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Wayward Children #12
A Song of Sugar Sparrows
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27Nonsense and candy and the families we choose in the origin story of a beloved character in the latest installment of the Hugo Award-winning Wayward Children series.
Before there was Sumi, Promised Savior of Confection, there was Onishi Sumiko, a girl with no idea where she belonged.
Onishi Sumiko was born to be an invisible girl. The second child of immigrant parents, overshadowed by her brother, she seemed destined for a life of quiet obedience, never breaking free of the path that had been chosen for her.
Until a chance encounter with an impossible door sends her tumbling into a world of peppermint dreams and sugary nightmares, leaving her trapped in a candy-coated heart of darkness.
Forced to adapt to the world of Confection, where the rules are as unpredictable as they are nonsensical, Sumiko must decide whether she’s going to be a meek, logical victim of her own fate―or whether she’s going to stand up and become the illogical, impossible hero she was always meant to be.
Not all sweet dreams are safe ones, as Sumi will quickly discover for herself.
Before there was Sumi, Promised Savior of Confection, there was Onishi Sumiko, a girl with no idea where she belonged.
Onishi Sumiko was born to be an invisible girl. The second child of immigrant parents, overshadowed by her brother, she seemed destined for a life of quiet obedience, never breaking free of the path that had been chosen for her.
Until a chance encounter with an impossible door sends her tumbling into a world of peppermint dreams and sugary nightmares, leaving her trapped in a candy-coated heart of darkness.
Forced to adapt to the world of Confection, where the rules are as unpredictable as they are nonsensical, Sumiko must decide whether she’s going to be a meek, logical victim of her own fate―or whether she’s going to stand up and become the illogical, impossible hero she was always meant to be.
Not all sweet dreams are safe ones, as Sumi will quickly discover for herself.
160 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
About the author
Seanan McGuire
589 books17.4k followersHi! I'm Seanan McGuire, author of the Toby Daye series (Rosemary and Rue, A Local Habitation, An Artificial Night, Late Eclipses), as well as a lot of other things. I'm also Mira Grant (www.miragrant.com), author of Feed and Deadline.
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
Born and raised in Northern California, I fear weather and am remarkably laid-back about rattlesnakes. I watch too many horror movies, read too many comic books, and share my house with two monsters in feline form, Lilly and Alice (Siamese and Maine Coon).
I do not check this inbox. Please don't send me messages through Goodreads; they won't be answered. I don't want to have to delete this account. :(
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Want to Read
June 7, 20261.) Every Heart a Doorway ★★★★★
2.) Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★★
3.) Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★
4.) In an Absent Dream ★★★★★
5.) Come Tumbling Down ★★★
6.) Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★
7.) Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★★
8.) Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★★★
9.) Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★
10.) Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★★★
11.) Through Gates of Garnet and Gold ★★★★
2.) Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★★★
3.) Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★★★
4.) In an Absent Dream ★★★★★
5.) Come Tumbling Down ★★★
6.) Across the Green Grass Fields ★★★★
7.) Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★★
8.) Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★★★
9.) Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★
10.) Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★★★
11.) Through Gates of Garnet and Gold ★★★★
Want to Read
April 13, 2026Book 11 was terrible, but I am dedicated.. Praying she doesn't fuck up Sumi's story
July 16, 2026
Review to come upon release. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the review copy.
This would have been five stars but the abrupt ending that may or may not be a cliffhanger (I have no information on the next one!) left me feeling less than sated. Sigh.
Really enjoyed this one. Hope we get a continuation with more of Sumi’s backstory.
This would have been five stars but the abrupt ending that may or may not be a cliffhanger (I have no information on the next one!) left me feeling less than sated. Sigh.
Really enjoyed this one. Hope we get a continuation with more of Sumi’s backstory.
Want to Read
August 19, 2026my Logical ass has never been a fan of Confection and get your pitchforks ready because i'm gonna admit that i just do not like Sumi (as a character - her story arc, great). HOWEVERRRRR this sounds promising!
Want to Read
April 25, 2026Previous installments:
1. Every Heart a Doorway ★★
2. Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★
3. Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★
4. In an Absent Dream ★★★★
5. Come Tumbling Down ★★★
6. Across the Green Grass Fields ★★
7. Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★
8. Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★
9. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★
10. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★★
11. Through Gates of Garnet and Gold ★★★
Short stories set in this series:
4.5 Juice Like Wounds ★★★
7.5 In Mercy, Rain ★★
7.7 Skeleton Song ★★★
1. Every Heart a Doorway ★★
2. Down Among the Sticks and Bones ★★★
3. Beneath the Sugar Sky ★★
4. In an Absent Dream ★★★★
5. Come Tumbling Down ★★★
6. Across the Green Grass Fields ★★
7. Where the Drowned Girls Go ★★
8. Lost in the Moment and Found ★★★
9. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known ★★★
10. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear ★★★
11. Through Gates of Garnet and Gold ★★★
Short stories set in this series:
4.5 Juice Like Wounds ★★★
7.5 In Mercy, Rain ★★
7.7 Skeleton Song ★★★
Want to Read
April 16, 2026As i said in my #11 review and it is the truest truth -
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Tordotcom for the eARC to read and review before release day!
A Song of Sugar Sparrows takes us along on Sumi’s journey through her door to the world of Confection, where she’s determined to set right the wrongs the Queen of Cakes has committed and slay her.
Another Wayward Children book means a return to whimsy and joy. It makes me feel giddy reading these books.
When this book was announced, I thought it was interesting that Seanan wanted to return to Sumi’s story once again, especially after all the information we got in Beneath a Sugar Sky! However, this book still provided so much interesting detail to a story we all thought we knew fully!
I especially loved how we got to see “before Confection” Sumi. We’re told about how she was before she went to Confection, but this is the first time we truly see Sumi before she adapts to the wacky nonsense of Confection. It’s a very interesting contrast to how we’re all so used to seeing Sumi and made for an interesting progression as this book played out! Slowly she became the Sumi we’re all so familiar with, goofy, weird, nonsensical, and I really enjoyed seeing the start and the finish of that development!
Similarity with Confection itself! We get to see it in Beneath a Sugar Sky, but I think this book gives an even deeper look at the place! Yes, we know something more brutal is going on in Confection from Sumi’s accounts of it, but it’s still presented as this wacky, nonsensical candyland. Before this book, we didn’t get to spend nearly enough time in it to truly know it, but this books allows for a much bigger exploration of it, the sweet and sour sides of it. Even with Sumi recounting the rebellion and harsher aspects of Confection in the other Wayward books, it’s still told with this sort of bubblegum tint to it. In this book, that’s all stripped away and we get the nitty gritty of everything. Seanan still does a brilliant job of keeping with the whimsy and playfulness of a world made out of sweets and candy, while still highlighting that Sumi’s time there wasn’t completely perfect!
As per usual, this was fun and whimsical and I had a great time. The descriptions of Confection made my teeth buzz with a fake sugar rush, and I will always be so in love with this world of Doors and the kids who find something magical when they step through them!
Thank you again to Tordotcom for the eARC to read and review before it releases on January 11, 2027!
A Song of Sugar Sparrows takes us along on Sumi’s journey through her door to the world of Confection, where she’s determined to set right the wrongs the Queen of Cakes has committed and slay her.
Another Wayward Children book means a return to whimsy and joy. It makes me feel giddy reading these books.
When this book was announced, I thought it was interesting that Seanan wanted to return to Sumi’s story once again, especially after all the information we got in Beneath a Sugar Sky! However, this book still provided so much interesting detail to a story we all thought we knew fully!
I especially loved how we got to see “before Confection” Sumi. We’re told about how she was before she went to Confection, but this is the first time we truly see Sumi before she adapts to the wacky nonsense of Confection. It’s a very interesting contrast to how we’re all so used to seeing Sumi and made for an interesting progression as this book played out! Slowly she became the Sumi we’re all so familiar with, goofy, weird, nonsensical, and I really enjoyed seeing the start and the finish of that development!
Similarity with Confection itself! We get to see it in Beneath a Sugar Sky, but I think this book gives an even deeper look at the place! Yes, we know something more brutal is going on in Confection from Sumi’s accounts of it, but it’s still presented as this wacky, nonsensical candyland. Before this book, we didn’t get to spend nearly enough time in it to truly know it, but this books allows for a much bigger exploration of it, the sweet and sour sides of it. Even with Sumi recounting the rebellion and harsher aspects of Confection in the other Wayward books, it’s still told with this sort of bubblegum tint to it. In this book, that’s all stripped away and we get the nitty gritty of everything. Seanan still does a brilliant job of keeping with the whimsy and playfulness of a world made out of sweets and candy, while still highlighting that Sumi’s time there wasn’t completely perfect!
As per usual, this was fun and whimsical and I had a great time. The descriptions of Confection made my teeth buzz with a fake sugar rush, and I will always be so in love with this world of Doors and the kids who find something magical when they step through them!
Thank you again to Tordotcom for the eARC to read and review before it releases on January 11, 2027!
Read
July 13, 2026** THE VERSION OF THIS BOOK THAT I READ WAS AN ARC **
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Electronic ARC provided by Edelweiss.
A Song of Sugar Sparrows is the newest Wayward Children novella, taking us once again into the past, this time to get the missing parts of Sumi's backstory. Sumi has never been my favorite character in the series, and so I was surprised by how much I liked her story. Seeing the glimpses of her childhood and years in Confection adds so much to her character and actually makes me want to go back and read all of the previous Sumi parts of the series so that I can see the whole story in order.
This novella starts off by describing Sumi's family and her childhood in our world. After a relatively normal childhood (better then some, not as good as others), Sumi falls through a chalk drawn door on her 12th birthday and into a sea of strawberry soda. Suddenly nothing makes sense anymore, and the rules that have defined her are gone.
Since we know very well what happens to Sumi after this story, it inevitably ends with a rather abrupt seeming cliffhanger (hence the desire to go revisit the other stories that feature her). The best thing about A Song of Sugar Sparrows was how well Seanan McGuire managed to show that although Sumi may seem frustratingly nonsensical to her fellow door lost schoolmates, she makes perfect sense in her own world. If you've enjoyed the Wayward Children books then Sugar Sparrows is another entertaining glimpse into that world.
A Song of Sugar Sparrows is the newest Wayward Children novella, taking us once again into the past, this time to get the missing parts of Sumi's backstory. Sumi has never been my favorite character in the series, and so I was surprised by how much I liked her story. Seeing the glimpses of her childhood and years in Confection adds so much to her character and actually makes me want to go back and read all of the previous Sumi parts of the series so that I can see the whole story in order.
This novella starts off by describing Sumi's family and her childhood in our world. After a relatively normal childhood (better then some, not as good as others), Sumi falls through a chalk drawn door on her 12th birthday and into a sea of strawberry soda. Suddenly nothing makes sense anymore, and the rules that have defined her are gone.
Since we know very well what happens to Sumi after this story, it inevitably ends with a rather abrupt seeming cliffhanger (hence the desire to go revisit the other stories that feature her). The best thing about A Song of Sugar Sparrows was how well Seanan McGuire managed to show that although Sumi may seem frustratingly nonsensical to her fellow door lost schoolmates, she makes perfect sense in her own world. If you've enjoyed the Wayward Children books then Sugar Sparrows is another entertaining glimpse into that world.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.5 of 5
I’m a big fan of fairy tales, particularly the kind where you’re never quite sure whether the magical world you’ve discovered is going to be wonderful, dangerous, or both. And that's definitely the sort of treasure you'll find when you open a Seanan McGuire book. McGuire's A Song of Sugar Sparrows happens to be part of the Wayward Children series - probably my favorite McGuire series - although when I started reading it I really wasn't sure if it was. The tone is noticeably lighter and more playful than some of the other books in the series.
Sumiko is a twelve-year-old girl who has learned to be quiet, polite, and largely invisible, especially when compared with her older brother. Then, on her birthday, she encounters an impossible door and falls through it into Confection, a bizarre world made up of candy, sweets, and completely nonsensical rules. What initially looks like a wonderful escape turns out to have its own dangers, and Sumiko has to figure out where she belongs and what she is willing to do to survive.
The creative fairy-tale atmosphere is what really worked for me. McGuire has a lot of fun with the idea of a world built around sugar and nonsense, and there are some wonderfully imaginative touches throughout. At the same time, there is enough darkness underneath all that sweetness to keep the story from becoming simply cute. Confection may look like a child's dream, but it isn't necessarily a safe place.
I also liked the way Sumiko's age changes the feel of the story. She is young enough that the experience has the quality of a classic children's fairy tale—one of those stories where a child disappears into another world and has to find her way home—but the book still has some of McGuire's familiar themes about family, belonging, and finding a place where you make sense.
My one hesitation is that, knowing this is connected to the Wayward Children books, I kept expecting something a little more in keeping with the darker and more complicated tone of some of the earlier stories. Instead, this feels more like a story that could be read aloud to an older child who enjoys fantasy and fairy tales. In fact, I could easily imagine reading this one at bedtime.
Looking for a good book? If you enjoy imaginative fantasy, fairy tales, and stories about children discovering worlds beyond the ordinary, A Song of Sugar Sparrows is a charming addition to Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children universe and can definitely be read as a stand-alone story.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, though Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I’m a big fan of fairy tales, particularly the kind where you’re never quite sure whether the magical world you’ve discovered is going to be wonderful, dangerous, or both. And that's definitely the sort of treasure you'll find when you open a Seanan McGuire book. McGuire's A Song of Sugar Sparrows happens to be part of the Wayward Children series - probably my favorite McGuire series - although when I started reading it I really wasn't sure if it was. The tone is noticeably lighter and more playful than some of the other books in the series.
Sumiko is a twelve-year-old girl who has learned to be quiet, polite, and largely invisible, especially when compared with her older brother. Then, on her birthday, she encounters an impossible door and falls through it into Confection, a bizarre world made up of candy, sweets, and completely nonsensical rules. What initially looks like a wonderful escape turns out to have its own dangers, and Sumiko has to figure out where she belongs and what she is willing to do to survive.
The creative fairy-tale atmosphere is what really worked for me. McGuire has a lot of fun with the idea of a world built around sugar and nonsense, and there are some wonderfully imaginative touches throughout. At the same time, there is enough darkness underneath all that sweetness to keep the story from becoming simply cute. Confection may look like a child's dream, but it isn't necessarily a safe place.
I also liked the way Sumiko's age changes the feel of the story. She is young enough that the experience has the quality of a classic children's fairy tale—one of those stories where a child disappears into another world and has to find her way home—but the book still has some of McGuire's familiar themes about family, belonging, and finding a place where you make sense.
My one hesitation is that, knowing this is connected to the Wayward Children books, I kept expecting something a little more in keeping with the darker and more complicated tone of some of the earlier stories. Instead, this feels more like a story that could be read aloud to an older child who enjoys fantasy and fairy tales. In fact, I could easily imagine reading this one at bedtime.
Looking for a good book? If you enjoy imaginative fantasy, fairy tales, and stories about children discovering worlds beyond the ordinary, A Song of Sugar Sparrows is a charming addition to Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children universe and can definitely be read as a stand-alone story.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, though Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this deeper dive into Sumi’s backstory and her time in Confection. I love the world of Confection. I enjoy the juxtaposition of the bright candy laden place with the darker elements of the queen the rebellion.I love the nonsense worlds and I really enjoyed this book.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which did not affect my review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which did not affect my review.
September 20, 2026
Absolutely adore that we finally get Sumi’s story, nonsense and all.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I appreciated getting to read Sumi’s backstory because we hear a lot about it in Every Heart a Doorway and Beneath the Sugar Sky. Admittedly, I remember virtually nothing from either of those books because I read them so long ago, so much of this book felt new to me. However, I went back after finishing this book and read summaries of EHAD and BTSS and it was cool to see all the connections as well as the things that are only mentioned in those two books that are heavily expanded upon here. The first 2 chapters of this book were amazing setup with Sumi’s home life and her family situation, and I thought it was all very well-drawn and emotional. Then, I was really excited to return to Confection because it’s one of the most intriguing worlds to me. Nonsensical settings can be hit or miss for me, but I like the way Seanan McGuire writes about Confection. The vibes and the atmosphere are so vivid, and while it can be hard to picture mechanics of this because they deliberately do not follow logic, the aesthetics of the world are top-notch. The plot here is quite slow and it’s a lot of planning instead of doing which is why I gave this 3 stars. I knew the ending would not be super satisfying because of what we already know of Sumi’s backstory, but this book had one of the most abrupt “conclusions” I’ve ever read. One second it seems like you’re about to enter the climax of the story, and the next second the book is ending with little to no resolution. Of course, you can go and read EHAD and BTSS, but I still feel like there could have been an epilogue or something to wrap things up. As always though, the writing is beautiful, with so many hard-hitting metaphors. The characters are also quite intriguing, and I liked reading about all of them, especially the Captain and Ponder. Sumi is a cool protagonist, but again, I do wish we could have gotten more of the loose ends tied up. Since this is book 12 and we already know what happens in the future for her, a final chapter would have made the book and story feel more complete. All in all, a solid entry in the series with some really cool elements and a quick read overall.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Song of Sugar Sparrows by Seanan McGuire is the twelfth book in the Wayward Children series and this one is Sumi's backstory. If you have read some of the previous books, you are probably familiar with Sumi but this story reveals how she turned into the character you meet in book one.
I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of the nonsense worlds or of Sumi in this series so I was kind of wary before going into this one but I ended up really enjoying it! I think seeing Sumi's world and how whimsical it was made it a lot of fun. There were so many descriptions of things that made it feel like a very fully realized place. Like I was craving a strawberry soda after reading this one. And while it feels very sunshine and rainbows, there are some darker elements to it as well that you discover while reading.
I think seeing how Sumi was before she entered her door made me like her a lot more. She really did not feel like she fit in and then once she fell through her door, she had a lot of questions about things. I loved a lot of the side characters and thought that the way they talked to Sumi really added a fun element to the story just because their world is so much different than the regular world.
I do get a little tired of the nonsense worlds because as a more logic based person, I just have a hard time wrapping my head around everything. I much prefer the more logical worlds in some of the other books. But I can also see some readers being the complete opposite and preferring entries like this in the series!
I think that this is a solid entry in the series. Not my favorite but it added a lot of extra background on a character I didn't really like before reading this one. I think if you played Candyland for hours growing up, you could really enjoy this one! I just love this series so much. I could read a thousand more of these books and be happy!
I will admit, I am not the biggest fan of the nonsense worlds or of Sumi in this series so I was kind of wary before going into this one but I ended up really enjoying it! I think seeing Sumi's world and how whimsical it was made it a lot of fun. There were so many descriptions of things that made it feel like a very fully realized place. Like I was craving a strawberry soda after reading this one. And while it feels very sunshine and rainbows, there are some darker elements to it as well that you discover while reading.
I think seeing how Sumi was before she entered her door made me like her a lot more. She really did not feel like she fit in and then once she fell through her door, she had a lot of questions about things. I loved a lot of the side characters and thought that the way they talked to Sumi really added a fun element to the story just because their world is so much different than the regular world.
I do get a little tired of the nonsense worlds because as a more logic based person, I just have a hard time wrapping my head around everything. I much prefer the more logical worlds in some of the other books. But I can also see some readers being the complete opposite and preferring entries like this in the series!
I think that this is a solid entry in the series. Not my favorite but it added a lot of extra background on a character I didn't really like before reading this one. I think if you played Candyland for hours growing up, you could really enjoy this one! I just love this series so much. I could read a thousand more of these books and be happy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy.
3.25/5 stars.
We all have been waiting for Sumi’s story, and now we finally get it. I have a feeling that this one will be divisive among readers; although, I personally believe that it was well done and logical—not Confection, the character development—given the Sumi we know in the future. That was honestly the main factor I was keeping an eye on while reading through, especially given how the start of the story went. As previously stated, I believe that McGuire did well in molding the young Sumi into the one that we already knew through this adventure. Each different quirk and tendency seemed to be noted and developed on throughout. I will admit that I burst out laughing at the ending. I really should have seen it coming given what we already knew, but it still got me good.
The other aspect that this book got me thinking about was how logical the seeming “nonsense” Confection is. Sure, to the people who enter it from outside it seems irrational and nonsensical, but for everyone already there and those who live there long enough, it is perfectly logical, following a set of rules that rarely seem to bend. Kade really does need to do some shoring up on the whole compass system.
In any case, while this was not my favourite installment, I certainly enjoyed it and happily look forward to the next one!
3.25/5 stars.
We all have been waiting for Sumi’s story, and now we finally get it. I have a feeling that this one will be divisive among readers; although, I personally believe that it was well done and logical—not Confection, the character development—given the Sumi we know in the future. That was honestly the main factor I was keeping an eye on while reading through, especially given how the start of the story went. As previously stated, I believe that McGuire did well in molding the young Sumi into the one that we already knew through this adventure. Each different quirk and tendency seemed to be noted and developed on throughout. I will admit that I burst out laughing at the ending. I really should have seen it coming given what we already knew, but it still got me good.
The other aspect that this book got me thinking about was how logical the seeming “nonsense” Confection is. Sure, to the people who enter it from outside it seems irrational and nonsensical, but for everyone already there and those who live there long enough, it is perfectly logical, following a set of rules that rarely seem to bend. Kade really does need to do some shoring up on the whole compass system.
In any case, while this was not my favourite installment, I certainly enjoyed it and happily look forward to the next one!
July 9, 2026
Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this eARC!
I'm Wayward Children down (and just met Seanan McGuire at an event!), and Sumi is one of the major players in the series. I loved the further world building of Confection (chickens, who?) and the pirate captain and getting to spend time with Ponder and his family. Maybe I need to adjust my expectations for these books, especially this late in the series. This very much reads like a chapter, not an entire book. I was so taken out by the ending, which feels like the most abrupt in the series. I still find these books really magical and well-written, and I know being jerked between worlds is what the characters experience, but I feel like this one could have used a few more pages. I also may need to go reread the Sumi books to see how this all fits now that we have most of? All of? her story. I said in my last review that we maybe needed 2 more books, but now I'm curious about how many we will get. I'm in on them, but I'd love the next one to feel a little more complete.
I'm Wayward Children down (and just met Seanan McGuire at an event!), and Sumi is one of the major players in the series. I loved the further world building of Confection (chickens, who?) and the pirate captain and getting to spend time with Ponder and his family. Maybe I need to adjust my expectations for these books, especially this late in the series. This very much reads like a chapter, not an entire book. I was so taken out by the ending, which feels like the most abrupt in the series. I still find these books really magical and well-written, and I know being jerked between worlds is what the characters experience, but I feel like this one could have used a few more pages. I also may need to go reread the Sumi books to see how this all fits now that we have most of? All of? her story. I said in my last review that we maybe needed 2 more books, but now I'm curious about how many we will get. I'm in on them, but I'd love the next one to feel a little more complete.
September 13, 2026
Review of advance copy from NetGalley
In this latest installment of the Wayward Children series we are taken to the world of Confection. We all know and love Sumi, and we finally get to explore the world that made her the person she is today. 12 year old Sumi was a person of logic and lived her life in the shadow of her older brother David. Her life took a twisted turn on her 12th birthday when she walked into the door of Confection. A world made of sugar, which sounds magical and inviting, but it has a dark side. Sumi has to abandon her logical side and find her own logic in a world of nonsense. She finds friends as well as enemies and may be the hero Confection needs. I enjoyed learning about Sumi and her adventures in Confection and finally hearing a bit of her story before being transported to this nonsense world. Seanan’s prose is very descriptive and detailed, so you can picture everything in your mind, from the gingerbread floors of the treehouse to the icing used to seal them. All in all, it was a fun and fast paced story with a few surprises! Thank you NetGalley and Tor/Forge for this ARC!
In this latest installment of the Wayward Children series we are taken to the world of Confection. We all know and love Sumi, and we finally get to explore the world that made her the person she is today. 12 year old Sumi was a person of logic and lived her life in the shadow of her older brother David. Her life took a twisted turn on her 12th birthday when she walked into the door of Confection. A world made of sugar, which sounds magical and inviting, but it has a dark side. Sumi has to abandon her logical side and find her own logic in a world of nonsense. She finds friends as well as enemies and may be the hero Confection needs. I enjoyed learning about Sumi and her adventures in Confection and finally hearing a bit of her story before being transported to this nonsense world. Seanan’s prose is very descriptive and detailed, so you can picture everything in your mind, from the gingerbread floors of the treehouse to the icing used to seal them. All in all, it was a fun and fast paced story with a few surprises! Thank you NetGalley and Tor/Forge for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Song of Sugar Sparrows by Seanan McGuire is the twelfth installment in the Wayward Children series and finally gives us Sumi’s story. We get to see her life before and after she goes through her door, filling in more of the story behind one of the series’ most beloved characters.
Sumi has always been a favorite of mine with her sweet, sugary nonsense and larger-than-life personality, so I was thrilled to finally get a book dedicated to her. McGuire did a wonderful job capturing what makes Sumi so special while giving us a deeper look at her journey.
The ending is definitely abrupt and may not work for every reader. Personally, I understand why McGuire chose to end the story where she did, especially since we get to see more of Sumi’s story through other characters’ books in the series. It felt more like a piece of her larger story rather than a completely standalone ending.
Overall, I thought this was another wonderful addition to the Wayward Children series. I will happily continue following these characters wherever McGuire takes them, and I cannot wait for the next story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Sumi has always been a favorite of mine with her sweet, sugary nonsense and larger-than-life personality, so I was thrilled to finally get a book dedicated to her. McGuire did a wonderful job capturing what makes Sumi so special while giving us a deeper look at her journey.
The ending is definitely abrupt and may not work for every reader. Personally, I understand why McGuire chose to end the story where she did, especially since we get to see more of Sumi’s story through other characters’ books in the series. It felt more like a piece of her larger story rather than a completely standalone ending.
Overall, I thought this was another wonderful addition to the Wayward Children series. I will happily continue following these characters wherever McGuire takes them, and I cannot wait for the next story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2026
Talk about a cliffhanger! Now I know what happens, in a way, because I have read all the other books in this series, but I was REALLY invested here and to have it end like that, sucked a little, because it really left me on the edge of my seat.
If I had one complaint about this series, and to be clear I have truly enjoyed every installment, it is that the stories jump around so much that I feel as if I am in a nonsense world myself. It is hard to keep track sometimes. We have heard quite a bit of Sumi’s story, and I was loving getting more details. I also have to say that I don’t remember if I have already read the conclusion of it, because of all the jumping around, so I was left feeling incredibly unsatisfied!
This was a great and beautifully written installment, I hate that I have to wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
If I had one complaint about this series, and to be clear I have truly enjoyed every installment, it is that the stories jump around so much that I feel as if I am in a nonsense world myself. It is hard to keep track sometimes. We have heard quite a bit of Sumi’s story, and I was loving getting more details. I also have to say that I don’t remember if I have already read the conclusion of it, because of all the jumping around, so I was left feeling incredibly unsatisfied!
This was a great and beautifully written installment, I hate that I have to wait for more!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Seanan McGuire’s imagination never ceases to delight! Her beautiful prose illuminates truths that tear at your heart and I find myself stopping and rereading just to bask in the words. The world building is fantastical - a sea of strawberry soda, a ship made of chocolate, a bed made of spongecake. The plot is spellbinding & adventurous - pirates, confectioners, & a wicked queen. But it's the endearing characters & the sometimes complicated relationships which are so gracefully considered that really immersed me in the story. She expertly details Sumi's experiences and brings her emotions to life.
The Wayward Children series is one of my favourites, and after I finish reading each story, my heart always feels a little more full. A Song of Sugar Sparrow was no exception.
Be sure.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group | Tordotcom for the advance review copy; all thoughts are my own.
The Wayward Children series is one of my favourites, and after I finish reading each story, my heart always feels a little more full. A Song of Sugar Sparrow was no exception.
Be sure.
Many thanks to NetGalley & Tor Publishing Group | Tordotcom for the advance review copy; all thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Finally we get Sumi's backstory and her time when she first arrived in Confection.
Although the world itself is not unfamiliar to the readers, I absolutely devoured reading Sumi's character arc from a strict logical girl to the one we have grown to love. Like some of the other books in the series, this one is wholly about Sumi and features no other students or side quests.
At this point, I would direct new readers to the first book in the series as this is not a standalone and requires some peripheral knowledge of Sumi. As a seasoned reader, I will once again be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Tordotcom, and Seanan McGuire for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Although the world itself is not unfamiliar to the readers, I absolutely devoured reading Sumi's character arc from a strict logical girl to the one we have grown to love. Like some of the other books in the series, this one is wholly about Sumi and features no other students or side quests.
At this point, I would direct new readers to the first book in the series as this is not a standalone and requires some peripheral knowledge of Sumi. As a seasoned reader, I will once again be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Tordotcom, and Seanan McGuire for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
We finally come to Sumi's story.
Sumiko is a quiet and polite and well-behaved child, in deliberate opposition to her older brother. When she accidentally falls through a Door, she finds herself in a Nonsense world built of sugar: cookies, cakes, chocolate, peppermints, gingerbread, gummy fishes, and eggs that grow on trees. She also finds a loving, happy family for the first time. But Confection is not a Utopia, despite sweets at every meal. The Queen of Cakes is a tyrant, living by whim and running roughshod over her subjects. Sumi needs to change that.
A good extension of the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sumiko is a quiet and polite and well-behaved child, in deliberate opposition to her older brother. When she accidentally falls through a Door, she finds herself in a Nonsense world built of sugar: cookies, cakes, chocolate, peppermints, gingerbread, gummy fishes, and eggs that grow on trees. She also finds a loving, happy family for the first time. But Confection is not a Utopia, despite sweets at every meal. The Queen of Cakes is a tyrant, living by whim and running roughshod over her subjects. Sumi needs to change that.
A good extension of the series.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Want to Read
October 10, 2026Why I Can’t Wait to Fall Through Another Door in 2027
There is something deeply comforting about knowing that every January, Seanan McGuire will hand us another doorway, another broken child, and another strange, wondrous world that feels like coming home. If you’ve been following the Wayward Children series as long as I have, you know the exquisite ache of these novellas: that quiet, persistent longing for a realm where you truly fit, paired with the heartbreaking reality of what it costs to survive it.
With A Song of Sugar Sparrows slated for release on January 12, 2027, book twelve is already shaping up to be one of my most anticipated reads of the coming year.
There is something deeply comforting about knowing that every January, Seanan McGuire will hand us another doorway, another broken child, and another strange, wondrous world that feels like coming home. If you’ve been following the Wayward Children series as long as I have, you know the exquisite ache of these novellas: that quiet, persistent longing for a realm where you truly fit, paired with the heartbreaking reality of what it costs to survive it.
With A Song of Sugar Sparrows slated for release on January 12, 2027, book twelve is already shaping up to be one of my most anticipated reads of the coming year.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As always, this is one of my favorite series, though I should probably reread Beneath the Sugar Sky because it’s been about six years. I did love revisiting this world and finding out Rini’s origin story, but as always, I wanted more! Another great book in the series.
Sumi Onishi was born the second child to immigrant parents; she was the opposite of her older brother and often went unnoticed. She was finally able to walk home on her own on her 12th birthday when a door appeared and sent her tumbling into the world of Confection—a sugary world that doesn’t quite make any sense. As Sumi adapts to the new world she has found, she is also discovering who she is truly meant to be.
Sumi Onishi was born the second child to immigrant parents; she was the opposite of her older brother and often went unnoticed. She was finally able to walk home on her own on her 12th birthday when a door appeared and sent her tumbling into the world of Confection—a sugary world that doesn’t quite make any sense. As Sumi adapts to the new world she has found, she is also discovering who she is truly meant to be.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Although the book was very creative, it was somewhat repetitive. I do believe that the beginning of the story was trying to show that you should hang onto your culture even if you move somewhere new. The relationship between the older brother and sister were pretty relatable to many sibling rivalries. The fact that Sumiko had to suffer and not be able to do things because of all of the things that her brother did before her was pretty sad. I feel like the story ended abruptly and that there need to be just a little more.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I've loved this series since I read Every Heart A Doorway for the 2017 Alex Award committee. Every "even" book is in an imaginative world (that usually feels familiar, if you've read a lot of other materials, like Frankenstein, Goblin Market, etc.) and every "odd" book is set in the world of the Home for Wayward Children and honestly? I don't know which I prefer. Luckily, we still have some books left in the series, and there's always re-reading.
I won't spoil which world we're in (it's a world we've seen before, just from a different perspective) and what I suspect McGuire's riffing on, just read it. It won't matter if this is your first book or if you've been reading since that first one, or something in between, it's just wonderful.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
I won't spoil which world we're in (it's a world we've seen before, just from a different perspective) and what I suspect McGuire's riffing on, just read it. It won't matter if this is your first book or if you've been reading since that first one, or something in between, it's just wonderful.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This series is SO GOOD. And while I knew, internally, about what was going to happen... I was lost in the story, and I was SO rooting for Sumi... That ending was mean!!!! Like, I know!!! But oh my WORD. However, I loved seeing Confection, and I loved getting more world-building, and I cannot wait to know about when Sumi gets to go back home and get her final revenge and end the Queen of Cakes.
Absolutely wonderful, and I cannot wait to see what the next installment brings!
Thank you for the ARC!
Absolutely wonderful, and I cannot wait to see what the next installment brings!
Thank you for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Finally Sumi's backstory -- hooray, but also ugh, quite the cliffhanger-tie-in to where we've met her previously. I generally don't enjoy time-travel-y things, but I like what McGuire is doing with it in this case. It definitely leaves you wanting more. Long time series fans will no doubt enjoy this. Newcomers would be better off starting with Every Heart a Doorway.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss.
September 17, 2026
I know everyone is eagerly waiting for Kade's story. I'd also happily take Christopher's. But we get another look into Sumi's backstory, and it's satisfying enough. There are some things that didn't quite line up for me--mostly that Confection doesn't seem nearly Nonsensical enough, and the rules explained in earlier books don't apply in this one. I get frustrated with stories when the rules change.
It's always nice to get a Wayward Children book without Nancy, Jack, or Jill.
It's always nice to get a Wayward Children book without Nancy, Jack, or Jill.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'm always so excited to read the latest in this series (we're up to #12!) and this version is my favorite--- getting the backstory of one of the main characters and the world they inhabited. I'll admit I didn't remember a ton about Sumi since she featured in such early books in the series, but her world was still so fun to read about. The ending was a tiny bit abrupt, but still really enjoyed this!
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