The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: A Book Review
Genre: Fantasy
Klune writes an interesting story partially in line with George Orwell’s 1984. Focusing around an all-seeing government managing the registration of magical creatures, Klune discusses philosophy and propaganda throughout life as well as it’s effect on the beings surrounded by it. Strangely enough, I really enjoyed Klune’s take on the classic. By including the fantasy realm of magical creatures, Klune was able to separate the important lesson from the real world just enough to not insult his readers. By giving the readers the focus on the unjustness that the magical creatures faced, it allows them to separate themselves from the similarities the government might force upon themselves – effectively letting the comparisons sink slowly into their minds rather than punching them in the face.
Interestingly enough, there is not much that Klune could have done to make his book better. Personally, I would have liked to see more romance between Linus and Arthur. While I understand Klune wanting to keep it natural, I also feel that it was a little too under the wraps. Even just a few more scenes showing their relationship growing would have been nice.
Other than that, my only other complaint surrounds the editing. Towards the ending there seemed to be more misspellings – typically with one letter wrong or an unnecessary space.
Who would most enjoy the work and who should stay clear (if necessary):
- Those that like easy-going storylines with deep messages
- Those that like modern takes on classic novels
- Those wanting to read a story with positive LGBTQ+ representation without the whole story focusing on the fact it has LGBTQ+ representation. (That sounded more bitter than I mean it to be.)
Other books like the one reviewed:
1984 by George Orwell
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
| Plot: | 9 / 10 |
| Characters: | 9 / 10 |
| Writing: | 9 / 10 |
| Editor: | 9 / 10 |
| Total | 36 / 40 |
Title: The House in the Cerulean Sea
Author: TJ Klune
Edition: First Hardcover Edition
Published: 2020
Publisher: Tor
ISBN: 9781250217288
If you want to get it: Amazon; Barnes&Noble
Rosey Reviews 