A review by mariebrunelm
In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 McGuire's Wayward Children is to me the definition of whimsical fantasy. It goes in unexpected directions, and tells the story with a storyteller type of narrative, which highlights the fairy-tale aspect. It makes it charming, but doesn't prevent the author from touching on very dark themes.
This is the 4th volume in the series, and like the 2nd, it focuses on one character, telling her story before we meet her in the first tome. I won't tell you much about the contents, except that it follows Lundy and that it is heavily inspired by Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti, but you don't need to have read this 19th-century poem to enjoy the story (I hadn't).
McGuire's inventiveness really shines through in this series, and I highly recommend it!
Rep: there is no obvious rep , but the theme of belonging and finding a place to call home, both in one's body and in one's environment, feels rather queer to me. And McGuire's series is joyfully inclusive anyway. 
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