A review by oatmilktea
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

emotional funny hopeful 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

5.0

This book is like a cup of hot chocolate: there is some bitterness, but just enough to make you appreciate that it’s mostly warm and sweet and comforting.

I loved the characters and the exploration of the bonds that exist and form between them. To me it was all about discovering what it means to love and be loved, and by that I don’t even mean the romance part of the story. The House in the Cerulean Sea also focuses on otherness and being othered by society.

This book is rather simply written, but it has wit and charm. It’s also rather predictable, especially where character development is concerned, but to me that doesn’t take away from the positives, of which there are many.

I have almost no notes on this. Aside from what I’ve already praised, I found this book to be actually funny, as in, I had to chuckle many times, which is rare for me (usually, supposedly “hilarious” books are not funny to me at all). The House in the Cerulean Sea made me laugh as well as tear up, and my heart is still melting when I think about Chauncey and his dream occupation.

The only thing that I personally would have changed is the epilogue. I think that it didn’t need half of what was in there, especially a romance thrown in at the very end without being hinted at at all in the story, as far as remember. But it’s only the epiloque, and I can choose to ignore what I didn’t like about it.

Overall, this is a new favourite for me. 
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