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janeleng's review against another edition
5.0
I finished up Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire this weekend, which is the second book in the Wayward Children series. I was hesitant to start this one since I thought that the first book in the series, Every Heart a Doorway, was only okay. Luckily, Down Among the Sticks and Bones succeeded for me in many of the ways that its predecessor did not. This was a 5 star read for me.
Down Among the Sticks and Bones tells the backstory of how the twins, Jack and Jill, first came by their door that led them to the Moors. You find out how they became such complete opposites of each other, as well as how they were sucked into an age old power-struggle between a mad scientist and a vampire.
The sexual orientation and mental health representation is what makes this book really shine for me. McGuire presents these as a given fact of life (both OCD and wlw), rather than a focal point of a plot. It’s genuine rather than performative, which is so refreshing to read.
Additionally, I think the trope of twins with opposite personalities could have been very tiresome, but McGuire handles it with such nuance and frankness. I could not get enough of these girls, and I can’t wait until the next book following their storyline gets published in 2020!
Down Among the Sticks and Bones tells the backstory of how the twins, Jack and Jill, first came by their door that led them to the Moors. You find out how they became such complete opposites of each other, as well as how they were sucked into an age old power-struggle between a mad scientist and a vampire.
The sexual orientation and mental health representation is what makes this book really shine for me. McGuire presents these as a given fact of life (both OCD and wlw), rather than a focal point of a plot. It’s genuine rather than performative, which is so refreshing to read.
Additionally, I think the trope of twins with opposite personalities could have been very tiresome, but McGuire handles it with such nuance and frankness. I could not get enough of these girls, and I can’t wait until the next book following their storyline gets published in 2020!
lilgrizzles's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
We knew the story, we knew how it would end, I still felt grief for both sisters and their loss.
Loss of love, loss of home, and loss of innocence.
Loss of love, loss of home, and loss of innocence.
xhekap30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laschipa's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
knight101's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookpixel's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
rikerandom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0