Review – The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune (5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Tor Books
Release Date: March 17, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1250217288
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 5/5 stars

“Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He’s tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.”

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book that I borrowed from the library.

Story (5/5): I had very high expectations coming into this book and they were definitely met. I read this whole book in two sittings and loved it. It is just a sweet and feel good story with a lot of quirky characters with strange powers, in an even stranger situation. It’s about accepting people for who they are (even if they do have tentacles), doing the right thing, and finding a place you can call home. It is a story that is beautifully written and beautifully put together.

Characters (5/5): The characters are what make this book. Linus is such a good representation for what a lot of humanity is; accepting, hardworking, and trying to make it day to day. His transformation throughout the story is incredibly inspiring. Then of course there are Arthur and the children; they all have a lot of depth and end up being very different from how they are initially represented.

Setting (5/5): This book alternates between two settings; Linus’s home and the house on the island by the sea. Both are night and day to each other and make for a beautiful contrast. The description of both settings make them really come alive and I love how they contrast and play off each other. The broader alternate world where magic exists is also well done.

Writing Style (5/5): This is incredibly well written and has a very tongue in cheek tone to it at times (especially in the beginning) that makes it a lot of fun to read. I loved the way the story was put together and was completely engaged in it from page one. There is a lot of humor in here, a lot of character growth, an excellent plot and a fun alternate world. This story has huge impact, and I will think about it a lot. It was definitely a tear-jerker in a number of places, as well as making me laugh out loud in other places. It was a very fun one to read during the holiday season because of the themes are friendship and family (of course with some anti-christ, tentacles, and violent shoveling involved).

My Summary (5/5): Overall I loved this and it immediately made me go and check out what other books Klune has written. It ends up, I have another book from Klune on my shelf to read “The Lightning-Struck Heart” and I didn’t even realize it. I am doubly excited to read that book now. I would recommend this to those who enjoy quirky, fun, yet heartfelt, stories about those with unique powers who are just trying to make a living for themselves.