The House in the Cerulean Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea, #1)

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.

• ISBN10: 1250217288
• ISBN13: 9781250217288
• Publish Date: 17 March 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Out of Print: 10 July 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[tweetybugshouse]

This book reminds me a lot of office space in that Linus who is a casework for the Department in charge of magical children visits orphanages to decide if they should be closed or remain open. He always done what the rules and regulations say he should, form no attachments to the children, keep yourself impartial to the situation, just do the job. He goes home each day, most days he forgets his umbrella, says hi to his cranky neighbor, feeds his cat, listens to music and goes to bed. He repeats day in day out. Until he assigned to a special case that opens his bubble so to speak to so much more then what he accepted from life. This is a treasure of a story and i hope you pick it up and are able to take something from it. ⠀

[jojo_k]

It is totally sweet and heart warming story.

[leahrosereads]

This was freaking exceptional!

I loved the characters, the setting, the commentary on society. It was brilliant. It was beautiful. It was exactly what I needed to read at this time.

"Are you hungry, dear explorer?"

Light and hart-warming, I am always captivated by Klune's way of writing his characters. Perhaps that's what makes me feel at home whenever I'm immersed in his books. These characters (it doesn't matter in which series you are) are honest, lonely, warm and they just make you ache. And that's not always a bad thing.

The House in the Cerulean Sea was my first adventure into Klune's writing besides his Green Creek Series - a favorite of mine - and he didn't disappointed me. I may have gone into it a little bit weary since the overall plot of this book isn't exactly my cup of tea but I was greatly surprised.

"What if the treasures where the friends we solidify along the way?"

Linus is a relatable character not because he doesn't like his co-workers and has dreams that seems too far away because you always have something to do other than look at yourself. He's not somone I can recognize because he seems alone and devoted to a life that doesn't seems to have anything other than what he sees everyday—people he doesn't talk to, a desk that could be anyone else's and a fragmented heart. He's someone that can relate to you merely because he doesn't seem to want someone to save him from it.

“Your bubble, Mr. Baker, has been popped"

We follow Linus Baker in this adventure of meeting different people and how they can mold into your life and be your home just the way they are—and that's what makes this heart-warming. So delicately, Klune’s writing teaches us that every one is unique in their own way, and even the most loud group can quietly embrace you in their life—after all, you are unique yourself as well. We can embrace people's differences without erasing who they are; in the end, no one should fit a mold, even when you desperately want to belong.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book without pretences and represents exactly what all T. J. Klune's books are: a way home.

I received an e-arc of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

[Terri M. LeBlanc]

This book was the PERFECT book to read during the pandemic. Lighthearted, funny and beautifully written with a strong message about looking beyond what you see and how doing so can change your life.

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[bestmessever]

This is without a doubt my new all time favorite book. It is charming beyond belief and everything I have ever wanted in a book. I absolutely loved it and I really just wanna reread it immediately. My heart is full of happiness.

"Don't you wish you were here?"

[Beth C.]

Gonna be a Top 10, methinks. Review to come at www.stillmorewords.com - 3/26/2020

[alindstadtcorbeax]

Star Rating: —> [ with all of my heart ] 5 Stars

Okay, literally. Literally. Guys. LIT-ER-AL-LY.

Real Talk.

This changed my life. I’m not even exaggerating. I read it all in one setting (and also listened to audiobook some of the time- which was FAN-TAS-TIC; The actor did a PHENOMENAL JOB!!!!), & was entranced. After finishing the book, I promptly, though sobs, declared to my husband at 3 AM that my life was henceforth, changed (and I hate to feel the need to say this, but just because I am married to a man does not make me any less Pansexual. I know most of you would not judge, but I just can't help but feel like I have to justify that or something sometimes—sigh).

(Prepare for a gush fest !