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A review by simonlorden
Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
5.0
original review from years ago below
Jack deserves so much better, y'all
--
It is difficult to rate a book when you are absolutely furious with one of the protagonists.
Down Among the Sticks and Bones is more of a prequel than a sequel - it tells the story of Jack and Jill from their birth up to the point where they have to leave their found home.
The Characters
Jack was one of my favourites in the first book, and she kept that title throughout this one. I've also grown attached to her chosen master. The bigger problem was with Jill: I didn't care much for her in the first book, and her behaviour in this one certainly didn't help matters. I tried to understand Jill, and maybe I do, somewhat, but understanding doesn't mean sympathy or affection.
The Plot
Since this is a prequel and the girls already talked about being cast out in the first book, in a way I already knew what was going to happen, where it was all leading up to, but reading it was still different.
The first part of the book is about the girls' childhood at home with their parents - their frankly horrible parents who are emotionally abusive and unfit to be parents, which is made clear enough in the book. This part was mostly neutral for me.
Once in the Moors, Jack's and Jill's POVs divide more. It's no secret that I enjoyed Jack's more, partly because of the included f/f romance, which doesn't get much "screentime" but is still an important part of the story.
Overall
I feel like this review comes off as more negative than I intended. It's true that I enjoyed this book less than the first one, and there are some parts I'm angry at, but it still deserves the whole five stars and goes on the favourites shelf. I love the worldbuilding.
Jack deserves so much better, y'all
--
It is difficult to rate a book when you are absolutely furious with one of the protagonists.
Down Among the Sticks and Bones is more of a prequel than a sequel - it tells the story of Jack and Jill from their birth up to the point where they have to leave their found home.
The Characters
Jack was one of my favourites in the first book, and she kept that title throughout this one. I've also grown attached to her chosen master. The bigger problem was with Jill: I didn't care much for her in the first book, and her behaviour in this one certainly didn't help matters. I tried to understand Jill, and maybe I do, somewhat, but understanding doesn't mean sympathy or affection.
The Plot
Since this is a prequel and the girls already talked about being cast out in the first book, in a way I already knew what was going to happen, where it was all leading up to, but reading it was still different.
The first part of the book is about the girls' childhood at home with their parents - their frankly horrible parents who are emotionally abusive and unfit to be parents, which is made clear enough in the book. This part was mostly neutral for me.
Once in the Moors, Jack's and Jill's POVs divide more. It's no secret that I enjoyed Jack's more, partly because of the included f/f romance, which doesn't get much "screentime" but is still an important part of the story.
Overall
I feel like this review comes off as more negative than I intended. It's true that I enjoyed this book less than the first one, and there are some parts I'm angry at, but it still deserves the whole five stars and goes on the favourites shelf. I love the worldbuilding.