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The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #1)

T.J. Klune

Start date: June 29, 2023

Finish date: July 24, 2023

Why we're reading this: The House in the Cerulean Sea is Forest Avenue Book Discussion's July selection! This book club will be h…more
[close] The House in the Cerulean Sea is Forest Avenue Book Discussion's July selection! This book club will be held in person at Forest Avenue Library on Monday, 7/24 at 6:00 PM. Visit our website or call 515-283-4152 for more details.

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Mar 21, 2021 Andy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: lgbtq, ya

T.J. Klune has pulled off an impressive feat in building a world full of sprites, phoenixes, gnomes, a shadowy government entity and queer romance, while rarely veering off course from what gives the story its heart – the collection of people and magical creatures building a family.

While technically a young adult novel, like a Pixar movie, “Sea” works on different levels. Exploring themes of racism, discrimination, bigotry, abuse, depression and belonging the heavier aspects fit naturally into T.J. Klune has pulled off an impressive feat in building a world full of sprites, phoenixes, gnomes, a shadowy government entity and queer romance, while rarely veering off course from what gives the story its heart – the collection of people and magical creatures building a family.

While technically a young adult novel, like a Pixar movie, “Sea” works on different levels. Exploring themes of racism, discrimination, bigotry, abuse, depression and belonging the heavier aspects fit naturally into the story and never feel like a Big Lesson™ being shoved in for younger readers.

The youth in the orphanage - my favorites being Lucy, a six-year-old version of the Antichrist that likes old school rock and roll; Talia, a bearded garden gnome with a panache for gardening tools; and Chauncey a (maybe) jellyfish who’s ambition is to be a hotel bellhop – bring the comic relief and innocence, but it’s the adult characters that surprised me most.

Our main character is not a teen, but Linus Baker, a 40-year-old, pudgy case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. A person who has worked hard for most of his life and excelled at his career yet still feels unfulfilled.

While it’s not a perfect story – it shifts tone a bit too frequently -I couldn’t help but be won over by Linus. He learns to love and advocate for himself and experiences his own second chance, much like the children at the orphanage.

After seeing #Bookstagram buzz about “Sea” throughout most of 2020, I didn’t expect to like it. Honestly, I added it to my queue in hopes that it could make for a fun contrarian review. If Klune decides to continue this story – and I hope he does – you won’t have to twist my arm to read it.

As an audiobook, it’s rather average. Daniel Henning is one of my least favorite narrators after his comically awful interpretation of the already terrible “Surrender Your Sons,” and while he does redeem himself a bit here, I’ll never understand why he gives each character exaggerated sass where it isn’t needed. ...more

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Aug 27, 2023 Elizabeth rated it really liked it

Shelves: library, fiction, fantasy, ya, 2023

It's SO, SO SWEET that even to me it felt a little much sometimes, but honestly it was nice to read a book that just made me smile the whole dang time. Predictable? Almost entirely. Am I still a sucker for stories about remarkably gifted children who live in weird little communities? Until I die. ...more

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May 10, 2021 Stephanie rated it did not like it

When *I* of all people find your gay self-insert kidfic off-putting, something has really gone awry. I was warned that Klune is wildly overrated, and I should’ve heeded the warning. This is middle grade fiction with a middle-aged protagonist, which feels squicky, and that’s to say nothing of the awful, cartoony cast of characters and the silly but somehow humorless content.

I can’t believe grown adults are claiming to be SOBBING over this. I’ve gotten more emotional over a good slice of pie. I gu ...more

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Oct 23, 2020 Naberius rated it it was amazing

And . . . I now have one of my favorite books I read this year! I absolutely loved this book --- it was interesting, charming, funny, made me laugh, made me get choked up . . . and an overall great story. Whimsy? It's here. Serious thought-provoking stuff? It's here. A variety of different types of characters and a touch of romance? Got it! For anyone who ever felt like they didn't belong, weren't understood, and just wanted to be accepted and loved ---- this is your story. And hey, if you never ...more

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