After reading the emotional wreck that was The Wicker King by K. Ancrum, I needed a book that would make my heart burst with happiness instead of, you know, anguish. Anyway, enters Chai and her review of The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, which seemed to be everything I was looking for. And you know what? She was right.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
by T.J. Klune
Genre: fantasy, lgbtqia
Pages: 393
★★★★★
Synopsis: A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who 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.
An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.
“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story about found family™. We follow the main character, Linus Baker, a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth (DICOMY) for seventeen years, as he's assigned a sensitive case in the Marsyas Island Orphanage. Then, leaving his monotonous, safe, and bureaucratic life behind, we follow his one-month journey through the Island, getting to know its extraordinary inhabitants.
I love TJ Klune and his ability to write delightful stories. The House of The Cerulean Sea has amazing and surprising characters and if I was to choose my favorite one, I'd say this: Linus is the one we can all identify with. He's content with what he has and the job he does, but he's lost sight of who he could be and the things he can do. However, Arthur, the housemaster, is the one we hope to become. He's selfless and cunning and noble.
The children and Ms. Chapelwhite, the caretaker of the Marsyas Island, are a sight to behold. I refuse to describe them and ruin the fun for other readers, but I'll say this: one has to be very cold-hearted to not get attached.
“I'm afraid I don't have magic.""You do, Mr. Baker. Arthur told me that there can be magic in the ordinary.”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea
And, despite how interesting and well-built the characters were, I enjoyed the plot just as much. Dressed in fantastical elements, the story is about prejudice and the foster system and how society treats those who are different. It's about living a life dictated by bureaucracy versus truly living. The main character, Linus Baker, goes trough experiences that change his perspective of the, otherwise, black and white world, and we, the readers, are changed a little bit as well throughout the book.
The plot was touching and addictive, I read the whole 393 pages in a few hours, in my bedroom, squeaking in joy. The end was, well, I'm pretty sure by now that TJ Klune refuses to write disappointing endings and I'm okay with it.
Speaking of the author, I'd like to praise him for writing comforting queer stories (as a queer reader, I appreciate that very much). He has a knack for writing cozy fantasy and major character development. In The House in The Cerulean Sea, he also managed to write such intelligent dialogues and characters as well. As for some other point that stood out to me, the relationships formed within the island were well constructed, at a technical level, but also. at an emotional one. All characters are evolving throughout the pages and that's due to their relationship towards one another and, ultimately, towards oneself.
“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”― T.J. Klune, The House in the Cerulean Sea
I hadn't read anything by him except for the Green Creek series, but I'm looking forward to reading his other books as well.
Lastly, The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-warming and insightful story. It filled me with joy and wonder and I recommend it to anyone who needs a feel-good read in these dark times. Oh, and it's #ownvoices too!
till next time!
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