Did Not Like (35) | |
Hated It (17) |
Reader Stats (1473):
Read It (635) | |
Currently Reading (15) | |
Want To Read (573) | |
Did Not Finish (31) | |
Not Interested (219) |
23 comment(s)
This book had me thinking about it for almost a year after I finished it. I love the characters, writing style and overall world building. This book is definitely a cozy fantasy and gave me a sense of home.
1.5 ⭐️
If we’re being completely honest here, I skimmed the last few chapters. I was so sick and tired of this book but at 70% I couldn’t DNF.
This book has
a few one redeeming quality
ies. I liked the dystopian and goofy workplace. It had a Joja Mart Corporate Office vibe that I loved. That's about it.
I’ll try to keep the things I didn’t like brief in an internet friendly numbered list.
1. The narrator. He was giving it his all which I’m sure most people like. I hated the annoying voices and they just made me cringe.
Cue the “All of a sudden I hear this agitating, grating…” TikTok audio
2. The inspiration behind the book. This book is very whimsical and cozy. Why would the author go on record and admit that it was inspired by the atrocities committed against Native American children? You couldn’t get that shit out of me on my death bed.
3. The writing. The way this is written comes off a really pretentious? I can't place my finger on it but something about the way people talk is really off-putting. Linus was the worst at this. I
think this was the author trying to portray anxiety? Or be funny? Not sure but it was bad.
4. The genre. I like cozy fantasy sometimes. Usually it is just an excuse to write a fantasy book with no real plot. I think that is what happened here. Like what is the point of this book. I guess it is the overall message of the book. However. . .
5. The message. It has like an “accept and love everyone” message. That's cute but it isn’t particularly well executed. This is marketed as an adult fantasy. The message is too juvenile for even young adult fantasy.
This is a Pixar level message. In fact, Pixar usually has a more complex and meaningful message. This is a sub-Pixar level message except it is written for adults. I truly don’t understand who this book is for.
6. The fatshaming. I didn’t think it was so bad that it would’ve ruined the book on its own. But in conjunction with all the other issues it was just another off-putting issue that gave me a weird feeling.
7. Just Boring. This goes along with point 4 but it was just boring to read. I felt like it had no direction. I didn’t care about the characters. I didn’t care about the thin plot. I had nothing to latch on to and with the annoying voices I was losing it.
This truly felt like something Pixar or Dreamworks was going to turn into a movie but decided it was bad and tossed it aside.
Can't believe I've forgotten to review this after I finished it a few days ago. I loved the book. It was just as charming goodness as I had hyped it up to be. Didn't get disappointed one bit! So glad I finally got my hands on this and I'm so eager to read the next one
“It’s—unfortunate. We get trapped in our own little bubbles, and even though the world is a wide and mysterious place, our bubbles keep us safe from that. To our detriment.”
The House in the Cerulean Sea was such a beautifully whimsical read! I could've finished it
much faster, but I made myself slow down because I didn't want to leave.
Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), makes visits to orphanages for inspection. The life he leads is mundane. He's very thorough at his job, he takes pride in following DICOMY's RULES and REGULATIONS to the letter, always remaining objective, no matter what; for these reasons he's chosen by Extremely Upper Management to spend one month on the island investigating an orphanage there along with its master and the six children he oversees.
“We haven’t received word of any wrongdoing, but the orphanage you’ll be going to is … It’s special, Mr. Baker. The orphanage is nontraditional, and the six children who live there are different than anything else you’ve seen before, some more than others. They’re … problematic.”
After a very long train ride, Linus reads the first of the six children's case files and what he reads causes him to faint flat out. This was the beginning of a very unexpectedly unusual adventure for Linus. One he never could've predicted, one that changed his life forever.
I
LOVED these children! They were so beautifully written. They are each, in their very unique ways, perfectly yet equally powerful, innocent and wounded enough to bring Linus out of his bubble; they, along with the orphanage's master Arthur Parnassus, help him truly see his job, his life and his dreams in full living color for the first time.
This was my first read by this author and I will definitely continue to read his MG books. This story was just as heartwarming as one of [a:Katherine Applegate|1036736|Katherine Applegate|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1561184801p2/1036736.jpg]'s and similarly left me believing, if only for a short time, that things can be better for everyone — no matter their perceived (or preconceived) differences.
I fell in love with this book so easily. A wonderful story that I never wanted to end.
SO SWEET. Goosebumps!
Characters and storyline
I loved it in the end, but I thought it danced around too long before getting to the meat of the story
****5.0****
This book has a big fan following. I wanted to pick this book from the time it was released just because of the lovely cover art and title.
“People suck, but sometimes, they should just drown in their own suckage without our help.”
It is a beautiful book. We meet Linus Baker, a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. He leads a quiet life in a small house with a cat , a few music records and a nosy elderly neighbour. His life goes on a tumble when he is assigned to a top secret mission on a magical island.
“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”
He meets a different set of kids with dangerous abilities and their care taker Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. Linus was leading a life which cant be called as a life with living. It was on this strange island Linus finds his home, finds how to really live, breathe and what it means to be a family.
“We should always make time for the things we like. If we don't, we might forget how to be happy.”
Emotional and very touchy book. I can't stop recommending it enough.
Happy Reading!!
Nothing like a 6yr old antichrist named Lucy.
What can you read after
The House in the Cerulean Sea?
About the Author:
TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important-now more than ever-to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.
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