Book Reviews

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune  

The House in the Cerulean Sea begins with dialogue, breaking one of the laws of good writing, according to the experts. Beginning with dialogue, they say, fails to give you essential background. You (theoretically) need a good foundation in order to understand the characters and their world. But TJ Klune describes the scene so vividly that the characters come across in living color.

Linus Baker, caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY), is fastidious, organized, plays by the rules, and lives a routine, humdrum life. Because of the thoroughness of his reports, he is given an unusual assignment: to determine whether the House in the Cerulean Sea (an orphanage) should continue to harbor the six magical children assigned to it or if the house should be closed and the children relocated. 
When Linus embarks on the journey to this house, he is stiff and unyielding. Rules and Regulations are meant to be followed, after all. But what takes place on the island with these children is . . . well . . . magical. Not because of their special powers. Something else happens. This is where Klune’s masterful storytelling sweetly and softly takes you on a journey of wonder. The children, the master of the orphanage, the woman in charge of the island are all fantastical in such an endearing way. I fell in love with each and every one of them because of the wit and humor and such love imbued in every scene. My heart swelled. And I turned the pages rapidly to see what happened next while dreading the fact that I was hastening the end.
 
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story to treasure, to cherish, the kind of story you want to share with someone. To find magic in the magical is every writer’s duty. But to find magic where there is none is every writer’s dream. Turn the pages of The House in the Cerulean Sea, and dream.