The Book of Doors is the book to recommend to all who loved The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, and similar titles. It's bookish, it's magical realism, it feels urgent and timely - in short, it's a very enjoyable story that has a lot of unexpected twists and turns that I didn't see coming. I really loved it as a meditation on grief, and letting go, and coming to terms with the loss of loved ones from your life. It felt very heartfelt and thoughtful. I know lots of reviewers have called out some of the lazy racist/misogynistic language, particularly from the villain character - and, I get it, and I think it's not the most sophisticated way to convey that someone is overall bad, but I'm willing to accept it as a small misstep in an overall very lovely, very satisfying book. Definite 4 stars for me, and I've already been recommending this to folks who I know it will resonate with.

I really wanted to like this book. I liked it in the beginning. The concept of the magical books was super interesting and fun. The main characters (Cassie and Drummond) were likable and relatable. But then things just got weird and dark and gruesome. Once "the woman" character was introduced, who is a super evil character, I started to not like it. Her character was almost too evil and the enjoyment of killing people and causing pain on others was too much. It seemed unnecessary to me. I wish there was more backstory for the main characters - Cassie, Izzy, Drummond and Lund.

The other thing I struggled with was the concept that Cassie created the books. I still don't understand how that happened. Couldn't she just make the books go away if she created them? I am confused.

Loved the magical books concept, but things were too violent and gruesome in ways that seemed unnecessary,


My rating: 2.5/5

I can’t even express how much I love this book. It had me hooked from the start. It’s so good!! It’s so full of fantasy and escapism. Perfect for those of us who love to escape into a book full of whimsy and delight. It was a delicious treat, reading this book. Now I must buy the physical copy as soon as it comes out! I am so in love with this book. There aren’t enough capricious adjectives to describe how much I loved this book. I was so lost in another world while reading it. So perfect!!
And usually when there’s a lot of different perspectives in a book, it’s too confusing and annoying. But in this case, it was perfect and it all tied together amazingly and I was intrigued by every chapter!

Now I need an alternate story where nothing bad happens and there aren’t any risks and Cassie just gets to explore the world with the book of doors

It was really good the way it is, the sci-fi / thriller nerd in me loved this book so much, but I also would enjoy a book with the same premise but without the conflict and drama. Just, a book of doors that takes you wherever you want to go with no consequences and no bad guys and no people trying to hunt it. Just, good times and magical adventures. Why does every book have to have drama and conflict and evil and murder? Why can’t there ever be a book that’s just a happy magical good time? The book is really good. I just wish there was another book about the same concept but without any of the bad stuff. Just the good stuff. If this was a story about how a girl was gifted this book and got to travel the whole world doing fun adventures, it would be right up my alley. But of course, there had to be evil and danger involved. Couldn’t just have a happy story. Had to make it dramatic. I do appreciate this story and its drama, I just was really enjoying the idea of being able to magically travel anywhere I want. And then they added all the bad stuff and it made me sad. Why can’t Cassie just have fun and enjoy herself? Someone should write a book like that. One without danger. One where someone just has happy fun whimsical times. I’m getting way off point here. Anyway, I love this book, and I wish there was another book with the same idea but without the conflict.

Spoiler alert:

She was only friends with mister Webber in the past because she was friends with him in the future because she was friends with him in the past and so on and so forth forever. That is hurting my head.

And holy shit, that consciousness twist! It’s like someone took some seriously good psychedelics while coming up with this story. This was just really awesome to read.

I only wish I had the full and corrected version in my hands right now, since I was so lucky to get a free uncorrected version from NetGalley. I have no idea what’s been changed since the book was released to the public, but I’m dying to know!

This book needs to be a Christopher Nolan movie!! It’s that mind blowing and awesome. Like interstellar and inception. It’s so good. So damn good.

The only thing that really bothered me was the Drummond / Cassie creepy weird romance stuff. That guy was way too old for her. It was just weird. But thankfully it wasn’t a big part of the story. Still creepy though.

Anyway, I very much enjoyed this book and I’m glad NetGalley let me read it!

And also (MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!)
But it also is making my head hurt thinking about the fact that the woman is only bad because the bad man gave her his pain in the past that she herself took away from him in the future but she wouldn’t even have it in the first place if he hadn’t gone back to the past to accidentally give it to her… but he wouldn’t have had it to give if she hadn’t taken it from it in the ballroom before he got sent back to the past again. It’s all so confusing and twisted and it makes my brain hurt. Where did it even come from in the first place? How did he get it to begin with? So many time travel things that are making my brain spin around and contort. All the loops and connections and everything… it all just hurts my head trying to figure it all out. I want to talk to the author and ask like a million questions. One of the main questions being, why did Cassie go back and give herself the book of doors when she could’ve just chosen not to do that and the whole ordeal would be avoided? Well, I guess there wouldn’t be a book if that happened. But still. What’s weird is that at the beginning of the book, I assumed mister Webber had been using the book of doors and had been going on adventures, but in reality he didn’t get the book until minutes before he died. And Cassie gave it to him. To give to her. To start this whole shindig over again. Ugh. Alright, alright, I must end this “review” now (which let’s be honest this is really just me blathering more than an actual review)

This book was so unique and fun. Even the acknowledgments at the end of the book are unique and fun. I cannot wait to get ahold of an actual physical corrected copy of this book! (And I also want to get a copy of that book he mentioned that was about the invention of time travel. That sounds like an awesome book!)

This book was a wild ride of magical realism and I enjoyed it but also couldn't think too much about the logistics of anything.

While living in New York and working at a bookstore, Cassie is given a copy of the Book of Doors when a patron of the bookstore dies and leaves it to her. She and her room mate Izzy soon figure out they can use this book to be transported to any door. The more the find out the more mysteries there are, and there are many twists and turns as they figure out the truth behind the book.

I would say just let yourself go along for the ride with this one -- parts of it felt a little slow or dense to me, but parts of it I sailed through. I loved Cassie and her relationships with Izzy, with her grandfather, and with Mr Webber. Those were my favorite parts of the book. I enjoyed the mystery of the books and learning more about them in bits and pieces.

I know in his author's note, Gareth Brown says that this is not the first book he's written, but for a first published book this one was very impressive. I am eager to see what he writes in the future -- his world building is great and I enjoyed the writing. I love books set in New York and this one had a lot of very good New York scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

This book is a sci-fi fantasy. When Cassie ends up with a book that allows her to go anywhere she wants whenever she walks through a door holding the book. This is exciting but also dangerous as she attempts to go through history and keep certain books out of certain people's hands.

now this is how you write a great debut novel!

cassie lives surrounded by books and one day a very special and magical one comes to her hands starting this amazing story of magical doors and books and friendships that will get you spiraling into a world full of all the emotions you can find and what magic can do with them.

i feel the story was perfectly built for someone who loves finding out the why of things at the end of it, it starts with so many questions and twists between characters but when they all come together and create one single thread at the end it all makes sense.

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

This is the Book of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and every door is any door.

This was an experience. The whole book took me on an exciting adventure and ran me through every emotion while reading. The characters were well-developed and likable, when they were meant to be. The magic system was fantastic. Learning about the Special Books and what each one was capable of doing was a real treat. I could NOT put this down. I had to know what was going to happen, so I stayed up late into the night turning the pages. I cried, I laughed and I worried for our main characters. I felt like I knew Cassie, our main FMC. I loved how everything was wrapped up, no gaping plot holes or questions left unanswered. Read this if you love books with magic and secrets and want to FEEL something. This is truly an incredible debut and I cannot wait to see what Gareth Brown writes next.

This is a strong 5 stars for me. It honestly is my favorite book of this year and, quite possibly, of all time. I didn’t expect to love it so much. Thank you so so much to Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC. It was a pleasure to read this. 🖤

* 3.5 stars *
Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is about Cassie Andrews, who works in a bookstore that she likes to call home. An elderly customer that she is friends with unfortunately dies on her shift and leaves her a book. The book of doors. Any door is every door and her adventure begins...
This book was a crazy ride. Cassie's life changes completely with the gift of the Book of Doors. The connections to the characters were beautiful and the group of friends she makes along the way is great. However I wish there was more character connection on page because time passes on many occasions without you seeing what is happening with the various characters.
It started off feeling almost contemporary without fantasy and focused on the emotion and connection of the characters and their past. Then there were moments it was so far from contemporary that it was almost confusing. I loved the concept but sometimes the pacing was confusing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and if you like scifi fantasy novels with some trippy event timelines then this is for you.

***** SPOILER ******
By the end you see she almost created her own story. This is a really cool theory with the time travel aspect of the novel but it almost takes the purpose out of the initial jumping off point.

I loved this book. While I realize it may be too sci-fi or too YA for some, it was right up my reading alley. The beginning started slow and had me thinking this was a fluffy book about a girl who could walk through different doors. But as the story progressed, the pace picked up, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the story wove the central themes through the magic of books and the beauty of friendships. The author did an excellent job tying up all loose ends and making each detail relevant by the end of the book. I am rounding up from 4.5 stars for the slow start.

Quick recap without spoilers:
Cassie Andrews works in a bookstore in New York and leads a relatively safe and boring life. That is until an elderly customer gifts her a small, unassuming book. She quickly discovers that this book allows her to open a door anywhere in the world and walk through it. And this is not the only magical book, each with a unique ability. Cassie finds herself in a world of magic only known to a few, where the dangers are as great as the benefits.

3.5 stars

When Cassie Andrews is gifted a book, a book full of strange writings and drawings, by a customer at the bookstore where she works, she’s intrigued. She’s drawn to its mystery, and soon realizes it’s no ordinary book. It can transport her to anywhere she wishes to go.

At first she’s elated. Where before her life felt closed and small, now the world is wide open to explore. But she soon learns that the book comes with a dangerous price. Will the strange man she just met help keep her safe, or will he bring more danger?

This was a tricky book to rate because while it was easy to fly through the pages, and I enjoyed learning more about the Book of Doors and the other magical books in the story, this felt like a draft that needed more editing.

The dialogue felt awkward at times, and the writing is very simplistic. If you enjoy descriptive writing, you won’t find it here.

I’m usually a character reader, but I enjoyed the plot much more than the characters, especially the villains who felt two-dimensional. There was so much potential to have really interesting antagonists. They were so close to being great! That just made it more disappointing for me.

This is one of those books that I felt more negative about after finishing it, so I think a 3.5 rating is fair. In the moment, I really did enjoy how the author wove together different subplots and backstories with the present timeline. It’s the reason why I will pick up whatever Gareth Brown writes next because I see so much potential there.

If you’re more of a plot-driven reader, if you like stories with funky time travel and if you enjoy learning about magical objects, I think it’s worthwhile to give this a read.

*Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the digital arc.

For anyone who loves reading and the ability of books to transport you to another world - The Book of Doors is probably for you. These books have incredible power and are able to transport you through any door in the world, past or present, to cause pain and sorrow, to bring joy, to warp reality, to change matter - the possibilities are endless. But they also put Cassie and others in incredible danger as they try to prevent the books from getting into the wrong people's hands in a long battle between good and evil that lasts decades. Gareth Brown's debut was a wild adventure that I wasn't expecting. The characters were so unique and had great depth. Full of mystery - The Book of Doors was a great read - looking forward to more from this new author. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the chance to read this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an advanced reader copy of The Book of Doors in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever started a new book and felt instantly cozy, like you were automatically tucked into a large comfy chair with a perfectly soft blanket and a hot, steaming mug of tea (or coffee, hot chocolate, glass of wine - or even a whisky) - while in reality, you're reading your kindle at a noisy bar while your fiance is cheering for his Premiere League team? No? Just me? Well, that's exactly how I felt while being in that bar starting The Book of Doors. I was instantly transported, and this was all before I learned that this story was about an actual book that transported people to other places.

I don't want to reveal much more about this story but it was a fun adventure. This sprawled across continents and time, the magic of books, and relationships between people. Gareth Brown did a great job of giving you various questions through the story that all get answered at the end. Some of the plot went in directions that I wasn't expecting which was very nice to see. I highly recommend for fans of The Night Circus and The Midnight Library.
4.5

I wasn't too sure about this book when I started it. The description made it sound really interesting. While it started slow, it got better with every chapter. Cassie, Izzy and Drummond were such great characters you couldn't help rooting for them. What a great concept - a book that allows you to open any door to any time period you can picture in your mind. Would we go back and change our past with the knowledge we have in the present? This would be such a great book for a club to discuss. Highly recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This is the Book of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door.”
If you liked the midnight library but wanted more fantasy to it, then pick this book up! This book was amazing and it’s a debut!! So cool!

A debut novel full of magic, adventure, and romance, The Book of Doors opens up a thrilling world of contemporary fantasy for readers of The Midnight Library, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The Night Circus, and any modern story that mixes the wonder of the unknown with just a tinge of darkness.

The fantasy aspect to this book was great! I loved the idea behind having books that have magical powers. The characters were well written and were written with a lot of depth. Gareth Brown did a great job with drawing the line between good and bad characters.
The use of time travel was *chefs kiss*
Overall would recommend this book :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Gareth Brown for sending me a copy early in exchange for an honest review

I was curious about this book based on the cover, title, and description, but I wasn't prepared for the way it moved me. It sets itself up like it could be a fun little premise but it has depth and heart and love in ways I wasn't expecting.

🍀 Mini Book/ARC Review #21 🍀

Title: The Book of Doors
Author: Gareth Brown
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Release: February 15th, 2024
Genre: Fantasy, Magical Realism
Format: Ebook | Audiobook
Length: 416 pages
Finished: March 3rd, 2024
Thoughts:

I love Magical Realism in books. It’s like someone peeping into your daydreams and putting them on paper. It romanticizes life. What if the impossible was actually possible? “The Book of Doors” is the daydream of your inner child. Where knowledge is power, the Librarian is one of the strongest heroes ever, and adventure literally lurks behind every door.

I really enjoyed this one! Cassie was a great FMC to follow this journey on. A quiet girl who enjoyed adventure but was stuck in one place. It’s relatable and the way Garth Brown writes her, you slowly start to imagine yourself in her shoes. Crazy things happen from the get go and you are thrown into your first door and the pacing really never stops.

There are multiple things I loved about this book. I loved how there are multiple books that did amazing things. I loved how time traveling works and the decisions the FMC had to make because of it (10 years! My goodness!). And most of all, I love how she included her best friend Izzy from the beginning instead of keeping the book of doors secret! I remember going “Wow! Now that’s a friend!”

I wasn’t too fond of the ending, though. Felt like there could have been more as there is a small little plot hole with the books and the Nothing. But I did appreciate the full circle moments and how those were completed.

A great debut by Gareth Brown and am looking forward to more of his books!

Rating 4.25/5 stars

Like most books I read, I went into this pretty blind. I skimmed the description and then promptly forgot what the book was about.

We follow Cassie, a young woman who works at a bookstore and ends up with a magical book in her possession called The Books of Doors. This book allows her to travel essentially anywhere as long as she can picture a door that exists in the place she wants to go. Of course, this isn't the only magical book in existence and we begin to meet more characters who have other books like the Book of Shadows or the Book of Joy or the Book of Pain. The books are powerful and as a result, draw people who want power to them.

This book was wild! Some time travel occurs, the magic system is so unusual and cool. I had such a good time reading this and I honestly couldn't have guessed any of the twists that occurred.

I will say it took a bit of time for me to get into it. I'd say around the 40% mark is where it picked up. While the pacing could have been better, the writing was incredible, the characters were interesting, and the story was unique.

If you like contemporary fantasy with twists and turns, I think you would absolutely love this debut by Gareth Brown!

Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for providing an ARC! All thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown tells the story of Cassie while working at a bookstore in NYC has a favorite customer pass away and leaves her the book of doors. Cassie is able to figure out how to use the book by going to different places and eventually time travel. The storyline is extremely creative. It includes fantasy, time travel and an epic good vs evil. Thank you to NetGallery and Transworld publishing for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

DNF 25%.

I was looking forward to reading this book due to the premise. A young girl finds a key to any world imaginable: a literal book of doors. What does she do with this power and how does she protect it from those with nefarious ideas? I was excited to find out! However, not too far in, I was turned off by the way Cassie and her roommate Izzy were written. I think this is a part of a larger issue I had with the way the book was written, but the larger issue is more a personal preference, whereas the issue with Cassie and Izzy was more an "ick" issue, but I think the two are connected.

I had a really difficult time telling when this book was supposed to take place, which seems like it might have been on purpose. There was no mention of modern technology and any descriptions of surroundings were vague, like the mention of cars, but no descriptions. Because of this, I had a really hard time with Cassie and Izzy. Cassie and Izzy, who by my logic were at least 21 years old (most likely older), were written like 12 year old girls were written back in the 70s. They were written with this child like wonder and all these girl-like mannerisms. Modern 21-year-olds do not talk about how bread goes straight to their thighs, or use no slang at all, or treat every day like it's a sleepover with their roommate. They were written with this child-like wonder that reminded me of The Little Princess, Chronicles of Narnia, and A Wrinkle in Time, and how those female characters were written; and they were children! Again. not being able to tell the time period added to my frustration here because if it took place say in the 20s or 40s, I kind of get that, but if this is supposed to be modern times it makes no sense.

I found myself avoiding reading this book until I realized I just wasn't going to pick it back up again. I can't read about child-like grown women, especially when they're written by men. It feels weird, and it makes the story feel juvenile.

I found this twisty tale less than my interest. I am sure it has its appeal to the right kind of readers. That just wasn't me.