What do you think?
Rate this book
The Up-and-Under #3
Into the Windwracked Wilds
Adventurous readers of Kelly Barnhill and Cat Valente's Fairyland books will be sure to soar among the dark marvels that can be found in Into the Windwracked Wilds, by Seanan McGuire's open pseudonym, A. Deborah Baker.
When the improbable road leaves Avery and Zib in the land of Air and at the mercy of the Queen of Swords, escape without becoming monsters may be impossible. But with the aid of the Queen's son, the unpredictable Jack Daw, they may emerge with enough of their humanity to someday make it home. Their journey is not yet over; the dangers are no less great.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
When the improbable road leaves Avery and Zib in the land of Air and at the mercy of the Queen of Swords, escape without becoming monsters may be impossible. But with the aid of the Queen's son, the unpredictable Jack Daw, they may emerge with enough of their humanity to someday make it home. Their journey is not yet over; the dangers are no less great.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 25, 2022
45 people are currently reading
3184 people want to read
About the author
A. Deborah Baker
5 books406 followersPen name for Seanan McGuire writing for the Over the Woodward Wall series. Also a character mentioned in the book Middlegame
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
December 31, 2024
**3.5-stars rounded up**
🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬
Into the Windwracked Wilds is the third installment to Seanan McGuire's, writing here as A. Deborah Baker, The Up-and-Under series.
This fantastical series is connected to McGuire's tour de force of SFF, Middlegame, and is perfect for Readers of all ages.
If you haven't read the first two books in this series, Over the Woodward Wall and Along the Saltwise Sea, proceed with a little bit of caution, as some things I mention herein could be considered spoilery.
Now is your chance to turn back. I am only saying this once.
The series follows two children, Zib and Avery, 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 different world, known as the Up-and-Under.
In the first novel, they travel through a magical forest while following the improbable road and the second book finds them traversing the Saltwise Sea. Along the way they collect new friends, encounter challenges to overcome and enemies to out-maneuver.
After a final, very Pinocchio-esque, adventure on the Saltwise Sea, Avery, Zib, the Crow Girl and Niamh, finally find themselves on dry land.
More specifically, they've entered the Land of Air, ruled by the intimidating Queen of Swords, who is known to have a habit of turning people into monsters. Although, by this definition the Crow Girl would be considered a monster and we love the Crow Girl!
It doesn't take long before they come across Jack Daw, the Queen's son, but he's giving off a serious vibe that he's not too crazy about Mommy Dearest.
Can he be trusted though, or is he playing double agent with our intrepid heroes?
They eventually end up at the castle and have to stay on their toes at all times to avoid being tricked by this Queen. She is a devious one indeed.
Will they all be able to make it out in one piece? At this point, Zib and Avery are beyond ready to get home to their parents. But the Queen of Swords is tricky and coming out on top is going to take all their mental stamina. She may be their biggest challenge yet.
After a bit of a slow start, this wrapped up with an absolutely beautiful ending. Once they finally made it to land was when it really started to pick up for me. The Queen was quite the character. She's got the dangerous, evil Queen thing down and I was living for it.
The intensity was high once they reached the castle. I love these characters so much. I can't wait to see what's next. I'm really looking forward to the 4th-book, when I believe we'll be entering the Land of Fire.
McGuire's writing, as always, continues to impress. There's such intention behind every word. The nuance is stunning and truly mind-boggling.
This entire world, the connection to the Alchemical Journeys series, the characters and the lore of it all is so fun to read and think about. There are so many layers, it's the type of thing you could read over and over and still find new things each time.
I love that kind of story and will definitely continue to pick up anything in this world for as long as McGuire is putting them out.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I just adore this series and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, whimsical read.
🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬 🌈🌬
Into the Windwracked Wilds is the third installment to Seanan McGuire's, writing here as A. Deborah Baker, The Up-and-Under series.
This fantastical series is connected to McGuire's tour de force of SFF, Middlegame, and is perfect for Readers of all ages.
If you haven't read the first two books in this series, Over the Woodward Wall and Along the Saltwise Sea, proceed with a little bit of caution, as some things I mention herein could be considered spoilery.
Now is your chance to turn back. I am only saying this once.
The series follows two children, Zib and Avery, 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 different world, known as the Up-and-Under.
In the first novel, they travel through a magical forest while following the improbable road and the second book finds them traversing the Saltwise Sea. Along the way they collect new friends, encounter challenges to overcome and enemies to out-maneuver.
After a final, very Pinocchio-esque, adventure on the Saltwise Sea, Avery, Zib, the Crow Girl and Niamh, finally find themselves on dry land.
More specifically, they've entered the Land of Air, ruled by the intimidating Queen of Swords, who is known to have a habit of turning people into monsters. Although, by this definition the Crow Girl would be considered a monster and we love the Crow Girl!
It doesn't take long before they come across Jack Daw, the Queen's son, but he's giving off a serious vibe that he's not too crazy about Mommy Dearest.
Can he be trusted though, or is he playing double agent with our intrepid heroes?
They eventually end up at the castle and have to stay on their toes at all times to avoid being tricked by this Queen. She is a devious one indeed.
Will they all be able to make it out in one piece? At this point, Zib and Avery are beyond ready to get home to their parents. But the Queen of Swords is tricky and coming out on top is going to take all their mental stamina. She may be their biggest challenge yet.
After a bit of a slow start, this wrapped up with an absolutely beautiful ending. Once they finally made it to land was when it really started to pick up for me. The Queen was quite the character. She's got the dangerous, evil Queen thing down and I was living for it.
The intensity was high once they reached the castle. I love these characters so much. I can't wait to see what's next. I'm really looking forward to the 4th-book, when I believe we'll be entering the Land of Fire.
McGuire's writing, as always, continues to impress. There's such intention behind every word. The nuance is stunning and truly mind-boggling.
This entire world, the connection to the Alchemical Journeys series, the characters and the lore of it all is so fun to read and think about. There are so many layers, it's the type of thing you could read over and over and still find new things each time.
I love that kind of story and will definitely continue to pick up anything in this world for as long as McGuire is putting them out.
Thank you to the publisher, Tor, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I just adore this series and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, whimsical read.
October 25, 2022
I have been in love with McGuire's writing since the first sentence. Then I found out she wrote these novels that play a vital part (as nocels) in the reality of the Alchemical Journeys series. Hence these being penned under the fictional writer and alchemist's name of A. Deborah Baker.
Avery and Zib are still on the Improbable Road with Crow Girl and the Drowned Girl. Only, things once again don't go quite according to plan. They don't exactly leave the road, at least not voluntarily, but they eventually end up in the lands of the Queen of Swords. And boy, that woman is a pill! Thankfully, her "son", Jack Daw, is there as well and while he is a little unpredictable, he might be the only hope the kids have of not being turned into monsters ... well, at least not 100%.
I'd say this book had the strongest cliffhanger of the series yet and so my long wait begins. *lol*
As usual and as already mentioned in my status updates, I love the situational humour but most of all, I'm in love with the author's erudite and literate way, HOW she writes these stories. Sure, Heath Miller's perfromance of the audiobook is downright enchanting (I told him so on Twitter even), but even if you read the print version, the text is simply gorgeous and thus spellbinding!
The only problem I always have with these books is how short they are. Yes, they are to the point and might lose quality if they were stretched out more, but but but ... *pouty face* ... I WANT MORE!
Can't wait to read the conclusion (I presume there will be only one more since we're following the tarot and that has 4 arcanas).
Avery and Zib are still on the Improbable Road with Crow Girl and the Drowned Girl. Only, things once again don't go quite according to plan. They don't exactly leave the road, at least not voluntarily, but they eventually end up in the lands of the Queen of Swords. And boy, that woman is a pill! Thankfully, her "son", Jack Daw, is there as well and while he is a little unpredictable, he might be the only hope the kids have of not being turned into monsters ... well, at least not 100%.
I'd say this book had the strongest cliffhanger of the series yet and so my long wait begins. *lol*
As usual and as already mentioned in my status updates, I love the situational humour but most of all, I'm in love with the author's erudite and literate way, HOW she writes these stories. Sure, Heath Miller's perfromance of the audiobook is downright enchanting (I told him so on Twitter even), but even if you read the print version, the text is simply gorgeous and thus spellbinding!
The only problem I always have with these books is how short they are. Yes, they are to the point and might lose quality if they were stretched out more, but but but ... *pouty face* ... I WANT MORE!
Can't wait to read the conclusion (I presume there will be only one more since we're following the tarot and that has 4 arcanas).
June 23, 2024
꒰ 5 ⭐ ꒱
aaaaaa the whimsy is whimsying(?) !!! this was such a great addition to the Up-and-Under series 🫶🏻 the characters felt even more endearing (if that was even possible), and i love how the children actually acted like children - making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, and simply wanting the best for their little group of friends 🫂
the Queen of Swords was also such an intriguing antagonist in this story! learning how she operates her whole scheme really brought depth to her character and made the whole situation more interesting from a morality perspective.
aaaaaa the whimsy is whimsying(?) !!! this was such a great addition to the Up-and-Under series 🫶🏻 the characters felt even more endearing (if that was even possible), and i love how the children actually acted like children - making mistakes, learning from those mistakes, and simply wanting the best for their little group of friends 🫂
the Queen of Swords was also such an intriguing antagonist in this story! learning how she operates her whole scheme really brought depth to her character and made the whole situation more interesting from a morality perspective.
October 25, 2022
Yet another step upon the improbable road. :)
I've been enjoying these quite alchemical books probably more because they're the actual fictional books showing up in the Middlegame series by Seanan, informing THAT series how to assume godlike powers, more than I enjoy it as a regular middle-grade YA adventure.
Of course, it's still fun as a middle-grade YA adventure and I'm always happy to see representations of heartless kids, crow girls, wind queens, and improbable roads. :)
Plus, this is Seanan, after all. I'm ALWAYS down for another Seanan because they're consistently wonderful. This is no different.
I've been enjoying these quite alchemical books probably more because they're the actual fictional books showing up in the Middlegame series by Seanan, informing THAT series how to assume godlike powers, more than I enjoy it as a regular middle-grade YA adventure.
Of course, it's still fun as a middle-grade YA adventure and I'm always happy to see representations of heartless kids, crow girls, wind queens, and improbable roads. :)
Plus, this is Seanan, after all. I'm ALWAYS down for another Seanan because they're consistently wonderful. This is no different.
November 9, 2022
The third book in this very meta series of childrens fantasy stories mentioned in Seanan McGuire's novel Middlegame, and I feel like it's getting a bit repetitive.
I loved the first two novellas in the series, and while I still had a reasonably good time with this third installment, I also have begun to feel it's taking a long time to get anywhere and I would like to see more plot progression and character development. That said, it's still whimsical, sometimes creepy, and has great moments. The second half of the story is much more engaging and dealing with the Queen of Swords is interesting.
Will I continue reading the series? Probably. But I feel less certain there is clearly planned progression to the books and I don't think this is as strong as the previous ones. I received an advance copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I loved the first two novellas in the series, and while I still had a reasonably good time with this third installment, I also have begun to feel it's taking a long time to get anywhere and I would like to see more plot progression and character development. That said, it's still whimsical, sometimes creepy, and has great moments. The second half of the story is much more engaging and dealing with the Queen of Swords is interesting.
Will I continue reading the series? Probably. But I feel less certain there is clearly planned progression to the books and I don't think this is as strong as the previous ones. I received an advance copy for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
October 25, 2023
#1) Over the Woodward Wall ★★★★☆
#2) Along the Saltwise Sea ★★★★☆
#4) Under the Smokestrewn Sky ★★★★☆
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
July 25, 2025
Hostile negotiations
Let's start with the question, "Who is A. Deborah Baker?" Well, Baker is a pseudonym of Seanan McGuire, But that is not all she is. Baker is a character in McGuire's splendid novel Middlegame. She (Baker) is an alchemist who, in the late 19th and early 20th century, put in motion a plan to rule the world (as one does). This plan involved Baker becoming inconveniently dead (but perhaps only temporarily) and constructing embodiments of Alchemical doctrines. In order to propagate her plan forward through this incapacitation, Baker publishes a series of fairy tales about two children, Avery and Zib, and their quest to travel the Improbable Road to the Impossible City.
So The Up and Under began life as a fictional series written by a fictional author. It is a mistake, I believe, to consider the Up and Under to be a series written by McGuire. (Yes, I know it is literally a series written by McGuire. But that is not the most useful view of it.) McGuire is enough of an imagineer to create an alchemist who is not herself and to have that alchemist write books that are not books that McGuire herself would have written. Throughout the Up-and-Under series you will see hints that these books are intended to be understood as having been written by A. Deborah Baker rather than Seanan McGuire. Those hints, however, are more subtle in this, the third book. Into the Windwracked Wilds feels more like a McGuire story than Over the Woodward Wall or Along the Saltwise Sea did.
This is, to my mind, an improvement. Baker is just not as good a story-teller as McGuire. She is distracted from story-telling by her nefarious purpose of sub rosa alchemical education. The characters of Woodward Wall tend to be personifications of abstract concepts, and as such, they are often not believable or easy to relate to.
At this point in the series, we are dealing mostly with characters who were or will be human. We begin the book with Avery, Zib, Niamh, and the Crow Girl. Avery and Zib are of course fully human (although to tell the truth Avery is too wooden to relate to). Niamh, the Drowned Girl, and the Crow Girl were once human. Niamh ceased being fully human when she drowned (duh...). The Crow Girl was made into a Crow Girl by the Queen of Swords, who took her heart and her name.
Avery and Zib, following the Improbable Road through the realms of the elements on their way to the Impossible City, have just passed through Water and are now to move on to Air. The ruler of Air is that self-same Queen of Swords, whose hobby is making inhuman monsters such as the Crow Girl. We start with a few transitional chapters (including a prolog "Reminders and Definitions" in which Baker deconstructs the phrase "Once Upon a Time", that will give translators fits) in which the foursome follow the Improbable Road to the castle of the Queen of Swords. She wants to keep Avery and Zib and make them into monsters -- they want to get out and proceed to the Impossible City.
The Queen of Swords doesn't just grab them and have her way with them. That's not how she rolls. She's a shyster who attempts to trick them into consenting to have their hearts and names taken. Thus we have a lot of tricky wheeling and dealing. Windwracked Wilds thus felt to me much like In an Absent Dream -- McGuire's Wayward Children book about the Goblin Market, where making deals is the central activity. Windwracked Wilds is not all deal-making, however -- there's also adventure and mystery.
This is, I think the best so far of The Up and Under books -- there's a fun and exciting story in there. But Baker's voice is still oppressive. As I wrote previously of Saltwise Sea, The Up and Under is an idea that seems really cool in theory but doesn't work out so well in practice.
Blog review.
Let's start with the question, "Who is A. Deborah Baker?" Well, Baker is a pseudonym of Seanan McGuire, But that is not all she is. Baker is a character in McGuire's splendid novel Middlegame. She (Baker) is an alchemist who, in the late 19th and early 20th century, put in motion a plan to rule the world (as one does). This plan involved Baker becoming inconveniently dead (but perhaps only temporarily) and constructing embodiments of Alchemical doctrines. In order to propagate her plan forward through this incapacitation, Baker publishes a series of fairy tales about two children, Avery and Zib, and their quest to travel the Improbable Road to the Impossible City.
So The Up and Under began life as a fictional series written by a fictional author. It is a mistake, I believe, to consider the Up and Under to be a series written by McGuire. (Yes, I know it is literally a series written by McGuire. But that is not the most useful view of it.) McGuire is enough of an imagineer to create an alchemist who is not herself and to have that alchemist write books that are not books that McGuire herself would have written. Throughout the Up-and-Under series you will see hints that these books are intended to be understood as having been written by A. Deborah Baker rather than Seanan McGuire. Those hints, however, are more subtle in this, the third book. Into the Windwracked Wilds feels more like a McGuire story than Over the Woodward Wall or Along the Saltwise Sea did.
This is, to my mind, an improvement. Baker is just not as good a story-teller as McGuire. She is distracted from story-telling by her nefarious purpose of sub rosa alchemical education. The characters of Woodward Wall tend to be personifications of abstract concepts, and as such, they are often not believable or easy to relate to.
At this point in the series, we are dealing mostly with characters who were or will be human. We begin the book with Avery, Zib, Niamh, and the Crow Girl. Avery and Zib are of course fully human (although to tell the truth Avery is too wooden to relate to). Niamh, the Drowned Girl, and the Crow Girl were once human. Niamh ceased being fully human when she drowned (duh...). The Crow Girl was made into a Crow Girl by the Queen of Swords, who took her heart and her name.
Avery and Zib, following the Improbable Road through the realms of the elements on their way to the Impossible City, have just passed through Water and are now to move on to Air. The ruler of Air is that self-same Queen of Swords, whose hobby is making inhuman monsters such as the Crow Girl. We start with a few transitional chapters (including a prolog "Reminders and Definitions" in which Baker deconstructs the phrase "Once Upon a Time", that will give translators fits) in which the foursome follow the Improbable Road to the castle of the Queen of Swords. She wants to keep Avery and Zib and make them into monsters -- they want to get out and proceed to the Impossible City.
The Queen of Swords doesn't just grab them and have her way with them. That's not how she rolls. She's a shyster who attempts to trick them into consenting to have their hearts and names taken. Thus we have a lot of tricky wheeling and dealing. Windwracked Wilds thus felt to me much like In an Absent Dream -- McGuire's Wayward Children book about the Goblin Market, where making deals is the central activity. Windwracked Wilds is not all deal-making, however -- there's also adventure and mystery.
This is, I think the best so far of The Up and Under books -- there's a fun and exciting story in there. But Baker's voice is still oppressive. As I wrote previously of Saltwise Sea, The Up and Under is an idea that seems really cool in theory but doesn't work out so well in practice.
Blog review.
October 13, 2022
I would like to thank the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this book. I read an advanced copy of this book, so the final edition of the book might be slightly different. All thoughts and opinions are my own, as always.
I've been eyeing this series for a while, even though I haven't been as into middle-grade books recently. I just adored Middlegame and Seasonal Fear so much, that I needed to get more of this world in any way possible. When I was approved for this book, it was finally the push I needed to read the rest of the series as well! Over the past two weeks, I've been reading this series and finally made it to the long awaited finale… or so I thought. I went into this book expecting it to be the last, but about halfway through I realized that the main story wasn't actually anywhere close to wrapping up, and there definitely had to be more books coming. Luckily, I realized this soon enough, so I wasn't left confused by the ending of this book, which was clearly not an ending to the series. It actually does make sense for there to be at least four books (one for each of the elements), so I'm glad by this choice overall, though I might have waited to read this whole series until it was completed then. At least each book does start with a semi-summary of the past books, so that helps!
Into the Windwracked Wilds, while not my favorite installment of this series, was about exactly what I was expecting, in both good and bad ways. I'm now three books into this series, and while the world itself is unpredictable and improbable, the stories do seem to fall into similar patterns. It does help to give the world structure, but it also means that reading them all in a row has begun to feel a bit repetitive. The plot itself is also generally continuous, with not super clear separation between books beyond character/element focuses, so it honestly feels like I've been reading one long book so far!
Overall, though, I do really like how this series has been set up, with each book getting a specific element and character that's explored. This book was clearly air, and revolved a lot around the Crow Girl, or at least her background, and exploring her bargain and the bargain of other birds more. We also were introduced to a new side character, Jack Daw, who I've actually grown quite fond of quite quickly! I do still really appreciate the writing in this book as well, even if it does make the book itself a bit more of an intense and draining read, since a bit more focus is required to catch every dip and nuance of the writing.
It'll be nice to have a small break now until the next book, but that doesn't mean I'm any less a fan of this series overall! I know that coming back to the series will be comforting again, and I already am looking forward to it!
I've been eyeing this series for a while, even though I haven't been as into middle-grade books recently. I just adored Middlegame and Seasonal Fear so much, that I needed to get more of this world in any way possible. When I was approved for this book, it was finally the push I needed to read the rest of the series as well! Over the past two weeks, I've been reading this series and finally made it to the long awaited finale… or so I thought. I went into this book expecting it to be the last, but about halfway through I realized that the main story wasn't actually anywhere close to wrapping up, and there definitely had to be more books coming. Luckily, I realized this soon enough, so I wasn't left confused by the ending of this book, which was clearly not an ending to the series. It actually does make sense for there to be at least four books (one for each of the elements), so I'm glad by this choice overall, though I might have waited to read this whole series until it was completed then. At least each book does start with a semi-summary of the past books, so that helps!
Into the Windwracked Wilds, while not my favorite installment of this series, was about exactly what I was expecting, in both good and bad ways. I'm now three books into this series, and while the world itself is unpredictable and improbable, the stories do seem to fall into similar patterns. It does help to give the world structure, but it also means that reading them all in a row has begun to feel a bit repetitive. The plot itself is also generally continuous, with not super clear separation between books beyond character/element focuses, so it honestly feels like I've been reading one long book so far!
Overall, though, I do really like how this series has been set up, with each book getting a specific element and character that's explored. This book was clearly air, and revolved a lot around the Crow Girl, or at least her background, and exploring her bargain and the bargain of other birds more. We also were introduced to a new side character, Jack Daw, who I've actually grown quite fond of quite quickly! I do still really appreciate the writing in this book as well, even if it does make the book itself a bit more of an intense and draining read, since a bit more focus is required to catch every dip and nuance of the writing.
It'll be nice to have a small break now until the next book, but that doesn't mean I'm any less a fan of this series overall! I know that coming back to the series will be comforting again, and I already am looking forward to it!
March 12, 2025
This is the third book (of four) in the Up-and-Under series by A. Deborah Baker, which is a fictional set of fictions by A. Deborah Baker (a fictional 19th century alchemist) in the ongoing Alchemical Journeys series of fictions by Seanan McGuire. It's all very complex, fascinating, and very well plotted and written. I'd say that this is a series that very much needs to be read in sequence. This one continues the adventures of Avery and Zib and their friends in their tour of the four magical kingdoms on their path down the Improbable Road. They lose their way for a bit after an unfortunate experience at sea (Pinocchio is added to the classic youths' tales of the Emerald City and Wonderland and Narnia which are given a nod), come into the realm of Queen of Swords, and escape only with the help of a fifth companion who's added to the group, Jackdow, son of the Queen. The story reads like a classic juvenile, written with straight-forward simplicity that tends to mask profound statements and observations, yet I found it challenging and engaging. Now I'm anxious to get the final book and see how it all winds up.
April 1, 2025
This is a really unusual series but one that draws you in. This one has the kids at the Queen of Swords castle. They have to try to find a way to escape intact without becoming monsters and try to find the improbable road again. I enjoy this story but I just really want to know if they are going to be able to find their way home. I look forward to reading the next in the series to see what is going to happen next.
October 25, 2022
Seanan McGuire once again puts on her sunglasses and false mustache to publish a book as A. Deborah Baker. The Up-and-Under is a series of books mentioned in McGuire’s *Middlegame* (which I have not read, so I’ve no idea how exactly this ties in) that she has expanded on and published as standalone middle grade books.
For those unfamiliar, these books are in the *Alice in Wonderland* tradition: children swept up into a world of whimsy and wonder, but with plenty of monsters and wicked things about as well. In this case, the children in question are Zib (a child who avoids wearing shoes whenever possible) and Avery (a child who places a great deal of importance on his shoes being polished to a proper shine). After stumbling into the Up-and-Under on their way to school one morning, Zib and Avery met and befriended the Crow Girl (a girl with no name who is also an entire murder of crows) and Niamh (a girl who has lived in an underwater city of dead people ever since she drowned as a baby). For two books now they’ve been trying to follow the Improbable Road (which appears in the least likely of places) trying to get home.
For those familiar, in this book they encounter the Queen of the Air, she who creates all of the monsters in the Up-and-Under. Notably, these monsters include none other than the Crow Girl, who gave the Queen of the Air her heart and her name in exchange for being turned into a murder of crows.
This series remains, in my opinion, perfect for readers of the age where they’re just discovering Narnia and Prydain and Pern. As an adult, I am enjoying them as quick, whimsical, and nostalgic reads, though I’ll admit I found myself getting a bit bored by the Up-and-Under for about the first two-thirds of this. That didn’t really change until things really started coming to a head between the Queen and the Crow Girl, who is probably my favorite of the quartet.
Looking forward to book 4, though not quite as eagerly as I was looking forward to books 2 and 3. I’m assuming book 4 will wrap things up (with books 1-3 dealing with the monarchs of Earth, Water, and Air, that just leaves Fire). The journey has been delightful, but it’s time to wrap up, I think.
My blog
For those unfamiliar, these books are in the *Alice in Wonderland* tradition: children swept up into a world of whimsy and wonder, but with plenty of monsters and wicked things about as well. In this case, the children in question are Zib (a child who avoids wearing shoes whenever possible) and Avery (a child who places a great deal of importance on his shoes being polished to a proper shine). After stumbling into the Up-and-Under on their way to school one morning, Zib and Avery met and befriended the Crow Girl (a girl with no name who is also an entire murder of crows) and Niamh (a girl who has lived in an underwater city of dead people ever since she drowned as a baby). For two books now they’ve been trying to follow the Improbable Road (which appears in the least likely of places) trying to get home.
For those familiar, in this book they encounter the Queen of the Air, she who creates all of the monsters in the Up-and-Under. Notably, these monsters include none other than the Crow Girl, who gave the Queen of the Air her heart and her name in exchange for being turned into a murder of crows.
This series remains, in my opinion, perfect for readers of the age where they’re just discovering Narnia and Prydain and Pern. As an adult, I am enjoying them as quick, whimsical, and nostalgic reads, though I’ll admit I found myself getting a bit bored by the Up-and-Under for about the first two-thirds of this. That didn’t really change until things really started coming to a head between the Queen and the Crow Girl, who is probably my favorite of the quartet.
Looking forward to book 4, though not quite as eagerly as I was looking forward to books 2 and 3. I’m assuming book 4 will wrap things up (with books 1-3 dealing with the monarchs of Earth, Water, and Air, that just leaves Fire). The journey has been delightful, but it’s time to wrap up, I think.
My blog
November 1, 2022
While I enjoyed the whimsy of series so far, I feel like I'm getting tired of it by the third book. It seems like this novella was just more of the same and didn't bring that much new to the table, especially the first half the book.
Was the series so wordy from the beginning? Sometimes the descriptions were just so long and winded just for the sake of being long and winded, and they didn't seem to have much substance behind them.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed myself while listening to the audiobook.
What I did like were the developing relationships between the characters and how they were changing when subject to challenges of the adventures in the Up-and-Under. I was also thankful for more backstory for the Crow Girl and Niamh. Moreover, the pace definitely picked up in the second half the novella and it was easier to get engaged in the story.
Was the series so wordy from the beginning? Sometimes the descriptions were just so long and winded just for the sake of being long and winded, and they didn't seem to have much substance behind them.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed myself while listening to the audiobook.
What I did like were the developing relationships between the characters and how they were changing when subject to challenges of the adventures in the Up-and-Under. I was also thankful for more backstory for the Crow Girl and Niamh. Moreover, the pace definitely picked up in the second half the novella and it was easier to get engaged in the story.
April 6, 2024
EDIT: 3 stars bc this ended up being forgettable to me. I think I’ve been chasing my love of the first one and every one has fallen short :/
Written for netgalley:
4 stars
This was great! I had a great time with book one, which was fun and whimsical, and had less of a good time with book two, which seemed to get a bit too nonsensical and also involved. This book married those two in a much better balance, while also adding an element of a character we've known for a while now that suddenly made this series make sense and become more emotionally/character driven. I really enjoyed that added element--since it is book three, I cannot really give away what it is.
However, I, like many people, expected book one to wrap up and was startled when it didn't, and then felt like book two barely moved the needle. This third book actually made this series make sense--I saw its direction. It no longer felt aimless and dragged out. I feel like this will likely be a quartet because of the occurrence of fours in this book--four elements, four suits, four kingdoms, etc.
I do think that this book gets in the weeds a little bit with this world, though. For a book that is so focused on nonsense, the world has very strict structures that are built and built over again and built on top of each other. Each book fills out the Up-and-Under a little bit more, and where I found it confusing and boring last book, I was actually interested (if confused) this book.
One thing I will say--I have been confused about the age range for this. Now I'm sure--it's not for kids. I thought maybe it could be a middle grade--nope. This is a middle grade style, children's classic style book entirely for adults. The writing style is like if Lemony Snicket and Lewis Carroll combined, and wrote for adults. The themes are absolutely for adults. It is for grown up people about childhood and growing up and change. I can't see it appealing to kids, and I can't see them understanding all of what it's going into--or putting up with the purple prose, for that matter.
OVerall, I thought it was a good book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this. Sorry it took so long to review--but I am glad I read this on a day where I could come home from a long day of teaching and just devour it.
Written for netgalley:
4 stars
This was great! I had a great time with book one, which was fun and whimsical, and had less of a good time with book two, which seemed to get a bit too nonsensical and also involved. This book married those two in a much better balance, while also adding an element of a character we've known for a while now that suddenly made this series make sense and become more emotionally/character driven. I really enjoyed that added element--since it is book three, I cannot really give away what it is.
However, I, like many people, expected book one to wrap up and was startled when it didn't, and then felt like book two barely moved the needle. This third book actually made this series make sense--I saw its direction. It no longer felt aimless and dragged out. I feel like this will likely be a quartet because of the occurrence of fours in this book--four elements, four suits, four kingdoms, etc.
I do think that this book gets in the weeds a little bit with this world, though. For a book that is so focused on nonsense, the world has very strict structures that are built and built over again and built on top of each other. Each book fills out the Up-and-Under a little bit more, and where I found it confusing and boring last book, I was actually interested (if confused) this book.
One thing I will say--I have been confused about the age range for this. Now I'm sure--it's not for kids. I thought maybe it could be a middle grade--nope. This is a middle grade style, children's classic style book entirely for adults. The writing style is like if Lemony Snicket and Lewis Carroll combined, and wrote for adults. The themes are absolutely for adults. It is for grown up people about childhood and growing up and change. I can't see it appealing to kids, and I can't see them understanding all of what it's going into--or putting up with the purple prose, for that matter.
OVerall, I thought it was a good book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc of this. Sorry it took so long to review--but I am glad I read this on a day where I could come home from a long day of teaching and just devour it.
November 25, 2022
So this is the first book in the series I decided to listen to the audio instead of reading the book. The thing with this series is the fact that I don't know what is going on have the time. My brain is apparently too logical for all the lovely nonsense in the book. This isn't a criticism though, just a fact. So it does make it hard to rate. All in all, I enjoyed it and will continue it. :)
June 16, 2024
This felt a fair bit repetitive of earlier elements in the series, but some of it was related to relationships and maturity (eg Avery still being upset about losing the shine from his shoes and needing "fair" exchange)
December 14, 2022
The children and their friends are just trying to get home. But there are plots and more plots working to stop them. This isn't the end so hopefully there's more to the story.
January 10, 2024
Read this series. You'll love it. Just do it. You'll thank me later. You're welcome.
May 21, 2024
seanan mcguire i love your brain
January 24, 2023
I love this whimsical story so much! The writing, as always, was impeccable. I loved that we got to explore even more of this world and meet new wonderful characters along the way. I cannot wait to see where they are heading to next!
August 18, 2023
Mini blurb: With friends Crow Girl and Niamh at their side, free-spirited Zib and rule-follower Avery, still looking for a way home, find themselves in the clutches of the Queen of Swords, and have to fight in order to avoid getting turned into monsters, while looking for a way to help a friend regain her humanity.
***
Rated 3.5 really.
Seanan McGuire, under whichever pen name, is overly fond of recapitulations, so one always needs to make allowances for the first chapter of any of her sequels - but this time she coupled the inevitable summary with a sort of essay about the phrase "once upon a time" and the individual words it consists of (that is, she literally paired each word with a segment of our protagonists' journey), and let me tell you, making a discourse about an indeterminative article which is a discourse about a character's origin story is prone to having a weird outcome. Then the adventure proper started, except, wait...not really...it was more of a prologue (but also, again, a character's backstory!) reading like an excessively long homage to a certain episode from Pinocchio, and I was starting to get bored (which was still an improvement on "bewildered"). And then...
...the story finally found its footing, used a few tropes to its advantage, and made me fall in love with its characters all over again, or more than ever (mainly the Crow Girl, who may be one of the most inventive creations McGuire ever came up with - and if she had been developed just a little more, one of the most heartbreaking as well). So, the book went from 2 to 3 to 4 stars in the space of 200-ish pages, and if I should average it I would have to give it 3 stars, but I really enjoyed the last section, so I will err on the side of generosity...3 and a half star, and not 4 only because, well, structurally it's a mess 🤷♀️ 😂.
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.
Seanan McGuire, under whichever pen name, is overly fond of recapitulations, so one always needs to make allowances for the first chapter of any of her sequels - but this time she coupled the inevitable summary with a sort of essay about the phrase "once upon a time" and the individual words it consists of (that is, she literally paired each word with a segment of our protagonists' journey), and let me tell you, making a discourse about an indeterminative article which is a discourse about a character's origin story is prone to having a weird outcome. Then the adventure proper started, except, wait...not really...it was more of a prologue (but also, again, a character's backstory!) reading like an excessively long homage to a certain episode from Pinocchio, and I was starting to get bored (which was still an improvement on "bewildered"). And then...
...the story finally found its footing, used a few tropes to its advantage, and made me fall in love with its characters all over again, or more than ever (mainly the Crow Girl, who may be one of the most inventive creations McGuire ever came up with - and if she had been developed just a little more, one of the most heartbreaking as well). So, the book went from 2 to 3 to 4 stars in the space of 200-ish pages, and if I should average it I would have to give it 3 stars, but I really enjoyed the last section, so I will err on the side of generosity...3 and a half star, and not 4 only because, well, structurally it's a mess 🤷♀️ 😂.
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).
August 12, 2022
That was the best Up-and-Under book yet, easily. I enjoyed the other two, gave them both 4 stars, but things are set up really well for book 4, which will be the fire book. I'm curious to see if we'll get a 5th book, an aether book, but given how closely this is related to the Middlegame series, I suppose it depends on where that goes?
Relatedly, read Middlegame before picking up this series. Also, don't just pick up the third book and expect to know what's going on. No, there isn't some grand plot that needs to be followed, but nor are these standalone titles.
I really love Seanan's writing, in this series and Alchemical Journeys, even if I didn't enjoy Seasonal Fears as much. It's fairy tale and metaphysical, while being distinct from the Wayward Children type of fairy tale? That being said, this one did remind me somewhat of In an Absent Dream.
I'm glad to see Zib and Avery continuing to develop as characters, and to become more aware of the world they're in? Actions have consequences, whether externally or interpersonally, and they're finally understanding that. Also, that ending? Of course . I can't wait for book 4, and to see where we may go on the alchemical journey.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
Relatedly, read Middlegame before picking up this series. Also, don't just pick up the third book and expect to know what's going on. No, there isn't some grand plot that needs to be followed, but nor are these standalone titles.
I really love Seanan's writing, in this series and Alchemical Journeys, even if I didn't enjoy Seasonal Fears as much. It's fairy tale and metaphysical, while being distinct from the Wayward Children type of fairy tale? That being said, this one did remind me somewhat of In an Absent Dream.
I'm glad to see Zib and Avery continuing to develop as characters, and to become more aware of the world they're in? Actions have consequences, whether externally or interpersonally, and they're finally understanding that. Also, that ending? Of course . I can't wait for book 4, and to see where we may go on the alchemical journey.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
November 7, 2022
Mon avis en français
My English review
These novels are like little candies, original tales like no other, which allow to have a good time.
We find our two heroes: Zib and Avery for the continuation of their adventures. This time they will meet the Queen of Swords who has a passion: creating monsters. It is also in this context that they will meet her son who will help them: Jack.
These novels are very poetic and it is always pleasant to discover and read them. The author has an amazing pen and I wonder if our two children will ever get home.
My English review
These novels are like little candies, original tales like no other, which allow to have a good time.
We find our two heroes: Zib and Avery for the continuation of their adventures. This time they will meet the Queen of Swords who has a passion: creating monsters. It is also in this context that they will meet her son who will help them: Jack.
These novels are very poetic and it is always pleasant to discover and read them. The author has an amazing pen and I wonder if our two children will ever get home.
May 27, 2024
An interesting entry to the series, where we learn more about the history of the magical world with hints of what to expect in the upcoming final book.
The conflict and the twists in this book kept my interest. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in this series.
Complete RTC.
The conflict and the twists in this book kept my interest. I'm looking forward to reading the final book in this series.
Complete RTC.
March 6, 2024
This was brilliant 😍
October 29, 2022
Looking back at my review of the first book in the Up-and-Under series, Over the Woodward Wall, I discovered that one of my early guesses was wrong. One of Zib and Avery’s companions does need to find a heart – a particular heart – after all.
They all need to find more than a bit of ‘the nerve’ by the time the Improbable Road whisks them off again, further away from who they were when they first climbed that wall but hopefully closer to getting home. Or deciding that they are already there.
Into the Windwracked Wilds makes no bones (although there are bones) about the fact that it is a middle book, with pretty much all of the darkness such books generally hold. A darkness that is not toned down all that much in spite of the series being theoretically aimed at middle grade and young adult readers.
Don’t let that fool you. The trappings of the story may make it seem like a book for younger readers – and it certainly can be read that way. BUT, like a more overtly dark version of Rocky and Bullwinkle, the seriousness of its story appeals equally, if not perhaps a bit more, to adults.
Well, certainly to this adult. Although adulting is both in the eye of the beholder and can be seriously overrated.
Howsomever, the lovely thing about the book acknowledging that it’s in the middle of a much longer story is that it does an equally lovely job of explaining why middle books are important for the journey of the protagonists – as well as giving the reader enough details about what came before to be going on with.
After climbing Over the Woodward Wall and traveling Along the Saltwise Sea with the pirates, Zib, Avery, Niamh the Drowned Girl and the Crow Girl with no name begin their journey Into the Windwracked Wilds by making the Improbable Road angry enough to dump them back into the Sea. And disappear – at least until they manage to do something improbable enough to bring it back.
Which is how they find themselves blown towards the Queen of Swords’ castle in the Land of Air. Doing their level best not to get turned into monsters. Or at least, Avery and Zib need to do their best, because monsterization has already happened to both Niamh and the Crow Girl.
In fact, the Crow Girl, whatever her name used to be, was turned into a monster by the very same Queen of Swords who has just swept them into her castle. And wants to keep them there.
This is the story of how this ragtag band of lost souls were forced into a castle of nightmares – and managed to find their way out again. With just a little bit of help from a new friend – by finding the one thing that none of them had thought to look for – the Crow Girl’s missing heart.
Escape Rating A-: From the beginning, it has seemed as if the direct progenitors of the Up-and-Under were Oz and Narnia. The similarities between the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ and the ‘Improbable Road’ are a bit hard to miss, after all.
But this particular entry in the series makes me think of Narnia. A lot. Not the Narnia of the great lion and Aslan saving the day, but the Narnia of choices of consequence made by uninformed children, and the lesson that adults are often cruel and that words and actions may have terrible consequences even if the words are said or the deeds are committed in ignorance of those consequences. The world where the kindly Mr. Tumnus plans to betray the children, refuses to do so, and is tortured for it. The island where dreams come true – and the realization that it does NOT refer to daydreams, but rather the monsters summoned from deep in the subconscious.
A place where children have to pay their own debts and forfeits – no matter how much they hurt or how often the adults cheat. The Up-and-Under feels like it’s filled with those same kinds of hard lessons – no matter how magical and even beautiful it might sometimes be.
But I think the return from the Up-and-Under to Zib and Avery’s ‘real’ world is going to be a lot more difficult than what the Pevensies encountered. Because the point of Zib and Avery’s journey in the Up-and-Under seems as if the entire point of it is change, not just for the Up-and-Under to impact them, but for them to impact it, as well.
Unlike Along the Saltwise Sea, which felt very much like a rest stop along their journey, Into the Windwracked Wilds reads like they are really getting somewhere – even if that somewhere is not the return home that Zib and Avery were originally seeking. This may eventually turn out to be a ‘There and Back Again’ story, but at this middle point it’s starting to feel like their journey and the changes it brings is infinitely more important than the destination.
As much as their travels have been clearly changing Avery and Zib all along, Avery and Zib are also changing the people and even the structure of the Up-and-Under in ways that we’ll probably only see the full picture of at the end. Which was originally planned to be the fourth book, which was originally planned to be published in October 2023. I hope that all holds true. At least that the next book comes out this time next year. If we get a bit more story in this world than was originally intended, this reader, for one, would not be in the least disappointed.
Originally published at Reading Reality
They all need to find more than a bit of ‘the nerve’ by the time the Improbable Road whisks them off again, further away from who they were when they first climbed that wall but hopefully closer to getting home. Or deciding that they are already there.
Into the Windwracked Wilds makes no bones (although there are bones) about the fact that it is a middle book, with pretty much all of the darkness such books generally hold. A darkness that is not toned down all that much in spite of the series being theoretically aimed at middle grade and young adult readers.
Don’t let that fool you. The trappings of the story may make it seem like a book for younger readers – and it certainly can be read that way. BUT, like a more overtly dark version of Rocky and Bullwinkle, the seriousness of its story appeals equally, if not perhaps a bit more, to adults.
Well, certainly to this adult. Although adulting is both in the eye of the beholder and can be seriously overrated.
Howsomever, the lovely thing about the book acknowledging that it’s in the middle of a much longer story is that it does an equally lovely job of explaining why middle books are important for the journey of the protagonists – as well as giving the reader enough details about what came before to be going on with.
After climbing Over the Woodward Wall and traveling Along the Saltwise Sea with the pirates, Zib, Avery, Niamh the Drowned Girl and the Crow Girl with no name begin their journey Into the Windwracked Wilds by making the Improbable Road angry enough to dump them back into the Sea. And disappear – at least until they manage to do something improbable enough to bring it back.
Which is how they find themselves blown towards the Queen of Swords’ castle in the Land of Air. Doing their level best not to get turned into monsters. Or at least, Avery and Zib need to do their best, because monsterization has already happened to both Niamh and the Crow Girl.
In fact, the Crow Girl, whatever her name used to be, was turned into a monster by the very same Queen of Swords who has just swept them into her castle. And wants to keep them there.
This is the story of how this ragtag band of lost souls were forced into a castle of nightmares – and managed to find their way out again. With just a little bit of help from a new friend – by finding the one thing that none of them had thought to look for – the Crow Girl’s missing heart.
Escape Rating A-: From the beginning, it has seemed as if the direct progenitors of the Up-and-Under were Oz and Narnia. The similarities between the ‘Yellow Brick Road’ and the ‘Improbable Road’ are a bit hard to miss, after all.
But this particular entry in the series makes me think of Narnia. A lot. Not the Narnia of the great lion and Aslan saving the day, but the Narnia of choices of consequence made by uninformed children, and the lesson that adults are often cruel and that words and actions may have terrible consequences even if the words are said or the deeds are committed in ignorance of those consequences. The world where the kindly Mr. Tumnus plans to betray the children, refuses to do so, and is tortured for it. The island where dreams come true – and the realization that it does NOT refer to daydreams, but rather the monsters summoned from deep in the subconscious.
A place where children have to pay their own debts and forfeits – no matter how much they hurt or how often the adults cheat. The Up-and-Under feels like it’s filled with those same kinds of hard lessons – no matter how magical and even beautiful it might sometimes be.
But I think the return from the Up-and-Under to Zib and Avery’s ‘real’ world is going to be a lot more difficult than what the Pevensies encountered. Because the point of Zib and Avery’s journey in the Up-and-Under seems as if the entire point of it is change, not just for the Up-and-Under to impact them, but for them to impact it, as well.
Unlike Along the Saltwise Sea, which felt very much like a rest stop along their journey, Into the Windwracked Wilds reads like they are really getting somewhere – even if that somewhere is not the return home that Zib and Avery were originally seeking. This may eventually turn out to be a ‘There and Back Again’ story, but at this middle point it’s starting to feel like their journey and the changes it brings is infinitely more important than the destination.
As much as their travels have been clearly changing Avery and Zib all along, Avery and Zib are also changing the people and even the structure of the Up-and-Under in ways that we’ll probably only see the full picture of at the end. Which was originally planned to be the fourth book, which was originally planned to be published in October 2023. I hope that all holds true. At least that the next book comes out this time next year. If we get a bit more story in this world than was originally intended, this reader, for one, would not be in the least disappointed.
Originally published at Reading Reality
October 30, 2022
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Into the Windwracked Wildss has a signature Seanan McGuire lyrical quality to the writing. There's always a sense of whimsy and gorgeous phrases mixed with sentences that kind of stop you in your tracks. They manage to be profound and simple all at once if that makes sense? Either way, it is what I've come to associate with Seanan McGuire and Into the Windwracked Wilds has it! Additionally, this sequel has that fairy tale quality and logic. The ways it will take you back in nostalgia to the rules you follow because it's a fairy tale world and why wouldn't you?
To all the things that just make sense without thinking? It's a world with rules none of us know and has an almost Alice and Wonderland kind of vibe. With this entire series, there's a hidden piece of wisdom hidden underneath quests, infinite falling, and magical creatures. To channel my inner story, "Into the Windwracked Wilds is a story that feels like a story". Throughout it also focuses on ownership and agency as a theme. This idea of who owns us, the power in a name. Additionally, the theme I loved the most was this idea of how does one become a monster and how do we remain ourselves.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
Into the Windwracked Wildss has a signature Seanan McGuire lyrical quality to the writing. There's always a sense of whimsy and gorgeous phrases mixed with sentences that kind of stop you in your tracks. They manage to be profound and simple all at once if that makes sense? Either way, it is what I've come to associate with Seanan McGuire and Into the Windwracked Wilds has it! Additionally, this sequel has that fairy tale quality and logic. The ways it will take you back in nostalgia to the rules you follow because it's a fairy tale world and why wouldn't you?
To all the things that just make sense without thinking? It's a world with rules none of us know and has an almost Alice and Wonderland kind of vibe. With this entire series, there's a hidden piece of wisdom hidden underneath quests, infinite falling, and magical creatures. To channel my inner story, "Into the Windwracked Wilds is a story that feels like a story". Throughout it also focuses on ownership and agency as a theme. This idea of who owns us, the power in a name. Additionally, the theme I loved the most was this idea of how does one become a monster and how do we remain ourselves.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/revi...
April 15, 2023
Book #3 in the Up-and-Under and our wayward children Avery and Zib continue to walk the Impossible Road in the hope of getting back to their world. This time they find themselves in the Realm of Air under the rule of the Queen of Swords, maker of monsters including their ally Crow Girl.
Each of the books in this series are quick and episodic, but each contains good lessons and explanations of the world. This section comes as a part of a lingering hurt from book #1, when Zib gave away Avery's beloved shoe shine to escape the monstrous Bumblebear:
"Zib was not a bad child. She was thoughtless sometimes, but who among us hasn't been? Who among us hasn't said something hurtful in the heat of the moment that we came to regret later, when we saw how it had wounded the people we adored? Who among us hasn't broken someone else's toy or eaten someone else's favorite snack, or even gotten a treat that someone else was begging for? Thought- lessness is not a crime, but a thing doesn't need to be a crime to come with consequences."
Filled with good lessons for becoming good people, these books are always a joy to read.
Each of the books in this series are quick and episodic, but each contains good lessons and explanations of the world. This section comes as a part of a lingering hurt from book #1, when Zib gave away Avery's beloved shoe shine to escape the monstrous Bumblebear:
"Zib was not a bad child. She was thoughtless sometimes, but who among us hasn't been? Who among us hasn't said something hurtful in the heat of the moment that we came to regret later, when we saw how it had wounded the people we adored? Who among us hasn't broken someone else's toy or eaten someone else's favorite snack, or even gotten a treat that someone else was begging for? Thought- lessness is not a crime, but a thing doesn't need to be a crime to come with consequences."
Filled with good lessons for becoming good people, these books are always a joy to read.
June 3, 2023
4.5 stars
This coveeeeeer! (that was my first reaction at seeing this book)
I don't know if this volume is my favorite, but I really loved to
Still horror bits - more as we progress into the series? - and that made me want to get back to October Daye () and Wayward Children!
The end of this volume was really intense and I can't wait to listen to the last book in the quartet, Under the Smokestrewn Sky !
This coveeeeeer! (that was my first reaction at seeing this book)
I don't know if this volume is my favorite, but I really loved to
Still horror bits - more as we progress into the series? - and that made me want to get back to October Daye () and Wayward Children!
The end of this volume was really intense and I can't wait to listen to the last book in the quartet, Under the Smokestrewn Sky !
October 4, 2022
Eee! I am SO excited about the latest installment of The Up-and-Under series. The series is a spin-off from the world of Middlegame. As such, it is written by one of Seanan McGuire's pseudonyms, A. Deborah Baker. Adorably, the latest novella is titled Into the Windwracked Wilds.
Avery and Zib have been following the improbable road for quite some time. More accurately, they've followed, lost, and found it again. They hope to follow this road long enough to find their way back home – with the help of their new friends, of course.
Their path has taken them into the land of the Queen of Swords, one of the last places they want to be right now. But perhaps with the help (or is it a hindrance?) of Jack Daw, they may find a way out and continue on their path. Or perhaps not.
She's done it again. Into the Windwracked Wilds is every bit the story readers could have hoped for – and then some. This tale is enthralling, and while it feels like we're lost in the moment, it also reads as a children's tale. At least, the twisted sort of tale we'd see in Middlegame. In other words, it's perfect!
I have loved this series from the first installment, but honestly? I think Into the Windwracked Wilds is my new favorite. It's the perfect balance of many of my favorite elements with a heavy dose of that Seanan McGuire magic.
As always, the children of this tale are so different and, at times, conflicted. They are struggling to get home, and yet they miss their home for very different reasons. Avery and Zib are still very much opposites; now and then, an event will remind us of this fact.
The other children of this tale are still a delight, and I feel like we got to know them a bit more throughout Into the Windwracked Wilds. The introduction of Jack Daw was a nice touch. I run the risk of having him become my favorite character.
Into the Windwracked Wilds is a fascinating continuation, once again playing with common themes and tropes of childhood stories; consequences, adventures, friendships, and more. It makes for another delightful addition to the series. So, get reading!
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Avery and Zib have been following the improbable road for quite some time. More accurately, they've followed, lost, and found it again. They hope to follow this road long enough to find their way back home – with the help of their new friends, of course.
Their path has taken them into the land of the Queen of Swords, one of the last places they want to be right now. But perhaps with the help (or is it a hindrance?) of Jack Daw, they may find a way out and continue on their path. Or perhaps not.
She's done it again. Into the Windwracked Wilds is every bit the story readers could have hoped for – and then some. This tale is enthralling, and while it feels like we're lost in the moment, it also reads as a children's tale. At least, the twisted sort of tale we'd see in Middlegame. In other words, it's perfect!
I have loved this series from the first installment, but honestly? I think Into the Windwracked Wilds is my new favorite. It's the perfect balance of many of my favorite elements with a heavy dose of that Seanan McGuire magic.
As always, the children of this tale are so different and, at times, conflicted. They are struggling to get home, and yet they miss their home for very different reasons. Avery and Zib are still very much opposites; now and then, an event will remind us of this fact.
The other children of this tale are still a delight, and I feel like we got to know them a bit more throughout Into the Windwracked Wilds. The introduction of Jack Daw was a nice touch. I run the risk of having him become my favorite character.
Into the Windwracked Wilds is a fascinating continuation, once again playing with common themes and tropes of childhood stories; consequences, adventures, friendships, and more. It makes for another delightful addition to the series. So, get reading!
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
January 9, 2023
I may regret rating this so low once I read the fourth book, but, for now, the only thing that saves this is McGuire’s narrator. Get us to the Impossible City, please!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews