McGuire Seanan, Every Heart a Doorway; Informal Buddy Read; Starts 17 May 2018

[ClaireB]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. (view spoiler)[ I really expected Nancy to be stuck in our world, at least for a while. They insisted so much on the low probabilities of going back that I thought it would never happen. But I'm happy for her. It was clear that she would never have been happy otherwise. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Claire
Yes, it made me very happy. (view spoiler)[I feel like she would never have been satisfied otherwise and that makes for a difficult life (hide spoiler)]

[SandyC]

I'm about 30% in. Really liking it. While a school for "interesting" kids has been done many times, I feel like the concept of it being kids who have traveled to magical lands is fresh.


@Karen I share your surprise since I thought it was YA as well (It's shelved F in my town's library)

[Dev]

@Christina yeah i've read books 2 and 3 already, although i'm trying not to like say much about them in my comments here obviously. but i read all of seanan's books pretty much as soon as they are released

@Karen there's actually a short story she did - I think it was probably what inspired her to do this series - where a girl is using a door like in this series and she is getting too big to fit as she gets older. it's called Crystal Halloway and the Forgotten Passage and it's short but fun.

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Then stepping into chapter four
Whoa
(view spoiler)
..."

Yes, I was surprised by that turn of events.

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "there's actually a short story she did - I think it was probably what inspired her to do this series - where a girl is using a door like in this series and she is getting too big to fit as she gets older. it's called Crystal Halloway and the Forgotten Passage and it's short but fun. "

Great ! I'm going to read it right away !
Thanks !!!

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Chapters 3 - 7

I like reading about the different world and the experiences of each character.

(view spoiler)[I liked Sumi, so surprised that she was the first death, but I suppose she did have a did personality and we liked her in the beginning chapters. So killing her we feel the impact.

I didn’t like Loriel (sp), she was a bit of a bully. However it’s a shame her door was waiting for her, just not where so was.

I wasn’t sure on Jack in the beginning but I’m liking her. I also like Christopher and the understanding that Jack, Christopher, Nancy didn’t go to colourful, vibrant worlds.

It’s also interesting the Eleanor's door is open for her and she’s just biding her time until she can go to stay.
(hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers removed]"

same here. (view spoiler)[but even though Kade will understand, I feel sad for him. he surely will miss Nancy :( (hide spoiler)]

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:


Chapter 6 to end
..."

I finished!

..."


Finished and I loved this book and I’m glad that there’s no cliffhanger ending.

(view spoiler)[Thought it was cool Kade and Eleanor are related and the school will be his someday.

I thought Jill was the killer. The ending wrapped up quick, but also liked that the story didn’t drag on.

I was suprised and pleased that Nancy’s door opened and she got to go home
(hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

Christina wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers re..."


Agree. And yes, the book was short but it was so well written that I even liked it being like that.

(view spoiler)[I would love to see Nancy and Kade together. Nancy is asexual, but that doesn't mean they can't be in a relationship.
I think Kade would be great Eleanor replacement one day.
I hope that Eleanor will eventually go through her door like Nancy did.
Also, I agree with the statement someone said that Nancy wouldn't be happy staying in the real world, so I am really glad that she went through her door. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

I am just starting this one. I think I'm on Chapter 2, which is funny because I'm already a fair percentage into the book. What do you guys think about the novella trend that has been going on recently?

I'm always nervous when I start a book this size the end is going to be super rushed, or the world building cut for words.

So far though, I really love the world in this, so that's one fear down.

[Annalisa]

I read the opening this morning before work. The set up with the headmistress lying to parents is intriguing.

I'm not reading a lot of the shorted length novellas but I think it is nice to have something a little shorter for times when sitting down with a full length novel isn't possible. It least the ones I've read have felt complete and I didn't feel rushed. I often do feel rushed in when I read short stories, but I think it all comes down to the author and their ability. It can be to short but it can also be too long. There are a few full length novels that I felt needed to be paired down a bit.

[Dev]

to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it all seems so obvious [not in a bad way, just in a duh how did i not piece that together kind of way]

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

I figured it out, but only after (view spoiler)[ the discussion around the hot coco. Jack was telling how sometimes her master once asked her to get perfect parts of dogs to create the perfect dog. I knew it couldn't be Jack so it had to be the person who knew this about her, i.e. her sister. So I was fairly sure it was Jill, but I didn't understand why until it was revealed. (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Devann, I didn't realize who the killer was until it said so in the book. I didn't really have time to think about it before as I just kept on reading, but I don't think I would have figured it out anyway

[✿~Danielle~✿]

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

Yes, (view spoiler)[Jill was who I thought was the killer before it was revealed to be her. She just showed up when Sumi was murdered and Nancy asks if her room was near, which it’s wasn’t and when they couldn’t find her when Loriel was killed, Jill was my supsect. (hide spoiler)]

[Elen]

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

Kind of, (view spoiler)[I was suspecting her, but I couldn't be sure, bc I have read quite a bit mysteries/thriller and sometimes it's not what you see or expect, so I was skeptic about my suspicions.
I think about rereading it in a couple of years to see new aspects what I didn't see this time (hide spoiler)]

[Dev]

i wasn't surprised that i didn't figure it out because i'm never really trying to figure out the answer to a mystery in a book and in this one especially i was way too distracted by all of seanan's fantastic fairytale-like writing, but it's interesting to get other people's perspective.

[SandyC]

Just finished. I really liked the ending.
(view spoiler)[ I guessed the killer was one of the twins, but I wasn't sure which one. Also, I didn't expect the book to be so dark. (hide spoiler)]

[Christina]

Elen wrote: "Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when ..."

Elen, we should come back to Every Heart A Doorway in a couple of years for another challenge :)

Devann wrote: "i wasn't surprised that i didn't figure it out because i'm never really trying to figure out the answer to a mystery in a book and in this one especially i was way too distracted by all of seanan's..."

this!!!!!

[Christina]

I don't know if it's accidently reading a short Grey's Anatomy spoiler earlier, but I'm really emotional right now and sad about (view spoiler)[Nancy and Kade hardly having a chance at ending up together. I really thought it was gonna happen at some later point. their relationship would have been so unique (judging from all the books I have read so far at least) but who knows, maybe it still does happen. fingers crossed! I really want Kade to find happiness as well :( (hide spoiler)]

#crybaby

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

No, it was a surprise to me

[Annalisa]

Just finished part one and I agree with most comments here. I really like the open door that is at the start of every chapter. I think it is a really nice touch.

(view spoiler)[I really liked the opening with Eleanor and wondered how that was going to fit in the the story, as it didn't seem like it was her story. It transitioned to Nancy's perspective smoothly and I liked that.

I do not care for Sumi. I guess she is a little to hyper for me. I have to admit even after seeing a comment before about this being an adult story I was a little surprised by the discussion of masturbation. Sumi brings it up as though it is no big deal. It fits her character but I wasn't expecting it.

At this point, like the others reading the opening I'm wondering about the different worlds. Nonsense, logic, wickedness, and virtue. At this point I'm just as confused by the talk as Nancy. I guess that is the point. (hide spoiler)]

After finishing part I, I expect the reading to go quickly. This isn't the world I was expecting at all but I am looking forward to finding out more.

[Annalisa]

Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:


Chapter 6 to end


(view spoiler)[I loved how Christopher got more involved in the story, opened up to our MCs and shared his experience. it wa... (hide spoiler)]"

(view spoiler)[I assumed that part of Eleanor getting weaker so quickly was shook and putting people through her door. She seems so strong at the beginning of the book that the change does seem sudden. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers removed]"

I completely agree with this. (view spoiler)[I expected Nancy to be stuck in our world. Then again we do have the answer to the doors and how the work in the title. I didn't realize it until I finished the book, but right from the start you know it is the heart that is the doorway. (hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time but now when i reread it it ..."

No and yes. (view spoiler)[I figured out who it was about the time Jill disappears when they are looking for her after taking care of Loriel's body. That being said it was more like I suspected it was her and was willing to think it might be Lundy, or Kade. I didn't suspect Jack, but I think that is because everyone else did. I also looked for who the murder might be because of your question. I don't think I would have examined that aspect of the story without prompting. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I also wanted a little romance in the story. Kade was the author's choice but I never really trusted him completely. I'm not sure why I felt that way. He was clearly liked by all the other characters. I also didn't care for Sumi. She rubbed me the wrong way. I would have been more interested in a romance between Christopher and Nancy. However, when I say that I know that they wouldn't have worked. Jack and Christopher maybe. Kade and Nancy did seem to have an understanding. However, Nancy returning to her home was the best ending. (hide spoiler)]

This novella was surprising to me in many ways. It was not what I expected at all and it was very different from my typical read. I'm kind of surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.

[ClaireB]

Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers re..."

Wow, I didn't even make the connection with the title. but now that you said it, it's so obvious !

[Annalisa]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Wow, I didn't even make the connection with the title. but now that you said it, it's so obvious ! "

I didn't make the connection for a long long time. (view spoiler)[It is only when Nancy is reading the note from Sumi that I realized. Wow, the title tells us how the doors work. I liked that it came at the very end. For me it added a little bit more completion than I would have had if Nancy had just gone home. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Annalisa wrote: "Just finished part one and I agree with most comments here. I really like the open door that is at the start of every chapter. I think it is a really nice touch.

I really liked the opening with El..."

I'm not sure that I didn't like Sumi, but I don't think I could have been her room mate. She was a little too hyper for me too!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Wow..."

I didn't make that connection either. And now I want to go back and read that note from Sumi as I still don't quite get it
teehee

[Elen]

Annalisa wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Christina wrote: "before I look through any more posts, I have to finish this off:

Chapter 6 to end"

I agree about the ending. [spoilers re..."


Wow, I didn't see that nor make the connection between (view spoiler)[title and Sumis note. But now reading it, it makes sense.

You’re nobody’s rainbow.
You’re nobody’s princess.
You’re nobody’s doorway but your own, and the only one who gets to tell you how your story ends is you. (hide spoiler)]

[Rose]

"Devann wrote: "to anyone who is reading this for the first time, did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? i don't think i had any idea who it was the first time ..."

I finished this book this morning. I really liked it, but I have to admit I knew who the murderer was before the first even happened. I generally do, though. I read way the heck to many Christie mysteries when I was like 12 and I think I absorbed all the ways murderers can be handled in a story.

[Rose]

I think my favorite reveal was


(view spoiler)[Jack knowing the whole time how the doors worked, and how to get back to her world. Also, I love the implication being that even though many say they want to go back, for a lot of them it's not actually what their heart wants. (hide spoiler)]

[Alexa]

I agree with what SandyC said about the concept of this book being fresh. I always read about the people who travel to or live in magical lands, but I really liked in this book that we got to see the aftermath of what happens when they return. I really liked (view spoiler)[the idea of the people from magical lands visiting and getting stuck in our world (hide spoiler)].

I was completely surprised by the murderer, I actually thought the whole time that (view spoiler)[Eleanor was the murderer (hide spoiler)].

I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series! I will also be reading some more Mira Grant/Seanan Maguire books. I couldn't put down Into the Drowning Deep or this book and I can't wait for more.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Rose wrote: "I think my favorite reveal was


[spoilers removed]"

Yes good pick up on the implication. Interesting, isn't it?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Alexa wrote: "I agree with what SandyC said about the concept of this book being fresh. I always read about the people who travel to or live in magical lands, but I really liked in this book that we got to see t..."

Why did you think that person was the murderer?

[Alexa]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Alexa wrote: "I agree with what SandyC said about the concept of this book being fresh. I always read about the people who travel to or live in magical lands, but I really liked in this book that w..."

(view spoiler)[From the book description, it sounds like something was wrong with the school, not just one of the students. So the whole time I was thinking that for some reason she was killing students to somehow get to go back to her Nonsense land. Obviously I was wrong and she was trying to protect them and I was so happy to be wrong. (hide spoiler)]

[Apoorv]

Team Gilderoy Lockhart
Part 1 - Chapters 1 -3

OMG! This book is sort of making me very happy (so far, at least). I absolutely LOVE when the MCs are not the caricatures or versions of the typical, conventional, run-of-the-mill boys and girls, and so far nothing is textbook.

Ofcourse the world Seanan is creating is very intriguing, but I have loads of questions about the how's, what's, and why's of things. Nancy (view spoiler)[ seems reticent at best right now, and so Sumi's contrasting nature is slightly jarring to me. I would have liked a more common thread between the two, than just two polar opposite's getting together and eventually (maybe) becoming best friends. That would be typical in my book. But, let's see how Seanan executes the tale. (hide spoiler)]

I am even more intrigued about Eleanor. What is her story?

.. and Kade!! I have a feeling, I am going to fall in love with this guy. ^_^

[Annalisa]

I find it interesting that you feel that way about Kade. From his first moment in the book I thought wow I don't think I like him. As the story went I he did improve. I guess first impressions aren't everything.

[Dev]

i really liked kade immediately as well although i really couldn't tell you *why* if you pressed me, but there was just something about him that i really enjoyed.

nancy on the other hand i didn't really like and although i definitely don't hate her or anything i still don't think i ever really warmed up to her.

[Apoorv]

Kade has this bankable quality that just makes him someone you would want to befriend. Plus the fact, that he unabashedly talks about Fairyland, unicorns, works with clothes while still talking about (view spoiler)[having dibs at asking Nancy out first, since he met her first (hide spoiler)] is just very adorable.

... or so I think, I haven't finished the book yet. :P

[ClaireB]

Apoorv wrote: "Kade has this bankable quality that just makes him someone you would want to befriend. Plus the fact, that he unabashedly talks about Fairyland, unicorns, works with clothes while still talking abo..."

I really liked Kade too :) He's a very interesting character.

[Christina]

I loved Kade from the first moment we met him! he's obsessed with books, how could he not be likeable? :P

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Alexa
Ah! Ok, I see what you're saying

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Apoorv wrote: "Kade has this bankable quality that just makes him someone you would want to befriend. Plus the fact, that he unabashedly talks about Fairyland, unicorns, works with clothes while still talking abo..."

Yes I agree. Great summation

[Apoorv]

Team Gilderoy Lockhart
Part 1 - Chapters 4 -8

Hold on! What the hell happened? I went into the book without reading the blurb or absolutely anything and was I completely taken aback with what happened to (view spoiler)[Sumi and Loriel (hide spoiler)]. I mean, whaaat?

When did this book turn from a (view spoiler)[nice fantasy to a gory mystery (hide spoiler)]? Obviously, Sumi being such a frothy character, (view spoiler)[ her death did come off as a surprise, since she had so much to offer in terms of her relation with Nancy, but I believe that was the author intention to shock us into getting involved with the narrative. (hide spoiler)]

I don't know why, and I would be keen to see if anyone else feels this way; but I keep confusing Jack for a boy every freakin' time she is mentioned. Maybe its the name or her actions, but initial confusion (which happens every time she is mentioned) baffles me.

[Rose]

Apoorv wrote: "Team Gilderoy Lockhart
Part 1 - Chapters 4 -8

Hold on! What the hell happened? I went into the book without reading the blurb or absolutely anything and was I completely taken aback with what happ..."


LOL. SURPRISE GENRE!

I have Jack in a full on Zuit suit in my head and that keeps flashing in every-time she's mentioned (especially fixing her bow-tie). It's adorable head canon, and probably why I liked the character so much.

[Dev]

haha seanan often mixes fantasy with mystery in her books so to me it seems normal but i guess if you weren't expecting it then it might seem weird.

and i had to keep reminding myself that jack was a girl a lot of the time here in the first book too. i mean i KNEW she was but then every time it says jack my brain automatically goes 'male name' and then i'm like no wait. weirdly enough i don't have that problem at all in the second book...

[Elen]

Apoorv wrote: "I don't know why, and I would be keen to see if anyone else feels this way, but I keep confusing Jack for a boy every freakin' time she is mentioned. Maybe its the name or her actions, but initial confusion (which happens every time she is mentioned) baffles me."

I had this problem too. And I like that Seanan gave to a girl "boy" nickname.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Christina wrote: "Shannon wrote: "I was looking at it, and I think I’m going to go get an actual copy, since I think my kids might like it, so I might be a bit late to the party."

how old are your kids? I think I s..."

I double checked GR category when I read that too. I thought this was a children's book.