Speculative Saturday is back! Today I'm talking about Seanan McGuire's second installment in the Wayward Children series, Down Among the Sticks and Bones.
About the Book
Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.
This is the story of what happened first…
Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.
Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.
They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.
They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.
This is the story of what happened first…
Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.
Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.
They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.
They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.
My Review
4.5 Stars
Down Among the Sticks and Bones was utterly captivating. I was transfixed for the entirety of this weird and fascinating tale. It was dark and eerie, terrifying and depressing at times, but whimsical and charming, too. I was transported to the unsettling setting of The Moors and couldn't put this book down. I really felt for Jack and Jill. Their childhood was not the best and it was sad how their roles were forced upon them. And their parents... wow... they were something else!
Down Among the Sticks and Bones was another awesome story from Seanan McGuire. Seriously, I'll read anything she writes. She's such a master storycrafter. After I finished reading this story, I wanted to immediately go read Every Heart a Doorway, book one, again. I can't wait to start book three, Beneath the Sugar Sky! I highly recommend this for anyone who loves twisted fairy tales!
This sounds so good. I'm definitely gonna have to look into the first book and soon! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jenea! Seanan McGuire is one of my all-time favorite authors. I hope you get a chance to start this series. It's awesome! Have an awesome day! :)
Delete