Another fantastic book from McGuire. Like My Little Pony but with centaurs!! Loved It! Will definitely recommend to my customers!!!

I really enjoyed this story. Across the Green Grass Fields is the newest installment in the Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire. I adore this series so pretty much any opportunity to spend time in this world is a joy for me to read. I really like that this book is a completely new story. It doesn't follow any of the characters from the previous books and just tells something new with a world we haven't seen before and I liked that because it helps this book stand out in this series. I really enjoyed Regan as a character a lot. She grew up into such a strong person who I was so happy to see finally realize the value of her worth and that bad friends aren't worth her time or energy. The world she falls into was super interesting and unlike anything else I've ever heard before and I thought that was a lot of fun. I did think the ending was rushed and I didn't love the way everything wrapped up as much as I would have liked. I liked the "twist" that Regan discovers during her hero journey at the end and that was super interesting, I just felt like she figures things out, accidentally finds herself at home and then it's over and I wanted to know more. Of course I understand that is how this series works so I'm not really surprised but I still would love to know even more about the story and what happens after. I can't wait to read the next in the series. I always highly anticipate this series and this book did not disappoint.

I really liked the framework of Regan's story because it's such a good look at trans issues, but the adventure she gets to have is so solidly her own and I'm really looking forward to seeing if and how Regan fits into the rest of the series.

Another stellar entry in the Wayward Children series. My guess is we’ll be seeing Regan again. Maybe she’ll meet up with the rest of the kids at the school. I like these books because they move at a decent pace without seeming to drag or skip over anything. They’re not exactly light given the issues the kids deal with but they’re an enjoyable visit to another world.

Across the Green Grass Fields follows the story of this girl named Regan Lewis. It starts when she's 7 years old, where she begins to question her identity and nature while wondering why it doesn't align with society's expectations. We get to grow up alongside her, spending her time with the horses that she loves so much, and which puts her under the pressure by others who don't consider that as a girly thing to do. Regan's parents are kind enough to explain to her why she's different, being intersex, but also insisted that she should embrace her nature and never allow anyone to make her doubt her identity. Their care and love couldn't prevent some trouble that occurred later, and after which she ends up in a different world.

The installments of the Wayward Children series always start with the same tone, as they're mainly about accepting one's self and finding where they truly belong. I'm in love with the author's take this time, and how the light was shed on society's expectations of girls, and the way their bodies are seen. It is the first time I (shamefully) read a book with intersex representation. I truly respect the author for that; she's been doing an amazing job with her representations throughout this whole series! I, surprisingly, also liked the world in this one! Oh boy did I love the Hooflands! All the unicorns, centaurs, fauns...etc. They were just too adorable! I enjoyed the story as well, and the characters' development. I was very impressed by the ending and appreciated the message that was delivered. It was exactly what I hoped for.

At this point, I don't even have to express my need for more of certain aspects of the story, and which I can't rightfully complain about since this is a novella. Overall, this was a very adorable read, set in a fascinating world, and following a lovely character. This might be my favorite installment so far (?); need to reread the others to properly decide. If you've come this far in this series, don't hesitate to pick this one out once it's out.

Across the Green Grass Fields is the sixth book in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series, but it can easily be read as a standalone work for those who find the premise interesting. The prose is earthy and elegant, as McGuire's writing typically is, and the world McGuire builds on the other side of the portal feels deeply real.

Regan is a girl who loves horses and seeks safety in conformity. It's appropriate, then, that just as she loses her safety, she stumbles into a portal to a world full of people who are also horses. In a world of centaurs, kelpies, and kirin, Regan has to decide what she's going to do...and whether she'll become a hero, if it means leaving her new home.

In some ways, this book is a love letter to the My Little Pony media from the 1980s. Regan's name is one letter off from Megan's, and like Megan she finds herself in a world where everyone is a horse. Like Megan, Regan is an ordinary person who is told that her arrival means that she's meant to do extraordinary things. Unlike Megan, though, Regan just wants to live a normal, quiet life. It was nice to see that Regan did miss her parents, who were loving and kind. The Wayward Children books in general, unlike some portal fantasy, always acknowledge that there's someone at home, missing the children who were lost to them. Or not missing them, as the case may be.

The denouement doesn't disappoint. The book doesn't back away from hard questions or hard truths, and Regan's actions make sense with the person we get to know over the course of the book. Some people may find the conclusion a bit underwhelming, but given what happens I think the leadup and tone work very well.

As a cisgender woman, I'm not well-situated to judge the book's treatment of Regan as an intersex girl. In the world that Regan is transported to, it's her being human that sets her apart, and grants her a destiny. She has the space to live without being judged, and that in itself may be part of the way the Hooflands is good for her. What set her apart at her first home is irrelevant to her life in her new one.

There are a lot of things to take away from this book, but the one that stood out the most to me is that ultimately, there's no point giving credence to people who put the concept of "person" into a narrow box. It's a frightening thing to do when those people have power, but it doesn't mean you have to accept it. Today, where we are in the world, it's a good thing to remember.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

This is yet another solid title in McGuire's Wayward Children series. When it comes to children, of course, I personally have my favorites. While I wouldn't immediately count this as one of them, I did enjoy it and know I'll re-read it for that second opinion later.

One of my favorite things about McGuire's work is her inclusion of diverse minorities. I enjoy the fact that it just IS in her books and not an attention grab for representation.

For me, the best part of this book was the middle. And that's definitely unusual when I read McGuire's work; it's usually solid from beginning to end. But I did get the overwhelming sense of belonging from the Hooflands for Regan, which hadn't been as strong as in other installments. (Maybe chalk it up to the fact that I was never A Horse Girl, though I did find all of the species charming.)

This was a sweet interlude volume, set completely in one of the door worlds--and decidedly less dark than the previous ones. I think I just missed the characters from the others too much!

Regan loves, and is loved, though her school-friend situation has become complicated, of late.

When she suddenly finds herself thrust through a doorway that asks her to "Be Sure" before swallowing her whole, Regan must learn to live in a world filled with centaurs, kelpies, and other magical equines―a world that expects its human visitors to step up and be heroes.

But after embracing her time with the herd, Regan discovers that not all forms of heroism are equal, and not all quests are as they seem…- Goodreads

I have read 4 out of the 6 books in this series. You don't need to read all of them in order, however, you should start with the first one to understand what is going on. 

I liked this book, although slower than the previous books, this one focuses on identity, family and friendship. Regan is trying to figure it out and mistakenly walks through a door that takes her into another world. She adapts thanks to some help pretty well and she is able to grow on her own terms. I like the fact that she was given the freedom to do that before she made the decision to go on her "epic" quest. 

The thing about this book is Regan lived in this other world sheltered, protected, loved and taken care of for years and she grew up with no much fear, worry or concern. Beyond the pending doom of meeting the Queen, she put that far from her mind and lived her life as best as she could. In this book, we watched a child grow and that is about it. 

Therefore, if you are expecting action, someone on the run, tension between the herd, this book isn't for her.  

It was slow pace but beautifully descriptive, inviting and well written. However, I was very disappointed in the ending. The ending isn't a surprised compared to the other books but Regan deserved better and I really want to know what happens next. 

Overall, a very likable book to the series. 

3 Pickles

I keep thinking there's no way the next book will be better. And then the next book is better and hits me even more than the previous.

Some differences aside, Regan felt so raw and real and dang did my childhood come rushing back to me. I love her so much, and I love her journey. I really liked the message of this book probably the most since it's about non-conformity and finding your own place in the world and growing to become the you that you want to be.

One of my issues with traditional fairytales is how empty they feel by the end. Where the character grows up in this alternate world and learns all these things, and when they return to the real world, it was all pointless and a "personal journey" but what it really means is imagination is dead and it's time to deal with the "real" world. Seanan McGuire takes all of those awful plots and turns them on their heads. <I>Across the Green Grass Fields</i>, like all of the <i>Wayward Children</i> books, takes a traditional fairytale and makes it deeper, yet in so few pages.

Regan's journey to her fantasy world doesn't give her some nice life lessons, pat her on the back, and send her home after completing the Hero's Journey. Regan grows as a person in a world that is flexible enough to allow her to discover who she is and who she wants to be.

Once again, McGuire is able to perfectly create a detailed and expansive fantasy world in just under two hundred pages. You're quickly gripped by the characters, and everything is just so well done.

I cannot recommend this series enough, but especially this book. For all the girls, teens, women, out there who have felt confined within a box, who feel like they need/want to break out of the labels others have put on them. This one is for you.

Arc provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was once ones of those girls you see in the playground pretending to be a horse. I was obsessed and still love them to this day. Seanan McGuire's world was one that I wish I could have found as a child. I would have loved it so much that I would have never wanted to leave. The world she created beyond this door was one that had enough nuance and culture to it that everything felt new and yet still something that I could imagine.

My only big complaint is the fact that the ending felt just the slightest bit rushed. I would have loved to see just the slightest bit more to the story and the characters I had come to love.

I am only giving this four stars because of the ending. I've read all of these so far and enough McGuire to have known exactly how it was going to end but it was more frustrating with this book because it was a brand new character and a brand new world and it could have been a nice capsule story in this universe(multiverse?) that she has created. Other than that? I think it was one of my favorites. But maybe I'm secretly a horse girl. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for good parents in YA.

Seanan McGuire’s books are never long enough! That’s because I could stay lost in her worlds forever, especially the ones she creates in the Wayward Children series. Again, this new installment hits the mark, and I truly hope we get to visit this new world again!

This entire series represents the books I needed when I was a girl. These were the books that would have spoken to my deepest yearnings. My childhood is decades and decades behind me now, but these books still speak to my inner girl, who knew that somewhere out there was the world that was *perfect* for her. I'm really happy that Seanan McGuire has written these books for the girls who are looking for them right now.

Another girl goes through another door into a place of unicorns and centaurs, kelpies and satyrs, danger and excitement, but also friendship, adventure, and family

Note: This is copied from my Goodreads review.

This wasn't a typical Wayward Children book as the school and other characters are nowhere to be found in the story. And while I found that a tad disappointing I still really enjoyed Regan's tale. It would have been nice to learn if she ended up at the school but perhaps that will come in a later book.

Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for this eARC!

This is one of my favorite ongoing series. I did a reread earlier this year and still appreciated each of these stories so much. I've been looking for this one on NetGalley for months and was so glad to get it!

This volume follows Regan (we haven't met her before!), a horse girl who trusts a secret to the wrong person and finds a door into the Hooflands, populated by unicorns, centaurs, fauns, satyrs, kelpies, and everything else with hooves. She finds a new family with a herd of unicorn-herding centaurs, but in the Hooflands, humans are supposed to be heroes, not regular girls. Eventually, Regan knows she'll have to confront this destiny.

As always, I loved the world building and character work Seanan McGuire does. This was one of my favorite worlds in the series. I would read an absolute tome about the culture of centaurs in the Hooflands, and it made so much sense that there would be a world just for horse girls and unicorn enthusiasts. But, this book, more than previous books in the series, suffers from being so short. We spend more time on the time before Regan finds her door to the Hooflands than in previous books, and this book needed more space, particularly the ending which was very rushed. Over the course of these books, however, Seanan has earned her readers' trust and I know this won't be the last we see of Regan. She hasn't even been to the school yet! I can't wait to see more of her and (hopefully) more of the Hooflands. I'm in for any adventures Seanan writes, I just hope they'll be a little longer next time.

A fantastic addition to the Wayward Children series! Again with the others, this stands up in terms of storytelling and world building.

This was a good continuation of The Wayward Children series. I liked The Hooflands, and being a horse-crazy child myself, this was probably my favorite out of all the books so far.

An intriguing blend of realism and magic that felt familiar and new at the same time. I really enjoyed this read. I loved how familiar all the characters felt and how fresh the world was when she stepped into it. I immediately felt like I'd somehow been here before. It was magical and lovely.