Welcome to Litsy!

A fun ride with strong characters. A bit like ET with two adults instead of all the kids, and a little MM romance.

So many parallels to what the media wants you to know and what they choose not to report. I feel like I'm going to have an inside joke with a book- chuckling when someone mentions bacon will make me think of Art for a long time to come.

Just started this since when I see the name TJ Klune.... I click! Love their books. 💜💜💜

#BookishMonopoly

TJ Klune is one of the authors that has never disappointed me and I guess it'll take a lot for that to happen. Yes, this book is different, but at the same time it's still a truly Klune book. I thought the first 3/4 were stronger though than the end.

This is from before his big hit and honestly it's right on par with his later books. Definitely recommend if you're one of his fans.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Science fiction with a sprinkling of MM romance. My first TJ Klune but won‘t be the last!

Loved the characters but had a bit of trouble with the premise, once it‘s revealed what‘s actually going on so deducting half a star. Right up my alley otherwise!

#lgbtqia
#lgbtqia2025

***** Meh, I wasn‘t thrilled in this one, It was readable, had some exciting moments once it got there, but overall I found it lackluster at best.

Very interesting story.

For the rest of my review, visit my Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/0OFeheFG_cY

Enjoy!

While I did enjoy this, it fell short of the books I love by TJ Klune. Still a pick.

My main issue is that Artimis Darth Vader, the little girl in the story, sometimes comes across as incredibly naive and sometimes comes across as too mature. This might be fitting for the character and circumstances, but it felt inconsistent and pulled me out of the story.

Still worth a read, just didn‘t live up to Whispering Door for me.

I always say I don‘t like sci-fi books, but what did I end up reading? A sci-fi book—because I love TJ Klune & the name of the female child protagonist, Artemis Darth Vader. This story is also a gay romance, suspenseful adventure, & emotional story of found family. Not as funny as other Klune books I‘ve read but his typical heartwarming relationships & unique child.

A story that explores what defines us as “human”. Love in all its forms is at the center of it all.

I didn‘t realize this is a reprint of an earlier publication (pre-popularity). I can see the bones of what will eventually become The House in the Cerulean Sea. The banter is there but some parts were a little disjointed. Overall a great read but please check the trigger warnings.

May #bookspin is complete! @TheAromaofBooks

This was more action than other Klune books I‘ve read, but that worked for me. The story is engrossing and I enjoyed the characters. But I have some quibbles. The biggest is that there‘s a cute drawing on every chapter page that is actually a major spoiler, and I really didn‘t like that. Also, the overuse of italics for emphasis is insulting to the reader and the bashing of vegan food was old before it started.

I was first introduced to this author TJ Klune by reading the cerulean sea. I love that book so much that clone became an auto became not just an auto read but an auto by author for me. My problem is I haven‘t liked his subsequent books nearly as much as the cerulean sea. I like this one but think I like Klune is best when he uses a lighter touch to say a lot, and this one was heavy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5/5)

I went in hoping that this would have heartwarming and cozy vibes like “The House in the Cerulean Sea”, “Under the Whispering Door”, and “In the Lives of Puppets”, and was left a bit disappointed. Yes, there is still that found-family trope and Artemis Darth Vader‘s humor that I loved, but this is a darker and more adult version of the previously mentioned books. I could have also done without the graphic sexual context as well.

Once again TJ Klune has pulled me into a world and characters that I do not want leave.

My only critic was the sex scene pulled me out of the story for a minute. I typically love some spicy moments and some hot sex in my reads but this just didn‘t add anything or move the story for me this time.

This one really hit me right in the heart multiple times. It also made me laugh a few times. I fell hard and fast for all three of the MCs after being plopped right into the middle of their messy, tangled lives. I couldn‘t stop going on Art‘s big adventure, rooting for all of them to find happiness and love. There was a tiny little bit of spice to help hold you up through the darkest part of the story.
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

I‘m getting real creeps from the cult. Seriously, what is up with them. I‘ve got a weird feeling about them. I don‘t trust them.
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #Artemis #Alex #Nate #creepy #cult #creepycult #donttrustthem

Art is the best!
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #Artemis

I knew I didn‘t trust Randy.
I don‘t think Art is as reassuring as she thinks she is.
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #Art #Alex #Nate #Randy

#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #staysafe

Yes, so very normal.
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #Artemis #normal #contemplating #WTF

I like this kid already.
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #Artemis

Don‘t know why. Just felt like it was time.
#TJKlune #TheBonesBeneathMySkin #audiobook

4.5 ⭐

I discovered TJ Klune last year, & have yet to be disappointed by anything I've read by him. His books are artfully crafted to engage readers w/not only an exciting storyline, but also w/characters that have been created with immense heart and soul. There is always a depth, an emotional element, that makes the stories seem relatable in some way, even though the truth of the matter is that all of Klune's stories are fantastical in nature. ⤵️

I loved Artemis Darth Vader. And I certainly identified with their love of bacon. The story was solid. The ending was mostly satisfying, though also a little sad. I enjoy this authors writing style. Heads up that there is one MM spicy scene near the end.

So many people "snarl" in books. I find it annoying because it rarely makes sense in the scene. (In my opinion.) Also, what does this look like anyway? It is definitely a pet peeve of mine. What's yours?

My mom loaned this to me. So now I don't need to wait for it to come out in paperback.

This book was quirky, but in a good way.As the author will tell you in his note at the end,it is a bit weird.I really fell for these characters,and deeply felt their feelings of sadness towards the end.This book reminded me a bit of ET. There‘s nothing like a lovable little space creature, or a”space princess”in this case. This is the second book I‘ve read by TJ Klune. I will be reading more. I recommend this book,it‘s an action packed love story

EURGH, am I glad it‘s over. I had to walk away and read a whole other book in the middle of this one, and while I usually enjoy Klune it was just not for me at all. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn‘t abstract from why Art is in her physical form (which makes every cute thing she does AWFUL), and the “gay subplot” was awkwardly done. This is thematically like if “Cerulean Sea” was written by toddlers and it just felt so hammy in the end.

Bailing. This needs an editor.

Book 12📚 4⭐️

This one definitely made TJ Klune an automatic read for me going forward!

Also there was some serious spice🌶️

I loved this story! It had a great combination of action, humour, romance and an adorable 'child' character. It also had the wonderful messages of love and acceptance that Klune is known for. While the plot is not an original idea, it is nevertheless still fresh and entertaining. The book is a re-release, and I hope the renewed interest in it prompts someone into developing it as a movie. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the digital ARC. 5/5 stars!

I like TJ Klune, I think he‘s a fun story teller and I always finish his books, but I really hate the way he writes dialogue between characters. It seems so forced, immature and not believable. If he could just build worlds and maybe not make his characters speak, he would always have a perfect book. 🤣Having said that, I‘ll still read and finish his books. I can‘t explain it, I just cringe with some of the dialogue.

Review from a week ago. Forgot to post here.

Book has been re-issued.

Not a typical Klune book, but somehow still a typical Klune book. I enjoyed the story, yet it took me a while to get into the story.

https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/95a128b0-06a6-4806-bf96-2f227a24956f

#NetGalley #ARC #MountARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Action, adventure, sci-fi, romance… there‘s a little bit for everyone with this! The strength of this book for me was in the found family element - the main characters‘ love for each other tugged at my heartstrings. It‘s not my favorite book from this author, but I still had a good time. #BOTM

I have to say, I‘m already enjoying this one more than the more anticipated sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea that I read last month.

I loved these characters. I especially loved gruff Alex, and Nate‘s backstory was a shocker. It‘s an interesting option for BOTM, but I hope a lot of people chose it. This copy is going to a friend because I need a copy that matches the one and only The House in the Cerulean Sea 🥰🤩

LOOK WHAT CAME OUT TODAY! BEST DAY EVER! 🩷🩷🩷

4/5⭐ I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Funny, heartrending, heartwarming, thrilling, touching. I didn't want to leave these characters. Expertly balances action and relationship building with themes of grief, what it means to be human, and being feared/dehumanized for being other/queer. Klune delivers yet again. #bookspin

Full review: https://hissingpotatoes.com/2025/02/03/review-the-bones-beneath-my-skin-by-tj-kl...

#botm pick for Feb! This one sounds really intriguing. I also had my eye on 2 add-ons (Water Moon and You Between the Lines) & it's annoying that you can't get add-ons when your main pick is an audiobook. Gotta wait for March I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️

Full February #botm box.

If a reader is going to go weird, going weird, hilarious, and emotional with TJ Klune is the best option for a great time. While the story meandered a bot towards the end, the characters were fresh and lovable and the romantic relationship a steamy slow burn. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advance copy.

#ReadAway2024

After reading The House in the Cerulean Sea 2 years ago, I made it a goal to read all of Klune‘s work including his backlog. This one was a self-published novel in 2018 but it‘s being republished in 2025. (I think that‘s the new cover pictured). Anyway, I loved it. I put me heavily in mind of my 80s love of Dean Koontz books & movies where there‘s the government/military after a “special someone” with powers. I mean that in a ⬇️

And headed to Hilo again, this time for an overnight & 2 days of business review. Big fun! 😬

In the lounge waiting to board with the usual coffee & breakfast. I‘m about midway through the tagged book & enjoying it. Trying to get through all of Klune‘s backlist.

Finished this today! This wonderful german copy has only just been released and I‘m in love! I also enjoyed the book- not my favorite Klune bit still very intriguing 🥰 4/5⭐️

"We're not alike. Not really. We're separated by time and space. And yet, somehow, we're all made of dust and stars."

Same page, 3 sentences on...

"Also, you have bacon, which to be honest, I might recommend a total planet takeover just to have. Like, complete human annihilation."

TJ Klune. What a writer.