'The House in the Cerulean Sea' by TJ Klune
“Hate is loud, but I think you’ll learn it’s because it’s only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as your remember you’re not alone, you will overcome.”
I believe a lot of readers go into this book not knowing what to expect. I definitely didn’t think I’d be gushing over it and truly taking the lessons that TJ Klune is imparting to heart. He shows us that change starts small and the world can be a scary place, but that the monsters aren’t always who you think they are.
We begin this magical story with Linus Baker, who lives a pretty average life. He has an average apartment, lives in a dreary city, and has a cat to keep him company. Linus thinks he has all he could ever need. He has even been a caseworker for the same company, The Department in Charge of Magical Youth – or DICOMY, for seventeen years. His assignments thus far have been straightforward, he’s inspected orphanages, never gotten attached, and always assured himself he was doing what was best for the children. That is until one day he gets assigned a top-secret job and shipped off to an island full of questionable children for an entire month. The hirer ups believe they’ve got just the man for the job, a man who will stay objective and get them the results they’re after.
As Linus Baker gets transported into a world he could have never imagined, so will you. While Linus is hesitant at first with the mess he’s gotten into he quickly realizes these so-called dangerous children are more than what appears on the outside. They’re silly, throw temper tantrums, are shy and brave, and are full of hopes and dreams just like normal children. He also notices that their headmaster is a caring and generous man that makes Linus question his strict life full of rules and structure. While the home they have created in this house in the sea is not conventional, it’s exactly what these children need and they’re worth fighting for.
You will witness incredible character transformation, fall in love with the son of Satan, and gush over the sweet romance that develops between Linus and the headmaster. It made me chuckle and a tear may have even escaped a time or two. I’ll be cherishing this book, the characters, and all the inspirational quotes for a long time.
