The House in the Cerulean Sea

By: TJ Klune

5/5 💙(Really, it would be buttons, but that emoji doesn't exist)

Linus Baker is by-the-book caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). For all forty-something years of life, Linus has played by the rules and done everything expected of him. He's lived each day by routine and is sure he's happy. He's sure...

One day. Linus's attention to detail calls the attention of Extremely Upper Management. They have a super, top-secret, level four discretion task for Linus to complete. One that he's not even told much about until he lands on the island himself. On the island, Linus sees color for the first time. The group of children he was sent to observe is made only better by the "orphanage master", Arthur. As Linus and Arthur grow closer, Linus begins to question the life he's always known. Will this experience change everything?

I honestly feel like I can't say it better than VE Schwab: "It is like being wrapped in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect." There are almost no better words for this marvelous tale. Each time I read it, it was like being wrapped in a blanket, as every page made me warm and fuzzy inside for so many reasons! I thought the hype may be overblown, but I was so, so wrong. The hype for this book was well-earned!

Usually, I would devour a book like this, but there was something about this story that made me want to take my time. I wanted to inhale every word and truly let it settle as I was reading. Quite frankly, I also didn't want the book to end, so I just slowly trudged along to try and savor every bit of it. T.J. Klune has this wonderfully sarcastic style that's professional and intricate, yet easy to read and understand. He writes with an older style, yet it works in a modern story. I found myself laughing out loud at many parts that weren't necessarily funny, they were just so well-written.

The character development. Oh my gosh, the character development! Writing about children (mythical or not) can be a very tricky path, but Klune is a master! I think each child is an accurate representation. Sure, they're "special", but it's portrayed in very different ways for each and every character. That's so accurate because people are unique. I won't even lie, Lucy was my absolute favorite. Working with students who have Affective Needs, Lucy really spoke to me. He was immediately deemed the "Anti-Christ" and thus must be dangerous. No one was willing to give him a chance, and that's how I feel about my students. For that reason, this book spoke to me on an even deeper level. However, I firmly believe it still would have stuck with me regardless of my occupation.

I can't suggest this book enough! It's a long read, but a well worth it one!