This seems to be an unpopular opinion of sorts, but man, I LOVE the one-off adventure installments of this series. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the core group of kids at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, but I absolutely eat up the books that follow a single kid going through their door.

This book follows Antsy, a young girl who loses many important things in a short period of time. Eventually, she finds herself lost and entering a door to The World of Lost Things (aka the world of every thrift shopper's dreams). Here, both Antsy and the reader discover the mysteries of the ever-elusive Doors that appear in this series, and Antsy eventually realizes that things lost in this world cannot always be found.

I consider this to be the saddest book in the series, perhaps tied with Lundy's adventure in In an Absent Dream. Before the book even begins, Seanan McGuire warns the reader about the gaslighting and grooming that's explored in the book. So I thought I went in prepared, but there's an absolutely devastating scene that kicks off the novel that has NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT, and I was in tears 5 pages in.

Seanan McGuire, man. God damn.

McGuire sets the standard for what I consider to be an excellent novella. I've read plenty that I put down going, "that was good," and then swiftly move on. But almost every book in the Wayward Children series punches me in the gut and lingers with me, and Lost in the Moment and Found is no exception. I absolutely loved this one, and if you haven't picked this series up yet, you're only doing yourself a disservice.

All lost things have to go somewhere. Most of the time, it’s behind or under furniture, or in your other pair of pants, or left behind, or eaten by the dog. But what about the things that we never end up finding, even after we find a replacement (how I usually find things I’ve lost)? Seanan McGuire’s Lost in the Moment and Found, the eighth installment of the Wayward Children series of novellas, proposes that the things we lose and never find end up on the other side of a door, in an infinite junk shop. Our protagonist, Antsy, even manages to find her lost sense of safety in the junk shop.

Antsy is not a lucky child. When she’s a scant six years old, her father dies of a heart attack while on an outing with her. Within six months, her mother remarries to a man who makes Antsy’s skin crawl. Even if she can’t say what she doesn’t like about this man, it’s clear to us readers that this man is a monster. He drives a wedge between Antsy and her mother, making Antsy’s mother think that her daughter is a liar. And then he reveals why he wants no one to believe Antsy. I threw up a trigger warning for this book; so did Mcguire in the forward. But I want to assure fans of the series that nothing physical happens to Antsy.

On the night when Antsy’s stepfather reveals his purpose, Antsy bolts and, like the other Wayward Children in the series, finds a door that takes her somewhere unexpected. In Antsy’s case, that place is a seemingly infinite labyrinth containing everything ever lost (including pets!). The junk shop (for lack of a better term) is maintained by an old woman and a talking magpie. They spend their days cataloging and organizing the things that turn up in the shop and, when they get a chance, visiting other places when doors appear. Lacking anywhere else to go, Antsy signs on and finds that she has a gift for finding doors.

The premises of many of the worlds Wayward Children find themselves in sound charming—a world of sugar and animated desserts, a world of talking horses, a world of mermaids and sea creatures—but they are all dangerous, in their own way. The trick is figuring out what that danger is and if it’s worth the price of staying. I won’t reveal what the price is for Antsy. Instead, I’ll say that Lost in the Moment and Found is another fantastic entry in the series. McGuire has a gift for originality and creating psychologically complex characters of any age. I really wish this kind of honest young adult literature had been around when I was a young’un.

Antionette, or Antsy, watches her father die suddenly on a shopping trip, and then months later runs away from home when her new stepfather makes unwanted advances. Her unhappy life takes a new direction when she stumbles into a magical shop containing lost things, as well as Doors that serve as portals into other worlds. Antsy loves this new, magical life, but then finds that the shopkeepers - an old lady and a talking magpie - have hidden an important secret from her. Not a whole lot of world-building here, and much is left to the reader's imagination. But McGuire infuses the enjoyable story with a sense of mystery and whimsy that turns to melancholy when Antsy finds out the price she has paid for her new life. Readers will be left pondering whether they would be willing to pay that price too.

I really loved the first few Wayward Children books but the last two I found pretty disappointing. However, this one brought me right back to loving the series. We learn about the Doors. The. Doors. I will admit that I had to take a break while reading because the beginning of the book is heavy. Even though there is an author note before the book starts that lets you know it’s going to be okay; I still had a hard time reading that part. But it was worth it. There were so many callbacks to other characters from the series and the ending was so good. I cannot wait for the next book. I want to see more of Antsy and I want to see her interact with the other Door touched.

I absolutely love the Wayward Children series and this author! Lost in the Moment and Found has got to be one of my favorites in the series! I was immediately immersed in the story, and I enjoyed the section before the main character finds the door as well as the section afterwards. Sometimes I am just waiting to get to the doorway, but not in this case!

McGuire often tackles difficult themes in these stories, but they are also infused with action, adventure, fairy tales, and whimsy to balance out the heavier aspects of the story.

I find myself recommending both to readers all the time, even those who are not necessarily fantasy readers. I think because they are short and so well written they can be an excellent gateway for readers to try a new genre. Also, I love that the books don't need to be read in any particular order! Readers can pick up whichever one strikes their fancy and go from there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. I encourage you to check this one out! Really wonderful read!

Star Rating: —> 5 Stars

A giant thank you to Tordotcom/Macmillan-Tor/Forge & NetGalley for the ARC ! All Opinions are my own.

After every single one of these lovely novellas, I come out thinking… This one was my absolute FAVORITE!, & Lost in the Moment and Found, of course, was no different! There was so, so much to love in our brave little heroine, Antsy. There were endless adventures contained in one BEAUTIFUL, gorgeously written novella, and so many amazing, quite literal treasures (from worlds visited or talked about in previous books ), including cameos (!) left for us to find.

Antsy is probably one of my favorite characters I’ve met thus far! Her story is a troubling one, and deals with some awful occurrences that Seanan handled gently, and with grace. I don’t know how she happens to be able to do this every time, with any subject, anything!

This is a must read, and I have a feeling we will be seeing Antsy in the future! ( one can only hope!)

Oh! Oh! ALSO! (So exciting!!!) Amazingly, we finally find out more about the Doors, and it is utterly fascinating! My lips are zipped on that! I can’t wait for other Wayward Children lovers to read this, I really can’t! It was SO INCREDIBLE that it brings tears to my eyes.

Beautifully done, McGuire, as usual.

This was a really compelling entry in a series that never misses. Readers get more insight into the way that Doors work and the main character is very interesting.

A wonderful, standalone story in the Wayward Children series. This book delves into some much darker topics than the other books, and is a deeply personal story of the loss of childhood innocence. I'd recommend checking content warnings before picking it up.

A good addition to the series but In An Absent Dreams is still the best story. McGuire managed to make it more nostalgic with the version of the "Goblin Market" and heart-breaking since the protagonist is contemplating her decision of whether to take her door and go back.

I do hope it explores more of the "shop" and have this deep relationship with the characters.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"She could learn to like him, if she knew why she didn't."

Man, I don't know why I'm still sticking with this series. It started so strong but I'm just liking each installment less and less.

This installment focuses on Antsy, who I don't remember from prior novellas but maybe she was there? Anyway, I have some mixed feelings about this story, so below are some random thoughts.

- The first sentence is gripping. Say what you want about SG, but she knows how to trap a reader's attention.
- It was really unclear who the narrator was, whose "voice" we were hearing. This story is written as if it's being told to the reader by someone who knows what happened, but the storyteller doesn't appear to be anyone you encounter. It was a very unique style, even within this series, and there were random moments of omniscience that felt jarring against the mostly limited POV.
- This story follows Antsy from a very young age, and I couldn't suppress my disbelief about some of the thoughts she had, which were way too mature and self-aware for a little kid.
- SG's ability to craft an atmosphere is really something else, even when I'm not enjoying the story.
- There's some moments that really feel like a self-insert for the author.
- The exploration of the different ways adults can groom and exploit children is an important one, but it's obviously uncomfortable to read about.
- There's been so many installments in this universe that it's almost like SG is turning her own series into a trope.
- Loving the Jack and Jill cameo.

Beyond the time I've already invested in this series, I'm not really sure why I'm still reading. SG can craft a world and an atmosphere like a mother-effer, but the stories aren't fun to read anymore. What do you guys think?

An outstanding addition to a phenomenal series. The room of list things is a place I'd love to return. Run to this one!

ARC received by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book should have been much longer. There I said it. I felt like the moment I closed it there was so many things missing that I just wanted more. Which, is a general feeling I get from this series, but never to this level. It felt like the story was barely even told let alone halfway explained. I wanted to know more about the doors and wish we spent more time there. That would have made the plot development feel like it happened over time instead of just between one page and the next. Give us more details please Seanan I would love to see more rather than be so lost in the human world that I see every day.

Lost in the moment and found is another great book in the series. I loved the writing and fantastical elements, and it felt melancholy at times as well.

Thank you to @netgalley @torbooks for the advanced reading copy in exchange for a review!

If you are familiar with Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children's series, you will likely enjoy this one. Don't be discouraged by the fact that it is being marketed as #8 in the series if you have not read any of the Wayward Children books, this one works as a standalone as well.

Antoinette, better known as Antsy has lost her father and does not trust her mom's new husband. She explores in The Shop Where the Lost Things Go through many different doorways.

This novella was rich in its detail and imagination but unfortunately also its melancholy. It put me in a bit of a sad mood. That's not to say it wasn't a great book, just maybe not what I was looking for at the time.

I give this one ⭐⭐⭐🌠

This book releases to the general public on January 10, 2023

This one was excellent and heavier than I expected it to be. The theme of grooming was difficult to read, but so important to discuss. The authors note at the beginning of the book makes it especially poignant. I generally prefer the books in the series that take place after they arrive at the school but in this case, I loved the story just as much. I never want this series to end.

I adore this series and this book is no different. This whole series is amazing and each book has so much packed into such a small book but I love that about them. This series never waste a single word and this book is no different. While this is technically a stand alone book it still adds to the work building of the main series. Truly this is one of the most unique and beautiful book series out there.

Lost in the Moment and Found is the eighth installment of the Wayward Children series. It follows Antionette's journey who finds herself 'Lost'. Like all other installments in this series, there is a Door involved and this one opens into an interesting nexus rather than one distinct world like all the others have been. I will say there with each installment the themes of the children running from something or to something is becoming more and more up front, which I think brings depth to each story.

I don't want to spoil any plot points because Wayward Children installments are all novella length books so it'll take an afternoon to read and get lost in a new world.

i've been a bit disenchanted with the last few books in this series, but that's one reason to love it - you may always love the next one, and love it i did.

there's always a balance in these books between backstory and magic and good and evil, and this struck it perfectly for me. i had missed the magic school and here we glimpsed it.

i loved antsy and i loved her world and the only downside (which is the best and worst downside of this series) is that i want more of her story! that's a very good problem to have.

can't wait for the next one! these go by too quickly. every book should be a novella about kids in magic places. bonus points if they're as thoughtful and representative and lovely as these are.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. I have loved the Wayward Children series and this one was no exception. I loved Antsys character and her development. I think this is one of my favorites in the series.no enjoyed the slight mentions of other characters from past books. I can’t wait for the next one in the series!