Where the Drowned Girls Go by Seanan McGuire [Book #7]

Content Tags: Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Fatphobia, Bullying, Psychological Abuse

Description from Storygraph:

In this latest addition to Seanan McGuire’s beloved Wayward Children series, students at an anti-magical school rebel against the oppressive faculty.

“Welcome to the Whitethorn Institute. The first step is always admitting you need help, and you’ve already taken that step by requesting a transfer into our company.”

There is another school for children who fall through doors and fall back out again. It isn’t as friendly as Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.

And it isn’t as safe.

When Eleanor West decided to open her school, her sanctuary, her “Home for Wayward Children,” she knew from the beginning that there would be children she couldn’t save; when Cora decides she needs a different direction, a different fate, a different prophecy, Miss West reluctantly agrees to transfer her to the other school, where things are run very differently by Whitethorn, the Headmaster.

She will soon discover that not all doors are welcoming…

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Almost caught up on this series! And I just looked up when the next book will be released and it's not until January. Maybe I should have looked that up sooner so then I could've read the series closer to that release date. Too late now!

After reading Beneath the Sugar Sky [Book #3] and getting introduced, I wanted more from Cora, and that's exactly what I got with this book.  She was featured in Come Tumbling Down [Book #5] as well, but this was more focused directly on her, rather than her playing a role in Jack's story. Cora's journey in Come Tumbling Down played a role in this story's plot which I appreciated - how it linked the two and continued the journey. (Though, that's another point against these totally being "stand-alone.")

Where the Drowned Girls Go bumped Come Tumbling Down out of first place for my favorite; it's now a very close second. There was a new element to Where the Drowned Girls Go that really resonated with me. The "sister school" to Eleanor's Home was introduced fully and the vibe there very much aligned with the strictness of my upbringing. So, I was very emotionally connected to this story in a special, very fucked up way. (Thanks, traumatic childhood!)

Some of the reviews I read about this installment said this book took a "dark" turn, but really, all of the books have some elements of darkness. I think this took a more specific turn than simply "dark." It's challenging to explain, though, in a series that's all about how labels aren't always as clear as they might seem - like Virtue and Wickedness or Logic and Nonsense. However it gets labeled, I did value the change and seeing that not all those who claim to want to help you actually do.

My one gripe about Cora's character overall, but specifically with this book, is that a lot of time is spent in justifying her fatness reiterating that it's just genetics and not because she eats poorly or doesn't exercise. I do understand that discussing how that's a very real possibility for a lot of fat people and that people need to stop assuming people aren't "healthy" just because they are fat is important. But also, no one owes anyone "health" - fat or not. So, could've maybe dialed back the justifications a bit and embraced having a fat character that normalized telling other people to stfu about other peoples' bodies.

Book Reflection Wrap-up:

What was your favorite part of the book?

There are so many. I'm sitting here mulling over this question and so many different thinks are trying to take the top spot in my mind. Instead, I won't pick just one! In no particular order, my favorite parts of this book: Regan made a reappearance, one of the characters pointed out how unreliable the "18 years old" guideline is, Sumi (and Kade), and the absolute badassery and support of found family. <3

What are your thoughts on the book's structure?

All of these books are novellas and obviously that's the whole point - short and "sweet" installments of different characters and the world. But fuck, some of these books I would absolutely read a full-length book about. Even in the short-format there's so much character development that it would be so fantastic to get even longer glimpses into their lives and experiences.