Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I received an advance review copy of this novel from the publisher, Tordotcom. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

One of the highlights of my reading year always comes right on the heels of Christmas, when I snuggle in and read the newest Wayward Children novella right ahead of its release. Through Gates of Garnet and Gold is the eleventh installment in the series, and marks the eighth year of this tradition I always anticipate.

“We can mourn the winter when the thaw comes, but without it, the spring will not return. It’s all right to grieve. It’s all right to mourn what’s missing. Spill your sorrows on the ground, and let the joy flow home.”

McGuire’s writing always immediately draws me in. The voice and tone of this series feels so darkly dreamy, like a fairytale with depth and teeth. This entire series is equal parts whimsical and maudlin. And the novellas always start so magically. No exception here. From the first chapter, from the first page and paragraph and sentence, it’s an entrancing tale that sweeps you away. Much like a Door.

“No one gets to decide for you what living looks like…Life is supposed to be made up of the choices you make for yourself.”

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold is not one of the installments that stands well on its own. If you’re not caught up with the series, this is going to be a confusing story. You need a working knowledge of at least the first three novellas in the series. And even if you have read the entire series, if it’s been years since you’ve read some of the installments like it has been for me, it’s still a bit difficult to follow on occasion. It’s also difficult to discuss without potentially spoiling earlier installments in the series, so I’ll just say that it was lovely to reconnect with some of the original cast, and to get a continuation of a story I once thought complete.

“Being absolutely sure is hard on the human heart…We’re creatures of contradiction, and that’s how we survive. We need a little nonsense in us to cut all the routine away. And nonsense is like acid for certainty.”

There are some lovely themes threaded through the entire series, and those are present here. Much is said about learning to accept that just because the paths others choose to tread differ than your own, doesn’t make them inherently wrong or flawed. We see the importance of doing everything you can to protect the life you love, even when it’s a life no one else understands. And we sound how important it is to be a good enough friend to aid in that endeavor, even when you’re part of the throng who lacks understanding.

“People are big enough to hold more than one certainty at the same time. You’re allowed to feel conflicted.”

Through Gates of Garnet and Gold is lovely, though not as strong as some of its predecessors. The strongest installments to me are those that can stand on their own while also adding something to the meta-narrative of the series as a whole. While this novella does the latter, it doesn’t manage the former. But it was still wonderful to catch up with these characters and revisit this charming, vast, dangerous, dreamy world. I look forward to visiting again next year!

You can purchase this book from: Blackwell’s | Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org | Libro.fm .

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