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The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: A Heartwarming Cozy Fantasy
Last Updated on July 9, 2026 by Sierra Richard
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a beautifully written whimsical fantasy about a group of children who just want to be loved, and it has quickly become one of my favorite cozy fantasy reads. Here’s why it got five stars from me.
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Book Recap
Linus Baker takes his job as a case worker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) very seriously. When he is sent away on a critical case to determine the fate of six mysterious children, his focus is to do the right thing. However, as Linus gets to know the children and the master of the orphanage, Arthur Parnassus, he begins to wonder what exactly is the right thing to do. The House in the Cerulean Sea* is the first book in the Cerulean Chronicles.
Top Tropes/Themes:
- Cozy Fantasy
- Magical Creatures
- LGBTQ+
- Found Family
- Grumpy-Sunshine
- Prejudice
Spice Rating: 🌶️ (some glimpses and kisses)
Release Date: March 17, 2020
Let’s talk about it…
The House in the Cerulean Sea is now one of my go-to cozy fantasy recommendations. Not only does TJ Klune write a story that focuses on who people are, not what they are, but the audiobook narration done by Daniel Henning brings the characters to life. If you love the cozy works of Sarah Beth Durst’s Spellshop* Series, the low-stakes comfort of S.L. Rowland’s Cursed Cocktails*, or the LGBTQ+ romance of Rebecca Thorne’s Tomes & Tea* series, this might be a book to add to your TBR.
Daniel Henning Knows How to Narrate
If you are deciding between reading this book or listening to the audiobook is definitely the way to go, and Daniel Henning is the reason why! For full transparency, I had the opportunity to attend a book conference session where Daniel Henning spoke about his narration process and even read a passage from this book out loud. I hadn’t listened to the audiobook yet, and I was absolutely blown away by the snippet he shared with us in person. He went from character to character so seamlessly and knew the inflection and voice that matched the personality he was portraying. When I put in my earbuds to listen to the full version for myself, I couldn’t help but smile as I was immersed in the story.
TJ Klune Knows How to Make You Feel
I won’t spoil the many heartfelt moments in this book, but know that there are many. Linus Baker comes into the orphanage having only looked at the world in one way and quickly has many of his personal beliefs challenged. Learning how the children see the world and the world sees them really leads to some heartbreaking moments, but also important lessons on how easily our viewpoints can be manipulated by our environment. By the end of this book, I don’t know how you can’t fall in love with all the children in the orphanage.
The Humor Keeps it Light
While this book does hit some difficult topics, I think the author balances those hard to read moments with humor. He does a great job of not letting the humor dismiss or overtake the challenging topics, but rather allows the reader a break in the heavy concepts shortly after delivering a hard hitting moment. I enjoyed the shenanigans the children got into during Linus’ stay on the island and those moments made me fall in love with this book even more.
My Final Thoughts
The House in the Cerulean Sea is a wonderful story for those looking for an easy, cozy read. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as Daniel Henning’s narration gives a full-cast feeling with only a single narrator.
FAQs: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea LGBTQ+?
Yes. The romance is between two of the male characters in this book. Most of the romance focuses on an emotional connection with only a single kiss from a physical standpoint.
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea written for children?
No. While this book is focused on children at an orphanage, the main narrator for the story is a 40 year old man. While the writing itself is not complex, many of the topics discussed including the prejudice against the children might be lost to a younger audience. Additionally, there is swearing throughout the book so I would keep this on the adult or older teen shelf.
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea part of the series?
Yes, The House in the Cerulean Sea* is the first book in the Cerulean Chronicles. The second book in the series, Somewhere Beyond the Sea* was published in September of 2024. A third book has been teased by TJ Klune, and the narrator Daniel Henning at live events and will center around one of the children, Lucy, but a release date has not been announced.
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea getting a TV series?
Yes! It was announced in early 2026 that Warner Bros. Animation is developing an animated series based on The House in the Cerulean Sea. Few details are currently available on when the series will be released and what platforms it will be available on.
Is the audiobook of The House in the Cerulean Sea worth it?
Absolutely! Daniel Henning does a fantastic job narrating in a way that makes the book feel like it is being narrated by a full cast. Each character is given a unique voice to match their personality which really brings the book to life. If you are choosing between formats, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!
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