Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The House in the Cerulean Sea, by TJ Klune

27 reviews

anna_wa's review against another edition

adventurous challenging hopeful

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, and Grief

Moderate: Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Child abuse

yoolia's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Grew to love literally every main character. Yes, even the children.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Grief, and Child abuse

sirkeili's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

I am absolutely floored by how much I love this book. From Linus' introduction, to his growth throughout the novel, to his final arc where he shines the brightest had me hooked.

Linus is both incredibly oblivious, and incredibly endearing. He reminds me a lot of Aziraphale; trying to do his job perfectly, but ultimately failing due to his endless compassion, empathy and boundless love.  The amount of times I was screaming both "Linus, for the love of god, LOOK" followed by me nearly crying at how soft he was is numerable.

The kids?  Arthur?  Zoe?  All of them were so endearing, and I loved them all so much. Theo and Lucy both are top contenders for my favourite kid, mostly due to their antics, but all of them are hilarious gremlins and their meddling is priceless.

Spoiler

I was not surprised Arthur was magical, as the hints were there, but the fact he was a FUCKING PHEONIX did actually.  The scene where Linus protects Helen from the rock, and you see how absolutely lethal Arthur can be in his form was absolutely cinematic.  The fact they have to have Zoe babysit the kids so they can bone each other in piece was absolutely hilarious as well, the poor things can't catch a break.  They're adorable dads, and the fact they are trying to save more children to give them a safe home, made me so damn emotional.

Overall, this feel-good story about found family and overcoming our own self-made limitations is a phenomenal novel.  I hope to see more of Linus and his family soon, I do miss them so! ❤️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Child abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Cursing, Confinement, Religious bigotry, Fatphobia, and Grief

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

sophie42's review

adventurous funny hopeful 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: Child abuse, Confinement, Xenophobia, and Fatphobia

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Grief and Fire/Fire injury

rosequarterdrifting's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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? No

3.75

idk... relaxing style but the metaphor was very hamfisted 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia

Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Xenophobia

m0usey's review against another edition

hopeful lighthearted tense 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

5.0

A really cute and fun read. There are some darker themes but it’s not tragic, and it feels good to read. Also, the world building is so good!! The picture the author paints of the world and of the characters jumps off the page and is totally immersive.

Overall it’s a lovely little love story about found family, finding happiness, and just a little bit of magic.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Child death, and Confinement

angelfireeast24's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Child abuse

Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, and Grief

isaaah's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death of parent, and Self harm

nebraskanwriter's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted slow-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

4.5

This book touched my heart so deeply, it reached inside of me and warmed me to my core. All of the children were so precious, even Lucifer.  What a lovely, feel good story. It made me feel warm and cozy, like sitting next to a nice fire. 

This was my face the entire time reading it: 🥺

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Homophobia, Child abuse, Xenophobia, Bullying, Abandonment, Ableism, and Medical content