Through Gates of Garnet and Gold

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire

This installment of the Wayward Children is a quest (even though quests are strictly not allowed!) that takes place in the eerie Halls of the Dead. Or for readers of earlier books in the series, it's the world where Nancy's door led. Several of the students at the school for Wayward Children have particularly morbid skill-sets that are particularly useful in these Halls.

Things I liked:

• The pace of the suspense. As someone who is not a huge fan of long, drawn out suspense, McGuire's handling of the pacing and resolution within the novella length worked well for me.
• Taking care not to be spoiler-y, I will just say that I particularly enjoyed when the students, in no uncertain terms, called out an adult who was not holding up their end of things.
• Continued glimpses into how the school is changing. Eleanor is getting older, things are shifting. That larger series thread is getting interesting.

This is a book about friends who've got your back even if you've been apart for years, taking charge of a situation when those in authority are dropping the ball, and ultimately, trusting yourself to make difficult, but necessary decisions.