An emotional, beautiful story. This was my first Wayward Children book, and I lapped up every minute of it until the end. The ending made me sad and put a damper on my reading experience. I will, however, read more of the author’s books.

The 10th Installment of the Wayward Children, starring all the turtle friends you could ever want!

Last year I devoured the entirety of this series, short stories included, so when I saw it on Netgalley, I knew I had to request it. It was a bit strange to not be reading this on audio like I did for the rest of the novellas but McGuire’s prose is so delightful that it was a treat to read it physically! I read it slowly to soak up every line.

Adrift In Currents Clean and Clear focuses on the life of Nadya who we first meet in Beneath the Sugar Sky. This is the story of how she is born with one arm, grows up in an orphanage in Russia, and eventually gets adopted by an American family who fits her with a prosthetic arm despite her wishes. But mostly it’s the story of all the ways she belongs in Belyyreka (the Land Beyond the Lake) who one day calls her home.

The first part is hardest to read because it takes place in the world of the main character’s birth. Which means that it’s the place of the source of their trauma, neglect, and mistreatment. The author excels at making the reader feel incandescent rage at the parents and systems that fail these children and this case was no different. We follow Nadya as she’s forcibly removed from her culture and expected to conform to her adoptive parents’ ableist ideas of a picture-perfect daughter. I don’t think many readers of this series will disagree that one of its strengths is diversity of all kinds. The commentary on ableism was easily my favourite aspect of this short novella.

The various portal worlds we get to visit in the pair-numbered books are always so creative! Belyyreka is a world of rivers under a lake, of different types of water (some water is heavier than other water and they each have their own physics). It was so much fun to watch Nadya learn the rules of this new world and make friends both with people and turtles! After reading this book I’d be shocked if you don’t want a turtle companion for yourself, I mean how adorable!!

I do have a small issue with a time-jump that felt a bit too stark, I would have preferred to spend more time in Belyyreka. The world was fascinating and there was space in there for more adventure, in fact, the story stopped in an inopportune place, narratively speaking. Since we had already met Nadya at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, the ending was not exactly a surprise. Yet, McGuire still finds a way to create tension and deliver an emotional blow all at once. This was a very strong entry in the series, the only reason It falls under 5 stars is that darn time jump! When something’s good I can’t be blamed for wanting more of it 😜!

Thanks to Netgalley and Tordotcom for the ARC; All opinions are my own.

There will never be too many Wayward Children books. I love this lost girl as much as all the others and am already looking forward to the next.

I admit I was surprised when I saw Nadya was the protagonist of this book. To me, she didn't stand out that much compared to the rest of the cast. Now, I kind of want to reread those books because I really enjoyed Nadya here!
The first part of the book, Nadya’s childhood and moving from Russia to America was my favorite part. It really endeared me to Nadya and I love how McGuire talked about Nadya’s parents and how they view family and children. One of the biggest points was Nadya’s adopted mom wanting the family to be seen as a typical American family, so she gets Nadya a prosthetic without asking Nadya what she wants and what’s comfortable to her.
I really enjoyed the world building of the Drowned World and Belyrreka. The rivers and lakes and forests were very cool, as was the people and turtles. These books are atmospheric as always. This is another World that acknowledges other Doors and worlds, which I love to see added to this series.
Unfortunately, the part that fell flattest for me was the plot of what Nadya did in the Drowned World. The people there say that they have no need for Heroes at the moment, so Nadya just kind of… grows up? With no clear overarching plot or character development in my opinion? I feel like usually, these books have some kind of thread from pre-Door to Door world, but there wasn’t anything that I could see.
For that reason, I think this is my least favorite of the prequel Wayward Children books, but I still enjoyed reading it and like I said, I want to reread the books to see Nadya again. I rated this 3.5 stars.

I love this series, but this one was lacking a little something extra special for me. It was fine and good, but not great. Weirdly, the pacing felt off for me. I have felt that way about one other in the series, so it's just a blip. Hoping for more installments.

this was not my favorite of the series, but it had really charming and emotional moments! i just found the characters and story less memorable than other installments.

This one might be my favorite Wayward Children book yet! Oh my goodness!! This is probably one of my favorite covers.


Nadya was born with a missing arm and lives in an orphanage. She’s adopted out, but she never really feels at home. Her parents want to “fix” her when she doesn’t think she needs it. It was so heartbreaking reading this. I get both sides, but these parents were so wrong. Love the child as you adopted her, and that’s all. Nadya is one that I connected with right away, and I wanted nothing but the best for her. She eventually finds what she’s looking for. I had to keep reminding myself, “this is the Wayward Children series,” and things are sometimes very dark. Her life under the lake was so beautiful and so lovely. I thought it was such a beautifully created world and enjoyed it so much. Then Seanan McGuire had to go and break my heart in the end!!


I adored this one and got through the whole book in one sitting. I have had my favorite and not-so-favorites in this series. I believe this might have just climbed to the top!!


Thank you, Tor/tordotcom, for the e-arc through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The nitty-gritty: Another magical and thought provoking entry in the Wayward Children series, Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear brings one character's origin story to life.

This is the tenth book in Seanan McGuire’s magical—and slightly uneven—fantasy portal series, and I feel the need to not only review this particular book, but give you my thoughts on the overall series so far. I really enjoyed this one, especially since it’s mostly set in one of the “doorway” worlds.

Note: Minor spoilers ahead

Nadya Sokolov was born in a Russian orphanage and given up for adoption, because she was born without an arm. Seeing her “deformity,” her mother fled and left her in the care of the orphanage nurses. Nadya grows up to be a sweet, caring girl who thinks of others before herself, and her missing limb doesn’t stop her from learning to do everything a child with two arms can do. One day she’s adopted by an American missionary couple, who aren’t interested in having a child so much as looking good in the eyes of their church. Nadya must learn quickly how to speak English and adapt to her new life, and although her parents seem kind, her biggest joy is visiting the nearby turtle pond.

Nadya is fairly happy, until the day she’s taken to the doctor to be fitted for a prosthetic arm. The new arm is scratchy and hurts, and Nadya doesn’t need it. But her mother insists that it makes her a “normal” girl and forces her to wear it.

One day, sad and lonely and tired of being teased by the kids at school, Nadya visits her beloved turtle pond, only to fall into the water and through door. She ends up in another world, a place called Belyyreka, where people live underwater and ride in boats carried on the backs of giant turtles. 

We originally met Nadya in 2018’s Beneath the Sugar Sky, after she was pulled back into the “real” world, so it was interesting to see her origin story and how she ended up in Belyyreka. This is a different book from the others in that we don’t see Eleanor West or her Home for Wayward Children at all, including any of the other characters we’ve met over the years. The story is focused solely on Nadya and the first nineteen years of her life, most of which take place in the magical, underwater world. Nadya’s life changes for the better once she falls through the door in the pond, and we watch her bond with one of the giant turtles, make friends and even fall in love, all while being accepted as she is, missing arm and all.

McGuire always addresses important topics in her books (which are often about acceptance and gender identity), and here she tackles Nadya’s lack of an arm and the way her parents insisted they “fix” her. Nadya knows that by forcing her to wear a prosthetic, she’s unable to make decisions about her own body, a very timely hot button topic that I’m always happy to see addressed.

Of course, if you’ve read the rest of the series, you know the fate that awaits her—she is pulled out of Belyyreka and winds up at Eleanor West’s Home, with other children who had similar experiences but in different worlds and doorways. So despite her wonderful, magical life, you just know her luck is going to change at some point, and that’s where the tension lies in this story. 

As for the series so far, looking back over ten books that are all told out of order, I’m wondering how this series would read if McGuire wrote and published the books in chronological order instead of the haphazard way the series is laid out. Nadya isn’t the only character who gets this treatment, and it’s not always easy to get your bearings when starting a new installment. Maybe she’s mimicking the random way the doors themselves work, or she’s simply telling the stories as they come to her. If you’ve read all ten books, I’d love to know what you think.

There are still more stories to tell in this world, so I doubt McGuire is finished, although I haven’t seen any official announcements about possible next books. Still, I’ll be here when the next one comes out.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

Another beautiful story of children finding their homes through mystical doorways by Seanan McGuire.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear, like all of the Wayward Children series, gives a nostalgic vibe. There's this almost fairy tale atmosphere to the story. You know the 'fairy tale' logic? Where things don't make sense and in a strange way they do? Worlds where anything seems possible and the questions of how and why are suddenly suspended. Yet at the same time, these worlds have this uncanny ability to ask, with almost childlike curiosity, about the true heart of the matter. It's one of my favorite elements of the Wayward Children series.

oh my godddd what is it about this series that just punches me in the face and makes me feel like a peeled grape

I love this series, some books are stronger for me than others but I also enjoy them. This one had a really interesting world exploring the Drowned world with goat turtles and man eating frogs. Nadia is a character I was excited to learn more about and I thoroughly enjoyed this instalment. I enjoy the stories that involve the school a little more than the world stories but this one was still really fun. Will happily continue to read every new book that comes out in the series for however long she decides to write these for.

This series of books has me coming back time and time again. I will admit that Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear has taken me the longest to read of all the books, because I needed time to sit and reflect often on Nadya's journey. It had just a sense of realism and reluctant acceptance that hit me hard in these times. I love this book and I'm happy to have read it and I can't wait for Book 11.

I consider the latest installment in this series my annual New Year's read and look forward to it every year. McGuire writes with such emotion and depth, allowing you to feel the feelings and longing of the characters and I love the insight into the backstories of each. This installment is Nadia's story, and I loved the detail and enlightening of her inner turmoil. Seeing her as a child was interesting and her stoic view of life and then a glimpse of joy, or at least contentment, was heartbreaking. The vivid imagery of the water world of the drowned girls was lighter and more human than I imagined, but that isn't a negative. I can't wait for the next and I'm just as in love with this series as ever.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire is a breathtaking masterpiece that blends lyrical prose with emotional depth. McGuire’s storytelling is as fluid as the waters she describes, drawing readers into a world where every detail feels vivid and alive. The characters are richly developed, their journeys resonating with themes of resilience and self-discovery. The narrative’s ebb and flow mirror the emotional tides, making it impossible to put down. McGuire’s talent for weaving magic and humanity shines brightly in this tale, leaving a lasting impression. A truly enchanting and unforgettable read that deserves every one of its five stars.

#10 in the Wayward Children's series Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear and I have to be honest it's my least favorite of the series. The story felt completely unrelated to the main storyline, which made it hard to care about the characters. I was so disappointed 😞. It's become a yearly tradition to read a Wayward book in January, and now I don't see myself anticipating new releases as I once did.

Adrift In Currents Clean and Clear by Seanan McGuire

* Thank you to @netgalley and @torpublishing for providing an ebook in exchange of a honest review.

Another very good addition to the series! The descriptions are so good that it felt almost like a movie. I need to know what comes next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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A meditation on adoption and disability. A one-off story in the series, backfilling Nadya's story from the glimpses we've had of her in previous entries.
Asever, looking forward to the next in the series!
Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review.

Short and sweet review for a short and sweet read. (Wellllll…. As sweet as a Wayward Children book can be. I always get upset when they get brought back to this shity place lol)

This is book 10 in the series so if you haven’t read any of the others you may be in for some spoilers…. LOOK. AWAY. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED.

This is Nadya’s story and her world through her water door. Coming from a mother who used to swim a lot and loves frogs (Even funnier fact, because two of my siblings HATE frogs), the world of Belyyreka was super magical and I loved imagining it through Seanan’s words. It was super beautiful and before we even got to the talking turtles I was already hoping that that’s where we were heading. Who doesn’t freaking love talking turtles??? And there was this special thing where a turtle could choose you as a companion and you could be a scouter and ride your turtle to explore the unknown. OR you could have a giant turtle that could pull boats around for fishing or for traveling to farm. IT WAS SO FREAKING COOL.

That ending was hurtful… even though you practically see it coming from a mile away because this is a backstory and we’ve already met her in the present with the others. SIGH Alas, I would have loved to have a giant old turtle companion.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Can’t wait to see what comes next!

My thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Digital ARC. This book is ALREADY OUT!!! Go check it out for yourself and see what you think!

I love the cover for Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear. It conveys the magical whimsy of this Young Adult Fantasy series with LGBTQ+ characters. I've read every book in the series at least once. The audiobooks are also fantastic.

› McGuire knows how to create fully-developed characters and the Wayward Children series has a diverse LGBTQ+ cast. There is incredible world-building and beautiful writing. The plot is fast-paced and engaging. I had such a good time reading this story even though it broke my heart. It made me want to re-read the entire series again.

APPEAL FACTORS
Storyline: action-packed, character-driven, issue-oriented, open-ended, unconventional, tragic
Pace: fast
Tone: emotional, inspiring, sad, sweet, reflective, magical
Humour: amusing
Writing Style: well-crafted dialogue, compelling, descriptive, engaging
Character: authentic, complex, strong female, well-developed, diverse
Disability representation: deaf or hard of hearing, physically disabled
LGBTQIA+ Representation: queer

Read Alikes:
Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
A Dealy Education by Naomi Novik
A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab
Down Station by Simon Morden
› Final Thoughts
• Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is an inspiring and emotional gateway fantasy story with a strong female character who is physically disabled. This fast-paced, atmospheric, and suspenseful story is about self-acceptance, found family, and love.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.