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A review by arachan
Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
This was a very good book but also a hard one in places.
Cora is a fat girl who has a history of horrific bullying and a suicide attempt. These issues are addressed head on as part of her trauma and how she deals with her adventure.
We look at the other side of how the 'normal' world attempts to deal with children who went through doors and came back...different. While Eleanor fosters an acceptance and recognizes that many of those who came back didn't want to, Whitethorn leans heavily into denial and conformity. Cora, fresh off her adventures in the previous books, is trying to escape the Lovecraftian gods of the Moors and desperate for any escape.
The central tension of the book is whether Cora must give up her attachment to the world of the Trenches where she was strong, loved and beautiful to escape the Drowned Gods and it is beautifully sustained. We also finally see Regan again!
We look at the other side of how the 'normal' world attempts to deal with children who went through doors and came back...different. While Eleanor fosters an acceptance and recognizes that many of those who came back didn't want to, Whitethorn leans heavily into denial and conformity. Cora, fresh off her adventures in the previous books, is trying to escape the Lovecraftian gods of the Moors and desperate for any escape.
The central tension of the book is whether Cora must give up her attachment to the world of the Trenches where she was strong, loved and beautiful to escape the Drowned Gods and it is beautifully sustained. We also finally see Regan again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicide attempt