Cerulean Chronicles Book 1: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

 

Cerulean Chronicles Book 1

A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.

But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.

An enchanting story, masterfully told, The House in the Cerulean Sea is about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45047384-the-house-in-the-cerulean-sea

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Linus’s job as a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth is very important to him. He is stickler for the rules and knows that the most important part of his job is to make sure the magical children in these orphanages are safe. Even though he worries about getting to attached to those he meets, he knows he has to remain impartial. And it is because of that he is summoned by the Extremely Upper Management to take on a highly classified case. This case is unlike any other he has had before. All the children in this residence are considered highly dangerous and their caretaker is a bit of a mystery. Linus realizes quickly that he was not prepared nor given the proper information. A month. He has a month to determine that these kids are being taken care of properly and that Upper management has nothing to worry about. Though Linus can’t help but feel they are looking for an excuse to shut this home down. But the longer Linus stays and gets to know this house filled with extraordinary people, the more he begins to open his eyes to a life so much richer than what he had. I adored this story. I loved Linus’s character development. How he was slowly opening up to a life full of color. Something he didn’t really have or allow himself to have. And I love how important all these magical children are. Upper management may have expected him to follow their hopes to find an excuse to shut this down but Linus is his own person who’s good heart will always lead him right. I loved the blooming romance between Arthur and Linus. And all the kids were a hoot! You will never be bored with this group. So happy there is a book two because I am not ready to leave this world just yet!