The Ten Thousand Doors of January is fantasy book about doors that open between worlds. The main chapters revolve around January's story with a few sub-chapters that come from a book she is reading. This is a coming of age/identity novel but it lacked a lot of background and personal development. You meet January around the age of six/seven and within a couple of chapters you are at age 17. For me the novel was missing the character development and emotional journey of the main character. I am not sure what I wanted from the book but I was not satisfied with what I got.

This story is a portal fantasy about 10,000 doors that lead to 10,000 worlds..the premise seemed amazing, the reviews are unbelievable...who wouldn’t want to read this book? Unfortunately me...

The story didn’t flow well for me and I felt bogged down every time I picked it up. It held just enough of my interest for me to finish.

Plain and simple it just wasn’t for me...but it might be for you.

*Received via NetGalley for review*


Honestly, what a slog. This is the definition of purple prose.

January is a girl who quite literally goes on an amazing book journey! I enjoyed the fantasy aspect of the imaginative world the author created in which January found herself immersed in. She came across characters I found endearing and others I couldn't stand. There were times I felt the writing was too flowery and detailed and the plot got lost but for the most part, I think book lovers will find much to appreciate. January is a character I could root for but the dog in the story might"ve been my favorite, I really worried about that dog!

This book remind me of Seanan McGuire book called Every Heart A Doorway with an historical fiction feels. This book took me a while to read and add moments feels this book is boring but I did enjoyed the end. Historical fiction is my least favorite genre but I still have hope of make it my favorite genre. This book is okay but not bad.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January is perched at the top of the mountain of portal fantasies that I’ve read in my life. It’s set apart by Alix E. Harrow’s intelligent and truly gorgeous writing, unique characters ― including true friends and a fiercely loyal dog ― and a complex and twisty plot, combined with thoughtful consideration of racial and class prejudice, powerful men who make rules to benefit themselves, and other social issues.

January Scaller is a young girl in early 20th century America, living in the mansion of Mr. Locke, a wealthy collector of rare and unique items. January’s mother is missing and presumed dead, while January’s father Julian spends months on end traveling the globe in search of Mr. Locke’s rare items. And perhaps, searching for something more. Because January and her father are both aware that there are Doors ― portals to different worlds ― and Julian, a black man, has a particular reason for searching out these Doors.

Meanwhile, January is being raised by the mysterious Mr. Locke, a man she both loves and fears, though she tries to convince herself that the fear is unreasonable. With her cedarwood-colored skin, January has never entirely fit into the world of wealth and privilege that she inhabits with Mr. Locke. But she has a strong-willed companion, Jane Irimu, sent to her by her father, and a protective dog, Bad (short for Sinbad, and it’s clear that both versions of his name are appropriate … though he’s bad only to the hidebound or evil characters), given to her by her equally loyal friend Samuel.

Just before her seventeenth birthday, January finds a strange book titled The Ten Thousand Doors that purports to be a monograph on passages and portals between worlds. Primarily, though, it’s about the life and adventures of a young woman named Adelaid Lee Larson (Ade), who finds some Doors of her own.
Books can smell of cheap thrills or painstaking scholarship, of literary weight or unsolved mysteries.

"This one smelled unlike any book I’d ever held. Cinnamon and coal smoke, catacombs and loam. Damp seaside evenings and sweat-slick noontimes beneath palm fronds. It smelled as if it had been in the mail for longer than any one parcel could be, circling the world for years and accumulating layers of smells like a tramp wearing too many clothes.

It smelled like adventure itself had been harvested in the wild, distilled to a fine wine, and splashed across each page."

And then one day January makes the mistake of mentioning Doors to Mr. Locke …

I loved Harrow’s meditations on the nature of doors that she weaves into the text: they’re portals, of course, passageways to adventure or love, but also a symbol of healthy change and openness. And occasionally doors are books or even words (“Sometimes I feel that there are doors lurking in the creases of every sentence, with periods for knobs and verbs for hinges.”).

Characters’ names have power in this book: Mr. Locke is, unsurprisingly, antithetical to open magical doors and passageways; the irimu is a creature of African legend, sometimes called a were-leopard. The unprepossessing name Scaller might be (I conjecture here) derived from “scall,” a scabby disorder of the scalp, or the sculling of a rowboat … or, perhaps, something more that’s initially hidden from both the reader’s and January’s understanding.

Through January and other characters, Harrow warns of the dangers of being too good, too quiet, and too accepting of the status quo. "The will to be polite, to maintain civility and normalcy, is fearfully strong. I wonder sometimes how much evil is permitted to run unchecked simply because it would be rude to interrupt it."

The entire book is an encouragement to take action. If I have any complaint at all, it’s that sometimes the narrator is overtly preachy where I would have preferred a more subtle approach (footnote 6, I’m looking at you). But the overall message, to have the courage to do what needs to be done, and to “run through every open Door and tell stories when you return,” is an overwhelmingly positive one.

The Ten Thousand Doors of January is a magical entry to a wondrous universe. Don’t miss the chance to walk through this doorway!

I'm sorry, everyone. I just did not enjoy this book. I really wanted to, I was so hyped for it, then I saw all the reviews coming in and they were fantastic! I couldn't wait to get into it.

Then I started reading. The writing was a little quirky at first but my interest was still high. Then it just seemed to not be going anywhere. I wasn't feel anything. I didn't like anything about it. The writing was flowery and beautiful but I felt like the plot got lost in all of that. I dreaded picking it back up and really struggled almost the entire way through.

There was a sweet spot for me that really picked up between 50% and 80% but that's just not enough. If you read through the reviews, I am clearly in the minority opinion. I have read the reviews. I know.

When I first finished, I contemplated giving this a 2.5-star and rounding up to 3, but then I slept on it and came to the conclusion that I would just be doing that to appease people. I genuinely did not enjoy this book.

I can understand why so many people have loved this and I am happy that they found something in here that resonated with them, that's just not me.

I love portal fantasy; The Dark Tower or Wayward Children series are great examples but this fell so flat for me. The characters seemed one dimensional and I had zero connection to any of them. I don't need to like characters but I do need to actually care about what happens to them.

The only character I cared about was the dog, Bad. I was so worried about that dog, and traumatized by things that happened to him, that I was never able to relax into the story. That is 100% a personal preference and it has spoiled books for me in the past -- see my review for The Deep by Nick Cutter -- but yeah, there's not much here to save this story from that pitfall.

With all of this being said, I would never want a personal review from myself to keep people from picking up a book that really interests them. If you think this sounds intriguing, please pick it up and try it for yourself. There is a book for every reader and a reader for every book. Sadly, this just wasn't my cuppa tea.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Redhook Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I truly appreciate the opportunity and know that many, many readers are going to absolutely adore January's story.

If you have ever searched the back of your closet to try to find your way to Narnia, or if you've ever found yourself leaning on the wall at the train station in a last ditch effort to make it to Hogwarts--THIS IS A BOOK YOU NEED TO READ. I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, but, simply put, my writing isn't the writing you're going to fall in love with--Harrow's is. It's eloquent and breathtaking and will leave you in awe as to how she so perfectly describes the smallest detail. This is the book for lovers of books, lovers of books-within-books, lovers of language and words, lovers of strong, relatable, imperfect characters, lovers of fiercely loyal dogs, lovers of true love, lovers of adventure, and lovers of the type of wanderlust that keeps you incessantly searching for the next doorway to change. Honestly, this is one of those rare few cases when you absolutely should judge a book by its cover because this book is just as (if not more so) beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside. Take my word for it and indulge your fairytale-loving, adventure-seeking inner child--read this book!

I wanted to love this book, and it has so much potential. I loved the characters, except for Samuel, who has the annoying characteristic of doing the "right thing" with no explanation other than it helps the plot. The rest of the characters were well developed, flesh and blood ideas I could root for or wish flaming death upon. And then a random vampire, , maybe, I don't know, I just couldn't stay in love with the story.
Its like reading a poorly written romance novel, when the characters inevitably argue and one mass of "throbbing loins" says something like "Its our love, you have to fight for it!" without asking the important question... is the character worth fighting for? I had to finish the book to see if it could be redeemed, and while the ending was good, I didn't think the story was worth fighting for.
The prose is EXCELLENT, and may be worth reading just for that. Reminded me of Peter Beagle or Ursula Le Guin, poetry dropped right in the middle of the sentence like a rose in a lawn. So your mileage may vary, just not excited about this one.

*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

This is by far one of the best books I've read all year, and one of the best "books about books" I've ever read. The story follows January Scaller, a girl of unknown heritage trying to find her place at the beginning of the 20th century. Early in childhood, January stumbles upon a door that leads to another world, and after years of having the memory of the event forced out of her grasp learns the connections that it has with her own past. This book is a breath of fresh air and a wonderful tumble into the portal fantasy genre. I would highly recommend it for anyone who wishes to get lost in a book.

The first half of this portal fantasy debut was strong. The gorgeous prose sucked me right into this bookish story and I was fully enamored with January’s tale, as well as the book she discovered. We learn about her unusual childhood and her discovery of doors to other worlds, which her guardian prevents her from exploring. But one can’t unknow such a discovery, especially since January’s father goes off on long expeditions seeking out treasure for her guardian.

It was immediately clear to me not all was at it seemed about Mr. Locke but January was very slow up on the uptake. Not even after Mr. Locke does something atrocious to her does she think, “huh, my guardian isn’t great.” She continues to rationalize his behavior, no matter the mounting evidence against him. I started to believe January was a bit of a dummy, whereas for the first half I was impressed by her intelligence and curiosity. The middle dragged and I was less invested in everything that befell January. I haven’t pinpointed the exact problem, only that the plot was less action-driven and it would have benefitted from moving things along.

However, the story did a great job exploring identity and the way stories shape us, not only the stories people tell us but the stories we tell about ourselves. There’s a great deal of symbolism and names play an important role as well. January has to make sense of herself during a time (early 1900s) in which she is othered because she is mixed race, her guardian is white, and her POC father is largely absent in her life. FYI she does experience racism and the story does include the use of racial slurs (but not the N word.)

A friend of mine enjoyed this on audio but I would recommend reading a print copy or ebook instead. January talks a lot about particular words and letters, sometimes capitalizing certain words to draw more attention to them, and there was delight in seeing exactly what she meant. This aspect might get lost in the audio version.

While the story stumbled in places, Alix E. Harrow is an author well worth paying attention to and I look forward to seeing what she does next.

CW: racism, racial slurs, death of a pet dog (off page; later found to be injured but alive), institutionalization, attempted kidnapping, murder, violence, self-harm, grief, missing loved one

I could relate to eight year old January waiting for her father to come back from his long work trip and being disapointed with the little amount of time she gets to see her father. Loving our imperfect parents regardless of the heartache they might cause. It was really sad how her sense of whimsy and adventure was squashed deep down under Mr. Lockes expectations, but since she lost her mother and he's the only one caring for her she grows attached to him and tries to be the quiet good girl he wants despite it being incredibly stifling. I loved how at seventeen years old Mr. Locke tight control over January snaps and she finally decides to leave his soul crushing influence. I already didnt like Mr. Locke, but after he isolated January and prevented her from leaving I seriously started to despise him. His conviction that he was doing the right thing and her love for him made him a compelling villain.

January might feel alone most of the time, but she does have a faithful dog companion named Sinbad given to her by the grocers son who she grew up playing with before Mr. Lockes demands had them seeing little of each other. Even with the distance between them Samuel never forgot the wild girl locked in her tower. The story barely has any romance, but I did enjoy the little glimpses we got of January and Samuel feelings for each other. January also becomes friends with the strong spirited African woman named Jane that her father hired to stay with January while he was away. Not having much experience making her own decisions or living without the luxuries Mr. Locke has provided, Jane and Samuels help was essential until January could truly believe in herself and shed the timid girl Mr. Locke had forced her to become.

The plot was a little slow to get started with January being stuck at Mr. Lockes estate so I wasnt fully hooked until after she escapes the asylum Mr. Locke had her thrown into. Her feeling of powerlessness at the asylum is something Id personally rather avoid reading about. The second half consisted of January and her friends running from a secret society filled with rich white men determined to eleminate any threat to their power. The sense of danger added some great tension. I understand why the first half was needed, but I wish it had been shortened so we could get more of the thrilling adventure from the last part of the book. Even though I saw it coming I liked how the mysterious book January found and her own life were connected. I enjoyed the heavy focus on family and January journey to reunite with them, but I wish we would have gotten to explore more magical doors and the unique worlds they lead to.

I didnt care too much about the historical setting but it did work for this story. What I did love was the enchanting atmosphere and wonderful possibilities that these magical doors brought to this world. The much needed change these portal worlds inspire, the stories that leak through, and even the people and creatures that find their way across were all very exciting. The storytelling writing style was very beautiful and immersive. It made me believe that magic is real and we all have the potential in us to find it if only we are brave enough to reach for it. I feel like there still so much to explore here that I would definitely pick up a sequel if one comes out, or even another fantasical book by this debut author. I totally recommend it if you enjoy historical fantasy and portal worlds. I switched between the written copy and the audiobook and both were very good.

I'll be honest and say that I did not finish this book. I picked it up multiple times and could not get through it. I was looking for something in the vein of the Wayward Children series, but this wasn't it. It didn't have the depth and worldbuilding that I needed and it was honestly just a slow start.

I received an ARC of The Ten Thousand Doors of January from Redhook Books via NetGalley. What follows is my fair and honest review.

I’ve had an ARC of this book since July, but for some reason I was slow to pick it up. So slow, in fact, that I ended up just choosing it for my September YA Book of the Month pick. I read the finish copy for this review. And I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book. I loved it! Here’s my quick summary:

January Scaller once found a Door and stepped through it to an impossible place. But to please her guardian Mr. Locke, she pretends it never happened and tames the adventurous spirit that led her to the Door in the first place. But many years later, January finds a book, The Ten Thousand Doors, whose contents resonate with her own experience. Solving the mystery of the book takes January on an unexpected journey, discovering new places and a new sense of self.

I’m not sure my summary or review can do this book justice, but I will try to explain why I’m glad I finally read it. This book has a very whimsical premise but also manages to stay grounded by addressing real issues. And I don’t want to give too much away, but the framing of the story means that the narrator is able to call these moments out. This meant there were a lot of moments where I wish I were the type of person to underline or sticky note the books I read for fun. For example, at one point the narrator comments, “(This was the true violence [Spoiler!] had done to me. You don’t really know how fragile and fleeting your own voice is until you watch a rich man take it away as easily as signing a bank loan.)”

This moment also highlights one of the main conflicts within the book (and also the cause for my biggest disappointment). While much of the plot revolves around solving the “mystery” of the doors, what makes the story so compelling is January’s journey of self-discovery. As she learns more about the world where she was raised, she realizes just how much control others have over her life. What I found frustrating about this book is that it felt like a build up of quiet rage that is never quite resolved or released. I was never quite satisfied with January’s confrontations with the villains and with her quiet(ish) acceptance of what happened to her.

Overall, however, I still enjoyed seeing how the stories unfolded and how they connected together. I loved the fantastical premise and wanted to step through a Door for an adventure myself. And I loved the writing (though it may not be for everyone). I recommend The Ten Thousand Doors of January for readers who like fantasy grounded in the real world and stories about girls and women finding their own power.

4 stars.

An amazing story and an absolute must-read! It wasn't what I was expecting when I made my assumptions based on the cover and summary but it turned out to be even better then I had hoped for. It's such a magical story! The author takes all of those far-off places and adventures that all readers think and dream about and makes them into a story realistic enough that you just know you're going to find your own door the next time you go exploring. It's easily one of my top favorite books of the year!

I typically love fantasy, but I don't reach for historical fiction very much. I really enjoyed this as a marriage between the two genres. The characters are great and I found the story very intriguing. It took me a minute to really get into the story, but I'm glad I stuck around for it.

On paper, this book is aimed straight for me. Fortuntely, it delivers. Portal fantasies! Sinister societies! True love!
Along with a split narrative, complete with footnotes. Historical fiction that doesn't make me gag.

The book follows the adventures of January Scaller, a young woman of color who is drawn to doors to other worlds, much to her guardian's consterntation. Takes place mostly in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

This was so much more than an ordinary book; it was an experience! The characters were so well developed that I often felt frustrated by the way January was treated by Mr. Locke and how she bowed under his pressure. He was controlling in a way that made her feel cared for, and yet, from the beginning, I could see that his desire to make her behave in a way unnatural for a child was wrong. I appreciated when she finally stood up for herself. There were some nefarious people in the pages who also added an extra dimension to the story.

This book has a story within a story which was a much appreciated addition, and by the end, I found that they both went together in a way that I did not expect. I loved reading about Adelaide and Yule as much as I enjoyed reading about January. The different doors and the lands they opened into were vividly described. Some very interesting tidbits were added, such as the reaction of the people who lived in the lands with Ian when they first set their eyes on Adelaide.

Overall, I really feel it deserves 4 stars. Most of the book was free from cursing except for a few places where the author chose to use curse words that dishonor God. I found that disappointing.

All signs point this to being at least a 4 star book for me. It's a historical fantasy with magical portals to another world and led by a strong female character. For some reason though, I just couldn't get into it as much as I really wanted to. I can't really pinpoint exactly where it failed at speaking to me. I will say that I first started reading this expecting many magical portals to many magical worlds, but that is definitely not the case, which led me to setting it aside for a bit. Then, I read some reviews of people who finished the book and they spelled out the fact that the book isn't delivering the ten thousand worlds promised in the title, but is still an enjoyable read. The Ten Thousand Doors of January is actually a book that the main character is reading in the novel, and when she does read it, the next chapter is the part of the book that she is reading. Thus, it's a story within a story, which can also be an interesting read. The novel also has a slow start, and I set it aside rather near the beginning. I think you need to be past the halfway point for much to pick up.

Still, while reading this I found myself looking at the remaining pages and wondering just when will I finish it? I just didn't get absorbed into the story. I think it's partially due to the characters, as I never became attached to them. They aren't awful characters or anything; I just couldn't connect. The overall plot is pretty predictable, and there is a twist within the second story that I'm sure you'll see coming from a mile away. With no love for the characters and no surprises in store, there just isn't anything for me to rate this any higher than a three. There is also a slight touch of romance that has zero development whatsoever. I think it was mostly to be implied given the history of the two characters, but as someone who enjoys romance I care much more about its outcome if it developed on page.

The writing is still very lyrical and beautiful. I think it is a great debut and look forward to what types of books Mrs. Harrow will write next. I really like the idea of the novel here and just think it slightly missed the mark for me personally. I would like to add that 3 stars means I "liked it", I am just disappointed that I did not like it more.

What a stunning novel. Filled with rich, lyrical imagery and lush descriptions, I was swept off my feet within minutes of reading the first page.

January is such a charming protagonist, and the worlds she explores on her personal voyage blew me away. I've already sold several copies of this book to many of my regulars, who, after finishing it, enthusiastically participated in a gush-fest over it!