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The House in the Cerulean Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #1)

T.J. Klune

Start date: July 16, 2021

Finish date: August 16, 2021

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What Members Thought

Apr 11, 2021 Dareth McKenna rated it really liked it

I think this was a sweet and heartwarming tale, also a little smartass and a lot thoughtful and intelligent. And kinda charmingly awkward too.

I loved the characters and their interactions and the hope and optimism of the story. I think there were good healthy examples throughout the story about how loving intelligent people deal with tough situations, and I appreciated the adults facing and embracing the having of difficult conversations with each other and the children, rather than cringing aw I think this was a sweet and heartwarming tale, also a little smartass and a lot thoughtful and intelligent. And kinda charmingly awkward too.

I loved the characters and their interactions and the hope and optimism of the story. I think there were good healthy examples throughout the story about how loving intelligent people deal with tough situations, and I appreciated the adults facing and embracing the having of difficult conversations with each other and the children, rather than cringing away from those situations which are also opportunities to teach and connect and grow. So many people in our current society accept that cowering away from those difficult moments as an acceptable way to deal with difficult things, and I think that’s to their detriment and society’s.

I liked that the main character Linus was just a good guy, not a kid coming into his own, discovering his inheritance or powers. In fact he has no magical powers at all and he is just as important to the plot and to other characters as any of the magical people are anyway. The only thing about that is, it led to the whole story being kind of... cozy, I guess is the word people might use for it.

I loooved that the cat Calliope was an important character too even though she is just a cat. I agree with the author and characters’ assessment that you can tell a lot about a person by how they interact with animals and how animals interact with them and I appreciate that being included.

My one dissatisfaction with this story is something that I see done in a lot of stories. Linus’s starting point is kinda of like he sprung whole into existence at the age of forty and has no friends and no meaningful relationship with any coworkers or neighbors or family. I don’t see how a sweet, thoughtful, and sensitive person like him would just be doing that job for seventeen years and NEVER meet another nice person or form friendships of any kind. He has no ties to anyone in the world until he goes to the island and suddenly in this place, unlike anywhere else, he is able to slowly build ties with everyone and say just the right thing to make the kids feel better and trust him, etc. If he had those skills and that awareness all along, how did this not happen at, well, every orphanage he visited? Why is this one different?

I agree with the story’s idea that you can choose your real family, and I love that because it’s sooo important. But I’m wary of the idea that the “normal world” sucks and that you have to escape to somewhere special or magical to find good people and have a good life. Although a change of scenery can be a good thing for some people sometimes, a chance to re-create or rebuild oneself, there is no reason you have to leave, or that these kinds of relationships can’t be formed right where you are. Those good people are all over the place throughout the world. We just need to see them for what they are. ...more

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Jun 07, 2021 Katrisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: unlocked, favorites

I couldn't love this book more! ...more

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Aug 14, 2021 Charlene rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: books-that-i-own, 2021-popsugar-reading-challenge

Oh my, this book. This should be required reading, in schools, universities, team building exercises, whatever, it needs to be read by everyone. Lessons of true goodness, kindness, love, acceptance, empathy are found in this beauty. These lovely characters will stay with you for a long time. This book grabbed my heartstrings and still haven't let go... ...more

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