
Member Reviews

I'm still not over the fact that I was approved for this book, so thank you so much to Tor for approving me for this one.
No one needs an introduction for this one, since it's the sequel to such a beloved book, The House in the Cerulean Sea. Did I love it? Hell yes, absolutely. Did we need a sequel? Absolutely not, but I am glad to be back in the world of Marsyas Island and the beloved magical creatures of the story, including the new magical creature, David the Yeti.
The book starts off relatively slow, with Arthur Parnassus bringing David into the home and meeting the other children. We go through scenes of what the children are up to in the house, and how they are excited to have David in the house, but there is no real plot or character development, that we haven't read about these characters before. We do learn about how Arthur feels within his fight for these children, and how he would do anything for them, and what they deserve. We also learn about his dark past and how it affects him caring for his kids, because the way he was treated, he doesn't want the same for them.
Klune's message is very clear-cut in this book, also. Klune is very anti-Rowling, and it's obvious in this book where he doesn't hold back, especially with the way he acknowledges in his acknowledgements at the end of the book. His strong opinions about the queer community, finding where you belong, and standing up against an unjust government are also very clear in this book. It makes it seem like he wrote this book because of everything happening in this world and how angry he is about it.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book. I love these characters and the meanings behind what he writes. I can't wait to see what Klune writes next.

I loved having these characters back in my life. While I just got an expert through NetGalley, I purchased this book immediately since I knew I’d love it.
I love Klune’s consistent message of inclusion and kindness. Just like every TJ Klune book, 5 stars. I’m ready for a book all about Lucy.

TJ Klune did it again! This is a sequel that adds to the depth of the characters and the heart of the story built in Cerulean Sea. It touches on what excites and scares me as a parent, and a book that I wish everyone would read. The way the adults on the island care about and for these mismatched children is so heartwarming. There's no perfection, just all heart. And no spoilers, but the way the children also help the adults grow is so magical.
Thank you TJ for another delightful story, and to Tor for the advanced read.

Perfection. No notes. This will melt you down into a puddle then put you back together again. This story will stay with me for a long time.

The sequel I didn’t know that I needed! I enjoyed this story so very much. David was a wonderful addition to the family and I loved how he was welcomed with open arms.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced digital copy of this book.

So excited to finish the rest of this!!!! TJ is a forever favorite author and I always appreciate the depth of his characters and plots.

Somehow, TJ has reached right into my soul and pulled out all the things I hope for and worry about as a parent, and put them into words. This book is so fierce and full of love—I laughed, I cried, and I laughed so hard I cried.
What a magnificent sequel. I adore this weird, beautiful family, and it felt so good to be back.

Beautiful, heartfelt, thought-provoking. TJ Klune does it again with a beautiful addition to the Cerulean Sea.

This was the perfect teaser of a very much anticipated book! I love to visit this world. Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Big fan of TJ Klune so I was very excited for this excerpt. I read the first book in the series just before this second book came out and was happy I didn't have to wait long! I love the family they've created on the island and all the characters.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I loved it. No notes. It was beautiful, charming, whimsical. It was just a wonderful book and I highly recommend!

4.5 stars
A little too close to reality at times, I still loved Somewhere Beyond the Sea. Yeah, it's predictable and sugary sweet and imagines a better world than the one I think we live in. But Klune always gets me in the end and he got me good with this one.
Linus is firmly installed in his new home and he is thriving. I love the dynamic of the house and this family. Linus' stability is much needed while Arthur is trying to hold everything together. I love their love.
I found Somewhere Beyond the Sea to be a lot darker than The House in the Cerulean Sea , maybe because of the changes happening in the world today. The narrative was deeper and dug into Arthur's past and how he came back to the island. I loved every moment.
I hope Klune never stops writing. I will certainly keep reading.

TJ’s world building is truly, truly everything to me. As a lover of The House in the Cerulean Sea, and all the stories that have followed, this story was a no-brained for me. Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA by TJ Klune was the perfect continuation to the series. Klune writes with so much heart, warmth, and care that it feels less like reading a book and more like being wrapped in a hug.
This sequel expands the world just enough while staying grounded in what made the first book so special: found family, forgiveness, queerness, and the quiet bravery it takes to choose love in the face of fear. It’s slower and softer than the first, but in a way that feels earned.
The emotional beats landed beautifully, and Klune’s writing continues to offer comfort without ever steering into cliche. His characters are messy, kind, and deeply human. Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars,
dang, had me crying again.
this story went a lot bigger than i expected, and i'm even expecting a third book with the way the ending went, but it still hits the feels and i forgot how enjoyable this world was with Linus, Arthur and the children. also i'm forever weak for found families.

I just finished Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune, I received an eARC from NetGalley.
This is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It picked up shortly after the events of the first book. Arthur Parnassus and Linus Baker have settled in to a life with their family on Marsayas Island. When Arthur is invited to speak before the government about the historical injustices inflicted upon the magical community by the government, he is instead met with hostility and pushback. With a new Interim Director at DICOMY, a new inspector, and a new child- David, yeti- Arthur and Linus must once again prove that the children on the island are not, in fact a danger, but a benefit to the world.
I loved this one as much as the first one. The story has a little more Arthur on Linus romance-- which I am here for-- and the kids are all delightful as usual. I love Lucy so so so much, and he continues to be his amazing wonderful self in this novel. The kids have all evolved since the first installation, and have become more themselves. This story takes the plight of the magical community outside of just the little beach-town that we were introduced to in the first. We see a larger world rife with government abuse, paranoia, and fear mongering. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a beautiful love letter to every child that never felt wanted, that fell between the cracks of society, that was queer and kicked out and misunderstood by their family. What a poignant and timely novel. The way Klune writes this characters is with deep love. And I hope we get to go back to Marsayas again.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea was beautifully written and another favorite of mine by TJ Klune. I highly recommend this read!

4.5 stars
House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was so excited to read the sequel!
Somewhere Beyond the Sea is much more political than the first book, with Linus, Arthur and the kids enduring a DICOMY inspection knowing the government is dirty and coming for them. Having read this so close to the US presidential election definitely affected I how felt about this one. Don’t get me wrong, I still loved it.
TJ Klune is an amazing writer, and the characters he has created here are still just as fantastic. It was great to see their growth and learning new things. I just had a hard time with the injustice they had to face in the book with so much of that happening in the real world.
Definitely a book I would recommend to everyone (after reading the first book).

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune is the delightful sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. If you haven’t read the first book, I recommend starting there.
As a fan of Linus, Arthur, and the magical misfit kids, I enjoyed revisiting this world. Klune’s message of acceptance, chosen family, and fighting for love in the face of fear remains as relevant as ever. the story of a group of magical misfits, orphans, and their struggle against prejudice.
If you’re looking for a cozy, magical read with found-family themes, this sequel will leave you with a hopeful heart.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️ (4 out of 5)
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for an advance copy in exchange for sharing my opinions. All opinions in this review are my own. Links in this review are affiliate links, and I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.

Book One is one of my absolute favorites so I was soo excited to finally read this one! Just as beautiful and cozy and clever ❤️ and I loved it on audio- such amazing storytelling! 5/5⭐
So many wonderful lessons and social commentary artfully weaved through the story, and it was all so artfully written without hitting the readed over the head with all its morals. The dialogue was so fun, especially everything the kids said- I actually laughed out loud constantly while reading! Id recommend this for anyone who loved the first book, and for anyone looking for a cozy, fantastical novel filled with hope and joy.