Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Across the Green Grass Fields

The Wayward Children books are usually hit or miss for me, and although I enjoyed parts of this sixth installment, Across the Green Grass Fields was a miss. I enjoyed reading about the centaurs adopting Regan, as well as her friendship with Chicory, but wasn’t all that invested in Regan herself or the Hooflands’ politics. McGuire skillfully incorporated very relevant discussions of gender, identity, and family throughout the novella, but didn’t succeed nearly as much in writing realistic children in the opening chapters. I also found the ending to be a bit abrupt and rather unsatisfying. I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this series.

Representation

intersex protagonist

Content Warnings

heytherekaity's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

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story_goblin's review

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adventurous dark inspiring fast-paced

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

4.5

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in_love_with_bookish's review

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adventurous

2.0

#1 : Every Heart a Doorway : 3 stars
#2 : Down Among the Sticks and Bones : 5 stars
#3 : Beneath the Sugar Sky : 4 stars
#4 : In an Absent Dream : 3 Stars
#5 : Come Tumbling Down : 3 Stars

Welcome to the Hooflands. We’re happy to have you, even if you being here means something’s coming

Maybe I should quit the series now so I can keep the beautiful feelings of the first books pure without the taint of disappointment I’m feeling now. I had a great feeling going into Across the Green Grass Fields but it was a complete letdown. And I’m really sad it turned out this way.

I mean how many times can you recycle the same idea over and over before it becomes underwhelming and weak?

She still didn’t believe in destiny. Clay shaped into a cup was not always destined to become a drinking vessel’ it was simply shaped by someone too large to be resisted. She was not clay, but she had been shaped by her circumstances, all the same, not directed by any destiny

I’m always in love with the message in the heart of these stories but the execution is always the same. There was no thrill, no element of surprise. The conflict was rushed and underdeveloped. The ending felt anticlimactic and I saw the twist coming right from the start.

I also didn’t care about the magical world here, I find it the least interesting and compelling one of all the worlds we visited in the series. The plot felt non-existent to me and the magic lacking. I actually loved the first part in the real world more, I found the issues discussed there to be very important and they were written with care and honesty, I would’ve been happier if we went deeper into those issues in the real world before stumbling on the magical one.

There’s nothing wrong with being limited, as long as you have people around to make sure those limitations don’t get you hurt.

I still love the writing style so much, I still love the beauty and how it makes me feel deeply and passionately, I still love how atmospheric and beautiful the journey of these characters is but I find myself growing tired of the same concept without something new or different.

Across the Green Grass Fields is definitely my least favorite book in the series. I don’t think I’ll pick up the next one unless I hear phenomenal things about it. I’m also wondering when we are going to get back to the school setting. I miss the feel and charm of the first stories, I hope Seanan McGuire will bring that back. We definitely need a new life breathed into the story but we also need the beauty and allure of the first books.

She knew better now. The world was bigger now. She was bigger now, and that made all the difference

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emberysing's review

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adventurous 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

3.5

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libraryghost's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

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