The House in the Cerulean Sea [Sneak Peek]

by T.J. Klune

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

An enchanting love story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s breakout contemporary fantasy.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Fantasy, LGBT, Romance, Audiobook, M M Romance, Magical Realism

65 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 17, 2020

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

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sneak peek that leaves you wanting more.

So, what do we know for certain from this sneak peek? Linus may be more than meets the eye, the island is muy misterioso, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the full book. Other than that...this is basically a teasing tease that teases. I'd like to channel my inner Veruca Salt and indulge in some good old fashioned feet stomping while whining, "I want more!"

[Victoria Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sneak peak into what I know will be another fun fantasy novel for TJ. I'm already in love with the shy and lonely Linus and can't to fall in love with the other characters on this mysterious island. Mad love for TJ's imagination and storytelling abilities. I know that I'll be deeply touched and can't wait to be wowed!

[Shereen Burton-Dunkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A whimsical, charming and magical book that will make you laugh, smile and cry. The characters will stay with me and I wish I was there. ❤️

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It starts a little slow but a friend gave it to me with a note that read, ‘this book is like a warm hug.’ That is such a spot on description of this book!! Read it & see!

[Blaire Zymbaluk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming, though lacking a certain je ne sais quoi of some of his other work

[Kelly Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me a while to get through this one but only because it’s not my normal “genre”. It’s a feel-good lovely book with lovable characters.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to be on the wrong side of the party here, but I didn't find it as exciting as I thought it was going to be. My favorite thing was the humor in the oddities of the children. I'm still curious about the other book. Perhaps this one is not for me because I wasn't into Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I understand its value through and it's easy to recommend to friends.
I do love the cover.

[—kyu♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, por favor.
Esto es tan, tan hermoso.
Lo único que me molesto de la historia fue que se acabara. Podría haber estado leyendo sobre lo dulces que son todos estos personajes por siempre y cómo van apareciendo más niños a lo largo de los años y lo bellos que serán los otros mientras van creciendo.
Me pone demasiado soft.
Tengo un gusto enorme por todos los niños de esta historia y, cabe decir, que no me gustan los niños. So, algo ha logrado Klune muy bien. Los adoptaría a todos.
Algún día (cuando relea la historia, probablemente) escribiré algo más coherente.
Mientras tanto esto se queda aquí como símbolo de lo hermoso que fue todo <<<<<<<33333333

[Diana Johannson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. It reminded me of Lemony Snickett Books mixed with Ms. Pegrines home for peculiar children. Very adorable.

[ELA Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming tale about finding a home and family in the unlikeliest of places. Linus Baker is a wonderfully loveable, tubby little social worker who’s ordered and (mostly) uneventful life is disturbed, when Extremely Upper Management of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) sends him on a one-month assignment on a far away island in the cerulean sea. His job: to report on the orphanage there, which is home to six of the most powerful and rare magical youths he’s yet to encounter in his career as a case worker for DICOMY. The youths and the master of the orphanage, the mysterious Arthur Parnassus, will challenge Linus’ long held views on the world and its treatment of magical beings. In his time on the island, Linus will find much more than he ever thought possible for himself… friendship, courage, even love. If you’re a fan of cute, heart-warming stories with happy endings, then you’ll love The House in the Cerrulean Sea.

[Lindie · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the back of my copy:
Linus is a by the book caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.
Arthur is the master of the orphanage who would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn and his secrets will come to light.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place-and realizing that family is yours.

I was given this ARC and didn't know what to expect. In the end, I was glad I gave it a try. Kind of reminded me a bit of Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children but I really liked the character development in this story more than Peregrine.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book!

I loved so many things that are expressed on so many levels:
--Messages about acceptance of yourself and others
--How family is not just blood, it's also who you choose to have in your life
--Perseverance and friendship
--Even those of us from the most broken backgrounds can find ourselves whole again when we are loved and cared for

It's not often that I fall in love with book characters but I adored the children all in different ways--especially sweet Chauncey who had been told he was a monster by everyone and so he thought that's what he was until the right people came along. It was so cute that he wanted to be a bellhop!

I also really loved fiesty little Talia and her casual threats of braining people with her shovel--who would have thought that could be endearing?

[Jenny Dunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a world inhabited by regular humans and magical creatures, this is a novel for adults written in the style of a novel written for kids. It had to grow on me--but it did. The world is quite, well, magical, and Klune has you rooting for the characters. There is much prejudice against magical beings in this world, reminiscent of prejudice against real subjugated populations. That the characters who fight for the full humanity of magical beings happen to love those of the same sex seems happenstance--it's part of the charm of the book. The narrative builds to a feel-good crescendo. But what I liked best, and am already missing, is the tongue-in-cheek narrator's voice.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers would agree that there was The Book they read as a kid that made them love reading, The Book that no matter how weird or different or unique they were made them feel less alone in the world, The Book that threw them a lifeline and said, “I see you, I hear you, and you’re not alone.” I read The Book when I was 8 years old and a really lonely kid. As a 38 year old I read The House In the Cerulean Sea and for the first time decades I felt like I was reading The Book for the very first time. That is how beautiful and resonant and so authentically human this book is.

[Laura Burns · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I eagerly waited weeks on our library's waitlist for a copy. The overall theme of loving oneself and others for who you/they are and a place to belong is one I love. Unfortunately, this storyline feel flat. Spoiler alert: all situations and character is wrapped up with a nice little bow. This made the characters seem 2-dimensional. This book had some really beautiful lines (for example Sal's poem) And Zoe and Author deliver much wisdom. But for me it could not find the balance between taking itself too seriously and too Pollyanna.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard that this book is a warm hug of a book, and I one hundred percent agree. This is the story of Linus Baker, who works for an organization to check up on orphanages who house magical youth. You heard that right. This is a fantasy book where people can have magical powers. Linus must go to an island where some pretty special children are living to evaluate the house there. It is a special place, and Linus is asked by the upper management to check it out because they feel he will be objective. On this island live five children who are all extremely gifted magically. There is a gnome, a slug-like creature who was called a monster but is anything but that, a wyvern, a sprite, a shapeshifter, and the antichrist. Arthur Parnassus is their caretaker. Linus must prove that this place is fitting for the children. I will leave my review there because you have to read it to understand all the beautiful nuances of this book. The love given in this book is wonderful. Linus, Arthur, and the children go through a metamorphosis of sorts. If you want a good book that makes you feel good inside I recommend the House in the Cerulean Sea.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. The *only* reason it gets 4/5 stars is because of the rampant fatphobia in the book. Of all the monstrosity we are allowed to love, a fat body remains a problem. The character doesn’t learn to love his body, he continues to hate it. The commentary throughout the book was grating. I almost stopped reading.

I would caution anyone struggling with body image, diet culture, and related body stuff to read this with caution.

[MariF · Rating 5 out of 5]

You are an evil, evil man, Mr. Klune. That teaser was magical because I NEED MORE NOW. And I blame myself for downloading it.
It hit all of my buttons, it has everything I love in my fantasy books. My interest is peeked to a point I'm considering buying a book that's way outside of my usual price range.
Let me reiterate - you are an evil man, Mr. Klune!

[Noreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An utterly unique book. I was enchanted with the cover picture, then I was enchanted with the story. I feel like a better person for reading it.

I wonder if a hard copy would be illustrated through out? It sets the imagination on fire & I’ll bet some talented artist would have a field day with this.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5--this book was a nice break from realistic fiction. I loved the different characters and the overall message of inclusion and complacency. There were a few parts that kind of moved slowly. This book reminded me of something I would read in a class on culture, identity, etc. It has a lot of points for discussion.

[Davia Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really cute. I enjoyed the writing style and all of the characters were pretty well developed. I was torn between reading at a three and a four, I enjoyed the story, but I really felt as though nothing happened. I might just be used to reading books that have more dramatic plot twists.

[abby young · Rating 5 out of 5]

i honestly loved this book. it showed character growth and development of relationships, platonic and romantic, as well as proving that blood does not equal family. it gives representation and realistic characters that are not pushed by harmful stereotypes. it creates such a warm and safe atmosphere, i really encourage everyone who has the time to read this book! <3

[Yolanda Wallington · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! This book, at first, reminded me of Backman's "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" and that is a compliment. The book is a fantasy novel where Linus, a government employee, must investigate an orphanage of magical children and happens upon a family. It will make you think of inclusivity and how we define family. Fun read!

[Ivan Sumblingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off To A Good Start!!!

Thank you TJ Klune for introducing the first four chapters of this book!

I love everything about it, especially the “quirky” Linus!

I can’t wait till I get the remaining chapters of it!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god, AMAZING. I loved this book so so so much. I cried and laughed and fell in love with these characters. Definitely will reread multiple times in the future. Please read this book, you will not regret it.

[Donna Korn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made my heart smile. I was enchanted by its characters and moving/hilarious dialogue. I loved Linus, our unlikely hero, and Arthur, Zoe and most especially the magical orphaned children: Phee, Sal, Chauncey, Thalia, Theodore and Antichrist Lucy. We should all love so well and be so loved.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job of capturing the “voice” of our main character. The romance was a bit predictable but since I was rooting for them it’s ok.

[Jess Metcalfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really touched my heart. It made me laugh, it almost made me cry, it even had me wanting to punch several different characters; but above all it perfectly portrayed the message of family and acceptance.

[Roxanne Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fell in love with all the children and it’s one of the so called “cute books” for me!!! I had a lot of heart-melting moments while reading this one. Not a 5 for me because I was kind of expecting some plot twist, but still a good read.

[Abby Hammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most heart warming books I’ve ever read. The change in perspectives is amazing and how TJ Klune is able to make you look at the different perspectives is awesome. I will be rereading throughout my life.