The first book in this series is one of my favorite books of all time, so I was very excited to see how everything turns out for this beautiful found family. Predictably, I cried at the end of each chapter in this excerpt. I love how thoughtful, loving, and honest Linus and Arthur are in the face of adversity. I’m so excited to see where the story goes, how the showdown with the government turns out, and how David slots into this beautiful family.

Appreciated this shore excerpt. It got me even more excited to read the book when it released. I enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about Arthur’s life and how that shaped him. It was also great meeting new characters and seeing their family grow, even in the face of hate and fear. Great messages all around.

When I requested this, it didn't say excerpt. I don't want to read it bc the book doesn't come out until September and I won't be able to wait bc I know it will be good!

I can not wait to read the whole book. This first chapters left me so hooked and wanting to go get the physical book. I can’t have enough of all this characters, soooo happy to back with all of them from the previous book. Love everything T.J. Klune writes.

After adoring *The House in the Cerulean Sea*, I had high expectations for *Somewhere Beyond the Sea*, and TJ Klune did not disappoint. This sequel is a beautifully written, heartwarming tale filled with love, acceptance, and whimsical charm. Klune’s storytelling remains magical, with vivid world-building and endearing characters that feel like family. The themes of found family, hope, and embracing differences shine through, making it an emotional and uplifting read. The humor and warmth perfectly balance the deeper moments. If you loved the first book, this one will steal your heart all over again. An absolute must-read and an absolute addition to my high school library.

I already want to re-read this. I can not get enough of TJ Klune's writing. And I love this world, I love the cast of characters, the dialogue, the banter. Such a comfy, lovely, cozy read.

3.9 ⭐️ I absolutely adore these characters. I loved seeing the kids again and their personalities, especially Lucy and Chauncey 🥹. Butttt was this book necessary to read? Nooo, it could have easily ended with the first book. It was a bit long for the storyline, so it took me a while to finish. But it’s impossible not to adore this story; it could easily be made into a cute cartoon movie or show. Glad I finished the series.

This book was everything I could hope for! Gave me just as much magic as the first in the series. So glad we got to revisit this world!

TJ Klune’s Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a masterful, soul-stirring story that demands to be seen, heard, and felt. It’s a book that doesn’t just tell a story—it reaches into the depths of your heart, offering comfort and courage in equal measure. Much like his previous work, The House in the Cerulean Sea, this novel feels like a warm hug in a time when the world can seem overwhelmingly vast and frightening.

When reviewing House in the Cerulean Sea, I wrote:
“I honestly believe that sometimes a book finds you when you need it to the most. Nothing could prepare me for the beauty that is. My soul needed this. Something so beautiful, something so accepting, something with so much heart and love.”

The sequel continues this tradition, radiating hope and inclusivity at a moment when they’re most needed. When my LGBTQIA+ community stands on a precipice of the unknown, this book’s message is clear: there is magic in being unapologetically yourself, and there is power in being seen.

One of the most poignant moments of the book captures this truth:

"See me. See me for who I am. I am magic. I am human. I am inhuman. See me. I am a boy. I am a girl. I am everything and nothing in between. See me. You do. You see me. You recoil in fear. You scream in anger. See me. I bleed. I ache. You see me, and you wish you hadn’t. You wish I was invisible. Out of sight, out of mind. Unseen, faded, muted. You want my color. You want my joy. You want a monochrome world with monochrome beliefs. You see me, and you want to take it all away. But you can’t. You want me lost, but I am found in the breaths I take, in the spaces between heartbeats. I am found because I refuse to be in black and white, or any shade of gray. I am color. I am fire. I am the sun, and I will burn away the shadows until only light remains. And then you will have no choice but to see me."

This passage celebrates the resilience and vibrancy of living authentically in a world that often seeks to dim unique lights. Klune’s characters radiate individuality: mischievous Lucy, the music-loving Anti-Christ; Talia, a proud, bearded garden gnome; Theodore, a wyvern with a fascination for shiny buttons; Phee, a forest sprite capable of growing mighty trees in an instant; Sal, a playful shapeshifter; Chauncey, the ever-helpful amorphous bellhop; and David, a stage-loving Yeti. At their core are Arthur, a fiery Phoenix fiercely devoted to his charges, and Linus, his compassionate co-parent. Together, they prove that family is forged through love, acceptance, and belonging—not bound by blood.

The joy in Klune’s prose is palpable, a reminder that laughter and love are not just comforts but acts of rebellion and survival.

"Let them listen to what joy sounds like. Maybe they'll learn a thing or two."

This joy is intricately woven with hope,

"This was hope; the children, love letters to a future that had yet to be decided. Yes, Arthur thought as Sal grinned shyly, hope was the thing with feathers, but it was also in the hearts and minds of those who believed all was not lost, no matter the odds."

Klune’s message is simple but profound:

"It doesn’t matter what we look like, it doesn’t matter where we came from, or what we can do. All that matters is that we’re here, together, being anything and anyone we want to be."

These words remind us that community and connection transcend differences, and they hold the key to a brighter, more magical world.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a love letter to those who dream of a better, kinder world. It’s a testament to the magic that inclusivity and acceptance can bring. For anyone seeking hope, for anyone yearning for a story that sees them, this book is a beacon. TJ Klune reminds us that we are fire, we are color, and we have the power to light the way forward.

This was the perfect sequel to one of my favorite books. This brought back all the cozy vibe that the first one had to offer but with some new characters and another round of added mystery. I would definitely recommend this cozy read for others to read.

I was very excited to read Somewhere Beyond the Sea as I absolutely devoured House on the Cerulean Sea. I even got to go to the launch of Somewhere Beyond the Sea in my local bookstore. As much as I was excited and felt like a little kid in a candy store going to the book launch I was very disappointed in the speech and the way the author expressed his personal views. It was not about the book at all. Bashing other authors and anybody who disagreed with his views made a very fun thing very not fun fast. I did not want to be preached at at a book event. As much as I loved this series I won't be continuing this series. All of these opinions are my own.

I loved this! It wasn't quite as magical as the original book - I don't think it could've been possible to capture that feeling again - but it was so great to return to Marsyas Island and spend more time with the Magical Youth there. I did not enjoy the overall story as much in this book as I did in the first, but I loved seeing how the relationships of the Magical Youth grew with each other, Arthur, Linus, as well as the folks on the mainland.

I mean, I loved the snippet, but when I requested this it wasn't obvious that it was only a few chapters. Will pick up the whole thing when I get a chance.

Liked this book a lot’ this author writes about hard mental topics and makes it look easy. Very readable and always an adventure to get to the ending of the book. He is unique and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Group for the book excerpt!

I did not realize till after I started reading this that it was only going to be an excerpt. I did sort of enjoy the excerpt but my thoughts going forward will be about the book as a whole because I read it on release day. I am one of many who enjoyed the previous book in this series. It was one of my favorites the year I read it. However, I was also on the side of believing this didn't need a sequel. I prefer fantasy standalones over duologies sometimes. This book reminded me why I like standalones. Somewhere Beyond the Sea did not offer much that we needed or didn't already know. This book starts with high stakes as we don't know if the kids will be taken away from Linus and Arthur. Then this book takes a turn and we focus on this side plot of Arthur and Linus hiding an extra kid at the home from the inspector. That did not amount to anything since the inspector knew something was up and they barely hid the truth. The one part I did like is that we got to focus on Arthur's character but even that felt rushed. We then circle back to the main plot and even that became less serious as the book went on. This just felt like a super long epilogue that did not need to happen. I am sort of done reading this author after this because I feel all the releases I've read since The House in the Cerulean Sea have not been great and this disappointed me as well. I also think if you read this maybe don't read the audiobook as the narrator kind of took me out of the story a lot with his narration style.

Sweet follow-up to House in the Cerulean Sea with a fantastic and well=developed cast of imaginative characters. While this is a fantasy series, the focus is not as much on the world-building as it is in on the characters. The spawn of Satan is an impish boy named Lucy; and there is a delightful blob named Chauncey. This is a great series and the audiobook narration is amazing.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune is a delightful and whimsical sequel that earns a solid four-star rating for its enchanting storytelling and heartwarming themes. Picking up where The House in the Cerulean Sea left off, the novel transports readers to a world where magic and reality intertwine seamlessly, offering a narrative rich with humor, love, and adventure. Klune's writing shines with its trademark warmth and wit, creating a tapestry of vibrant characters (It was so good to be back with some of my favorite characters- Arthur, Linus, Lucy, and the Gang) and imaginative settings that captivate from the first page. The novel explores themes of belonging and self-discovery, inviting readers to reflect on the power of friendship and the courage to embrace one's true self. While some plot elements may feel familiar to fans of Klune's work, the author's ability to weave heartfelt emotion into the whimsical narrative ensures a fulfilling and joyful reading experience. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a charming continuation that will delight both new readers and returning fans alike, leaving them eager for the next installment in this magical series.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune is a heartwarming and enchanting fantasy novel that blends love, magic, and self-discovery. The story follows Ben, a man searching for a sense of belonging and healing after a traumatic past, as he embarks on an unforgettable journey to a mysterious island. Along the way, he forms unexpected connections and uncovers the transformative power of love and friendship. With Klune's signature blend of emotional depth, quirky characters, and a beautifully crafted world, this book is a touching and uplifting read that resonates with themes of hope and second chances.

This book was excellent. I had the opportunity to read a preview of the story a couple of months ago and truly enjoyed what I experienced. Recently, my library hold on this book became available, allowing me to complete the story.

It features a touching found family plot interspersed with poignant moments that resonate with current times. I found it quite entertaining, and the narrator performed well, although some of the voices became somewhat repetitive toward the end of the audiobook.

Thank you to the author, T.J. Klune, for writing and sharing this wonderful story.

Incredible book. Brought me back to the comforting world of Arthur and Linus. It was obvious the author heard the criticisms to the first book (which I didn't necessarily agree with) and handled this with a more delicate hand. I applaud the heavy handed messages - sometimes there's something refreshing about identifying with the themes in the book, and if others want to partake in this beautiful story, they better understand that books are sometimes political.