Seanan McGuire

Pros: great characters, thought provoking

Cons:

Nadya was abandoned to a Russian orphanage on birth, having been born without a right hand. She never considers herself lacking something until a Christian American couple adopts her and gets her a prosthetic. Unsure of her future, she falls through a door into a world with giant talking turtles.

This is book 10 of the Wayward Children series, but it is an origin story novella, so while Nadya is a main character in Beneath the Sugar Sky (book 3), you don’t need to read that to understand her story here. Nor do you need to have read any of the previous book to have a full understanding of this book.

McGuire is a master of creating empathy with her characters. Her clear but lyrical prose allows you to follow Nadya’s thoughts regarding her missing hand - how she doesn’t feel its lack, nor does she feel it needs replacing to be ‘whole’. Too often books align with the parents in this situation, expecting gratefulness from the recipient of their ‘aid’, unwanted and unnecessary as it may be.

It’s a thought provoking read, not only for the prosthetic, but also about Nadya’s adoption and some reasons why families choose that option and how it can affect the child in question.

I loved Nadya’s spirit and cleverness. Her kindness. Her resilience.

Belyyreka’s a challenging world to get your head around. I loved the giant turtles and how they were used in the story.

The ending, as usual for the origin novellas in this series, has an abrupt ending. We do know what happens to Nadya next, after this story ends. Strangely, that knowledge left me with more questions of how things go after the end of Beneath the Sugar Sky. Maybe those will be answered in a future novella.

If you haven’t read any of the Wayward Children books, this is another entry point that requires no previous knowledge, and it’s a great little story.… (more)

4 Stars

Reminiscent of the broad themes seen in X-Men and The Boys, this is a world whereby genetic mutations, radiation, exotic pathogen, or mad science manifests as the odd power that can be utilized for good or evil. These unique superhumans are supported and technically employed by Super Patriots Inc., a company who claims to have their best interests, and the safety of the public, in mind.

As this collection of short stories run their course, the reader follows intrepid heroine Velma “Velveteen” Martinez, toy animator extraordinaire, who was sold into the machine as a minor and because she didn’t neatly fit into Super Patriot’s agenda, her world was shattered. So, according to her, things are “fucked up times five billion” as Velveteen soon finds out, you’re either with the Super Patriots or you’re against them. They turn you against loved ones and loved ones against you, isolate you so you have no choice but to rely and depend upon their generosity and resources. They don’t take no for an answer, and they certainly don’t fight fair. Though Velveteen simply wants to be left alone and lead a normal life, the Super Patriots won’t let her go in peace, and her allies (and some who are not) have other plans for Velveteen instead.

Obviously, don’t let that cute cover fool you. Though this has moments of fun and whimsy, this is quite the angsty read and a pointed look at corporate greed, child abandonment and abuse, brainwashing, betrayal, and painful love. Toss in the multiverse, magic, Santa Claus (yes you read that right), and the real manifestations of the seasons, and you have a well rounded, extensive alternate reality where being superhuman just might get you killed.

Rest assured though, this is buoyed by really fantastic friends who make the bestest found family, and this book is full of hope with a message about doing what’s profoundly difficult but, deep down in your bones, right, all led by a likable (albeit cantankerous) heroine who stands up not only for herself but for many others as well!

I haven’t read much Seanan McGuire, but this is a sign to do more!

Thank you to the author and Subterranean Press via NetGalley for an e-copy to review honestly… (more)