In Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire, we follow Jacqueline and Jillian (or Jack and Jill). They’re raised with very specific expectations of how they should behave, which drives a wedge between them over time. But eventually, they team up to explore the room that their grandmother used to stay in (at least, before their parents sent her away). There, they find a portal to another world: a world of monsters and mad scientists. Jack and Jill end up separated, taken in by two opposing people who seek to further mold the young women. As they grow and change, they become more bold and dangerous, until eventually, the girls must come back together, though it might destroy them.

This is the sequel to Every Heart a Doorway in the Wayward Children series, and it certainly puts some things from that first book into perspective. It was illuminating to see Jack and Jill’s experiences in their own magical world, after only getting glimpses of their story in the first installment. This book explained some things, in a way, while also making me very intrigued to see what might happen in later stories.

As for the magical world itself, it’s a compelling setting. Sort of like a medieval village, with a ruler dwelling in the nearby castle, but with a very dark twist: the ruler is a vampire, and a mad scientist a la Victor Frankenstein lives in the village. And those two hate each other. I’d hate to be a citizen of that village, but it’s intriguing to read about, if very dark.

Another thing I enjoyed was the commentary on what it means to be a girl. Jack and Jill are raised with completely different expectations: their parents force Jack to be a prim and proper young lady, while Jill is pushed into the role of wild tomboy. There’s no allowance for nuance, for complex personalities, and both girls struggle with these expectations. Then, when they’re in the other world and given new roles, they find it liberating. The entire book is a clear argument for letting people, especially girls, push against stereotypes and archetypes. Girls can like dresses and running around in nature, or they can like science but also being clean!

I also liked the small romance subplot, even though I knew it couldn’t possibly end well (thanks to this being a prequel, in a way). Jack’s love interest Alexis is a sweet young woman. And on the subject of other characters, I even liked Dr. Bleak and the Master, as much as one can like unhinged scientists and ominous creepy vampires. Maybe “like” isn’t the right word; hopefully you know what I mean.

In the end, Down Among the Sticks and Bones was a bizarre journey through a tense land, with two complicated girls. I’m really intrigued by where this series is going to go. These are certainly dark books, probably more suited to older teens and adults; I think adults would get way more out of the themes than younger people, anyway. And yes, these books are weird, but I want to see where we go next!