The House in the Cerulean Sea

I enjoyed this book very much, becoming one of my favorite books of this year, I had the opportunity to listen to it as an audio book and I just couldn't stop listening to it. It made my heart joyful and happy. And Ι am just waiting to get my hands on the 2nd volume of it! The different characters, the storylines, their attributes, their humour and everything this book had to offer!

Is every book problematic? Do we analyze things too much?
Growing up I ve read books and books with hidden meaning, having wars, killings, history as source. If we are cancelling everything, then in a few years, nothing could be a reference. And yes, before I am judged as not understanding, my country had war, refugees, army camps, missing people that have never been recovered and the story was the reference of many books, as long as the book doesn't make fun of the history, the source, the humans, why should I be bothered?
Masterpieces like Narnia, Lord of the Rings and many more, wouldn't have been possible today. Would they?

A new favourite. Adorable. Everything I need in life and will re-read it often. This book is often called a middle-grade for adults and I would say not 100% but it helps give the right vibe. I think it's more similar to stories of a lonely person who thinks they are fine. It uses a simplistic writing style to tell the story though which is lovely. Similar to these kinds of stories, it does touch on deeper topics but isn't forced to the reader to consider at all (only thoughtful readers would delve into this interpretation). Honestly, even if your dubious, give it a go

This book brought me so much joy. It is sweet without being saccharine, inclusive on many different levels, and joyful while also touching on important issues like discrimination. I listened to the audiobook, and this is one of those instances where I think the performance really added to my overall enjoyment of the story. I want more from this world!

For someone who doesn't really like YA, I sure seem to be reading a lot of YA lately. I blame my friends. In particular, this small group of remarkable people, kind & smart & patient, each one apparently feeling obligated to make me a better more open-minded person by foisting books on me that I would otherwise turn my snobby nose up at.This one, like [b:that other book I just finished 58388343 Some Desperate Glory Emily Tesh https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1668621616l/58388343.SY75.jpg 91580340], was almost unbearably painful at the start. This one, too, paid off after initial effort. Here the setup was cartoonish; the protagonist a humorless, soulless, unlikable bureaucrat; and the dialog made my teeth hurt from gritting them. But I kept going, because see above. And then somewhere near page 50 my brain just did a flip of sorts and I started getting it... and, soon, really enjoying it. This is escapist fantasy, a chance to snuggle safely with warm lovely marginalized people – which is why we read [a:Becky Chambers 17650479 Becky Chambers https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], after all, though that's a parallel that only just came to me; I didn't make the connection while reading.The story arc is predictable, but only broadly speaking: you know Plot Trope X is coming, but when it does it's not quite how you thought it would be. Maybe the best way I can describe the book is “charming”: it charmed me.Thank you, friends.

A rather heartwarming read that has a similar charm to it that Harry Potter and A Series of Unfortunate Events have in their respective series. In some instances, it does feel like it could fit in a corner of the Wizarding World, especially with certain character and organization names. For some, that may help ground them in the world and story more, even if it can come across as a little too similar to others. The story, however, is sincere, good-natured, and even comical enough to stand on its own.

I would classify this as more character-driven than plot-driven, and given the slice-of-life nature of the story, some readers may feel the story drags on a bit before getting to more interesting plot points. There was a point in the book where I found my interest waning, but I stuck with it and found the story picked up the more I read. Klune, in my opinion, tells this story with the idea that you're in it for the characters, first and foremost, so just something to think about.

The slow moments in the story did leave me with an initial 4-star rating, but the ending worked for me and bumped the story up to a 5-star must read. The prose, the characters, the romance (subtle though it was until the last third), and the minimal but intriguing worldbuilding definitely outweigh the few qualms I may have had with it.

This was such a lovely story about the children being stigmatized by society the prejudice against them. The character development of Linus was also great. Many meaningful quotes and thoughts by Arthur and Linus! (tabbed like crazy and I usually don't!) It made me warm and tearful at some parts, I can relate when kids are just seen by what stereotypes are given to them and people don't try to learn or understand them. The ending was perfect (´ ⌣ `)

I don't know what I can say about this book that hasn't already been said. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful book I've ever read. It goes beyond 5 stars; it deserves 100 stars!

I was a little worried that it wouldn't live up to the hype because it started off a little slow for the first few chapters. However, once Linus reaches the island and begins to interact with Arthur, Zoe, and the kids... oh my gosh... SWOON!!! I had a hard time reading the last 90 or so pages because I couldn't see through the tears.

I've seen this categorized as fantasy, which initially made me hesitant to read it as I'm not typically drawn to that genre. And, while there are some fantastical elements (we are talking about magical children, after all), I didn't feel it was fantasy at all. It is so much more than that. This is 100% a story of humanity and compassion and encompasses love in all its forms, whether it be familial, paternal, romantic, or love for your fellow man.

If you have not read this amazing, gorgeous, pure, wholesome, heartwarming story, then run - RUNNN!!! - to your nearest library or bookseller and get it right now. I've seen many reviewers liken this book to a warm hug. That is not an exaggeration. I would even venture to call it a warm hug wrapped in a cozy blanket and dipped in a mug of hot chocolate.

Un vrai plaisir à lire ce livre en compagnie de ma copine @juju_lecture ! (Aussi bien la compagnie que la lecture). Ca fait très longtemps que je n'ai pas lu de lecture « doudou » ou confort, où nous ne sommes pas face à des quêtes, des monstres, des prophéties ou quelque chose d'épic. Quelle agréable aventure quand même de suivre Linus sortir de sa petite routine et découvrir un nouveau monde, une nouvelle façon de vivre et ainsi, pouvoir changer sa façon de penser et de percevoir les choses ! Je le recommande chaudement à toute personne voulant passer un bon moment et avoir un bon mood en lisant un livre :D

✅ Points Positifs ✅
- Cosy Lecture
- Personnages très attachants
- Développement de la façon de penser de Linus
- Pas mal de réflexions sur la société et les lois

❌ Points Négatifs ❌
- Il manque quand même un peu d'action (légerement influencé sur mes lectures habituelles ahah)
- Légèrement déçu des révélations sur Mr Parnassus, je m'attendais à pire/mieux
- Des fois, c'était dur de suivre les réflexions internes de Linus, genre ça partait dans un sens mais ça revenait vite dans l'autre

Format read: ebook (Libby)
Reading time: 9h 9 min
Tags: fantasy, lgbt (m/m), found family,
Own a copy: no
Reread likelihood: 8/10

Summary:
The House in the Cerulean Sea starts off very Kafkaesque and Orwellian. Linus Baker, our protagonist, works for the Department of Magical Youths (DICOMY) as a caseworker in orphanages. DICOMY is a government-run institution that places magical children in orphanages “for their safety” because of the rest of society's prejudiced views about them. Linus is very good at his job because he follows and applies the rules to their maximum. Every day, Linus goes to work in in his tiny grey cubicle, takes the bus in the rain, walks to his little grey house, and starts all over again the next day. Because of his clinical efficiency, Linus is chosen one day by Extremely Upper Management to visit a particular orphanage that is off the beaten track. Linus is told that this place is peculiar, and its master even more so, and is given a file with the names and attributes of the children who live there.

When Linus arrives at his destination, he is struck by the beauty of the remote island. Soon, he meets the children and the master, Arthur Parnassus, and begins his investigation of the orphanage. In the beginning, Linus is set on following his rules, as always, but he soon discovers that DICOMY's way of doing things isn't as righteous as what he thought, and that prejudice is well and alive on the idyllic island. Against, his better judgment, Linus begins to develop an attachement to the children, and to Arthur, and finds himself in an increasingly difficult position: carry on with DICOMY's wishes and shut down the island orphanage, or follow his heart and do what's right for the children and, by extension, all magical persons.

Review:
This story was so warm and fuzzy, it was like being wrapped up in a fluffy blanket. Linus' character growth is well executed and a pleasure to witness as the story unfold.

I have a soft spot for Arthur in particular. His carefree attitude is endearing, and his love of philosophy comes through in all of his conversations with the children and with Linus.

Among the cast of characters, we have: Lucifer “Lucy,” the 6 year old son of Satan, Chauncey, a land jellyfish of sorts (no one is quite sure), Sal, a shapeshifter (he turns into a Pomeranian), Phee, a forest sprite, Talia, a garden gnome, Theodore, a wyvern, Zoe, an island sprite and caretaker alongside Arthur, and Calliope, Linus' cat.

The children themselves are endearing, especially Chauncey. His simple dream of being a bellhop is so deeply contrasted to who and what he is, and how people perceive him as a monster, that it makes the whole thing bittersweet and heart wrenching. As with all the children, you want them to be happy and for their dreams to come true, but the world they live in his harsh outside of their island home, and one cannot help but worry for them.

Linus and Arthur make a sweet couple. The first real sparks start off after Linus' visit to Lucy's room, and the tension only continues to grow after that. I liked the slow progression and how realistic their relationship is. It's not all rainbows and butterflies all the time, which is refreshing to see portrayed in a novel.

The author's writing is wonderful, and I enjoyed it very much. Klune describes the world in this book so vividly that it's as though you are a part of it. Linus' postcard on his desk says it all; “don't you wish you were here?” And indeed, I really wished I could be on Marsyas island with the characters.

”There was green. Bright and beautiful greens of waving grass, and what appeared to be flowers in pinks and purples and golds. They disappeared into white sand. And beyond the white was cerulean. ... Don't you wish you were here?”

”The others don't know, but I do. I can see things, sometimes. I don't know why. You. Arthur. He Burns. Did you know that?”

Under the Whispering Door

This book was so gorgeous I just couldn't put it down. Every character was so endearing and it was one of the only books that has put a smile on my face recently. I needed an escape and this fantasy world was exactly what I was craving. Found family, little homosexuality, hilarious children, and a sense of belonging I wish I could have in real life. <3