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. (taken from Amazon)
The House in the Cerulean Sea is the sweetest, coziest, most delightful book I’ve ever read that also includes the antichrist. Okay, let me try again. That first sentence paints a rather odd picture. This book is wonderful. It’s comfort in written form. It’s a reminder that happy endings (or maybe happy beginnings) exist, often found in the most unexpected of places, if only we’re brave enough to look.
Linus Baker has worked for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (or DICOMY) for years and years. He does his job by the letter and is very good at it. He gives his all for it. Then he goes home and is quietly lonely, with only a cantankerous cat for company. When the bigwigs at DICOMY send him to a little island to evaluate a home for magical youth, he expects more of the same. Do his job. Do it by the letter. Go home. However, things don’t go as planned, with absolutely fantastic results.
Linus is blown away by the children he meets. They’re unlike any other and they are their own little family. Among them is a six year old antichrist (who also likes to sing and dance to old records), a large boy with a small amount of self-confidence, and a…something, whose only goal in life is so delightfully simple and sweet that I fell in love with him immediately. Caring for the children is Arthur Parnassus. Kind and quiet, his protective love for the kids endeared me to him right away.
Of course, I have to mention Linus Baker. He feels he does his job well and that’s enough. He doesn’t see the effect he has on those he meets and he doesn’t realize his worth. He quietly helps everyone and is the sort of person this world needs more of. He listens without just waiting for his chance to speak. He always manages to say the one thing a person needs to hear, and he does it without realizing how much he’s changed that person’s outlook. He is wonderful. I so badly wanted him to discover his place in life, and find contentment. Following him through the book was a joy.
And the writing! Oh, how I loved it! It painted a picture not only of the setting, but of the emotions of the characters. Linus’ story started in shades of gray and slowly shifted to a beautiful cerulean blue. The little details scattered throughout elevated this book to piece of art, and there is a poem within that will stay with me for a very, very long time. It was incredibly moving.
I really could have just said that The House in the Cerulean Sea is pretty much perfect. My ramblings really haven’t done it justice. My copy is now sitting on my “favorite books of all time” shelf, where it rightfully belongs. So…who should read this book? Simply put: everyone.
Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub 
I am reading this in February…it’s on my short list
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Enjoy!
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Can’t wait for my copy 😄
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I hope you love it!
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I have this and I’m excited to read it, but I keep putting it off. Klune has such a habit of just emotionally destroying me. I have to PREPARE MYSELF.
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This was my first Klune book. It definitely won’t be my last .
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I still haven’t managed to find a copy of this for a good price but I check every day and eventually I am just going to have to bite the bullet and fork out for it because I cannot wait to read this!
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It’s worth it. I’m already itching to reread it. Ha ha!
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Great review! I’ve only heard amazing things about this one, hoping to read it in February!
(www.evelynreads.com)
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Thanks! I’m looking forward to seeing your thoughts on it.
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I listened to this one a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. The narrator was amazing and Lucy’s voice, WOW. Definitely a top read in 2021, Wonderful review, it is hard to do this one justice.
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I’m glad the narration was so good!
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TJ Klune is one of the authors whose works I’m planning to read this year. I’ve heard so many people speak about this book. It’s nice to know what you think about this book, and loved reading your thoughts on it.
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Thank you! It’s a wonderful book.
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I loved this book so much, I can’t stop talking about it. I both read and listened to it and the narrator is amazing! It’s hard to describe this novel because, honestly, words don’t do it justice. And I agree…..this should be required reading for everyone.
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Yes!
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I want to read this (and probably will) but there are a lot of popular books I did not like (the Goblin Emporer, Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Once and Future Witches etc) so I’m using the library for this one lol But it really sounds like one I’d like.
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I’m a huge fan of libraries!
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They’re awesome! And the ones here don’t have a residency requirement (I’m used to county/resident).
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Reblogged this on Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub.
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Great review! I want to read the book just to experience the prose and the descriptive color changes over the course of the novel.
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It’s wonderful!
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I am thrilled to see this review – you perfectly summed up how I felt about this book. It’s like a hug in printed form!
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Aww, thank you! It’s definitely a comfort read.
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