Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
A NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and WASHINGTON POST BESTSELLER! A 2021 Alex Award winner! The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner! An Indie Next Pick! One of Publishers Weekly's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020" One of Book Riot’s “20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies” Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless) 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. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 14 and up.
This gentle fantasy features a caseworker investigating magical orphans with mild peril, a sweet same-sex romance that includes kissing and affection, and themes of acceptance and found family. Some discussion of prejudice and child endangerment.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, mild sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include child harm, abandonment, and discrimination (see the full list above).
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Teens will love this heartwarming story about magical children finding family and a lonely man discovering where he truly belongs.