[Sita’s Review]: The House in the Cerulean Sea

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.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Look, everyone is feeling a little stressed, a little dark, a little lost at the moment and we need to find things that will help get us through. It’s the little things, right? Cuddles with your furkids, having a cup of your favourite tea, marathoning your favourite show, and of course, reading a good book.

This is a good book.

This is one of the best books.

And if you’re looking for a little bit of light, a little bit of hope, joy, and those other warm, fuzzy feelings, pick this book up go curl up with it somewhere and read it. Let Linus take you on an incredible adventure home.

I have been a TJ Klune fan for awhile now. His works are just so different from what you can usually find (not that there’s anything with the familiar), but he has this ability to just weave so many different elements of a book together and just take his readers on an amazing journey — and it doesn’t matter if the book is rom-com, contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy, his storytelling abilities can cross genres and capture you completely.

And now here we are, this man is twenty plus books into his career and someone out there in the big publishing world has found him and given him the recognition he deserves, and a platform that will reach so many readers, and this book is the perfect way to do that.

But…back to ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’.

Linus Baker is just your everyday bloke, there’s seemingly nothing special about him. But as we find out along the way he has an ability to just care and love. His heart has been pounded away at behind the rules and regulations of his job, and yet he soldiers on, he wants to do good, he wants to help, and so he does what he can — and he learns he can do a lot.

Then you’ve got Arthur and his charges (including the anti-Christ Lucy). And what a wonderful array of characters they are. I really don’t want to spoil these characters for you but they’re all unique, charming as hell (no pun intended), and I dare you to try and resist falling in love with them.

You’ve also got a vast spread of secondary and tertiary characters both good and not so good. Who add depth and dimension to the story. Who challenge Arthur and Linus. Who support Arthur and Linus. Who reminds very much of the people in our own lives who do the same.

As for the story, it’s nothing outlandish (okay, maybe slightly outlandish), but at its core it’s about a man who leaves the grey of his life, his not so trust cat at his side, and finds out he can still do the work that’s important to him but also live big and in colour. And it’s wondrous.

So, if you want something hopeful and joyful. This is it. This is the book. If you’re a romance reader, a fantasy reader, a contemporary reader, a YA reader, or whatever, this book will still talk to you and give you a slice of light and warmth. Something we all desperately need right now.

And later, when things are better. This book will still bring immeasurable amounts of joy to you.

Sita

New Zealand born and bred. Likes to read or Netflix, sometimes both at the same time.