The House in the Cerulean Sea
Books | FICTION / Fantasy / Contemporary
4.6
(252)
T. J. Klune
An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place - and realizing that family could be yours. 'I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect' - V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue He expected nothing. But they gave him everything . . . Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he's spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages. Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside - including the Antichrist. At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if they could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . . The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is an uplifting, heart-warming fantasy tale that's become a New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller. 'Likely to cause heart-swelling' - Washington Post 'A modern fairy tale . . . It's a beautiful book' - Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of Dead Until Dark 'Touching, tender and truly delightful' - Gail Carriger, author of Soulless
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More Details:
Author
T. J. Klune
Pages
400
Publisher
Tor, a Tom Doherty Associates Book
Published Date
2021
ISBN
1529087945 9781529087949
Community ReviewsSee all
"So this book was super cute and charming! A fun light read that made me giggle. It also had some hard lessons tied in in weird ways about racism, prejudice, and twisted foster systems that were definitely not made up for the purpose of the story.<br/>The children the main character is sent to observe and check up on are not normal in appearance but certainly do everything a normal child would. Their unique personalities and comments were my favorite part of the book.<br/>If fantasy isn’t your normal genre, I don’t think that should deter you from reading this great book."
"The feeling when you find a something that you didn't know you needed till it engulfs you. It's as if a little chamber opens up in your heart for all the characters you fell in love with to fit in perfectly. This had the gratifying sensation of a children's book with a side of fierce-heart affection.<br/><br/>All of these magical beings, no matter their powers or parents, were simply children. The story was remarkably relatable in the fact that they were abused, discriminated against and used just because they were deemed different. We still live in this world today. Who has the power to measure a humans life? Witnessing these sweet children being demonized made me feel that motherly protection, the kind you think will burst from your skin when a child is being harmed, emotional or otherwise. An invisible blanket of steel sheltering them from the world. Ah if it were that easy.<br/><br/>That aside this was still wholesome and fun read. A little more adult than I was expecting but not in a bad way. I was just regretting the fact that I couldn't recommend it to my niece because of how wonderful the story was and the good morals it shared. I wish to remark on each of the six children because I have come to love them in the only way a mother lion could. Though Linus did an amazing job with that too. There was brilliant set of character arcs that would warm the coldest of hearts. Watching Linus start living and ask questions of himself and others he was otherwise scared to, made me so proud. I also felt as though Phee were talking about Linus when she mentioned the roots that hid under the ground to one day burst forth and change the world. It seemed that Linus had always been good he was just waiting for the right nudge to grow.<br/><br/>The narrator Daniel Henning made a host of characters so very fun and memorable. Theodore with his special treasure and buttons. Phee stronger than she knows. Talia and Lucy together, what a mischievous pair. Sal who broke my heart with his sweetness. And Chauncey who never gave up on his dream. I fell for them all. I didn't have a choice.<br/><br/>It's a sign of a good writer when they can make you feel like family and I did, before I knew it I felt like I belonged.<br/><br/>"Don't you wish you were here?"<br/>"Yes, I think I do."<br/><br/><br/><br/>------Spoilers<br/><br/><br/>-----------------------------<br/><br/><br/>----------------------------------------<br/><br/><br/>--------------------------------------------------<br/><br/><br/>------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/><br/>-----Character notes-----<br/><br/><br/>*Linus Baker- 40, wide hips spare tire belly<br/>*Arthur Parnassus- Master of the orphanage, spindly man, 45<br/>*Zoe- Care taker of the island, white fluffy cloud hair atop her head, skin dark and lovely, old eyes voilet, bare feet, an island sprite, engaged to a fairy king<br/><br/>*Phee- dirty, bright freckles, pail skin, fire red hair, barefoot, thin wings translucent, forest sprite, earthy scent<br/>*Talia-she gnome, 263, white hair and beard, loves to garden<br/>*Lucy- 6 year old boy, missing 2 front teeth, devilish smile, black hair, blue/red eyes, father the devil<br/>*Sal- large boy, ware-pomeranian, dark skin, likes to write<br/>*Chauncey-10, species unknown, wants to be a bell hop, green blob, red lips, black teeth, eyes on stalks on top his head, tentacles, changes colors<br/>*Theodore- wyvern, loves treasures from the people he loves"
"an INCREDIBLY slow burn, but super sweet and heartwarming. more abt the story than abt the romance but still a sweet book."
F T
Faith Taylor
"What a magical, witty and beautiful story! I absolutely enjoyed this book.<br/>Linus Baker who works as a case worker for the department of Magical youth sets out on an assignment to investigate an orphanage out by the cerulean sea. When he arrives he is greeting by a group of magical children being brought up in the estate run my Arthur Parnassus. Linus is sent to report on the activities and behaviors of the children, to help determine if the school needs to be closed or if any of the children pose a danger to society and each other. You see a very stern and logical almost ridged character in Linus as you experience his journey. A character that follows the rules by the book, quiet, reserved and very un-adventurous. I love as the plot progresses you see Linus really change and open up. His experience with the children and the orphanage really really flourish his character. He falls in love with the children and Arthur. I was whisked away on adventure, even giggling out loud through the story. Love Love the characters, the mischief, the humor. Very heart felt. Sad to have finished this book, ill be sure to re-read again; Lucy is my favourite by far."
""A home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with." <br/><br/>The House in the Cerulean Sea is such a damn delight to read, and I really enjoyed it. I had so much fun with this story. I would love to be a were-pomeranian. It's whimsical and sweet, and the perfect pick-me-up. <br/><br/>CW - child abuse (side storyline), fatphobia"
"Recommended to me by friends, strangers, book suggestions and everything in between and I finally got to it. They all nailed it. I couldn’t put the book down and read it in less than a week which I haven’t done in years and years! I missed that feeling. Cute, quirky, whimsical, and wholesome. I found myself imagining a Wes Anderson movie with a little bit of Tim burton. Loved it!!"
"I think there's nothing to do but accept that this book is instantly seizing a place among my comfort rereads. I adore every character in this wonderful book. I expected to love this, but I didn't anticipate just how many feelings it gave me."
E
Emily
"This book has wonderful reviews from many friends and I guess it didn’t live up to the hype. I can see why people love the story, with its feel good messages and quote worthy writing. But I couldn’t get into the story. I found myself distracted often while reading. It just didn’t grab me and pull me in."
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