The House in the Cerulean Sea – T.J. Klune
100-Word (or Less) Synopsis: Linus Baker, a paper-pushing case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth is sent to investigate the Marsyas Island Orphanage to ensure humanity remains safe from the dangerous children housed within. It won’t take long for him to realize things on the island aren’t quite how they’ve been portrayed.
Expectation: An overdone young adult romance about magical children.
Reality: A charming and queer-positive character-driven story that will keep adults and teens enthralled.
Recommended For: People who would like a lighter version of “The X-Men” or “Harry Potter.”
Why I Read It: #Bookstagram made me do it.
My Take:
Sometimes you need to read a story that gives you hope for humanity, and “The House in the Cerulean Sea” fits that bill — even if it does center around magical youth that aren’t human.
T.J. Klune has pulled off an impressive feat in building a world full of sprites, phoenixes, gnomes, a shadowy government entity and queer romance, while rarely veering off course from what gives the story its heart — the collection of people and magical creatures building a family.
Fans of “The X-Men” and the “Harry Potter” series will be drawn in by the premise, but this is a character-driven story, and both the adults and youth are interesting enough to keep you invested, even if I did struggle to tell them apart at times.
While technically a young adult novel, like a Pixar movie, “Sea” works on different levels. Exploring themes of racism, discrimination, bigotry, abuse, depression and belonging the heavier aspects fit naturally into the story and never feel like a Big Lesson™ being shoved in for younger readers.
The youth in the orphanage — my favorites being Lucy, a six-year-old version of the Antichrist that likes old school rock and roll; Talia, a bearded garden gnome with a panache for gardening tools; and Chauncey a (maybe) jellyfish who’s ambition is to be a hotel bellhop — bring the comic relief and innocence, but it’s the adult characters that surprised me most.
Our main character is not a teen, but Linus Baker, a 40-year-old, pudgy case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. A person who has worked hard for most of his life and excelled at his career yet still feels unfulfilled.
He’s assigned to investigate Marsyas Island Orphanage, a super top-secret mission, and report back on whether Arthur Parnassus, the caretaker, can manage to keep the “difficult and dangerous” youth under control.
It doesn’t take long for Linus to realize that his employer, DICOMY, may be doing the children more harm than good. That’s all the plot I want to give away, because Klune takes the simple but charming story on some fun adventures.
After seeing #Bookstagram buzz about “Sea” throughout most of 2020, I didn’t expect to like it. Honestly, I added it to my queue in hopes that it could make for a fun contrarian review.
While it’s not a perfect story — it shifts tone a bit too frequently — I couldn’t help but be won over by Linus. He learns to love and advocate for himself and experiences his own second chance, much like the children at the orphanage.
If Klune decides to continue this story — and I hope he does — you won’t have to twist my arm to read it.
As an audiobook, it’s rather average. Daniel Henning is one of my least favorite narrators after his comically awful interpretation of the already terrible “Surrender Your Sons,” and while he does redeem himself a bit here, I’ll never understand why he gives each character exaggerated sass where it isn’t needed.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3/5
Formats: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: March 14 - 21, 2021
Multi-tasking: Good to go.
