The House in the Cerulean Sea

The House in the Cerulean Sea (2020) TJ Klune

This book came out a week into the pandemic lockdown, and it’s possible it might have been lost in the ensuing insanity. Except that it is such a comforting read, it was precisely the thing to read to escape the world.

Linus works for DICOMY (Department in Charge Of Magical Youth) and takes his job seriously.

“(S)ometimes, we can’t always control the … gifts we’re given. And it’s not necessarily the fault of those with said gifts.”

That didn’t seem to make her feel better. “Then whose fault is it?”

Linus blinked. “Well, I suppose there are all sorts of factors. Modern research suggests extreme emotional states can trigger instances such as yours. Sadness. Anger. Even happiness. Perhaps you were so happy, you accidentally threw a chair at your friend Marcus?” It was the reason he’d been sent here in the first place. Marcus had been seen in hospital in order to have his tail looked after. It’d been bent at an odd angle, and the hospital had reported it directly to the Department in Charge of Magical Youth as they were required to do. The report triggered an investigation, which was why Linus had been assigned to this particular orphanage.

“Yes,” Daisy said. “That’s exactly it. Marcus made me so happy when he stole my colored pencils that I accidentally threw a chair at him.”

Because of reputation within DICOMY, Linus is sent to investigate a classified level four orphanage, to check on both the children and the master.

Even though Linus has no idea what to expect, it is still far worse than he imagined.

Lucy stomped toward a closed door near the chairs. “I’m not supposed to kill them because only serial killers do that, and if they’re already dead, I can’t play with the remains because I’ll smell bad.”

“And?”

“And it’s wrong.”

“Let’s lead with that next time,” Mr. Parnassus said.

It’s the little things that make the story. That squish your heart and make you all weepy.

Sal scuffed a shoe against the rug. “He asked me what I wanted more than anything. For the first month, he asked me once a week, telling me when I was ready to answer, he’d do whatever he could within reason.”

“And you said a typewriter?”

“No.” He looked down at Calliope. “I told him I didn’t want to have to move again. That I wanted to stay here.”

Now I just have to how back and not immediately reread it.

Publisher: Tor Books

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