Book Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

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Book Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Decorative collage of book cover for The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
📝 What is The HOUSE IN THE Cerulean sea About?:

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in orphanages. When Linus is given a highly classified assignment to travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside, he must set aside his fears. Their charming caretaker Arthur Parnassus will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn. 

📚 Genre: FANTASY
🎧 Format: E-Book
💞 Feels: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25

The House in the Cerulean Sea was a cozy read for me. I enjoyed getting to know Linus, how regimented and lonely his life was. I couldn’t wait for the adventure to begin and for him to leave his dull life and have his eyes opened by this family with an open spot for him to join.

There were so many lovely characters. All the kids were described so well, I loved them instantly. I wanted Linus to hurry up and see what I was seeing, but it was worth the wait to see him fall in love with all of them.

So as I usually do, I read the description so long ago that I put out of my mind any assumptions I could’ve had. When Lucy was introduced to the story, guessing at his identity (correctly) had me giggling. I was locked in from Linus’ fainting spell. Linus was great comic relief….along with Lucy, of course, I hate to choose a favorite among the children; they all made me smile.

Excited to read the next book and see how the story will continue.

Getting technical

I don’t tend to enjoy large casts of characters, but they were all individuals, highly entertaining, and perfectly precocious.

Arthur’s secret should have been revealed a little earlier, since I guessed it around the midway point. I wanted the band-aid to be ripped off so we could move on and be happy immediately.

Loved noticing all the greek mythology references (86 Hermes Way, Linus, Calliope, Parnassus).

You’ll like this book, if…

You’ll like this book if you’re a fan of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Mary Poppins or any quirky adult adopting a group of precocious children.

✅ Spinoff novella nomination:

Well I know that Somewhere Beyond the Sea is digging further into Arthur’s family history; I would like to know more about Zoe Chapelwhite and the other adults of the story. And just any excuse for more books to see the children.

What are you reading? Let me know in the comments.

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