Reviews with content warning for Violence - Beneath the Sugar Sky

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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books4em's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

I just love this series so much! Beneath the Sugar Sky started with one of the most beautifully written, emotional, and relatable prologues ever. It's a whopping 2.25 pages long, but wow what a way to start the book off. Book 3 in the Wayward Children series is centered around a group of West's students traveling between worlds with Sumi's futuristic daughter who is disappearing since Sumi died in Book 1. We see Kade, Christopher, and Nancy, along with Nadya and new character, Cora, all doing their part to bring Sumi back so that her daughter, Rini, can exist again and Confection can be restored to order. It centers around self-expression in how each kid's door opens the perfect world for them, body image issues, and most importantly, hope. We see multiple characters return back through their rightful doors in this book, and we remain hopeful that others will soon. McGuire did it again! Hope and kindness radiate off the pages and try to get the reader to open doors to invite them into their own worlds and lives. Also great rep. in this one again, but it wasn't the highlight of the book and that's okay!

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daffodilcherry's review

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adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

Another fun installment of the Wayward Children series, this one taking place soon after the first book, back at the school. I liked the quest, and getting a chance to know the characters of the first book more, as well as new characters. I also liked the glimpses of other worlds. I only wish that there was more time to delve into the worlds more, but I also get that part of the appeal of these books is that they are short and sharp.
Wheelhouse items: magical quest, worldbuilding, traveling up magical worlds, multiple perspectives.
CW info:

One of the main characters, Cora, is fat, and is confident in herself but vigilant about possible fatphobia, that doesn't come from the main cast.

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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keen's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

This book is absolutely delightful. It's so full of whimsy that each paragraph—each sentence, even—causes me to feel an overwhelming need to create something, anything. This short story has managed to fit a more diverse cast of characters than many 600-page books by including different gender identities, ethnicities, and body types.

McGuire has a talent for mixing in light, humorous prose reminiscent of "Once upon of time" fairytales with dark subjects and tense scenes, which is also reminiscent of fairytales. Nevertheless, there's always the feeling of hope that reminds you the story isn't as bleak as it can seem in the moment. I think it had some important life lessons on how to look at yourself, other people, and the world around you.

Beneath the Sugar Sky feels like a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults. But, the darker themes might be a little much for children on the younger side.

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atlas_shruggs's review

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adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book made me so hungry, jesus christ. The descriptions of Confection, the way literally everything except alive things was made out of food? It sounds delicious.
This book definitely had some gorgeous descriptions that really brought the entire story to life: Nancy's Underworld, Confection, the Junkyard, all of it was so vividly described it felt like I was there, I could practically smell sugar and pomegranates in the air.
The characters were amazing, I loved each and every one of them and cannot wait to see even more of them in future books. I suppose the only flaw I see in this book is the fact that Cora's personality seems to mainly consist of being fat. Like I get it, she's fat and has been struggling with body issues her entire life, but as a chubby girl myself, I don't spend every minute of every day thinking about how fat I am and how everyone must think I'm so fat, and yet Cora does. Maybe I just didn't relate to her struggles as much as I was never outwardly bullied for being fat, at least not verbally, but I just felt like it was a bit much, having her mention that she was fat every other page.
Still, overall a great book, it made me wish even more that Nancy and Kade could be together, and I'm really excited to be reading Where the Drowned Girls Go next, and see more of Cora.

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dokushoka's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

5.0

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booksandprosecco's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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