We begin The Book of Doors with Cassie Andrews, a bookseller in New York City, when she receives a mysterious gift from a favorite customer: a enigmatic book filled with peculiar writing and drawings. Titled the Book of Doors, it seemingly grants to its possessor the ability to travel anywhere through any door. Excited by the newfound possibilities, Cassie begins going on mini-adventures, wherever a door will take her and her best friend Izzy, a reluctant and suspicious traveler via the Book of Doors. Before long however, Cassie and Izzy realize they're not the only ones with magical books. Thus they find themselves entangled in a dangerous world where book holders with sinister intentions are hunting down the long illusive Book of Doors, forcing Cassie to go on the run.

While The Book of Doors has a fantastic overall concept, complete with time travel and other magical books, the execution falls short in several key areas. The writing often veers toward oversimplification, with characterizations that are flat and overly simplistic. Characters are defined by one or two characteristics, lacking depth and complexity. The dialogue, with its outdated language (such as "Jap" — spoken as an off-the-cuff insult by a bad guy) feels out of place, seriously missing depth and nuance. Also, the portrayal of the antagonists as one-dimensional, mustache-twirling villains is disappointing, and lends itself to some cartoonish detours.

But perhaps one of the book's greatest flaws is in its unfocused plot, which progresses haltingly. The sheer abundance of magical books introduced throughout the narrative made me very aware of the author, who was potentially creating books out of the air — sort of a throw everything at the wall and see what sticks storytelling experience. Even the chapters themselves were unevenly dealt. In the more extended action sequences, Brown leaned into short chapters that never really ended, but stopped "in medias res," and continued immediately, not missing a beat, as the next chapter began. Unnecessary interruptions rather than meaningful transitions, disrupting the flow of the narrative into commercial breaks from tv in the 90s. This issue is juxtaposed and exacerbated by instances where significant time passes with little to no notable events occurring, leaving the reader disconnected from the story.

The Book of Doors is a debut novel with potential, hindered by issues of characterization, plot coherence, and pacing. One can't help but wonder about the role of the editorial process in addressing these shortcomings. Despite its flaws, the book offers glimpses of creativity and imagination, perhaps suggesting promise for future works from the author.

Rating: 3.75 stars - I had a hard time deciding what to rate this, because while the story ended up coming together amazingly, it was all over the place and hard to get through at times. There were beautiful descriptions of the locations, and the twists were all satisfying in wrapping up the threads, but there were so many characters that didn’t get the attention they needed.
The main women characters are stereotypical and shallow - too often making unnecessary comments about their appearance or what they shouldn’t be eating. I appreciated what the FMC grew into, but would still speak in a way that made me think the author had never conversed with a woman in real life. The villains are deeply troubled humans, with quite realistic descriptions, but for how scary they were their defeats almost seemed comical.
Recommended for those who enjoyed The Ten Thousand Doors of January, The Midnight Library, or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.
Thank you to @NetGalley and William Morrow for providing an eARC for my honest opinion.

Not quite the book for me. I had a hard time finishing. The writing was good though, so it may be a better book for someone else. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley!

Wow, I am actually shocked how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and the idea of magical books. I was not expecting the time travel aspect of it at all and feel like that added so much to the plot. Mr. Webber was 100% my favorite character and loved that we got to see more of him later on. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for allowing me to read this advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

holy geez, what an amazing book!! I HIGHLY recommend everyone to read this one.

time travel, magical elements, books that can change your life (either by making them worse or helping), and a touch of romance. What more could you ask for in a book? Imagine if you were given a book of doors where it can take you ANYWHERE you can possibly imagine as long as can visualise a door. Now that's just one book out of multiples you'll be introduced in the story.

A book about books lol, but truthfully not many books get me to tear up. But this one practically had me sobbing when it touched on grief.

Thank you to Gareth Brown, William Morrow, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved the premise of this book, but I wasn't a fan of Cassie. I found her annoying and whiny at times. I also felt like the beginning of the book dragged.

I also found some things to be problematic, in the sense of things characters said and some of the descriptions of other characters.

This is not the book for me. I was bored for the first 50%. There were too many characters and timelines and magic books to keep track of. I’m going to give it three stars because it was an ambitious debut novel and it picked up about halfway through but I didn’t love it. 2.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Caution possible spoilers!

This book has my favorite elements that I love to read about: magic, books and time travel. There are re magic books, a hidden library and the magical book makes any door a door to anywhere. And has Cassie soon learns anytime as well. I am marking this review as a spoiler because I feel like the time travel part in not in the synopsis and used as a bit of a surprise.
I love time travel in books. It always makes for great twist endings as the timelines merge and this ending did not disappoint.
The book was full of magic, adventure, villains and a little romantic interest? Just a little thought but I would have liked some more. Speaking of more. I would be absolutely interested in reading more set in this world if it meant we could see more of the different books and how they work and the people that own them and if they are used for good or evil.

Loved this book! I found the concept and magic system so imaginative and the characters (both main and supporting) very well developed. The quality of writing and description was lovely and vivid. There were moments of beauty and horror. My only issue is the pacing slowed for me at times - the development and the extra attention paid at some points made me frustrated because I just wanted to know what was going to happen. A minor issue for sure!

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown follows the story of a woman named Cassie Andrews. Cassie led a normal and unassuming life until she comes in possession of a mysterious book called the Book of Doors. While in possession of this Book Cassie is thrust into the world of danger and magic books. In this novel Cassie learns what it takes to survive the forces of evil, trying to horde these books for themselves.

Ultimately I found the premise if this novel interesting and saw where the story could turn to something more fantastical. Overall I found the pacing was a tad slow and it seemed to take some time for the main character to achieve her goals so it felt like there were many pages where it seemed the plot just stopped moving and the romance that was started to be implied never really came to fruition.

But despite the pacing I felt the emotional heart of the story and the fact the main character was given the ability to fix things really tugged on my heartstrings. I truly enjoyed the message that forgiveness is the most important part of healing. The last few chapters were a sweet and heartwarming way to end the story.

I so wanted to love this one! Starts out very promising- a young woman, Cassie, is gifted a magical book, the Book of Doors, that lets her travel anywhere in the world in an instant. Then, she quickly realizes how dangerous it is to own a book like this, and how many people are trying to get their hands on it. Some of the people have good intentions, but several of them are not. Soon, we follow Cassie through a journey with her book. It got a little messy, and the writing wasn't keeping me hooked anymore. I did finish it, but I was curious, but it won't end up on my favorite lists, sadly.

What would you do if any door was every door? That is a question that Cassie has to answer very early in the book and her first trip is New York where she lives. The Book of Doors was a solid read for me! It did take me awhile to get through it but overall I found that the plot does come together in the end. This book is an interesting blend of genes mixing together mystery, fantasy, and thriller aspects. I liked the time travel aspects, I enjoyed the good verse evil, and thought the idea of a world with multiple magic books was a good premise. At times I felt Cassie acted a bit juvenile and at some points the book read as YA. Overall I did enjoy it and I did purchase it at the book store today! If you liked The Midnight Library or The Ten Thousand Doors of January I think you will really like The Book of Doors!

The story was interesting, and I appreciated how awful the villain was. The writing, however, was not quite up to par.

A wonderful book which reminded me of The Shadow of the Wind. The magical realism infused with the friendships and relationships of everyday people make this a great story. The plot slowly clicks into place as the author deftly constructs the tale and makes it a novel you will not soon forget. In my opinion, already one of the best books of 2024!

4.5 stars.
Such a fun ride! I loved the atmosphere and the loving attention to describing place and setting (how fitting in a story about a magic teleportation book!). I loved how to time travel story unraveled and the hints of darkness and that I immediately felt attached to all the characters.
The one thing that stopped me from giving 5 stars is the fact there were a few awkward clunky moments in the writing that make it feel like an third draft instead of a final draft. But other then a few nitpicks that were just vaguely distracting, I thoroughly enjoyed this world and magic system.

Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door.

What you'll get:
Books and Bookstores
Magical Realism - I guess?
Time Travel

Setting: New York, Italy, Japan, Georgia, France, England, Scotland, Oregon, Nevada

This felt like if The Midnight Library and The Ten Thousand Doors of January had a shockingly violent baby. I don't need to understand the mechanics or science between time travel and whether changing things in the past changes things in the present if I'm entertained. I'm here for the vibes.

This was a really solid debut. I just wish I had clicked with it more. I wanted to root for Cassie but she was her own personal saboteur. Every time Drummond asked her for help, she did mostly the opposite of it and things didn't go well. I did really like that things came back full circle with the time travel pieces. Mr. Webber was an angel and I'm so glad there was never a negative subplot with him.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Audio, and William Morrow for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book should be labeled more prominently as "new adult." I did not connect with the main character due to her age but I'm sure this book would be liked by readers looking for more "new adult" style type books.

An exhilarating adventure filled with intrigue, suspense, and moments of pure enchantment...

Book Information

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a 416-page fantasy/fiction novel published on February 13, 2024. Thank you to William Morrow Books for providing me with an Advance Readers Copy for review.

Summary

In New York City, Cassie Andrews, a bookseller, receives the Book of Doors from a favorite customer. This mysterious book grants unimaginable powers, leading Cassie and her friend Izzy on adventures beyond their wildest dreams. However, they soon realize they're not the only ones with magical books, facing danger from those who seek their newfound abilities.

Seeking help from Drummond Fox, who harbors his own collection of magical tomes, Cassie and Izzy confront a nameless evil that threatens them all. Together, they navigate a perilous journey, bound by their quest for survival in a world where magic and danger collide.

My Thoughts

"The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown is an exceptional debut that exceeded all my expectations. While some have compared it to "The Midnight Library," a book I also enjoyed, I found it refreshingly unique. Brown weaves a beautifully written tale filled with magic, wonder, and mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. Despite its 400-page length, the story read quickly and kept me turning pages to see what happened next. "The Book of Doors" is a breathtaking odyssey through realms of wonder.

The novel offers a complex storyline with numerous twists and surprises, taking unexpected directions that add to its allure. Brown's skillful character and world-building create a rich tapestry of fantasy, mystery, adventure, family, friends, suspense, horror, romance, and magic—truly something for everyone. Brown creates a Literary kaleidoscope that fractures reality and invites readers into a world where wonders never cease.

Similar to the TV series/comic book "Locke & Key," the premise involves magical elements tied to objects, in this case, books imbuing their holders with extraordinary powers. There is no limit to the quantity of books that might exist or to the unique powers that they might hold. Each new book introduced has the potential to turn the story in a new direction which Brown uses to keep the reader engaged. Every page holds the promise of adventure, danger, and unexpected enchantment.

There was a moment around three-quarters of the way through where I felt the story veered off course—"jumped the shark” so to say. I was worried as I had really enjoyed the book to that point. It was just one chapter that I thought stretched too far, but Brown managed to steer it back on track and recover, albeit with a slight hiccup.

The novel's conclusion is satisfyingly well-plotted, delivering suspenseful twists and surprises that tie up loose ends but also set the stage for a sequel.

Recommendation

"The Book of Doors" is a fantastic read that not only stimulates the mind but also tugs at the heartstrings, leaving a lasting impression. It’s an unforgettable exploration of magic and possibility. Brown blends the elements of fantasy and suspense into a mesmerizing tapestry that will keep you on the edge of your seat—highly recommended.

Rating

5 Magic Book Stars

“Happiness is not something you sit and wait for. You have to choose it and pursue it in spite of everything else.”

Oh I loved this one! I’m not sure exactly what I was expecting with this one but a thrilling fantasy wasn’t it but this one was FANTASTIC! The cover, the characters and the premise was absolutely captivating. This book follows Cassie who is gifted the Book of Doors only to realize that the book isn’t just an ordinary book but instead a book the holds magic. This sought after book soon lands Cassie on the run from some very bad people looking to add this magical book to their collection.
If you liked Dark Matter by Blake Crouch, I definitely recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for an advance readers copy.

I had high hopes for this book; I loved the premise. However, it seems I am in a reading slump, and I couldn’t make any progress in this book. Also, the writing seemed to be lacking to me. Overall, I would want to give this book another try in the future (just not now).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy.