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The House in the Cerulean Sea

"Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard.  You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome."

Linus Baker lived a quiet life in the city.  He worked hard at his job as a case worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he kept to himself, and he came home at night to his cat, Calliope.  It wasn't much of a life, but it was his and he did what was expected of him until one day he was called in to speak to Extremely Upper Management.  Linus was given the assignment of investigating an orphanage on a remote island.  An orphanage that was home to several magical children including 6-year-old Lucy, son of Satan.  He was to stay there for a month and observe the children and their guardian, a man named Arthur Parnassus, and report back to DICOMY on whether or not he believed the orphanage was fit to remain opened.  Armed with his book of rules and regulations, Linus was prepared to do a thorough and effective job.  What he wasn't prepared for was the effect that Arthur and the children would have on him.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is without a doubt my favorite read of 2020.  No need to read anything else.  I'm done.  This book was, simply put, perfect.  The only thing I'd change is the fact that I borrowed my book from the library.  I wish I had bought it so I could own it.  Tuck it into my shelves with my other favorites.  

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book about acceptance. We see these magical children that the world doesn't always treat fairly and all they want is what most children want, a chance to be seen, loved, and accepted for who they are.  A chance to fit in.  It's a book about discrimination and differences.  A book that the world could use right now.  

And underneath all of that it's a book about love.  Linus, a 40-something year old man who feels that he doesn't have much to offer when it comes to romance.  A man content to believe his life revolves around his work.  A man who secretly, maybe, wants more.  And Arthur, a man who has devoted his entire life to caring for the children that nobody wanted.  The relationship between Linus and Arthur gave me goosebumps.  It was so sweet and so genuinely written.  This book would have been perfect had it just been about the children, but Linus and Arthur made so much better.   

Arthur shook his head slowly.  "I don't know why you can't see it."
"See what?"
"You.  Everything you are."


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