The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune: from me to you to us
If the Antichrist enjoys anything more than voicing bloodthirsty apocalyptic threats, it's helping to make biscuits in the kitchen. And with that, one has all one needs to see beyond his demonic provenance to the child who needs love, nurture, and a chance to have some damn good adventures. "You NEED to read The House in the Cerulean Sea !" I was told, having asked for uplifting reads to get me through a nasty bout of flu. I spent the first page or so wondering if it was written for children or adults before concluding "yes". Then I got into the serious business of enjoying this expertly woven tale of a man who comes from a faceless corporatist society to judge a chaotic but loving community, and must decide which of these he should in face be judging. Linus Baker is sent on a mission to inspect Marsyas Orphanage and its leader, Arthur Parnassus, for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He finds he has embarked not just on a train, but on the eternal...