The House in the Cerulean Sea
by TJ Klune
Adult/YA crossover
Fantasy
* * * Stars (Pretty good)
Linus Baker, 40, has always been a good cog in the bureaucratic machine that is the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He has spent his career as a case worker and has not stood out in anyway apart from his thorough, no-nonsense reports. He is most surprised when Extremely Upper Management selects him to investigate the Marsyas Island Orphanage, about which some unpleasant rumors are circulating. During Linus’ stay, however, he learns that the children are quite charming in their own way and have already in their short lives experienced many hardships and discrimination. He also falls hard for the children’s guardian, Arthur Parnassus, and becomes determined to protect the orphanage, its residents, and its proprietor at all costs.
A delightfully quirky love story with some very unique characters (both magical and not). I particularly liked 6 year old Lucy (Lucifer), who has to put in some serious effort not to destroy the world and all its inhabitants. I mean, if you have the power… Linus Baker is a good egg, too.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
