The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summary:
The story follows Linus Baker, a meticulously by-the-book, lonesome caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He lives in a dreary, gray life in a rainy city with his cat, Calliope.
Linus is given a highly classified assignment to travel to Marsyas Island and investigate an orphanage housing six magical children who have been labeled as dangerous. His mission is to determine whether the home should be shut down.
When Linus arrives on the island, he is suspicious at first. Because of his history with DICOMY, his mindset is wired to believe that the children are the problem. However, as he stays and learns more about them, he realizes that the problem isn’t the children, but rather DICOMY’s rigid, prejudiced rules. In the process, he learns about his own beliefs, begins to let down his guard, and ultimately falls in love with the founder of the orphanage.
My Thoughts:
Overall, I enjoyed this story. I did find that the storyline was simple and easy to follow.
This story touches on love, family values, children, and a corrupted system. It feels very reflective of the real world. Often, those in charge or those who make the rules are completely out of touch with reality. I can see how things might not have started out that way. Over the years, control can make systems rigid, until no one really knows how to manage them. It’s just part of being human.
Recommended for:
· Fans of the “Found Family” trope: If you love stories where a group of eccentric misfits, outcasts, and lonely souls come together to form a fiercely protective, unbreakable family, this is the gold standard.
· The “Late Bloomers”: It’s a wonderful read for those who appreciate stories about an older, ordinary protagonist (Linus is in his 40s) breaking out of a dreary, soul-crushing routine to finally discover adventure, love, and self-worth later in life.
· Slow-Burn Romance Lovers: If you enjoy a slow-burn, queer romance that focuses on mutual respect, shared values, and falling in love with someone’s heart, you’ll be hooked.
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