This book reminded me of my favourite childhood books, but was utterly heartbreaking. I've often wondered how the Pevensie children of Narnia went home and just continued their lives after so many years away from home, and this follows a very similar vein, but after the three siblings come home after years in a fantasy Kingdom that was torn apart by war, they can never be the same again.

Evelyn, or Ev, was such a raw, heartbreaking character suffering from depression after being torn away from the world she saw as home. I was surprised by how dark this book got, not shying away from self harm and suicidal ideation. Most of the memories of the world they travelled to and the joys and horrors they witness there, is told by Ev, as Phil doesn't remember the world as well as Ev does. While that world was torn apart by war and friends and foe slain, Ev saw only the beauty.

The second half of the book, Phillipa, or Phil takes over the story. She's a few years older than Ev, living in America but travels home. I enjoyed her part of the story more, as she described the world that London had become after the war and the National Gallery she worked at in incredible detail.
The ending is just perfect, without leaving me with unanswered questions. I was so, so sad to leave but at the same time I felt like the character's stories were told and it was time to leave.