The House in the Cerulean Sea

Linus Baker is efficient and follows the rules and regulations set out by the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. He takes assignments to evaluate the living conditions of magical children placed in orphanages, ensuring their health and safety. Because of his efficiency and attention to detail, he’s sent to Marsyas Island Orphanage. The youth in question are seen as dangerous magical beings and their caretaker’s responsibility over them lies in the question. But as Linus experiences the day-to-day life at the orphanage, he’ll discover there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. And maybe the rules and regulations aren’t always right.

Linus is one of those characters where readers can see the potential for character development right away. And with every turn of the page, you hope for him to grow a little more. Linus is such a stickler for the rules, and at the start lives an entirely ordinary life. He reads files on all the children and goes into his latest job with assumptions about who they will be and how they will behave. However, even though the kids do try to rile him up, he comes to the realization they’re more than just what has been reported. Despite the outside world believing they are dangerous, they each have their own hopes and dreams.

My favorite of the children was Lucifer. Referred to as the antichrist by the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he is one of the main reasons Linus is sent to investigate. Nicknamed Luci, he is a mischievous little boy who does happen to be the son of the devil. His nightmares make objects move uncontrollably and he has a tendency to let his thoughts stray into darker territory than he should. But, he can also be a sweetheart in his own way. His love of music and sarcastic humor made this book for me. And the way he innocently suggests digging up graveyards or causing hellfire is hilarious.

If you’re in a reading slump or need a book to just pick yourself up and feel better, read The House in the Cerulean Sea. While there are some undertones of heavier subjects, they do nothing but accent the story and embellish the heartfelt messages of acceptance and found family. The witty banter between characters as they push each other’s boundaries and learn to trust one another will charm you. By the end, you’ll have a smile on your face and a fond memory of all the adventures Linus and the children embarked on.

This is an adorable chosen family narrative. I found it a little saccharine at times – there's not really a central conflict, or even much of a point besides coming together as a set of misfits and fighting back against intolerance – but sometimes you need that in the world. I will say that at times it felt almost like issue-fic: the intolerance was a little on the nose and the solution was very pat (asking people nicely to not bully you; have the mayor on your side and the angry mob dissipating seems a quite simplistic to January of 2021). But it was incredibly cute: a wyvern who collects buttons! An edgy child Anti-Christ who just wants to be loved...and talk about philosophy! A queer, middle-aged romance! And they all become a family.

Having read other T.J. Klune novels, I was ready to experience a well written story with interesting characters. I was not disappointed and would love to learn more about these magical creatures.

As recommended by a friend, I also listened to the audiobook. Daniel Henning's narration brought the characters to life using voices fitting the characters described by the author.

This is a very poignant, sweet story about being different in a world of rules telling us how to be the same. The story was very reminiscent of [a:Random Riggs 14003271 Random Riggs https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]'s Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children or [a:Seanan McGuire 2860219 Seanan McGuire https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]'s Wayward Children series or even X-Men but it's from the POV of an outside adult that comes to the island as a government worker to observe and, ultimately, decide the fate of the home for a variety of outcast children with different supernatural abilities and their teacher. Linus Baker had been a caseworker for 17 years for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth [DICOMY] that regulates all the “orphanages” in this non-specific world. He observes or investigates each of his cases with an air of separation as outlined in a Rules and Regulations book he follows to the letter. Out of the blue, he's given a month-long assignment from the very top that turns out to be a little more complicated than any he's had before, that will change him in ways he would have never thought possible. Each “species” of children is interesting and the author gives human traits to them all, even the ones without a humanoid form. There doesn't really seem to be rhyme or reason to the type of creature Klune decided to include, but did give them his own rules to make them fit into the story. There's a wyvern (type of armless dragon with bird traits), gnome, sprite (faerie), literal son of Satan, a weredog/shapeshifter, a slug... thing?, and a phoenix so rather than the children just having powers, they are literally supernatural beings. Some of it doesn't really make much sense and the world needs to be explored a bit more outside of this story to give it a little more grounding, but it's still enjoyable to dip your toes in. I would definitely read further books if this turns into a series.

(Not really a romance, but there is a romance in it, so let's call it that as well.)

Oh my god, this book was so funny and sweet and gentle and just perfect. There's not a ton of conflict, just Linus breaking down his own walls and discovering where he's meant to be. Found-family isn't always my thing, but I just loved all the children in the house - I would try to pick out a favorite (and I will confess an extra soft spot for Theodore and Chauncey), but they were all realistic characters and easily distinguished from each other. This book deals with some heavy things - CWs here there are descriptions of child abuse in the past (though not detailed), and some verbal attacks on magical people from the villagers - but the tone is consistently hopeful and optimistic. I never doubted for a second that things would work out for the best, which is a nice feeling to have in the middle of, you know, everything.

I read this book for a book club. I picked it up only after 2-3 members could not stop gushing about it. Did the audiobook in 2 days and I am not sorry.
Delightful, optimistic, fuzzy, wholesome goodness are some of the adjectives used for this read.
The characters in the book are clearly from a fantastical realm but even so, they are really quite believable. It is one where they actually talk to each other. Some really tough aspects have been touched in the book and jokes have been used very effectively to convey feelings and thoughts. Even though the book gets cheesy in places, it does have an important message for young people. This book is a must read.

I would categorize this as a fantasy children's book, complete with charming magical creatures of all kinds thought it focuses on an exceptionally normal cube-worker, Linus. He is sent to a remote island as a magical orphanage case worker, and in the process of investigating, finds himself growing attached to children the world has deemed hideous and unworthy of love. This is a truly heart-warming read about the purity of children, about being yourself even in the face of discrimination, about everyone deserving a place they belong, and of course, about love. It's an easy read, and a nice little escape for the winter pandemic blues!