Scan barcode
A review by fruitbatwoman
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire
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