Week 17 Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea

From Goodreads:

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 love 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.

My Review:
This is such a sweet read, so lovely and heartwarming! I know there's a lot of hype for this story, but while I've enjoyed all the books by T.J. Klune has written, I was apprehensive because this was so highly regarded. And I know there's some controversy with residential schools, but I'm not who would be harmed by it, so I'll just say that I’m aware of it. 

Linus is straitlaced and follows the rules. That those rules are asinine, well, that's just how things go, though it felt a bit like things were exaggerated just a touch. His job was to assess orphanages, and see if these children who have a bit of magic to them, are being treated well. But he doesn't look to see what happens after his recommendations are made, doesn't know what happens to the children if that home closed because of him. 

And then he comes to the one run by Arthur, which is highly secretive, because this children are rare, like the Antichrist, not that he goes by that title. Each of the children were unique and had their own personalities and difficulties. They were all just so precious and adorable, and funny as well! 

A running part of the story was the idea of see something, say something-that humans have to regulate supernatural beings, even though they didn't ask if it was wanted, and they didn't have any input by those that were being affected, and maybe the whole thing should stop altogether. Especially given all the harm that was caused. 

This story was a stand alone for the longest time, which it does work alone. But I'm glad that it’s getting a sequel, from Arthur's perspective, and to see his past, I’m really thrilled to read it! Though I am concerned, what with the new resident who takes power in being called a monster...

So glad I read this book, and when I did when we're getting the sequel soon, and I can't wait!

Author: T.J. Klune 
Series: The House in the Cerulean Sea #1
Read: April 26th, 2024 
Source: Ebook.bike 
Reason Why: Love his writing, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Tor Books
Published: March 16th 2020

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars