Down Among the Sticks and Bones

Down Among the Sticks and Bones is a fantasy novella that serves as the second installment in Seanan McGuire's Wayward Children series. The story centers on identical twins Jacqueline and Jillian, whose rigid upbringing by their status-obsessed parents forces them into predetermined roles - one a perfect lady, the other a substitute son. At age twelve, the twins discover a mysterious door that leads them to a gothic realm called the Moors. This dark world presents them with choices about who they want to become, away from their parents' controlling influence. Their arrival puts them at a crossroads between two powerful figures: the Master and Dr. Bleak. In this portal fantasy, McGuire examines how children are shaped by adult expectations and the impact of being able to choose one's own path. The novella stands as a commentary on identity, gender roles, and the freedom to define oneself beyond societal constraints.

Readers view Down Among the Sticks and Bones as a darker, more focused companion to Every Heart a Doorway. Common reviews highlight the atmospheric gothic setting and exploration of identity themes. Readers appreciated: - Tight, lyrical prose style - Character development of Jack and Jill - Compact storytelling within 187 pages - LGBTQ representation - World-building of The Moors Common criticisms: - Narrative feels more like backstory than standalone - Heavy-handed messaging about gender roles - Too much telling instead of showing - Pacing issues in middle sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.28/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,100+ ratings) LibraryThing: 4.1/5 (500+ ratings) "McGuire's writing is like dark poetry," notes one top Goodreads review, while a critical Amazon review states "the gender commentary feels forced and detracts from an otherwise interesting story."

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire A story of children who return from portal worlds and struggle to readjust to normal life while longing for their magical realms.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow A tale about doors to other worlds and a girl who discovers she can write new doors into existence.

The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire The companion series follows other children who stepped through portals into worlds shaped by their desires and fears.

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan A boy discovers a border wall that leads to a magical realm where he enrolls in a school for diplomatic relations between worlds.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman A man stumbles into London Below, a shadow city beneath London where magic exists and dark creatures dwell.

✦ The Moors setting in the book draws inspiration from classic horror works like Frankenstein and Dracula, blending scientific experimentation with Gothic supernatural elements. ✦ Author Seanan McGuire also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Mira Grant, and has won multiple Hugo Awards for her work in science fiction and fantasy. ✦ The book's exploration of gender roles reflects real psychological studies showing that parental pressure to conform to specific gender expectations can significantly impact child development. ✦ This novella is Book #2 in the Wayward Children series but chronologically takes place before Book #1, "Every Heart a Doorway," showing events only referenced in the first book. ✦ The story's themes about twins and identity connect to historical folklore across many cultures, where twins often represent duality and the struggle between predetermined destiny and free will.