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A review by earlgaytea711
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
The moment I heard this book described as two queer men find a family with magical orphaned children I knew I had to read it and that I would likely love it. I wasn’t wrong. I adored every second of reading this book and I was sad to close it when I reached the final page. I’m already excited to reread it.
The first few pages of the novel I was a bit put off by Linus if I’m being honest but that quickly changed. He’s pragmatic and boxed into the life he’s built for himself. But I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be as he grows and learns throughout the novel. I was completely enamored with him as a character since he’s so different from myself and yet so similar. I loved watching his journey.
Arthur, Zoe, and the children of Marsyas Island Orphanage were absolutely amazing to read. They were people with issues and flaws and still so completely loveable. I miss them and I’m not above possibly scouring Archive of Our Own for fanfiction to continue the experience and be able to sit with these characters again. I could gush about all of them individually but I will save you that and just say I loved them all because of and in spite of their flaws.
The plot itself was so interesting and unique to me. I’ve never read a book like this before and I hope I can read many more like it. The plot was so well executed and even though I could predict the twist I think that was more from good foreshadowing rather than predictability. I enjoyed realizing I was right rather than feeling like it was boring.
I think the message of this novel, while a little heavy handed, was nice and fit well within the world Klune built. I loved the casual queerness peppered through the novel. I love that it ended on a good note. I just loved it. The entire reading experience. I highly recommend everyone to pick this up. It’s so good.
The first few pages of the novel I was a bit put off by Linus if I’m being honest but that quickly changed. He’s pragmatic and boxed into the life he’s built for himself. But I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be as he grows and learns throughout the novel. I was completely enamored with him as a character since he’s so different from myself and yet so similar. I loved watching his journey.
Arthur, Zoe, and the children of Marsyas Island Orphanage were absolutely amazing to read. They were people with issues and flaws and still so completely loveable. I miss them and I’m not above possibly scouring Archive of Our Own for fanfiction to continue the experience and be able to sit with these characters again. I could gush about all of them individually but I will save you that and just say I loved them all because of and in spite of their flaws.
The plot itself was so interesting and unique to me. I’ve never read a book like this before and I hope I can read many more like it. The plot was so well executed and even though I could predict the twist I think that was more from good foreshadowing rather than predictability. I enjoyed realizing I was right rather than feeling like it was boring.
I think the message of this novel, while a little heavy handed, was nice and fit well within the world Klune built. I loved the casual queerness peppered through the novel. I love that it ended on a good note. I just loved it. The entire reading experience. I highly recommend everyone to pick this up. It’s so good.