The House in the Cerulean Sea

Linus Baker is efficient and follows the rules and regulations set out by the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth. He takes assignments to evaluate the living conditions of magical children placed in orphanages, ensuring their health and safety. Because of his efficiency and attention to detail, he’s sent to Marsyas Island Orphanage. The youth in question are seen as dangerous magical beings and their caretaker’s responsibility over them lies in the question. But as Linus experiences the day-to-day life at the orphanage, he’ll discover there’s a lot more going on than meets the eye. And maybe the rules and regulations aren’t always right.

Linus is one of those characters where readers can see the potential for character development right away. And with every turn of the page, you hope for him to grow a little more. Linus is such a stickler for the rules, and at the start lives an entirely ordinary life. He reads files on all the children and goes into his latest job with assumptions about who they will be and how they will behave. However, even though the kids do try to rile him up, he comes to the realization they’re more than just what has been reported. Despite the outside world believing they are dangerous, they each have their own hopes and dreams.

My favorite of the children was Lucifer. Referred to as the antichrist by the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he is one of the main reasons Linus is sent to investigate. Nicknamed Luci, he is a mischievous little boy who does happen to be the son of the devil. His nightmares make objects move uncontrollably and he has a tendency to let his thoughts stray into darker territory than he should. But, he can also be a sweetheart in his own way. His love of music and sarcastic humor made this book for me. And the way he innocently suggests digging up graveyards or causing hellfire is hilarious.

If you’re in a reading slump or need a book to just pick yourself up and feel better, read The House in the Cerulean Sea. While there are some undertones of heavier subjects, they do nothing but accent the story and embellish the heartfelt messages of acceptance and found family. The witty banter between characters as they push each other’s boundaries and learn to trust one another will charm you. By the end, you’ll have a smile on your face and a fond memory of all the adventures Linus and the children embarked on.