AUTHOR: Seanan McGuire
PUBLISHER: Tor.com
PUBLISHING DATE: January 9, 2018
FROM GOODREADS: Beneath the Sugar Sky returns to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. At this magical boarding school, children who have experienced fantasy adventures are reintroduced to the "real" world.
Sumi died years before her prophesied daughter Rini could be born. Rini was born anyway, and now she’s trying to bring her mother back from a world without magic.
MY THOUGHTS: I love this series. I have devoured each book and immediately wanted the next. In fact, I preordered this and started it the same day it downloaded on my Kindle despite the fact that numerous books were ahead of it. Each previous book has been a 5/5 read for me and this one was about my favorite character, Sumi, so it was inevitable that I would love it. Well...stranger things have happened.
As I mentioned, "Beneath the Sugar Sky" follows Rini, Sumi's daughter, and her quest to save her mother so she can eventually be born. Sound confusing? Well, this is the land of the illogical. We also get some old familiar characters and some new ones as well. I like Nadya and her turtle fascination and the introduction of Cora, the lost mermaid, was a great addition to the cast. Even Rini wasn't too unbearable but the world of Confection? I found like I was lost in a cross between Alice in Wonderland, I Hate Fairyland and Willie Wonka. And I am one of the few individuals who doesn't like Alice in Wonderland.
I found the land of Confection odd and confusing and without spoiling anything, the way they attempt to save Sumi - huh? Just huh.
I will say that I quickly immersed myself in McGuire's writing which is both beautiful and magical. She has a way of pulling me into her novels which I really can't explain. And the cover of this book is truly amazing and perhaps my favorite of all three. I will continue to devour McGuire's work - both new and old. In addition, I hope this isn't the last we've seen of the Wayward Children though I've heard mention this is the last book in the series.
My rating for this one pains me. However, if you love the series, you just have to pick it up.
RATING: 3 PAWS
CHALLENGE: This will count for #3 on the Swords and Stars Challenge - read a SFF novella.
I love how Mcguire makes the illogical work. I'm really in awe of that from her.
ReplyDeleteYes, she is such a great writer and I want to read lots more of her stuff!
DeleteYou're not alone-I never liked Alice either! Pity it wasn't worth more than 3 paws for you when you liked the series so much.
ReplyDeleteI found her to be an annoying little brat. Not a popular opinion but one I'm proud of. I am not surprised at all that you couldn't tolerate her either!
DeleteThree stars for me too, sadly. And someone told me there are 2-3 more books coming, so that's good! I really had the sense that Nadya's story is coming next and I'm looking forward to that.
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad more are coming because although 3/5 is still a solid read, I really wanted this series to end on a high so there's still hope. I think Nadya's story would be great.
DeleteI haven't yet had the chance to try this series yet. Have you read any of her books written as Mira Grant? They are my absolute favorite which means I have a tendency to read those instead of books written under her actual name. LOL! Sorry to hear that you didn't love this one as much as you had hoped!
ReplyDeleteOnly the novella - Rolling in the Deep - but I loved it. Hope to start her other series this year too. Have you read any of the Incryptid books?
DeleteI have yet to read this author :( What is wrong with me?!
ReplyDeleteThese are novellas so they are a great place to start!
DeleteDarn. I have this one requested from the library and was hoping it would be as strong as the first one (I still need to read the second one).
ReplyDeleteIt's still a nice part of the world but the first two are my faves.
DeleteI've not even heard of this series before. Wonder how that happened? I didn't like Alice In Wonderland but I did like Willie Wonka.
ReplyDeleteYes, I can very much tolerate Willie Wonka. I'm finding more and more people who don't like Alice. I don't feel so alone now.
DeleteOh geez, I still need to read the first one. I am forever behind. I don't even recall seeing the second book in this series come out. That's how behind I am. LOL! I'm glad you enjoyed this one. :D
ReplyDeleteThe second one is much darker than the first but I love that aspect so it may have been one of the reasons I liked it so much. You really should give these a try.
DeleteI hope this isn't the last one! It would be disappointing to end on a book that just wasn't as good as the other two.
ReplyDeleteI need to get into this series soon! I heard another blogger raving about them the other day! :)
ReplyDeletehis series sounds so wonderful. I love it when a book 2 is still 5 stars! It's good to hear the writing is as magical as the boarding school. That's enough reason to read it!
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