Book Review of the Dark Fantasy Series, The Wayward Children
The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire
I first came across the concept of “portal fantasy” when I read The Chronicles of Narnia. It fascinated me to think about another world just a portal away, and I spent much of my childhood searching for such magical doorways. Although I never found one, those stories captured my imagination.
Recently, I discovered Seanan McGuire’s series of novellas, The Wayward Children. These books explore the lives of children who have found portals to other worlds. After spending time in these magical places, they return to our world but struggle to readjust. Some don’t fit in anymore, while others desperately want to go back to the place they consider home. The first novella, Every Heart a Doorway, has won multiple awards, including the Alex, Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards, and was a finalist for the World Fantasy Award.
The Wayward Children Books
Every Heart a Doorway, the first novella in the series, introduces Eleanor West and her school for children who miss their alternate lives. The main character, Nancy, comes from the Realm of the Dead. The various portal worlds in the series fall into categories like Nonsense, Logic, Wickedness, and Virtue. We also meet characters like Kade, Sumi, Christopher, Jack, and Jill. When a series of murders occur, Nancy tries to solve the mystery and perhaps find her way back to her world.
The second book, Down Among the Sticks and Bones, delves into the backstory of twin sisters Jack and Jill. Their previously structured lives are upended when they enter a new and strange world where every choice has serious consequences. This book leans more towards horror.
The third book, Beneath the Sugar Sky, explores a Nonsense World. A student’s daughter, hailing from a land where baked goods can come to life, learns her mother has died. She sets out to save her mother and her world with the help of her mother’s friends.
The fourth novella, In an Absent Dream, follows the history of one of the teachers, Lindy, who visits the goblin market—a world based on logic and rules. This prequel is one of my favorites, though I eagerly await the fifth book, Come Tumbling Down, which will revisit Jack and Jill’s story.
The Tone
The Wayward Children series is beautifully written yet dark. The worlds include vampires, mad scientists, and skeleton people, and bad things can happen. Characters can be murdered, transformed, or driven mad. Despite its darkness, the series remains whimsical and magical.
The books feature diverse characters from various races and sexualities. Conflicts arise not from these differences but from the contrasting natures of the nonsense and logic worlds. I found this aspect especially engaging.
Overall Thoughts
If you enjoy atmospheric stories with a spooky vibe that are still whimsical, you might love The Wayward Children series. For those of us who grew up searching for portals to other worlds, this series is a must-read.
The series raises an intriguing question: what happens when you come back from a magical world? Can you readjust to life here? According to McGuire, the answer is no—part of you will always be missing. I love how she explores this idea, creating a series I didn’t know I needed.
Content Note: There are some adult situations, violence, occasional swearing, and brief references to sexual situations, but nothing graphic.
Have you read The Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire? Which book is your favorite? Let me know in the comments!
