I just finished reading a debut fantasy novel The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown. Let me just say…wow, this is amazing!

Each time I had to put this book down, I couldn’t wait for when I was able to pick it back up again. I fell in love with this world and the very unique magic system. As a book lover myself, It was refreshing to read such a unique story about these amazing books. I could easily see this novel being picked up and put on the big screen.

We are thrown into a world like our own where magic secretly exists. There are so many different layers of this story, the lore of the books, the history of The Librarian, and the path of others.

This book is so well written, it was easy to immerse yourself in the setting of New York City and the life of Cassie and Mr. fox. The Emotions run so deep, we can empathize with them and understand their struggles, fears and motivations.

Summary📚
Cassie, a normal girl who works in a bookstore, has her life changed forever when a friendly, elderly customer passes away in the shop. She is devastated by this passing and cherished the little gift that he had left for her. But that gift, a book, wasn’t so little.

She is thrust into a world of mystery and possibilities. When the gifted Book of Doors isn’t just a book, it becomes a key, that can make any door, a door to anywhere.

When the knowledge of this incredible artifact comes to the surface, others are eager to get their hands on this prized possession…by any means necessary.
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I would like to thank @williammorrowbooks #GarethBrown and @netgalley for allowing me access to the eARC. It was a fantastic read and I’m sad it’s over. I want to wish you a early Happy Publication Day 📚🪄
This need’s to been at the top of everyone’s TBR list. I can’t wait to pick on the physical copy to add to my shelf. I hope the world of the books can continue.
Though this book was given to me, the thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

I know that it is only the beginning of the year, but I am telling you that it is going to be one of the best books released in 2024! I absolutely LOVED this book. The characters, the setting, the magic, literally everything about this book was perfection. This could be made into a box office hit if it is ever transformed into a movie. The plot progresses perfectly and the switching to different POVs is so smooth, especially towards the end with all of the reveals!! This is a book that I plan to recommend to all of my friends, regardless of genre they typically read. Please do yourself a favor and pick this book up!!!

I really like this book and it was almost a 5 star for me I only wanted a little more resolution on a couple points and I thought the chapter of the nothingness wasn't my favorite, obviously it was hugely important but I just kind of thought it didn't mesh as well with the rest of the book.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me and ARC of this book in exchange
THIS BOOK.
Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way, I keep going back and forth on whether I want to give it 4.5 or 5 stars, but for now I will keep it at 5.
Let's start with the good, and there is so so much good. This book puts everything falling into place like the most satisfying puzzle I have ever done. Everything is so beautifully explained and wrapped into the fabric of the story that I find myself constantly being amazing at how you even go about writing a book like this. The plot was so beautifully written. The individual events were interesting, engaging, made sense to me, and really added to the overall gorgeous bigger picture. Even when I felt myself saying "what... did I miss something?" it was always explained beautifully in the next few chapters.
I have never cried more at a book than I have at this one, which feels absolutely wild. Brown found a way to make the most normal and mundane events absolutely heart wrenching. I felt things in my chest so heavily, in the good ways. I was truly touched. I fell in love with the characters, Mr. Weber you have my heart forever and ever, I am so glad you got the story you deserved.
The only things I struggled with were the things that were a little gruesome. It wasn't unnecessary, it was just very difficult to read at times. This book does a great job of explaining true evil and representing it well.
The only other thing I had a small issue with is that while reading the first chapter I could tell this author was not American, and used many terms I've only heard in UK based novels. Some of the ways the characters spoke to each other, or how they always called it a toilet and never a bathroom. They didn't distract from the story, but it was noticeable that my NYC based characters were just speaking from a different region. I think this happened most in the beginning and end of the novel, I didn't notice it too much in the middle, but maybe that's because our Scottish man came in and that all made sense. It wasn't an issue with the story, some of it just felt unnatural to me.
Overall, this is the book I have already recommended to so many of my friends, and will for sure be a re-read in the future.

This book wasn't usually my type but I thought I would give it a try. There are some dark pieces to the book but overall it was a fun and interesting read.

The Book of Doors is a magical debut fantasy novel. The premise was fascinating, and I wound up enjoying this novel. I hope to read more Gareth Brown books in the future.

Our leading lady, Cassie was working her shift at the bookstore when she goes to close up shop and she finds a regular customer has passed away in the shop. He wound up leaving Cassie a book, which she later finds out much to her and her roommate Izzy's surprise that the Book of Doors allows you to travel to any door you can imagine. What starts out as a fun-filled night and the following days turns into something a bit more sinister. There are people after the Book of Doors, and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Cassie turns to a friendly magical book collector for help, but even he is running from the people in search of the books.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

I finished this book in the nick of time. It is being released TOMORROW, on February 13, 2024. When I say that this book is pure magic, it is legit, pure magic. I can’t even convey how amazing this book is.

This is the debut novel by British author, Gareth Brown. My description is not going to do it justice, but it is about books that have magical powers and the holder of the book has the ability to use the book for said power. For example, Cassie, the main character, is gifted the Book of Doors ad is able to use the book to travel to different places. Other books, such as the Book of Luck, give the carrier luck.

The book is much more complex than that; Brown weaves the characters into such a story that there are booksellers and book collectors and not everyone is as they seem. Nor are the books as they seem.

I’m not going to give anything away. Just know that you’re going to want to pick this book up if you are a fan of books about… books :)

Great premise - this story had lots of ups and downs for me. Might have been more powerful to stick to just ONE magical book.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy!

DNF - I wanted to quit reading 30% into the book but pushed myself to read a bit more and ended up stopping at the halfway point.

The premise is interesting, hence the reason I picked up the book. Characters are one dimensional, the writing is lazy, and the villains are cartoonish. I wouldn't mind the cartoonish aspect if the whole book were to be written with that in mind. The author is trying to create a realistic world so having one dimensional and cartoonish villains didn't work, it made the world not believable.

The protagonist was bland. I kept skipping over so much of the dialogue and could still understand what was happening. I wanted to say that this would be a good YA book, but that would not give teenagers and young adults enough credit.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

** 3.5 Stars **
I've never wished for a different rating system before this book, but if I could give one, each "part" of The Book of Doors would receive a different star rating. It was such a mixed book for me!

The Book of Doors opens on a bittersweet friendship, where Cassie is left the Book of Doors while closing up one night at work. From here, she and roommate Izzie begin to test what the Book of Doors can do, and explore all of the places they can go. It's a whimsical, magical beginning, that is quickly juxtaposed by the darkness of characters wanting to use this book for their own gain.
For as much as loved the beginning of this book, the middle got a little darker than I was prepared for. Combined with the slow pace of the plot at this point and the seemingly depressing amount of time that was passing, I was close to DNFing.
I did really enjoy the thoughtfulness that went into the aspect about time travel, and at one point was sobbing over the most touching of moments. The magical realism portion, with the different types of books that exist in this world, was definitely my favorite part. The fact that these books could exist under our very nose, but hold such magnificent power, is really fun to think about.
Overall, this was a decent read and would be fun for those who don't mind getting through the slower bits (and the occasional problematic lines) to get back to the better parts toward the end.

I am giving this book 5 Stars though it's not perfect, I do not want to lower it down to 4. I think it's a really fun read, which was a perfect way for me to spend a week in bed with a head cold.

When it comes to books and stories, I can almost always be sold on one which revolves around magical books, mysterious doorways, and a bit of adventure. I am a person who loved the Night Circus and when I read the description that this book would be similar, I was sold on the opportunity to see what it had to offer. I was not disappointed. I found it to be a great escape as we travelled throughout the world, running from people who wanted the Book of Doors for themselves,

All in all, I am glad I gave this book a chance. The pacing was a bit off at times, but when it comes to a debut novel, I think it's easy to forgive that sort of thing. I also feel I was provided a pretty good story I plan to recommend to others.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into the captivating world of "The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown, and I must say it was a literary adventure worth every moment. Nestled within the pages of this enchanting tale is a unique narrative that unfolds with the turn of every page, captivating readers and keeping them on the edge of their seats.

The story revolves around Cassie, a charming protagonist who works in a bookstore. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she receives the mysterious "Book of Doors" from an elderly gentleman. The magic within the book comes to life when Cassie, along with her roommate and best friend, Izzie, discovers its true wonder. From that point forward, the story delves into a realm of fantasy that left me pleasantly dizzy.

The pacing of the novel is great, creating an immersive experience that seamlessly blends real and fantastical elements. The narrative flows smoothly, striking a perfect balance between excitement and reflection. Brown's writing style is engaging and vivid, painting a captivating picture of the magical world within the Book of Doors.

While the overall experience was captivating, there was one aspect that left me with a lingering curiosity. The exploration of Cassie's time in the "nowhere place" felt somewhat unresolved, and I couldn't help but wish for more insight into the significance of that mysterious realm and its connection to the books. A more comprehensive exploration of this intriguing aspect could have added even more depth to an already intricate plot.

Despite this minor issue, "The Book of Doors" was undeniably a joy to read. The delightful combination of fantasy elements kept me engaged, and the well-developed characters added an extra layer of authenticity to the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the sense of wonder and entertainment the book provided.

In conclusion, Gareth Brown's "The Book of Doors" is a magical journey that offers readers a break from the ordinary. The intricacies of the plot, combined with the well-developed characters, make it stand out in the fantasy genre. I eagerly look forward to more literary adventures from this talented author. My final rating stands at a solid 4.5 stars, with the expectation that future works will continue to create stories as enchanting as this one.

Bequeathed with a magical book that allows her to travel through time and space, bookseller Cassie finds her entire world turned upside down by the turning of pages and passing through doors. But readers beware; there are more magical books and those willing to kill for them The Book of Doors is a delightful journey into modern magical realism world that I wish I could escape into. Who wouldn't want a magical book that lets you travel in time and space?

What a cool concept for a book on time travel! While there are many different players in this book, it was not difficult to keep them all separate. I really enjoyed reading and exploring The Book of Doors.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a captivating debut novel that blends fantasy, romance, and mystery in a thrilling adventure. The protagonist, Cassie Andrews, is a bookseller who inherits a magical book from a customer. The book allows her to travel to any place and time by opening doors. She soon discovers that there are other books with similar powers, and that some people are willing to kill for them. The author creates a fascinating world of magic and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems. The book also explores themes such as grief, friendship, and trust. I would definitely recommend this book to fantasy lovers, this one will keep you hooked from start to finish.

The Book of Doors has a very interesting premise which drew me into the beginning of the story. There was a lot to keep track of as the story moved along and I found myself needing to write down the characters and the doors. Then I just moved along, wanting to finish the book There was violence and foul language that I didn’t think was necessary. Overall, I found the premise interesting but just didn’t like the story.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Publishing for this e-ARC. The opinion is entirely my own.

I honestly have never read anything like this. I thought that the concept was rather interesting. The beginning of the book is really gripping. Honestly after the beginning I was rather bored. I wanted some big things to happen and I was disappointed.

Thank you so much to the William Morrow Team for providing me with this ARC!! I've heard many great things already about this book and was stoked to be approved for the digital copy.

Elevator pitch for why you should buy this book Feb. 13th ->
-> Cassie works at a bookshop and loves reading books. An old patron of hers gives her the Book of Doors that can "open any and every door." She goes on adventures and addresses her past. Meanwhile, there are other magical books out there and people who will do anything to get them all

This book has been an adventure from beginning to end. The pacing is even, and it doesn't feel rushed at all. The end felt right, and the page count was perfect for this story. I'm sure we've all experienced books that seem to rush in the end and quickly wrap matters up in a haphazardly manner. Not this book.
The main character has so much depth, and I cried several times on her behalf during this novel.

I can tell this book is going to be a major hit, and I can't wait for Feb. 13th to go and buy a physical copy to support.

This book has a lot going on, in fact there are a lot of books and a lot of characters to keep track of. I enjoyed the first part of the story, but then it seemed that so much was thrown in from alternate views of different people that it got muddled down with too much.

I found some things such as the foul language was not needed in the frame it was used and there was quite a bit of violence. I had not anticipated the track the story took. I did finish it but by the end I was glad it was over. The storyline was enticing, but the delivery could have been told in 100 pages less. Unfortunately, this was one comes in at 3 stars.

William Morrow and NetGalley provided this Galley edition for no requirement other than my offer to provide an unbiased review. This one comes in with 3 stars.

Cassie finds The Book of Doors at the end of her shift at a bookstore one night. Seems excited at first because it will allow her to see the world. Quickly she realizes there is a dark side to the magic.

This one was a fun read. I’m not usually a fantasy reader, but this one fell more on the side of magical realism. I really enjoyed it and it wasn’t predictable.

#netgalley #TheBookofDoors