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polypropylena's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Torture, Violence, and Abandonment
jialianyang's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
What a wholesome book! At first the main character seems dull, an unlikeable, unremarkable bureaucrat. When he leaves for a mysterious important assignment, he is scared flustered, and overwhelmed. He leaves the place a changed man- courageous, curious, and in love in more ways than one. Perfect for lovers of fantasy, adventure, magic, and queer romance. A wholesome book about family, belonging, and home that is more than meets the eye.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
astrangewind's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a gem of a book, & TJ Klune is a gem of an author.
Being queer & autistic, I have often felt othered throughout my life by virtue of who I am. The story of Arthur Parnassus & his wards teaches us that it's not who we're born to, or what we are, that defines us; it's how we treat others. & poor, misguided Linus Baker teaches us that it's never too late to change your mind, to learn to accept, to love, to let color into your life despite said color turning your world upside down.
Truly, Linus learns what really matters and where he belongs, casting aside his grey, corporate existence & finding his stride. He learns to love those who are different, & to use his connections (& newfound confidence) to keep them safe.
Klune's love stories, too, are flawlessly executed. As a queer person, it's important for me to see representation, but not just any representation - representation that's kind, & whole, & free of tragedy. The central love story (Linus & Arthur, though that's not hard to guess) isn't a story of coming out, or being hurt, or being discriminated against for their queerness; it's as normal as any non-queer relationship, & so little attention is drawn to the fact that they like men. It's so necessary to have queer stories where queerness is normalized.
This same principle shows up with the children, too. Talia - a female gnome, who is also a child - has a beard, as she should. I'm also a big fan of media where the dragons (or wyverns) are friends instead of enemies. Everything that the children are is normalized.Truly, I don't think anyone else would've been able to pull off the Antichrist bit, too.
While I did love this book, it started to drag its feet by the end. It seems like the last quarter of it was just characters monologuing at each other, and then the other side just magically changing their minds after being lectured. (I do love a happy ending, but I love a realistic happy ending more.) It just moved so slowly, & was extremely heavy-handed in terms of the message. This was perhaps intentional, but the book was doing fine getting across the message without the monologuing. Reminds me of trying to hit an essay word count in high school. Really, though, this is a minor thing in comparison with the rest of the book, which I deeply, deeply, enjoyed.
Being queer & autistic, I have often felt othered throughout my life by virtue of who I am. The story of Arthur Parnassus & his wards teaches us that it's not who we're born to, or what we are, that defines us; it's how we treat others. & poor, misguided Linus Baker teaches us that it's never too late to change your mind, to learn to accept, to love, to let color into your life despite said color turning your world upside down.
Truly, Linus learns what really matters and where he belongs, casting aside his grey, corporate existence & finding his stride. He learns to love those who are different, & to use his connections (& newfound confidence) to keep them safe.
Klune's love stories, too, are flawlessly executed. As a queer person, it's important for me to see representation, but not just any representation - representation that's kind, & whole, & free of tragedy. The central love story (
This same principle shows up with the children, too. Talia - a female gnome, who is also a child - has a beard, as she should. I'm also a big fan of media where the dragons (or wyverns) are friends instead of enemies. Everything that the children are is normalized.
While I did love this book, it started to drag its feet by the end. It seems like the last quarter of it was just characters monologuing at each other, and then the other side just magically changing their minds after being lectured. (I do love a happy ending, but I love a realistic happy ending more.) It just moved so slowly, & was extremely heavy-handed in terms of the message. This was perhaps intentional, but the book was doing fine getting across the message without the monologuing. Reminds me of trying to hit an essay word count in high school. Really, though, this is a minor thing in comparison with the rest of the book, which I deeply, deeply, enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Genocide, Hate crime, Torture, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
bharlow8's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
Super slow to start and a bit nuanced for my taste but good once it picked up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death, Cannibalism, and Death of parent
njh_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
I started this book first in December 2023 and couldn't get into it, so I put it to the side for a bit and then came back to it.
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
The kids all grew on me and each I thought was unique in their own way. I think some kids were fleshed out better/more than others (Lucy and Sal) and I think that was also due to who had the most one-on-one alone time with Linus (since the story follows Linus). Now that the sequel is coming, I hope this may change in the next installment. Just felt like some kids got more focus, which while I know no book would ever cover all characters equally, would've been nice to have a bit more in depth look at Chauncey besides just the bellhop/monster under the bed and Thalia besides gardening/grave digging and Phee with growing plants/being a sprite. Also just noticed that all the magical female characters in the book have something to do with plants.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
emmagreenwood's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Classism
openbookheartmind's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
starlily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Hate crime, Torture, Violence, Grief, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
scmiller's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Torture, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism
shamciar's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I enjoyed this book a lot. I wanted to find a fantasy book with queer characters that didn't use typical fantasy love stories, and this book delivered. Unfortunately, Klune's inspiration for the premise of this book is extremely questionable at best and I would heavily consider that anyone look that up before decided to read this book. Part of me wants to say that you can enjoy the story if you can look past it, but personally I can't ignore it when he could have entirely avoided most if not all of the problematic content. Disheartening, but that's on me for not doing my diligence beforehand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia
Minor: Torture