Title: Juice Like Wounds
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: Wayward Children
Publish Date: July 13, 2020
Publisher: Tor Books
Format: eBook
Goodread Summary:
In the course of every great adventure there are multiple side-quests. All too often these go unreported - perhaps because the adventurers in question fail to return to the main narrative due to death or other distractions, and sometimes because the chronicler of the events decided to edit out that part of that particular history for reasons of their own (historians are never infallible) - but occasionally we get another window into our heroes' world.
In Juice Like Wounds we once again get to meet Lundy, and some of her companions. Lundy's main adventure is detailed in In an Absent Dream (which is nominated for a Hug Award, this year!) and you should definitely read that. Before or after this tale is up to you. Remember: side quests are fun. For the reader, at least...
Review: Damn it. Seanan McGuire made me like Lundy.
I wasn’t a fan of In an Absent Dream. I know I’m among the few who think that. I never warmed to Lundy in Every Heart a Doorway, where she is first introduced. I further didn’t really care for her when her backstory was expanded in In an Absent Dream. She just didn’t click with me. But I think, I needed to read this, because I’m having a change of heart.
This is the tale of three girls featured in Absent Dream. It’s a quietly mentioned scene, finally expanded upon. And it really sets into motion Lundy and Moon and their story together.
I only just found out about this little short story, released on the publisher’s website. And I’m glad I did, because I was in the mood for more Wayward Children. But did I have to be hurt like this?
There’s a quote from the story, one that is going to stick with me for awhile. “Stories are weapons, you see. All stories. Some are swords and some are cudgels, but all of them can hurt you, if you allow it. If you give them the space they need to twist and wriggle in your hands, becoming something other than friendly, becoming something other than tame. All stories are weapons, and children’s stories are doubly so, for children have not yet learned how to be careful.” And if that doesn’t set into motion a short but chilling tale, I don’t know what will.
Rating: 5/5
Goodreads Goal 2/52
