Literary in the City

RATING: 5/5

“A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with.”

The House in the Cerulean Sea

Sometimes, the book community pulls through with their recommendations: The House in the Cerulean Sea is exhibit A. Practically everyone was reading this book. I’m glad I caved into the peer pressure, because this novel became one of my all-time favorites.

The House in the Cerulean Sea follows Linus, a case worker for the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. Linus is given a mysterious assignment that leads him to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where he finds six children, a charming caretaker, and plenty of secrets.

It’s not easy to like every single character in a book, but The House in the Cerulean Sea manages to do the impossible. Lucy, Phee, Talia, Sal, Chauncey, Zoe, and Helen: everyone was so kind, caring, and loving. And I can’t write this review without mentioning Linus and Arthur, as well as the beautiful bond they created. Everyone has their own individual idiosyncrasies, and they love each other that much more for them. The characters grew over the course of the novel, and they did it together. 

In fact, this book could also be titled “Found Family Galore.” Every page celebrates community, connection, and love. Even though found-family isn’t a novel concept, this book somehow breathes new life into the trope. The lush writing, the magical setting, and the candid emotions make you feel like you’re sitting right next to them or laughing over something at the dinner table.

People read for so many different reasons: to entertain themselves, to relax, to escape from reality. The House in the Cerulean Sea reminded me that a book can also make us hope. This novel reminded me that I need to have hope both for and within myself.  I need to have hope that somewhere out there, my corner of the world waits for me. All I need to do is embrace it.

Given that April showers and May flowers are right around the corner, I think now is the perfect time to, as Natasha Bedingfield so astutely says, “Feel the rain on your skin.”  Bloom like a daffodil and open your heart with The House of the Cerulean Sea.

If you’ve read this book or any of TJ Klune’s other works, let me know what you thought! ❤

Out searching for my found family,

H.