The House in the Cerulean Sea by T J Klune

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.

Reviewed by remuslynch on

4 of 5 stars

Share
"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!

Last modified on

Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • Finished reading
  • 30 April, 2020: Reviewed