(Free copy received from Libro.fm)

If you're looking for a serotonin boost in the form of a book, The House in the Cerulean Sea is your answer! Linus, Arthur and the six magical children utterly charmed me as I knew they would, and I adored every minute spent listening to their story. I'm always a bit hesitant with stories where children play a large role (child narrators often just annoy me), but this book is narrated by the affable Linus, a forty-something case worker who's never broken a rule in his life. Maybe it would have worked if Arthur had narrated too, but overall I was enamoured with the bumbling Linus and his interactions with Arthur and his charges!

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For context, Linus is sent to Marsyas Island on a top secret mission to inspect the orphanage there. During his lifetime career as a case worker, Linus has encountered many magical children, but none quite like the ones under the care of Arthur Parnassus. He's certainly never encountered the Antichrist. The six children including Lucy, an amorphous green blob, a were-pomeranian, a winged wyvern, a gnome and a sprite, will capture your heart. The only thing I didn't care for with the audio was the narrator's interpretation of Chauncey, the green blob, as it just sounded like a more irritating Scooby Doo.

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While on Marsyas, Linus quickly learns that not everything can be done by the book, and not everything is always so clearly cut. I loved watching his character slowly develop from rigid and aloof to passionately protective and caring of these kids. There are lessons to be learned here, from working against ingrained and unjust prejudices against what we don't understand, and accepting our differences as traits to be cherished and celebrated rather than hidden away or tamped down. I feel like everyone needs an Arthur Parnassus in their lives, to love them fiercely for their whole selves.

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Also, I am always here for more middle-aged to older people finding love! There is so much delightfully queer love in this book, it made my heart sing! Overall this book is a balm, especially in these trying times, and I can't recommend it enough!