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 Quirky Cat on

5 of 5 stars

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How has it taken me so long to pick up The House in the Cerulean Sea?! I've even had this book directly recommended to me by fellow readers, and I'm only now picking it up (thanks to my library, which finally got a copy in for me!).

Linus Baker is the sort of man who never had a problem living a quiet life. He was good at his job (the Department in Charge of Magical Youth) and loved coming home to a house full of his records, cat, and nothing else.

That is until his work sent him on an odd job. A job that changed Linus' life, arguably for the better. He's been assigned to go out to an island in the middle of nowhere and assess Marsyas Island Orphanage, home to some of the oddest children around.

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

Holy cow. I can see why everyone that has read The House in the Cerulean Sea has gushed about it. I am in love. This is a novel that thoroughly enchanted me, and I want more of it. Please? I'd take a novel, novella, or even an adaptation. I'm not fussy. (Actually, a loyal movie version of this book sounds divine!).

I've seen The House in the Cerulean Sea compared to many other stories here and there, but the one that comes to mind, for me at least, is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Many elements are the same.

And yet, not quite. I feel like The House in the Cerulean Sea takes the premise of Miss Peregrine and takes it several steps further. (And that's coming from a fan of both, to be precise). The messages within this story are profound and yet so human. It's simply stunning.

“Change often starts with the smallest of whispers. Like-minded people building it up to a roar.”

I was captivated by the mysteries of this island. From the secrets each child carried to the secrets of their caretaker. There is so much to learn from this tiny island and the life they have built upon it.

You know how sometimes when reading, you stop seeing the words and start imagining the world itself? That is what happens in The House in the Cerulean Sea; only everything feels like it is in 4K. The details come to life, full of vibrant color and bubbly characters. It carried me off into a whole new world, and I believe I am forever changed because of it.

Much like the characters in the story, come to think of it. Once again, I find myself understanding why people loved it so much. While I regret taking my time to pick it up, I am happy to have finally done so. Add me to the list of people eagerly waiting to see what TJ Klune will write next.

Read more reviews at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 June, 2021: Finished reading
  • 28 June, 2021: Reviewed