“The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune

A Magical Hug in Book Form

Have you ever finished a book and just sighed with happiness? Like you’ve just had the perfect cup of tea, wrapped yourself in a cozy blanket, and been reassured by the universe that everything is going to be okay? That’s The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. This book doesn’t just tell a story—it wraps around your soul like a hug you didn’t know you needed.

Let’s set the stage. Linus Baker is a middle-aged caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY). He lives a routine life: gray suit, gray house, gray cat. He follows the rules to the letter and believes in structure, policy, and the comfort of bureaucracy. He’s not exactly unhappy—but he isn’t living, either. Then comes a mysterious, highly classified assignment that sends him to an island off the coast to evaluate an orphanage housing six of the most “dangerous” magical children in the country.

And this is where the magic begins—literally and emotionally.

The children are not just magical; they’re wildly unique and fully formed characters who each carry the weight of how society has labeled and treated them. There’s Talia, the bearded gnome with a sharp tongue and a soft heart; Chauncey, a gelatinous, green blob who dreams of being a bellhop (and yes, you will cry about a blob); Theodore, a button-loving wyvern; Sal, a traumatized shapeshifter who writes poetry; Phee, a forest sprite who’s fiercely protective; and Lucy—short for Lucifer—who is six years old, loves music, and might just be the Antichrist. But he’s also tender, funny, and utterly delightful.

Watching Linus enter their world is like watching an umbrella slowly bloom into a rainbow. What begins as an assignment turns into something transformative. He starts asking questions—big ones: Why are these children deemed dangerous? Who gets to decide what’s “normal”? Can kindness be revolutionary?

At the center of the island’s gentle chaos is Arthur Parnassus, the children’s guardian. He’s patient, wise, quietly magical, and exactly the kind of character you hope Linus will fall for (spoiler: he does). Their romance is soft, slow-burn, and just adorable—more about connection than drama, and all the more beautiful for it.

TJ Klune has crafted something rare here: a fantasy novel with no sword fights, no world-ending prophecy, no epic war—just love. Love in its many forms: friendship, parental love, romantic love, and the deep, essential love of discovering who you truly are.

But don’t let the gentleness fool you. This story is also sharp in its critique. It’s about the danger of blind obedience, about the cracks in systems that claim to protect but often do harm, and about the radical act of seeing people—really seeing them—for who they are beyond labels.

Klune’s humor is the cherry on top. The dialogue sparkles. The banter is charming without ever feeling forced. And Linus’s dry wit as he reacts to the island’s eccentric chaos? Utter gold. It balances out the emotional weight perfectly, making this book a breeze to read while still being rich with meaning.

If I had to describe The House in the Cerulean Sea in a sentence, I’d call it a story about how bureaucracy meets magic, and kindness wins.

This is the kind of book that lingers after you turn the final page. You’ll think about the children. You’ll want to visit the island. You’ll hope someone like Arthur is out there, watching over kids who’ve been told they’re too different. You might even look at the world a little differently—maybe a little more gently.

Final Verdict:
10/10 magical buttons. This book made me laugh, tear up, and immediately text my friends “YOU NEED TO READ THIS.” If you’re a fan of found family, gentle queer romance, magical realism, or just need something uplifting, please, please pick this one up.

Have you read it?
Let’s gush. Who was your favorite character? Which scene warmed your heart the most? (I’m still not over the tea party moment—sob.) Drop your thoughts below and let’s build a little Cerulean Sea fan club right here on the blog!

See my review for the sequel, “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” by TJ Klune!