Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

130 reviews

thebibutterfly's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Although this is a  slow-paced story with very simple and sometimes stilted prose, it’s a new favourite! Not only is every detail purposeful and well-placed, but the characters are fully fleshed-out and beautifully crafted. The relationship was slowly and painstakingly developed, which was a welcome change in a fantasy novel. At first, I wasn’t sure I liked reading from Mr. Baker’s POV, but by the 30% mark, I understood why the author chose him. It’s an interesting depiction of prejudice and the approach to the topic is nuanced and thoughtful. Absolutely adored Arthur and Talia, but Lucy was honestly the star of the show.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Confinement

r0jona's review

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Death of parent, Self harm, and Bullying

adrienanthony's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book as sweet as this one. The characters were so loveable and precious to me that I couldn’t go a page without smiling at their interactions. This is a new comfort read for me and I’ve recommended it to all of my friends.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Child abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Body shaming

Minor: Death, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Animal death, and Death of parent

The main character has internalized fatphobia that is addressed as something to overcome in a route to self-love.

16note's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Fatphobia, and Abandonment

Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Body shaming

a_l_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

personal review notes:

C 7/10
A 8/10
W 5/10
P 5/10
I 4/10
L 7/10
E 5/10

-> 5.1/10
-> 3 stars

• C: the characters were super adorable and diverse, i liked how they were described, i didn' really felt connected though & i personally don't really vibe with linus 
• W: some feelings and situations felt over-explained, sometimes it left way too hopeful und overly positive, especially towards the end i sometimes cringed at some of the dialogues and writing
• P: the second half the story kinda dragged on, the over all outcome was very foreseeable 
• I: at first, i couldn't put it down and towards the end the only motivation to read was to get this book done. 
• E: in the beginning i really enjoyed it, was alright over all, glad that i read it, wouldn't read again

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, and Physical abuse

Minor: Cannibalism, Death, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Murder

elisavaz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Um livro bastante leve e descontraído. É muito bom e tem uma história simples que deixa o coração quentinho. O livro tem um tom bastante infantil, então, embora tenha sido reflexivo, pareceu-me uma reflexão escrita para crianças. Além disso, o personagem Linos me irritou muito com a visão de algumas coisas dele. Ele recomendou que 5 orfanatos fossem fechados, mas nunca sentiu a necessidade de acompanhar a resolução disso porque não era o trabalho dele (a recomendação não implica que sera acatada). Mas ele aparentemente se importa com a qualidade de vida das crianças (???) Mas não questiona nada nunca. Claramente é uma pessoa que tem muita fé no sistema, embora ele seja crítico de religiões.
Além disso, acho muito estranho que o livro se passa no planeta Terra, na nossa sociedade. Isso tira a gente um pouco do livro porque não conseguimos entender a transição de inexistência de seres mágicos, pra existência e preconceito e depois existência (e preconceito) e regulação.
Ri diversas vezes, adorei as crianças e o final foi emocionante.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment

Minor: Child abuse, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

kiwichill's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

5.0

A wonderful book about equality, acceptance and love.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Blood, Cursing, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Body shaming, and Hate crime

chelle22's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Animal death, Confinement, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, and Murder

keelirae113's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• 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

This book is a love letter to everyone who has ever been made to feel that they don’t belong. You deserve a family who loves you just as you are, even if that means you have to go out and find them for yourself. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Body horror, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Ableism, Hate crime, Death, Death of parent, Blood, Confinement, Body shaming, and Panic attacks/disorders

ladyames20203's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Pros: I loved the characters so much, they’re so dear, and this book is so heartwarming. 
Cons: It is slow and the plot is predictable.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Body shaming

Minor: Alcohol, Hate crime, Death of parent, and Cannibalism