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

How to review this book? Let's get the good stuff out first. This book made me think, more than once, "this is like if Roald Dahl was still around and writing for adults." It is undeniably charming. It's got whimsy (oh boy does it have whimsy) and gentleness oozing off of every page. It's full of heart, optimism, and hope. It's stuffed with little teachable moments. The characters are adorably quirky and lovable. The premise is neat, and Klune's writing is engaging. By any metric, this is a likeable book. I absolutely understand why it is so beloved. ...and yet. I don't think of myself as a particularly cynical or cold-hearted person; I don't need, or even especially want, everything I read to be grimdark and bleak; I have enjoyed many a "cozy" novel and author over the years; and frankly, as I thought about how to write this review, I developed a gnawing sense of unease over the idea of complaining about it. It feels a little bit like complaining about a really nice hug. So here's what I'll say. This book did not quite work for me. It was so charming, so openly heart-on-the-sleeve, so earnestly saccharine, that it not only revealed to me that I apparently have limits to how much whimsy I can personally tolerate but blasted right past those limits and cheerfully kept right on going. I will confess that, more than once, I rolled my eyes at yet another scene where a child or an adult delivers some profound little life lesson - every flower can open with enough sun, even the darkest night shines with stars, the broken things have the most interesting stories, a stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet. There is barely a chapter that goes by without one of these scenes, and I grew a little weary of them by the end. And none of that is bad, per se. This book is readable, and the fluff is propulsive in its own way. This is certainly not a book that will, in any way shape or form, challenge you: not with complex prose, or internecine plot, or unlikeable characters, or grave peril, or even any real conflict. You will be gently warmed through from start to finish like a pot of custard. And that's absolutely fine. It just isn't quite my style. (crosspost of my Storygraph review)

⭐️⭐️⭐️3.5!

Heart-warming? ✅
Comfy & cozy vibes? ✅
Nostalgia for childhood whimsy & magic? ✅
Found family & hilarious child commentaries? ✅

I went into this unsure of what I was going to find. I was promised the above and, boy, did it deliver! I ate this one up- I can’t explain but it’s giving “Coraline” with a much sweeter and whimsical fairy-tale spin off. 🧚✨🌊 I was transported to this fantastical, magic filled island and was absolutely smitten with each magical youth, and the lovable dynamics within a family made whole by individuals with a need for love and acceptance.

It was refreshing to see no exaggerated plot points; that things were predominantly character-driven rather than externally. Yes, there’s the village forebodance and general knowledge that we’re fighting social prejudices. But overall, we were just waiting and watching Linus’ worldview change, and find a sense of self and belonging outside of what he thought he knew/wanted. And that was sweet!

The romances (thought minimal) were not my flavor, but they felt soft and endearing. And the written repetitions were a bit fluffy. Overall, an enjoyable read that I ate up for the comfort of each character and a message of love and belonging.

I loved the sweet book. I fell in the with this family

3.5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Delightful, refreshing, charming and unique are just a few words that come to mind when I think of this enchanting book. These characters and this world are so vivid and the writing is endearing. I had many chuckles, some outright guffaws, and a few tears were shed all in the span of reading this story. It's feel-good meets enlightenment with a little magic thrown in. Absolutely perfect.

"It's the little things. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them."

"Sometimes, our prejudices color our thoughts when we least expect them to. If we can recognize that, and learn from it, we can become better people."

"...even the bravest of us can still be afraid sometimes, so long as we don't let our fear become all we know."

"The things we fear the most are often the things we should fear the least. It's irrational, but it's what makes us human. And if we're able to conquer those fears, then there is nothing we're not capable of."

"Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome."

"Change comes when people want it enough..."

"...in order to change the minds of many, you have to first start with the minds of a few."