Series: Wayward Children #3
Narrator: Michelle Dockrey
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
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.
Narrated by Michelle Dockrey, Beneath the Sugar Sky By Seanan McGuire is the third novella in the Wayward Children fantasy series.
Where Down Among the Sticks and Bones was dark and bordered on horror, Beneath the Sugar Sky was lighter with a touch of tension and lots of frosting. It had moments where I laughed aloud and others where I sat hoping it would all work out. McGuire takes us to a land filled with gingerbread, cotton candy and fizzy pop. Sounds like a day with Willy Wonka, but beware danger lurks.
When a naked girl with candy corn eyes, falls from the sky demanding to see her mother the children of Wayward home are shocked. From the moment I was all in!
Rini is from the Land of Nonsense, and she seeks her mother, Sumi. Rini and her world are in trouble. What she doesn’t know is the Sumi is dead. Can the children help her? This was so whimsical from cotton candy dresses, to the land of the dead.
Christopher, who hails from the land of the dead, has ideas and with the help of Rini’s magic the group set off to find Sumi. I loved how the group worked together. My favorite was Cora, a Mer-girl who loves turtles. Each place we visit is well developed, as are the children.
McGuire’s imagination and gift of weaving these tales never ceases to amaze me. Villains, soda pop and magical baking held me enchanted. While I think I preferred the darker worlds in this series, I loved a world baked entirely out of sweets.
Michelle Dockery’s narration was delightful. I loved the voices she gave these characters from the whimsical to the frightening. She helped deliver the enchanting tone of McGuire’s tale.
It's not all cotton candy, gingerbread and fizzy pops Beneath the Sugar Sky By Seanan McGuire #audiobook #novella #fantasy #youngadult Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
This sounds really suspenseful. I would like to pick this one up. I love that the characters are well developed and that they work great together. Great review!
Mary
Jen
AH… I’m torn on this one. I don’t like too dark or horror at all – which is how you described the previous title. But this sounds like fun! Thanks for the review.
Kimberly
These are YA, so while the other was darker and creepy it wasn’t gore. Ya know?
Tyler H. Jolley
You know, Audible has been such a game changer for me. Between work, and kids and commutes, it’s made it possible to “read” so much more than I did in the past. I always appreciate your samples
Olivia-Savannah Roach
I have been hearing such great things about this series in the past few months and the first one is on my wishlist so I am looking forward to hopefully reading them all soon. Glad you enjoyed this third one ^.^
SARAH Ann BECKMAN
I love this series! Have you read #4 yet?
Kimberly
I am listening now Sarah and oh my goodness..I think it’s my favorite!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I want to get to this author but mount TBR and Robin and Melanie are covering her so well. Sigh. Thanks for the review.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
Great review! This is a series that has been on my radar for a while but haven’t started yet. It sounds so much fun though. I’m going to have to make a point to start it this year.
sjhigbee
Thank you for a lovely review – I’ve read the first of these delightful books, but I’ve fallen waaay behind. I think this one would be wonderful to listen to…
Lorna
I haven’t heard about these books although I’ve read an adult one by her. These sound so fun. Why didn’t they have this stuff when I was growing up??
Daniela Ark
I feel like such an idiot for not finishing book 1!! Everyone loves tjis series! I’ll have to give it another try! Seanan McGuire can definitely write!
Heidi
I really love this book and this series. I thought this one was so fun with the sugary world. I have the next one on hold at my library, I should be listening soon!
Mary Kirkland
Well that sure sounds like fun. I’ve read 2 of her books and enjoyed them.
sherry fundin
Sounds interesting and unlike anything I have read. Great review.
Sophia Rose
This sounds so out there and crazy. I think I’ll be reading these some day. 🙂
Debbie Haupt
This sounds really good Kim I remember seeing the prior novels in your posts, is it an adults only fantasy or would little people like it too?
Nadene
Magical baking, fizzy pop and with a hint of danger. Sure sounds interesting.
Melliane
I only read the first two books but I need to read more