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littlems_bookworm's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh I loved this one!! I already partly knew of the ending before listening but the events leading up to said ending were just perfect. I absolutely loved the use of color not just expressed but emphasized when describing confection. What I wish though, if only a moment, that there was more of a background to the baker. Part of me hopes that she will be contacted about the school? Maybe attend? Or so what Cade means by "observing someone get chosen by a door from a distance"
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Suicide attempt, and Eating disorder
twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Definitely a different vibe than the first two books! More light-hearted and, well, filled with Nonsense in a Nonsense world. I loved the world-building of Confection, but it also was difficult to wrap my brain around at times. I think I'm more suited for a Logic world 😅
It was nice to have some returning characters, especially Nancy. And I loved the addition of Cora! As a fat woman, I could understand her struggles and insecurities about how people perceive her in regards to her weight. Especially the scene where the group is walking a long distance and she feels that she, as the fat girl, can't be the first one to ask for a break.. relatable!
I do wish we got more of Layla the baker. She was only introduced towards the end and I really loved her story.
Overall, a fun story, but it was certainly harder for me to grasp the nonsensical aspects of the world. Looking forward to continuing the series!
It was nice to have some returning characters, especially Nancy. And I loved the addition of Cora! As a fat woman, I could understand her struggles and insecurities about how people perceive her in regards to her weight. Especially the scene where the group is walking a long distance and she feels that she, as the fat girl, can't be the first one to ask for a break.. relatable!
I do wish we got more of Layla the baker. She was only introduced towards the end and I really loved her story.
Overall, a fun story, but it was certainly harder for me to grasp the nonsensical aspects of the world. Looking forward to continuing the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Death, and Body shaming
Moderate: Body horror, Eating disorder, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt and Cancer
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.75
Book 3 - they're back at the school with some new characters. This one is really funny (particularly one of the new characters). Fun narration and more of the worlds (nonsense).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
Moderate: Bullying, Body horror, Death of parent, and Eating disorder
Minor: Transphobia
spygrl137's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-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
2.5
Not as dark or morbid as the first two novellas. Also not as good as the first two. But Love seeing Nancy in this book. I like that we learn a little more about Christopher. And I like Cora and the mermaid background. Her hair sounds lovely. The previous weight bullying is understandable especially at that age, but felt like it was harped on a LOT. Could be triggering for those with eating disorders. Also, the major conflict with the queen was kind of lame.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
books4em's review
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!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Violence, and War
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Bullying, Racism, and Body shaming
vereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Bullying
Moderate: Fatphobia, Death, Body shaming, and Eating disorder
fruitbatwoman's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Another book in the Wayward Children series, another adventure into (a) hidden door(s). Sadly, I did not enjoy this one as much as the previous two. The setting still compelled me and it was great to learn a bit more about the worldbuilding behind it. Where the other books were a bit eerie or slightly gruesome, this one was a rainbow cake mix of sugar, and sadly, that in combination with the rather flat plot didn't quite work for me.
My biggest issue, however, was with a new character, Cora. She describes herself as a "fat girl," and her weight and associated bullying and trauma come up way too often for comfort. What starts as a lesson against fat-shaming soon turns into a crusade, and the repetitive focus on how Cora is "fat", BUT athletic, sporty, flexible, how it's not her diet, but her metabolism, etc. became a double-edged sword for me. I could see what the author was going for, but to me (as someone with a similar history), it made the issue worse instead of better.
My biggest issue, however, was with a new character, Cora. She describes herself as a "fat girl," and her weight and associated bullying and trauma come up way too often for comfort. What starts as a lesson against fat-shaming soon turns into a crusade, and the repetitive focus on how Cora is "fat", BUT athletic, sporty, flexible, how it's not her diet, but her metabolism, etc. became a double-edged sword for me. I could see what the author was going for, but to me (as someone with a similar history), it made the issue worse instead of better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Body shaming
Moderate: Eating disorder
irene_wolvercote's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
whailey's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Body shaming, and Child death
Minor: Eating disorder and Transphobia