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schnaucl's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I really liked it. There was some of that omniscient narrator that McGuire does so well.
The goblin market was fascinating, especially since there was a much more positive community aspect to it than I've seen in other goblin market stories. Fair bargain can mean a fair bargain for the community, not just the individuals. But I liked that the Market and individuals within it were more lenient with children, as it should be. It makes me wonder if an older child could even get to the market for a first time visit since they would have less time to learn the rules and make an informed decision.
The idea of a family being called to the same portal world was also really interesting.
I felt for Lundy being torn between two words and the obligation she has to both.
I kept waiting for the school to be a part of the story and I was surprised it was at the very end since I think in the prior books the protagonist has managed to go back to the portal world they were missing. It's been long enough since I read the last one that I can't remember where (or if) Katherine fit into the structure of the school.
The goblin market was fascinating, especially since there was a much more positive community aspect to it than I've seen in other goblin market stories. Fair bargain can mean a fair bargain for the community, not just the individuals. But I liked that the Market and individuals within it were more lenient with children, as it should be. It makes me wonder if an older child could even get to the market for a first time visit since they would have less time to learn the rules and make an informed decision.
I felt for Lundy being torn between two words and the obligation she has to both.
I kept waiting for the school to be a part of the story and I was surprised it was at the very end since I think in the prior books the protagonist has managed to go back to the portal world they were missing. It's been long enough since I read the last one that I can't remember where (or if) Katherine fit into the structure of the school.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Child death and War
books4em's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Overall, this is (at this point) my least favorite of the Wayward Children Series. It's great just like the previous 3; however, I just didn't connect with this one as much as I did the others. That being said, it's written just as well as the others and has the same aesthetic, along with a wonderful emotional not-so-subtle subplot of the importance of hope. McGuire really does some magical things with such few words, and she created yet another book with an inspiring, yet sad, story surrounding these kids who are just holding out hope that they get to go home. Truly lovely. Onto the fifth book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Confinement
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