A review by srolocs
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Pros
The Characters in this book are really fleshed out. I listened to the audio book and I love how the Voice Actor does a very different voice for all the characters. I appreciated seeing the POV of some of the less represented characters like Sal and Phee. I also think Klune captured Rowling's online rhetoric very well, which is what I call "just asking". Where she asks a question under the guise of "asking the important questions" or "Just protecting kids". Being able to read that is really affirming especially as someone who advocates for LGBTQ rights. 

Cons
I didn't like this book as much as the first one. My friend pointed out to me that this book was more anti JK Rowling than it was pro Trans. While there is WLW and MLM couple representation there isn't any transgender representation even though the book is dedicated to the Trans Community. The ending was not really as satisfying because it felt like just wave a magic wand and all the problems are solved. The ending also felt very "preachy", in a lot of fantasy books that revolve around social issues I don't usually feel like I'm being preached to about the said social/social issue