Down among the sticks and bones by Seanan McGuire
Wayward Children book 2. Tor, 2017. ISBN 9780765392039
(Age: Senior secondary - Adult) Recommended. Alex Awards for the 10
best adult books 2018. Themes: Horror, Fantasy, Fairy tales,
Diversity, Gender stereotypes. Fans of Seanan Mcguire's books will
have encountered twin sisters Jack and Jill in the first book in the
Wayward Children series, "Every heart
a doorway". "Down Among the Sticks and Bones" tells the
story of what happened to them before they were sent to Eleanor
West's Home for Wayward Children.
This not a story for the faint hearted or for younger teens. It is
dark and compelling and the atmosphere is chilling. Jacqueline is
the perfect child, who is dressed like a little doll and is always
quiet and respectful. Jillian is the opposite - outgoing and risk
taking and their father's favourite. The twins don't trust their
parents and when they turn twelve they find a staircase that leads
them into another land, the mysterious land of the Moors where
vampires and werewolves roam and a mad scientist does his
experiments.
It is here that Jack finds out what she really wants to be and that
she doesn't have to fit into a gender stereotype. She studies with
the mad scientist, and falls in love. Jill is left in the castle and
becomes increasingly frustrated and angry. To tell more would spoil
this beautifully crafted but terrifying story, but it is sufficient
to say that there are heart breaking incidents, betrayal, and
terrible choices to make.
Pat Pledger