Somewhere Beyond the Sea: Cerulean Chronicles #2    by TJ Klune Order:  USA  Can Tor, 2024 (2024) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Rheta Van Winkle Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a continuation of the story told in The House on the Cerulean Sea. Arthur Parnassus is still the guardian of six children living in the orphanage on Marsyas Island, but now Linus Baker, formerly an employee of the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, and the only non-magical human, is also living there. He was able to shut down Extremely Upper Management by exposing Charles Werner and the many cruel and illegal activities that had been taken with his support, but it has been replaced by The Council of Utmost Importance. At the beginning of this book, Arthur has been called to testify before this council about his ability to continue as guardian. Arthur and Linus have become partners and want to adopt the six children. Zoe Chaplewhite, a wood sprite who owns the island, has been helping them with educating and raising the children. After Arthur gives his testimony, he's told by one of the council members, Jeanine Rowder, that a new inspector will be coming to the island who he won't be able to influence or trick the way he supposedly did Linus. The children are now two years older and have learned how to use their magical abilities with more self-confidence. Although Rowder claims to Arthur that she is concerned about the welfare and education of all of them, he understands that she's primarily worried about Lucifer, better known as Lucy. She refers to him as the Anti-Christ and warns Arthur that this seven-year-old boy could be a threat to the whole world if he is not handled correctly. We have seen how much Arthur has helped Lucy since he was sent to the island. The children are afraid that a new inspector means that they might be taken away from Arthur and Marsyas Island. They put up a brave front, telling Arthur what they are going to do to her, but Arthur warns them that they need to show her how well they're doing. They attempt to welcome Harriet Marblemaw when she arrives for a visit of two weeks. She does seem to be swayed after observing them for several days, but Arthur accidentally learns what Rowder and Marblemaw actually have planned, and everything changes. Seeing the changes in the children that two years of growth and being truly cared for have made was wonderful. Sal has become much stronger and a leader among the children. Chauncey, who is a sea creature himself, has learned how to communicate with fish. Lucy seems calmer and is able to ward off the scary headaches that plagued him when he first arrived. There is also a new child who is a yeti who has been fostered by a couple who kept him hidden from the authorities after his parents were murdered. The town of Marsyas has become a welcome destination for all magical creatures, both adults and children, and Mayor Helen won't allow the awful posters saying See Something, Say Something to be put up, telling DICOMY that the glue wouldn't work in the salty atmosphere of the town. Even Merle, the grouchy boatman who takes people back and forth from town to island, has become a guardian of the children, refusing to allow anyone on his boat who hasn't been invited. Arthur and Linus love the children and consider them all to be part of a real family. We are treated to adventures, both planned and scary unexpected ones, and it's a real pleasure to see how the events lead to a most satisfying conclusion. Possibly at some point we will be able to read further adventures of the family on Marsyas Island. One can only hope! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews