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yvo_about_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
Finished reading: May 17th 2024
"People who can't change aren't really perfect, and no matter how much we love it somewhere, that doesn't mean it's good for us."
I've been catching up with this series and I decided to read the most recently published sequel as well so that I'm finally up to date. Mislaid In Parts Half-Known is already book number nine of this YA urban fantasy/magical realism series, and it's a direct sequel of book eight with plenty of spoilers for the other books as well. This means it's definitely important to read the books in order! That said, I really liked that we got to see how Antsy's story ends in this sequel. Mislaid In Parts Half-Known is partly set at Eleanor West's School and partly a quest set in multiple worlds. As always, I prefer the quest parts, and while it was great catching up with some of the characters, it also kind of distracted from the plot itself. There were actually too many references to past quests and things the characters did, and it kind of made my head spin. Also, when did Sumi get so mean? I would have loved more focus on just Antsy and maybe Kade, as the story didn't really feel all that cohesive as some of the previous sequels. The quest itself also wasn't quite as challenging as I thought it would be... Although I still enjoyed following the characters and I liked how things were wrapped up. All in all it wasn't my favorite Wayward Children book, but still a pretty good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Transphobia, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Emotional abuse
purplatypus's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Racism, Fatphobia, Cancer, Murder, Pedophilia, Death, Death of parent, and Transphobia
readandfindout's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4.5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse, Transphobia, Child death, Death, and Murder
kylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.0
I honestly don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this series. I loved how self-aware this one was and the direction the meta plot is going in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Child abuse
Moderate: Transphobia, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Death, and Murder
my_bookish_romance's review
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Transphobia
imstephtacular's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I will read this series forever. Every entry continues to be wild and unique and riveting and I am glad this particular installment was a return to a group of already lover characters
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Death, and Violence
Minor: Racism, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Child death, Abandonment, Transphobia, Body horror, Bullying, War, and Injury/Injury detail
themichellegray's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The ninth installment of the Wayward Children series sadly didn't impress me as much as some of its predecessors. It was still a joy to spend more time with characters I already adore and the ending was perfect, yet my critiques outweigh my overall enjoyment.
There wasn't a plot driving this particular story forward and it felt as-if the characters went on a quest just because thats what happens in odd-numbered books within the series. The writing often felt disjointed as we were following so many characters who were each trying to have their own discussions. Rather than providing an empowering message, these conversations and monologues became repetitive which muddled the points that were trying to be made. (Also, marketing a book with dinosaurs on the cover yet having barely any time in that world is super misleading.)
It's possible I wasn't in the right headspace to read this novella but I can't help feeling as-if this was simply a rushed "filler" book to remind readers of who everyone was and what worlds they visited. I still admire the whimsical settings this fantasy series offers and hope my enjoyment will pick up in future publications!
There wasn't a plot driving this particular story forward and it felt as-if the characters went on a quest just because thats what happens in odd-numbered books within the series. The writing often felt disjointed as we were following so many characters who were each trying to have their own discussions. Rather than providing an empowering message, these conversations and monologues became repetitive which muddled the points that were trying to be made. (Also, marketing a book with dinosaurs on the cover yet having barely any time in that world is super misleading.)
It's possible I wasn't in the right headspace to read this novella but I can't help feeling as-if this was simply a rushed "filler" book to remind readers of who everyone was and what worlds they visited. I still admire the whimsical settings this fantasy series offers and hope my enjoyment will pick up in future publications!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Transphobia and Pedophilia
Minor: Murder and Death
bear_ridge_tarot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story is about Antsy, the new kid at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children, and how she realizes that her gift of finding lost things might extend to the doors that open into other worlds. As part of an odd group of students (whom we've met in previous books), they set out on an unauthorized quest that leads them through other worlds on their way to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go.
Finding that sense of home is such an integral part of each story in the Wayward series, but none so much as this one. While all the books in the series explore what it really means to be human, and how adults see children, this one touches on a person's pure, honest desire to belong. Antsy can only return to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go if she is sure. Sumi knows she will go back to her lost world because she is and has always been sure. Kade is sure he will never go back to Prism.
As an installment of the Wayward Child series by Seanan McGuire, this book satisfies the curiosity in me to tie up all the loose ends of characters who already starred in their own books. While not every character gets a satisfying story conclusion in this book (leaving room for more to come!), the utterly fascinating storytelling kept me engaged with the narrator. Not my favorite in the series (I still love Jack and Jill so much!) but definitely one of the best.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Death and Child abuse
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
I first crossed paths with this series one year ago (January 2023). I loved it so much that I 1) devoured the whole then-extant series in about 3 weeks; and 2) got a tattoo inspired by it. So I'm a very biased reader/reviewer.
That said, I really enjoyed this one. The quest plot is fun, and I loved McGuire's exploration of the metaphysics of Doors and world. These books are kind of standalone, but also kind of not, and some very interesting things are happening in the world(s) in this one.
It's not perfect.
That said, I really enjoyed this one. The quest plot is fun, and I loved McGuire's exploration of the metaphysics of Doors and world. These books are kind of standalone, but also kind of not, and some very interesting things are happening in the world(s) in this one.
It's not perfect.
Seraphina's involvement, which could've been a rich complication, turned out to be a McGuffin. I would probably read a book about her. -
I really wanted more time given to Kade's reactions to both returning to Prism and Cora's departure. I desperately want a book about him. -
Christopher's chapter at the Door didn't go much of anywhere. I'd've liked to see him have to deal with Vineta or Yulia on his own.
On the whole, though, this is a delightful addition to a wonderful series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Bullying, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Cancer, Murder, Transphobia, Cannibalism, and Medical content
ninjamuse's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Murder, Transphobia, and Death