Review – Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, Book 2) by Seanan McGuire (4.5/5 stars)

Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 192 pages
Publisher: Tor.com
Release Date: June 13, 2017
ISBN-13:978-0765392039
Stand Alone or Series: 2nd book in the Wayward Children series
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

“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 second book in the Wayward Children series and I enjoyed it quite a bit. This is a fairly short and quick read (~180 pages) and packs a lot of the story into that space. I actually liked this book a lot more than the first Wayward Children book; I just felt like I connected with the characters better and was drawn into the story faster.

This is a retelling of Jill and Jack and I enjoyed it a lot. The mysterious Doors feature in the story as well. Aside from the vampiric fairy tale themes in here, there is a also a theme of finding one’s identity and some LGBT themes as well.

My only complaint about this book is a small one, the ending felt really rushed and the story stopped abruptly without much resolution. Other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Overall this was an excellent addition to the Wayward Children series. I was sceptical that a whole book could be done as a Jack and Jill retelling; but this was beautifully done. I would recommend to those who enjoy dark fairy tale retellings. This was beautiful written and incredibly engaging. I definitely plan on continuing the Wayward Children series.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– New Release Reading Challenge
– Flights of Fantasy Reading Challenge
– Paranormal Reading Challenge
– YA Reading Challenge