Allison’s Book Report - “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune

Happy Thanksgiving weekend, readers. I have big plans of holing up in my house into what we call “The Family Cocoon” with my husband and my kiddos, cooking and eating tons of good food, watching football and Hallmark movies, shopping online in my pajamas, and just enjoying each other’s company. It is time to take a step back and soak up all of the things we are grateful for. Of course, I am grateful for books and reading, and I am even more grateful that I get to share books I love with you every week here in The Book Report, and this week I have a witty and wholesome fantasy that you can share with your whole family.

“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune is a heartwarming novel set in a whimsical world where magical creatures exist but are often misunderstood and marginalized. The story follows Linus Baker, a by-the-book government worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). Linus’s job involves inspecting orphanages where magical children are kept, ensuring they are treated properly. One day, Linus is given a special assignment: to evaluate an orphanage on a secluded island managed by the mysterious Arthur Parnassus. Upon arriving, Linus discovers that the children under Arthur’s care are extraordinary in ways he never imagined. Among them are a girl who can control the weather, a part sprite boy, a child who can transform into a dog, and even the Antichrist, who is surprisingly sweet and well-behaved. As Linus spends time with the children and their guardians, he begins to question the prejudices he’s held about magic and difference.

This novel beautifully explores themes of acceptance, belonging, and love as Linus comes to realize that the world is far more complicated and beautiful than he ever thought. Through his interactions with the children and Arthur, Linus undergoes a profound transformation, learning the importance of embracing diversity and rejecting fear-driven judgment. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” is the first in a pair of novels in the series, followed up with “Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” both of which are just part of a pretty solid catalog of feel-good fantasy literature by TJ Klune. This one is suitable for teens and adults alike and is guaranteed food for thought to make you feel warm and cozy all weekend.

I know you will love this week’s book, and I hope your Thanksgiving weekend is full of love and relaxing family time. Share this book with someone you love, and then pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader and let me know what you think.