The House in the Cerulean Sea

By: TJ Klune

Narrated by: Daniel Henning

Length: 12 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

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

incredible 😍

It's a time for a recommendation. 🎧

Narrator score🎧 ; ok. It's an unknown narrator for me and I can say that I'm not disappointed at all.... somehow I was thinking that Derrick Mcclain could be fantastic for this book. (I probably imagined him in my mind since I read the blurb of this book, and waited for it.) But, the narrator was marvelous. and he brought to life every single character. Lucy was that boy that you expect him to be. And Sall my beloved little Sall (I will not write any spoilers, but he is my absolute favorite)

Level of steam🔥: it's a clean book. Every single person even an homophobic person can probably read this book and he will not find it offensive.

Level of anxiety and sadness😱😢: Its not a sad story. It's more a story about seeing the world as it is. I did felt melancholy in some parts of the book. And I did shed some tears.... but it's TJ and he will explain emotion like no one else. And it's me ....I'm a crybaby.

The book itself📖: where to even begin?
The biggest the expectation the even more bigger enjoyment. I know it's not the saying, but in this case it was what I felt.
Yes it's a YA, but it is definitely for everyone. I think this book needs to become a book that we teach our children in schools. It's a book about the notion of reality, acceptance, understanding and about how words can harm but you can actually endure it and be stronger because of this specific reason.
Every boy or girl in this book took a peace of my heart with them.
And Lionel, this incredible man that thinks he's too ordinary discovered that he isn't.
It's an incredible journey, and before I'll conclude my words. I want to say to Tj thank you for the songs you chosen.
I maybe only 29, but I was given the biggest musical ejection that a girl could be given and the reason that it took me 2 and a half days to finish this book was, because I was stopping the book and listened to the songs.
It was absolutely another delight from this incredible story teller

4 people found this helpful

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.

2 people found this helpful

Beautiful story

There is so much I love about this story. I loved Linus’ journey of self discovery throughout the whole book. The children are delightful and Arthur is absolutely wonderful!
Daniel Henning was a completely unknown narrator to me. He really brought this book to life. His voices for Arthur and Linus were perfect!

2 people found this helpful

Heartwarming

I am always excited for something new from TJ Klune, but this was something very new. I LOVED every moment of it!

2 people found this helpful

A wonderfully story of hope and found family.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a masterpiece that is a simply perfect read in these uncertain times. It’s themes revolve around acceptance, inclusivity, love and found family. It is a story for adults as much as it is for children twelve and above. There is much to learn here and much to be taught. I adored every beautifully written word and the narration was spectacular. The narrator’s choice of voices are perfection and delightfully highlighted each characters personality.
I can not recommend this novel and audiobook more highly.

2 people found this helpful

An absolute delight

This wonderful, wonderful book should be read by everyone! It is such a delight and it's storyline, lessons and beautiful characters are such a joy. What TJ has presented us with us the perfect story for these uncertain times, full of love and light, the perfect use of the Dante's Cave allegory and a lesson for us all.
Daniel Henning has captured this story brilliantly in his narration, the children come to life in his interpretation of their voices and his performance especially of Arthur is spot on to what I had imagined it to be.
You should absolutely listen to The House in the Cerulean Sea, your heart will thank you. 5 stars.

2 people found this helpful

Nice and Family friendly.

well written
easy listening
nice little fairytale
whith a sprinkle of poetry.

I like the mc, the children and the plot.
most of all I like the lack of sex, which makes the book family friendly.

2 people found this helpful

I could not put this book down

Klune paints a beautiful story about family, love and how perseverance in unity can not just change hearts and minds, but also worlds. Anyone would be a fool to not want to escape to The House in the Cerulean Sea. I'm not crying, you're crying 😭

2 people found this helpful

Wonderful!

This was TJ's first book with a new publisher, and of course, it's wonderful! I honestly can't imagine anything he writes would disappoint me. HE made me fall in love with the people in this story. I don't know how he manages it, but he always does. You care what happens to these extrordinary people.
For the life of me, I can't figure out what time period the story takes place, but I suspect it is not a time ever encountered on this Earth. Nevertheless, it all just works. I do hope we get to revisit this world.
The narrator did a fantastic job of coming up with unique voices for each of the characters. he conveyed the emotion of every scene. I laughed and cried along with all of them.
Oh just stop reading my prattle and go listen to the book! You will love it.

2 people found this helpful

Another great TJ book.

I am a long time TJ Klune fan. Prior to this book, his stories had been published by a smaller press and then self-republished. There was something about the news that this book was going to be put out by Tor that made me wonder if his writing style would change in some way, or if it would be less romantic than some of his other books. Even beginning this book and learning about Linus Baker's kind of dull life, I was just a little worried about connecting with the characters. But here is the thing, I have a lot of faith in this author, and I strongly believed that even though Linus's beginning was slow going, it didn't mean that it wasn't going to be a great story.

Now, TJ's books are varied, and each of his main characters are very unique. Linus is a main character of this book, sent to inspect an orphanage under the supervision of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). The master of the orphanage would be considered the second main character, in terms of the adults leading the story and for the romance that runs through the background. T Though I would argue that the children there are just as important as the two mc's.

Arthur Parnassus is the product of the very system that he now works for. And if I'm not mistaken, the children at his orphanage are quite unique from most other magical youth. A sprite, a female garden gnome (with a beard), a shapeshifter, a wyvern, the devil's son, and someone quite indescribable. There is an important lesson that Arthur and Linus have to impart, not to the children but to upper management of DICOMY. The children might be strange, might have the potential to be dangerous. But it is not what they are that should dictate what happens to them. As children this is when they are molded into the kind of adults they will be. Their future behavior relies on how they are cared for and treated as children.

Arthur Parnassus is such a perfect master for them. His love for them is the love of a father. It is also with the empathy of someone who has been in their shoes. Linus's loyalty to his job was worrisome at first, but it wasn't long before the residents of the orphanage would make him see it was a home, and it could be his home. Feelings begin to grow between the two adults, but it is somewhat of a slow burn as the importance of their being in the same place was for the children. But burn it does.

So all my worries were for nothing, because TJ Klune was able to draw me into this story just like all his others. There were laughs, and there were tender moments that drew tears. I loved all the kids especially the wannabe bellhop. I was taken in by them just as Linus was. There was a lot of hope in this book for the acceptance of others that don't look the same or come from the same place. All in all it was a beautiful story that charmed me greatly. The narrator was a new one to me, and I thought he did a great job. I would definitely listen to him again.

2 people found this helpful

So adorable!

This book is all the love and happiness I needed right now. Can't wait to listen to it again and I hope there will be a sequel someday.

1 person found this helpful

Amazing

Very cute story about acceptance from a very talented author. The narration was rather good too.