Another wonderful installment in the Wayward Children Series. This story focused on Nadya.

After being adopted by an American couple, Nadya has a difficult time adjusting to life until she arrives in Belyrreka, the Drowned World! McGuire is a master at writing these perfect novellas. The world that Nadya falls into is crafted beautifully and teeming with sentient turtles and other creatures.

Thank you to NetGalley & TorDotCom for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

the stories in this series are often bittersweet, but i love them all the same. i really loved the world we got to explore in this installment - giant turtles, cities underwater, talking animals, etc. i also really love the prose style Seanan uses in this series. it's more obvious to me since i just read The Innocent Sleep, also by her, which has a very different prose style. it is amazing how she is able to go back and forth between different styles. one critique that i would have of this one is that although we got to know Nadya more, it still felt a bit surface-y. i think more time was spent on the world than on the conflicts moving the plot. ultimately though i still enjoyed reading this one, and remain excited for any story in this series/universe.

REP: disabled main character (limb difference - right arm, from birth) [queer author, disabled author, neurodivergent author]

QUOTES:
"No single person could do absolutely everything without aid, and so her own limitations weren't limitations at all, merely different standards."

Another fine entry in this Hugo-winning series. This is an even-numbered entry which means it's backstory, rather than the more interconnected "real" world story of Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of Nadya, a one-armed Russian orphan adopted by the sort of well-meaning (religious) American who wants to show the world how good a person they are.

Nadya, perfectly content with only one arm and more interested in the wild turtles nearby than her "mom" thinks wise, falls into the turtle pond and comes out in the Drowned world of Belyyreka where adventure ensues.

This is a fantastic standalone and a reasonable jumping on point for the series.

These backstory novels often serve as a launching point for continuing the main story. With the most recent stories focused on Antsy, Cora (another Drowned girl), and now Nadya, I cannot wait to see what the 2026 release has in store!

Oh, I loved reading this book! I love Seanan McGuire's writing and this world so much, and this latest story, another one with the kid first coming to a new world, was great, I really enjoyed getting to Nadya and the world that fits her!

Nadya was born without one arm, and was raised in an orphanage, before a couple from America adopt her. She's strong and resilient, and being forced to wear a prosthetic, without being asked if she wanted to, yeah. Her thoughts about her adoptive parents, about how they treat her like a thing and not a child, felt very true!

The world of Belyrreka, of the drowned and all the water, and the turtles, I really enjoyed watching Nadya learn and explore it as a scout, with Burian. The understanding this world has of the doors and the children that find themselves in different world was really well done!

Of course, this is an even book in the series, meaning that this is a story of a child's time in their true world, meaning that they eventually end up back in our world, no matter how much they don't want to. Nadya's future, back with her adoptive parents, well, I really hope she's going to be able to get back to Belyrreka and the life that she built there!

Loved reading this book and I can't wait to read more by Seanan McGuire!

"Stories had to have beginnings, which meant someone had to be where they were beginning, or there was no purpose to them. She was just at the beginning of a story, that was all, and this was perfectly possible.

I fall more in love with this series with each installment. What I love so much about 'Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear' is how realistic it feels to being a child. There's such little control, everyone older knows better than you, and for some kids, like Nadya, you have to learn quickly how to say the right things to please adults. Her story is so heartbreaking because how young she is when she understands and decides that she simply must deal with these things her new parents are doing.

There's a little bit of a difference in this one with the door and the 'Be Sure' which I thought was a nice small change as it was tailored well to Nadya's character. An excellent edition to the series, it makes me want to go back and reread!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

the wayward children’s series has taken me on so many strange and winding journeys, and i love pretty much every minute of them. and this installment was no exception! nadya’s backstory was wonderful to sink myself into, her world of water and turtles and fishing boats one of my favorite worlds seanan has had us visit. i still don’t know if i enjoy the books that take place at eleanor west’s or within the worlds, but for now i am along for the ride. this is a solid 4.5 star read

Although Nadya was born with only one arm, she never found herself lacking in any way. However, when she is adopted by American parents and taken away from her homeland of Russia, they deem it necessary to fit her with a prosthetic. Nadya has smiled politely and been obedient throughout all of the major changes that have happened to her, but the uncomfortable prosthetic is too far and leads her to wandering by a turtle pond, which is the only place she ever truly feels at peace. After trying to help a turtle with a strange message carved into its shell - Be Sure - Nadya finds herself in Belyyreka, a land of giant frogs, talking turtles, and water as far as the eye can see.

This was as well-written as the others in the series, and once again the world-building is incredible. It's such a short book, but it's so richly described and well thought out. I think this prequel could work as an entry point to the series, albeit a sad one, but I found it more rewarding having read the other books. Overall, not the strongest entry in the series, but still solid. 3.5 rounded up.

Ouch, this one definitely hurt my feelings. It was so great to see Nadya again and to get her whole story. While I remembered where we left her in Beneath the Sugar Sky, I couldn’t remember too much else about her or her door, except that she, like Cora, is a Drowned Girl as well but from somewhere else and it had something to do with turtles. So basically, I had my heart broken for Nadya by the end of this one (which, to be fair, is pretty standard with this series). Loved it, though - another excellent addition to a gorgeous series of novellas!! It was also just nice after the last few installments having plenty of connective tissue to come back to a character we haven't seen in a while. It keeps everything feeling fresh.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for letting me check this one out early in exchange for my honest feedback! Release date January 7 for those interested!

Rating: Really Enjoyed It, 4 stars

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is the 10th novella in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series, and the last entry to the best of my knowledge. I say to the best of my knowledge, because I am really hoping that they announce some more books in this world.

In this installment, we follow Nadya and get her full backstory - we meet her for the first time in Beneath the Sugar Sky. I really did love Nadya's story, and this was an excellent Wayward Children novella. Nadya was born in Russia and surrendered at birth to an orphanage. She spent her time there mothering the other children and doing her best to ensure that her brothers and sisters at the orphanage found their way to a good and loving home. All this changes when a group of Christian missionaries arrives with the goal of "saving" the "least" of the orphans. She is chosen, primarily it seems, because she was born with a limb difference, her right arm ending at or just above the elbow. This book grapples with the ideas of international adoption, disability, ableism, and children's lack of control over their lives. Like all Wayward Children, Nadya finds a door and makes her way through it to a world that is better suited to her.

I loved Belyrreka with the different weights of water, the impossible underwater city, talking animals, and giant river turtles. It was a fun, creative world, and I loved Nadya's growth into adulthood. In this installment, we get more of an overview of a lot of years passing rather than sitting with the characters in a more contained time period, so it didn't have the same tugs on the heartstrings as some of the installments. However, I feel like it still deals with important topics and was an excellent addition to the series.

The reason it is 4 stars rather than 5 is because I was expecting a little more. As far as I am aware, this is the conclusion to the series, but it doesn't feel like a wrapping-up point. We never even touch on Eleanor's home. So I am really hoping that this isn't the final installment, and that we can end the series with a bit more closure. I definitely think that I will rate this one higher on reread, but that element of slight disappointment did bring my overall enjoyment factor down a bit.

Overall, I highly recommend this series. It is one of my favorites, and one that I will be rereading for years to come. Thank you to Netgalley and Tordotcom for an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear releases on January 7, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley & TorDotCom for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

The 10th installment in The Wayward Children Series, "Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear", focuses on Nadya and her journey to Belyrreka - The Land Beneath The Lake. We originally meet Nadya in the 3rd installment, "Beneath The Sugar Sky".

Nadya's story begins in Russia when her teenage mother gives her up for adoption immediately after she is born. Nadya is born with only one arm which she never views as an issue (even when others do). Nadya spends several years in the Russian orphanage but is eventually adopted by a Christian, American couple which does not go very well (as you can imagine!).
Nadya has a difficult time growing up in America, especially after her adoptive parents force her to wear a prosthetic arm that she does not want to wear. Nadya eventually falls into Belyrreka where adventures await!

Themes: adoption, sense of self, disability.

I gave this book 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4). It wasn't my favorite in the series but it also wasn't a bad read. It ranks closer to the middle for me but I would still recommend it!!
I think my issue is that the further along in the series I get, the more invested I am with the characters which always leaves me wanting more when I complete a novella.
With that being said, I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this wonderful, whimsical series! 💛

Man... this book. As someone who adored Every Heart a Doorway, I was eager to return to McGuire’s enchanting world—even if I skipped a few installments in between. Thankfully, that didn’t matter. The first book gave me enough grounding to dive into Nadya’s story, which stands beautifully on its own while tying seamlessly into the larger tapestry.

Nadya is a Russian orphan, born without her right arm below the elbow, and her strength, compassion, and perseverance are awe-inspiring. Despite the grim realities of her orphanage life, she dedicates herself to helping other children—finding homes for her fellow orphans and even rehabilitating a sick turtle. But once she’s adopted into a life that feels foreign and forced, the cracks in her spirit begin to show. No one asks what she needs, just expects eternal gratitude for her “rescue.”

Everything changes when Nadya discovers a hidden door beneath a lake filled with turtles near her new home, leading to a magical underwater realm. The world-building here is stunning—lush, intricate, and effortlessly immersive. It’s not intimidating high fantasy; it feels accessible, heartfelt, and deeply connected to Nadya’s heritage and even has turtles as transportation.

This story is equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, weaving themes of grief, love, and perseverance into a tale that’s both magical and profoundly human. While the ending mirrors the bittersweet inevitability of other Wayward Children books, it’s no less moving.

If you loved Every Heart a Doorway, Nadya’s story is worth exploring. It’s a poignant reminder to find strength in adversity and to embrace the parts of ourselves that make us unique. I can’t wait to read more from this series.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early readers copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is yet another installment in the Wayward Children series. This book follows Nadia as we see her in childhood discovering her door.

I love that we get these vignettes into the "before" of all the children who attend the school that we're introduced to in book 1. Nadia's story makes me feel so terrible for her from page one. I loved the slow build up of us actually meeting Nadia on page and the way that her birth is literally this starting point for setting her on the path that inevitably leads her to her door.

Nadia's story just makes me feel for her through all of the beats of her story. I love how unique her world was to all the other worlds we have learned about so far. I love that we get to go into these worlds and discover them through the eyes of the characters and this is one world I would love to see again for sure.

This book was heartfelt and adventerous. A little sad and a little happy. There was wimsy and talking animals but there were also hardships. So much was packed into this novella and I cant wait to see more from Nadia again.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback. I will truly keep reading this series as long as they continue to exist. Every world we're introduced to is unique and creative. Every character lovable in their own way.

Not my favorite book in the series. I would be interested to hear an opinion of it from someone adopted who had a safe but not particularly bonded relationship with adoptive parents. I didn’t really find it engaging. You’re going to get tossed out of your happy life. Maybe don’t focus your energies on ever returning to the place you came into this world where you were happier so you don’t fall back to the old world and leave your husband behind? Literally go anywhere else? It was still ok, interesting world. I’ll read the next book.

I'm a devoted fan of this whole series and "Adrift in Currents Clean & Clear" is a great addition. I love when we get to find out more about one of the Wayward Children's chosen worlds. We've already seen part of Nadya's story in one of the other books. As Nadya herself says though, this is the beginning of the story.

I’m bummed I didn’t like this one as much as the others in the series. Overall, I loved Nadya & was feeling for her soo hard. Even though we know where she ends up, since this is essentially a prequel, having to watch the journey just made it so much harder. The world she was in did not intrigue me though and that made it hard to fully connect with the story.

Also, this installment reminded me a lot of Across The Green Grass Fields (my least favorite of the series) with all the dang turtles!

instagram RTC.

Nadya is “rescued “ from a Russian orphanage by a religious couple at the urging of their priest. They immediately try to make Nadya into a perfect American child. Nadya was born with only one arm and her new parents want to fix that as well. When Nadya finds her door in the turtle pond- she is sent to a watery world of acceptance. How long will she be sure enough to stay?
Love this series. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Fantastic addition to a wonderful ongoing series. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but it's a richer experience as part of the whole. The world of this story is beautifully described, and the story arc is moving and powerful.

Ahoy there me mateys! I say this every time I finish one of these novellas but I seriously could read dozens of books set in the various worlds.  This is the 10th book in the series and is the backstory of Nadya from book 3.  This can be read as a standalone though I suggest reading the series in order to get the full impact.

Nadya is born in Russia to a mother who doesn't want her and is raised in an orphanage.  She is missing an arm due to a birth defect but doesn't feel a loss for something she never had.  She is adopted by an American couple who want her to fit in and be a testament to their good parenting skills.  Nadya is not happy with being forced to wear a prosthetic.  Then a day comes where she falls into the pond and goes through a Door to Belyrreka.

This story is bittersweet.  Reading about her life in America was painful and made my heart ache..  However, I loved watching Nadya thrive in Belyrreka.  The world itself is a fascinating land of water.  There are giant talking turtles, massive frogs that eat anything that can fit into their mouths, and giant fishing vessels that sail on and under the water.  I did want more about life on top of the rivers and in the sky but it was mostly a story about Nadya living her best life in Belyrreka.  I was immersed (Arrr!) in watching her grow up in a place perfectly suited to her.  Even though the ending was anticipated, it still stung and made me immensely unhappy for Nadya.

I think this is one of the stronger entries in the series and recommend it wholeheartedly.  Arrrr!

4,5 rounded up

One of the highlights of my reading year always comes right on the heels of Christmas, when I snuggle in and read the newest Wayward Children novella right ahead of its release. Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is the tenth installment in the series, and marks the seventh year of this tradition I always anticipate. The tone of McGuire’s writing always immediately draws me in. There’s something lovely and soothing and sad about her voice. This entire series is equal parts whimsical and maudlin.

While not my among my absolute favorites in the series, a title currently shared by Down Among the Sticks and Bones and In an Absent Dream, Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is a solid installment. The portal world is enticing and unique. Our main character is wonderful, brimming with aggressive optimism and selflessness. She also offers beautiful disability representation. Hers is a story I deeply hope McGuire continues in the future.

I immediately fell in love with Nadya. Born in Russia to a young mother who immediately abandoned her, Nadya’s early years are spent in an orphanage. She thrives here, always arranging the other orphans to their best advantage whenever a perspective parent comes to peruse them. But Nadya never puts herself forward for adoption. For one, she’s happy at the orphanage. She was also born with one arm that ends above the elbow, though she has never seen herself as handicapped. But when well-meaning Americans come to the orphanage, intent on offering the most broken of the children a better life, they latch onto Nadya’s visible disability and determine to bring her back to America with them and “fix” her.

And then, Nadya discovers her door.

Nadya’s door is less a door than a threshold, a suggestion of a door in the shadows of a turtle pond, which is her favorite place in America. When Nadya tumbles into her door, she becomes a Drowned Girl, an adopted daughter of Belyyreka, the Land Beneath the Lake. The world is strange and lovely and populated with the great love of Nadya’s life: turtles. Here, she finds the home of her heart. She finds acceptance, and love, and adventures that let her own bravery shine. But as with all of the Wayward Children stories, this joyful existence doesn’t last.

I adore this series. I truly do. But my heart is beginning to feel the weight of so many happy endings thwarted. I read the last quarter of this little novella with dread in my heart, knowing that the fierce and wonderful life Nadya had built for herself in the Land Beneath the Lake would end in some way. That’s how the books in this series (almost) always end. And I’m reaching the point where those bitter endings are sitting heavy in my soul. I dearly hope that McGuire will tie these stories together, that wrongs will be made right and that the characters I’ve come to love will find the homes of their hearts once more. And that they’ll never part from that home again.

Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear is a lovely story, though I wasn’t a fan of the ending. I’m fatigued of the maudlin, and I’m hungry for the bright. But brightness is not the certain direction of the Wayward Children series. Neither are happy endings. I’ll continue to live in hope, though, that happy endings will come someday.