A glorious fantasy tale from Seanan McGuire’s Alex-award winning Wayward Children series, which began in the Alex, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning, World Fantasy Award finalist, Tiptree Honor List Every Heart a Doorway Beneath the Sugar Sky, the third book in McGuire’s Wayward Children series, returns to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children in a standalone contemporary fantasy for fans … in a standalone contemporary fantasy for fans of all ages. At this magical boarding school, children who have experienced fantasy adventures are reintroduced to the “real” world.
When Rini lands with a literal splash in the pond behind Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, the last thing she expects to find is that her mother, Sumi, died years before Rini was even conceived. But Rini can’t let Reality get in the way of her quest – not when she has an entire world to save! (Much more common than one would suppose.)
If she can’t find a way to restore her mother, Rini will have more than a world to save: she will never have been born in the first place. And in a world without magic, she doesn’t have long before Reality notices her existence and washes her away. Good thing the student body is well-acquainted with quests…
A tale of friendship, baking, and derring-do.
Warning: May contain nuts.
The Wayward Children Series
Book 1: Every Heart a Doorway
Book 2: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Book 3: Beneath the Sugar Sky
Book 4: In an Absent Dream
At the Publisher’s request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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And so it was, Steve arrived at book three in the fantastic Wayward Children series, unsure of what to expect. Where book one and two were fantastic, he’d heard rumblings that book three takes a turn into the land of Nonsense. Steve, our reader, writing this review in third person apparently like some sort of giant knob, was a touch leery. Why you may ask, kind reader of this review?
Steve had heard it described as McGuire’s take on ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ and while this may shock some of you (please do sit down if you’re standing), he’s not overly fond of that story. It may be that the nonsensical portion of the story creates chaos in his rational loving brain (which is why he often struggles with reading Bizarro fiction).
Anyways, enough of that – and the third person ridiculousness! – I dove in, wondering how I’d fair.
What I liked: The story picks up on a day a girl drops into the lake before Cora and Nadya. This new girl, naked and sharing a story that makes Cora and Nadya know they need to help, is Rini. It turns out that Rini is the daughter of Sumi, a previous student and character in the series and they must find a way to turn back the clock so that Sumi is alive in Rini’s world so that Rini will exist.
Armed with that knowledge, Kade and Christopher get involved and off they go, desperately searching for Sumi’s soul.
It’s an interesting story, one that creates the potential for ripples to effect them elsewhere due to the time travel aspect that occurs, as well as various characters coming and going.
McGuire always is a master at creating a lot with a little. On the other end of the spectrum than say, George R.R. Martin, when it comes to descriptions of places and food, Seanan still paints a vast picture, even with the scantest of details. It allows the story to hum along and the characters to cover a lot of ground.
I really enjoyed the ‘real’ narratives throughout, especially Cora’s fight with people perceiving her as a ‘fat girl’ when really she is very athletic and is fighting a metabolism that doesn’t work as well as it should. McGuire philosophizes throughout and it works within the nature of these characters.
What I didn’t like: As mentioned, I’m not a fan of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and when they go to Rini’s world, we’re transported to a world that is very much that, with it even featuring the Queen of Cakes. I didn’t mind the setting but when it is set in a world with no normal rules, it just made for an odd reading experience at times for me.
Why you should buy this: Three books into this series and it’s obvious McGuire is creating a modern classic portal fantasy series. The characters are all really well done and the settings are vibrant and incredibly intriguing. And come on, I think this series may have the most gorgeous covers ever created.
‘Beneath the Sugar Sky’ may not have been my favorite of the three so far, but I still really enjoyed it and look forward to seeing what the next chapter, and world, this series brings.
4.5
Quick and fantastic read about the adventure of five teenagers in order to achieve the impossible to save their friend’s destiny…
In this book we get to read about different worlds, one where the spirit of the dead goes and one where baking is everything, if you’re looking for a quick and entertaining read, this book is for you.
As Every Heart A Doorway was styled as a murder mystery and Down Among The Sticks And Bones was styled as a fable, this book is an adventure. We finally get to see behind several doors, but these worlds turn out to be a lot less interesting than the previous books made them seem. The main theme of body positivity isn’t very well integrated and seems to be arbitrarily tacked on. Is McGuire trying to write an entry in the series for each social issue that’s popular with young progressives? I prefer to see more depth and nuance in themes, not just hitting each obligatory major point. Anyway, this is where I stop reading the series. I was excited to see what was behind more doors, but now I see that there just isn’t that much. It’s all on the surface.
A very unique, quest-type tale. I enjoyed getting to learn about the different worlds the Wayward Children came from. I particularly enjoyed this novella on audiobook.
I really don’t know why those books have not been on my radar sooner. I really don’t know why they never crossed my path. Well, the upside of discovering these books so late is that I can now binge read the first six books in the series and I’m right on time to look forward to the newest addition to the series. And every time I pick up a new book I’m so curious what kind of story I will discover! What kind of world, what kind of atmosphere and what kind of mystery.
What I loved about this book is that we’re reunited with a lot of kids from the first book with a few interesting new additions of course. I loved reading the story of Jack and Jill, but the best things seem to happen when all those children from all those different worlds come together and have to work towards a common goal. And I really really loved the goal in this book, because we now could peek into a few new and strange worlds!
I really admire McGuire for coming up with so many different worlds and although she doesn’t go into too much detail about how the worlds came to be, we do get some information and answers in this book. The two worlds we’re visiting in this book are also very different, maybe as different as worlds can be, and it’s especially the contrast I enjoyed so much. And the biggest accomplishment is that in the end I fell in love with both worlds.
I also loved the journeys of the characters in this book. And that’s mostly because McGuire brilliantly plays with time, with action and reaction, with the possibilities of what every world has to offer. But instead of letting all this awesomeness take over the story, she still focusses on the characters, on the things they’ve learned and been through, the things they still have to learn before they might return to their worlds, their home or the things they need to learn to find happiness in our world.
I can’t wait to pick up the next one!
I love the Wayward Children series and Seanan McGuire’s writing is nothing short of beautiful. However, it was my least favorite book so far in the series. I was quite disappointed. This probably had to do with the fact that I had such high expectations/hopes for the book going into it because I enjoyed the other two very much. I still intend on moving forward reading the series though. I have never been a big fan of fantasy novels and this is one of the only fantasy series that I like or read. This novel had a mermaid in it which made me super giddy because I love mermaids. I wasn’t as invested in the story this time around or the premise of the book. It ended predictably. I loved the idea of a sugar-infested world called confection though. Basically made me think of candy land. The book focused way too much on fat representation which kind of got to me after a while… While I did not love the book by no means did I not like it either. I was just not as invested this time around. Pretty average read for me to say the least.
This book is absolutely delightful. It’s so full of whimsy that each paragraph—each sentence, even—causes me to feel an overwhelming need to create something, anything. This short story has managed to fit a more diverse cast of characters than many 600-page books by including different gender identities, ethnicities, and body types.
McGuire has a talent for mixing in light, humorous prose reminiscent of “Once upon of time” fairytales with dark subjects and tense scenes, which is also reminiscent of fairytales. Nevertheless, there’s always the feeling of hope that reminds you the story isn’t as bleak as it can seem in the moment. I think it had some important life lessons on how to look at yourself, other people, and the world around you.
Beneath the Sugar Sky feels like a book that can be enjoyed by children and adults. But, the darker themes might be a little much for children on the younger side.
In the world of the Wayward Children, sometimes the most impossible and improbable solution is the one you need. After all, when Rini lands in the turtle pond dressed in frosting, missing two fingers, and demanding to see her dead mother, is there really anything else the children can do? The children must start a new quest, one that will take them through the doors of both logical and nonsense worlds. They are in a race against the clock to resurrect Sumi and save her disappearing daughter.
Beneath the Sugar Sky will let you revisit old friends and learn the backstories of some of the original children. From start to finish, you’ll be engaged in the beautiful world-building Seanan McGuire portrays in each of these novels. And after two books of logical worlds, this new installment of the Wayward Children will show you what a nonsense world is all about.
You’ll visit a world where the sea is made of soda, the sky is filled with candy, and the clothes are made from pastries and chocolate. The trees are filled with cake pops and cookies, and you’ll never gain a pound eating it all. The rules of logic don’t exist, and when the logical children of the school enter a nonsense world, they will have to fight against their instincts and reasoning. If they think too hard about the nonsense, the world will cast them out and all will be lost.
Another fantastic installment in the Wayward Children series. This one was just as creative as the previous two books, and while it wasn’t as dark, the sense of tension and desperate hope was still there. I can’t get enough of this series!
Beneath the Sugar Sky
(Wayward Children #3)
by Seanan McGuire
This book again refers back to book one to a girl that died, Sumi, when her daughter falls from the sky and lands in the turtle pond. She is looking for her mother. This raises a lot of questions but Sumi was from the Nonsense realm. A handful of teens go with the daughter, Rini, and they try to get Sumi back before Rini disappears. The team ends up visiting multiple worlds and encountering various problems along the way. Enjoyable read!
A whimsical and sweet addition to this series. This story brings back some of my favorites from the first book (Kade and Christopher) and introduces Cora, a new student who keeps expecting everyone to hate her but finds friendship and confidence as she becomes the hero of this quest. Another engrossing entry on this series of stories of belonging, growth, and loving who you are especially when you don’t fit society’s expectations.
Join the Wayward Children as they go on a mission to rescue one of their friends. I love the sense of camaraderie in this series, along with the positive messages. Through this story, Cora finds herself in a confectionary world and we see some of her body image conversations. The world reminded me a bit of Hansel and Gretel along with Wizard of Oz.
I loved getting to see Confection! It gave me such a Wonderland vibe. I loved seeing past characters and meeting new ones. This was such a good book. I will be continuing this series.
Love, Love, Love this series!!
Each book is more magical/enthralling/heart warming than the last. Two more worlds explored, and I loved every second of it. We learn more about the overall door system, and how the worlds work while solving a mystery.
Damaged kids unite here, with this series. If you’ve ever felt abandoned by your biological family, this series will welcome you in with a warm hug. It reminds you that no matter what, there are people out there that will accept you for who you are.
The cast is an array of characters with vast representation. All emotionally written, and relatable.
This book was a continuation of the story in book 1, whereas book 2 was back story for the events in book 1. So i’m excited to see where book 4 takes me. I love that even the series ordering fits the theme of the books. Poetic Fantasy at it’s finest.
Notes: LGBT+ characters
This was such fantastic continuation to what we’ve seen so far! Obviously I can’t really say much about the plot being 3 books in and seeing specific characters from the first book again but, it was such a delight seeing them again!
We also got to see Confection, a whimsically disturbing portal world. Seanan McGuire made that world and its residents come to life, and I absolutely loved exploring it while the characters were on their quest.
The third story in the Wayward Children series brings Rini to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children looking for her mother, Sumi, who was murdered as a teenager, before Rini was even born. If Rini doesn’t find her mother, she’ll never exist and her world will suffer. Kade, Nadya, Cora and Christopher embark on a quest to restore Sumi and save the magical world that is her home and keep Rini from disappearing. This was such a great story full of magic, nonsense, friendship and courage and I look forward to reading more in the series.
The worst thing about this book is that it’s over, and I don’t have another installment to follow up with. I truly believe I could read about the Wayward Children and their doors and adventures forever, and never get tired of them.
I want to know more…what happens to them all, what was all their worlds like when they went through their individual doors, what happened to them while they were there, what were their worlds like BEFORE they found their doors?
This is such an amazing series, and Seanan McGuire writes absolutely beautifully. There’s nothing forced or overworked…it’s some of the best writing I’ve ever read. I absolutely cannot WAIT for book 4. In the meantime, I think I’ll dive into some of her other books…even if they don’t have charming children, a magical school, and Fairytale worlds.
This might be my favorite book of this series. I love the way on the surface everything seems all light hearted and fun, but underneath there’s so much emotion and drama. And the new characters we meet in this one! I love them, and it’s so much fun to see Sumi again! This one and Every Heart a Doorway are tied for first in this series for me, and I like to think my own door would lead me to a nonsense world like this.
This is another excellent installment in the Wayward Children series. We get to see more of Kade and Christopher, plus some new characters, and a character that normally would be out of the story!
The story is a quest to a nonsense world, and McGuire handles the nonsense of the quest very well.
Mcguire as always has a wealth of diverse characters, each of which adds to the story rather than taking anything away or even seeming like they were there to make a point. I’m very much looking forward to the next book!
Not as good as Down Among the Sticks and Bones or Every Heart a Doorway, but still pretty good. I was happy to see all of my beloved characters from the first book (except Jack and Jill, because, well, y’know). Although the worlds we visited in the book seemed a lot less exciting than were originally described, I still had a nice time.