The House in the Cerulean Sea

Bookseller recommendation

“There aren't many books that can leave you wishing you were a parentless magical child feared by the rest of the society. But with characters like the ones in The House in the Cerulean Sea, you can't help but wish you belonged to such a wonderful, magical family. And the dialogue! You will not be able to drive while listening to it because you'll be laughing way too hard!”

— Chris • Belmont Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Amazing! As my first introduction to TJ Klune's books, it was the perfect first book. I fell in love with this whimsical story from the very beginning. This story will make you feel all the feelings and laugh right after. ”

— Elizabeth • McLean & Eakin Booksellers

Bookseller recommendation

“The House in the Cerulean Sea is a heart-swelling wave of sweetness and hope. Mild-mannered government caseworker Linus Baker is sent on a secret assignment to an island orphanage he’s never even heard of. The astonishing inhabitants he gets to know there will change his life and make him reassess everything he thought he knew. This book will leave you believing in the good in everyone — even those society has given up on — and contemplating how huge changes have to start somewhere.”

— Haley Stocking • Phinney Books

Bookseller recommendation

“It is rare to find a book of substance with a happy ending. THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA is that book. Middle-aged, portly, queer Linus Baker is a by-the-book, no-nonsense Case Manager in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth - and his lonely heart cares what happens to the magical children who have been placed in segregated orphanages. Tall, wise, soft-spoken Arthur Parnassus is the master of the secret orphanage that houses six of the strongest and most unique magical children in the world - and he has secrets of his own. When Linus is sent by Extremely Upper Management to investigate whether this orphanage should exist (especially under Arthur’s care), it sets off a chain of events in which fears are realized, dreams are manifested, voices are found, raised, and heard, and the definitions of love, family, and home become as inclusive as possible.”

— BrocheAroe • River Dog Book Co.

Bookseller recommendation

“Loved this sweet, funny, magical story of an unlikely family”

— Kimberly • Volumes Bookcafe

Bookseller recommendation

“This was a wholesome squeal of a novel that I ADORED! It had so much hype around it so I was wary but it immediately drew me in and wouldn't let me go until I finished. I opted for audio since it seemed that was the only way I was going to squeeze it in with my giant TBR list. Once I started, I literally changed my activities to better fit the listening of this book—more knitting, less TV, longer walks, and antisocial behavior. The narrator, Daniel Henning, perfectly encapsulated the whimsical nature of Linus Baker and his mysterious Level 4 security assignment to the island of Marysas. Though this book is entirely its own, it had vibes that reminded me of 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy meets Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Klune imbues so much life into all his characters. The kids are so cute and sassy and I love this quasi-magical world that they exist in, despite the fact that it keeps them locked away in an orphanage. I love that themes of our own world are examined and questioned and that it has a happy ending. I highly recommend this fantastical novel to everyone! Any book that steals all my attention from start to finish is pure magic and should be cherished!”

— Kimi • Buttonwood Books and Toys

Bookseller recommendation

“Escape with me to a wonderful world where magic and magical creatures exist. Linus Baker, a quiet and lonely man, finds an unexpected and challenging task as he's assigned by the government to report on an island where an orphanage with extremely classified magical children reside and a charming caretaker with many secrets. He encounters many unexpected things which make him question everything he thought he knew and believed about the world and himself. I recommend this to anyone who needs a little island getaway!”

— Lance • Skylight Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Genevieve of A Great Good Place for Books said it best when she said, "It's part fantasy, part love story and all heart." I couldn't agree more. I could feel my heart swell as I read. I laughed. I cried. I fell for all the characters. I loved this book!”

— Zinna • A Great Good Place for Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Magical, fun, emotional. Such a great read.”

— Sherry • Roaming Pages & Blooms

Bookseller recommendation

“I adore this book. The story begins in a morose greyscale, setting you up with the story of a hard-working but not terribly inspired man, Linus Baker. Linus works for the equivalent of Magic CPS, evaluating the homes that care for magically gifted children. He is pulled out of his drab and grey life in the city when he is assigned to address a new sort of home, by the sea. As soon as Linus arrives in the house by the sea, via train (a common vehicle for normal to magical transportation, as we all know), Linus' world explodes in color, chaos, and children. The traumatized children in the house by the sea open up Linus' eyes and heart, and give him the inspiration to help them in return. Excellent for fans of Pratchett and Gaiman, whimsy and magic, sarcasm and a healthy dose of pragmatism.”

— Gwyn • Hudson Booksellers

Bookseller recommendation

“A whimsical, cozy story about family, belonging, and acceptance with some of the most wonderful characters I’ve ever encountered. I never wanted it to end!”

— Quinn • Newtonville Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I cannot get over how amazing this book was! It had everything I was looking for - adventure, fantasy, whimsy, lovable characters, and romance! It follows the life of Linus Baker, a lonely, middle-aged government employee who feels as though something is missing from his life. Every day, Linus wakes up, goes to work, completes his mundane job, and then goes home. Nothing has changed in the past 17 years. Then, all of a sudden, he is summoned by Extremely Upper Management, the top government officials in his office. Linus has been chosen specifically, and he is being sent on a top-secret assignment. Suddenly, everything in his life is no longer as it seems, and Linus must rely on his own instincts to cipher out the truth and decide what is truly important to him. ”

— Maddie • A Great Good Place for Books