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A review by roadtripreader
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
I started this book with high expectations, was pleasantly surprised by about page 99 and then life dragged me by the hair kicking and screaming and demanded I engage with the world and do the thing called work and groceries and unexpected errands and blah blah and before I knew it, 2 weeks had passed and I was in a dreadful bookslump 😰.
But something Arthur Parnassus said to the kids and those smartypants kids said it to Linus and it's been on my mind for the 2 weeks I haven't read:
"Make time to do things you love, so you can be happy" . I knew this book was good. Picked it up again and finished it in 2 sittings, almost cried some chapters - definitely got the sniffles and I feel grounded and ready to get lost in a few thousand pages.
So, what's the deal with the DICOMY sending Linus Baker to Marsyas Island? I think they had a specific expectation because of his sad life and great reports. Yeah suck it losers, Mr Baker is a whole box of surprises.
Linus is in his 40s and set in his ways - but really it's not that he's set in his ways it's. More that he boxed himself in, got comfortable and decided that if no one paid him any mind, then blending in is all that he was capable off. I love how Marsyas Island brings out the real Linus and how Linus in turn brings something different to Marsyas Island and the Orphanage. It was utterly heartwarming
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Now, I will hear no arguments about this and field no questions: Chauncey us the greatest Bellhop the world has never seen. Theodore is the fiercest cutest mini-dragon ever, Sal is the sweetest, Lucy is an Angel, Phee is a little cutie and Talia is the best round person ever.
Thank you for coming to this TedTalk - snacks are available your individual kitchens. Ta.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene: I mean where do I even begin?
⚜️Express Yourself Class: Sal's poem
⚜️Miss Chapelwhite, Linus and The Raft
⚜️Linus and Lucy touring Lucy's room
⚜️Philosophy lessons with Lucy and Parnassus.
⚜️Aaawwww Arthur, Linus and the kids in Safari gear on a treasure hunt. Stop the cuteness overload now.
“Phee gave him a thumbs-up.
Lucy said, “You’re not dead?” He sounded strangely disappointed.
“Leaders give positive reinforcement,” Talia told him.
“Oh. Good job not dying?”
“That was better,” Talia said,”
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “The things we fear the most are often the things we should fear the least. It’s irrational, but it’s what makes us human. And if we’re able to conquer those fears, then there is nothing we’re not capable of.” (Mr Parnassus to Sal ... to me basically)
🖤 “Death is wonderful to music. It makes the singers sound like ghosts.” (I love Lucy)
🖤 “You’re very dear, Linus Baker. There’s a surface to you that’s hard but cracked. Dig a little deeper, and there is all this life teeming wildly.
It’s a conundrum.” (Zoe Chapelwhite)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ Populus tremuloides
■Whatever TF Chauncey is
■ Theodore's buttons
■Linus The Bush Daisy
GR Rating: 4⭐
CAWPILE: 8.5
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Fantasy Books by 2025
But something Arthur Parnassus said to the kids and those smartypants kids said it to Linus and it's been on my mind for the 2 weeks I haven't read:
"Make time to do things you love, so you can be happy" . I knew this book was good. Picked it up again and finished it in 2 sittings, almost cried some chapters - definitely got the sniffles and I feel grounded and ready to get lost in a few thousand pages.
So, what's the deal with the DICOMY sending Linus Baker to Marsyas Island? I think they had a specific expectation because of his sad life and great reports. Yeah suck it losers, Mr Baker is a whole box of surprises.
Linus is in his 40s and set in his ways - but really it's not that he's set in his ways it's. More that he boxed himself in, got comfortable and decided that if no one paid him any mind, then blending in is all that he was capable off. I love how Marsyas Island brings out the real Linus and how Linus in turn brings something different to Marsyas Island and the Orphanage. It was utterly heartwarming
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Now, I will hear no arguments about this and field no questions: Chauncey us the greatest Bellhop the world has never seen. Theodore is the fiercest cutest mini-dragon ever, Sal is the sweetest, Lucy is an Angel, Phee is a little cutie and Talia is the best round person ever.
Thank you for coming to this TedTalk - snacks are available your individual kitchens. Ta.
Favorite/Curious/Unique Scene: I mean where do I even begin?
⚜️Express Yourself Class: Sal's poem
⚜️Miss Chapelwhite, Linus and The Raft
⚜️Linus and Lucy touring Lucy's room
⚜️Philosophy lessons with Lucy and Parnassus.
⚜️Aaawwww Arthur, Linus and the kids in Safari gear on a treasure hunt. Stop the cuteness overload now.
“Phee gave him a thumbs-up.
Lucy said, “You’re not dead?” He sounded strangely disappointed.
“Leaders give positive reinforcement,” Talia told him.
“Oh. Good job not dying?”
“That was better,” Talia said,”
Favorite/Curious/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “The things we fear the most are often the things we should fear the least. It’s irrational, but it’s what makes us human. And if we’re able to conquer those fears, then there is nothing we’re not capable of.” (Mr Parnassus to Sal ... to me basically)
🖤 “Death is wonderful to music. It makes the singers sound like ghosts.” (I love Lucy)
🖤 “You’re very dear, Linus Baker. There’s a surface to you that’s hard but cracked. Dig a little deeper, and there is all this life teeming wildly.
It’s a conundrum.” (Zoe Chapelwhite)
Favorite/Curious/Unique Concepts:
■ Populus tremuloides
■Whatever TF Chauncey is
■ Theodore's buttons
■Linus The Bush Daisy
GR Rating: 4⭐
CAWPILE: 8.5
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Fantasy Books by 2025