Wayward Children #1
Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else.
But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children.
Nancy tumbled once, but now she’s back. The things she’s experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West’s care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world.
But Nancy’s arrival marks a change at the Home. There’s a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it’s up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of the matter.
No matter the cost.
It was lovely; the main character is asexual, there's a trans character, these things are handled with care and wholesomeness, and the story and writing were poignant.
Violence: Yes (described after-the fact) Sexual Scenes: No
I loved everything about this book except the murder mystery. It honestly felt as if the murders existed to just make all these interesting kids do something, when, in all actuality, the characters were so developed they would have made this a fascinating read without the murder mystery. I hope the second book is a bit more character driven. Mysteries do not work well in this series. The writing is really good. Dialog is epic! And, above all, the murder mystery in this book just made me unwilling to finish it. Remove the murder mystery, and I'd give this book more praise.
