Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire

I’m really not sure what to say about this one. I really enjoyed it. Was a nice respite from the world we live in. It was neat to see more about the Land of the Dead and learn how the statues came to be.

I knew, even before she was revealed, that Jill was going to be the antagonist. Just had that feeling as Nancy told the others what was happening… Jill’s revelation was completely unsurprising.

I’m always sad these are so short, but at the same time, I’m very glad things aren’t drawn out too much. Through Gates of Garnet and Gold was a solid entry into the Wayward Children series… also felt a little like an ending, given the very end I won’t be spoiling. It’s fine if that’s the case, too. 

Favorite Lines

"A child is a vessel for wanting—and snot. Lots of snot in you average kid." - Sumi

"Toddlers have to wear coats in the winter, children need to get enough vitamin C to skip scurvy, and teenagers sometimes need to talk about our feelings. It’s the medicinal part of being a person." -  Sumi

"No one gets to decide for you what living looks like," snapped Nancy. "Life is supposed to be made up of the choices you make for yourself."

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire

Slight spoiler warning in the second paragraph if you aren't familiar with how the Wayward Children books usually end up working out.

As usual, I enjoyed this latest installment of the Wayward Children series. I don’t really have a lot of thoughts about it. I quite enjoyed Nadya's introduction, though her characterization is mostly told and not shown. That's not to say it wasn't done well, just that we don't really get a chance to "see" how Nadya does any of the things she does from her perspective until later in the book.

I did have a feeling of impending dread as the book went on, especially considering it’s one where the main character is going to fall out of her chosen world at some point… which Nadya does. Wayward Children hasn't yet introduced a character who gets to live out their "Happily Ever After" in their chosen world in their introductory book. Honestly that part reminds me heavily of the end of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, with Nadya’s true age being stripped away from her. I honestly find this kind of de-aging horrifying, which is usually the point. I can't imagine having to go through puberty again, especially while also having to navigate being a literal child in the eyes of everyone around you when you've been an adult for... however long it was.

I liked the concepts of different densities of water being breathable or not and sitting atop each other. The turtles were neat. I feel like I could have used some more characterization of Alexei. He was just kind of a “blah” character who I definitely didn’t attach to.

The parenting styles of Carl and Pansy were kind of interesting to look at. It's very clear Pansy is the driving force of that relationship, and not in the greatest way. Her need to both conform and control gave me the "ick."

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear was another solid entry to the Wayward Children series. I can't wait to see how Nadya factors into the rest of the story line.

Favorite Line

"But things weren’t love." - Narration

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire

A Spoiler Free Review

I loved Mislaid in Parts Half-Known. I am a big sucker for lore-dumps and this had a lot of lore-dumping in the form of philosophizing about the Doors and how they function. The gang at Eleanor's school learn a bit more about the function through Antsy's explanations and then spend a bunch of time philosophizing throughout their adventure. It's great.

I did enjoy getting to see Antsy coping with her new "age" and being on Earth again. I thought the way she ended up dealing with her personal issues was well done. She's a pretty good character and I hope we see more of her at some point in the future.

Sumi seems to have picked up a lot of wisdom and a penchant for spouting nice-sounding wise-isms. I don't know how else to put that. Not gonna lie, though, a majority of my favorite lines came from Sumi. She resonated with me a lot here.

A lot of the philosophizing about the Doors had to do with the "Be Sure" maxim that is etched into every Door. I thought it was an interesting discussion and it was definitely a good thing for the school gang to meet up with Stephanie and see how well she just fit into her world. I think being able to see someone in their correct time and place *cough*Sumi's out of time-line whack*cough* was helpful to the discussion.

I was also happy for the discussion around adults harming children, which also spoke, at least to me, of how the more "adultier adults" view younger generations. Vineta embodied all that and was told so a couple of times. Just because you suffered, doesn't mean everyone else has to suffer, too; and it doesn't give you the right to go on causing suffering... basically to paraphrase.

Overall, I fell right back into the universe of Wayward Children really easily. It was really like coming home. Seanan McGuire's voice in these is just fantastic. She creates the atmosphere of the different worlds pretty effortlessly. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known definitely tops my list of favorites already this year. So good.

Favorite Lines

"People who can't change aren't really perfect, and no matter how much we love it somewhere, that doesn't mean it's good for us." - Sumi Onishi

"Just because someone hurt you when you were a child, that doesn't make it right for you to hurt anyone else." - Antsy Ricci

"Try to conversion-therapy me into someone I'm not, see if I ever do anything nice for you ever again." - Stephanie

"I found a fruit that tries to run away when you touch it!" chirped Sumi. "Can I have one for a pet?"

"What a fun way to say goodbye," said Cora [Miller], as they began walking after Antsy. "Not ominous at all. Nothing about this is disturbing. I'm having a wonderful time."

Lost in the Moment and Found by Seanan McGuire

A Mostly Spoiler Free Review

I have pretty much loved this entire series. Seanan McGuire stole my heart as swiftly as the Doors steal away children. Lost in the Moment and Found is no exception. In fact, I probably enjoyed this one the best out of the single character stories. Antsy might not be the most well-rounded character, but I liked her well enough.

So, the author’s note at the beginning of the book had me in a sort of dread lock while reading the first part of Lost in the Moment and Found. The warning was a good idea for those who have experienced the same type of trauma Antsy did, but it definitely had me reading in a “when is the other shoe going to drop” kind of way. I am so glad Antsy got the chance and made the decision to run. That said, Lost in the Moment and Found is definitely dark but doesn’t stay that way… mostly.

I also enjoyed the Land of Lost Things. Definitely brought back memories of how thrift stores felt when I was younger. I would very much enjoy going back with either Antsy or a different character.

This part is kind of a spoiler, but I think it bears some talking about. Vineta and Hudson’s attitude toward the cost and letting the children make the informed choice is very understandable. Vineta experienced the cost and doesn’t think it would really make that much of a difference letting the kids know. Hudson’s got that longer view due to the magpies being around to see whether or not it would make a difference to know the cost. Antsy not realizing there even was a cost was also understandable. We have to teach kids about cost because they just don’t know until they learn eventually. I very much agree with Elodina and Antsy’s view that the cost must be known. Informed consent is best consent. Just letting kids do all the dirty work, essentially, without knowing what they’re giving up is just messed up.

Speaking of information, I really liked that we got some more information about the Doors and how they work. I always enjoy the world-building aspects of this series.

I’m really not sure if I can say much else without properly spoiling things, so I’ll just stop here. If, for some reason, this is your first Wayward Children book, I highly recommend reading the rest of the series. It’s wonderful and Lost in the Moment and Found is a wonderful addition.