evarinya's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Honestly? I found it kinda boring... I heard so many amazing things about it, perhaps my expectations where too high, but... Linus was a boring protagonist (also perhaps too old for me? At least he was written like a character that was supposed to seem "old and weary"). Also he was constantly overwhelmed the first half of the book, which is not something I like to read in general.
I didn't like the "preachy" tone either - the idea of show don't tell seemed a little bit ignored, most things were either only told or shown and then explained afterwards. And sure, there were some good messages there, but it just felt very contrived.
The kids were somewhat cute after about half the book, once they had stopped with those annoying death threats.
The story was very much predictable, which doesn't have to be bad, but somehow in this case there... was not even a tiny twist on it or any kind of other kind of surprise...
Somehow the end made it even worse,
I mean, I do read books to escape from reality, but... this felt awkward to me...
I get that it's supposed to be all cozy and comforting, but I find if its too sugary it starts to feel fake at some point... And in this case it somehow managed to do just that.
Perhaps becasue I somewhat recently read "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches", which had a very similar theme but did it better (imho).
I didn't like the "preachy" tone either - the idea of show don't tell seemed a little bit ignored, most things were either only told or shown and then explained afterwards. And sure, there were some good messages there, but it just felt very contrived.
The kids were somewhat cute after about half the book, once they had stopped with those annoying death threats.
The story was very much predictable, which doesn't have to be bad, but somehow in this case there... was not even a tiny twist on it or any kind of other kind of surprise...
Somehow the end made it even worse,
Spoiler
this kind of "oh because of a single person doing good now every "evil" person goes away and there are (almost) only "good" people left, rejoice!"I mean, I do read books to escape from reality, but... this felt awkward to me...
I get that it's supposed to be all cozy and comforting, but I find if its too sugary it starts to feel fake at some point... And in this case it somehow managed to do just that.
Perhaps becasue I somewhat recently read "The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches", which had a very similar theme but did it better (imho).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Physical abuse, Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Bullying
baearles's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Xenophobia
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Physical abuse, Torture, and Hate crime
kaimetcalfe's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Confinement, Child abuse, and Cursing
Minor: Cannibalism, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
⁹nehanaomi's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
i love it i love it i love it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Hate crime, Child abuse, Confinement, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, and Racism
singalana's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Tässäpä varsinainen hyvän mielen kirja. Kirjan luettua jää sellainen olo, että tarina jatkuu vielä, ei varsinaisesti siksi, että odottaisin kirjalle jatko-osaa, vaan tuntuu siltä kuin hahmot jatkaisivat elämäänsä vielä kirjan päättymisen jälkeenkin.
Kirjan hahmot ovat kaikki erilaisia sekä myös varsin erikoisia ihmisiä ja olentoja. Paitsi ehkä päähenkilö Linus, joka ainakin omasta mielestään on varsin tavallinen. Pidin erityisesti päähenkilön kasvusta, se oli hellyyttävää ja inspiroivaakin. Pitäisin koko kirjaa eräällä tavalla inspiroivana. On hieno saavutus kirjalle, jos se onnistuu herättämään lukijassa tunteita ja halun muuttaa jotakin omassa elämässään.
Tarina kertoo sosiaalityöntekijä Linus Bakerista, joka lähetetään työkomennukselle saarella sijaitsevaan orpokotiin, jossa on maagista nuorisoa. Orpokodin kohtalo on Linuksen käsissä, sillä hänen huolellisesti laadituista raporteistaan riippuu, mitä orpokodin kohtalosta päätetään.
Välillä kirja eteni minun makuuni paikoitellen hieman hitaasti, ja äänikirjan lukijalla oli hieman kuiva tyyli (toisaalta se oli ehkä sopivaa, ottaen huomioon että kirja kerrotaan Linuksen perspektiivistä. Kirja herätti muuten minussa sopivasti tunteita, ja olo lukemisen jälkeen oli oudolla tavalla toiveikas. Hyvän mielen kirja, jossa on äärimmäisen kaunis kansi.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
yellowcape's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
The gays were gaying!!!!
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in a long time. I struggle to write a review if not to just use words in a list. Heartwarming, wholesome, paternal, funny, beautiful, fantastic, clear, honest.
I think the subject of discrimination is handled delicately and is well executed. I loved our main character Linus from the first page, J-Bone is also a personal favourite along with Talia.
My sole criticism is that the first half of the book was paced a little too slowly for me but I am SO glad I picked it back up after a break - which I cannot state how rare that is once I put a book back on the shelf usually it is doomed to be ignored. However the characters were just so loveable (calliope I’m looking at you) that I was convinced.
P L E A S E read it. There were so many times I was giddy, grinning at the pages - honestly all but kicking my legs. The positive 2SLGBTQ+ representation is incredible and it’s so nice to read a book with queer characters where the relationship is so realistic and wholesome but not the main focus of the plot nor the characters.
This is one of the most beautiful books I have read in a long time. I struggle to write a review if not to just use words in a list. Heartwarming, wholesome, paternal, funny, beautiful, fantastic, clear, honest.
I think the subject of discrimination is handled delicately and is well executed. I loved our main character Linus from the first page, J-Bone is also a personal favourite along with Talia.
My sole criticism is that the first half of the book was paced a little too slowly for me but I am SO glad I picked it back up after a break - which I cannot state how rare that is once I put a book back on the shelf usually it is doomed to be ignored. However the characters were just so loveable (calliope I’m looking at you) that I was convinced.
P L E A S E read it. There were so many times I was giddy, grinning at the pages - honestly all but kicking my legs. The positive 2SLGBTQ+ representation is incredible and it’s so nice to read a book with queer characters where the relationship is so realistic and wholesome but not the main focus of the plot nor the characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Hate crime, Racism, Bullying, Confinement, Fatphobia, and Physical abuse
surelyorange's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
”You’re made of strong stuff on the inside, and it’s what’s on the inside the counts.”
”You’re made of strong stuff on the inside, and it’s what’s on the inside the counts.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Hate crime
Minor: Hate crime, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
tragedies's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
V.E. Schwab described The House in the Cerulean Sea as “being wrapped in a big gay blanket” and that is exactly what this is. It's comforting and warm, something you'd snuggle into when your soul is weary of the world and your heart jaded by the people in it. It feels like a gentle hug from an old friend or a hot chocolate on a cold rainy day. In some ways, it also feels like a Studio Ghibli film — whimsical and cheeky but also profound and incredibly thought-provoking.
The story follows Linus, a forty-year-old caseworker at the Department In Charge of Magical Youth. He evaluates orphanages with magical children and makes sure they are up to standard. Though he tends to keep his head down, he prides himself for his detailed case reports and believes that his objective eye would help the children in places he’s assigned to (or so he thinks). He is a creature of habit and is perfectly content with staying in his own bubble and living his orderly yet mundane routine, though he can’t help but think of something beyond gray walls and neat desks — the sight of vibrant cerulean seas. Eventually, he does get the chance to see them, not in the faded picture of his mousepad, but in real life.
One day, Extremely Upper Management gives Linus a top secret assignment and whisks him away to Marsyas Island, where the local orphanage is said to house the most dangerous magical children in the country. However, throughout the course of his stay, he begins to see that the children and Arthur, the unorthodox master of the orphanage, are much more than their case files. They are human, just like him. They should not be feared or hated; rather, they should be treated with kindness and compassion, so that they too can live, dream, and flourish just like any other person. Thus, as he spends more time with the people in Marsyas, he starts to question the bubble he’s lived in, the beliefs he held, the prejudices that colored his perspective, and the systems enforced by the institution he works for.
More than that, Linus slowly realizes that this house in the cerulean sea is not at all like the photo in his mousepad. Somehow, it is better. Though he had a job, food, and a roof over his head, the life he led before had a lonely, aching emptiness that he had long resigned himself to believing as his sole constant companion. Even if he did try to fill that void in him, society would deem him too fat and old for anything good to come out of it. I love how the book challenged that narrative and presented us with a story wherein someone like Linus does have a chance at love and happiness and that it is never too late to turn one’s life around to reach for them.
I know some people think the ending is too optimistic. Indeed, reality is often darker and more cruel than we could ever imagine, and stories that stay true to that have their place. However, I also think it’s important to have stories like The House in the Cerulean Sea that portray the world both as it is and as it should be. It shows us that there will always be Linuses, Arthurs, and hopeful tales of finding love and family in the most unexpected of places at the most unexpected of times.
P.S. TJ Klune, I am begging you. Please write a sequel. I've grown too fond of these characters. I need more of them please. Pretty please?
P.S. TJ Klune, I am begging you. Please write a sequel. I've grown too fond of these characters. I need more of them please. Pretty please?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
bwritesreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming
Moderate: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Confinement
lizcastner's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Fatphobia, Grief, Bullying, Confinement, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Forced institutionalization