Sample
  • The House in the Cerulean Sea

  • By: TJ Klune
  • Narrated by: Daniel Henning
  • Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (17,337 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The House in the Cerulean Sea  By  cover art

The House in the Cerulean Sea

By: TJ Klune
Narrated by: Daniel Henning
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $20.24

Buy for $20.24

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
activate_primeday_promo_in_buybox_DT

Publisher's summary

"Daniel Henning is a great narrator for this quirky and theatrical audiobook.... Henning revels in a cornucopia of characters, diving into nuanced voices and colorful moments with accents and growls, tone shifts and whispers.... This is definitely a title for those who enjoy fantasy stories replete with gnomes and witches and all in between." (AudioFile Magazine)

Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune's breakout contemporary fantasy

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

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

Chicago Tribune Best Books of the Year - 2020

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year - 2020

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

"1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger, New York Times best-selling author of Soulless)

©2020 TJ Klune (P)2020 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

ALA Alex Awards Winner (Adult for Young Adults), 2021

Chicago Tribune Best Books of the Year, 2020

Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, 2020

Featured Article: Audible Essentials—The Top 100 LGBTQIA+ Listens of All Time


While LGBTQIA+ creators have been around for millennia, it’s only recently that we’ve been hearing more diverse, more queer-authored, and more queer-performed stories about the entire spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experiences and identities. This list—just like the community it represents—is meant to be fluid. But most importantly, it’s meant to celebrate and reflect on the issues faced by LGBTQIA+ people everywhere.

What listeners say about The House in the Cerulean Sea

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    13,415
  • 4 Stars
    2,668
  • 3 Stars
    818
  • 2 Stars
    263
  • 1 Stars
    172
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12,581
  • 4 Stars
    1,985
  • 3 Stars
    603
  • 2 Stars
    202
  • 1 Stars
    147
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    12,069
  • 4 Stars
    2,296
  • 3 Stars
    691
  • 2 Stars
    243
  • 1 Stars
    160

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Thank you, T,J. Klune

As I first started listening to this story, I wondered if I had preordered the wrong book. But no, it was written by T.J. Klune and it was LGBTQ, so why did it seem like I was listening to a children's book? It's not a kids' book, though there are parts that many children would love and I can imagine myself curling up beside my grandson/daughter and reading it to them much like Peter Falk ala Princess Bride. But mostly, I think it's because this book appealed to the child in me. It reached a place of innocence, wonder, and playfulness that I haven't experienced in a very long time - and I loved every minute of it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

30 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I really DO wish I was there!

I knew I wouldn't be disappointed with a TJ Klune book. It was everything a great book should be. I was worried about a new narrator to the Kluneverse family, but Daniel Henning did a spectacular job. I will forever cherish Chauncey! The writing, the message, the characters, the voices... it was all just perfect. Thank you TJ for working so hard, TOR, Daniel Henning and everyone involved in this wonderful story.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

23 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stunning

What a beautiful story of redemption and acceptance narrated in a most amazing way!

Thank you TJ Klune for the escape and thank you Daniel Henning for bringing the story to life!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A warm hug of a book!

This book will leave you feeling happy and hopeful. It surprised me into laughter several times, the tears that were shed were from the cuteness of these precious little magical children. The narrator did a wonderful job. Absolutely recommend!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great read!

After all the great reviews I wasn’t sure the book could live up to the hype. It didn’t, it surpassed it.

From the very beginning you can feel the grayness of Linus’s world. He always tries to do his best at his job but he takes it no further. His new assignment will open his eyes to a bigger and brighter world.

I can’t really do justice to the development of the characters in this book It is a journey you need to take for yourself. So do yourself a favor and read this book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping!

It was so very... different... from anything I'd read before, that I was flummoxed as to whether I wanted to continue listening. Fortunately, I kept with it and fell in love with all the characters. This one is a win!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

WHERE DO I BEGIN?!

all I have to say is WOW! The performance was WONDERFUL. The story was mesmerizing! This has become my favorite book ever I couldn't stop listening! do yourself a favor and read/listen to this book! I just finished two minutes ago and I already want to restart it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

I fully loved this very predictable book

If you are looking for shocks, surprises, twists and turns… this book isn’t for you. But if you are look for a sweet as honey book that warms your heart, this is it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I was not ready to ugly cry.

It's been a while since I've read a book that made my heart swell as much as this did. We begin by meeting Linus Baker, a governmental drone going about his life and doing what he need to do, but we realize he wants more out of his life than what he has. A mysterious assignment sends him away from his routine and changes his life, and by extension starts to change the rest of his world.

I decided to read this book on a "hey I have some free credits" lark. I saw the comparisons made about it being 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy, but I don't necessarily think that's a fair comparison. There is no big bad villain to be defeated, unless you count systemic bigotry. T.J. Klune's writing focuses so much on character, each central character you encounter is so 3 dimensional and flushed out, you feel as if you know or have known these people. At the heart of this entrie book is the search for home, love, community & most importantly (to me) a sense of belonging and acceptance.

I've already suggested this book to anyone who will listen to me and still that doesn't feel like enough, so I felt compelled to write this review.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful!

This book is worth every penny! Amazing story, great narrator. I'm off now to buy more books by this author.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful