Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, Bsc

(late to the party.. I know)

…BUT this is one of those rare books that sneaks up on you. You open it expecting whimsical fantasy, and somewhere between a bureaucrat with a clipboard and a gnome named Talia, it gently dismantles your emotional defenses.

TJ Klune takes a premise that could have gone full dystopian (state oversight of “dangerous” magical children) and instead turns it into a tender, funny, deeply human story about fear, prejudice, chosen family, and the quiet courage it takes to care. Linus Baker, our gray-suited, rule-following protagonist, starts out as emotionally beige as his office walls. Watching him come alive, slowly and believably, is one of the book’s greatest pleasures.

Arthur Parnassus is not just a love interest; he’s a moral compass with a backbone, a man who understands that protecting children sometimes means standing in direct opposition to “the system.” The children themselves are a triumph—chaotic, hilarious, heartbreaking, and unforgettable. This book understands something vital: children are not problems to be managed; they’re people to be loved.

Yes, it’s cozy. Yes, it’s hopeful. And no, that does not make it shallow. In a world obsessed with grimdark realism, Klune dares to argue that kindness is radical and that optimism can still have teeth. The humor lands, the prose is clean and accessible, and the emotional payoff is earned—not manufactured.

If you’re looking for edge-for-the-sake-of-edge, this isn’t your book. But if you want a story that reminds you that love can be an act of rebellion and that goodness isn’t naïve—it’s necessary—this one earns its place on the shelf.

Read it when the world feels heavy. Or better yet, read it before it does.

Surprisingly Emotional for a Book With a Gnome Named Talia

The “Just One More Chapter” Factor:

The characters. All of them. Linus is painfully relatable in his bureaucratic burnout, Arthur is soft but unmovable in the best way, and the kids? Absolute chaos angels with hearts of gold. Also, TJ Klune writes kindness like it’s a rebellious act, and honestly, that hit harder than expected.

The Only Thing I Side-Eyed:

It is very cozy—borderline “everything will be okay, sweetie” levels. If you prefer your fantasy sharp-edged and morally brutal, this might feel a little too gentle. And yes, some emotional beats are obvious, but I forgave it because the heart was genuine.

And soo….

This isn’t a book you read to be impressed. It’s a book you read to feel human again. Slightly emotional. Mildly healed. And suspiciously fond of magical children who probably could end the world, but choose not to.

Highly recommend—especially if you’ve been tired in a very existential way lately.