I love the author and will read anything she writes, even a shopping list. I have read the previous books in the 'Up-and-Under' series and was delighted to get the opportunity to read this ARC.
"Under the Smokestrewn Sky" by A. Deborah Baker is the fourth and final book in the 'Up-and-Under' series, and it provides the perfect ending to the series.. A. Deborah Baker is the pen name for Seanan McGuire, who is also a character mentioned in the book "Middlegame" (which I read and loved).
The book continues from where the last book stopped and follows Avery and Zib on the last leg of their journey. An unplanned detour from home to school one morning brings Avery (who is always pressed and polished) and Zib (wild and unkempt) to the Up-and-Under world, where they encounter wise owls, crow girls, and other mythical creatures. They are on a quest to find the queen of wands, believing she is the only one who can help them get back home.
Their companions and allies are Niamh, the drowned girl, the crow girl, and Jack, the son of the Queen of Swords. While traveling on the improbable road, which is not always visible or reliable, they experience many adventures, meet new friends, and encounter many dangers. This time, their quest will lead them through the land of fire, where they will have to overcome a few obstacles to reach the impossible city, find a queen, and prevent war.
I loved the book. The series gets better from book to book, and this book was an enjoyable story and a good addition to the series. The book starts slow, but once the story kicks off properly, it becomes captivating and fast-paced.
I loved that the author recapped past events to refresh our memory, the direct address to the reader, and the way she made us feel part of the journey. The book wraps up well, and I loved the allusion that we may meet those characters in other adventures despite this being the final book in the series. There was a surprising twist toward the end that I did not see coming, and the ending was satisfactory.
The book focuses on friendships, loyalty, integrity, and the price for straying from the path. It has a great cast of characters, likable protagonists, good world-building, and an interesting premise and concept. I liked the way the author divided the world into four unique quadrants, each with a different setting, dangers, and elements. Each kingdom represents and controls an element and has its own owl. We have the King of Coins (Earth), the King of Cups (Water), the Queen of Swords (Air), and the Queen of Wands (Fire). I admire the author's imagination in the design of each kingdom.
The author gives the reader a wonderfully entertaining ride. If you didn't read the previous books, you need to start from the first book and read the series in order to fully understand the context and appreciate the story. I rate the book 4.5 out of 5 rounded to 5 due to the slow start. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys an imaginative and whimsical middle-grade YA adventure. Although it's written for a middle-grade audience, it will appeal to older readers as well and to anyone who loves quests and adventure books.
To finish with a quote (subject to changes after the publication of the book):
"Sometimes we have to walk the improbable road long enough to make the
impossible things possible." Jump in and travel at your own risk!
* For more info about the book: Under the Smokestrewn Sky
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