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jackleopards's review against another edition
5.0
The prequel to [b: Every Heart a Doorway|25526296|Every Heart a Doorway (Wayward Children #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431438555l/25526296._SX50_.jpg|45313140] tells the more in-depth story of the identical twin sisters, Jack and Jill. Jack was one of the characters I liked in the first book and I’m glad that I get to have more of her dark humor, the geeky vibes she gives off, and her riveting character development, where she was also introduced as a diverse character when she catches feelings with the innkeeper’s daughter.
In this prequel, we see how sensitive the relationship of the twins are as a cause to making ends meet with the pressure of keeping up with the high standards set for them by their most unlikeable of the unlikeable parents we could ever think of: perfectionists, toxic, egocentric, careless, irresponsible, and very workaholics. Thus the sisters are alike yet different — raised by their parents in a way that are opposite to what they are in the present. Jack is nerdy and hardworking, and one who is eager to know how science works to feed her curious mind, whereas Jill sees herself as a doll who stands still on perfect dresses with pink laces and ribbons, a princess who wanted to be loved and be noticed.
In the world with a gothic setting, we get to see how they grew farther apart as they are splitted up as the vampire’s daughter and as a mad scientist’s apprentice. One of the things that I loved in this series is that Maguire writes her books with a story that speaks for itself and leaves her readers with a message about the impacts of putting yourself in a box and letting the society mold you as they want you to be; a message about avoiding other people treat you as an accessory only to be admired at, but just simply be yourself, in your own unique way.
In this prequel, we see how sensitive the relationship of the twins are as a cause to making ends meet with the pressure of keeping up with the high standards set for them by their most unlikeable of the unlikeable parents we could ever think of: perfectionists, toxic, egocentric, careless, irresponsible, and very workaholics. Thus the sisters are alike yet different — raised by their parents in a way that are opposite to what they are in the present. Jack is nerdy and hardworking, and one who is eager to know how science works to feed her curious mind, whereas Jill sees herself as a doll who stands still on perfect dresses with pink laces and ribbons, a princess who wanted to be loved and be noticed.
“It was an uncomfortable thing, feeling like their parents weren’t doing what was best for them; like this house, this vast, perfectly organized house, with its clean, artfully decorated rooms, was pressing the life out of them one inch at a time. If they didn’t find a way out, they were going to become paper dolls, flat and faceless and ready to be dressed however their parents wanted them to be.”
In the world with a gothic setting, we get to see how they grew farther apart as they are splitted up as the vampire’s daughter and as a mad scientist’s apprentice. One of the things that I loved in this series is that Maguire writes her books with a story that speaks for itself and leaves her readers with a message about the impacts of putting yourself in a box and letting the society mold you as they want you to be; a message about avoiding other people treat you as an accessory only to be admired at, but just simply be yourself, in your own unique way.
“The trouble with denying children the freedom to be themselves—with forcing them into an idea of what they should be, not allowing them to choose their own paths—is that all too often, the one drawing the design knows nothing of the desires of their model. Children are not formless clay, to be shaped according to the sculptor’s whim, nor are they blank but identical dolls, waiting to be slipped into the mode that suits them best.”
alexy_lynx's review against another edition
5.0
Un libro muy corto pero muy bueno. La autora supo contar una historia, sobre dos hermanas tan ajena la una de la otra pero tan unidas en querer una sola cosa.
rosered_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readingwmiles's review against another edition
4.0
i am having so much fun with this fucking series oh my god
angrymeerkat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
meecespieces's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Gore and Adult/minor relationship
skitch41's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Child death
emldavis001's review against another edition
2.0
I'm very disappointed in this book. I'm also very nervous to continue the series now that I have already read 2 of the 5 books and I wasn't very pleased with either of them. I still hope as I continue this series it will get better, but my expectations aren't very high at all.
heidikundin's review against another edition
5.0
“Some adventures begin easily. It is not hard, after all, to be sucked up by a tornado or pushed through a particularly porous mirror; there is no skill involved in being swept away by a great wave or pulled down a rabbit hole. Some adventures require nothing more than a willing heart and the ability to trip over the cracks in the world.
I never intended to pick up another Wayward Children book after the first one disappointed me so badly (I LOVED the style and the way in which it was written, but I hated the modern-day murder mystery storyline and wished we'd gotten deeper into more character backstory). Oddly enough, three of my friends have posted on GR and FB about the Wayward Children series in the past few weeks, so after reading the blurb for Down Among the Sticks and Bones, I decided to give it another shot.
Holy hell. This book was EVERYTHING I had wished the other one would have been, and I can't even put into words how much I completely adored this one! McGuire's style of writing is so engrossing and all-consuming that I found myself wishing the tale of Jack and Jill would never end. But, of course, if you've already read Every Heart a Doorway, you know that everything must end, eventually. It's heartbreaking and beautiful and haunting in the best possible way.
This book has all the elements that I love - dreary and moody settings, dark humor, strong female characters and challenged gender roles, twisted storylines, and loads of dark fairytale fantasy. SO glad that I took a chance and picked this one up!
I never intended to pick up another Wayward Children book after the first one disappointed me so badly (I LOVED the style and the way in which it was written, but I hated the modern-day murder mystery storyline and wished we'd gotten deeper into more character backstory). Oddly enough, three of my friends have posted on GR and FB about the Wayward Children series in the past few weeks, so after reading the blurb for Down Among the Sticks and Bones, I decided to give it another shot.
Holy hell. This book was EVERYTHING I had wished the other one would have been, and I can't even put into words how much I completely adored this one! McGuire's style of writing is so engrossing and all-consuming that I found myself wishing the tale of Jack and Jill would never end. But, of course, if you've already read Every Heart a Doorway, you know that everything must end, eventually. It's heartbreaking and beautiful and haunting in the best possible way.
This book has all the elements that I love - dreary and moody settings, dark humor, strong female characters and challenged gender roles, twisted storylines, and loads of dark fairytale fantasy. SO glad that I took a chance and picked this one up!