It’s hard not to put this right back at 5 stars like the OG. While it took me 30-50 pages to get myself reacquainted with Marsyas Island and its cast of unruly and lovable residents - once I was in, I was all in. Much like the first book, I adopted a different reading cadence than normal and found myself slowly savoring this one rather than speeding through to find out what happens.

The depth and richness of the characters that Klune has created - even new ones like our lovely David the yeti - are truly a testament to thinking of each of these children as real and authentic children, albeit with incredible magic. We also get to see Arthur in a whole new light as this is his story and all of the cobwebs and skeletons and scars of his past re-emerge and he becomes more than the master of the orphanage - he becomes Dad.

The story itself lends parallels to so many things occurring in todays world politically and socially and Klune holds back nothing as he uses his characters to unmask themes of fascism, racism, homophobia/transphobia and face them head on. These children are truly incredible - standing up themselves and what is right in the world when almost everything outside of their idyllic world pushes to muzzle and weaponize them.

And as happens with brave and bold children, they often inspire the adults around them to embrace their true selves, stop hiding among the shadows and rubble and soar to their true potential without fear.

*I did not cry. But I loved this book with all my shriveled little heart.

Thank you Tor Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy excerpt of "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" by TJ Klune. I'm so thrilled that he wrote a follow up to "House in the Cerulean Sea." I'm looking forward to Talias antics in this next book. Actually I'm excited to see what the characters do next, it's just that Talia is my favorite!

The excerpt is from the beginning of the book and it's quite excellent because it helps you remember certain details of the characters without needing to reread House in the Cerulean Sea. Somehow Klune knows which aspects to hit to help you recall even if you haven't read the original book in 3 years.

#SomewhereBeyondtheSeaExcerpt #NetGalley

This sequel had a tiny bit less magic for me than the first, but only a tiny bit. I listened to this one, which may have been the difference. I loved the narrator’s voices for the kids but really didn’t like his overwrought, over the top dramatic tone for a couple of scenes. I think they would have been more powerful without so much emotion in his voice. That said, this was a very welcome trip back to the island and these lovely characters.

Super cute feel good book. A little heavy handed on the allegory and drags at times, but the characters are just so darn lovable. The authors note at the end makes it all worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and @Tor Publishing Group for the ARC. I was given the first 4 chapters of this book and all I can say is, I need to read the rest of the book. I loved the first book and it was to see how the characters have grown. The message in the story is a prominent one in today's society. A must read.

A little disappointed that this was just an excerpt but now that I'm able to get my hands on the entire novel I cannot wait to dive into the sequel. Loved what I read though. I feel like a fair reading for the excerpt will be about 3.5/4 stars because I like what I read. Will post on Goodreads when I read the entire book!

Thanks Netgalley!

I was so excited to recieve an excerpt of T.J. Klune's new book. I couldn't wait to revisit everyone at Marsyas. I didn't realize this was just an excerpt of the book. However, I did enjoy the 4 chapters of the excerpt and can't wait to finish the book when I get my hands on the finished copy. I always enjoy T.J. Klune books. I love the messages.

I don't feel like it would be fair to rate this book after reading only 4 chapters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor books for the ARC excerpt.

I absolutely loved this. There's just a vibe that Klune writes with that makes me both emotional and calm while reading his books. There were so many moments in this I was scream texting my bestie about the cutest and most emotional moments about this. I honestly think I like this book a bit more than the first. It delved a lot more into the other kids while still introducing a new kid and making it all feel very balanced, oftentimes in books with large casts like this some of the other characters seem like they are there just for gags (Miss Peregrine I'm looking at you). This developed everyone on their own and together which I just really adored.

Great start to the book! Excited to read the rest. Klune builds such cozy and fascinating worlds and I was so excited to come back to this one!

This book is perfection. 10/10, no notes. It is heartwarming, funny, and emotional. It is poignant and hopeful and just all around amazing. I was delighted to be transported back to the island and to rejoin the amazing characters and I cannot wait to see where their story goes next.

Note that this is a review for the whole shebang - I didn't get to review it until I listened to the whole thing anyway. :)

Arthur's storyyyyyyyyyy.

So, as you can probably guess, this is the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. This time we see the story from Arthur's point of view, and we get to hear a little more of his past. 

But most of all, we get more of that sweet, sweet found family. This time we add one more child to the family, a Yeti named David. 

So, I listened to this one all in one go, just as I did with Cerulean Sea, and boy howdy did I love it, just as much as its predecessor. David was such an adorable addition to the family, and the way he just fit right in as if he was just meant to be there (he was). The rest of the kids, especially my favorites Chauncey and Lucy, remain the most adorable magical children of dubious origins ever. 

I could squee about this book all day. Just... just read the book. Listen to the book. 

I don't normally get too emotional over books, but I have to tell you that Daniel Henning doesn't just read this book, he *performs* this book and there was one part in particular where the performance he gave had me in tears just from the emotion he gave it. Gods above and below. Ugly crying. 

I also immediately got some swag from the books. A plushie Chauncey (with a bellhop cap and all!) and a t-shirt. I couldn't not. 

Y'all. I could listen to stories about this family forever. Even if nothing that exciting happens to them. A trip to the music store is interesting enough. Righteoussssssss.

I don't even know where to start. I wish books like this and authors with this much conviction existed when I was a child.

Of course, the story is beautiful, the characters charming, the banter witty and downright funny. What stands out the most to me, though, is how full of hope this book is.

Reading it from Arthur's point of view definitely grounds it more, but it doesn't detract from the whimsy. There is so much heart, tragedy, and rawness, and I'll say it again: hope. My gosh, sometimes we really need a book that has happy endings, sweet moments, and positive outlooks instead of bleak endings. No, it doesn't expound its world to be perfect, but my goodness, you actually feel like it's possible. This is what we need. This support and hope and downright delightful story.

The acknowledgments left me in tears, and I'm so grateful to have been given the ARC for this. It is a soothing balm in a time when so many need it.

This was a fun read and I know I can always count on T.J Klune Books! This story was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed all of the characters involved in this book. The mind behind T.J Klune is always fascinating to see what they will put into a story! This story is told from Arthur's point of view and you get to see what he wants changed and what should be done so that the children can have a better life then he ever did.
Good book and I think many will enjoy! :)

I DNF'd this at 30%. I love The House in the Cerulean Sea. It's one of my favourite books. This felt like it was written for a middle grade audience and was so full of performative activism and heavy-handed "lessons" it felt insulting to me as a reader. It was also far too white liberal. "Love is love" only gets you so far, and if your inspiration is colonial violence against Indigenous kids you can't be stopping there. I was very disappointed because I really love the characters.

I was elated to hear that The House in the Cerulean Sea! Somewhere Beyond the Sea was a perfect return to Marsyas Island. I love these characters so much.

Thank you for the advance copy - excerpt. The tiny bit I read felt like coming home and I cannot wait to read the entire book.

I can’t love this series more. I laughed out loud, I cried, I railed against the unfairness in the world, I cheered for the kids, and I was so thrilled to see them all thriving. I have multiple pages of quotes that I loved and had to write down. READ THIS BOOK!

I looked back at what TJ Klune brought back to the table enjoy the connections of these characters. Looked forward seeing what happens after with the orphanage. The message of the story always seem to get me.

Thank you NetGallery for allowing for a advance copy.

I find it narratively not as strong as the first book, but a feel-good story nonetheless. It was fun and comforting to return to this beloved world, and in particular to get to know Arthur more intimately, as we all fell in love with him when Linus did.

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