OVERVIEWSo The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book that I had heard about for some time. I had added it to my To Read List on Goodreads, but it sat there for a while. Since I have been listening to audiobooks at bedtime, I decided to listen to the audiobook.
Interestingly, the reviews of this book either LOVED it or HATED it. Apparently, there is a controversy about where the author got the idea for this novel. I am not going to let that influence my review - many authors have unusual or weird ways to get a creative book idea but never talk about it. This author talked about it and many are quite unhappy about it. It is your personal choice whether or not to read this novel.
I would love to have a sequel to this book, but, unfortunately, T.J. Klune stated about six months ago that they don't see that happening. It is a stand-alone book.
Wildly, I discovered after I started this audiobook that it was a suggested read for Pride Month. I don't know how this happy accident occurred! But I am really glad that it happened when it did!
REVIEW: 5.0 stars
Writing: 5.0 stars
I really enjoyed T.J. Klune 's writing style. It was descriptive, yet not overly descriptive. The writing is appropriate for a Young Adult reader, but lovely enough for an older reader. There are a few difficult words sprinkled throughout to make it interesting. But, the writing did not get bogged down so much that I had to look up word after word which I greatly appreciated especially with an audiobook!
There have been many that have said that this is an adult fairy tale or fable. I would agree. There is a beautiful story and then a strong moral ending. Surprisingly so much of what is described is what is happening today with book-burning, attacks against transgender and drag folks, and body autonomy is threatened. The things that happen to the "magical" people in the book could also be a parable for what happened during the Holocaust. I could go on and on. This book is MUCH deeper than what it seems on the surface!
The narrator, Daniel Henning, was PERFECTION!!
Character development: 5.0 stars
There were many fascinating characters including the two male protagonists and the children - a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, a green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist (I had to look up what a wyvern was). But, it was interesting to see how ALL of the characters grew together and individually!
I loved learning about the children's traits and how the "Master" of the orphanage for magical children interacted and helped the children heal from a lot of pain, hurt, and humiliation. But this was a fantasy and not real life. In real life, many adopted children have to deal with many lifelong issues including RAD (Reactive Attachment Disorder). There really isn't a good solution for adopted children - fantasy or real life!
There were also two very strong female characters which was awesome - a sprite and the village mayor. They were both instrumental in helping the children so very much! I love reading about POWERFUL women!
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline is about an organization called DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magincal Youth) where the "orphanages" (I use this term loosely) for magical children are investigated and inspected. Of course, just like in real life, some "orphanages" are good and some are bad. This is about a GOOD "orphanage" which really was a true home! It just was lovely!
Book cover: 5.0 stars
The artwork is AMAZING!
Book title: 5.0 stars
The House in the Cerulean Sea was perfect! It really gives nothing away which is what makes this book so very special!!
Gut feeling: 3.5 stars
This book was WAY more than I expected!
Highly RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T. J. Klune
396 pages or 12 hours and 12 minutes
9 days to listen via audiobook (I really took my time to enjoy it)
Listened to as a library audiobook - Los Angeles Public Library
Release date of 03/16/2020 (another release during the pandemic!)
https://www.tjklunebooks.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5600354018
https://us.macmillan.com/audio/
https://lapl.overdrive.com/
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
