Down Among the Sticks and Bones - Seanan McGuire

Title: Down Among The Sticks and Bones
Author: Seanan McGuire
Format: Hardcover
Rating 5 Stars

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Twin sisters Jack and Jill were seventeen when they found their way home and were packed off to Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.

This is the story of what happened first…

Jacqueline was her mother’s perfect daughter—polite and quiet, always dressed as a princess. If her mother was sometimes a little strict, it’s because crafting the perfect daughter takes discipline.

Jillian was her father’s perfect daughter—adventurous, thrill-seeking, and a bit of a tom-boy. He really would have preferred a son, but you work with what you've got.

They were five when they learned that grown-ups can’t be trusted.

They were twelve when they walked down the impossible staircase and discovered that the pretense of love can never be enough to prepare you a life filled with magic in a land filled with mad scientists and death and choices.

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This is it: The first book I've read in a long time that gets 5 stars from me.  If there were a rating system that went above 5 stars, this book would still be at the top.  I read Every Heart a Doorway earlier this year, and knew I had to read the sequel - and it did not disappoint.

Now, to clarify, this isn't a sequel in the real traditional sense.  Jack and Jill are featured in Every Heart a Doorway, but Nancy is the main character int hat book.  This book can be read as a standalone, and is the story of Jack and Jill and how they got taken into their world.

I loved watching the development of Jack and Jill from timid kids who did what their parents expected into the teens they become in the moors.  When Jill learns it's okay to get dirty and run, and Jack becomes almost obsessively clean (mostly because of Dr. Bleak) it made me sad and yet a little happy, because they were learning to become their true selves.  The author did a great job of developing their characters, and showing that even though they are twins they are two distinct individuals. 

The story was well developed and well thought out as well.  The writing was excellent - so good that even in the creepiest parts of the book, I had to keep going.  The twists in the story, and the shocking moments were just so awesome, and fit so well with the story, and there was not one single moment when I thought that this couldn't happen.

Things that add to the weirdness of the book include:

* Jack and Jill's parent's Chester and Serena - they were just odd and should never have had kids.  Never.  Their attitude towards their kids made it easy to see why Jack and Jill needed an escape into another world.  (I mean, their dad basically raised Jill as a boy.)
* Dr. Bleak.  His whole persona just fits with the story.  I mean, he brings people back from the dead?!  It fits.
* The Master - just the fact that he insists on people calling him The Master is wild.

That's just like the tip of the iceberg.  I want to leave some surprises for you, after all - so read the book for self and revel in all it's creepy wonder.

This book holds some mystery, some intrigue, and some mayhem, as well as some quotes that will make you sit up and say "what?!"  Like:

"I could give you children," said Jack, sounding vaguely affronted.  "You'd have to tell me how many heads you wanted them to have, and what species you'd like them to be, but what's the point of having all these graveyard if you I can't give you children when you ask for them?"

If you are looking for a book that will make you sit up and take notice, Down Among the Sticks and Bones is that book!  Read now!