These scenes include "planned suburban communities, a woman working in a street repair crew, playgrounds with slides, etc."

In Middlegame, fictional alchemist Asphodel Deborah Baker wrote a children's book entitled Over the Woodward Wall.

[2] Publishers Weekly gave Over the Woodward Wall a starred review, calling it a "grown-up fairy tale" that "works on every level."

Coldiron stated "I was reminded of my most beloved books from childhood: The Phantom Tollbooth, the Chronicles of Narnia, Finn Family Moomintroll.

Like those old friends, Over the Woodward Wall made me feel as if the book was caring for me, individually, and that its love language was storytelling."

"[4] Alex Brown of Reactor loved the novel, writing that it is "as wonderful and charming as you expect a Seanan McGuire book to be, yet straightforward enough to appeal to middle grade readers."

No bombs threaten Zib or Avery except the metaphorical kind, the kind that will come with adulthood as their innocence is lost or stolen and the world wears their bright, sharp edges dull.Regina Schroeder of Booklist praised the second entry into the series, writing that McGuire is "creating a series for those who read Oz and wanted more from it."

"[5] Writing for Booklist, Regina Schroeder wrote that "The intricacies of the Up-and-Under ... continue to be compelling and satisfying in the way of a beloved childhood fable.

The review criticized the omniscient narrator as "occasionally a little too intrusive" but stated that "the story remains fascinating and provocative.

"[7] Regina Schroeder of Booklist praised the final entry into the series, stating that "It is not only an excellent story on its own, but it does a much better job at ending than L. Frank Baum ever managed.