Name: The House in the Cerulean Sea
ISBN: 9781529087949

T.J. Klune

Linus Baker is sent to assess a magical orphanage, filled with dangerous children. They could bring about the end of everything - or be the family he'd always wanted.

It's never too late to follow the dream

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Nora de Jong

Bethany Jenkins

Aimee :)

Kat Albanese

They fear what they don't understand. And that fear turns to hate for reasons I'm sure even they can't begin to comprehend. And since they don't understand the children, since they fear them, they hate them. This can't be the first time you've heard of this. It happens everywhere.

Emiley Jones

Gica

Julia Rutgers

Charlotte Huijsmans

Chao M.

Victoria Justice

You are a fire, and they need to know how you burn. Not only because of who you are, but because of what they have made you into.

"Arthur says that we should always make time for the things we like," Talia said. "If we don't, we might forget how to be happy.”

Sophie

Julia <3

Emily Cortes

Carine

venus

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place – and realizing that family could be yours. ‘I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect’ – V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue He expected nothing. But they gave him everything . . . Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he’s spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages. Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside, including the Antichrist. There, Linus must somehow determine if they could bring on the end of days. But their guardian, charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. As Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose between duty and his dreams. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is an uplifting, heart-warming fantasy tale that’s become a New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller. ‘Likely to cause heart-swelling’ – Washington Post ‘A modern fairy tale . . . It’s a beautiful book’ – Charlaine Harris, number one New York Times bestselling author ‘Touching, tender and truly delightful’ – Gail Carriger, author of Soulless

This book is a warm hug. Such a sweet story of found family. 

Taylor Silveira 

A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER! A 2021 Alex Award winner! The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner! An Indie Next Pick! One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020" One of Book Riot’s “20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies” Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger) 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. "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." —Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

The definition of heart warming. The type of book you gift to a young person who is learning how to be kind and decent in this world.  

(Or to your republican parents over thanksgiving) 

Elyse 

The definition of heart warming. The type of book you gift to a young person who is learning how to be kind and decent in this world.  

(Or to your republican parents over thanksgiving) 

Heartwarming read offering wholesome reminders of the meaning of home and belong

Cassandra Tang

Characters are so loveable, Lucy the Antichrist was definitely my favourite and made me laugh. Felt like the start was a bit slow though 

Rose Donovan

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.

Jordan

It's idealistic, but I enjoyed it because of how idealistic it is.

Such a heartwarming, easy read. Would recommend. Would read the sequel.

It's idealistic, but I enjoyed it because of how idealistic it is.

Such a heartwarming, easy read. Would recommend. Would read the sequel.

The house in the cerulean sea was a book i did not expect to love. I started this book after a slump and it did not disappoint. The story was heartfelt and focused on found family between the characters. While lacking in particular focus, it was still able to tell the the depth and emotions behind the story of each children. I also adore the development of the mc and how he grew to adore the unexpected. Amidst the contreversy behind the book, it will still such a good story and worth a shot. 

Lane Loyola

La casa sul mare celeste

T.J. Klune writes amazingly. Every character is well written and given the right storyline, even tho they’re a lot and it’s a small book. He’s also really good in creating a right ambience for the story and giving the right descriptions in order to make you feel like you’re there with them, listening to the ocean, feeling the grass underneath your feet, looking at the stars, even eating and cooking with them.

Reading his books is like a breath of fresh air, with its profound, yet ironic, storylines. I really loved reading this book, although I found some of the last scenes a bit too cheesy for my liking (but maybe that’s just because I read it in Italian). 

mirta <3

T.J. Klune writes amazingly. Every character is well written and given the right storyline, even tho they’re a lot and it’s a small book. He’s also really good in creating a right ambience for the story and giving the right descriptions in order to make you feel like you’re there with them, listening to the ocean, feeling the grass underneath your feet, looking at the stars, even eating and cooking with them.

Reading his books is like a breath of fresh air, with its profound, yet ironic, storylines. I really loved reading this book, although I found some of the last scenes a bit too cheesy for my liking (but maybe that’s just because I read it in Italian). 

I was skeptical at first, since I'm usually not one for reading book where the main POV is a white cis-man. However, I was absolutely won over by the development and growth of the characters, mainly the magical children, and the wonderfully wholesome relationships that form. I definitely just, cried. For the last hour or so. Found family for the win <3 

Niza Contreras

I am in my feels. This was so warm and heartfelt and i loved all the characters and the plot. My heart aches for the children and I wanted more and more of it. 

It was so unique and exquisitely; I loved every second of it and I will take no bad criticism of this book.

Tsu 💙

I am in my feels. This was so warm and heartfelt and i loved all the characters and the plot. My heart aches for the children and I wanted more and more of it. 

It was so unique and exquisitely; I loved every second of it and I will take no bad criticism of this book.

This book is full of warmth and love and humor and I LOVE IT

Maria Fernanda Arnay

A cute way to escape the world for a few hours - slow burn old man yaoi with a heavy dose of magical found family that just happens to include the antichrist.  

miri

Not for me. Saccharine and glurgy. Too little tension, too little friction, easily solveable story problems. Writing is light and as deep as a puddle.

Margaux Yiu

lent to me by Eluned! so sweet, lovely characters, intriguing magic

August Stone

So impressed with the way the author wove together a lighthearted story of hope and love with realistic commentary on social issues like prejudice, authority, and discrimination. 

Linus starts out as a square who follows his bleak routine life every day. It always rains. His sentences are short and dull like his life. He’s lonely but he barely registers it because it’s all he’s ever known. 

When he gets to the island he starts to see color for the first time. He loosens his tie both literally and figuratively. He learns that what he always believed is not true and sheds preconceived notions.

Fear is normal but we cannot let it define us. We all have spiders in our head and monsters under the bed but they might actually be our best friends if we open our minds. 

Taylor Christine

So impressed with the way the author wove together a lighthearted story of hope and love with realistic commentary on social issues like prejudice, authority, and discrimination. 

Linus starts out as a square who follows his bleak routine life every day. It always rains. His sentences are short and dull like his life. He’s lonely but he barely registers it because it’s all he’s ever known. 

When he gets to the island he starts to see color for the first time. He loosens his tie both literally and figuratively. He learns that what he always believed is not true and sheds preconceived notions.

Fear is normal but we cannot let it define us. We all have spiders in our head and monsters under the bed but they might actually be our best friends if we open our minds. 

I really enjoyed this book, it was very sweet and heartwarming, perhaps too sweet for my taste. I just wanted a little bit more drama, particularly at the end

Jenny

Laura Walden

Such a heartwarming story about finally living instead of just surviving, found family, and romance. I always thought this book was YA but couldn't have been more wrong. The style of writing is elegant and humorous with so many beautiful moments that leave you charmed. If you’re looking for a feel good story I would highly recommend.

Anna

tj has based this storyline of adoption off the 60s scoop where the canadian government stole indigenous children from their families to put them up for adoption into white families. This systematic trauma is being used for a book that's completely now out of context as a "wholesome" story for tj's wallet. Multiple creators ,especially those are directly affected this author using their actual pain as a community, has called out tj for this over the few years. Now he's still continuing the series based on this same storyline for profits whether he held himself accountable or not. No author like this should be supported. Please keep spreading this info.

Caelan

The beginning was a bit dull (on purpose to show what Linus’ life looked like in the city) and I thought I wouldn’t like this book but when he travels to his classified assignment (Marsyas Island Orphanage) everything starts to get better

One of my favourite parts of this book are when they all travel to the village and have a day out - there is an unpleasant part there too but I really liked when Linus gets paired with Lucy and Talia to take around the different shops and meeting the shop owners (liked how the warehouse shop keeper was wary but eventually turned out to have similar interests with Talia; also J-Bone was hilarious and when Lucy was talking to him, their conversation was really funny)

Side characters - loved them all, most are children and I loved all the things that they did together like the adventures, learning and their alone times; each child had their own personalities and while everyone was a part of different species, they were all really detailed and wonderfully written; really liked Zoe as the additional carer for the children and the way she was this calm strong presence; Helen was a nice character and J-Bone was really funny with the way he talked

Main characters - Linus was a really nice character who you could see changing slowly but steadily through the book (and it’s not like most books where it is constantly reminded how the character has developed as in this book you can clearly see for yourself so the author didn’t need to keep reminding the readers), I liked how realistically he acted given the situation as he was supposed to be there as a professional and the children were all unusual so it was a given that he would be scared but you could see him getting to know all of them separately and starting to like/understand them; Arthur had secrets in this book that I guessed but it was still amazing about what he could do and how he looked after the children

Plot - liked the idea of the book a lot and how the main point in the book was about seeing all the magical creatures as individuals who all had their own personalities instead of being scared of all of them as a principle and there wasn’t much of a romance but the bit that was there combined with all the other characters and the relationships that were formed, it was amazing

Ending/Epilogue - while Linus is back at the DICOMY to make sure that Arthur remains being the children’s carer and makes sure that the children are able to stay on the island (really liked the way his time back there was written as it had a lot of very short passages that were often broken up), he steals files and then he goes back to the island, we see them all forgive each other and then the epilogue shows Helen come to the island to ask them to take in another child and that’s really it; this probably isn’t fair as I just wanted to read more about these characters but I thought there could have been at least 2 more chapters showing them settling in with Linus staying there forever and we are never explicitly shown what Linus does with the files that he stole; also I think that the main reason for not liking the book as much after Linus comes back to the island is that the children aren’t shown as much as they have been in the rest of the book

Absolutely loved this book!

The beginning was a bit dull (on purpose to show what Linus’ life looked like in the city) and I thought I wouldn’t like this book but when he travels to his classified assignment (Marsyas Island Orphanage) everything starts to get better

One of my favourite parts of this book are when they all travel to the village and have a day out - there is an unpleasant part there too but I really liked when Linus gets paired with Lucy and Talia to take around the different shops and meeting the shop owners (liked how the warehouse shop keeper was wary but eventually turned out to have similar interests with Talia; also J-Bone was hilarious and when Lucy was talking to him, their conversation was really funny)

Side characters - loved them all, most are children and I loved all the things that they did together like the adventures, learning and their alone times; each child had their own personalities and while everyone was a part of different species, they were all really detailed and wonderfully written; really liked Zoe as the additional carer for the children and the way she was this calm strong presence; Helen was a nice character and J-Bone was really funny with the way he talked

Main characters - Linus was a really nice character who you could see changing slowly but steadily through the book (and it’s not like most books where it is constantly reminded how the character has developed as in this book you can clearly see for yourself so the author didn’t need to keep reminding the readers), I liked how realistically he acted given the situation as he was supposed to be there as a professional and the children were all unusual so it was a given that he would be scared but you could see him getting to know all of them separately and starting to like/understand them; Arthur had secrets in this book that I guessed but it was still amazing about what he could do and how he looked after the children

Plot - liked the idea of the book a lot and how the main point in the book was about seeing all the magical creatures as individuals who all had their own personalities instead of being scared of all of them as a principle and there wasn’t much of a romance but the bit that was there combined with all the other characters and the relationships that were formed, it was amazing

Ending/Epilogue - while Linus is back at the DICOMY to make sure that Arthur remains being the children’s carer and makes sure that the children are able to stay on the island (really liked the way his time back there was written as it had a lot of very short passages that were often broken up), he steals files and then he goes back to the island, we see them all forgive each other and then the epilogue shows Helen come to the island to ask them to take in another child and that’s really it; this probably isn’t fair as I just wanted to read more about these characters but I thought there could have been at least 2 more chapters showing them settling in with Linus staying there forever and we are never explicitly shown what Linus does with the files that he stole; also I think that the main reason for not liking the book as much after Linus comes back to the island is that the children aren’t shown as much as they have been in the rest of the book

The House in the Cerulean Sea It's never too late to follow the dream

Reviews

Highlights