Every Heart a Doorway

By: Seanan McGuire

Narrated by: Cynthia Hopkins

Winner of the Hugo Award, Hugo Award for Best Series, Alex Award, Locus Award, and Nebula Award
Nominated for the World Fantasy Award, British Fantasy Award, and Tiptree Honor List

"A mini-masterpiece of portal fantasy — a jewel of a book that deserves to be shelved with Lewis Carroll's and C. S. Lewis' classics" —NPR

New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire presents a fresh take on the portal fantasy genre that blends Alice in Wonderland, The Magicians, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.

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.

The Wayward Children Series
Book 1: Every Heart a Doorway
Book 2: Down Among the Sticks and Bones
Book 3: Beneath the Sugar Sky
Book 4: In an Absent Dream

Critic reviews

"[Cynthia] Hopkins has a calm gravitas that gives the story the feel of a classic children’s story, a grand tale you should already know but for some reason you haven’t encountered yet. This short work is lovely and mournful, perfect for anyone who just can’t stop thinking about what happens after the soi-disant ‘'happy ending.’’'" -Locus

Great story, but off-putting narration

What made the experience of listening to Every Heart a Doorway the most enjoyable?

Relateable characterization

What did you like best about this story?

Very vivid imagination in describing the children's other worlds

Would you be willing to try another one of Cynthia Hopkins’s performances?

I would because I don't think the problem with the narration were her fault, but rather the production. It sounded like the story was being read by a Speak'n'Spell.

weird pacing but would make an excellent TV series

Not really enough b story or development for the world to feel complete, just a series of actions happening to complete the plot, but I absolutely LOVE the premise.

Thought provoking

Such a good concept and so fully realized. I loved hearing about all the different worlds, or realities, and I am totally impressed by the author's imagination and skill at presenting those worlds. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading the rest of this series.

mysterious

is a very mysterious story it will keep you going on in order to figure out what's all about the other worlds. it's like an up-to-date lion Witch and the Wardrobe

Cannot stand listening

The book is great, story is great, reader is terrible. Flat, flat, flat reader. It drones on and on pushing me into sleep.