Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire

9 reviews

maeverose's review against another edition

3.75

I’m really reading slumpy at the moment so it’s hard to rally my thoughts and feelings about this book. I didn’t really care for Confection as a world or Rini (or Sumi) as characters, so being as that was kinda the main focus it automatically meant I wasn’t gonna enjoy this one as much, but weirdly enough I think I liked it more than the second book (which was the world I was most interested in). This had much more of a plot than the second book, and more world building (even if that world building felt a little info dumpy and forced at times, I don’t tend to mind that too much and it was cool to learn more about how the doors and worlds work). I like Kade, Cora and Christopher and am excited to get to see their worlds at some point (hopefully).

I am a bit unsure about some of the various rep in this book though (fat, disability, and hijabi in particular). A lot of it felt performative. I’m not fat or Muslim so I can’t really speak on those, and I’m not disabled in the way this character is, but the fact that she’s somewhat magically ‘fixed’ in her world bothers me a bit). The trans rep with Kade is the only thing I can really say feels pretty well done.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Fatphobia

Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Bullying, Ableism, Cancer, Eating disorder, Gore, and Child abuse

Minor: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, and Racism

jessereadsthings's review

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Really fun and I really liked Cora as a main character.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Bullying, Racism, and Body shaming

samanthalh's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia

Minor: Racism

bright_eyed_and_bookish's review

adventurous challenging hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

My journey through this book was slow because of the nonsensical details, yet I’m glad I finished it. This story solidified Christopher as one of my favourite characters. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Body shaming, and Ableism

wickedwitchofky's review

adventurous hopeful fast-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

4.0

While this book wasn’t my favorite in the series so far, I think it’s necessary and a perfect juxtaposition. The stark differences between Confection and The Moors from book 2 is key to understanding the characters and their different points of view. Loved getting to see more of the different worlds. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Confinement, Fatphobia, Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Fatphobia, Cancer, Eating disorder, Racism, Death, and Racial slurs

If you struggle with body shaming, Cora’s experience will likely be particularly poignant if not difficult for you.

anniereads221's review

adventurous lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Murder, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Dysphoria, Death of parent, Death, Confinement, Cancer, Bullying, Body shaming, Ableism, and Fatphobia

mariebrunelm's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Wayward Children are back for another adventure in the third tome of Seanan McGuire's series. This one follows the timeline of the first volume, after devoting the second tome to a flashback. I was really glad to be back with a team of characters, which I think McGuire writes really well. There's banter, a lot of respect and consideration for one another, and once more an array of representation that makes my heart happy. Giving the slightest clue about the plot would be spoilers for Every Heart a Doorway, so I'll just say that if you enjoyed that one, you'll also enjoy Beneath the Sugar Sky.

Rep: fat, disabled, trans, black and Asian characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Transphobia

Moderate: Body horror, Death, Grief, Racism, and Suicide attempt

polychromatic_hedgehog_parable's review

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

THEY CONTINUE TO BE GOOD.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Bullying, Racism, and Transphobia

- fatmisia is pretty graphic, but generally internalized + self-aware; - suicide attempt takes place prior to the story & its reveal is heavily foreshadowed. methods are discussed.

snowhite_says's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Reread - 5/7/2021
I think I actually like this book better the second time around reading it physically. It has always been my least favorite of the series but I got a lot more out of it and connected with it way more with this physical reread. This book is beautifully written, just like all the others. I think my personal disconnect just comes from the world being set so much in Confection, which just like our main character Cora, I did not enjoy. However, this reread had me really enjoying the examination of Confections nonsense, and why most of the wayward children did not like it. It was very interesting as a psychology student, thinking about how some minds thrive in nonsense, while others want to get out as soon as possible. I loved getting a closer look at some other students worlds, and while as of right now this is my least favorite in the series, it is still a lovely read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia

Moderate: Eating disorder

Minor: Racism