Middlegame

by Seanan McGuire

[kimbacaffeinate]

Fans of McGuire's Wayward Children series will love this darker tale that explores, twins, balance, chaos, order, the power of words, math, time, and alchemy. While the Wayward series had a young adult feel, this does not despite some whimsical imagery.

The tale started out slowly for me even though the first chapter, Failure, grabbed me. But as we learned about Asphodel Baker, the Doctrines of Ethos, the Alchemical Congress and the creation of James Reed I found myself sucked down the rabbit hole.

Roger and Dodger are twins, born in a lab, and separated at birth. At age seven they make contact telepathically. The tale that unfolds was brilliant, ambitious and addictive.

McGuire entertains with a complex tale and makes you ponder, dream and explore. I loved Roger and Dodger. While they aren't quite human, they haven't quite become. It was intense as Reed and his creepy sidekicks worked to keep these two separated until it was time for them to manifest.

I loved the use of twins and the connection they share. Both are unique individuals. She is obsessed with math, he with the written word and languages. This is a story that one can read again and again, picking up different things each time.


Be warned there are dark, sometimes grizzly moments. You will witness a murder and death. But, with darkness comes light. McGuire takes up her magic pen and brings the path to the Impossible City to life. Math and Words leapt from the page delighting me at every turn.

Secondary characters become unexpected heroes and others like Leigh will long give you nightmares.
Middlegame was brilliant, complex, simplistic and poignant. But those descriptions only scratched the surface of this brilliant novel.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer