The House in the Cerulean Sea: an uplifting, heart-warming cosy fantasy about found family
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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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Additional information
| Publisher | Tor, Main Market edition (16 Sept. 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 400 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1529087945 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1529087949 |
| Reading age | 18 years and up |
| Dimensions | 13.1 x 3.2 x 19.7 cm |
by Jess Gofton
Now that I’ve read The House in the Cerulean Sea I can’t believe it took me so long to read it, but I’m so glad this story was my first novel of 2021.
40-year-old Linus Baker has been working as a Case Worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth for many years and, though he leads a solitary and rather humdrum life, he takes pride in his work making sure that orphanages for magical, non-human children are taking good care of their charges. He never lets himself get attached to the children—until he’s sent to Marsyas Island Orphanage, run by a Mr. Arthur Parnassus, where six extraordinary, potentially dangerous children are living. There’s Talia the garden gnome; Chauncey the tentacle ‘monster’; Sal the were-Pomeranian; Theodore the wyvern; Phee the forest sprite; and Lucy, the son of Satan. Linus must live with them for a month, reporting back to DICOMY, and decide if the orphanage should stay open.
And DICOMY would prefer it if he didn’t fall in love with Arthur and his little family of misfits while he’s there.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a big, warm, comforting hug wrapped up in a novel, and it’s one of the most hopeful fantasy novels I’ve read. If you’re looking for a book that will bring you shameless joy and fill your heart to the point where you think it might burst, then look no further than this one. It’s such a tender story and a love letter to found families.
As Arthur himself states, calling his house an orphanage makes no sense; no one is coming to adopt these children, as far as Arthur is concerned the children are his, and as such he is incredibly protective of them. Unfortunately he needs to be in a world where magical and non-human people are treated like monsters that need to be feared, to the point where some of the children believe it themselves. With Arthur, however, they’re given a chance at a childhood where they’re able to learn and play and express themselves without having to worry about being punished simply for existing. The orphanage might be where these children live, but Arthur is their home.
It would be so easy for this novel to be twee and so overly sweet it could cause cavities, but Klune writes these children so well and in such a way that it’s impossible not to fall in love with them. They all have their own strong personalities, and their own issues to work through, but at their heart they’re all children who are desperate to be loved and desperate for a place they can call home.
Linus and Arthur are also utterly lovely and it was so refreshing to read a romance blossoming between two adults in their forties, one of whom is a little overweight and whose hair is thinning. Linus isn’t a young Case Worker who’s fresh on the job and learning the truth behind some of the behaviour DICOMY’s strict rules are allowing, but a man who’s been trying to do his best for children for years and is finally able to discover the courage he’s needed to say what he really thinks when he falls in love with this little family, and having an older protagonist at the centre of this novel made the story all the more powerful for me. You don’t have to be 25 and classically handsome to change the world, and some of the smallest changes we make can make the biggest ripples.
This story reads like a Middle Grade novel from the point of view of the adults and it’s wonderful. I can’t recommend it enough.
by little bookworm
Linus Baker is a case-worker for the Department of Magical Youth. It is his job to inspect orphanages and schools for Magical Youth and offer his recommendations as to whether they are fit for purpose. Linus is good at his job, he knows the rules and regulations off by heart and is always objective. It is these qualities that lead to Extremely Upper Management singling him out for a special case. However, when Linus finds himself on the Island of Marsyas, tasked with inspecting the orphanage there run by Arthur Parnassus, an orphanage like no other, he is completely unprepared for what awaits him!
Having read rave reviews for The House in the Cerulean Sea, this was a highly anticipated read, and I was prepared to find myself disappointed if it didn’t live up to expectations, however, thankfully that was not the case. I completely get the hype around the book, and have to say it is one of my favorite reads of the year so far.
The first few chapters revolve around Linus’ rather drab and mundane life working at DICOMY. The author writes with a rather quirky sense of humour, which did gain my attention from the off, and once Linus is set his special assignment, I was intrigued as to what he would uncover at the Marsyas Orphanage. It wasn’t until Linus arrives at the Island though that I fell completely in love with this book, and after that it really was just a glorious escape of a read, guaranteed to put a smile on my face. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve read anything quite as uplifting in a while; this book is like a syrupy treat!
The characters in this book were so vivid and full of life. The children at the orphanage in particular completely stole my heart, every single one of them, and often had me in stitches. I loved Arthur, and I also really enjoyed watching the change in Linus, how he was helpless but to fall in love with the children and way of life on the Island too, and just loosen up and learn to live in the moment, as opposed to by the rules. In fact I thought Linus made for rather a refreshing and unlikely hero, and I also enjoyed the little sprinkling of romance in the book too.
The book is not very heavy on plot or action, it is in essence a simple story, but that didn’t lessen my enjoyment of it. In many ways this read like a sort of fable or fairy-tale for adults. It had strong messages and themes at its heart, and yes, sometimes these messages were hammered home a bit, and perhaps could have been conveyed a bit more subtly, but that didn’t stop the themes from resonating.
This is a story about acceptance, of not judging people because they are different or fearing them for their differences. Whilst in the book these themes are explored in relation to Magical Beings and how they are treated and viewed by humans, they are of course just as translatable in real life. The book highlights the dangers of bureaucracy, whilst also championing the power of the voices of the few, because even if just one person makes a stand, it can trigger a change. The story also encourages one to be brave, both in terms of standing up for those around you and challenging views, but also in terms of living one’s own life. It can be easy to become complacent, to accept one’s lot, even if deep down one wishes for something else or to be somewhere else, and I loved this aspect of Linus’ arc, in terms of how he found a more fulfilling life by being a little braver and more adventurous.
Overall, this was a really refreshing and heart-warming read, with a unique voice and style, important themes and wonderful characters who will stay with me for a long time.
by Dee M
Loved reading this book, couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed the style of writing and the characters are well built- one of the rare books where I enjoy ALL of the characters. Had a few teary eyed moments, many great laughs and the by the end I was a sobbing mess (in the best way). I highly recommend this book, one of my faves I read in 2023.
by TemmaD
A beautiful, imaginative story with great heart. At a time when division and hatred is blocking our way to the future across the world, this fable of love, acceptance and the belief that the future can be different from the past is so timely. A great love story and wonderful characters I was sorry to say farewell to at the end of the book.
by Miss
A wonderfully written and funny depiction of how someone’s life can change – I loved the characters and how imaginatively they are written. I read this in one sitting (I do read quickly) when I was unwell and it totally cheered me up – a fantastic tale of love in all its forms and how difference doesn’t need to be something to be afraid of.
by Miss Mullovely
In all honesty I had been given a paperback version of this book months ago, maybe even a year. I did nothing with it. Not sure why, but timing is all. With a pending holiday I gathered it up with a range of books thinking I might finally get round to it. It’s been the only book I have read. It’s been wonderful. Heart breaking and heart lifting. Heart breaking because you can see parallels with the lives we all lead and how much meanness there can be in the world. Heart lifting because of all the different types of ways love stands guard. I regret not reading soon but don’t regret when I read it. Overlooking the Malvern Hills with deep sunrises and misty vales, and the only cerulean waters those created by TJ Kline. Wait, don’t wait, but do make sure you read this inspiring book about joy, love and the beauty of our differences.