I had encountered McGuire’s work earlier this year, thanks to a recommendation by Himself – read my review of Rosemary and Rue here. So when this novella featured on NetGalley, my attention was 
caught. However, I’m not a fan of novellas, generally. Far too often, I’m just getting into the swing of the story when it all comes skidding to a halt. Would this be the case, this time around?
Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children
No Solicitations
No Visitors
No Quests
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 things. No matter the cost.
It’s an intriguing premise. I was convinced I was reading one type of genre – and then found I was reading something quite different. Huge kudos to whoever wrote the blurb to this story – it’s smart and snappy and sets up the narrative without revealing anything vital.
The McGuire magic soon had me engrossed in this little treasure. This delicately told tale pulled me into heartbreak and strangeness of the situation, before ambushing me with the gothic element that ripples through this story. We get sprinkles, unicorns and blood-dripping horror all wrapped up in this story, which is beautifully paced and perfectly concluded.
In short, this is a gem. And I read the last page with a lump in my throat – something that rarely happens in full-length books when I have 300+ pages to grow to care for a character.
10/10
Brainfluff 
This sounds splendid. I must see if I can get hold of a copy.
It really is a little gem. Have you read any of her other work, John?
No, I haven’t, alas.
She writes the Toby Daye paranormal murder mystery series and also writes the Newsflesh series under the name Mira Grant.
I am so glad you liked it!! There was just something about it that I adored; it was so unique. The only problem was that it was too short! I want more. 🙂 I did see on Goodreads additions on her page for #2 and #3 in this series, so maybe we’ll get lucky and get more.
It really is something special, isn’t it? I particularly loved the ending and found it very moving.
I feel exactly the same way about novellas, I’m only just into the story but then it’s over! But I’ve seen such great things about this one that I’m tempted to give it a try. And since you normally don’t care for characters this quickly but did in this one, it makes think I might be able to get into it quickly too!
I strongly recommend this one – she really nails it, in my opinion:).