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A review by streetwrites
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Sometimes a book comes along and it’s exactly the right book at exactly the right time. That’s what this book was for me. I’ve been meaning to get around to it for years, and I’m delighted that I finally did. This book scratched a rare itch…something that conjured the magic of Harry Potter, and discovering a new world along with a previously ignorant character, and falling absolutely in love with everything and everyone in it. The writing was whimsical and endearing, and every single principal character in this book was memorable and adorable and charming. I cried SO MANY TIMES and almost died of how sweet and adorable some of the quiet little moments were.
I will also say just how excellent the craft of this story was. The best writing craft is invisible. It doesn’t call attention to itself, nor does it demand anything of the reader other than just to experience it. Klune spins this tale masterfully, at an expert pace, hitting every beat to its maximum effect, and manages to make readers care about everything happening on the page. And boy, is there a lot to care about. This is a timeless story that will be reminding humans for generations that having empathy, an open mind, and an open heart, will never go out of style. My first perfect 5-star book of 2025! Bravo!
Let me add here that this book absolutely should be experienced as an audiobook. I almost never comment on the quality of an audiobook in my reviews here, because I tend to focus on the story alone. But Daniel Henning, the narrator for this audiobook, is hands-down a master of his trade. The voices and personalities he brought to each character played a MASSIVE role in bringing them to life and making them memorable. Whenever I am asked, from now on, which audiobooks I most recommend, this will be among them.
Let me also add that this story is very timely for the awful injustices happening in our world today, as hate and bigotry creep more dangerously into the real word alongside fascism and authoritarianism. May stories like these always stand out as jewels against these dark, untenable backdrops and remind us of our humanity…and our capability to hope for better.
RATING RUNDOWN:
Character (5/5)
Plot & Pacing (5/5)
Setting & Surroundings (5/5)
Dialogue & Diction (5/5)
Craft & Voice (5/5)
Reading Experience (5/5)
Final Rating:
5/5
I will also say just how excellent the craft of this story was. The best writing craft is invisible. It doesn’t call attention to itself, nor does it demand anything of the reader other than just to experience it. Klune spins this tale masterfully, at an expert pace, hitting every beat to its maximum effect, and manages to make readers care about everything happening on the page. And boy, is there a lot to care about. This is a timeless story that will be reminding humans for generations that having empathy, an open mind, and an open heart, will never go out of style. My first perfect 5-star book of 2025! Bravo!
Let me add here that this book absolutely should be experienced as an audiobook. I almost never comment on the quality of an audiobook in my reviews here, because I tend to focus on the story alone. But Daniel Henning, the narrator for this audiobook, is hands-down a master of his trade. The voices and personalities he brought to each character played a MASSIVE role in bringing them to life and making them memorable. Whenever I am asked, from now on, which audiobooks I most recommend, this will be among them.
Let me also add that this story is very timely for the awful injustices happening in our world today, as hate and bigotry creep more dangerously into the real word alongside fascism and authoritarianism. May stories like these always stand out as jewels against these dark, untenable backdrops and remind us of our humanity…and our capability to hope for better.
RATING RUNDOWN:
Character (5/5)
Plot & Pacing (5/5)
Setting & Surroundings (5/5)
Dialogue & Diction (5/5)
Craft & Voice (5/5)
Reading Experience (5/5)
Final Rating:
5/5