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.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a book that had been described by friends to me as “perfect” more than once. Like a giant hug, or a big comfy blanket. Which, goddamn…is this not the best time ever for something like that? Oof…this is a book that absolutely delivers the warm fuzzies & All of The Feels™️, and I’m really happy to have finally read this!

In a recent tweet (which I thought I had screen-capped but now can’t seem to find), TJ Klune described The House in the Cerulean Sea as a book for everybody. And it’s true, this is book that doesn’t so much have “crossover appeal” as it is a book that’s just…for everybody. I was reminded somewhat of Seanan McGuire’s Wayward Children novels, or of Clive Barker’s The Thief of Always…books that would be as important and impactful to folks from any age group. Just magical stories that wring your heart out in the best possible way.

Linus Baker is a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He travels to various orphanages, conducting routine inspections & making sure things are on the up and up, and that the children are safe. He’s good at his job, follows the rules (reading the handbook, RULES AND REGULATIONS as if it were a bible), and is…stuck. Content, but stuck. Maybe even so stuck he doesn’t even realize it.

He has a cat. A steady job. A nice record collection. What more could he need?

A mysterious summons to appear in front of Extremely Upper Management sends Linus’s life into upheaval. He’s assigned to travel to the Marsyas Island Orphanage, and it’s all very hush hush. Once there, Linus meets an extraordinary group of kids, along with their caretaker, Arthur Parnassus.

One by one, Linus gets to know each of the children, slowly opening up to them & dropping his somewhat stiff, regulated demeanor. It takes a lot for him to do this, just as it takes a lot for the kids to give Linus their trust. After all, the outcome of his “investigation” may have a lasting impact on them all, so they are all experiencing a healthy amount of mistrust.

Each of these kids is just…amazing. There are so many heartfelt and/or hilarious moments in this book, perhaps none more so than those between Linus and Lucy. AKA Lucifer. Yes, the son of the devil, but also a six-year-old boy. He’s the actual sweetest kid, just, you know…he has a lot of big ideas about hellfire, damnation, destruction…that kind of thing. There are some serious LOL moments whenever Lucy is around, and I just adored the growing relationship between Lucy and Linus.

And then of course the quirky, awkward, delightful & painfully-slow slow burn romance between Linus and Arthur Parnassus…oof.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is like a balm for your heart…heartbalm? I took my time reading this one, reading a chapter here & there, and it was delightful. A book about acceptance of others, and acceptance of yourself. A book that shows us if we find the courage to step outside our comfortable bubble, we might find the thing we want most in life. Even if we didn’t know we were looking for it.