Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

Somewhere Beyond the Sea

Author: TJ Klune

Series: The Cerulean Sea Chronicles

Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism

Publish Date: September 2024

Read: December 2025

Favorite Quote: Mind your manners, but always, always ask questions if you have them. Good people don’t mind questions.

Story Synopsis: Arthur Parnassus, headmaster of the Marysas Island orphanage, is working to rebuild his awful childhood into a hopeful, happy life with his six wards and partner, Linus. Arthur and Linus, both familiar with the governmental department DICOMA and DICOMY (Department in Charge of Magical Adults/Youth), go to the big city so Arthur can testify about his experience as a child under DICOMY’s care - or lack thereof. This testimony sparks an outcry, and a villainous official is sent to the island to inspect the home and interview the children to “ensure they are in a safe environment.” When Arthur and Linus stop playing by the established rules and level the playing field, they take their fates - and the fate of their family and community - into their own hands to ensure a better life.

Why does this book beguile? I absolutely, unequivocally adored The House in the Cerulean Sea. It’s a self-help book disguised as a fantasy novel in all the best ways. I laughed, I cried, I hugged the book. I was utterly delighted to learn about Somewhere Beyond the Sea and immediately preordered it. For reasons beyond me (life, travel, time), I only got to it about a year after its publication date. Sadly, I felt quite underwhelmed. Somewhere Beyond the Sea came off as preachy, rather than insightful and inspirational. And, its preachiness felt almost like an attack. The way the children were written was entertaining and fun, but the whole thing just fell a bit flat. It feels like Klune was perhaps angry at the world while writing this (rightfully so, have you seen the Things out there?).

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