Where the Drowned.. - Wayward Children #7 [Jan 29, 2022]

[RachelG.]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "I've put a hold on the next book. I think I'll get it within a couple weeks. Can I check in when it comes in and schedule the next book then? I'm hopeful to read that one and at least book 4 by the..."

That sounds good to me. I have a 4 hour car ride coming up in a couple weeks and so it might be good timing for me to listen to the next book then.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

RachelG. wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I've put a hold on the next book. I think I'll get it within a couple weeks. Can I check in when it comes in and schedule the next book then? I'm hopeful to read that one and at..."

I'll keep you both posted!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Did most of my book 2 re-read... (view spoiler)[every time I re-read this book I'm kinda disturbed by the parents and the strictures... wish the grandma had done more to protect the kids, instead of being kicked to the curb...

Wouldn't have been much story that way, tho...

I still stick by my comments about running away tho... once the meal and the choosing was over, they sounded pretty stuck in... even tho they kinda montaged over alot of details... (hide spoiler)]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Timelord Iain wrote: ".."

(view spoiler)[ I had a hard time reading that part where they kicked the grandma out. I played it off in my head that she did everything she could, but the author didn't have time to include the details. But I imagine my own mom in that position and I think she would go out kicking and screaming, then devote her life to trying to do the best thing for those kids. The Gma we were reading about reminded me of my mom and I agree, it seems very unbelievable that she would invest so much only to walk away. Maybe, as Rachel hinted at, all Gma could do was leave the trunk? Hoping they'd be able to escape? Anyway, Ima go hug my kids. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: ".."

[spoilers removed]"

Yea... I've discussed before in other threads how adults act like idiots in books generally aimed at kids... not sure if this series is generally aimed at kids or adults with nostalgia for kids books... but my comments stand... it's part of the formula needed to get kids into situations for stories...

Alot in this book feels rushed over, to keep the page length short... the backstory, the between-times in the Moors, and even the ending where they get back home...

Next book should be better, I think... for all I think some elements are weird, at least I think it tells a more cohesive story with less glossing over... and pushes the greater story forward...

Using the 1st book as a starting/middle point, I think this series alternates between prequels about kids we met at the Boarding School, and "sequels" that break the rules (view spoiler)[like the no questing rule" (hide spoiler)]... sounds like the newest books I haven't read, yet, might be deviating from that mold with more unique stories about characters we've never met before...

[RachelG.]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Yea... I've discussed before in other threads how adults act like idiots in books generally aimed at kids... not sure if this ser..."

I agree that a lot in the book felt rushed over. I would have liked a little more from the story. (view spoiler)[I still feel that Jack and Jill's parents are jerks and maybe Gma felt so beat down that she just didn't have the strength to fight and stay on. (hide spoiler)]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I have a copy finally and a couple days before my next read. How's everyone's schedules looking? Interested in starting soon?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'll fit it in after you guys read, probably... I have some other stuff on my plate... but I know the general plot already, so I can discuss a bit...

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I'll fit it in after you guys read, probably... I have some other stuff on my plate... but I know the general plot already, so I can discuss a bit..."

sounds good

[RachelG.]

I also have it ready to go so I can start anytime this week. I am totally flexible on start date. I will be listening to the audio version again.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

RachelG. wrote: "I also have it ready to go so I can start anytime this week. I am totally flexible on start date. I will be listening to the audio version again."

start tomorrow? :)

[RachelG.]

sounds great. I will make sure I grab it in the morning

[RachelG.]

Beneath the Sugar Sky

I really appreciate that Seanan McGuire has dialogue in her books that I think quite a few teens and pre-teens feel and actually talk about, like body image and sexuality.

[RachelG.]

Chapter 2: Holy smokes! (view spoiler)[ I had a thought that with the book title it would be about Sumi and her adventure in what I have been calling Candyland. I was not prepared to have her daughter fall from the sky.

It is nice that we are back at the school for this book. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelG.]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[The talk about Rini being naked made me laugh out loud.

So.. when did Nancy go back to the Halls of the dead? I thought she was planning to not go back through the door at the end of the last book. I feel like I missed something or I am not quite understanding what Christopher is saying. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

RachelG. wrote: "Chapter 3:..."

(view spoiler)[Nancy used her door at the end of the first book (hide spoiler)]

[RachelG.]

Timelord Iain wrote: "RachelG. wrote: "Chapter 3:..."

[spoilers removed]"

Thanks. I totally missed that. I just went back and re-read the final page of book 1 and I had missed it completely. I think I was so focused on the nice note that was left for Nancy that I stopped paying attention to what came after.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Unrelated comment: Iain I saw your review of the witches book. What exactly is “magical realism?” Been wondering…

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Unrelated comment: Iain I saw your review of the witches book. What exactly is “magical realism?” Been wondering…"

I'd say it's easiest to explain in comparison to UF or something...

In UF, you know the magic and werewolves are real... with Magical Realism, it's left ambiguous... the magic may or may not be real... the wizard might just be a crazy person... skeptics could explain away the magic with science...

Kinda like UFO/Ghost/Bigfoot hunters...

Wizard for Hire is a good example... and I read one about the Witch Trials with Charlie and Siobhan, that implied there were real witches in the epilogue...

[RachelG.]

Wizard for hire looks good

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I might actually have been misusing the term with that specific book you mentioned, Niki...

That's the problem with letting my To-Be-Reviewed pile grow mold... I think I was thinking of the Hyacinth and Opium book... Opium and Absinthe

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Okay thank you. I’ve been hearing the term a lot lately. I’ve actually read Wizard for hire (it was good!) so that’s a great example.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I made the example before I realized you'd read it (which I saw when Rachel mentioned thinking it looked good, and I compulsively clicked the link... I tend to do that with books and my reviews, when people like them, for very little reason, really...

Anyway... I googled the term as well, and there seems to be varying definitions of the term... but that's how I define it, separately from UF/etc... and my definition is from the perspective of the reader... there are plenty of UF books where certain characters don't necessarily believe the magic is real, but the reader knows it's real, that I would just call UF...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

It seems the internet says Magical Realism is when magic society is integrated with human society... and Urban Fantasy is set in a city and/or the magical society is hidden...

I like my definition better :D

Or maybe I invented the Magical Skepticism genre :D

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

haha I like that. Yeah, I'm much more in line with your definition. Magical Skepticism makes much more sense, so I'm going to use that term.

[RachelG.]

I feel like I have been really slow on this book with as much as I have going on unanticipated this week. I also feel like I don't have much to contribute yet as far as the story is going. I finished part 2: (view spoiler)[ I am going to miss Nadya. She made me laugh with some of the things she said. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

From what I remember, with Magical Realism there's fantastical elements to the story (like magic, ghosts, etc), but is set in the modern world, and when the characters interact with these elements, it's not out of the ordinary in the setting. Also in the genre, the authors don't typically explain how the magic works or have set rules like you see in typical fantasy. For these books, I wouldn't really describe them as magical realism? More hidden worlds/portal fantasy maybe.

But I do like the invention of Magical Skeptism there Iain :D

[RachelG.]

I finished Beneath the Sugar Sky on Friday and really enjoyed it but don't really have anything to discuss. (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed the time travel aspect of it and that they introduced the baker. I wonder if we see her appear in future stories. (hide spoiler)]

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I finished Friday as well but haven’t been near my desktop so I can open spoilers and see what you thought. I’ll do that tomorrow. Overall I liked it. :)

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Thanks Emily! Does that mean urban fantasies are technically magical realism?

Iain wasn’t describing that for this series - I saw the term in a review he did for another book and figured I’d hit him up for a discussion here.

[Tonari no Emily]

I wouldn't say so. in most urban fantasies the magic is explained a bit more than typical magical realism where everything is basically like reality except there's like Ghosts for example or maybe like an animal is talking. kind of hard to explain and of course there is overlap between genres.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Emily wrote: "I wouldn't say so. in most urban fantasies the magic is explained a bit more than typical magical realism where everything is basically like reality except there's like Ghosts for example or maybe ..."

Yes, okay I'm clear now. Thank you! I think I prefer it more when everyone knows there is magic afoot.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

RachelG. wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "RachelG. wrote: "Chapter 3:..."

[spoilers removed]"

Thanks. I totally missed that. I just went back and re-read the final page of book 1 and I had missed it completely. I th..."

I missed that too somehow! I figured when she started talking about Nancy in this one that she left it out on purpose or something.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

RachelG. wrote: "Beneath the Sugar Sky

I really appreciate that Seanan McGuire has dialogue in her books that I think quite a few teens and pre-teens feel and actually talk about, ..."

I, too, appreciated body positivity talk in this book and the general emphasis that, despite what others see, our bodies are amazing whatever form they come it. It's awesome to see such a positive message delivered in such a relatable way. (view spoiler)[ I even love that the character corrected Sumi's daughter saying "vagina" instead of "vulva" haha. (hide spoiler)]

overall book thoughts: (view spoiler)[ I agree, it was really nice to be back at the school. I had a feeling we'd see Sumi again because of the "hall of the dead" setup. I like that she's around again, but can't help but feel it would've been a stronger series if people couldn't come back. More suspense.

I am definitely more drawn to the logical worlds, so I'm glad the bulk of the book didn't take place in this world. I love that the characters from all worlds are starting to hang out and converge and explore. It's really cool. I would love to visit the mermaid world Cora is from. (Iain, don't tell me if we get to go there or not - I'm going into each book blind because I like the surprise. :D). (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I'm loving the series at this point. I'll be more active on the next read - I got caught up in admin stuff and am generally overwhelmed with "currently readings", which should mellow out by next week. When would you like to continue? :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think the next book is the one we'd most likely end up in?... It's (view spoiler)[Lundy's book, and the Goblin Market... logical world, avid reader MC, etc etc etc (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Yeah I generally love the inclusivity in McGuire's books. I've read almost everything she's written including by her pseudonym.
ALSO, I listened to these books the first time around, I had no idea they had a few illustrations in them! That's always a fun bonus to find out :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Emily wrote: "Yeah I generally love the inclusivity in McGuire's books. I've read almost everything she's written including by her pseudonym.
ALSO, I listened to these books the first time around, I had no idea ..."

Seanan McGuire is great... one of the highest quality churners I know (writes tons of books a year... up there with authors I know use ghostwriters or co-authors to churn out material)

McGuire writes an InCryptid book, an October Daye book, a Wayward Children novella... tons of short stories... and finds time for side projects like Middlegame...

I think she lives with and partially takes care of her mother?... big house tho, partially funded by Patreon short stories... and has time to travel a bit and visit Disneyland/World... while doing all this writing...

I've read 90% of her McGuire stuff and 50-75% of her Mira Grant horror-y stuff... Newsflesh trilogy, some shorts, 2 Parasitology books, and a bit of the mermaid horror novella... not the mermaid horror full book tho...

I think there's always been a bit of inclusivity to McGuire's books... but her earlier books limited the theme more to magical creatures... more recent books added more non-binary/etc characters and themes...

Altho... the more I think about it... Professor Walther Davies in October Daye always had a backstory about swapping genders through alchemy... not sure it came up much until book 9/11 tho, when they visit his home duchy, where people knew him as Princess Waltrune...

[RachelG.]

I plan to get start the first October Daye book once it comes from the library and am finally caught up on the Incryptid books and am ready for the new one to come out in 2022.

I also haven't looked ahead at what comes next in the Wayward series but have both the print and audio version. I would be good with starting In an Absent Dream anytime after Christmas or later if need be. This week is just too crazy with all that I have going on.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

RachelG. wrote: "I plan to get start the first October Daye book once it comes from the library and am finally caught up on the Incryptid books and am ready for the new one to come out in 2022.

I also haven't loo..."

October Daye is great... but it's another series that I say takes 2-3 books to grow on you... that first book I started 2-3x before finishing the first time... it has a bit of a depressing opening and mundane early couple chapters...

I love InCryptid... I need to read more of the short stories I've missed over the past couple years... can't wait for Spelunking Through Hell

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about the next one. I'm happy that I'm so excited to keep reading. :)

[Elizabeth]

I need to get back to October Daye. I think I'm on book 6 or 7. It's been a couple years. I was enjoying them but had so many open series at the time they fell to the side a bit.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about the next one. I'm happy that I'm so excited to keep reading. :)"

Book 2 is my least favorite of the series... book 1 was hard to get into, but book 2 I just "solved" so many of the things the MC was trying to solve, way too early to enjoy it... and then (view spoiler)[the author went and undid the plot around book 9.5 with a novella, when April figured out how to use October to download everyone back into their bodies... but then there's never much time to bring this up in the main series... they're just kinda secretly all alive again... presumably because it would be confusing for people that skip the short stories? (hide spoiler)]

Book 3 is a GREAT book... introduces some new characters, and October really starts building her legend as a Changeling Knight Not To Be Trifled With...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Elizabeth wrote: "I need to get back to October Daye. I think I'm on book 6 or 7. It's been a couple years. I was enjoying them but had so many open series at the time they fell to the side a bit."

so close to the first Big Deal Book... The Winter Long (#8) is kind of the Changes (Dresden) of October Daye books... flips some old books on their head and ups the ante, yet again...

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about the next one. I'm happy that I'm so excited..."

That was my issue!!! I knew things the character should know at least half the book before she even suspected. I hate dumb MCs or ones who are smart but the author needs them to be stupid in one area to extend the plot. Basically, I don't like it whenever I can see writing mechanisms at work.

You convinced me. I'll read the next one soon ish.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about the next one. I'm hap..."

Me too... I quit the In Death series by JD Robb for awhile, after book 5, because it got to the point I was calling the murderer in like the first 50 pages... I have that problem with some series still, but when they're BRs, I can kinda just joke about it in discussions, and continue... magic of a BR...

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Elizabeth said the same thing about the third book. I just need to buck up and read it already.

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about t..."

I had the same issue with nancy drew books lmao. Called it every time. That's the trouble with the more formulaic mystery authors.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Niki Hawkes wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's ch..."

new character?... they did it...

[Niki Hawkes, I made it past GOTM... barely]

Haha

… nicest character? Totally a cover.

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Niki Hawkes wrote: "I need to keep trying on October Daye. I like so many things but that second book was not my favorite.

Let's chat next monday about the next one. I'm happy that I'm so excited..."

I didn't read that novella so I was very confused (view spoiler)[ when all those people were alive again lol (hide spoiler)]