A nice standalone story. Usually the standalone stories are some of my favorites in this series, but I think this one didn't capture my attention as much as the others. It was still another interesting look at how these worlds mix with one another.

One of the absolute most underrated fantasy series is the Wayward Children series. They are short and sweet and tell the most beautiful and whimsical stories. Seanan McGuire is also one of my favorite authors, with the ability to tell the best stories with beautiful words and illustrative text. I'm so impressed with all of the books she's written and this story of Antsy is certainly a new favorite!

If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! This may officially be my favorite Wayward Children portal world! And that's saying a lot because The Moors exist, and I've always been drawn to that dark world.

I absolutely adored this so much. The characters, the store, the settings, it was just brilliant all around. I really enjoyed how Seanan brought the readers along every step of this journey and discovery with the characters. Sometimes, we're a step or three ahead of the characters, but this time, it felt like we were right there with Antsy.

5/5 stars - Dark, as they all are, but oh my is it great. Love the Lost Things world with a dash of Goblin Market vibes. I also kept imagining the “Spirited Away” witchy bird, Yubaba, for Venita. Loved the fairy elements, the magpies, and the kind of sentience that the sort-of-antique-store has. There’s a darkness to the place that feels dangerous, a bit like the “Needful Things” oddities shop. As with all of these books, the need to escape is usually a traumatic one, and his is no different. While nothing overt happens, the threat looms heavy and large as if the worst occurs. A brilliant addition to the series.

My love for this series grows with every new addition.

Seanan McGuire has a wonderful imagination. Every book follows a new character, in a new world, with a new story, but every book relates to the last. The worlds are colorful and well written and the characters are relatable.

There is always a sadness at the end, when the character realizes how much time they've lost in the end, and I always have this feeling that the characters died before they went into the door and that is why they are lost. Something traumatic happened to them and this is their afterlife we are seeing. Maybe one day McGuire will finally answer my screaming question about this, but until then I keep reading.

Every book in this series is fantastical, lovely, and heartbreaking and this one is no exception. A wonderful addition to a wonderful series, and one that will sit with me for ages. Can’t recommend highly enough.

Lost in the Moment and Found is the 8th book in a the completely unique Wayward Children series. The series explores the lives of children who don’t really fit into this one and the magical doors that find them. Doors to worlds that fit them better, places they can be themselves whatever that is and while the worlds aren’t completely nice or perfect, they are perfect for each child who finds a door. Antsy is one of those children.

Antoinette was deeply loved by her father who she lost at a young age. When her mother remarried, something was just off about the new man she is supposed to think of as her daddy. Over the course of year, that feeling towards him never changes until the day she is sure she must flee. She expected to run away to her grandparents, but Antsy walked through a door and said she was sure and ended up in the shop for lost things.

She belongs here in this shop; she feels at home in it with the talking crow and the other woman that follows her though the doors. Other children have come to this shop and found the doors to other worlds to trade in to bring items back to this unique place full of shelves and shelves of lost items. But there is a cost to every door Antsy goes through, nothing is free in a place this full of magic.

I really enjoy the Wayward Children series. There are so many unique and interesting worlds the children visit. Antsy’s story is blended with her life before the door and after. While there are some tough topics in this, I think McGuire does them very well and knew exactly were to draw the lines in her story telling.

This has been one of my favorites in the series as Antsy was a really interesting character and I liked her ability to find the best deals and bargains. I also loved her journey at the store and how she became more there. It will be interesting to see glimpses of her in future stories as I’m sure we will. This was one of my favorites stories of the series so far and I love how all of them eventually tie back to the school for Wayward Children in some way.

A quick, easy, heartfelt story. I haven’t read the other novellas in this collection, but I think I will after reading this one. I loved the idea of the doors leading to different worlds, and I loved the main character as well.

I always love this series, but this was a rough one to get through at times. Not because it’s bad, but because the topics are really heavy.

The story begins with Antsy witnessing the death of her father, and then deals with grooming and gaslighting. While she runs away (into another world of course) before anything serious can happen, it’s still disturbing to read. But I also think this is an important story to tell and I thought it was handled with the care it deserves. The author has been candid about her own experience with grooming and child sex abuse and it’s clear this was a story that meant a lot to her.

While this is a fantastical story with doors to other worlds, it’s really about how abuse and trauma can force kids to grow up long before they are ready and steals their childhood from them. It’s a short book but it packs a punch. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This book does not take place in Eleanor West's home but it does give a lot of insight into the doors and how they work. It is kind of a sad tale to be honest and I wish it had more of a connection to other characters. That being said, it is still a beautiful installment into the series.

I don’t think I will ever grow tired of the writing style and imagination of this author. This has been one of my favourites in the Wayward Children series.

The story of Antsy and a world of lost things, much like the pervious books is full of adventure beautiful world building, unexplained magic and stunning writing.

The character arc is unique and plentiful and makes me want to go back and visit the school and the rest of its characters all over again.
The relationships took twists and turns that we’re unexpected to me and it really added to the depth of such a short story. I don’t know how so much gets packed into so few pages, the content is chosen and written with perfect balance.

A charming and fanciful tale, a great addition to the series.

Amazing! This series is so absorbing and magical. The writing feels warm and comforting like nothing else I read. It's the perfect escape.

5⭐️

The 'Wayward Children' series is one of my favourite series of all time because each book is absolutely incredible. They are so beautifully written and just equal parts magical and devastating. 'Lost in the Moment and Found' is especially heavy, dealing with childhood trauma and the death of a parent. Please read the Author’s Note and content warnings before you pick this one up.

I highly recommend reading the 'Wayward Children' series in its entirety, but this book could probably be read as a standalone as well. There are mentions to people or places from earlier books that are fun easter eggs if you’ve read them all, but they aren’t focused on in a way that would confuse a reader who hasn’t.

'Lost in the Moment and Found' may also be one of my new favourite books in this series. I was intrigued by Antoinette (Antsy) and her Door in 'Where the Drowned Girls Go', so it was really interesting to get to see the world she went to, how she ended up there, and what led to her arrival at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children. Antsy has a beautiful arc in this book and we get so much depth added to her character, I can’t wait to go back and reread 'Where the Drowned Girls Go' with a better sense of who she is and what she’s been through.

Seanan McGuire creates incredible worlds in such short books and I could vividly imagine the Land of Lost Things and all of the other places that Antsy got to visit. There is an endless number of worlds in this universe and I wish I could read a 500 page book about each one. I will never stop reading and recommending these books and I already can’t wait for the next one!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Antoinette, or Antsy as she is known by most, has an idyllic life. Until one day when she is out with her father and he collapses in the store, dying immediately of a massive heart attack. Antsy’s mother grieves her father but moves on very quickly. However, her new husband is not what he appears to be, so Antsy decides to run away. In the middle of the night, she approaches a door; however, she misses the engraving around the door which makes a single request: Be sure.

Lost in the Moment and Found was an interesting installment to the Wayward Children series. More of the action takes place outside of the fantastical spaces beyond the doors and the issues Antsy deals with are significantly darker than many from previous stories. As such, Seanan McGuire’s author’s note regarding trigger warnings is well placed at the front of the text.

Even after Antsy goes through the door, there is less time in fantastical worlds since much of the action takes place in the shop of lost things. The shop continues to be full of more adult and dark themes about childhood and who really owns those years. In many ways, the metaphors in Lost in the Moment and Found were more plentiful than other novellas in the series.

Overall, Lost in the Moment and Found is a unique entry, which serves as Antsy’s origin story. Given that every other entry is an origin story, I will be interested to see how Antsy fits into the dynamic of Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children and the no quests directive since it’s likely readers will see her again.

Another hit in the Wayward Children series. I appreciated the content warning before the story, because this one is heavier than the other books. Antionette, Antsy, is happily browsing Target with her dad when he suddenly drops dead and her world is shattered. Tyler was sleazy from the first sentence he was mentioned in. His sly ways of sabotaging Antsy and her Mother's trust in her leave you uncomfortable and feeling for poor Antsy. The manipulation and machinations make you want to scream "RUN!"

Antsy escapes the nightmare of her reality through a Door to a shop of lost things. She takes refuge here, exploring new Doors everyday and tending shop. She is ultimately taken advantage of again by an adult. She learns the truth before it's too late and is then sent away. She ultimately ends up at Elenore West's School where she'll be WELL taken care of.

4.5 stars

*Please, please, please read the author’s note/content warning at the beginning of the novella*

This eighth book in the Wayward Children’s Series begins with Antsy witnessing her father’s untimely demise (which was very traumatic and visceral), and then dealing with abuse and grooming at the hands of her new stepfather. After all of this, Antsy finally finds her door into this magical antique shop when she runs away.

I’m a HUGE fan of the series, and I think that this may now be my new favorite of the bunch! This is incredibly dark, heavy and hopeless. but I think I loved it because I related so much to our main character, Antsy. I think anyone who grew up with any form of abuse will relate to Antsy and her journey, and I also think that’s why I finished this in less than 24 busy hours. I could not put this down - it was so engaging and well-written that I just flew through this!

This is such an important story to tell, and the author has made it clear that she has personal experience with grooming and child abuse. Because of this, the themes were handled very well and respectfully. This fantastical, magical realism story was very dark and raw, and a metaphor for how any form of abuse or trauma can shape young minds and steal their childhood.

If you’re not in the right headspace for this, I would avoid this until you are ready for a deep, thoughtful, emotional ride. Just because this isn’t a full length novel does not mean it won’t punch you in the gut and make you cry. This is heartbreaking and powerful, and I would prepare yourself for such an emotionally intelligent book that can hold so much grief and pain, yet all of the wonder and enchantment of this world with magical doors.

P.S. We also find out more about the Doors, and there are some Easter eggs for the other books/worlds!

TW: Child Abuse, Death of a Parent (Graphic and Visceral), Gaslighting, Grooming, Psychological Abuse

**Thanks to Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review**

i am a fan of this series but there have been a few duds, and this is one of them. i don't like how the prose adopts the child's 'voice' in a way that seemed contrived and old-fashioned.

This has been my second favourite book in the Wayward Children series - the first being 'In an Absent Dream'. I adore the episodic style books.

In this we follow Antsy, a young girl who runs away from home after a traumatic event with her step father (TW: grooming and the implication of sexual abuse). When she enters through her door she discovers a shop of wonder. In it is a place where all the lost things go, an older woman who mentors Antsy, and a talking bird. Waiting for her door to return home to appear, our protagonist fills her days with stocking the shelves and travelling to other worlds for merchandise. But not all is as it seems in the shop, to be there is to lose something great.

I loved this. I will always pick up the next one in this series as even when one lets me down, the next is a hit. Very up/down reading experience, but enjoyable nonetheless.

I received an ARC for this book, and am giving an Honest opinion about it.

CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-9
W-9
P-7
I-8
L-8
E-10
TOTAL-8.43/10

[

CAWPILE
Characters
Ansty is a wonderful character! I loved every second with her. Her wonder and her growth, just amazing. Her relationships are beautiful.

Atmosphere
The land of the Lost was great.

Writing
Great writing. Simple yet effective. Clear and precise. You can tell that Seanan McGuire put a lot of care into how it reads on the page.

Plot
The Plot is great. As a Story of Lost things, this story flows perfectly.

Investment
I loved the extra little bits of lore that we get around doors and their workings.

Enjoyment
I enjoyed this book so much. Definitely one of my favorite books in the series

Lost in the Moment and Found is the newest installment in The Wayward Children series! I absolutely love The Wayward Children series and this is no exception. When Antsy’s father dies unexpectedly, the last thing she wants is for her mother to remarry. Yet she can find no tangible reason to protest, aside from a sickening sense of dread. When the threat escalates, Antsy is forced to run away from home and straight into a world where children who have been threatened by an adult may find sanctuary. Yet all is not as it seems in this fairy-tale world…

Seanan McGuire is an expert at infusing horror into the bones of a story, without anything explicit happening on page. The ominous threat is enough for readers to immediately understand Antsy and wish for her protection more than anything. I definitely recommend you check the trigger warnings, but as Seanan McGuire says in her opening note: Antsy runs before anything happens.

I quite literally couldn’t put this book down and read it in a single sitting. The Wayward Children series feels like coming home. In a world of magical Doors, Lost in the Moment and Found explores a new adventure where travelers can slip between worlds from the confines of a mysterious shop. This magical shop holds things that people across worlds have lost and may come seeking. Antsy is such a fierce and determined heroine! I was spellbound watching her uncover the toll of the world she landed in. In classic McGuire fashion, there is always a twist and magic always comes with a price. Antsy is one of my new favorite heroines in the Wayward world. I cannot wait to see how the story continues!

This story could be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend reading the entire series. Lost in the Moment and Found is perfect for readers who love portal fantasy, dark adventures, and brave heroines. I would highly recommend it to anyone! Thank you so much to Seanan McGuire, Tordotcom, Macmillan-Tor/Forge and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.