Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Series: The Up-and-Under #4
Author: A. Deborah Baker (Seanan McGuire)
Publisher: Tor.com
Released: October 17, 2023
Received: ARC

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Book Summary:

Avery and Zib are nearing the end of their journey. However, being near the end does not mean they are far from danger. There are still several quests they must wrap up, each less likely than the last, in true Up-And-Under fashion.

They and their companions have changed significantly along the way. Admittedly, some changes are more evident than others. Yet none could walk along the Improbable Road for so long and remain unchanged, least of all children.

My Review:

Under the Smokestrewn Sky brings the tale of The Up-and-Under to an end. While all endings are a little bit bittersweet, Under the Smokestrewn Sky felt, for lack of a better word, right. It felt like the whole story, with each character getting their full arc.

Out of the entire series, this novella felt the most like a proper verbal story. By that, you can nearly hear the narrator telling the story as we go along. The pauses and breaks help make that impression more realistic.

This final leg of the tale brings us to the land of fire. I loved exploring the different elemental lands, but especially fire! However, not for the reason you might think. We learned a lot about the characters by their reactions to this land. Some were at home (far too much so), while others suffered for being within the borders. It was fascinating.

Ultimately, Under the Smokestrewn Sky answered many of the questions still lingering, from where the Queen of Wands had gone to how this journey would alter the lives of all who joined (even Jack, the newest member of their crew).

The whole of The Up-and-Under is written in a YA or Middle-Grade tone. However, I want to stress that this story will appeal to a broad audience. After all, it is the tale mentioned in Middlegame, which isn’t what I would call a Middle-Grade story. Once again, I am impressed by the depth and versatility of Seanan McGuire’s writing.

Highlights:

• Fairy Tale Storytelling Style
• Magical (and Dangerous) Journey
• Impossible City, Improbable Road, Grand Tasks
• Childhood Quest

Trigger Warnings:

• Lost Children

Thanks to Tor.com and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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