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linde13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I bought this one immediately after I read it.
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Fatphobia, Confinement, Body shaming, and Cursing
Minor: Cannibalism, Death of parent, Body horror, Gore, Blood, Physical abuse, and Genocide
I added the body shaming/fatphobia tags because Linus is sensitive about his own weight for most of the book. Nobody else comments on it, except for the kids in a matter-of-fact and non-insulting way. Everything else is merely alluded to, either by Lucy (the Antichrist character) in comments that he makes for shock value that are all played for laughs (Blood/Body horror/Gore/Cannibalism) or as part of characters' backstories (Child abuse/Confinement/Death of parent/Genocide/Physical abuse).njh_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Had a much better read the second try and overall found the book sweet and wholesome and funny. Reminded me of my counseloring days--kids say the darndest things. Lols.
Arthur is a smooth talker and sweet and was nice to see him continuing his journey to be himself. Also showed that childhood trauma can still be a battle into adulthood.
Glad Linus eventually fought for himself and found his voice.
Also hope to see a bit more of Zoe and Helen in the next book.
____________________
Some favorite quotes:
“'It’s the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It’s beautiful, when you think about it. He loves it dearly. That was very kind of you.'” (94)
“'When something is broken, you can put it back together. It may not fit quite the same, or work like it did once before, but that doesn't mean it's no longer useful.'” (247)
“'The little girl. She wasn’t scared of me. She was nice. She didn’t care what I looked like. That means she can make up her own mind. Maybe that woman will tell her I’m bad. And maybe she’ll believe it. Or maybe she won’t believe it at all. Arthur told me that in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of few. She’s just one person. But so is the lady.' Talia grinned.” (270)
“'It’s not fair,' Linus said, staring off into nothing. 'The way some people can be. But as long as you remember to be just and kind like I know you are, what those people think won’t matter in the long run. 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.'” (278)
“Helen scoffed. 'A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can’t tell me it’s not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It’s been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?'” (283)
“'You’re too precious to put into words. I think … it’s like one of Theodore’s buttons. If you asked him why he cared about them so, he would tell you it’s because they exist at all.'” (308)
“'Funny how that works out, isn’t it? That we can find the most unexpected things when we aren’t even looking for them.'” (376)
Graphic: Torture, Confinement, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder and Injury/Injury detail
finnsnowbevi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Xenophobia
Minor: Cannibalism and Religious bigotry
philososquid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was intrigued right away with this hyperbolic world of grayness turned to color at the cerulean sea. Linus was a rule follower who had his eyes opened when they were splashed with a little bit of color, and I love him for it.
There is so much sincerity in this book, andthe found family aspect is just so sweet. I just felt so happy reading it the whole time.
I think TJ Klune did a good job creating a story that felt fun and exciting, even if the plot wasn't a complex thing. This is not really and adventurous book, but a portrait of hope and found family. I love all the characters so much.
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
madjaz217's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, and Eating disorder
Minor: Hate crime, Death of parent, and Child abuse
katelynndzindzio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
"He thought of the life he had. How he could ever have thought it'd be enough. His thoughts were alll cerulean."-Linus
Linus found where he belonged. The children, though they didn't seem like it at times, found their home. Arthur found his other half.
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Blood, Classism, Confinement, and Cursing
novella42's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I wanted this to hit me like Sangu Mandanna's The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, which I realize was written two years after The House in the Cerulean Sea. Why was I swept away by that one enough to buy a copy for my comfort bookshelf, but not by this one? Especially when I love queer romances of all genders, I really thought that'd tip the balance for me. Maybe the spice level was higher in the other? Maybe because I don't do well with body horror, which felt fairly graphic in The House in the Cerulean Sea? (Probably folks who read a lot of horror would consider it tame, but it kept repeating a trigger for my C-PTSD, so I'm biased here.)
Spoiler about a problematic theme related to the children's make-believe adventures:
Still a good book overall. I might pick up the second book at the library someday, when all the furor dies down.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Death of parent, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, and Eating disorder
Minor: Cursing
scarlett_f's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, Drug use, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Death, Confinement, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
thebibutterfly's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Confinement
r0jona's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent, Self harm, and Bullying