Member Reviews

I love this series so I am super happy I got the latest installment as an ARC! I love how Seanan McQuire weaves all the different doors and characters together. And who doesn't love a good quest with friends!

I can't wait for the next one to come out!

Was this review helpful?

I have eagerly awaited each installment in this series, with each one sparking a different emotion or reflection. This book, the ninth book in the series, is a bit of a quest. It continues the story of Antoinette, whose story we learn about in the previous book. This book starts with her heading to the School for Wayward Children, meeting the whole crew, and then heading out to solve a problem. These books are short but packed full of intense emotional commentary on the lives of children and the complex emotions they feel. I love how deeply Seanan McGuire dips into the pool of emotions, and how much credit she gives to children. The narration was lovely, as always, and the children have unique and different voices to help you tell them apart. The atmosphere is immersive and well done. I love this whole series.

Was this review helpful?

This was another excellent instalment in the Home for Wayward Children series. While many of the books in the series can be read independently, this instalment takes place following the previous book, Lost in the Moment and Found. I would recommend reading the previous book before picking up this one. Antsy's story continues and it feels like we get closure for her story while also having some of the other favourite characters join her (such as Kade, Sumi, and Cora). Seannan McGuire has created a vibrant world but this book gives us more insight to the world building. These novellas are each so unique and interesting, I cannot wait for the next one.

Was this review helpful?

The story is about Antsy, the new kid at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children, and how she realizes that her gift of finding lost things might extend to the doors that open into other worlds. As part of an odd group of students (whom we've met in previous books), they set out on an unauthorized quest that leads them through other worlds on their way to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go.

Finding that sense of home is such an integral part of each story in the Wayward series, but none so much as this one. While all the books in the series explore what it really means to be human, and how adults see children, this one touches on a person's pure, honest desire to belong. Antsy can only return to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go if she is sure. Sumi knows she will go back to her lost world because she is and has always been sure. Kade is sure he will never go back to Prism.

As an installment of the Wayward Child series by Seanan McGuire, this book satisfies the curiosity in me to tie up all the loose ends of characters who already starred in their own books. While not every character gets a satisfying story conclusion in this book (leaving room for more to come!), the utterly fascinating storytelling kept me engaged with the narrator. Not my favorite in the series (I still love Jack and Jill so much!) but definitely one of the best.

Was this review helpful?

I always lookforward to the beginning of the new year because it means getting to revisit these beautifully written characters and friendships. Seanan McGuire did not disappoint with this new installment of the wayward children series and the narrator did a fabulous job bringing the story to life.

Was this review helpful?

Love, love, love this series and was so ecstatic to be back in their worlds again. Thank you so much Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my review copy!

Was this review helpful?

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seenan McGuire is the latest book in the Wayward Children series. This is one of my favorite series, The plot points are magical, oftentimes frightening, and well crafted. I enjoyed this latest installment very much and the audio and narration were superb. This series is an auto-buy for me.

Was this review helpful?

This was a very worthy entry into the Wayward Children series. I really enjoyed how different elements from previous books intertwined in this one. Because of that, however, this book is less of a stand-alone entry and really needs to be read in order. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator remains the same as from previous books, which made me happy. As with all the books in this series, there is an element of nostalgia and yearning for the place where one truly belongs - and how right it feels when we find that place!

Was this review helpful?

Once again, I sound like a broken record but I am in love with the Wayward Children series and each novella is like a warm hug full of fantastic locations, a lot of trauma healing, and self-discovery. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known was no different. It was a perfect follow up to Lost in the Moment and Found and I didn't realize I needed this conclusion to that storyline. Seanan McGuire can still do no wrong. I'm already mad that I'm back to waiting of the next book in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I'm crying. Mislaid in Parts Half-Known is a wonderful book, and I was lucky to gain access to a review copy. Hearing it in audio was a new experience. Before, I had read Every Heart a Doorway in print and finished it within a couple of hours.

Full disclosure that I have been on a panel with Seanan McGuire at WorldCon in 2022, and that was the reason why I got into Wayward Children, after hearing her speak. She is really funny and dry-witted, so I totally recommend attending any talks or panels featuring her.

Also note that this review does talk about the previous book series, so mind the continuity mentions.

In the latest installment of Wayward Children, new student Antsy has had trouble finding her place after her roommate Cora left for Whitethorn, and returned when Confection girl Sumi busted her out, along with a few other classmates. Cora seems to have reentered the teenager fold of misfits, and Antsy doesn't know how to enter it. She's mentally a child but physically a teen, which reminds her of the price that she paid in her world. Kids that are nine-years old would see her as weird for wanting to mingle with them, and she sees teenagers as adults. She hasn't even told Eleanor her full story, having been burned by the previous adult that took her in, the shopkeeper Vinita at the Shop of Lost Things.

Then word gets around that Antsy may be able to find Doors, including the Doors of the students that have been desperate to return. When queen bees Seraphina and Angela get wind of this, Seraphina tries using her impossible beauty to convince Antsy to open a Door for her, and refuses to take "no" for an answer or even give Antsy a chance to think about it. Antsy hesitates because she knows the price of Doors, and that Seraphina can get anything she wants. The teenage misfits have to save Antsy, and go on an adventure to avoid Seraphina's persuasive powers when Antsy opens a Door to save them all.

While we get an ending to Antsy's story, we get reminders of the ongoing storylines regarding Cora, Sumi, and Kade's journey. They've banded together as the survivors who understand each other and have lost friends. Some friends died, while others found their Doors. In some cases, they left their worlds behind to do what's right. When they realize Antsy is still a young child and doesn't know how teens act, they quickly adopt her as one of their own while helping her.

This book gives more focus on Kade and his role as the student assistant and administrator on Eleanor's behalf. We also find out more about Prism, the world that kicked him out when they realized he was a boy, and he found out he was trans. As Kade as my favorite, this broke my heart and delighted me at the same time.

The audiobook kept me on my toes, and I finished it in three days. We get a lovely narrator that transitions between adult and children voices, with Kade being given a nice low lilt to his anguish.

Was this review helpful?

This is by far my favorite Wayward Children book. I so enjoyed the previous book and was delighted to continue on Antsy's journey. She is wise beyond her years in spite of having to grow up too quickly. I don't want to give anything away. Read this book and fall in love with the Wayward Children.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book. I always enjoy the Wayward Children books and it is a tradition that every January I listen to the audiobook. This book was very enjoyable and I was glad to be back in this world. The Wayward Children books are a comfort read to me. I love the characters and the story of this book.

Was this review helpful?

This entry in Wayward Children had very little of the repetition that bothers me and moved the story forward. Antsy, the girl who can find lost things, including Doors, narrowly escapes being enslaved by another resident at the school. To escape, she and other usual suspects go through a different door, catch up with old acquaintances, and take some steps to make things better for future children.

Was this review helpful?

I adore every book in this series. They are the best fantasy short stories. I wish there were more dinosaurs, but overall loved it! I liked the narrator! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review.

Was this review helpful?

Phenomenal as always.
This made me feel so many things. I always connect to the wayward children but I think bringing a main character back really allowed the highs and lows to hit even harder.

Was this review helpful?

This is such a lovely series with so many possibilities in front of it. I love the concept of a sort of never-ending series of stories set in this world full of doors to other dimensions, and I enjoyed this installment. Long series can sometimes get repetitive and tedious, and I didn't find myself feeling either of those things during Antsy's adventures. If anything, McGuire's world feels more interesting, mysterious, and comfortable the more I get to know it.

Was this review helpful?

MISLAID IN PARTS HALF-KNOWN by @seananmcguire is book number 9 in this intricate portal fantasy novella series known as THE WAYWARD CHILDREN. If you are unfamiliar, these books all revolve around the concept that some children are called to a special portal world unique to them alone. Sometimes, for multiple reasons, these children somehow wind up being ejected from their portal world. Being one of these children once herself, Eleanor West opened up her SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD CHILDREN in which she tries to help the children adjust back into the "real world."

While all of the books are a continuing story, this one felt like an ACT II to Antsy's story in LOST IN THE MOMENT AND FOUND, book 8. While I wouldn't say this was my favorite of the series, I really love all of these and every one of them is at least solid 4 stars for me. In this installment, Antsy gets to confront the adults that she thought were protecting her when in truth, they were keeping a very important secret from her as well that will affect the rest of her life.

All of these books are at their core about the human yearning to belong while feeling like you don't quite fit into the world and if you have ever felt this way in your life due to being an outsider, being discriminated against, or even just feeling like the perpetually misunderstood or new person, these will tug at your heart strings. The worldbuilding of the individual portals and the character development are supurb in this series! My favorite part of these stories, though, are the found family aspects of these wayward children assisting, comforting and fighting for each other as they each hope to get back to their own personal wonderland.

Thank you to the author, @netgalley, and the publishers @macmillan.audio / @macmillanusa for the e/audio-ARCs and the finished copy. I can't get enough of this series and hope you enjoy it if you plan to dive in! Today is the day this one graces shelves.

If there was a portal world all for you, what do you think it would be like? Mine would most certainly be a gothic library full of books, cats and snacks. 🤓

💚SMASHBOT💚

#bookreview #booknerd #bookstagram #bookish #macmillan #waywardchildren

Was this review helpful?

Amazing performance & storytelling! This series just keeps getting better! While I have only read #8 - I will for sure be going back and reading 1-7 at the advice of other reviewers!

Thank you so much for the advanced copy!

Was this review helpful?

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire is the ninth novella in the Wayward Children series, and with each new book, I'm consistently amazed by her creativity. The ability to create so many unique and different worlds, to craft so many clever and distinctive characters--it's incredible.

Antsy is the newest student at Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children, where she realizes that her ability to find lost things might extend to doors into other worlds. In the company of some friends, they embark on a quest, visiting other worlds on their way to the Shop Where the Lost Things Go.

If you like sci-fi/fantasy novellas that are quick yet cleverly plotted, that follow the interconnected stories of eclectic, world-traveling children, then you need to pick up these books, ASAP. My friend Emily turned me onto them back when there were only four or five of them published, and I look forward to each new release now.

Jesse Vilinsky is an incredible narrator, and she really breathes life into this series. Although the story is dark and at times devastating, her narration makes the story feel hopeful and not as grim. I highly recommend listening to the audiobooks, if that's a way you like read books. It really adds to the entire experience.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book so much! I cried several times while reading and I love that we got to learn more about students from previous books. It's amazing the amount packed into each novella and the way Seanan continues to weave through the series. Beautifully done, as always.

In this story, we get to go to a new world, with dinosaurs, which is pretty awesome as well as getting a continuation of one of my favorite character's story lines.

I think this series is so beautiful and should be read by everyone. It is fun, engaging, heartbreaking, and so unique, I always get so excited for a new book.

Was this review helpful?