Book Review :: The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
ISBN: 1250217318
Series: Cerulean Chronicles #1
Published by Tor Books
on 29 December 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, LGBTQ+
Pages: 396
Goodreads

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.

Last updated on 3 October 2024

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What is The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune about?

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is about Linus Baker, a middle-aged caseworker who lives a quiet, solitary life filled with routine and his mischievous cat, Calliope. He works for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), overseeing children in orphanages, but his life takes an unexpected turn when he’s assigned to a top-secret mission at Marsyas Island Orphanage.

“We should always make time for the things we like. If we don’t, we might forget how to be happy.”

At the orphanage, there are six extraordinary (and potentially dangerous) children: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and even the Antichrist. Yup. It’s already sounding brilliant, right?

Linus, very much stuck in his Rules and Regulations of DICOMY, spends time with the children, trying to navigate this interesting environment on the island, he realises there’s more to the island and these children and their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus, than meets the eye. Even one so trained in magical children as his.

“Humanity is so weird. If we’re not laughing, we’re crying or running for our lives because monsters are trying to eat us. And they don’t even have to be real monsters. They could be the ones we make up in our heads. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

While Linus is on the island, reporting back to DICOMY about the children’s wellbeing, he needs to face his own fears and beliefs and growing fondness of the people on the island, and what that means for the future of the children, their caretaker, and himself.

My thoughts on The House in the Cerulean Sea

This was such a magical, heart-warming story. The children and their special abilities (including ‘Lucy’ the Antichrist 😆), were adorable, misunderstood, passionate, and so very much them. They were all written brilliantly, and I loved them all. Linus, while frustrating at times, loosened up over the course of the book, as he realises that the Rules and Regulations are the only things to live by or for. And his growing relationship and friendship (and more? 👀) with Arthur was adorable.

“Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as your remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.”

Some people have likened it to Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs, and it definitely does give that vibe, but more about the adults in the story, really, than the children. Of course, the children are a big part of it, but it’s more about found family, about giving up what you’ve known your whole life and those comforts you’ve grown accustomed to, and having your eyes and heart open to things and new people. And I love that.

Overall, The House in the Cerulean Sea was a delight to read, and I highly recommend it.

Have you read The House in the Cerulean Sea? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!