What a beautiful story. This is more of a 4.5 stars only because I struggled to get into in the beginning but about half way through I didn’t want to put it down. The story is a reminder that when you are your authentic self good things come to you. I will be reading the sequel. I want to know more about Linus, Arthur, and the kids. This book made my heart happy. ( )

V.E. Schwab was right—this book is exactly like being wrapped up in a big, gay blanket.

This book would speak best to fans of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and A Series of Unfortunate Events.

This story is magical. These characters are magical. I was just in awe the entire time of how immersive and expressive I found Klune’s writing style to be. He leaves no stone unturned.

The main character, Linus—a 40 year old caseworker for DICOMY, the Department in Charge of Magical Youth—was incredibly personal to me. Lonely and lost in equal measure (while trying to pretend he is neither), a surprising assignment to a DICOMY run orphanage on a distant island has the potential to destroy his world as he knows it.

Between children who defy imagination, the literal six-year-old antichrist who dreams dreams of bloodshed and terror, and the master of the orphanage, Arthur Parnassus, Linus is so far out of his depth. And for once, his beloved RULES AND REGULATIONS aren’t offering any solace.

Not when Arthur won’t stop looking at him in a way that is wholly unfamiliar to him.

This story was breathtaking. This story was healing. I recommend it for everyone who has ever been told that being different somehow makes you less. Because it isn’t true. It never was.

And this book will remind you of that whenever you need it.

An Addendum:

I’ll admit, I put off reading this book for a very, VERY long time due to some things I had heard online about the inspiration behind this book. Which is The Sixties Scoop, where indigenous children were forcibly removed from their homes and placed into schools to be adopted out to white families.

I had heard that this story was in poor taste. That it took a truly horrific historical occurrence and used it as a plot device. Now that I’ve finally read it for myself, I can say I disagree. Wholeheartedly.

The ENTIRE point of this novel was for Linus to come to understand the terrible and abusive system he was helping to uphold and gaining the courage to stand up for what was right.

Linus was someone who thought the rules and regulations set forth by the government in regards to magical individuals was done with good reason. That it MUST have been for the benefit of the children. But when he finally learns the truth, he risks everything he has ever known to try and start making amends. Which, is sometimes all that is left to do.

Not once in this book was I led to believe that the schools and orphanages these children were sent to were a good thing. That they were anything less than something to be ashamed of. Something that never should have happened.

I felt like there were so many incredible lessons to be found in this story. And not for shock value or as a plot device; true, heartfelt lessons.

I think what I loved the most about this novel is the idea it reinforces that we are never to old to grow and change. Sometimes for the better.

Additionally, a vast majority of books are written with historical atrocities as a reference point or inspiration. I’m confused on why so much vitriol was spared for this book in particular.

Thank you for attending my TedTalk. ( )

A hopeful book about seeing the good in people. ( )

A charming, heart warming story. Give it a read and fall in love with all the characters, and bellhops! ( )

Listened to this one. Very enjoyable - the audio production is really well done. Government Social Worker spends a month visiting a group home for unusual children. Really enjoyed the characters. Side character J-Dude was my favorite, though. What a scream. ( )