Let me preface this review by saying that although I do have some Indigenous ancestry (it is mostly due to my Mexican heritage - my mother always said our ancestors were Aztecs and AncestryDNA results confirmed😝) I do not have any association with a particular tribe or native nation. When I started this book I was not aware there has been some controversy regarding The House in the Cerulean Sea due to the fact that TJ Klune has stated in interviews that he was inspired by learning about the Sixtys Scoop and residential homes in Canada. Do I think Klune was trying to profit off Indigenous pain? No. He probably was trying to write a story inspired by it but not write a FN/NA story as he has stated he's a queer, cis, white man with a ton of privilige. That being said it is not my place to speak over First Nations or Indigenous people who feel this book co-opted or diminished the trauma of that history. I can only speak to how the book spoke to me. The House in the Cerulean Sea deals with Linus Baker a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth (DICOMY) he is assigned to investigate an orphanage with children who the DICOMY are concerned may be especially dangerous and the master of the orphanage Arthur Parnassus. I can see why this book is a #bookstagramdarling there is an overarching message of kindness and speaking up for those who are overlooked especially children. The language is heartfelt and beautiful without being sappy or preachy. The children: Lucy AKA Lucifer the Anitchrist, Chauncey, Sal, Theodore, Talia, and Phee are each unique and burrow their way into your hearts. The book deals with prejudice and alludes to abuse of Magical children. It also embraces the idea that although you may be considered a "monster" by society how you view yourself and act is ultimately up to you. I wasn't sure The House in the Cerulean Sea was gonna live up to the hype (Glares in the direction of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue) but it really did. It was a heartwarming cinnamon roll of a book and I adored it. 4.5/5 #BookReview #LGTBQauthors #LGTBQStories #representationmatters #PrideMonth #YA #nerdymama #nerdybooks #bookcontroversy #bookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CP307doLEf2/?utm_medium=tumblr