Reviews

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

mormsyy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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

5.0

Wow! I cannot even begin to explain how lovely this book was. When I first started reading it, I really wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. But my heart feels so warm and full after finishing it. 
The found family, the love, the quirkiness, EVERYTHING!

Such a fantastical, cosy read. It’s been a while since I laughed at a book as much as I did this one. 
The messages in the book were so beautiful, the characters so delightfully written. I felt like all of the characters on that island were my family just as much as they were a family to Linus. 

I just cannot recommend this book enough! So worth leaving my comfort zone for! 

no_muaddib's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

brettbennett's review against another edition

5.0

I read this years ago and to this day one of my favorites and one I recommend to others as a "must read." Such a gem!

booajun's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

It’s like if Studio Ghibli and The Umbrella Academy had a soft, heartwarming baby. Imagine a government worker with the charisma of a soggy paperclip finding himself in a seaside orphanage full of magical, quirky misfits...and somehow they change his entire life. It’s like a big, cozy hug with just the right amount of sass and whimsy. You’ll laugh, you’ll tear up, and you’ll 100% want to adopt at least one magical kid. Highly recommend for when you need a serotonin boost.

britany06's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.5

calebmatthews's review against another edition

5.0

Becca Sexton is amazing at her job! She recommended this book and she hit the nail on the head for me. Wow! I loved this book. It was beautiful. I listened on audio and read along with my eyes. I highly recommend the audio. The narrator is great and his Chauncey voice is precious. The characters in this book and the message of this book are heartwarming. What a great novel! I also recommend listening to the songs that are mentioned in the book on Spotify. There is a playlist you can follow if you search for the book title on Spotify.

Second read: still love it! Excited for the sequel.

anniedarlene's review against another edition

5.0

Super easy easy read. Storyline was cute as f. I will say I found it in the like regular "adult" fantasy section of b&n, but it could've been in the YA section.

It kept me captivated the whole time and even broke my little heart.

Honestly... read the book! It's a cute, light, funny, easy read.

maothao's review against another edition

5.0

I knew I was going to love this book when the first magical child Linus read about was Lucy. And I knew I was going to love it even more when he met Talia.

So many things to love and appreciate about this book. It's extremely funny. Everything about it is endearing, from the descriptions of the island and the sea to the very distinct personalities of each child. The way the children interact with one another to their interactions with Arthur and Linus. It's all so very endearing and reminds me of the young children I know in my life.

The burgeoning love between Linus and Arthur and just all the sizzling-ness that was going on every time they were together. I was rooting for them, for the children, for every time Linus stood up for Arthur and the children. I was rooting for Helen. I was pretty much rooting for anything and everything good in this book. And when they prevailed over the bad, it made me so happy. Because in this book, good triumphs over bad.

I expected this book to be darker but I'm glad that it was not. To fully express just how much I appreciated this book and how happy it made me; I don't think I've been so entertained and felt so much happiness at reading a book in a long time (at least since 2020).

rachelannekass's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

james_anderson's review against another edition

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