“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune
Review by Seana Zimmer, adult services library assistant at the Hillsborough branch
‘Delightful’ rarely describes tales of discrimination and drudgery, but this is exactly what popped into my head as I enjoyed this quirky tale about an orphanage of unadoptable children. “The House in the Cerulean Sea” centers around a government caseworker with decades of experience sent to investigate this hidden home of magical children. What Linus Baker finds at this house both surprises and scares him. He struggles with the directives of Extremely Upper Management during his month-long visit, as he gets to know the children and their leaders.
Science fiction and fantasy books can be complex tomes, where the reader is immersed in a totally new realm. Author TJ Klune shows a world that is simply tucked away within our own reality, complete with cities, ferries, sunshine, and rain. This setting is similar to Harry Potter books and superhero movies, where “others” move among us and have hidden powers or talents. This genre can often be intense, action-packed, or suspenseful. This book of love and family is comforting, uncomplicated, and a little unexpected. Enjoy this on your next rainy weekend!