TJ Klune - The House in the Cerulean Sea

Linus Baker is a by-the-book case worker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.
Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.
The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

Comment: I decided to read this book after seeing incredible reviews, especially by some people I know who didn't know much about the author's work. Since I had read other things by the author, I decided to give this one a go, and I've finally managed to pick it up.

In this novel we meet Linus Baker, a dedicated and responsible worker whose job as caseworker for several orphanages makes him feel he is doing something valid, even though his life is somewhat grey. One day he is summoned by the Upper Management to travel to an orphanage on an island, one they want to be certain is working as it should and Linus doesn't think twice by following his orders. There, he soon realizes the children are special, unique, and as often happens, misunderstood by others. He doesn't want to, but he starts caring for them all during the month he stays, and this leads him to wonder a few things about the orphanage itself and why would the Upper Management want to know the secrets it contains. They also want to know what is happening with the master, Arthur Parnassus, but while this man proves to be as special as the children, he is also irresistible to Linus...

I already had an idea of this author's style which means the quirkiness of the tale wasn't that surprising to me. I saw that this confused (and disappointed) many readers but it is an acquired taste. Personally, I enjoy this almost whimsical vibe that something special is going on, but it takes time for things to be revealed. 

The plot doesn't seem very original, I immediately thought about other stories (mainly on TV) about children in orphanages who aren't welcomed by others because they are different, but it was nice to have a spin on it with the particular traits the author gave the characters. It was also cute how they are, of course, misunderstood but they are actually warm and sweet and as innocent as their age suggests. I did struggle to envision one or two of them but I liked that their personalities shone.

There is a lot of talk about acceptance, about what it means to live in prejudice and fear, in judging others for things they cannot control but while some readers feel this was very preachy throughout the story, I didn't mind it because, I mean, that was clearly the whole point of this story, to highlight how unfairness and judgement interfere with everyone's lives, especially the victims of their circumstances, appearances and other factors. Unlike other books by the author, which were focused on romance, that is not the goal here, and I think the message was accomplished well enough.

The story is all told through Linus' POV. He was a person who many would deem boring, unassuming, uninteresting, someone who lacks good looks and a compelling personality. But, as time goes by, Linus also changes after he meets everyone at the island, and the things he knew were negative about him in his "real life", weren't as important on the island and, how often this is the same for most of us, when someone else sees us through their eyes, we might not believe, but everything is kind of in the eye of the beholder...

Linus is an interesting main character because he isn't aware of his own value outside of what he can do work wise. I tend to like stories with characters who are humble and who are proven how special they are and Linus journey here is way more metaphorical than it might seem at first.I really liked how the relationships he develops with the children and a few other adult characters showed him he could see himself differently, and, thus, reach for more than he imagined.

There are also some romantic elements, since Linus and Arthur fall in love, but nothing explicit happens, only very suggestive conversations and yearning looks. I get it, the point was not to highlight this but instead to present another element which contributed to Linus' evolution as a character. Still, it's cute to have some scenes here and there where we can just tell they like one another and in the end there are some more obvious declarations. We must also take into consideration that knowing more about Arthur as the story moves long, is a way for Linus to trust himself more.

The end is quite cute and adorable, right after some necessary action by Linus in defending himself and the children and the orphanage. I really can't say these sections are as great as they should, I confess there's something missing, some kind of emotion or sensation, but it does lead the plot to where it was meant from the start. I also think some situations were a bit too slow in how they developed and a few characters weren't developed as well as I think they should, making them seem a little cartoonish, especially the antagonists.

Still, all in all, this was a satisfying and heartwarming read. I will certainly try something else by the author again, one day.

Grade: 7/10

TJ Klune - Brothersong

In the ruins of Caswell, Maine, Carter Bennett learned the truth of what had been right in front of him
the entire time. And then it—he—was gone.
Desperate for answers, Carter takes to the road, leaving family and the safety of his pack behind, all in the name of a man he only knows as a feral wolf. But therein lies the danger: wolves are pack animals, and the longer Carter is on his own, the more his mind slips toward the endless void of Omega insanity.
But he pushes on, following the trail left by Gavin.
Gavin, the son of Robert Livingstone. The half-brother of Gordo Livingstone.
What Carter finds will change the course of the wolves forever. Because Gavin’s history with the Bennett pack goes back further than anyone knows, a secret kept hidden by Carter’s father, Thomas Bennett.
And with this knowledge comes a price: the sins of the fathers now rest upon the shoulders of their sons.

Comment: This is the much anticipated final installment in the Green Creek series by TJ Klune. For the past years, the stories about the group of characters we met in book #1 have amazed and touched the readers who have loved this world. Now it's time to end the series and, although for me this was not the best book, the goodbye was emotional enough to leave me with fond memories.

In this book we keep following Carter in his quest to find Gavin and bring him back to the care and bonds of the pack. He feels angry he didn't recognize what was linking him so much with the timber wolf who ended up helping the pack in a previous story. Now that he does, he needs to try to look for him, even if that is taking its toll on his mind, by being so far away from his beloved family and pack. 

When Carter finds him, though, he isn't certain on how to proceed. Will Gavin even want to return? Will he be able to escape the control of the beast that is now their enemy Livingstone? How can the pack win the fight without losing who they are in the process?

Like many other fans, I was quite eager to read this story. The fact the last one had ended - not in a cliffhanger per se - with a scene promising new emotional content, it was quite a wait. Whether or not the majority feels this was a well achieved ending to everything that happened, or if it matched the emotional level the other books had had, the reality is that it does feel a little weird to say goodbye to these characters. Of course the beauty of books is we can re-read them (or in my case, for a matter of lack of time, more often I re-read favorite scenes) but that feeling of facing what's to come for the first time while we root for the characters....well, that is not possible to regain.

The plot of this book is pretty basic, Carter is looking for Gavin and what results from his attempt will change the outcome. I don't think it's a spoiler to say of course Carter finds Gavin and that the enemy will be defeated. I won't say, however, which steps, which scenes, which price can be in the way until that happens. That is the fun of this, how the journey shapes things and makes her feel the emotions along with the characters. I should say there's a HEA, so rest assured that even with some darker situations, the most important things end positively.

The author has penned quite a series, very emotional, very strong in how the feelings and the personality of the characters are driving forces behind the actions they take. This means the action is slow paced and we have time to bond or not with the characters and their struggles. Sometimes, the way things are written can be brutal to one's emotions too. Of the four books, the 2nd, Ravensong, called the most to me. Some parts were really hard but so much more rewarding. In this one, while the touching scenes, the conversations, the tone, all suit what we've come to expect, I think the attempt of solving all loose ends and adding little things made for a "meatier" story and not as romantic, for instance.

I mean, the romance is cute, Carter is as clueless and silly as ever, but we all know that's a facade for his fears of not being a good enough pack member, etc. Well, one can infer stuff. Of course, this is all in his head for we know and we see in his actions how worthy and special he is. Gavin, on the other hand, was not as developed as I imagined he would. I think the author used too much the fact Gavin was raised as an omega since he became a wolf and this made him more aloof, scared, lonely, independent... I wish the bonds with pack had been more obvious since he joined the pack and that his relationship with Carter had been even more physical than just the cute/funny scenes they often shared.

Like I said, the important plot things were solved as expected... nothing really surprising happens, in my opinion, when it comes to the way the enemy is defeated. Ok, something interesting does happen and it might cause some emotion on how it affected the pack (and the faithful reader) but I wouldn't say it ends up being such a big deal. The emotional closure for this series is there and I believe this is what truly validates the series: the fact things progress according to the rules and the bonds between the characters. It's really a series for those who like complex characters, werewolves and strong emotional content.

Grade: 8/10

TJ Klune - Heartsong

All Robbie Fontaine ever wanted was a place to belong. After the death of his mother, he bounces around from pack to pack, forming temporary bonds to keep from turning feral. It’s enough—until he receives a summons from the wolf stronghold in Caswell, Maine.
Life as the trusted second to Michelle Hughes—the Alpha of all—and the cherished friend of a gentle old witch teaches Robbie what it means to be pack, to have a home.
But when a mission from Michelle sends Robbie into the field, he finds himself questioning where he belongs and everything he’s been told. Whispers of traitorous wolves and wild magic abound—but who are the traitors and who the betrayed?
More than anything, Robbie hungers for answers, because one of those alleged traitors is Kelly Bennett—the wolf who may be his mate.
The truth has a way of coming out. And when it does, everything will shatter.

Comment: This is the 3rd story in the Green Creek series by TJ Klune and I couldn't pass the opportunity to read it, since the first books, especially the second, were so amazing.

Robbie has always wanted to belong to a pack to feel needed, to feel loved and he believes he's found it in the current pack hes at, even though he has dreams of weird scenes, of feelings he can't explain. One day during a mission for the alpha of all, he is confused by what the small pack he meets tells him. Yes, it's true he doesn't remember much of his past years since he was rescued after his mother died and the present but surely nothing bad happened to him, his alpha and his witch friend Ezra would have told him, right?

Then he is told about another pack, a pack bent on being different, of changing all the rules and also seen as the enemy. When a confused Robbie finally has contact with that pack, though, his life changes completely.

When the second book ends, as it seems to be the trend in this series, we have a little glimpse of what might happen in this one but when this story begins, it feels like we're back in time, before the events of the other books and we see a side of Robbie we hadn't before. However, things don't add up and some details seem rather confusing.

I must say it took me a while to figure out what was going on but when I did, it was both scary and addictive to keep reading and I'm very glad things developed in true Klune's style: a lot of heartbreak but all the feels one would want!

I've probably said before, the true beauty of these Green Creek books is how incredibly touching and special they are without the characters being in lust half the pages. It really takes talent and ability to convey every single thing through looks, little touches, little things and comments. I love these books because they are well written and the style is one I can appreciate but I would understand that for some things take a bit too long to happen.

Of course, there's no doubt I liked knowing Robbie and Kelly more, to see what makes them special as individuals as well as part of the pack and the solid group of characters we've come to know in the series.

Kelly has always appeared as somewhat shy, too quiet, more a sidekick to his more extrovert brother Carter so it was nice to know more of him, of his personality.

Same for Robbie, although since the story is seen mostly from his POV, it's easier to have a closer idea of what he feels and thinks. I like them a lot as a couple.

It's really fascinating how much can be entailed in small sentences, how little things gain more importance and meaning when the right context is on going. It does seem clear the author has thought about this whole world and how to develop it. The plot moves at a slow pace but I can't honestly mind it because each word, each sentence matters and conveys a huge amount of things, no matter how simplistic they might look. I also absolutely loved the character's interactions and how the pack cares for all its members.

It's difficult to explain without giving spoilers, without summarizing things that happened but this is ana amazing series. This installment could have been a little more special had the bad guy not got away with some things but... I suppose that's the subject of the next and last book.

As expected, we have a scene of what happens after Robbie and Kelly finally settle on their HEA and that promises another heartfelt story to finish the series. 

What a pity the release date was delayed but I can't wait to go back to these characters!

Grade: 8/10

TJ Klune - Ravensong

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack who left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.
It should have been enough.
And it was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. In the end, they faced the beast together as a pack… and won.
Now, a year later, Gordo has found himself once again the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.
But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s crawling from within.
Some bonds, no matter how strong, were made to be broken.

Comment: This is the second installment in the Green Creek series by TJ Klune. I was really surprised by how much I liked reading the first book in the series and I had all the intentions of reading the following ones. This is the second one and I can say I liked it even more than the first.

In this second book we have the story of Gordo Livingstone, the witch of the pack and the person who links what happened with the pack before the events in the previous book and how the situation is now. In this book we get to know what happened to Gordo while he was a boy, how the pack life and the repercussions of that affected his family  and, of course, inklings of his relationship with Mark Bennett, which we know is complicated as they barely speak to one another.

However, no one is meant to be alone, much less those belonging to a pack, even a pack made out of friendships and caring if not blood ties. In the end of the day, will Gordo be able to put aside his fears and the things he has been conditioned for to finally forgive and be forgiven?

Thinking of this book makes me want to sigh. You know, those moments where you just rest your body posture and exhale?

I really liked this one. It's not a perfect story (some situations went on for a long time and some others lacked a more spectacular effect) but it had all the feels and angst and cuteness that I truly didn't mind the, again, around 400 pages of story. I loved being immersed in this world and spending time with these characters.

Just to get it out of the way, my biggest complaint with this book would be how some situations regarding the happiness of the characters seem to be challenged very often, not just because this is an angsty and serious story; the anticipation is good sometimes but others it feels as if it didn't have to be but because it suits the tone of the book and to add some shock value... I'd change a few details here and there to my preference but those could be totally different from another reader.

Also, in this book we don't have a scene where the possibly biggest problem occurs

 (spoiler!:  no one from the main nucleus of characters dies, like in the first book) 

so that settled me in the end, even if not though the novel, due to anxiety and expectation with the "what if" possibilities.

So, thankfully, this was a very well thought novel, and agreeing with other readers, so much better understood and cherished if one reads the first book too.

I liked getting to know Gordo (this is told from his POV) and understanding why he is so distanced from some people, namely Mark his mate, why he feels so much sadness and why he is unwilling to forgive some elements because of past situations.

I think his personality is very complex, his evolution towards the positive things he needs to accept and accomplish is well done and realistic, considering the personality traits he shows.

I was also so very eager to see how the HEA would happen and, as per the author's style, it was a slow burn thing, with both Mark and Gordo having to go through many issues before finally accepting where they are in life now. Some scenes were just so... strong, even before they got together in the end. The emotional aspect of the books is certainly one if its best features and just the anticipation of what could happen, how could they be sharing things (even if not sexual) to better increase the time they were in each other's radar so that those feelings had to be considered... I mean, I really like how the author does this.

I also loved how this book seemed to have more comic relief situations/scenes. The secondary characters played a very important role and it was great to see everyone was important in the pack, even those not in key positions, how everyone mattered to the health and love of the pack, human elements included. I laughed too, with some commentary from the peanut gallery!

I especially liked hints and very little tidbits about the incoming romances. Nothing is said out loud but, really, the apparently innocent comments here and there makes it so hard to wait to see what happens.

The overall plot is not solved here. Gordo finds his inner carer, goes through emotional roller coasters to be who he needs to be (for himself and for the pack) but the big event, I would say, the big show down i guess will only happen in the final book. So many interesting surprises on going, I can't wait to read the other two books and I will certainly do so next year.

I loved every scene and every moment spent reading this novel. The author was able to convey all the emotions, all the ties that can unite the pack, the family between those not blood related but connected by the most important things of all: love and friendship between them.

Grade: 9/10

TJ Klune - Wolfsong

Ox was twelve when his daddy taught him a very valuable lesson. He said that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then he left.
Ox was sixteen when he met the boy on the road. The little boy who talked and talked and talked. Ox found out later the little boy hadn’t spoken in almost two years before that day, and that the little boy belonged to a family who had moved into the house at the end of the lane.
Ox was seventeen when he found out the little boy’s secret and it painted the world around him in colors of red and orange and violet, of Alpha and Beta and Omega.
Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his head and heart. The boy chased after the monster with revenge in his bloodred eyes, leaving Ox behind to pick up the pieces.
It’s been three years since that fateful day—and the boy is back. Except now he’s a man, and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them. 

Comment: My favorite type of PNR world is the one with shape shifters, which this book has. My favorite type of romance pace is slow, which this book also has. My favorite type of book is one that explores the character's feelings and personality, which this book also has. Added to the fact I've read some stellar reviews from people whose taste is alike mine most of the time, of course I had to read this book, which I did.

In this book we slowly follow the developments surrounding Ox's life, since he is a young 12 year old until he becomes an adult, along with everything happening to him and to those around him.

Ox is a guy who is used to not think much of himself but he knows there are people he can trust and who care about him, a notion even stronger after he meets the Bennet family one day, especially Joe, their youngest son.

However, Ox doesn't have an easy life understanding what others think or decide to do... and he sees himself in the middle of some secrets, strange politics between different groups and, most important of all, the strange feelings he has regarding those he is close to. As Ox learns things about those he cares about, and tries his best to help protect them, can he also save his own heart from breaking?

This was my first book by this author. I was only mildly aware of his work because of the usual recommendations when we read certain books but I had a certain idea about what his themes might be and I wasn't that interested. After reading very good reviews about this one and knowing it would be a shape shifter story, I decided to try it but it's been a while. This book was released in 2016 and, I'm quite glad I waited because now I want to read the other books too and this might mean less waiting time overall.

I was positively surprised by the tone of this book. Is both angsty and sweet in the right places and has an amazing emotional depth I confess I didn't think the author would be able to convey. At the same time, there's this whole world building, well structured, with "rules" that make sense within what was explained to us (there are still obvious secrets for the upcoming books for certain) and the notion there's a purpose on this, there's a path to follow. Even the saddest situations, which often are used as crutches to propel the plots, were well done and had meaning. I'd have preferred them to not be anyway, but still.

Ox is a fascinating character. I liked the fact he didn't consider himself anyone special but he clearly was. He was not vain not conceited and although we could say his emotional journey is one of self discovery and self worth somehow, he never has any thoughts about overcoming his issues, about becoming stronger and other sayings most people wouldn't think if they were that modest. This felt even better for my reading taste because the story is told from Ox's POV. Since he is a reliable and likable character, it was so easy to feel everything perfectly.

The biggest focus of this novel isn't the romance. I'd describe it as being slow burn and there's only one detailed sex scene towards the end. In 400 pages, this tells us a lot about what really matters. 

Still, it was both angsty and rewarding to see the development of the relationship between Ox and Joe and how they slowly go from friends to mates without any frivolity in how they interact. Even when younger, they have always been "mature" in how they felt and lived.

The depth of the subjects treated here, the way the author often uses short sentences and descriptions better reveals the intensity of what is happening. I think even the secondary characters seemed to be very well fleshed and had a vital personality. I liked the feeling everyone was special. I liked the balance between the difficult moments and the funny/light ones.

However, there is one detail I'd change. In some pats of the story, the descriptions of what we, the readers, are supposed to infer and to analyze seems to stretch too much. There are times where too much time would be spent on repeating things and not always with an obvious goal in sight, as if we had to stress out every single thing and often it could become exaggerated I think.

Then, when the story is finally over, I imagined an extra sweet and long scenes to fit the rest of the book but... no. It was almost rushed and that felt a little annoying.

This was, for all purposes, a great book. Yes, some details weren't as well achieved but it all points out to the fact this author knows what he is doing. I'm ow more curious about his work and, obviously about this series, which I need to read for certain.

Grade: 8/10