The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

I don’t think I’ve read a more magical book in a long time. If ever. Not only are the characters enchanting, but they’re so lovable that they can’t help but steal your heart.

Yes, there’s Arthur and Linus, two lovely and loving men. But there are also the children: Talia, Lucy, Chauncey, Phee, Sal, and Theodore. As the reader gets to know these characters, you can’t help but be drawn to them and to the lives they lead.

And while I loved them all, there had to be favorite, and oh, how could I not love Theodore. Yes, he’s a wyvern, but that makes him even so much more lovable.

Though the novel stands alone, I do so wish there was a sequel, so that I could go back to the house in the Cerulean Sea and visit all who abide there.




Forgot to say, made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro!

Mount TBR 2022 Book Links


Links are to more information regarding each book or author, not to the review.

( TBR Book Links 1-60 )

61. Atoms and Ashes: A Global History of Nuclear Disasters by Serhii Plokhy
62. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune







OCTOBER- Murder or Magic. Read a murder mystery book or a magical realism book.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune




Island - The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune