Book description
Through Gates of Garnet and Gold: A Welcome Return to the Wayward Children Universe
Seanan McGuire's latest entry in the acclaimed Wayward Children series brings back fan-favorite character Nancy for another haunting adventure that bridges the gap between death and life.
The story picks up years after Nancy's initial departure from Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children. Having reclaimed her position in the Halls of the Dead, Nancy faces an unprecedented crisis when a mysterious darkness begins killing the living statues that inhabit her world. The normally immortal guardians are falling to creatures that are already dead, creating a desperate situation that forces Nancy to seek help from her former classmates.
What makes this installment particularly compelling is McGuire's ability to maintain the series' signature blend of dark fantasy and emotional depth while exploring themes of duty, friendship, and the cost of belonging. The author skillfully weaves together the established mythology of the Wayward Children universe with new elements, creating a narrative that feels both familiar and refreshingly original.
The audiobook format serves this story exceptionally well, with narration that captures the atmospheric quality of McGuire's writing. The pacing allows listeners to fully absorb the rich world-building while maintaining the tension inherent in Nancy's quest. The voice work distinguishes between characters effectively, bringing emotional nuance to what could easily become a straightforward quest narrative.
Listeners familiar with previous books will appreciate the callbacks and character development, while newcomers to the series will find enough context to follow along without feeling lost. McGuire's prose remains accessible yet evocative, describing otherworldly realms and existential dilemmas with equal clarity.
The central mystery of why the dead are actively recruiting the living provides genuine intrigue, driving the plot forward while allowing for character moments that have made this series beloved among fantasy readers. Nancy's growth from reluctant student to proactive hero feels earned and natural within the established narrative framework.
This audiobook succeeds as both standalone entertainment and as part of the larger Wayward Children collection, demonstrating McGuire's continued mastery of portal fantasy and character-driven storytelling.
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience