I can’t wait to read the rest of the book 😭 the excerpt was perfect and it’s exciting to dive back into this world

I somehow missed that this was from Arthur's POV and I am so beyond stoked! This world TJ has created is a warm hug. It's that cozy comfortable family feeling you always want while also tackling the hard realities people who society sees as different face. I want a million more!

I thought it was the whole book but it ended up being the first few chapters. And while I was bummed, it definitely made me more than ready to get my hands on the completed book. Excited to go back to Marsyas Island and catch up with all the children plus Arthur, Linus, Zoe and Helen.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for this sneak peek eARC

I don't know if I can truly put into words how much I loved this book. I read the first book, The House in the Cerulean Sea, two years ago, and I've thought about it almost every day since. I was so excited to pick up the sequel and go back to this world and connect with Linus, Arthur, Lucy, Zoe, Sal and all the other kids. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a sequel, and picks up where the first left off, but this point of view comes from Arthur instead of Linus. For a supremely powerful magical being, Arthur is so HUMAN. His emotions, his thoughts, the way he acts and works on problems, even how he suppresses his trauma and how it eventually explodes - all human characteristics and so shockingingly normal. Arthur's love for Linus and his kids (and yes they are HIS children) shines through on every single page. I also love how this book is so magical yet the antithesis to HP. It's a big ol EFF YOU to jkr, and the author even talks about it at the end in the authors note. This book is everything the magical community should be - open, accepting, loving, honest, trustworthy, compassionate - and nooooo I'm not just talking about the "magical community". I mean the LGBTQ community. The similarities are quite obvious, and I just want to say I hope this is a world that I will see in my lifetime. Til then, it's great to have a literary world like Marysas I can visit and love. I hope to read more stories about the characters (maybe a Sal story?) in the future. I hope this isn't it for this world and these amazingly lovely characters!

I feel like this was really a repeat of book one. Which is a shame. I enjoyed book one very much but was looking for more backstory instead of just kind of a repeat

TBH I couldn’t bring myself to read the excerpt. I knew it would be too hard to not get to finish. So I waited until it’s released and bought this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me. If you loved the first book this will leave you feeling like a proud parent watching all their kids grow up and do all the right things even when it is sooo hard.

Run and buy this. Don’t even dare do an excerpt. It’s too good to read in part.

(And the authors note?!?!? 🫶🏼)

The House in the Cerulean Sea is one of my all-time favorite books! The characters, the world, the magic, the found family, I truly love everything about it. So I listened to the audiobook as a re-read prior to picking up the 2nd installment - Somewhere Beyond the Sea - and the audiobook was FANTASTIC! The narrator really brought me back into this world and made me fall in love with the characters all over again.

So I went into the sequel with so much excitement and also trepidation because I wanted it to live up to my expectations! AND IT DID! Well done TJ Klune! I don't know how you do it - but I just loved it so much. Being back in this world with these characters - and the amazing new character David who I instantly fell in love with - just brought so much joy to my heart and, of course, tears to my eyes. These characters - the kids Chauncey, Phee, Talia, Lucy, Sal (I loved Sal even more in this one!) & Theodore (and now David) and the adults Arthur, Linus, Zoe and so many side characters - they just all have a forever place in my heart.

I will forever read anything that TJ Klune writes. He puts so much love and joy and acceptance and magic into his novels and I am HERE for it!

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for this ARC of an excerpt of Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I waited until the full book came out to read it and post my review so I could do the story justice.

Sequels make me nervous because, if I loved the first, they rarely live up to my expectations. But, while the House in the Cerulean Sea will always have my heart, this was a very solid follow-up!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea was a bit less cohesive than the first (there were a lot of meandering side stories that were fun but didn’t really advance the plot), but the main storyline was strong. All of the aspects that made up the heart of the first book were still there - amazingly unique and thoroughly depicted characters, witty dialogue that will make you cackle, and a powerful overarching message that’ll make you cry. In his author’s note, Klune talks about wanting to be the anti-You-Know-Who (you know, she who will not be named who created You-Know-Who), and I can tell he pulled some aspects of one of the books from that series, which I found really interesting. I appreciate that he is using his platform to lift up the stories of the LGBTQ+ community.

The ending was lovely, but I really hope the fact that it wasn’t fully wrapped up means we will get another book - I could read a million set on Marsyas. If you loved the first book or are looking for a heart-warming found family story, check this out!

Out now!

4.5/5

House on the Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books of all time. I am so excited to read this next book in Arthur's story. We are back on Marsyas Island with Arthur, Linus, the children, as well as Zoe (the island sprite) and Mayor Webb. They hope to bring a new child to the island named David who is a yeti.

They are also waiting on the paperwork to formalize the adoption of all the kids. When Arthur is summoned to make a statement about his past, it is clear that not everyone supports Arthur and his family. The Department in Charge of Magical Adults and Youth may no longer have the best interests in mind for magical people. Although Extremely Upper Management has been dismantled, what is left may not be better.

David arrives on the Island along with a new investigator from The Department in Charge of Magical Youth and the new investigator is no Linus.

The House on the Cerulean Sea felt like a much lighter book than this one. However, this book delved deeper into the stereotypes against magical people. I laughed a lot while reading this book but my heart also ached for some of the experiences the children had- especially David the Yeti. He did not grow up at the orphanage and experienced a lot of trauma. Despite some of the dark moments, the book is lovely and wonderful and everything I hoped it would be.

Trigger warning: Child abuse and discrimination

Thank you to TJ Klune, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" for an honest review. It was lovely to return to Klune's adolescence level sequel to "The House in the Cerulean Seas." It was sweet to see the flourishing relationship between Arthur and Linus. It was great to see more of Arthur's background. It was such a sweeping, beautiful display to see how loved the kids are by both their Dads, their sprite, and her Mayor girl friend. I loved seeing this one being more about taking on the big fights and messages to create safe spaces that embrace more (and all) lives.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a heartwarming and inclusive story that will stay with you long after the final page. With his signature wit and emotional depth, Klune weaves a captivating tale of love, loss, and finding your place in the world.

The story follows Simon, a young man who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and his father's recent death. When he inherits a secluded cottage on the coast, Simon finds himself drawn to the mysterious and charming Finn, who lives nearby. As their friendship blossoms into something more, Simon must confront his fears and insecurities while navigating the complexities of a budding relationship.
Klune's writing is both lyrical and accessible, drawing readers into the world of his characters and making them feel as if they are experiencing their journey alongside them. The chemistry between Simon and Finn is palpable, and their interactions are filled with both humor and tenderness.

One of the most powerful aspects of Somewhere Beyond the Sea is its portrayal of the LGBTQ+ community. Klune creates a diverse and inclusive world where characters of all sexual orientations and gender identities are accepted and loved. The novel offers a hopeful and uplifting message about the power of love and acceptance.

If you're looking for a feel-good romance that will stay with you long after you finish the last page, Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a must-read. It is a truly delightful and heartwarming story that will leave you smiling and reaching for your next Klune novel.

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC!

such a great addition to the first book with such a warm and lovely ending! if you read the first book you must read this one!

What a wonderful follow-up to The House in the Cerulean Sea! We get to learn and experience more of the heart-warming shenanigans that the children get into on Marsayas Island.

I absolutely adored this sequel. Almost better than the first. TJ Klune writes characters that are so deep, well drawn, and human. Reading this was like revisiting old friends.

I enjoyed this teaser a lot! I cannot wait to read the whole book. So far, this gave enough information to get you sucked in. Also, the cover is absolutely stunning.

I love TJ Klune, I love this fabulous series, and I love Netgalley....but was I the only one who felt bamboozled when I requested the ARC only to find out it was only an excerpt of the first 4 chapters? This very well have been user error, but damn was I sad when I made it to the end of the excerpt and couldn't keep reading.

This except from TJ Klune's sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is four chapters of a reintroduction to the world and the children and their pre-dads we've grown to love from the first book, with the hints of the stressors of what's to come. I know I already have a colored view towards this book after having gone to one of Klune's talks about this book in my city a few months ago so my extra hype is already there, but when I finally sat down to read this teaser I really was brought back into that place of love and understanding from these damaged but dealing dads who are taking their experiences and views, apparently, to a wider stage. Looking forward to reading the rest of the book!

Thank you to TOR and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for review!

This book was incredible! I love it just as much as the first! Being back with these characters was everything I wanted it to be a more. Lucy is still my favorite but all the children hold a special place in my heart! I will always recommend!

OH MY GOSH!!! The House in the Cerulean Sea is my favorite book, and the sequel did not disappoint!!! loved it

This is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. I was so happy to get to read about the children again! I love all their personalities and ADORED the new character, David! I listened to this on audio also and the narrator crushes it! Really makes it come to life. I can see this series becoming movies one day! Such a heartwarming novel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchanged for an honest review.