School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--This book, written under a pseudonym, is a companion to Seanan McGuire's Middlegame--it's the protagonists' favorite novel--though it also stands alone. A master of fantasy and storytelling, McGuire departs from her previous urban fantasy fare to transport readers, along with young white neighbors Zib and Avery, from the earth they know and into a fantastical realm called the Up-And-Under, which is inhabited by a wide array of talking mythical creatures. Zib and Avery, who are opposite in almost every way, embark on an adventure to find a way home together, and must learn to trust each other in order to get back to Earth. Older teens will connect with classic bildungsroman elements, such as self-actualization, while enjoying the magical and mysterious setting. Like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland meets The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, McGuire weaves a whimsical world where it seems anything is possible, but mortal danger is around every corner. VERDICT With strong themes of self-discovery, friendship, and loyalty, this book will be enjoyed by teens of all ages. McGuire's lyrical prose is perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, and Madeleine L'Engle.--Melanie Leivers, Burnsville, MN
Publisher's Weekly Review
Seanan McGuire, writing as Baker, crafts a delightful, fable-like portal fantasy that works as a charming standalone adventure and serves as a metafictional tie-in to her 2019 blockbuster Middlegame, which features Baker as a character. When two children climb over a mysterious wall, they're transported to the realm of the Up-and-Under, a bizarre land where dangers abound and anything is possible. To return home, they must "walk the length of the improbable road, all the way to the Impossible City" to speak with its ruler, the Queen of Wands. It's the adventure of a lifetime for bold Zib and methodical Avery, and along the way they brave elemental hazards, encounter confounding talking animals, and become best friends. McGuire embraces the nonsensical internal logic of the plot with glee. On the surface, this reads like a sophisticated contemporary take on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, but the connection to Middlegame adds a complex, self-aware edge that elevates the story beyond the children's fantasies that inspired it. Readers won't have to have read Middlegame to enjoy this, but those who have will take pleasure in the multiple layers of meaning behind each scene. With lyrical prose and deep stores of emotion, this grown-up fairy tale works on every level. (Oct.)
Booklist Review
Baker, a pseudonym for the award-winning Seanan McGuire, offers a philosophical fairy tale reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz. Told in a poetic style embedded with wonderful wordplay, the novel follows two children on a fantastical adventure. Zib is a flighty, eccentric girl who loves to explore. Avery is a sharp, efficient boy not prone to physical activities. They are the same age and live on the same street, but attend different schools and have never met. One ordinary morning, Zib's and Avery's usual morning routines are disrupted, and when they divert from their normal paths, they end up facing a wall that should not even exist. Determined to get to school, both climb over and end up in the Up-and-Under, a magical place inhabited by numerous amazing creatures. To find their way home they must follow a shimmering, improbable road that leads to an impossible city ruled by the Queen of Wands. This to-be-continued tale will delight readers who remember the excitement and trials of making a new friend and going on an unexpected adventure.
Library Journal Review
Writing as Baker, award-toppled Seanan Mcguire (AKA Mira Grant) sends rock-steady Avery and in-her-own-orbit Zeb across a wall on the way home from school, where they discover a land where trees chatter, queens entrance, and owls and mermaids threaten. With a 50,000-copy first printing; a companion to Middlegame.