I didn't realize at first that this was only an excerpt. I was a little disappointed since The House in The Cerulean Sea is one of my favorite books, and I was elated for a sequel. It was hard ending after only chapter 4 because I wanted more.

Here's what I like so far. The first book focused more on Linus's point of view, and Somewhere Beyond the Sea seems to be mainly from Arthur's point of view. I cannot wait to hear more about Arthur and his past. I was immediately brought back to the whimsical and fun within the first chapter with all the kids. Their interactions with one another also bring me so much joy and laughter. I have read a few other books by T.J. Klune and he always has characters with depth that you can empathize with. The storyline is taking a more political turn, but I expected that with how the first book ended.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group, NetGalley, and T.J. Klune

Hopefully, a full arc of Somewhere Beyond the Sea will be released soon because I'm ready to devour it!

When I applied for this arc, I didn't realize it was only an excerpt. With that being said, I look forward to reading the book. I absolutely loved The House in the Cerulean Sea, When I first began Somewhere Beyond the Sea, I knew I would love it. TJ Klune uses the same eloquent writing style as the first book in the series. I look forward to reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea in its entirety, so I can get a better feel for the characters and where the plot is headed.

Thank you NetGalley for an excerpt of this highly anticipated novel.

Thank you for the ARC teaser.

I love this author and his stories, this was just as good as all his others books. The same feelings and characters and whimsy as Cerulean sea. Just what I needed. Can’t wait to read the rest of the book!!

GAH!!!!!!! THIS IS SO GOOD! I didn't realize it was a teaser but holy cow what a great tease. GIvE ME MORE!!!

Cannot WAIT to go back to this world for the full book!

Thanks to Tor Publishing and Netgalley, I’ve been able to read the first little bit of this book. These thoughts are my own. I really enjoyed the first book so much! I feel from the excerpt that I am really going to enjoy book two! It’s lovely to be back with Arthur, Linus, and the kids again! I also love that we get this book from Arthur’s POV and we get more from his past! I’m definitely looking forward to this one coming out in September!

I recognized that this was only an excerpt, but I am still so happy to be reunited with Linus and Arthur. I remember when an anonymous librarian recommended “The House in the Cerulean Sea” as a last minute book for our book club when that month’s hostess backed out. My book club probably would have been hesitant to embrace an LBGTQ+ fantasy initially, but this was such a magical book that they all agreed they wanted a sequel. And we’ll have one in September!!!

In the teaser, we experience the domestic life that Arthur and Linus have settled into, with the magical children still being their free selves. A prologue tells us about the first time that Arthur returned to the island (nearly 30 years after he was an abused child in the previous orphanage). Now Arthur and Linus are being summoned back to the Department in Charge of Magic Youth to testify about Arthur’s mistreatment. Will that bring changes? Will the changes be good for the island of children or even worse than before? We’ll be waiting until September to find out! 5 stars for the first part of a wonderful fantasy that’s been missed!

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

This review is based on the first four chapters of this book.

This was a delight to read. I loved the first book in the series and the second one looks like it'll be more of the same - in the best way possible.

I loved revisiting the characters and am intrigued by the plot. It looks like this will be timely tale. I can't wait to read the rest.

I read an excerpt of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

I only got the excerpt to preview, but it was terrific. This series has some of my favorite characters in any book! Of course, the couple of chapters I got to read were like drops of water to a thirsty man. It just made me more excited to read the whole book. The gang is back and better than ever. I wish I could live in this book.

Love TJ Klune books and cannot wait for the full novel! It grabbed my attention immediately! The characters seem so interesting and wonderful.

5/5 ⭐️
OMG! The sequel I have been dying to read! And having Arthur as the MC is just amazing, I just can’t wait to be able to read the whole book when it comes out. Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for giving me the opportunity to read this excerpt.

I cannot rate this excerpt with more than five stars, but oh my does it deserve more. The House in the Cerulean Sea was the first book I’d ever read by TJ Klune, and he has sucked me into his world far quicker than any other author has before. I was absolutely giddy to learn of a sequel and could not wait to see what adventures Arthur and Linus and their merry band of cherubs got into and this excerpt did not disappoint. I anxiously await the full novel.

Thank you so much, Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read this excerpt!
I've missed these characters so much and now I'm even more curious to read the whole book! Arthur's story? I'm in! I want to know everything about his past, present and, mostly, future with Linus and their family! I'm so so excited!

It was great revisiting these eclectic characters The kids are so realistic, I just love them and can't wait to meet David. I can'r wait for the rest of the book.

After reading a four-chapter tease of TJ Klune's upcoming release, I'm left craving the full book. It's a wonderful return to the characters we fell in love with in the first installment. Klune's signature charm shines through, crafting a cozy narrative sprinkled with romance.

Loved the excerpt. I can't wait for the entire book to get the complete story of some of my favorite characters.

I have some mixed feelings about this. I found it to stray from cute little book with romance and characters who I love to something far more political. I understand that it is important to some artists to use their medium to make a difference. I can respect him wanting to do that, but was disappointed that it happened within my favorite escape fantasy. As a queer person, I understand the politics of everything that is happening and how it impacts my life as well as the author's and many of his readers. That being said, I was excited to turn to a book that allowed me to escape from it. I can't doc him for wanting to do this, but before reading the full thing I will have to get my head in the space that it is not longer a series for soft escapism, rather, a novel for political movement.


To those who understand, it is really giving Megami's "protect queer art" talent show.

Absolutely love TJ and the characters he has created in this series. I was so excited to hear more about little Chauncey. Probably my all time favorite book character. I can’t wait to finish this whole book!

TJ Klune blows me away—four chapters in and September cannot come soon enough, I am hooked! Klune’s writing is whimsical and romantic and endearing, his characters are striking and developed and engaging. And this plot! I am so ready to dive in Arthur’s life and story. I loved it. The writing is witty and fantastical and just amazing. There is just so much heart in these chapters, it’s everything and I can’t wait to see where this story goes

I'm so excited to be back in this world with Linus, Arthur, and the children! Even though this was just a 4 chapter excerpt, I'm already getting so emotional thinking about diving back in again. I can't wait to see what's in store!

I went in fully expecting it to be the entire book, but alas I apparently didn't read the title thoroughly. What little bit I was blessed with was, of course, GREAT. I'm so excited for the story to continue to unfold and for the past to be explained in further detail.