The House in the Cerulean Sea

 Tell me a story… about not judging by appearances

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

Publishing date: March 16, 2020

Date read: August 25, 2021

Linus Baker lives an ordinary life. He works for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (D.I.C.O.M.Y.) as a case-worker, overseeing the well-being of magical children placed in state-sanctioned orphanages. One day he is summoned by Extremely Upper Management for a highly classified job: to look into the Marsyas Island Orphanage and its caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. When he arrives at the home, he discovers the reason this orphanage has been classified - it houses only what the government deems as highly dangerous children. But while Linus is there to just do a job, he begins to realize that people are more than what they appear on the surface, and that home is more than just the place you live.

Full disclosure: I LOVED this book. So my review will be mostly glowing. It's just the way it is. I read a lot of serious books, and this was like a grown-up magical fairy tale that just gave me big happy feelings all around.

This story takes place in a world that is not our world, but that has a sort of 1950s feel to it - the local community has a very quaint feel, it's a big deal when an adult character says "damn", that sort of thing. And prejudice against magical beings is not subtle. The magical beings and the prejudice against them are an obvious allegory for the treatment and discrimination of the gay and non-white communities. But because of this black-and-white-movie feel that the book has, there is also the impression that things will all work out in the end -  everyone is appreciated for who they are, no matter their faults, and love will conquer all. It's a fairy tale, but a wonderful one. 

I also liked how the author made the choice to make any differences, other than a person's magical abilities, a non-issue. Homosexuality is not only accepted but is not even remarked upon in any way. It just is. (The blurb on the cover of my book says "It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.", which I think is a wonderful quote.)

Overall, I found this story touching, honestly funny at times, and just adorable. The child characters felt real, despite their magical abilities, although some were more developed than others. I thought that Chauncey and Lucy were the best child characters and just wanted to give them big hugs and take them home with me. And the relationship between Arthur and Linus was just the sweetest thing ever. 

I know this story isn't for everyone. It's highly in the fantasy genre - not only because of the magical children, but because of the perfect fairy tale nature of the plot. But if you're looking for something sweet and funny to read after a long day in the real world, I couldn't recommend this book enough.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Trigger warning: discussion of child abandonment/physical/emotional abuse