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The Up-and-Under #4
Under the Smokestrewn Sky
Under the Smokestrewn Sky is the series finale of the 4-book Up-and-Under series, written by bestselling author Seanan McGuire under the open pseudonym A. Deborah Baker.
Since stumbling from their world into the Up and Under, Avery and Zib have walked the improbable road across forests, seas and skies, finding friends in the unlikeliest of places and enemies great in number, as they make their way toward the Impossible City in the hope of finding their way home.
But the final part of their journey is filled with danger and demise. Not everyone will make it through unscathed. Not everyone will make it through alive.
The final part of the enchanting Up-and-Under quartet reminds us of the value of friendship and the price one sometimes pays for straying from the path. No-one’s safety can be guaranteed under the smokestrewn sky.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Since stumbling from their world into the Up and Under, Avery and Zib have walked the improbable road across forests, seas and skies, finding friends in the unlikeliest of places and enemies great in number, as they make their way toward the Impossible City in the hope of finding their way home.
But the final part of their journey is filled with danger and demise. Not everyone will make it through unscathed. Not everyone will make it through alive.
The final part of the enchanting Up-and-Under quartet reminds us of the value of friendship and the price one sometimes pays for straying from the path. No-one’s safety can be guaranteed under the smokestrewn sky.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
208 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2023
19 people are currently reading
991 people want to read
About the author
A. Deborah Baker
5 books404 followersPen name for Seanan McGuire writing for the Over the Woodward Wall series. Also a character mentioned in the book Middlegame
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
July 6, 2024
꒰ 3.5 ⭐ ꒱
"...the up-and-under brought you together, because it needed one of you to learn a lesson, and one of you to be a lesson."
it's hard to sum up a series that is so deeply aware of its unpredictability and lack of concrete understanding that it offers. i will say that i felt so intertwined with these characters on their journey toward finding their home and finding a home within each other in the process that it was bittersweet to finally see them off to their separate endings ❤️🩹
the resolution felt a little disjointed because of how certain things transpired and then got undone in a sort of sense. it just felt too convenient (and confusing) for my liking. this wasn't bad by any means, but just not one of my favourites in the series.
i still absolutely loved the moments where the narrator addressed us directly - as readers - to guide us through the conflicts and intentions of each character (and of the world itself). truly such a beautiful, whimsical, and indescribable set of books 🫂 we learn life lessons, philosophies, and the art of alchemy all through the guise of a children's fairy tale. and it really is such a fun and emotional journey - you just feel like a kid again but almost through a hardened lens..? it's hard to describe but totally worth experiencing.
જ⁀➴ ☄️ ┊ pre-read:
the series finale!!! ahhh!!! what will happen to the found family?? am i gonna cry???? hELP
"...the up-and-under brought you together, because it needed one of you to learn a lesson, and one of you to be a lesson."
it's hard to sum up a series that is so deeply aware of its unpredictability and lack of concrete understanding that it offers. i will say that i felt so intertwined with these characters on their journey toward finding their home and finding a home within each other in the process that it was bittersweet to finally see them off to their separate endings ❤️🩹
the resolution felt a little disjointed because of how certain things transpired and then got undone in a sort of sense. it just felt too convenient (and confusing) for my liking. this wasn't bad by any means, but just not one of my favourites in the series.
i still absolutely loved the moments where the narrator addressed us directly - as readers - to guide us through the conflicts and intentions of each character (and of the world itself). truly such a beautiful, whimsical, and indescribable set of books 🫂 we learn life lessons, philosophies, and the art of alchemy all through the guise of a children's fairy tale. and it really is such a fun and emotional journey - you just feel like a kid again but almost through a hardened lens..? it's hard to describe but totally worth experiencing.
જ⁀➴ ☄️ ┊ pre-read:
the series finale!!! ahhh!!! what will happen to the found family?? am i gonna cry???? hELP
December 31, 2024
**3.5-stars rounded up**
Under the Smokestrewn Sky is the 4th-installment of Seanan McGuire's, writing as A. Deborah Baker, Up-and-Under series. A magical Middle Grade series loosely-connected to McGuire's Alchemical Journeys; an Adult SFF-mindblower.
While technically this is classified as Middle Grade Fantasy, it is actually perfect for Readers of all ages, containing quite a few philosophical and science-based elements.
Speaking of elements, each book in this quartet is constructed around one of the four classical elements: earth, air, fire and water. The first book was earth, the second, water, the third, air and then in this one, we feature fire.
The series follows two children, Avery and Zib, the A-to-Z of our tale, who upon a normal commute to school one day encounter a giant wall where it shouldn't be. Together they decide to go up and over this wall, thus finding themselves in a magical world, known as the Up-and-Under.
Each story follows the kids as they journey through different lands in this world, journeying along the improbable road, trying to find their way home.
After a short recap at the beginning, we slip back into the story where we left off. It had a bit of a slow start for me and did seem more philosophical in nature, as far as the conversations between the various characters went.
Personally, I could have used more action, but Baker's writing, per usual, was intentional and fluid. Every detail is there for a reason and I would love to go back at some point and read all four of these back-to-back.
I feel like I forgot so much about the functionality, history and politics of the Up-and-Under in between books, that I wasn't able to appreciate the over-arching story as much as I could have. I would also love to reread Middlegame after I do so, to see if I can pick up more details in that as well.
And I guess this is it. I actually wasn't sure if this was going to be the conclusion to this series, but it certainly felt like it. I'm sad to see these characters go. It's hard not to grow attached to them after all we've been through.
I also have some thoughts regarding this series and a possible, or maybe even existing, connection to the Wayward Children series...
I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a fantastical Middle Grade Adventure story, or anyone who has enjoyed previous works from Seanan McGuire, including the Wayward Children series.
I feel like the concepts are similar to that and now that you can read the entire series at once, all the better. With likable characters, suspense, magic and intrigue, this series is sure to be a hit with Readers of all ages.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor and Macmillan Audio, for providing me copies to read and review. This is a great series and will live in my heart for a long time to come!
Under the Smokestrewn Sky is the 4th-installment of Seanan McGuire's, writing as A. Deborah Baker, Up-and-Under series. A magical Middle Grade series loosely-connected to McGuire's Alchemical Journeys; an Adult SFF-mindblower.
While technically this is classified as Middle Grade Fantasy, it is actually perfect for Readers of all ages, containing quite a few philosophical and science-based elements.
Speaking of elements, each book in this quartet is constructed around one of the four classical elements: earth, air, fire and water. The first book was earth, the second, water, the third, air and then in this one, we feature fire.
The series follows two children, Avery and Zib, the A-to-Z of our tale, who upon a normal commute to school one day encounter a giant wall where it shouldn't be. Together they decide to go up and over this wall, thus finding themselves in a magical world, known as the Up-and-Under.
Each story follows the kids as they journey through different lands in this world, journeying along the improbable road, trying to find their way home.
After a short recap at the beginning, we slip back into the story where we left off. It had a bit of a slow start for me and did seem more philosophical in nature, as far as the conversations between the various characters went.
Personally, I could have used more action, but Baker's writing, per usual, was intentional and fluid. Every detail is there for a reason and I would love to go back at some point and read all four of these back-to-back.
I feel like I forgot so much about the functionality, history and politics of the Up-and-Under in between books, that I wasn't able to appreciate the over-arching story as much as I could have. I would also love to reread Middlegame after I do so, to see if I can pick up more details in that as well.
And I guess this is it. I actually wasn't sure if this was going to be the conclusion to this series, but it certainly felt like it. I'm sad to see these characters go. It's hard not to grow attached to them after all we've been through.
I also have some thoughts regarding this series and a possible, or maybe even existing, connection to the Wayward Children series...
I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a fantastical Middle Grade Adventure story, or anyone who has enjoyed previous works from Seanan McGuire, including the Wayward Children series.
I feel like the concepts are similar to that and now that you can read the entire series at once, all the better. With likable characters, suspense, magic and intrigue, this series is sure to be a hit with Readers of all ages.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor and Macmillan Audio, for providing me copies to read and review. This is a great series and will live in my heart for a long time to come!
July 16, 2023
I love the author and will read anything she writes, even a shopping list. I have read the previous books in the 'Up-and-Under' series and was delighted to get the opportunity to read this ARC.
"Under the Smokestrewn Sky" by A. Deborah Baker is the fourth and final book in the 'Up-and-Under' series, and it provides the perfect ending to the series.. A. Deborah Baker is the pen name for Seanan McGuire, who is also a character mentioned in the book "Middlegame" (which I read and loved).
The book continues from where the last book stopped and follows Avery and Zib on the last leg of their journey. An unplanned detour from home to school one morning brings Avery (who is always pressed and polished) and Zib (wild and unkempt) to the Up-and-Under world, where they encounter wise owls, crow girls, and other mythical creatures. They are on a quest to find the queen of wands, believing she is the only one who can help them get back home.
Their companions and allies are Niamh, the drowned girl, the crow girl, and Jack, the son of the Queen of Swords. While traveling on the improbable road, which is not always visible or reliable, they experience many adventures, meet new friends, and encounter many dangers. This time, their quest will lead them through the land of fire, where they will have to overcome a few obstacles to reach the impossible city, find a queen, and prevent war.
I loved the book. The series gets better from book to book, and this book was an enjoyable story and a good addition to the series. The book starts slow, but once the story kicks off properly, it becomes captivating and fast-paced.
I loved that the author recapped past events to refresh our memory, the direct address to the reader, and the way she made us feel part of the journey. The book wraps up well, and I loved the allusion that we may meet those characters in other adventures despite this being the final book in the series. There was a surprising twist toward the end that I did not see coming, and the ending was satisfactory.
The book focuses on friendships, loyalty, integrity, and the price for straying from the path. It has a great cast of characters, likable protagonists, good world-building, and an interesting premise and concept. I liked the way the author divided the world into four unique quadrants, each with a different setting, dangers, and elements. Each kingdom represents and controls an element and has its own owl. We have the King of Coins (Earth), the King of Cups (Water), the Queen of Swords (Air), and the Queen of Wands (Fire). I admire the author's imagination in the design of each kingdom.
The author gives the reader a wonderfully entertaining ride. If you didn't read the previous books, you need to start from the first book and read the series in order to fully understand the context and appreciate the story. I rate the book 4.5 out of 5 rounded to 5 due to the slow start. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an imaginative and whimsical middle-grade YA adventure. Although it's written for a middle-grade audience, it will appeal to older readers as well and to anyone who loves quests and adventure books.
To finish with a quote (subject to changes after the publication of the book): "Sometimes we have to walk the improbable road long enough to make the impossible things possible." Jump in and travel at your own risk!
*Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
"Under the Smokestrewn Sky" by A. Deborah Baker is the fourth and final book in the 'Up-and-Under' series, and it provides the perfect ending to the series.. A. Deborah Baker is the pen name for Seanan McGuire, who is also a character mentioned in the book "Middlegame" (which I read and loved).
The book continues from where the last book stopped and follows Avery and Zib on the last leg of their journey. An unplanned detour from home to school one morning brings Avery (who is always pressed and polished) and Zib (wild and unkempt) to the Up-and-Under world, where they encounter wise owls, crow girls, and other mythical creatures. They are on a quest to find the queen of wands, believing she is the only one who can help them get back home.
Their companions and allies are Niamh, the drowned girl, the crow girl, and Jack, the son of the Queen of Swords. While traveling on the improbable road, which is not always visible or reliable, they experience many adventures, meet new friends, and encounter many dangers. This time, their quest will lead them through the land of fire, where they will have to overcome a few obstacles to reach the impossible city, find a queen, and prevent war.
I loved the book. The series gets better from book to book, and this book was an enjoyable story and a good addition to the series. The book starts slow, but once the story kicks off properly, it becomes captivating and fast-paced.
I loved that the author recapped past events to refresh our memory, the direct address to the reader, and the way she made us feel part of the journey. The book wraps up well, and I loved the allusion that we may meet those characters in other adventures despite this being the final book in the series. There was a surprising twist toward the end that I did not see coming, and the ending was satisfactory.
The book focuses on friendships, loyalty, integrity, and the price for straying from the path. It has a great cast of characters, likable protagonists, good world-building, and an interesting premise and concept. I liked the way the author divided the world into four unique quadrants, each with a different setting, dangers, and elements. Each kingdom represents and controls an element and has its own owl. We have the King of Coins (Earth), the King of Cups (Water), the Queen of Swords (Air), and the Queen of Wands (Fire). I admire the author's imagination in the design of each kingdom.
The author gives the reader a wonderfully entertaining ride. If you didn't read the previous books, you need to start from the first book and read the series in order to fully understand the context and appreciate the story. I rate the book 4.5 out of 5 rounded to 5 due to the slow start. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an imaginative and whimsical middle-grade YA adventure. Although it's written for a middle-grade audience, it will appeal to older readers as well and to anyone who loves quests and adventure books.
To finish with a quote (subject to changes after the publication of the book): "Sometimes we have to walk the improbable road long enough to make the impossible things possible." Jump in and travel at your own risk!
*Thanks to NetGalley and Tordotcom for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my Blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2023...
July 25, 2025
Up and Under and Out
We left the Up and Under with our heroes escaping the Queen of Swords to enter the land of the of Queen of Wands. Our company now consists of five: Avery, Zib, Niamh the Drowned Girl, the former Crow Girl whose name was reclaimed from the Queen of Swords, therefore now known as Soleil, and Jack Daw. The classic element with which the Queen of Wands and her land are associated is Fire. Fire is the last element Avery and Zib need to traverse before entering the Impossible City. Avery and Zib hope that from the Impossible City they will be able to return to the suburban neighborhood that is their home.
As in the previous books of the Up and Under, the characters are less than totally engaging. Zib is out of action for much of the book. And it is obvious that A. Deborah Baker/Seanan McGuire does not love Avery. Most of the other characters are personifications of abstract ideas rather than full-fledged humans, and therefore have little depth.
Under the Smokestrewn Sky is the final book of the Up and Under, and it does indeed wrap the story up nicely. There is, honestly, not much more I can tell you that would not be a spoiler.
I thank NetGalley and Tor for an advance reader copy. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
We left the Up and Under with our heroes escaping the Queen of Swords to enter the land of the of Queen of Wands. Our company now consists of five: Avery, Zib, Niamh the Drowned Girl, the former Crow Girl whose name was reclaimed from the Queen of Swords, therefore now known as Soleil, and Jack Daw. The classic element with which the Queen of Wands and her land are associated is Fire. Fire is the last element Avery and Zib need to traverse before entering the Impossible City. Avery and Zib hope that from the Impossible City they will be able to return to the suburban neighborhood that is their home.
As in the previous books of the Up and Under, the characters are less than totally engaging. Zib is out of action for much of the book. And it is obvious that A. Deborah Baker/Seanan McGuire does not love Avery. Most of the other characters are personifications of abstract ideas rather than full-fledged humans, and therefore have little depth.
Under the Smokestrewn Sky is the final book of the Up and Under, and it does indeed wrap the story up nicely. There is, honestly, not much more I can tell you that would not be a spoiler.
I thank NetGalley and Tor for an advance reader copy. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
May 4, 2024
This is the 4th and last installment of the series so we're finally moving into fire territory.
Avery and Zib are once again on the Improbably Road, now accompanied by Zack (son of the Queen of Swords), Niamh (the drowned girl), and the crow girl. Along the way to the Impossible City, things go wrong and while they do meet more owls and even the Queen of Wands that they have been looking for for so long, not everyone will make it out alive. Oh and the receals ... so delicious but also heartbreaking ... or delicious BECAUSE heartbreaking? Hm ...
To say more would give too much away. Suffice it to say that this was indeed the conclusion and I was honestly not sure if . However, it was a wonderful ending and very satisfying.
I love that the story itself (in all four installments) is alive and talking to the reader, telling itself. I also love the observations and lessons in friendship, loyalty, and the price one has to pay for mistakes or staying true to oneself.
It's a very old trope that children end up in other worlds and have to master quests and yet, McGuire/Baker had this uniquely quirky interpretation with gorgeous prose, shudder-inducing foreshadowing, and a woldbuilding that was to die for. Literally, in some cases.
These stories are meant to teach so there are no holds barred and we get cruelty as much as cozy comfort. Every line is full of meaning (often in mulltiple sense) and the writing is rich with mythollogical elements, the elements of the Tarot and so much more. Naturally, that means that a reader who wants to enjoy this 100% needs to be well-versed in all these elements, but that's like saying crime readers need to enjoy solving murders.
I shall miss the adventures in the Up-and-Under for sure but am also very much looking forward to the re-integration of what happened here in the next/last Alchemical Journeys book. That was, originally, what these four had been written for after all, though they work perfectly on their own for readers who don't know the other series.
Avery and Zib are once again on the Improbably Road, now accompanied by Zack (son of the Queen of Swords), Niamh (the drowned girl), and the crow girl. Along the way to the Impossible City, things go wrong and while they do meet more owls and even the Queen of Wands that they have been looking for for so long, not everyone will make it out alive. Oh and the receals ... so delicious but also heartbreaking ... or delicious BECAUSE heartbreaking? Hm ...
To say more would give too much away. Suffice it to say that this was indeed the conclusion and I was honestly not sure if . However, it was a wonderful ending and very satisfying.
I love that the story itself (in all four installments) is alive and talking to the reader, telling itself. I also love the observations and lessons in friendship, loyalty, and the price one has to pay for mistakes or staying true to oneself.
It's a very old trope that children end up in other worlds and have to master quests and yet, McGuire/Baker had this uniquely quirky interpretation with gorgeous prose, shudder-inducing foreshadowing, and a woldbuilding that was to die for. Literally, in some cases.
These stories are meant to teach so there are no holds barred and we get cruelty as much as cozy comfort. Every line is full of meaning (often in mulltiple sense) and the writing is rich with mythollogical elements, the elements of the Tarot and so much more. Naturally, that means that a reader who wants to enjoy this 100% needs to be well-versed in all these elements, but that's like saying crime readers need to enjoy solving murders.
I shall miss the adventures in the Up-and-Under for sure but am also very much looking forward to the re-integration of what happened here in the next/last Alchemical Journeys book. That was, originally, what these four had been written for after all, though they work perfectly on their own for readers who don't know the other series.
August 12, 2023
I feel like this series kind of lost steam for me after book 2 but I wanted to read the concluding volume to see how things tied up. Under the Smokestrewn Sky was I think a little bit better than book 3 but still felt kind of bland compared to previous books. There were some interesting reveals, but I have mixed feelings about the way it wrapped things up just because I wanted the stakes to feel higher. I think this series went on for too long for the amount of story it offers, but it's an interesting and whimsical project and overall I still enjoyed it. The audio narration is well done and gives the right story-telling vibes. I received an audio review copy of this book from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
October 25, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor for gifting me an early copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.
I adore Seanan McGuire, and everything she writes is gold. This isn't my favorite of the Up-and-Under tales she's written as A. Deborah Baker to build up the lore for the Middlegame world, mostly because the end left me dissatisfied, but it was still a great story. There were a few obvious reveals, and some things that felt rushed in this one. There was just a little something more I was left wanting.
Overall, a fun little adventure tale in four parts that I still highly recommend for fans of Alice in Wonderland or the Tales of Oz, fairy tale worlds, and really creative characters. Four stars from me!
I adore Seanan McGuire, and everything she writes is gold. This isn't my favorite of the Up-and-Under tales she's written as A. Deborah Baker to build up the lore for the Middlegame world, mostly because the end left me dissatisfied, but it was still a great story. There were a few obvious reveals, and some things that felt rushed in this one. There was just a little something more I was left wanting.
Overall, a fun little adventure tale in four parts that I still highly recommend for fans of Alice in Wonderland or the Tales of Oz, fairy tale worlds, and really creative characters. Four stars from me!
October 3, 2023
This book marks the end of Avery and Zib’s adventures in the Up-and-Under. As always happens when I reach the last book of a series, in practical terms this will be a review of the whole thing. No spoilers.
For those who are unfamiliar, The Up-and-Under by A. Deborah Baker is a children’s book series within the world of one of Seanan McGuire’s other book series. McGuire then decided to go ahead and write the series, under the pen name of A. Deborah Baker, and this is the result.
These four novellas deal with the adventures of very- proper Avery and very-not-proper Hepzibah (universally known as Zib). They grew up on the same street, but never met or knew of each other until they both found themselves in the Narnia-esque world of the Up-and-Under. The series chronicles the adventures of Avery and Zib as they travel the Improbable Road through the Up-and-Under with the goal of reaching the Impossible City, where they are told they can find a way home. Along the way, they meet and are joined by the Crow Girl (who has no other name; she’s a girl who is also a murder of crows) and by Niamh, a drowned girl (she was a girl from Earth who literally drowned. Girls who drown up live in a city beneath the Saltwise Sea in the Up-and-Under). Along the way they meet the King of Coins (lord of Earth), the King of Cups (lord of water), and the Queen of Wands (lady of Air). The Queen of Swords (lady of Fire) is missing, and Avery and Zib and their friends are supposed to find her during the course of their Quest.
Overall, this is a good series for young and adult readers alike. The story is told simply, and it’s a solid one. “Fantastical” is the word that describes it best, I think. They’re novellas, so easy to read through in an afternoon.
For those who have read the series: This is a good ending. There were some developments that genuinely shocked me, and plenty of bittersweetness about the end of the journey.
My blog
For those who are unfamiliar, The Up-and-Under by A. Deborah Baker is a children’s book series within the world of one of Seanan McGuire’s other book series. McGuire then decided to go ahead and write the series, under the pen name of A. Deborah Baker, and this is the result.
These four novellas deal with the adventures of very- proper Avery and very-not-proper Hepzibah (universally known as Zib). They grew up on the same street, but never met or knew of each other until they both found themselves in the Narnia-esque world of the Up-and-Under. The series chronicles the adventures of Avery and Zib as they travel the Improbable Road through the Up-and-Under with the goal of reaching the Impossible City, where they are told they can find a way home. Along the way, they meet and are joined by the Crow Girl (who has no other name; she’s a girl who is also a murder of crows) and by Niamh, a drowned girl (she was a girl from Earth who literally drowned. Girls who drown up live in a city beneath the Saltwise Sea in the Up-and-Under). Along the way they meet the King of Coins (lord of Earth), the King of Cups (lord of water), and the Queen of Wands (lady of Air). The Queen of Swords (lady of Fire) is missing, and Avery and Zib and their friends are supposed to find her during the course of their Quest.
Overall, this is a good series for young and adult readers alike. The story is told simply, and it’s a solid one. “Fantastical” is the word that describes it best, I think. They’re novellas, so easy to read through in an afternoon.
For those who have read the series: This is a good ending. There were some developments that genuinely shocked me, and plenty of bittersweetness about the end of the journey.
My blog
October 29, 2023
4/5
I already miss it. I miss these children and this unbelievable world with its haunting, whimsical journey and the fairytale nonsense. I loved it. I'm lamenting its end.
I already miss it. I miss these children and this unbelievable world with its haunting, whimsical journey and the fairytale nonsense. I loved it. I'm lamenting its end.
October 25, 2023
#1) Over the Woodward Wall ★★★★☆
#2) Along the Saltwise Sea ★★★★☆
#3) Into the Windwracked Wilds ★★★☆☆
➸ Trigger warnings for .
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
August 8, 2023
There wasn’t much to this one. It was a little less profound than the books had been up to this point (like even the narrator-character and all of the other characters were kind of weary of the whole journeying thing) and even the seemingly scary permanent things didn’t have consequences per se. Plus Zib is profoundly absent for a good chunk of things, the Crow Girl’s new persona is rather boring, Niamh is less present, and Jack Daw hasn’t had much time to ingratiate himself in the party.
Overall, it just felt like the series losing steam rather than feeling like a true conclusion. It wasn’t bad, but it was a good backdrop for, say, assembling furniture (which is what I was doing while listening).
{Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review}
Overall, it just felt like the series losing steam rather than feeling like a true conclusion. It wasn’t bad, but it was a good backdrop for, say, assembling furniture (which is what I was doing while listening).
{Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review}
January 4, 2024
Under the Smokestrewn Sky marks the end of a whimsical and fantastical journey through the Up-and-Under, a series that began with such promise and enchantment. As excited as I was for this finale, I wasn't as engaged with this one as the past books. I feel like the charm of the style has worn off, leaving the book bogged down by it rather than enriched.
The story trudged through repetitive terrains of dialogue and introspection. The introduction of new concepts, like characters embodying the four elements, felt like it came a little too late in the series, and the first half of the book is dedicated mostly to discussion and arguments about it. While the book's second half did pick up pace, leading to a climactic face-off in the Impossible City, the execution felt rushed, leaving me longing for the depth and engagement of earlier chapters.
Zib was sidelined for much of the story, while Avery's journey lacked the depth and growth I'd hoped for. The ensemble of characters started to feel more like conduits for philosophical musings than relatable beings, making it hard to invest emotionally in their fates.
It just felt... underwhelming. The stakes didn't matter, death(s) didn't stick, and the characters didn't feel like cherished friends anymore. I'm really sorry I didn't like it.
The story trudged through repetitive terrains of dialogue and introspection. The introduction of new concepts, like characters embodying the four elements, felt like it came a little too late in the series, and the first half of the book is dedicated mostly to discussion and arguments about it. While the book's second half did pick up pace, leading to a climactic face-off in the Impossible City, the execution felt rushed, leaving me longing for the depth and engagement of earlier chapters.
Zib was sidelined for much of the story, while Avery's journey lacked the depth and growth I'd hoped for. The ensemble of characters started to feel more like conduits for philosophical musings than relatable beings, making it hard to invest emotionally in their fates.
It just felt... underwhelming. The stakes didn't matter, death(s) didn't stick, and the characters didn't feel like cherished friends anymore. I'm really sorry I didn't like it.
October 25, 2023
The series had a huge potential, but I feel that the promise for the greatness was never fully delivered on. What was whimsy and strange became repeatable and overwritten as the series progressed, the old characters remained the same even as we were told again and again how they were transforming, and the new characters didn't bring enough to the table to make up for it.
It was quite enjoyable to the very end, it's just that the story could have been so much more. I was also hoping there would be more direct connection to the main series, Alchemical Journeys, but either that connection wasn't as strong as I was hoping for or the ties between the two went over my head.
I don't actually have much to say about this book in particular. It didn't really differ on any of my usual reviewing highlights from books 2 and 3. The whole series felt more like one story, unnecessarily split into separate short novels.
All in all, the series was fine, just not great from any angle.
It was quite enjoyable to the very end, it's just that the story could have been so much more. I was also hoping there would be more direct connection to the main series, Alchemical Journeys, but either that connection wasn't as strong as I was hoping for or the ties between the two went over my head.
I don't actually have much to say about this book in particular. It didn't really differ on any of my usual reviewing highlights from books 2 and 3. The whole series felt more like one story, unnecessarily split into separate short novels.
All in all, the series was fine, just not great from any angle.
March 27, 2025
This is the fourth and final book in Seanan McGuire's Up-and-Under/Improbable Road juvenile series, which is also a fictional (?!) element of her Alchemical Journeys adult series. Avoiding spoilers... the book goes where it needs to go and does what it says right up front that it's going to do, but I was nonetheless vaguely disappointed that it didn't surprise me by doing a little more. Avery and Zib complete their quest and enter the Impossible City with... well, not everybody gets there, but the cover of the book warns you of that. It's a very well written story, though I thought the third and fourth volumes dragged in comparison to the first two. I liked the way that the narration pauses from time to time to address the reader, and it's as if the book itself is talking to you, not necessarily the author. It's a well-developed fantasy landscape through which they travel, but the ending seemed to jump up way too fast and resolved just too abruptly and quietly.
July 2, 2023
Actual rating of 4.5 stars
I had been planning on reading Middlegame for a while, I had heard such great things about it from various readers, and it sounded like it would be my cup of tea, but I hadn't prioritized it. Then, I saw this slim little book, Over the Woodward Wall, in my library, and decided I've give it a try, and really enjoyed it. I picked up Middlegame about a month later, and only then realized the series and the books were connected.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Avery and Zib and Niamh and Crow Girl on their adventures through the Up-and-Under, and I thought this brought everything to a nice conclusion. I'm certainly looking forward to rereading the whole series at some point, going straight through it with foreknowledge of what will happen.
I think there are writing conventions in this series especially that not everyone may enjoy, but I really liked the direct to reader narration when it came in, it felt very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's Invitation, from the beginning of Where the Sidewalk Ends.
I hope we may get to see more of Avery and Zib, whether in the Up-and-Under, or maybe even in
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for early access to this title!
I had been planning on reading Middlegame for a while, I had heard such great things about it from various readers, and it sounded like it would be my cup of tea, but I hadn't prioritized it. Then, I saw this slim little book, Over the Woodward Wall, in my library, and decided I've give it a try, and really enjoyed it. I picked up Middlegame about a month later, and only then realized the series and the books were connected.
I thoroughly enjoyed following Avery and Zib and Niamh and Crow Girl on their adventures through the Up-and-Under, and I thought this brought everything to a nice conclusion. I'm certainly looking forward to rereading the whole series at some point, going straight through it with foreknowledge of what will happen.
I think there are writing conventions in this series especially that not everyone may enjoy, but I really liked the direct to reader narration when it came in, it felt very reminiscent of Shel Silverstein's Invitation, from the beginning of Where the Sidewalk Ends.
I hope we may get to see more of Avery and Zib, whether in the Up-and-Under, or maybe even in
Thank you to Tordotcom and NetGalley for early access to this title!
August 21, 2023
I definitely think this is my favorite in the series!
December 10, 2024
This was good, but not my favorite one of the series.
October 13, 2023
Mini blurb: With friends Soleil (formerly Crow Girl), Niamh and Jack at their side, free-spirited Zib and rule-follower Avery, on the last leg of their journey through the Up-and-Under, face the unexpected and finally learn what their connection to the place is, what it needs them for, and what it will cost them to go home.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Tor/Forge for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
The last installment in the Up-and-Under series, though whimsical and enjoyable, had the potential to be so much more. As usual, I was not overly fond of the recapitulations and digressions, not to mention Baker/McGuire imparting wisdom at the beginning about what it means to read a story for the first time as opposed to the second (been there, done that 😉). There's a lot of apparent foreshadowing as well in that section, except in the end we realise that the author tricked us into bracing ourselves for things that don't quite happen the way we expected. There's also a giant clue in the same chapter that somehow I didn't catch until I went back to it...but Baker keeps harping on a certain theme so often (and openly) that, by the time the reveal happens, it's practically impossible not to have seen it coming for a while (which I did). Also, for all its build-up, the Impossible City feels quite underwhelming, and the ending sort of negates the purportedly high stakes of the journey to get there (I realise that this is a MG series, but there were ways to make it darker without resorting to extreme measures, and then again...I'm still not sure of its intended audience - sometimes it reads like a too sophisticated/philosophical one to be aimed at children). However, the journey in itself is entertaining and full of fanciful, vivid imagery; the narrative gives us all the answers we need about Zib and Avery's role in the Up-and-Under's fate (and a firmer grasp on the world-building, finally); and one of our main characters, though in a state of "suspended animation" for most of the story, gets a last chance to shine. There's a poetical quality to this series (despite its dark corners, or because of them in a way), and while it isn't perfect, it's enjoyable enough that I'll want to revisit it - though, as Baker is fond of saying, it will never be the same story again 🙂.
Note: definitive review (due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series...well, one whose installments I have already reviewed in full in the past).
***
Rated 3.5 really.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Tor/Forge for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
The last installment in the Up-and-Under series, though whimsical and enjoyable, had the potential to be so much more. As usual, I was not overly fond of the recapitulations and digressions, not to mention Baker/McGuire imparting wisdom at the beginning about what it means to read a story for the first time as opposed to the second (been there, done that 😉). There's a lot of apparent foreshadowing as well in that section, except in the end we realise that the author tricked us into bracing ourselves for things that don't quite happen the way we expected. There's also a giant clue in the same chapter that somehow I didn't catch until I went back to it...but Baker keeps harping on a certain theme so often (and openly) that, by the time the reveal happens, it's practically impossible not to have seen it coming for a while (which I did). Also, for all its build-up, the Impossible City feels quite underwhelming, and the ending sort of negates the purportedly high stakes of the journey to get there (I realise that this is a MG series, but there were ways to make it darker without resorting to extreme measures, and then again...I'm still not sure of its intended audience - sometimes it reads like a too sophisticated/philosophical one to be aimed at children). However, the journey in itself is entertaining and full of fanciful, vivid imagery; the narrative gives us all the answers we need about Zib and Avery's role in the Up-and-Under's fate (and a firmer grasp on the world-building, finally); and one of our main characters, though in a state of "suspended animation" for most of the story, gets a last chance to shine. There's a poetical quality to this series (despite its dark corners, or because of them in a way), and while it isn't perfect, it's enjoyable enough that I'll want to revisit it - though, as Baker is fond of saying, it will never be the same story again 🙂.
Note: definitive review (due to time commitments, I've decided not to write full-length reviews anymore for short stories, novellas and anthologies, except in special cases or unless they're part of a series...well, one whose installments I have already reviewed in full in the past).
November 9, 2023
Check out my series review:
Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for audio-ARC.
McGuire/Baker brings us the final installment of Zib and Avery's journey through the Up and Under. This series mirrors McGuires more well known series, Wayward Children, but it never quiet reaches the same highs. I wouldn't be surprised to hear if this story existed within the same world (part of me hopes it does). Sadly, I'm left mixed on this series.
I love that we got this story, a story within a story that broke free into it's own series. I still can't help but wonder how it all came together. Was this the broad arc she had in mind for Zib and Avery when crafting the story within middlegame? If not, when was it devised, and how did the capitalistic influence of publishing affect that process (as opposed to McGuire having complete freedom on the execution of this series).
For me, the story never reaches the highs of the first book. None of them really stand alone, not in the same way the first did. Each new book feels like an extension. Even as the rules of the world become further realized, it never quiet reaches the level of realism id like to see. Don't get me wrong, I was thoroughly engrossed.
That's really what I liked most. I felt I was there with Zib and Avery, not just reading their story but a part of it. That is partly thanks to McGuire's quarky and meta story telling approach.
The ending felt a bit rushed both times reading it, but it was still satisfying. I'm left reflecting on the world of the up and under and the message we're to take from it. All in all, I think it is a nice companion to Middlegame, but I am a little doubtful that it would hold the same allure to those not previously hooked into the world of alchemical journeys. If I was going to direct someone to a dark fantasy for kids, it would still likely be wayward children.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for audio-ARC.
McGuire/Baker brings us the final installment of Zib and Avery's journey through the Up and Under. This series mirrors McGuires more well known series, Wayward Children, but it never quiet reaches the same highs. I wouldn't be surprised to hear if this story existed within the same world (part of me hopes it does). Sadly, I'm left mixed on this series.
I love that we got this story, a story within a story that broke free into it's own series. I still can't help but wonder how it all came together. Was this the broad arc she had in mind for Zib and Avery when crafting the story within middlegame? If not, when was it devised, and how did the capitalistic influence of publishing affect that process (as opposed to McGuire having complete freedom on the execution of this series).
For me, the story never reaches the highs of the first book. None of them really stand alone, not in the same way the first did. Each new book feels like an extension. Even as the rules of the world become further realized, it never quiet reaches the level of realism id like to see. Don't get me wrong, I was thoroughly engrossed.
That's really what I liked most. I felt I was there with Zib and Avery, not just reading their story but a part of it. That is partly thanks to McGuire's quarky and meta story telling approach.
The ending felt a bit rushed both times reading it, but it was still satisfying. I'm left reflecting on the world of the up and under and the message we're to take from it. All in all, I think it is a nice companion to Middlegame, but I am a little doubtful that it would hold the same allure to those not previously hooked into the world of alchemical journeys. If I was going to direct someone to a dark fantasy for kids, it would still likely be wayward children.
June 7, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley & Tordotcom for an eARC of this book. The following review is my honest reflection on the text provided.
I absolutely adore Seanan McGuire and came to The Up-and-Under series after reading the Alchemical Journeys and Wayward Children series. There is something indefinable about her imagination and her writing that is transportive and wonderful. I was a little overwhelmed by the silliness and seeming lack of direction in Along the Saltwise Sea and Into the Windwracked Wilds , but McGuire (or should I say Baker?) brought it home in Under the Smokestrewn Sky.
This series may not be my favourite of McGuire's, only because Alchemical Journeys and Wayward Children are impossible to outshine. But I love her writing and found a lot to love about this series and particularly it's finale.
I absolutely adore Seanan McGuire and came to The Up-and-Under series after reading the Alchemical Journeys and Wayward Children series. There is something indefinable about her imagination and her writing that is transportive and wonderful. I was a little overwhelmed by the silliness and seeming lack of direction in Along the Saltwise Sea and Into the Windwracked Wilds , but McGuire (or should I say Baker?) brought it home in Under the Smokestrewn Sky.
This series may not be my favourite of McGuire's, only because Alchemical Journeys and Wayward Children are impossible to outshine. But I love her writing and found a lot to love about this series and particularly it's finale.
October 8, 2023
I have loved everything this author A. Debroah Baker aka Seanan McGuire has written and I give this book, and this entire series a 10/10. This was the perfect if not epically sad ( only for the reason that it's over) conclusion to this awesomely whimsical series.
I'm constantly amazed by how much this author is able to pack into these short novellas. Each one runs me through the entire gambit of emotion and leaves me with all the feels.
Avery, Zib, Soliel, Jack, and Neimh have almost made it to the Impossible City yet they haven't yet found the Queen. They only have one other place to look and that's the Kingdom of Fire. So much happens here, things are finally revealed, things I didn't even know I was waiting for, or at least not in the form it took, I was happy, I was sad, and I was on the edge of my seat hoping that everything actually was going to work out how I hoped.
I don't want to get spoilery so if you have loved the other books in this series I really think you'll love this one as well, and if you haven't read it yet or were waiting for all the books to be out now is the perfect time to binge them all and climb over the Woodward Wall and go on an amazing adventure through the Up and Under that won't leave anyone that enters the same as when they arrived. I can't wait to read this series all over again!!!
I'm constantly amazed by how much this author is able to pack into these short novellas. Each one runs me through the entire gambit of emotion and leaves me with all the feels.
Avery, Zib, Soliel, Jack, and Neimh have almost made it to the Impossible City yet they haven't yet found the Queen. They only have one other place to look and that's the Kingdom of Fire. So much happens here, things are finally revealed, things I didn't even know I was waiting for, or at least not in the form it took, I was happy, I was sad, and I was on the edge of my seat hoping that everything actually was going to work out how I hoped.
I don't want to get spoilery so if you have loved the other books in this series I really think you'll love this one as well, and if you haven't read it yet or were waiting for all the books to be out now is the perfect time to binge them all and climb over the Woodward Wall and go on an amazing adventure through the Up and Under that won't leave anyone that enters the same as when they arrived. I can't wait to read this series all over again!!!
January 4, 2024
A truly modern fairy tale that feels like an old story recently recovered. A beautiful, tender impossible story that far surpasses it’s predecessor adult series, Middlegame. Though that being said, these books almost convince me that I should go back and try Middlegame again.
September 13, 2023
Read UNDER THE SMOKESTREWN SKY by A. Deborah Baker if you love inescapable endings, authorial digressions, hidden identities, candles, elements, embers, amnesia, impossibilities, sacrifices, bittersweet partings, the spaces between real & unreal, and things that burn.
I received a copy of this book for review.
I received a copy of this book for review.
September 17, 2023
This was the perfect ending to this adventure through the Up & Under. As Avery and Zib come to the end of their time away from their home world I found myself both sad to see this story end but also satisfied with the how A. Deborah Baker (Seanan McGuire) decided to wrap up this tale. Direct address was used masterfully in this final installment and was made all the better with the talented narration by Heath Miller. Overall, a wonderful end to a delightful series.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for early access to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 7, 2023
Not the ending I expected at all and I am not sure how I feel about the *very* end. Chapter 15 specifically felt a bit unsatisfying. The writing was stunning and story whimsical. I will need to reread the whole story again knowing what I know now and look at it with new eyes. For now though, I will say I enjoyed this tale and was entertained.
October 30, 2024
I quite enjoyed this installment of The Up and Under series. It wrapped up nicely without being too perfect. We had some twists and turns. And we didn’t lose any of the whimsy. I will forever love Seanan McGuire’s writing. However, I still stand firmly on the fact that this little novella series adds nothing to Middle Game. But it was still a fun little adventure.
October 30, 2023
Per leggere la recensione in blog cliccare qui:
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
https://ilconfinedeilibri.blogspot.co...
December 2, 2023
This was a very satisfying conclusion to the series. It makes me interested in what may be coming down the line for the Middlegame series.
May 10, 2024
I adore the crow girl but not much else about this left an impression.
October 18, 2023
McGuire ties her stories into a neat little bow, and while you're reading them, you will be pulled through loops and tied into knots and go into unexpected directions, and that's why the bow is so pretty by the end of it.
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