Review: Every Heart a Doorway

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars

CW: This book does contain some transphobic remarks and descriptions of gory scenes

The Writing

For a book so short, it definitely left a big impression on me. The writing in this book creates such a fantastical and mysterious atmosphere to the world that McGuire has created, the world in EHAD is original and nothing like I've read in the past. In just 169 pages, Seanan managed to introduce an incredibly intriguing fantasy setting that I am absolutely in love; I love the concept the alternate universes and the different doorways into new worlds. Just the world that she has created through her whimsical language was enough to make me want to read the rest of the series - as soon as I finished EHAD I ordered the next two books in the series.

As fun as this novel was to read, I also thought that the progression through the plot was done really well, Seanan managed to maintain the magic and the charm of the world whilst also creating this darkness that began to linger and grow; this was executed brilliantly. I certainly didn't expect it to end how it did, and yet I'm absolutely in love with where this first book finished. It didn’t leave too many questions unanswered and yet left enough room for sequels to be justified; if you didn’t want to read the sequels you wouldn’t be left with too many question marks. Judging by how much I enjoyed Every Heart a Doorway, I'm really looking forward to reading Down Amongst the Sticks and Bones.

The Characters

KADE. KADE. KADE.
I LOVE KADE BRONSON OKAY.
HE IS MY BABY AND I JUST WANT HIM TO HAVE NOTHING BUT HAPPINESS.

Okay but seriously, Kade was my favourite character throughout the entire book. When we first met him when Sumi introduces him to Nancy (main protagonist), I just fell in love with his charm, his sarcasm combined with his softer, sympathetic side was just wonderful. The way he interacts with Nancy, Sumi, Jack and Christopher was just heart-warming and I wish we could have seen more of him; I would happily read a book about Kade. Kade is also the first trans male I have read about in YA literature????? so that is also probably why I connected with him so damn much and why I love him so dearly.

Nancy, our main protagonist is also a sweetheart, I find in some YA fantasy when people are dropped into new environments that you get the 'Superior complex' trope - where a character will refuse to adapt to their new location and push everyone away. With Nancy, that wasn't the case at all, instantly she formed a hesitant bond with Sumi, Kade, Jack, Jill and eventually Christopher and it was really refreshing to see. I love that she also stuck up for herself, her opinions and the people she came to care about as well, Nancy is a really strong female lead and I'd love to read about more of her and the world she came back from.

Sumi deserved better. That's all I will say on the matter. I loved how bubbly her character was but also how feisty she was towards the people around her; her personality was a blessing to read about.

Jack and Jill Wolcott - what a dynamic. I loved these two, Jack more so than Jill but still loved Jill none the less.

Jack is an interesting character from the offset, she is incredibly focused and head strong in what she knows as wrong and right; I loved how she was somewhat morally grey - it made for a fun read and comedic interactions with her peers. The dynamic between Jack and Jill was new as well, two twins who stick together simply because they don't usually bother with other people.
Jill was certainly an enigma; her personality was in completely contrast to her sister which made for an interesting twist in the end of the book.

I also really enjoyed watching the bond between each of the characters grow throughout the book, it never felt stale and the relationship between the likes of Nancy, Sumi, Kade, Jack and Christopher felt real and nature. The dialogue between them never felt forced or like it was trying to hard and all in all worked really well to show the development of their relationships over the course of the book.

The Diversity
Every Heart a Doorway features an asexual MC, a FTM Trans MC, a panromantic MC, a pansexual MC who suffers with OCD - also sex-repulsed, a Bisexual Japanese MC and a Bisexual and polyamorous Latino MC.

Overall
I think that anyone who is looking for a short fantasy series with beautiful intriguing characters in a mysterious, whimsical world should read Every Heart a Doorway. It has a great story, a great cast of richly diverse characters and is just all round a wonderful read!


View all my reviews