In the Lives of Puppets / Under the Whispering Door / House in the Cerulean Sea

by T.J. Klune

In the Lives of A NEW YORK TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES AND INDIE BESTSELLER!
New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune invites you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.

Under the Whispering A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND INDIE BESTSELLER
One of Buzzfeed's "Best Books of 2022"! An Indie Next Pick! A Locus Awards Top Ten Finalist for Fantasy Novel. A Man Called Ove meets The Good Place in Under the Whispering Door, a delightful queer love story from TJ Klune, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The House in the Cerulean Sea. Welcome to Charon's Crossing. The tea is hot, the scones are fresh, and the dead are just passing through.

House in the Cerulean A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER!
A 2021 Alex Award winner! The 2021 RUSA Reading Fantasy Winner! An Indie Next Pick! One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020" One of Book Riot’s “20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies”. Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger) A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Genres: Fantasy

1232 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2023

About the author

TJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Extraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.

Reviews

[Yoke Tassent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of fantasy, and this book is clearly that. However, the author did a good job describing the characters and it made me invested in their lives. The author does a good job using these characters to show ideas of acceptance and diversity. The author also highlights the issues with our capitalist, workaholic society.

I did not think I would like this book, but I was sad when it was over.

[Kourtney Kaufmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book with all my heart!! It pulled more heart strings than I care to admit!! The children were adorable and the story was whimsical but heartbreaking as well as touching. Seeing how we all have our own prejudices that sometimes we don’t even see is something to be remembered!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whispering door 5/5
House:5/5
Lives of Puppets: 3.5/5

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and completely fell in love with every character. This has moved into the #1 slot of my most favorite books EVER!! Maybe because I’m a teacher, but I felt for every character. When I recommended it to someone else I saw that a sequel is coming out and my heart couldn’t be happier!!!!

[The Next · Rating 4 out of 5]

What’s it about?

In this fantasy novel, we meet Linus, a forty-something caseworker in the Department in charge of Magical Youth. Despite being terribly lonely, Linus puts his best efforts into being a caseworker for these children. When he is assigned to travel to a distant island for a month to determine if the six magical children there are being given adequate care, he is determined to remain his usual impartial self. But is that possible?

What did it make me think about?

Love in all forms.

Should I read it?

The author uses magical beings to make a point about marginalized groups. He even throws in a little Kant to make his point. (I had to look up Kant’s categorical imperative- but it certainly is what the novel is about.) AI states that “Kant’s categorical imperative is a universal moral principle that states that people should act in ways that respect the humanity of others”. This story is all about learning to accept people as they are- differences and all. I think this novel would appeal to most people- whether they are Fantasy fans or not. It is a hopeful, sweet story with very strong character development. It is the beginning of a series and I myself will be reading the next book to see what happens to Linus and the rest.

Quote-

“Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard.”

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three unrelated stories (The House in the Cerulean Sea is part of a two-book series and the second book is not included).
While the stories are not connected, the theme of loss, loneliness, unexpected friends, and love found in the least likely places runs through all these books.
T.J. Klune will delight you, make you cry and laugh while touching the most tender places in your heart. This collection is an excellent way to introduce a writer who has become one of my favorites.

[Arnold Grot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humanity created machines. Then AI enter the equation. Fear arises when both realize selfishness and corruption can guide both. Would Mutually Assured Destruction (MADness) be the operative? This is a unique family story. Above all, be brave with this adventure.

[Rachel Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story, super heart warming and a little mysterious.

[Patti Gurney · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books were so good. I loved all three!!

[Stacey Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

T.J. Klune has such a disarming and funny approach to some typically un-fun topics like death and disability. These books are queer, unique, and each made me laugh and cry.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful blend of Willy Wonka and Harry Potter with so many lovely layers.

[Kelsey Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very cute with good character development.
I just found it kinda boring and the main theme was racism which is overdone.

[Mary Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was told this was a great story and it did not disappoint.

[Kylee Bristoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this a lot. I felt like there was no real reason to need a romantic storyline intertwined- it felt forced. I have it a 7/10 but really looking back that was being very generous.