twistykris's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I was a little bit of a horse girl growing up, but not to the extent as our main character, Regan, so I guess this story was a little.. underwhelming for me. Again, as with previous books in the Wayward Children series, the world-building is fantastic and the prose is lovely, but this book was more ~vibes~ than plot for a lot of it. The inclusion of an intersex character was wonderful, and I loved how Regan's parents are attentive and loving and supportive, unlike some children in previous books. I also loved the found-family aspect, with the centaurs taking her in without question. Chicory was my favorite and I loved every interaction with her.
The ending (pre-epilogue) is what disappointed me the most. It felt like this huge build-up only to have an unsatisfying conclusion.
The epilogue was pretty gutting, and I really thought there would be some mention of Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, but there wasn't. Maybe Regan will be brought back in a later book. Overall, my least favorite in the series so far.
The ending (pre-epilogue) is what disappointed me the most. It felt like this huge build-up only to have an unsatisfying conclusion.
The epilogue was pretty gutting, and I really thought there would be some mention of Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, but there wasn't. Maybe Regan will be brought back in a later book. Overall, my least favorite in the series so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Murder, Outing, Blood, Body shaming, and Animal death
Minor: Confinement
elysian's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5 star Read
I absolutely loved this one!
- The message it wanted to convey was strong and carried through the entire book with the MC growing and changing her opinion on it.
- All the characters are just lovable. Chicory is just 🥰
- The world is so interesting and solid. Genuinely wish I could live there too.
- The ending left me wanting for more, but I am definitely satisfied with the ending and resolution. I hope Regan gets a spotlight in other Wayward Children books: tho I understand if she wouldn't as it comes a bit contrary to the message of the book.
I absolutely loved this one!
- The message it wanted to convey was strong and carried through the entire book with the MC growing and changing her opinion on it.
- All the characters are just lovable. Chicory is just 🥰
- The world is so interesting and solid. Genuinely wish I could live there too.
- The ending left me wanting for more, but I am definitely satisfied with the ending and resolution. I hope Regan gets a spotlight in other Wayward Children books: tho I understand if she wouldn't as it comes a bit contrary to the message of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Outing, and Body shaming
huntress's review
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Outing, and Transphobia
green_amaryllis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Transphobia
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This one is for the horse girls - the world is called Hooflands. I really appreciate reading the diverse POVs in this series, the MC in this one is intersex. This one is a stand-alone within the series without overlap of previous book’s characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Kidnapping, and Bullying
Moderate: Body shaming
jayreadsthings's review
adventurous
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this so much! It was so good and sad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Body shaming
ticktock's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Bullying, and Xenophobia
sarahweyand's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This installment in the series was mostly enjoyable and felt very out of place from the rest of the books. I thought Regan was an interesting character and her world was fun if a little underdeveloped. The prose issues I have with previous books in this series were nonexistent in this one, so that was a nice surprise. This was also a much more fun and lighthearted novel which I appreciated after some of the books I've been reading recently.
This book ultimately felt too underdeveloped for me to have strong feelings. Each important scene was far too short, there was little feeling of atmosphere throughout, the only character that got any real development was Regan. I think the end of the book happened ten pages after the climax. Left feeling very meh, but it was such a fast read I didn't feel like I wasted my time.
This book ultimately felt too underdeveloped for me to have strong feelings. Each important scene was far too short, there was little feeling of atmosphere throughout, the only character that got any real development was Regan. I think the end of the book happened ten pages after the climax. Left feeling very meh, but it was such a fast read I didn't feel like I wasted my time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Bullying
valodniece's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Loved this one a lot more than the past few in the series, it was sweet and kind and interesting and the representation it provides to a highly underrepresented group is also great and handled in an age appropriate way for the character at hand.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Bullying, Xenophobia, Transphobia, and Outing
dokushoka's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Death
Minor: Toxic friendship and Blood