Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the opportunity of this excerpt for "Somewhere Beyond the Sea!"

An excerpt is always a tricky thing to submit for a review (and a tricky thing to review, by extension). Nevertheless, I will try my best. Brief as it may have been, this excerpt of TJ Klune's upcoming novel was its own short story. It picks up from the original in a way that doesn't feel too jarring, it provides a complete story, and it teases what's to come in the novel. I laughed at the delightful banter between Arthur and Linus, I cried with the heartfelt honesty of Sal and Lucy and the rest of the children, and I'm desperate for more. This review only feels partially complete, but I'm certain I'll enjoy the novel once it finally comes out. Until then, I'll be (im)patiently awating.

P.S: There is a tease for an upcoming antagonist that feels *very* familiar to a real-life figure. I'll keep my belief to myself for now, but IFKYK.

Boy, do I wish this was the whole book!!! Every piece of this is just what I was hoping for. TJ Klune picks up from where we left off in book one with this follow up. The excerpt makes you crave wanting more of this sequel. As always, your are transported into the magic and wonderous world!

Welcome back to Marsyas Island. This is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. This is one of the absolute best books. It is Arthur's Story. His character arc is pretty awesome.

I'm so excited to devour this entire book when it comes out! I teared up when reading this excerpt. It has all the warmth and heart of the original book, and returning to Marsyas felt like visiting old friends. The opening chapters also tease a greater challenge to come that Arthur and Linus must confront, and I'm already anticipating needing 3-5 business days to recover in September.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This excerpt had no business giving me so many feelings in such a short taste of the whole book. I LOVED it. The way the foreword took us back to a moment when Arthur first arrived at the island was heart wrenching in a way that lets you know the author is going to allow us feel the hurt and the healing with him over the rest of the book. Then Chapter 1 launches us right back in with some of my favorite literary characters I've ever had the pleasure to know. It was so sweet getting to pick back up shortly after the first book ended. I lost count of the number of times I laughed or sighed happily in the first few pages while also accepting that hard times were coming.

I cannot wait to read the rest of the story!

The "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" Excerpt is pure magic in and of itself and I can hardly wait to find out what happens next.

The story leaves off as our heroes, Arthur and Linus, discover that all is not as it seems with their upcoming hearing with DICOMY and that it may be harder than ever for them to protect their magical children, as well as all of the magical children around the world.

TJ Klune's writing is as enchanting as ever, and all of my favourite characters from "The House On The Cerulean Sea" are back in full force, only a little more grown up this time around.

I have a feeling that this one will live up to it's hype and exceed all expectations.

Four glorious chapters to fall back in love with Arthur, Linus and the children. I absolutely cannot wait for this release. Klune drew me right back into the magical story.

PSA: It’s an excerpt!
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I really wish I would have known when I started it because I literally cried happy tears when I was approved. But, what I read I enjoyed. Will be not so patiently waiting for more!

Received the notification of this book and immediately downloaded and started reading. I was not disappointed. I wish there was more and the story kept going. I understand this was an excerpt but I am not so patiently waiting for more. Linus and Arthur are as special as they were in the last book. Lucy still steals every scene he is in. I cannot wait to read even more of Arthur's story. Major Helen and Zoe?? Love it! Bring on the entire book. It has been preordered since I hear of it.

"Somewhere Beyond the Sea" is a tantalizing journey back into the captivating world of the house in the Cerulean Sea. From the very first pages, the author's masterful storytelling pulls you back into the familiar embrace of this enchanting setting, leaving you longing for more even after the chapters are over.

One of the most commendable aspects of this excerpt is how effortlessly it reintroduces readers to the rich tapestry of characters and landscapes that made the first book so unforgettable. It's like reuniting with old friends and rediscovering the magic of their world all over again.

The pacing is spot-on, whisking readers away on a thrilling adventure from the get-go. Each page is infused with a sense of excitement and wonder, making it impossible to put down. And while it may only be a taste of what's to come, it leaves a lasting impression, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the release of the full book.

Overall, "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" is a testament to the author's talent for crafting immersive and engaging narratives. It's a promising start to the second book in the series, promising more of the captivating storytelling and vibrant world-building that fans have come to love. If the rest of the book is anything like this excerpt, readers are in for a truly unforgettable journey.

did i know i was going into a mere snippet of this book? yes. am i now screaming and crying and not-so-patiently awaiting the full release? also yes!

it’s difficult to assign a star rating to only four chapters of an unreleased novel but i think 4 stars is fair. the beginning of somewhere beyond the sea has all the whimsy and heart of its predecessor. i just love these characters so, sooooo much. reading about them is like the warmest hug.

the excerpt leaves off right as the main conflict is beginning and gosh…i am EXCITED but NERVOUS! please let everyone be happy tj klune!!!!!!!

thank you tor books for the e-ARC excerpt!

The House in the Cerulean Sea was one of my favorite books. I was so excited to get approved at a sneak peek for the sequel.
Not lying when I cried at the end of the prologue as I was just so excited to be with these characters again. The excerpt included the prologue and first 4 chapters.
What a tease… but I am counting down the days until the full release in September.
Based on the sneak preview… this will probably be a top read in 2024 once I finally get my hands on the full version.
Thank you to NetGalley and TOR for the chance to preview early… and to TJ Klune for writing such magic

I really should have paid more attention to see that it was an excerpt! Nonetheless, I’m looking forward to reading the whole thing once it’s out!

I need the rest!!! As always, TJ Klune’s charming characters have you hooked from page 1. I can’t wait to find out what happens and I’m so happy to be back in this world.

Thank you TOR Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC excerpt of Somewhere Beyond the Sea! I read House in the Cerulean Sea long ago and found myself so in awe and in love with the book. Reading this excerpt just made it that more exciting for me. I’m excited to be in this world again. This book means so much to me and I am excited to feel this magic again soon!

I both dreaded and looked forward to this simply because I wanted a happily ever after for these delightful characters - this except makes me both incredibly hopeful and scared, but I am so excited to see what happens!

Seems super cute from what I've read here! I'm super excited to get my hands on the full book when it comes out!

This is an intriguing start to a highly anticipated novel. TJ Klune really excels with his dialogue, throwing in plenty of lines to keep the story heartwarming and hilarious. I don't always feel the same about the prose between lines of dialogue, finding it often drags with excess detail.

When I got the notification that I was approved to read the first four chapters of “Somewhere Beyond the Sea” I might have given a happy little gasp out-loud. I have been so excited to read this book!

I rarely give five star reviews here on StoryGraph, but ”The House in the Cerulean Sea” is one of the few books I’ve reviewed that has earned that distinction. Because the first book wrapped things up so well, I was very interested in seeing where this book was going to go.

The first four chapters drop us right into where we left off from the first book after a brief prologue where we get to go back in time a bit (no spoilers!!). We get some really wonderful character moments with the children, Linus, and Arthur which not only are heartwarming, but we get to see the children and Linus through Arthur’s eyes now. I’ve got to say, the whole beginning of this book feels like a warm hug.

However, there’s trouble brewing and DICOMY is going to come at our heroes swinging. Chapter four starts bringing us into our conflict and I’m so worried and eager to see what happens to our favorite couple next! As far as a brief look at the book goes, I’m hooked and I already know that this book is going to make me cry just like the other one did…. Come on September 10th! I want to keep reading!

First off, I could have sworn I requested the whole book?! I was super shocked and sad to only receive an excerpt. However, I gobbled up every bit. I loved the peek into Arthur and Linus’ life with the children now and look forward to learning more of Arthur’s story. It already has the same wit and whimsy and joy the first book was so known for. It’s difficult to assign a star rating given only read an excerpt - really hoping I’ll get approved for the whole book eventually!