The House in the Cerulean Sea delivers acceptance and self-discovery in a world of magical beings

A brilliant fantasy novel doesn’t have to build a whole new world. Instead, it needs that touch of magic that The House in the Cerulean Sea delivers.

The very best fantasy books all share one thing: a story that captures the imagination. And over the years, I have read plenty of fantasy books, but none have been quite as engaging and moving as The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

You may not have heard of Klune before, but if ever there was an author to watch out for, he is definitely that author. I have read every book he has released, and I can tell you right now that whether he is making you laugh or cry, he is doing it with a wit and charm that is unparalleled.

While The House in the Cerulean Sea is not the first fantasy book that TJ Klune has written, it is definitely going to be the one that helps bring his work to the attention of a much wider audience.

We are talking about a book that takes magical beings and makes them the stars, but that’s not to say that there are no humans in this world. In fact, the main character is a human, and not just any human, but a case worker for magical children.

Linus Baker is what you might call an ordinary man, even if he does work for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. In some instances, you may even consider him unremarkable or even boring, but as you get to know Linus, you learn there is more to him than meets the eye. While he may be human in a world where mythical beings exist, he has a passion and drive that just needs a bit of nurturing.

And when Linus is called by Extremely Upper Management to look into a very special orphanage located in the house in the Cerulean Sea, he finds himself with a case that is unlike any he has ever taken on. From children that are not what they seem to be, to a master of the house with his own set of secrets, the people living in this particular home are so much more than what you would expect from a magical orphanage.

In fact, there is a magical child named Chauncey who wants nothing more than to be the very best bellhop that there ever was (even if we have no idea what exactly Chauncey even is). And we can’t forget the six-year-old Lucifer aka Lucy, who just so happens to be the son of the real Lucifer. There is a female garden gnome with a lovely beard, as all good gnomes have. And a lovely Sprite or two, as well as a Wyvern who has a lovely hoard that includes quite a few buttons.

This orphanage is unlike any other that Linus has come across, and its master, Arthur Parnassus is no different. Every single being living on this island seems to be special, and it is up to Linus to find the truth — not only about what’s really at stake in the house in the Cerulean Sea, but also in his own life. After all, how can he help these children, if he doesn’t even know what he himself needs?

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a brilliant tale of self-discovery, finding family, and learning/teaching acceptance. This is a love story as much as it is a fantasy, and its ability to blend the two genres in subtle but poignant ways is what makes this story perfection. It is a truly profound story and it is told in a way that only Klune knows how — with humor, patience, and a sense of self that will leave you wanting more.

After reading this story I couldn’t help but want more. I want more of Linus and Arthur. I want to see what comes next for the magical youth they are trying to help. And I need to know just what will change as Linus sets out to transform the world (because really, that’s what he does).

While I am a fan of standalone stories, if ever there was a time to call for a sequel, this would be it. Because this book leaves me wanting more, and once you read it, I bet you’ll feel the same.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is available now from Tor and can be found at all major booksellers.