by Patrick Ogle
TJ Klune's sequel to House on the Cerulean Sea is a book every bit as touching and sweet as the first installment. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a book about decency, kindness and acceptance. It is also about battling evil without resorting to evil methods.
I have a bit of a hard time writing about this because I made the mistake of not writing most of this down right after I finished when I was at my most enthusiastic. Yet I remain enthusiastic! I also do not like to do too much plot summary. I hate it when someone writes about a book and tells me the plot! The book is about a world, and specifically England, where magical beings are discriminated against and surveilled. They are denied basic rights and are second class citizens by a government (and some people) who couch their bigotry as benevolence. It sounds vaguely familiar doesn't it?
It is essential to have read Somewhere Beyond the Sea before reading this. It gives the background you need on most characters in the book. This book adds layers to each. We learn more about all of them and there are some new characters as well (mostly antagonists).
Klune refers to himself as the anti-JK Rowling and that really goes without saying. As soon as you get a page or two into any of his books you see his world is about inclusion. Characters are gay or they are trans or they are straight or you have no idea about their sexuality. This book suggests that all of these are ok. That all of these are, in fact, to be celebrated. This book, as the first, is never harsh or strident. It has some sympathy for the bigots in a "forgive them they know not what they do" sort of way but it isn't about turning the other cheek it is about fighting for what is right.
I cannot wait for the third book (and there surely will be one).
TJ Klune's sequel to House on the Cerulean Sea is a book every bit as touching and sweet as the first installment. Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a book about decency, kindness and acceptance. It is also about battling evil without resorting to evil methods.
I have a bit of a hard time writing about this because I made the mistake of not writing most of this down right after I finished when I was at my most enthusiastic. Yet I remain enthusiastic! I also do not like to do too much plot summary. I hate it when someone writes about a book and tells me the plot! The book is about a world, and specifically England, where magical beings are discriminated against and surveilled. They are denied basic rights and are second class citizens by a government (and some people) who couch their bigotry as benevolence. It sounds vaguely familiar doesn't it?
It is essential to have read Somewhere Beyond the Sea before reading this. It gives the background you need on most characters in the book. This book adds layers to each. We learn more about all of them and there are some new characters as well (mostly antagonists).
Klune refers to himself as the anti-JK Rowling and that really goes without saying. As soon as you get a page or two into any of his books you see his world is about inclusion. Characters are gay or they are trans or they are straight or you have no idea about their sexuality. This book suggests that all of these are ok. That all of these are, in fact, to be celebrated. This book, as the first, is never harsh or strident. It has some sympathy for the bigots in a "forgive them they know not what they do" sort of way but it isn't about turning the other cheek it is about fighting for what is right.
I cannot wait for the third book (and there surely will be one).
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