Excited about Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a huge understatement. I squealed when I was given access to an early excerpt from NetGalley and TorBooks. Then I waited until end of August to read it because I knew I would want to read the rest as soon as possible and I was not wrong! I started the excerpt and lost count of how many times I got teary eyed in just a few short chapters.

The House in the Cerulean Sea stole my heart and getting a second story with these incredible characters makes me so happy! I have three current reads but I think I have to abandon everything to finish this 😬

What can I say? Klune is superb at writing gay found families. This sequel to an already perfect book is perfect itself. I love seeing the kids change as they get older abd I love the book from Arthur's point of view this time.

I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of this sequel. TJ Klune writes such beautiful characters that you can’t help but love each and every one of them. I absorbed this book in a day and never wanted it to end. Thank you NetGalley!

Don’t you hate when you get an ARC of a book you’re excited for, start reading it, LOVE it, and realize it’s only an excerpt? Yep that’s what happened to me. Thankfully this wonderful novel had just been released so I bought the full version and loved it even more. The story is the continuation of Authur and Linus story and their six kids they care for. Just like the first book this book tells a love story of acceptance and respect for those who may be different in such a way it leaves your heart warmed. The characters were so amazing and I feel in love with all the kids all over again. It has the right amount of fantasy and humor that will leave this book on my mind for quite a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy

I only received a portion of the book for advance review, which makes it challenging to offer much insight. TJ Klune has a distinct style and voice, and I expect fans of Klune's will find this immensely satisfying from a stylistic perspective. It should also have widespread appeal because it's the follow up to one of Klune's popular works. Based solely on the portion provided, it's a gentle start. Some might find it a little underwhelming, but those with faith in Klune's storytelling abilities who appreciate his style will probably find it pays off.

The characters in The House in the Cerulean Sea and Somewhere Beyond the Sea will always hold a special place in my heart. There was a lot of joy and laugh out loud moments in this book while it still dealt with some serious issues.

I liked seeing how the kids grew between the first book and this one. Sal especially had a lot of growth from the very timid child he was in the first book to a more confident teen. Also Arthur and Linus’s relationship was very sweet and they continued to be very supportive of each other.

I have to start off by mentioning that I started crying tears of joy at work when this book was announced. I had very high hopes for this book, and they were met.
This book is so, so lovely. While not quite as soft as its predecessor, it is still a book about the powers of love, friendship, and family. We finally get to see the world through Arthur's eyes, and it only made me love him more. He is kind, loving, intelligent, and full of righteous anger. His family (old and new) were hilarious, and a perfect complement to Arthur.
I'm still in a bit of a daze, but this book did everything I needed it to do: it made me laugh out loud (David is a hoot), it made me feel, and it left me sniffling tears of joy at how perfect the end is. Read it. I know I will often.

I am rating this, not as the book itself, but whatever this is… not sure, maybe a “preview”. I wasn’t aware that’s what this was. So the whole time I’m wondering why it’s almost done when not much happened. It basically seems like the build up to introduce a new character/conflict. I’m disappointed, wish I knew what I was getting. I wouldn’t have wasted my time.

I was so excited for this sequel and…it did not disappoint! I felt that it kept the same cadence and whimsical-ness of the first book, which is what made the first one so popular. Definitely was not let down with this sequel (which is not an easy feat!)

What a FANTASTIC sequel!! I’ve been so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint!! This found family, the most adorable little magical children, the themes, everything was so perfect.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea follows Arthur’s story and uncovering more of his past. Arthur has been summoned in front of the government to make a statement about the abuse and neglect he suffered in his past as a magical youth, and the government become even more determined to stamp out Arthur and his orphanage’s existence. Arthur and Linus are fighting to adopt their children and also grappling with bringing a new magical child onto their island. The family is faced with coming together to fight off the bigotry and hatred from the outside community who views them as monsters, or falling apart and becoming separated.

The writing in this book was so beautiful, thought-provoking, and really reflective of a lot of the current hatred and violence against the LGBTQ+ community, specifically the transgender community (I’m looking at you a certain high profile author). I loved how Klune wove current events into a story of magical creatures, creating such a safe place and a book of acceptance in the face of extreme bigotry.

The best part of this book was absolutely the children. Chauncey remains one of my fave characters of all time. I love how unique, gifted, brilliant, and wonderfully kind each child is. The way that they are taught to embrace their quirks and individuality, while also learning to support each other and lean into their identity was so incredibly moving. All the children had a moment to shine, to really play into their personality and obsessions and I loved it.

I am so so excited for everyone to read this book!! Thank you to Tor books for sending me a free early copy in exchange for my honest review!!

The first five chapters of this sequel were just as whimsical and comforting as the original. Happy pub day to this sequel.

This "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" excerpt has me so excited to dive into the rest of the book! As a fan of "The House in the Cerulean Sea," I’m loving the sequel even more so far. Though the excerpt only covers the first four chapters, they’ve earned an easy five out of five stars from me. If you’re a TJ Klune fan or just love a great story, this is definitely one to check out!

Hard to fully review only an excerpt, but from the 72 pages I did read, it feels like an unnecessary sequel. The charm from the first book is gone and it is unlikely that I will continue reading the rest of the book.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the ARC and chance to read and review. All opinions are my own**

Tj Klune can't write a bad book. I would read anything he puts out! Love Love Love. Can't wait to read more from him.

It’s hard to rate an excerpt, because I almost feel like it’s not fair to the author, however, I really did enjoy the excerpt. It gave all the comfy, cozy, cutesy, fantasy vibes I think of when I think of this author. I’ll be sure to come back and update my review after I’ve read the full book.

Thanks to Tor for my advanced excerpt!

This excerpt was fantastic, but it killed me to read such a short section and not have access to the book yet! I very much look forward to continuing the story.

It is amazing how just a few short chapters can bring you to full on moments of joy. TJ Klune is simply masterful with his words and his humor. I cannot wait to receive my copy in the mail and continue to observe the journey of these characters. Each character is so beautifully crafted. This is a story that needs to be told over and over. Even though I know the book will bring up some tough topics on acceptance, being perceived as different from others, and dealing with past traumas, I know that Klune will tell this story with such grace. I cannot wait to read the rest!

So excited to get the full book once it's published! The much anticipated sequel will be an instant hit

This was excellent! I didn’t realize it would be an excerpt when I requested but I look forward to the whole book when it’s released!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea follows Arthur Parnassus, headmaster of an orphanage on a mysterious island, as he strives to provide a loving home for six magical children considered dangerous by society. With the support of his partner Linus Baker, a former caseworker, and other allies on the island, Arthur is determined to protect the children from the trauma and neglect he once experienced as an orphan. As Arthur is forced to confront his dark past in a public statement, a new magical child arrives, calling himself a monster—an identity Arthur has worked to shield the children from. The story explores the challenges of fighting for a better future while maintaining the bonds of family and love in the face of adversity.

I loved Somewhere Beyond the Sea because of its heartwarming portrayal of found family and the strength that comes from embracing love and acceptance, even when the world seems set against you. The emotional depth of Arthur's journey, especially in dealing his painful past while protecting his children, resonated with me. The magical elements enhanced the story’s core themes of resistance, self-empowerment, and the fight for a future. It's a beautifully told story about the power of community and how love can triumph over fear. TJ Klune has true talent and this book is a testament to that!