Wayward, Hannah Mathewson

jeanniezelos

May 29

Wayward, Hannah Mathewson

Genre: Sci-fi and fantasy

I struggled a bit at the start, I was expecting more of the Changelings and Ilsa, Gideon, Fyfe etc and instead it was Cassia and a whole new group. Once past that though I was pulled into another riveting story.
I did feel though that as part of a trilogy ( or series? I think trilogy) it feels only very loosely connected to book one and I would have liked to know what was happening in the changeling world over these two years.

One thing that surprises me each time its mentioned is how young these characters are. They don't feel like teens, act like teens, and I think that's why this has such a broad appeal, its not written to appeal purely to teens and YA, their ages are irrelevant, its the story, plots and actions that make it such fun.
I love this alternate London with its scary magics and characters, with the usual power struggles and abuses that factor in real life. Even in fiction human nature rules, with some being empathetic and others rule bound, or who see rules as for others, not them and power as an entitlement not a privilege.
I loved that the characters have flaws, are not perfect, suffer petty jealousies, irrational dislikes, and react from them. I felt one way about them, then things happened, I understood more and changed view and then even more came up and I was " what now??"

I did really struggle at the start because I was waiting for the connection to last book, to see more of those characters not just Cassia, and it stopped me from really enjoying the story for itself. Once I put that expectation away I really got to enjoy this book for itself. Its a story that kept me guessing how it would end, who would come out on top, but I'm really glad it looks like we may be back with the changelings next book, they're still my favorites.

Stars: Four and a half, that rocky start knocked off a five but that's all.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers

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