The House in the Cerulean Sea

I loved this book! While the adult characters, Linus and Arthur, are wonderful, it's the magical youth that really stand out. By the end, you'll be rooting for every one of them to reach their dreams. This book was an absolute delight. Recommended By Bethany O., Powells.com

A NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLER
A 2021 Alex Award winner
The 2021 RUSA Reading List: Fantasy Winner
An Indie Next Pick
One of Publishers Weekly's Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020
One of Book Riot's "20 Must-Read Feel-Good Fantasies"

Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune's bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's 1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in. (Gail Carriger)

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they're likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren't the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place — and realizing that family is yours.

"This is a sweet narrative about the value of asking questions and the benefits of giving people (especially children) a chance to be safe, protected, and themselves, regardless of what assumptions one might glean from, say, reading their case file." — Booklist

"[Klune] has a knack for creating endearing characters, and readers will grow to love Arthur and the orphans alongside Linus...fans of quirky fantasy will eat it up. A breezy and fun contemporary fantasy." — Kirkus

"Sweet, comforting, and kind, this book is very close to perfect. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a work of classic children's literature written for adults and children alike, with the perspective and delicacy of the modern day. I cannot recommend it highly enough." — Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling author of Every Heart a Doorway

TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important — now more than ever — to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.