Title of the book: The House in the Cerulean Sea

Author: T.J. Klune

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication Date: 27th of July 2021

Genre: Fantasy, LGBT, Young Adult

Why I picked up this book:

If there is such a thing as an official “late adopter” I could certainly be counted among them. I’ve got no illusions about this book being a hidden gem that I’ve just unearthed. This book is very well-known, very well loved and has been around for a decent amount of time. 

The reasons I picked the book up now..well first of all I needed a stand-alone book. I now know this is not - yes my research skills are not amazing. I also was looking for something cosy and comforting to get me out of a reading slump. Plus one of my current favourite authors, V.E. Schwab recommended it, and honestly that alone would have been enough for me.

About the author:

TJ KLUNE is a Lambda Literary Award-winning author (Into This River I Drown) and an ex-claims examiner for an insurance company. His novels include The House in the Cerulean Sea and The Extraordinaries. Being queer himself, TJ believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive, queer representation in stories.

Synopsis:

Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for the company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he's spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.

Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside, including the Antichrist. There, Linus must somehow determine if they could bring it on at the end of the day. But their guardian, charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. As Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose between duty and his dreams.

Review of the book:

I believe it was Gail Carriger who described this book as: “1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Now while I certainly agree with the first part of that description I would like to edit it slightly.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is: 1984, meets Miss Peregrine’s home for peculiar children, but make it gay - and I am so utterly here for it. 

Though I would love to say that I could relate to the character of Arthur Parnassus, my current life is startlingly similar to the system that Linus finds himself trapped in at the beginning of our story. Something I don’t think I am alone in - as there are plenty of us trapped in jobs that make us unhappy, for the sake of maintaining the status quo or for the simple golden handcuffs. While that was an uncomfortable truth to be faced with, it was incredibly uplifting to see the journey that Linus went on - and it gave me hope for my own future.

Now I won’t say that this story is faultless. As it is quite sweet, almost sickly so. Normally I think that would have put me off a fair amount. However, in these dark days, it appears that is exactly what I need. The saccharine provided me with the exact level of escapism required. 

The pacing could have picked up in certain spots as well. I don’t think we needed quite as much of a description of how miserable and terrible Linus’ life is, prior to his departure for the Orphanage. I don’t think we needed quite as much explanation about how devious Lucy may be when Linus first met him. Plus, to be honest with you - I have yet to meet a person, man or woman, who faints dead on the spot from reading some words on a piece of paper. And before you have a go at me, that is coming from a person who is registering a 10 on the anxiety scale. 

All of that being said, damnit I want to find my house overlooking that beautiful cerulean ocean. Filled with little footsteps, clam scratches and forest sprites, and jazz music and cakes. 

This review is also posted on Amazon & Goodreads.