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midici's review
4.0
Honestly I may have liked this better than the first in the series, Every Heart a Doorway. Jack and Jill have pivotal roles in that book, but this one goes straight to the beginning to show how they became what they were in that book.
Jacqueline and Jillian spend the first 12 years of their lives forced into a very narrow box by their parents: Jacqueline, the pretty, obedient, quiet child; Jillian the rough, tomboy, messy one. Their upbringing makes it difficult to stay friends because each is so jealous of what the other is allowed to have. When they find a secret door in a trunk they venture into it together and find a door that says: BE SURE.
They aren't sure of anything but they make a choice and thus begin their entry to the Moors. The narration has a almost whimsical, threatening tone. You can see all of the dangers lurking under the surface of this world that Jack seems to be much more wary of than Jill. In the house of the Master, the vampire that rules this place, Jack makes a choice to save herself and her sister - she leaves and becomes the apprentice of Dr. Bleak, a former foundling like her.
But children don't stay children forever and even Dr. Bleak can see the world setting them up in opposing fashion, can see Jill becoming a dangerous vampire to-be, in direct opposition of Jack who is becoming a quick and clever apprentice, a future mad-scientist like himself.
Jill, carelessly shedding her humanity every year, makes a misstep so large even the Master can't save her. Jack could - but after what Jill has just done, does she even want to? Of course, we know the answer to this from the first book - because this ending is just one stop in the road for both of them.
Jacqueline and Jillian spend the first 12 years of their lives forced into a very narrow box by their parents: Jacqueline, the pretty, obedient, quiet child; Jillian the rough, tomboy, messy one. Their upbringing makes it difficult to stay friends because each is so jealous of what the other is allowed to have. When they find a secret door in a trunk they venture into it together and find a door that says: BE SURE.
They aren't sure of anything but they make a choice and thus begin their entry to the Moors. The narration has a almost whimsical, threatening tone. You can see all of the dangers lurking under the surface of this world that Jack seems to be much more wary of than Jill. In the house of the Master, the vampire that rules this place, Jack makes a choice to save herself and her sister - she leaves and becomes the apprentice of Dr. Bleak, a former foundling like her.
But children don't stay children forever and even Dr. Bleak can see the world setting them up in opposing fashion, can see Jill becoming a dangerous vampire to-be, in direct opposition of Jack who is becoming a quick and clever apprentice, a future mad-scientist like himself.
Jill, carelessly shedding her humanity every year, makes a misstep so large even the Master can't save her. Jack could - but after what Jill has just done, does she even want to? Of course, we know the answer to this from the first book - because this ending is just one stop in the road for both of them.
lenelchlein's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ericasbookshelves's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
greatgreyowl's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
dembury's review
3.0
While I loved the creepy, atmospheric vibe of this one, it definitely has a few pacing issues that makes it more difficult to enjoy. I felt like way too much time was spent at the beginning delineating all the differences between Jack and Jill; the tone got quite preachy at times, especially about raising children and subjecting them to certain roles. It's not that I disagree with it, but the message (?) just got far too repetitive for my liking. Also, because so much time was spent on that at the start, I think it took away from moments we could have had later on that would have made the book hit harder. More Jack/Alexis would have been great, or even just seeing more interactions between the girls and each of their mentors!
Other than that, I still enjoyed this: Jack and Jill are incredibly interesting characters and I liked spending time in their heads and world. And again, the atmosphere of this book is very immersive, like a dark fairytale version of Frankenstein/Dracula (it would make an excellent Halloween read!)
I'm definitely going to be continuing the series still, and hope we get to see more of these two.
Other than that, I still enjoyed this: Jack and Jill are incredibly interesting characters and I liked spending time in their heads and world. And again, the atmosphere of this book is very immersive, like a dark fairytale version of Frankenstein/Dracula (it would make an excellent Halloween read!)
I'm definitely going to be continuing the series still, and hope we get to see more of these two.
ambigreen87's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
janagaton's review
1.0
first 1 star of 2023 because I simply don't see the appeal. first of all, that beginning was awful... I was really hoping I'd like this one because of the vampires, but alas.
officially giving up on this series, which is such a shame 'cause they're such quick books ):
officially giving up on this series, which is such a shame 'cause they're such quick books ):
pixxyhex's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
frogsinacoat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia and Body shaming
avisreadsandreads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5