Review: Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2)
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4 stars. I was pretty excited about Every Heart a Doorway - I loved the world, the writing and the essence of sheer possibility emanating from the pages - and hoped for the same in its sequel. And it definitely delivered - thought not how I expected.
Instead of returning to Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, we get a backstory: Jack and Jill's, to be specific, and their journey to and from the Moors. We meet the Master (Jill's creepy vampire) and Dr. Bleak (Jack's steadfast scientific guardian) and we learn how the twins were shaped leading up to the events of the first book.
It's a quick read and McGuire's atmospheric, playful writing shines once again. But I have to admit I was disappointed, only because I wanted more out of the story - I wanted to visit more worlds and encounter more backstories and linger with the idea of doorways. There's a lot to enjoy, though, here.
I truly admire McGuire's ability to put some sorely-needed emphasis on identity acceptance in her writing. I have to admit I thought she got a little heavy-handed in the first half of this book - it's like she prioritized her need to send a message over her need to incorporate it into the story successfully or smoothly. But what a message! As soon as any complaint crossed my mind I was hit with a strong premonition that I would refer to the preachy parts one day when I'm raising children of my own.
So, not what was I expecting, but magical nonetheless.