The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Characters: 5/5 Writing: 5/5

Setting: 5/5 Plot: 5/5

Overall: 5/5

Summary: The story follows Linus Baker, a forty-year-old caseworker with the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. For the past decade and a half, Linus spent his career evaluating orphanages for children with magical abilities, following a strict set of RULES AND REGULATIONS. One day, Mr. Baker's given a highly classified case located on an isolated island housing some of the most dangerous or unique children, run by an eccentric forty-five-year-old man, Arthur Parnassus. It is Linus' role to deem whether or not the establishment is fit to remain open. This novel is a parable about prejudice and acceptance of self. It is a lesson of society's inclination to fear what they do not understand. The House in the Cerulean Sea shows that family isn't just those we are born into, but also the ones we make for ourselves.

“A home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”

Review: TJ Klune's magical novel is a bright spot in the broad and generally dark genre of fantasy. Every page is filled with heartwarming content. Never before have I smiled or audibly laughed as much during a book as I did when reading this one. The characters are so precious and written in such an endearing manner; I instantly loved the children for all their quirky qualities. This book is nostalgic of stories such as Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs and A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, but with a much lighter tone similar to that of Despicable Me. It is hard to name a similar story that encompasses the comforting and mystical aura of this novel.

“Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome.”