Every Heart a Doorway is a novella about two young outsiders who enter a magical world through a portal. When they are forced to leave the world behind and return to reality, they are taken in by the Home for Wayward Children to help them readjust.

Part one of the Wayward Children duology follows Nancy's journey after she leaves the Halls of the Dead, where she was held captive for ten years and promised to the Lord of the Dead.

This book is a dark, gothic, and disorienting tale that manages to keep the characters likable and well-developed despite its short length of just 169 pages. It's a complex work that blends elements of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland's hallucinogenic world, and a bit of Agatha Christie. When a murder occurs, Nancy is thrust into the role of detective while trying to understand the magic system and navigate the worlds of these peculiar children.

The only downside to this book is the rapid pacing and lack of background information on the complex worldbuilding. Despite this, Every Heart a Doorway is a fascinating exploration of gender identity, sexuality, and self-discovery after feeling like an outcast. Overall, it's a promising start to a captivating series.