This is going to be SO GOOD. 🤩
Even just these first couple chapters transported me right back to all my favorite characters and his first book in the series. The descriptions are beautiful, the emotion is so vulnerable and real and the plot keeps you reading. CANNOT WAIT!

I received an advance review excerpt for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Incredible tease! “The House in the Cerulean Sea” is one of my favorite books and this excerpt has calmed my fears that the second book in the series would fall short. I’m so excited for the full book.

I am so excited for the rest of this book! This excerpt was great. Beautifully written, it immediately pulled me back into this magical land. I can't wait to see what happens next for the crew.

This teaser has me so excited for the rest of this book! I adore everything Klune writes and so far this is no exception. It's sweet and wonderful and poignant and I am so thrilled for more of this book, especially from Arthur's POV!

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. While I don’t think that one would need to read Cerulean Sea prior to Somewhere Beyond the Sea to understand the context, it is definitely helpful.

Klune does a great job of summarizing all of his characters from their individual personality quirks to their specific line of magic. Not only is each character introduced with the same descriptive accuracy as the previous book, Klune once again expertly portrays youthful innocence and acceptance. I personally loved the descriptions of the children growing and maturing. The conversations being had are hilarious and very relatable to real life! While there is much comic relief, the story as a whole addresses several heavy social themes. Both the young and old characters converse with one another about their fears of inadequacy and encounters with people who try to belittle them for no other reason than appearing different on the surface. Each character has felt their otherness and has found solace in one another. They created their own safe space when their society and government has done everything they can to ostracize them.

The way Klune writes their conversations are endearing and portrays these magical children as simply children. The characters are relatable at a core level. As an adult with children of my own, I still remember having the same fears as these characters when I was young. Regardless of being a parent, “Am I enough?” is a question that I believe most people have asked themselves at one time or another. This is a common theme throughout Klune’s books and he does a wonderful job of expressing this through his characters.

In The House in the Cerulean Sea, Klune lays the foundation for systemic racism within his magical fantasy world, that truth be told, is not so different from the society in which we all live in. While Cerulean Sea gives an exemplary example of how the younger generation can make changes within their societies, Somewhere Beyond the Sea tackles the injustices on a broader, governmental level. Klune forces readers to not only question their values, but to also want to do things to make change happen. He shows that one voice matters.

Somewhere Beyond the Sea starts with Arthur Parnassus, head of his magical orphanage, leaving the safety of his island to go to parliament to testify about his own trials within the magical orphanage system. In doing so, he hopes to bring change for his children. Klune shows how one person, one voice, one life can affect the lives of many others. Somewhere Beyond the Sea continues his mission to improve our society by reminding us of our own self worth. Arthur is one person who makes change within his society, as Klune does the same in his. Klune shows us that we have power with our words and where children are safe, they will thrive. One voice can become a duet and then a trio, then a quartet, then a chorus, and maybe one day a whole ensemble.

I highly recommend Somewhere Beyond the Sea to anyone and everyone who enjoys comedic humor with a bit of social commentary mixed in. Somewhere Beyond the Sea does definitely have much more overt social commentary than Cerulean Sea, but I don’t think it is so in-your-face that one wouldn’t enjoy the book as a whole. Klune has done such an amazing job at bringing his characters to life that I want to be friends with all of them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the first four chapters of this book!

It’s been 3.5 years since I read The House in the Cerulean Sea, and this book instantly brought me back to that cozy, sweet and silly found family. The first four chapters re-introduce Linus, Arthur and all their children so that it felt like I never left — I had a dumb grin on my face while reading and squirmed from adorableness. It also sets up the main conflict in the story really well and left me feeling very impatient because I want to inhale the whole book ASAP. But now I have to wait until September for the rest *heavy sigh*

Review of excerpt:

My only complaint is that the excerpt is far too short and leaves off on a tantalizing cliffhanger, and now I have to wait for the book to be published!

I was instantly transported back to when I read House in the Cerulean Sea a few years ago and reminded of how much I loved it. The characters are just as endearing and I just want them to be happy. It was lovely to see how Linus has settled into the island and found his place with all of them. The kids were endearing and horrifying in equal measure (as kids often are) and I was frequently torn between wanting to laugh and wanting to say awwww and wanting to facepalm at their interactions and mischief.

The stakes are quickly revealed to be high, and I can't wait to see where this new adventure takes Arthur, Linus, and the kids.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing an early copy of the excerpt for review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a sample! Such a tease to only have a small portion of this book. I can't wait for the release.

Oh my gosh this excerpt was absolutley delightful. I thought I couldn't wait for the book before but now I really don't know how I am supposed to make it to September. TJ Klune is such an excellent writer that you are immediately immersed in the world he created. I loved the glimpse of domestic life with Arthur, Linus, and the kids. I am so looking forward to Arthur's story. I will be anxiously awaiting the release!
Thank you so very much to T.J. Klune, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for giving me the chance to preview an excerpt of this book!

This book begins with a solid follow up on where the previous book left off. It's relevance to ongoing debates about who controls the fates of children, especially those who don't conform to social standards around gender/sexuality or neurodivergence, is quite clear. But the book doesn't dwell in moralism, instead keeping the reader focused on the events and characters at hand. I think this book has excellent pacing and a rich cast of characters. I can't wait to read the rest.

Every time I think I can’t be more excited for this book, I find more to look forward to. TJ Klune has never let me down yet, and I love this little story of challenging norms and finding home. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

I loved what I read of this. I was so disappointed when I realized it was just and excerpt. However , I do now look forward to reading the whole book that much more.

I was so lucky to be able to read the first four chapters of T.J. Klune's newest book, the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea! The first book was one of my top books of 2020 and so far, it's looking like the latest installment in the series will be a fantastic addition to beautiful world Klune constructed.

Reading these chapters and getting to see some of my favorite characters again felt like getting a warm hug welcoming me home. The excerpt hints that there is conflict brewing, especially on the political front as Arthur confronts his past and takes on the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. Despite this, it is clear that he will not have to face anything on his own and will have his family on his side.

Thank you to T.J. Klune, Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley for allowing me to preview an excerpt of this book! I can't wait for it to come out in September so I can read the full thing! 🥰

I recently reread The House by the Cerulean Sea with a student, so having this sneak peek into the sequel was perfect. It is wonderful to be reunited with these characters that I love oh so much. I cannot wait for Arthur's story to unfold!

Yes it was adorable and amazing but I didn’t realize it was just an excerpt pls give us the full galley I beg😫

AN EXCERPT?! THAT'S IT?!

Reading the first few chapters of the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea had me absolutely pining for more. I also did not realize just how much I missed Arthur, Linus and the sweet magical children in this story. I have had this one pre-ordered since the second I was able to pre-order and truly cannot WAIT to read this one!

Omg! This was only the first 4 chapters and I was already crying. These characters have such a special place in my heart and to see how they've all grown makes my heart so happy. These chapters are the perfect set up for what is bound to be an emotional, poignant story about equality. I can't wait until September to read the entire story. Thank you, TJ, for blessing us with more of our beloved characters.

TJ Kline can do no wrong. I love every single book I have read from this author and can’t wait to continue to see the progression of their career. Everyone should go pick up this book. I can’t wait!!

The first few chapters of this book was like putting on a warm blanket on a rainy night. I loved hearing about the happenings of the children, especially my favorite, Chauncey.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for providing me with an excerpt ARC.

Disclaimer – this is only an excerpt, so I can only comment on what I have read.

I loved the first book so much, and I think this one will be no exception. We pick up here after the events of the first book, focusing on Arthur’s perspective now as he and Linus travel into the city to make a statement to the government.

This excerpt was everything I hoped it would be – so sweet and funny, I settled right back into all the characters and their quirks.

I cannot wait to read the whole book when it’s out!