Every Heart a Doorway

By: Seanan McGuire

Narrated by: Cynthia Hopkins

Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests

Children have always disappeared under the right conditions - slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere...else. But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.

Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced...they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world. But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the home. There's a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her newfound schoolmates to get to the heart of things. No matter the cost.

©2016 Seanan McGuire (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Seanan McGuire has long been one of the smartest writers around, and with this novella we can easily see that her heart is as big as her brain. We know this story isn't true, but it is truth." [Charlaine Harris, New York Times best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series (TV's True Blood)]

Wish it had been longer.

A lovely, dark fairytale for anyone who is, or was, one of the kids who didn't fit in.

wonderful

**Minor spoiler**

I love Seanan McGuire and, once again, she has created a new, glorious world where fairytale are a twisted kind of real. Every time I begin a book by McGuire, I feel as if I am opening my own doorway - finding Home. And when it's done, the doorway is gone and I can only hope to be able to find it again.
Though the end left this book without the probability of a sequel, I certainly hope I find this door again.

Haunting tale about loss and belonging

A beautiful fantasy novel about what happens after you return home from your adventure. Wonderful characters with compelling stories. I look forward to the other novels in the series.

This book tore my heart wide open

Anyone who as ever been lost in book like another world must listen to this. The longing, the hope, the idea of finding a place where you can finally belong and where you're your truest self and then losing that place? I smiled through my tears at several points.

Plus the main character is asexual, and her conflict doesn't come from wanting to change that but from fear others won't accept it of her.

Exactly what I was hoping for

If you could sum up Every Heart a Doorway in three words, what would they be?

take me back!

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favourite character was Lundy. Probably because of her unique situation and how she was dealing with it.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of the exposition was handled brilliantly.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending was very moving.

Any additional comments?

I dropped a star for the performance because I had a hard time keeping track of who was who during some of the busier parts of the story.
If you liked the Fairyland books by Cathrynne M. Valente, or Narnia, or any of those fish-out-of-water type fairy tales, this might be for you. It's not especially long, but it doesn't suffer for that.

I want my own doorway.

I love everything by Seanan McGuire and buy everything in audiobook format as well as book format (thank you audible for making this possible). Her first book in Wayward Children series is a knockout, I love the characters and while the story is a little short compared to some of her other works (on purpose) I don't feel cheated at all. I still felt like I was right there, like it was possible to reach out and touch the characters and the location. The narrator did a great job, and didn't leave me feeling disappointed or that there were any weird intonations or timings at all. I fully recommend this book in audio format.

A Tender Story Full of Hope

This story is full of hope for those who are misunderstood in this world because they don't fit in with the rest. It's a story of courage, of finding your place while being true to your heart. The narration and performance are excellent. The narrator captures the souls of each character, making the story memorable.

love

loved the story and the end of it. the voice was perfect for the book

Brief, beautiful, and haunting

Every Heart a Doorway is a lovely, dark tale about identity and innocence, and how both can be lost and found again. Beginning with the well-traveled concept of special children at a special school, it distinguishes itself through its tone and its cast of sympathetic misfits. The characters feel believable and real, even though each of them has come from a place that seems very unreal. What emerges is a story about people trying to find peace and acceptance in a world that wasn’t made for them, highlighted by blossoming friendships, colorfully and richly detailed alternate realities, and a macabre murder mystery. I profoundly enjoyed this book and would read more by Seanan McGuire in a heartbeat.

loved it!

absolutely amazing! incredible voice performance, beautiful story, and the world building is so interesting. I can't wait to continue this series!