by TJ Klune
A cosy, enchanting story about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place – and realizing that family could be yours. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting, heart-warming fantasy from TJ Klune.
'I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect' – V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he's spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.
Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside – including the Antichrist.
At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if these children could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . .
A New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller.
'Likely to cause heart-swelling' – Washington Post
'A modern fairy tale . . . It's a beautiful book' – Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of Dead Until Dark
'Touching, tender and truly delightful' – Gail Carriger, author of Soulless
Continue the adventure with the second entry in the Cerulean Chronicles, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
A cosy, enchanting story about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place – and realizing that family could be yours. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting, heart-warming fantasy from TJ Klune.
'I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect' – V. E. Schwab, author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he's spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.
Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside – including the Antichrist.
At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if these children could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . .
A New York Times, USA Today and Washington Post bestseller.
'Likely to cause heart-swelling' – Washington Post
'A modern fairy tale . . . It's a beautiful book' – Charlaine Harris, bestselling author of Dead Until Dark
'Touching, tender and truly delightful' – Gail Carriger, author of Soulless
Continue the adventure with the second entry in the Cerulean Chronicles, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
Reviews-
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Starred review from September 30, 2019
Quirk and charm give way to a serious exploration of the dangers of complacency in this delightful, thought-provoking Orwellian fantasy from Klune (Heartsong). Caseworker Linus Baker of the Department in Charge of Magical Youths (DICOMY) believes he is doing right by the preternaturally gifted children placed in DICOMY-sanctioned orphanages. But Linus begins to question DICOMY’s methods when the ominous Extremely Upper Management tasks Linus with evaluating the isolated Marsyas Island Orphanage and reporting not only on the island’s extraordinary children—among them a female gnome, a blob of uncertain species who wants to be a bellhop, and a shy teenage boy who turns into a small dog when startled—but also on the orphanage master, Arthur Parnassus. The bonds Linus forms with the children and the romantic connection he feels for Arthur set Linus on a path toward redemption for the unwitting harm he caused as a cog in an uncaring bureaucratic machine. By turns zany and heartfelt, this tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klune’s wit and ingenuity. Agent: Diedre Knight, The Knight Agency -
Daniel Henning is a great narrator for this quirky and theatrical audiobook. When Linus is assigned to observe an orphanage for magical children, all kinds of developments ensue. Henning revels in a cornucopia of characters, diving into nuanced voices and colorful moments with accents and growls, tone shifts and whispers. The contemporary touches keep the story humorously timely, and Henning's delivery is welcoming or satirical when necessary. Some characters are so well developed through Henning's vocal stylings that they inspire laugh-out-loud moments. Other characters are too predictable in prose and performance to add much to the production. This is definitely a title for those who enjoy fantasy stories replete with gnomes and witches and all in between. L.B.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
- V. E. Schwab, author of Gallant and The Near Witch I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect
- Washington Post The House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. It's a beautiful book
- Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series that inspired HBO's True Blood 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Touching, tender and truly delightful, The House in the Cerulean Sea is an utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family and defeating bureaucracy
- Gail Carriger Sweet, comforting and kind, this book is very close to perfect . . . I cannot recommend it highly enough
- Seanan McGuire, author of the Wayward Children series A witty, wholesome fantasy that's likely to cause heart-swelling
- Publishers Weekly This tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klune's wit and ingenuity
- Kirkus Reviews Lambda Literary Award-winning author Klune (The Art of Breathing, 2019) has a knack for creating endearing characters, and readers will grow to love Arthur and the orphans alongside Linus
- Shelf Awareness Quite possibly the greatest feel-good story ever to involve the Antichrist . . . a burst of humor and hope
- Fantasy & Science Fiction A beautiful little gem of both irony and, yes, kindness
- Library Journal A delightful tale about chosen families, and how to celebrate differences
- Culturess Daily If ever there was an author to watch out for, [Klune] is definitely that author
