The House in the Cerulean Sea

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What to expect

‘I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect’

– V. E. Schwab, Sunday Times bestselling author of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

A cosy, enchanting story about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place. The House in the Cerulean Sea is an uplifting, heart-warming queer fantasy from TJ Klune, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author.

Linus Baker leads a quiet life. At forty, he has a tiny house with a devious cat and his beloved records for company. And at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, he’s spent many dull years monitoring their orphanages.

Then one day, Linus is summoned by Extremely Upper Management and given a highly classified assignment. He must travel to an orphanage where six dangerous children reside – including the Antichrist.

At the orphanage, Linus must somehow determine if these children could bring about the end of days. But their guardian, the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, will do anything to protect his wards. And, as Arthur and Linus grow ever closer, Linus must choose: his duty, or his dreams . . .

Continue the adventure with the second entry in the Cerulean Chronicles, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.

‘A modern fairy tale . . . It’s a beautiful book’ – Charlaine Harris, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author

* * *

Fans fell in love with The House in the Cerulean Sea:

‘I was completely captivated’

‘The narrator was brilliant and really brought the characters to life’

‘This is a glorious, romantic, old fashioned, queer fantasy’

‘A tale as beautiful as this one should be compulsory reading’

‘If you want a magical romance that will make you giggle and cry, this is for you’

Critics Review

I loved it. It is like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect
V. E. Schwab, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
A witty, wholesome fantasy that’s likely to cause heart-swelling
Washington Post
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a modern fairy tale about learning your true nature and what you love and will protect. Its a beautiful book
Charlaine Harris, author of the Sookie Stackhouse series that inspired HBO's True Blood
1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. Touching, tender and truly delightful, The House in the Cerulean Sea is an utterly absorbing story of tolerance, found family and defeating bureaucracy
Gail Carriger, author of Soulless
Sweet, comforting and kind, this book is very close to perfect . . . I cannot recommend it highly enough
Seanan McGuire, author of the Wayward Children series
This tale of found family is hopeful to its core. Readers will revel in Klunes wit and ingenuity
Publishers Weekly
Lambda Literary Award-winning author Klune (The Art of Breathing, 2019) has a knack for creating endearing characters, and readers will grow to love Arthur and the orphans alongside Linus
Kirkus Reviews
Quite possibly the greatest feel-good story ever to involve the Antichrist . . . a burst of humor and hope
Shelf Awareness
A beautiful little gem of both irony and, yes, kindness
Fantasy & Science Fiction
A delightful tale about chosen families, and how to celebrate differences
Library Journal
If ever there was an author to watch out for, [Klune] is definitely that author
Culturess Daily

User Reviews

Book 4.8
Narration 4.7
5.0
5.0
5unshinebear 17/08/2025
5.0
5.0
Laura P 11/07/2025
4.0
3.0
So the soundquality of the audiobook is really bad and I had to push through until I got used to it.

Our protagonist is a very correct man which seems to be reflected in the stiff narration. When our protagonist reaches the other important and much more vibrant characters, the narrator shows his talent to narrate them very well. In the first moment listening to the audio book I feared it was "read" by AI or something.

Overall it is a wonderful children's book, which really adds detail and complexities deeper into the story. I really liked it. Recommended! (:

HannaOgg 20/09/2024
5.0
5.0
This book is like a warm hug.
Istaisa 08/09/2023
5.0
5.0
Brilliant tender story with characters that leapt off the page!
StarSky 15/07/2023
5.0
5.0
TPB 31/05/2023

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