Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - La casa en el mar más azul

Linus Baker is a Case Worker for the Department of Magical Youth, whose job it is to inspect the Orphanages where they often live. When he gets sent on a special assignment by Extremely Upper Management, he finds himself on an island with some very special and potentially very dangerous youngsters, and the master of their home, Arthur Pernassus. But as he gets to know them all, he must decide between his head and his heart.

A beautiful story, full of hope and plenty of heart. I adored both the story and the characters, and can’t wait to read the sequel.

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mariahmmm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

A world of dismal grey becomes cerulean for Mr Linus Baker when he is assigned to assess the suitability of a Level 4 orphanage that houses dangerous magical children.

This was a beautiful heartbreaking story of hatred born from fear, love and it's gentle change, and a man slowly becoming undone.

One star deducted because the story was inspired by the forced institutionalisation of native children in residential schools, and turning this trauma into a fantasy, with naive solutions and a magical happy ending to what is a complex problem, felt nonchalant. I do think, however, that this kind of story needs to be told to show how unintentionally ignorant we can be by sticking to the narrow viewpoint we've been told to live within- the rules and regulations we become accustomed to living by.

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lexcrv's review against another edition

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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

3.5

It's 2 a.m. and I'm sitting in my room, holding back tears. This book was a delightful, light read that filled me with all the warm, fuzzy feelings possible (something that not many books do, other than the occasional fanfiction).
This will most definitely be a recurring comfort read, and something I will be recommending to anyone I come across.

This is, objectively, a 3.5 stars in my mind, but a 5 stars in my heart.

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twistykris's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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cjackboox's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad 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? Yes

5.0

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partymccarty30's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

This book was worth the hype! I really loved it, definitely one of my favorite books that I've read this year. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love!

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fierygecko's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

Linus Baker begins this book as a painfully normal man with a relatively open mind who works a bland job and is attempting a diet. This book made me love him by the end. Every character in this story is unique, and many of them are lovable (or rightfully hate-able). This book is wordy, and can be repetitive, but I think at times it’s an effective way to show the reader Linus’ anxiety-ridden thought process. Linus’ obsession with his diet, and his conviction to follow the rules did bother me at the beginning, but by the end I understood why they were so important to mention. I found this story hopeful and fun, despite its darker subjects and the horrible realities Linus faces. He faces them with a good heart and a growing confidence, which is really satisfying to witness. It is also narrated with enthusiasm and a plethora of character voices that really bring the island to life.

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kyletav's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

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