I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McGuire Series: Wayward Children #11
Published by Tordotcom on January 6 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 160
Format: Finished hardcover
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Seanan McGuire’s long running series returns to its roots in this latest entry, where those who are “sure” can find their real homes behind magical doors.
Seanan McGuire’s eleventh book in her popular Wayward Children series is almost like a reunion. If you’ve been missing some of your favorite characters from other books, there’s a good chance they might make an appearance here. And while the story is rather light on plot, it’s a solid entry into the series.
Nancy found her way back to the Halls of the Dead and has been there for years, content to be one of the living statues who understands that learning to be still is a worthwhile pursuit. But one day, the ghosts who live there and usually ignore the statues break into the Hall and start killing them. Nancy narrowly escapes, and the Lady of the Dead implores her to go back to the real world for help in banishing the ghosts. Nancy agrees, and soon finds herself back at Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children.
Reunited with some of her friends from the last time she was there—Kade, Christopher, and Sumi—they set out on a quest (usually forbidden by Eleanor, but in this case it’s an emergency!) to save the living statues.
McGuire includes an interesting prelude about how the doors work and when they first appeared, and I enjoyed this peek into the mechanics of how the many worlds are connected. From there we launch into the story, where Nancy is happily existing as a living statue. This is one of the odder worlds for me, since I find it hard to relate to children who want to learn how to be still, striking a pose for hours and only moving at a snail’s pace when they want to change positions. But the author somehow sells it, and I felt for Nancy as her world starts to crumble.
When we finally learn who is behind the ghosts attacking, I was thrilled to see yet another character from an earlier book take center stage, and although I won’t reveal who it is here, I will say that character is from one of my favorite books in the series.
I loved some of the symbolism as well. Pomegranates play an important part in the Halls of the Dead, and the children who live there only eat the fruit or drink the juice.
McGuire continues to make her series very message heavy, with proclamations from all the characters interrupting the plot at various times to explain their philosophies. The author’s primary theme revolves around being yourself and not conforming to what others think you should be. And while that’s a wonderful, worthwhile message, it’s starting to get a little old.
But despite that complaint, I continue to enjoy the series. And as far as I can tell, there’s no end in sight. The final scene could be a lead-in to the next book (or not, as McGuire tends to write the story out of order). Also, her world is so vast with endless possibilities that I could see it continuing as long as the author is enjoying herself. But don’t start here if you’re a newbie. Check out Every Heart a Doorway first!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I still need to start this series but I love the sound of it. The possibilities of all the worlds always sounds so intriguing. I can see what you mean about children wanting to be still being strange but I’m curious about the world anyway, especially with a name like Hall Of The Dead. Although I definitely intend to read these novellas in order. Im glad a favourite character of yours made an appearance too.
I would read them in order for sure. Although it seems she’s writing them OUT of order, but I would have to analyze that to be sure.
I’m really looking forward to this so glad to see your thoughts!
I hope you enjoy it!
Great review! I didn’t love this one as much as some of the others in the series… but I love the series as a whole, and was happy to see Nancy again! I’m not sure I loved the explanation for why they have to be statues… but it’s still intriguing!
Yes, as a whole it is such a good series!
I haven’t read any of these as Robin usually reviews her books. I do intend to read October Daye series at some point at least.
I would love to read October Daye too.
Ah, interesting this one returns to Nancy! That makes me more curious about it.
I do like the way the characters keep popping up!
Wow, No.11, it’s hard to believe. I only ever picked up book 1 (I think) and I really enjoyed it tbh but just fell behind. Glad to see this still going strong for you and it sounds like there are so many possibilities still to be explored.
Lynn 😀
The world does have lots of possibilities, and I am curious to see what comes next:-)
Wow, 11 books already! I haven’t read any of this series, but I’m glad to see it seems to be going strong.
It’s the longest series I’ve ever kept up with!
I need to pick this series back up. It was once a fave and I’m curious if it still is. I can’t imagine it not being.
Yes, you should catch up! They are all short so it probably wouldn’t be hard.
Some of the books in this series are pure gems and some are just nice but not impactful. I still want to read every one. Annoyingly there’s always a gap between the ebook and the print edition so I’m still waiting. It’s one of the few series that I have a nice matching shelf of!
Yes, it’s sort of a mixed bagged overall. I think I also have a matching set!
For awhile I really thought this series was going to end at ten books, so now I’m like “Okay how long is this going to go on for…?” I love a lot of the titles, and I’ll keep reading them, but I think it’s getting close to a point of diminishing returns, from my reader POV.
Yeah, at this point I feel like if I stop reading the series it’s a fail on my part, lol.
I know some readers are wondering about how long this series can go on for. However, I have a theory about this series and the “reappearances” of some of the previous characters and their relations to the subplot of the entire series.
Ooh I want to hear your theory…
I’m impressed that you were able to stick to this never-ending series so long hahah ! I still need to dive into the first one myself, but I hear you that some ideas are getting rehashed at this point. Thanks for sharing, Tammy ! 😀
Me too Lashaan!
I haven’t started reading my pre-order of this book yet. I love the series, but I’ve been a bit confused about how it changed from the original idea that when a character was the focus of a book that meant that they were going to get to go through their door and their story would be over, to now having characters show up whenever. I will continue to read them as long as McGuire continues to read them, but it also feels like she’s lost the thread a little too.
(LOL — obviously that should have been “I will continue to read them as long as McGuire continues to WRITE them”.
🙂
I think it’s a way of making the series go on longer. But I agree, the back and forth is confusing. Especially in this book!
Now that I’ve read this book, I think the reason characters whose stories have “finished” is because McGuire liked them too much to be done with their stories. Still not (IMO) a good reason to bring them back, but it at least gets rid of some of my confusion.
Oh wow that seems a pretty long series Tammy!
It is, and I don’t think it’s over yet!
I fell by the wayside a long time ago, but I do enjoy reading your reviews of this series, Tammy:)).
Thank you Sarah!
I have been so on the fence about continuing this series, because the last several books have been utter misses for me, but you’ve convinced me to give it another go. I’ve been missing the characters (and misadventures) that I grew to love in the series originally, so I’m excited to return to some of the original characters.
Sheesh! Book 11 already. When will I ever read book number one?!?!?! 🙂
I really do want to read something by the author under this name too. I will make sure to start with the first one in the series if I do. Great review!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2026/01/05/favorite-first-lines-11-december-2025/