Definitely not my favorite of the series so far, but I did still enjoy it somewhat! I always loved the dynamic of Jack and Jill a lot, and loved The Moors, but this story just seemed to be missing the magic of [b:Down Among the Sticks and Bones|31450908|Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children, #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1473685781l/31450908._SX50_.jpg|47411892]. More attention was paid, however, to Jack's OCD and Kade's gender identity, which I found a nice change, as while it was always something discussed, it never went this in depth. I didn't like how all the characters appeared in this novella, however, as while I really liked Sumi in this one, Cora felt a lot more negative and judgmental in this book, and was overall painted in a more negative light. It was odd because she was really growing on me from [b:Beneath the Sugar Sky|27366528|Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494436031l/27366528._SY75_.jpg|47413798], and this felt like a sudden shift, especially when she kept

Spoiler

picking holes at Jack's world, OCD, etc. which felt odd because she was picked at a lot in her childhood + she was in a world just as weird as well?

I think I'm also just starting to realize that the books that focus on one world and a traveler or two going to said world are more my style, though I love the ensemble novellas still too.

I also felt like the story was lacking a little in comparison to others. There was a lot of build-up but things seemed to resolve fairly quickly and as expected, like with

Spoiler

Jill just dying and Jack bringing back her mentor, etc. I was also surprised that no one knew found their door home yet.

. I'm also just sad at how Eleanor is progressing too, I understand she's getting old but she seemed a lot less accepting and understanding in this book?

All in all, this installment doesn't make me love the series any less, but it was a bit of a letdown.