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

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Elen wrote: "✼Danielle✼ wrote: "Read chapters 1 & 2"

I agree with the statement about Kade.

[spoilers removed]"

Finished til Chapter 2, so far I find Sumi so energetic and fun! Kade, a guy who loves to read immediately makes it to my fave character list.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

“Older than I look, younger than I ought to be. My skin is a riddle not to be solved, and even letting go of everything I love won’t offer me the answer.My window is closing, if that’s what you’re asking. Every day I wake up a little more linear, a little less lost, and one day I’ll be one of the women who says ‘I had the most charming dream,’ and I’ll mean it. Old enough to know what I’m losing in the process of being found."

I love this line. Also this pretty much sums up Sumi...

Sumi was not a screamer. Sumi was a reason for other people to scream.

Sumi is such a firework!

[Rosina]

finally able to start. i love SM October Date series.

[ClaireB]

Rosina wrote: "finally able to start. i love SM October Date series."

enjoy ! I really loved it. It will definitely end up in my favorite books of 2018.
It also made me want to read more Seanan McGuire. I'll start with the October Daye series. I just heard so many amazing things about it.

[Dev]

i know at the beginning of this thread someone asked if i would want to do an october daye series buddy read and i was like maybe if i have time lol. we would probably only get through a few books before the end of tower teams but i would be in if some people who liked this book want to do that

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "i know at the beginning of this thread someone asked if i would want to do an october daye series buddy read and i was like maybe if i have time lol. we would probably only get through a few books ..."

I'd like to do that, I just don't know if I'll have the time yet. But I think it's safe to say other people would be interested in an October Daye BR.

[Dev]

yeah, even if we started it after tower teams was over it would still be fun, but i think i might be able to fit at least the first one in sometime in july if we want to

[ClaireB]

Devann wrote: "yeah, even if we started it after tower teams was over it would still be fun, but i think i might be able to fit at least the first one in sometime in july if we want to"

I'd love that! I don't really have any book planned for july yet, so that would be perfect :)

[Rosina]

Chapters 1 & 2

I am really enjoying this and find it hard to put down...
The description of Eleanor with orange pants and rainbow top and dandelion fuzz hair made me think of Phyllis Diller.

I love the idea of stepping through a doorway into another realm. Might be scary but so much fun.

The Characters are all very interesting such diverse characters. Loving Kade just my type of friend. Sumi how sweet and refreshing. Nancy is just a really great gal trying to fit in.

Wonder why such an unbalance of the sexes. Cant wait to find out.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 6

(view spoiler)[I didn't see that coming. I didn't think it would be this dark. So sad that Sumi had to be the first to go.
I don't know what out Kade that's making me suspect him as the killer. I hope not! (hide spoiler)]

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Rosina wrote: "Chapters 1 & 2

Wonder why such an unbalance of the sexes. Cant wait to find out."

Because girls are more prone to daydreaming and wishing than boys?

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 8

(view spoiler)[Im adding Jill to my suspect list. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

It looks like Rosina is still reading this so I'll join in (from Team Severus Snape)!

I picked up this book a while ago because of the concept - just like Rosina, I love the idea of these doorways to new worlds. The possibilities!

I've read thru Chpt 2 so far and I must say that I'm a little thrown by this book so far. It was a little reminiscent of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children for a moment, thought it was going to be a bit like Alice in Wonderland but (view spoiler)[Sumi totally threw me for a loop, asking if Nancy wanted to fuck Kade and then asking if it was ok if she masturbated. WHAT??? I read a lot of romance, some erotica and MM, so am no prude when it comes to sex in books but I really wasn't expecting this here. Thought I was going to read some YA fantasy a la Hogwarts Year 1. The characters are a lot older and so far all of the characters are wacky. Nancy has the dark emo girl vibe but she's the most sane and somewhat relatable one so far. The talk of Nonsense and Logic is confusing me but hopefully it will all start to come together soon... (hide spoiler)]

That was interesting Kathleen about your thought on why there are more girls than boys.

[Cathy M.]

Read thru Chpt 8 last night ~

We do get the reason for the girl vs boy numbers in chpt 3 but I think I think your answer more Kathleen :P But I loved this quote about it: "We notice the silence of men. We depend upon the silence of women."

(view spoiler)[This book turned from dark and mysterious to dark, mysterious and gory pretty quick. Wasn't expecting the deaths of Sumi or Loriel but then again was not a fan of either one. Sumi was just all over the place but I guess that was part of her charm and made her death more impactful. Don't get why someone would take her hands though it was interesting how Nancy mentioned how her hands were the most important thing about her. Loriel's eyes being taken made more sense because of her story. Sounds a little like a Frankenstein thing going on, collecting body parts that are important to those characters, though I don't have any idea who it could be yet. Just know it can't be Jack (right?) - it would be too obvious and I think if she was the culprit she wouldn't lie about it.

Jack is starting to be one of my favorite characters. She says the craziest things, very matter-of-factly and doesn't sugarcoat it, and does what needs to be done (Loriel's body).

Loved that we're also getting to know more about Christopher (hide spoiler)]

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

I've finished yesterday and while the young part of me liked tje ending, there's also a part of me that wished (view spoiler)[Nancy consciously chooses to stay and work it out with her parents. Theres a part of me that thinks shes escaping jer parents so I easnt 100% happy with the ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Chpt 9-end ~

For such a short book, it was so full and incredibly detailed though it went by too quickly at the end. I did end up liking this book more than I thought I would but do have some conflicting feelings about the end. (view spoiler)[Can't believe Jack killed Jill, though her thought of death were only temporary due to her belief in reanimation. And her only staying on this side for Jill's sake showed how much she loved her sister.

I didn't see Nancy going home at the end, thought she would be stuck in this world. But if it was so easy to open her door to go back, why didn't her door open sooner? It was just a matter of her believing or hoping with all her might (her deciding her fate)?

I think I need to re-read that end and think about this some more... (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Kathleen wrote: "I've finished yesterday and while the young part of me liked tje ending, there's also a part of me that wished [spoilers removed]"

I did too (view spoiler)[or at least say goodbye to everyone, especially Kade. Their goodbye was more a see you later after your holiday break than goodbye. (hide spoiler)]

[Dev]

I'm kind of surprised to see several people say they weren't expecting it be so 'gory' because to me this is like soooo tame lol but it's interesting to see other people have different reactions to it.

[Cathy M.]

I think for me it was more that I was expecting it to be tame. Thought it was supposed to be YA/children's story. And actually I dont think it was so much gory as it was morbid. The things that happened to Sumi and Loriel, and the things they talked about.

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Same here, I started thinking it was a children's book then suddenly there was the f*** word and everything went more detailed from there.

[Dev]

haha yeah i guess that would throw you off but it is definitely YA and not middle-grade. and i agree that morbid would maybe be a more accurate word

[Kate S]

I have just hit the halfway point on this book.

✼Danielle✼ wrote: "Read chapters 1 & 2

The characters are great so far.

Like Nancy, would love to know more and understand about Nonsense, Logic, Wickedness & Virtue etc.

Sumi is a bit of a whirlwind and who does..."


I also fell in love a bit with this quote.

[Kate S]

Christina wrote: "
Chapters 3-5


It is so great to learn more about this world - the author makes it really easy. I love her writing!

(view spoiler)[BUT DID SHE HAVE TO MAKE MY LITTLE SUNSHINE THE FIRST VICTIM?? I'm actually h... (hide spoiler)]"

I am also enjoying more about this world. (view spoiler)[The side note about the Queen of the Dust helped me buy into the world in a different way than before. As this is a novel completely out of my normal reading zone, I am grateful for reminders like this. (hide spoiler)]

[Kate S]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "I have a fun little question for you all !

There are many kinds of doors described in the books: it goes from an actual door to mirrors like in Alice in Wonderland. What kind of door are you most..."

Nice question, Claire. I think I am most likely to fall into a painting. Not as likely to walk through any unknown doors or a mirror. Although, I do like your idea of walking into a really great book!

[ClaireB]

Kate S wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "I have a fun little question for you all !

There are many kinds of doors described in the books: it goes from an actual door to mirrors like in Alice in Wond..."

Thanks ! A painting is a good one. I don't think I would fall into a painting, unless that painting is moving :) That would draw my attention

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Kathleen wrote: "Rosina wrote: "Chapters 1 & 2

Wonder why such an unbalance of the sexes. Cant wait to find out."

Because girls are more prone to daydreaming and wishing than boys?"

I like your thought there Kathleen!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cathy M. wrote: "It looks like Rosina is still reading this so I'll join in (from Team Severus Snape)!

I picked up this book a while ago because of the concept - just like Rosina, I love the idea of these doorway..."


haha
Yes that kind of came out of nowhere for me too. I did think it was a children's YA more than an Adult YA book (if you know what I mean) until that point. LOL

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Kathleen & Cathy
re: the ending

(view spoiler)[
I agree it was a surprise, but that is one of the things I liked about it. The fact that Jack & Jill could go back and then that Nancy really was back just "to be sure".
I'm not sure Nancy was escaping her parents as when she first went it didn't seem like she was an unhappy child. I think she just found where she felt she belonged in that strange world.
(hide spoiler)]

[Annalisa]

I was also surprised by that, but my library had it in the adult section, so it should not have been a surprise.

[Cathy M.]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "@Kathleen & Cathy
re: the ending


(view spoiler)[It seemed like all the kids who traveled to those other worlds found places where they felt they belonged/where they could be themselves so that was good. I got that feeling that Nancy just felt out of place where she was, when talking about school and the other kids. But her parents did love her, just felt bad that they were expecting her home for the holiday and she just disappears again instead. The chances that she comes back again is pretty much nil so would have liked her to bring some sort of closure for those who cared for her on this side. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

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


Chapter 6 to end


I loved how Christopher got more involved in the story, opened up to our MCs and shared his experience. it wa..."

(view spoiler)[I thought the ending was rushed when initially reading it, but realized I don't think there was much else that could have been added without changing the tone or pacing of the story. I too wanted more though!

Re Eleanor - I thought about when reading but forgot about it until I saw your comment. I didn't miss anything in the story about her getting so weak right? Thought maybe it was because of the emotional stress but it was also physical for her, how she started aging so rapidly. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Rose wrote: "I think my favorite reveal was


[spoilers removed]"


I kept thinking about the title when I read it because it has to tie in somehow but I must be dense or something because I couldn't understand (view spoiler)[how all the children seemed to want to go back so why weren't their doors opening?!?! Rose your comment made total sense!! Now I understand :P (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cathy M. wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "@Kathleen & Cathy
re: the ending


[spoilers removed]"

yes, I really feel for the parents who have these kids who disappear ; come back completely changed and then disappear again. Kind of selfish of the kids when you think about it :o

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

When did you want to start Down Among the Sticks and Bones Cathy?
I have it here, but I started reading an Indigo book instead and it really sucked me in!

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "@Kathleen & Cathy
re: the ending


[spoilers removed]"

yes, I really feel for the parents who have these kids who disappear ; come back completely changed and the..."

I would've given it an easy 5 star rating if it werent for that ending. Or maybe if Nancy didn't have a family who loved her and wanted her back, I'd be ok with her leaving without saying goodbye.

[Dev]

@Cathy M (view spoiler)[only some of them work on the 'you can go back if you really want to' basis. some of them can't go back because they're too old or they did something to get 'kicked out' or maybe the world just needed them there temporarily to fix something etc (hide spoiler)]

[kat (wanderfulbooks)]

For clarification... (view spoiler)[Considering the note that Nancy read right before she opened her door was written by Sumi, I'm assuming Sumi knew all along how to open her door and chose not to go back? (hide spoiler)]

[Dev]

Kathleen wrote: "For clarification... [spoilers removed]"

i saw it more as just (view spoiler)[sumi was writing her a nice note to encourage her and help her get through her summer at home and it just happened to be what she actually needed to get back. if sumi knew how to get back to her own world i think she definitely would have done it (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "When did you want to start Down Among the Sticks and Bones Cathy?
I have it here, but I started reading an Indigo book instead and it really sucked me in!"

I can start whenever! Almost finished with Children of Blood and Bone but I'll start whenever you're ready :)

[Cathy M.]

Devann wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "For clarification... [spoilers removed]"

i saw it more as just [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Or maybe she was one of the ones who couldn't go back. (hide spoiler)]

[Kate S]

I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, this was a bit outside of my comfort zone and I have a question for people who read this type of book more often: what aspects of this story qualified as urban fantasy as opposed to some other type of fantasy? (I suppose the fact I do not even know what the opposite of urban fantasy is, shows my lack of education in the genre.) I am honestly curious.

[Kate S]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kate S wrote: "Thanks ! A painting is a good one. "

When I was in elementary school (many moons ago), there was a creative writing assignment about what was happening in a painting. I spent a lot of time with that assignment and have found myself captivated by many paintings since then; many just begging for a new story.

[Cathy M.]

Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, this was a bit outside of my comfort zone and I have a ..."

I'm not an expert in this whatsoever and this is just my opinion but I think this one was more Fantasy (which is really broad) than Urban Fantasy to me, though Urban Fantasy does fall under (is a type of) Fantasy. UFs are usually set in urban settings, lot more action, drama, suspense. Some are also high in romance. Has a different feel to them IMO.

[Kate S]

Cathy M. wrote: "UFs are usually set in urban settings, lot more action, drama, suspense."

Thank you for your response. I was surprised to see the listing of UF on the genre page of this book and thought I might be missing something.
While I would expect the urban setting, more action, drama, and suspense would not have crossed my mind while trying to identify more urban fantasies. Thank you for your comments.

[Cathy M.]

No problem, hopefully I gave a good enough description :P Usually when I think of Urban Fantasy I think of some of my fave series - Kate Daniels, Charley Davidson, Mercy Thompson, Fever, Dresden Files.

[Kate S]

Cathy M. wrote: "No problem, hopefully I gave a good enough description :P Usually when I think of Urban Fantasy I think of some of my fave series - Kate Daniels, Charley Davidson, Mercy Thompson, Fever, Dresden Fi..."

I think the last UF I tried was Soulless? But I was certainly reading under the umbrella of steampunk more than UF. I like big challenges, introduces me to a variety of genres I wouldn't usually seek.

[ClaireB]

Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, this was a bit outside of my comfort zone and I have a ..."

Technically this book qualifies as portal fantasy, i.e. people from our world being sucked into other worlds. But because it explores the consequences of portal once these children come back in our world and not the adventure itself, I can see why it could also be considered UF. Cathy M. described it well. Urban Fantasy implies fantasy elements in our world, usually in an urban setting. It often features vampires, werewolves, witches and other creatures like that.

[Kate S]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, this was a bit outside of my comfort zon..."

"Portal fantasy"? Thank you for introducing me to a new term! I appreciate you taking the time to give a thoughtful response. Learning new things all the time.

[ClaireB]

Kate S wrote: "✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Kate S wrote: "I did finish this one. I can imagine enjoying this one as a young adult, uncomfortable and unsure of my role in the world.

As I said before, th..."

Glad to help ☺️

[Dev]

to me this falls under 'magical realism' which ...i don't even know how to describe what i think is the different between magical realism and urban fantasy is. i guess it's just a feeling i get when i read something. but usually for me urban fantasy is more... well, urban. like it's set in/around a city and usually people are hunting/fighting supernatural creatures or whatnot. i use magical realism for things like this or HP because it's set in our world but also has magical elements. i only use fantasy for high fantasy - aka it takes place entirely in a world that has nothing to do with our own and has magical/fantasy elements. but i know a lot of people just use 'fantasy' for everything so idk.