Where the Drowned Girls Go - Seanan McGuire

I’m so glad to have receive an ARC from netgalley for book 7 in the Wayward Children series. This came out in January but I am finally caught up!! This series has such a special place in my heart. I love all the different representations and the different worlds we get to see in each book.

This book follows Cora who chooses to go to the other school, the one with the goal of making children forget about the world they visited. Sumi decides to come and rescue her. I loved this book so much and I think it is my favourite in the series. Sumi has got to be my favourite character, I just love her. This book was amazing and I can’t wait for more in the series.

Yet another fantastic installment! I love that we got to spend time learning about Cora as well as a few other characters we've briefly met before. I appreciate that the world McGuire had built is so expansive that you never really have to say goodbye to anyone - there's always the chance that they'll pop up again. This series is extremely special and I recommend it to everyone!

Like the other books in the wayward series, Seanan Mcguire has done a fantastic job telling this story of Cora. Through magic wit and friendship Where Drowned Girls Go once again lights everything up

In Where the Drowned Girls Go, the next addition to Seanan McGuire's beloved Wayward Children series, students at an anti-magical school rebel against the oppressive faculty.

"Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you’ve already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company."

There is another school for children who fall through doors and fall back out again. 

It isn't as friendly as Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children. 

And it isn't as safe. 

When Eleanor West decided to open her school, her sanctuary, her "Home for Wayward Children", she knew from the beginning that there would be children she couldn’t save; when Cora decides she needs a different direction, a different fate, a different prophecy, Miss West reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the other school, where things are run very differently by Whitethorn, the Headmaster. 

She will soon discover that not all doors are welcoming....

As usual, anything that Seanan McGuire writes, I devour. This next book in the Wayward Children series, Where the Drowned Girls Go is no exception. Really, the far more important question is why is it so good and is there any novel of Seanan McGuire’s that isn’t?

Sometimes with such excellent writing, I struggle to articulate just why I like it and just what to say in my book review.  Some of the core reasons that Where the Drowned Girls Go is so good is that the characters are so memorable. We first met Cora previously in the series but she has been scarred by the events of the past quest to aid Jack. She struggles with dreams and her memories of Jack’s world, especially the ocean. And even if Cora were the only fascinating character that would be enough but there is a deep complexity to every character in the story, even minor ones. There is someone that every person can connect to, can empathize with, even those that want to fit in and do what they’re told. Oddly, even those characters Seanan is able to create empathy towards them. Cora finds out that the new school isn’t quite what it seems but more importantly, she finds out that some girls just want to fit in and obey the rules. But what makes Cora so intriguing is that she wants to do what’s right, whether she fits in or not. That caring, that strength, are what makes Cora such an incredible character and a hero, whether she wants to be or not. 

The other reason that this story is so engrossing is how the girls in the novel fight against oppression. Whether they like it or not, whether they want to follow the rules or not, each girl eventually finds that they must face the oppression of the school and find a way to fight it, even if that way is supporting those who fight more openly. This is a story of female imperative, women facing up to the very male oppression and finding a way to either escape or fight against those who would harm them. Many of Seanan’s stories have this same theme and ultimately this theme of the oppressed or downtrodden is why so many of us find her words resonate with us. Every word, every thought always resonates and rings authentically to me and makes me come back over and over for her novels, even the ones that seem like they’d only be a fun story from the description. There’s always a deeper level to everything she writes and it is so compelling, so riveting and why I love reading Seanan's books. She makes my book review easy. 

I highly recommend reading this story. While it can be read as stand alone, there are some bits that might be missed or not understood without reading the rest of the novels in the series, so I do recommend that you read the others first, even if you need to pick them up from your local library. If you want to order them, you can put in an order with Duncan’s Books and More.  And if you like my book review, please let us know. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 students

Seanan McGuire continues the Wayward Children stories with Where the Drowned Girls Go. Cora decides that she needs a change from the Home for Wayward Children to save her from falling through doors to alternate worlds. At the Whitethorn Institute training is for reality only and structured living. Cora needs to escape; how? Wonderful fantasy for all.

Love this series and this latest one didn't disappoint! I like how sometimes the books include all the characters and how sometimes they are about one specific one.

Seanen McGuire never disappoints! Inam so happy that this series is continuing, and I can’t wait until the next book is out!

I cant say enough good things about this book!!! I loved following Cora's story as she discovers the mysteries of Whitethorn Academy and more importantly, herself! Very few novels on self introspection work for me, but this had the perfect balance of lightheartedness, dark themes, and realness. Cora is on the edge of giving in, and decides to grow instead by holding on to the sources of warmth and comfort in her life; a lesson so many adults are still learning, especially in our isolated present. A really phenomenal book, and so wholesome, it makes me want to reread the entire series!

I love how expansive McGuire has made this world throughout this novella series while still leaving so many unanswered questions. The worlds she can imagine never fail to amaze and frighten me. Although I missed Eleanor West’s School in this instalment, it was interesting to see how magic continues to leak in different ways into our world. I love this series and it will continue to be a staple in my reading for years to come.

Another excellent addition to the series! I love seeing the weird and wonderful new doors that get opened in each story. Can’t wait to see what happens next!

Full disclosure, I absolutely love this series. Novella after novella McGuire manages to create emotion-filled stories to pull at my heart strings. However this doesn't mean I love every entry equally, and the previous one didn't hit me quite as hard, felt too disconnected versus the rest of the series that at least touched on Eleanor West's school. Where the Drowned Girls Go makes up for that in leaps and bounds, though the children again and again are breaking the rule against having Adventures. McGuire writes about feeling like you're in the wrong skin so well I had to look up her author bio to see if she had come out as trans. What I'm saying is, this book hits hard and fast and will sweep you along.

I received a free eARC from NetGalley and the publishers, Macmillan-Tor/Forge, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release Date: 4 January 2022

I love the Wayward Children series so much, and this seventh instalment was no exception! Like the previous books, Where the Drowned Girls Go is a short (150 pages) novel that I flew through. I really wish these were longer as I always find myself wanting to stay in the world beyond the final page! I loved the plot and setting of this book; it is a setting that has been teased but never explored, so it was interesting finally being able to do so. I did have some questions at the end, but I feel these might be answered during a reread or with the next book coming out in 2023.

As always, the writing and illustrations are incredible and compliment each other well. I am so excited for the other 3 books that have been announced, although I do hope we get more than 10 in this series! The potential for the Wayward Children world is uncapped.

Where the Drowned Girls Go is yet another fantastic addition to Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series. I eagerly wait for these books to release each January and this book did not disappoint. While the earlier books in this series mostly take place in the portal worlds that the Wayward Children stumble upon, Where the Drowned Girls Go follows Cora, a mermaid, as she transfers from Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children to a competing school that, while strict and structured, promises it can help Cora forget about her mermaid portal world and adjust back to "normal" life. Dark, fast paced, and highly enjoyable.

One of my favorite so far! I loved the pacing of this one. It didn't linger too long on stressful aspects, but it didn't feel rushed. Also, I'm pleased with the ending, which was very satisfying. I think this book leaves on a good note but leaves intriguing concepts to be explored (like with the headmaster).

Seanan again wows with her fantastic concepts and character. Every character feels alive and distinct. Her handling of diverse characters is always good. She explores the diversity without it being their whole personality or seemingly shoved in by a publisher. I think her handling of fatphobia and other issues is well done in this specific book. This book is one where you definitely need to read the previous ones to understand. Unlike Come Tumbling Down, every character had reason to be there and contribute to the story. As always, her creativeness with magic and how the worlds work is excellent. I love this series and cannot wait to read more.

Also so happy that Regan was there and got a happyish ending! In general, I am pleased it didn't end on a depressing note.

I love Seanan McGuire's way of writing. It is one of a kind. It's hard for me to describe, but Wayward children is the ultimative comfort books. They're very short and you can sort of just pick one of them up without needing the context too much - and they're filled med all sorts of representation. I'd recommend reading them in publication order since I feel that the context of the characters add a little extra.

These books are such a good twist on children going to different worlds and experiencing adventures, because what really happens when they get home again?

In the newest installment of the series 'Where the drowned girls go' we follow Cora, who fell through a door in the ocean and became a mermaid. Okay, maybe that doesn't sound like a lot, but this book follows what happens both when Cora returns home and then finds herself in the home for wayward children, and what happens after some intense experiencences in the previous books.

I won't say much more since the book is so short. If you like books with children who go on crazy adventures and books with darker twists on otherwise familiar tropes I'd recommend this series.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

There is nothing this author can not do in my eyes. This was another stunning addition to the series, which I hold dear to my heart. I love the subjects that are tackled in them, such as being overweight, sexualities, gender roles etc, and the author writes them so fantastically.
This novella was beautiful and atmospheric, and I encourage everyone to pick up this series if they haven't already.
Truly magnificent.

I have only read one other story in this series, and both times I was surprised by how much I enjoy them. The concept of life after "wonderland" is so neat and portrayed perfectly in these stories. The themes can get a bit dark, which if you think about how your life might be after returning from a magical world, makes a lot of sense. But while being dark they are still easy, quick and fun reads.

I really enjoy that each can be read as a stand alone but reading the series gives you that extra detail to the side characters.

This book felt darker than the first one I read since it touched on some deep topics, so definitely look up tigger warnings before reading this one. It is good but far from this magical wonderland we might imagine when the series is described.

This is Cora's story, the mermaid girl from Come Tumbling Down, who was taken by the drowned gods. She is struggling to sleep or eat because of her experience and they keep whispering to her. Wanting the voices to go away, Cora asks to be transferred to the "other" school, where children who have been through doors go to forget. Cora quickly discovers that all is not as it seems in this school and must decide to forget or be a hero.

I was happy with this book because it explored Cora, who I found interesting and reintroduced Regan, whose story I found very incomplete. I am curious to see where this series goes next.

Where the Drowned Girls Go (Wayward Children #7) by Seanan McGuire
Publication date: January 4, 2022

Date read: January 17, 2022



Warning: minor spoilers to follow for previous books in the “Wayward Children” series.

Cora is a mermaid. At least, she was, after she went through her door into the Trenches. Now she’s back in our world, and has always been keeping an eye out for her door back. But after a rescue mission to the Moors, and a close encounter with the Drowned Gods, Cora no longer feels safe in the water, and only wants to forget her time in either world. It’s for this reason that she requests a transfer from Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, where you’re taught to accept, to the Whitethorn Institute, where you’re taught to forget. But promises are one thing, and Cora soon realizes that the promises that Whitethorn makes to its students might not represent the whole truth about what goes on behind their doors.

Note: This is Book 7 in the Wayward Children series. While some of these books are standalone and can be read out of order, I highly recommend having read the previous books before starting this one. References are made to characters and events in previous books that will both serve as spoilers if you choose to go back and read them and leave you a bit confused when reading this one.

I love the Wayward Children series. (Let me get that bias out of the way right now.) Most of these books are under 200 pages and are able to build whole imaginary worlds (sometimes more than one) in so few pages. And Cora is one of my favorite characters from the series, so I loved getting her as a lead in one of the books.

This book is a little different from previous books in that were not thrown into a new world, but rather into a new school in the “real” world. This bleak place is at times worse than the “wicked” alternate worlds, because of the nature of it, trying to emotionally wear down its students enough that they eventually give in and admit that their magical worlds were just a dream. While I would have loved to read more about Cora’s mermaid life in the Trenches, I thought that this situation was a great place for her to shine.

Also, when we first encountered Sumi in Book 1, I didn’t love her. But the more books she’s in, the more she has grown on me, to the point that I really enjoyed her presence here.

In this whole series, McGuire does an impressive job of world-building, and each world is different. It’s hard enough creating one believable alternate world, but to go from death-obsessed worlds to goblin markets to worlds made of candy, and so many others, is just wonderful. And her teenage protagonists are all complex and interesting, but to a point where adult readers will also really enjoy their stories.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for any fantasy fan, teenager or adult. And anyone who is just trying to get into fantasy or isn’t sure if they like it - Book 1 of the series (Every Heart a Doorway) is only 175 pages. A good place to start. And I do strongly recommend that if you are interested in this series, you read it in order. There is too much overlap between characters and worlds that skipping ahead would get confusing. One of my favorite series, and this book does not disappoint.

Rating: 5/5 stars

Trigger warning: suicide attempt, forced institutionalization, body shaming, bullying

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book

wonderful addition to the wayward children series. loved seeing the other school and the way that it set up further books in the series. excited for book 2