Sharonica’s Logical Review of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” –by– TJ Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea

by T.J. Klune

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.

MMy Thoughts and Review:

Found Family is Like A Beautiful Collection of Buttons

The House in the Cerulean Sea was so enchanting that I became a young girl once more, for a little while at least. I devoured Klune’s words like someone dying of thirst, completely unaware of how close to death I was until these characters fell out of the pages quenching my thirst as they did.

This would have been my first read by Klune, but I wanted to get a taste of their work, so I listened to “Purgatory” a few days ago. I highly recommend it, but only for the more mature crowd. The House in the Cerulean Sea, however, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys magical beings, friends who are closer than some families, caretakers who love and protect the way parents are supposed to, precocious children who actually have the power and might to do scary and terrifying things but don’t because they are raised in love and respect, and lots of antics from adults and children to have one giggling, smiling, laughing, and gasping… from giggling, smiling, and laughing. You will cheer for the children like they were in the room with you, but be warned your heart will break in the same manner.

One mustn’t forget the caretakers either. The feelings of joy, elation, and heartbreak extend to the adults in this wonderful heart-melting story as well.

The secluded island the children and their caretaker(s) live on belongs to a part-time guardian of sorts. Because one of the children is like the female guardian, she helps with her lessons from time to time. She also plays chauffeur on occasion and brings an agent to the island, who is to report back to Extremely Upper Management on whether the children’s home should remain open or not, as it houses some of the most terrifying of magical children.

There are so many wonder-filled things about this book, I could never do it justice with a simple review. You can tell Klune poured love, humor, elation, aa dash of present-day relevance, and a part of his soul into the world he created and when you reach the end, you get to take all of that into yourself to keep forever. It’s the most beautiful thing.

Even though this was an ARC, I plan to buy my own copies, both ebook and audio on release day. TTS is a need for my disability, so I know I will love this book even more with the audiobook’s release. I can hardly wait!