I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when a book is likened to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, the expectations are high. The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown, is, in my opinion, nothing like Addie, other than being primarily in NYC, and a bookstore is involved. However, I did find many similarities between it and The City of Stardust, one of my favorite reads this year (that’s definitely not for everyone, as the Goodreads rating will show, but I maintain it just needs to find its right readers). But back to the book in question: The Book of Doors is a portal fantasy, which is one of my favorite subgenres. And I have to say, I enjoyed it! Was it perfect? No. But for a debut, it was pretty close, and I’m impressed. If you love time travel, the idea of special books that grant the holder magical abilities, a truly evil villain cloaked in mystery, and a slow burn romance subplot, you might also love this read. What kept it from being a perfect five stars for me were a few choices the author made with the story that had me going, “Seriously?!” No spoilers here though! And overall, I did really like it. So what else do you need to know?

Things to Know:
Standalone
Portal Fantasy
Magical Books
Time travel
Third person POV

One of my favorite things about how this book is written, are the full circle moments. Brown did a wonderful job tying everything together, and I was left pretty satisfied in the end. We first meet Cassie at the bookstore and cafe she works at, and there’s a lovely older, lonely gentleman who always comes in and has his coffee and reads. He’s reading The Count of Monte Cristo (Ok, totally sold at this point as it’s one of my favorite classics). He passes away suddenly and Cassie realizes he’s left her an old book, and the adventure begins.

“This is the Book of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door.”
She and her roommate, Izzy, discover the book opens regular doors into completely different cities. And like any 20-somethings, they have some incredible nights visiting all the best cities in the world. We’ve gotta talk about Izzy for a second. She’s the most annoying character. Always making really stupid decisions, I was so incredibly frustrated with her the entire story until the very, very end.

Because of Izzy’s actions, we find out there are many nefarious people after this book. And not only that, there are other special books offering their owners incredible special abilities: control over matter, joy, pain, and more. Drummond Fox is a ‘librarian’ and keeper of many of these special books in his secret library that only Cassie’s book can open a door to. He attempts to help Cassie, but having been through a tragedy with the books previously, and the villainous woman coveting them all, he’s determined the book may be better off destroyed than in the wrong hands.

Did I mention there’s also time travel?! I actually love how time travel was handled in this book. I really can’t share more without spoilers, so you’ll just have to read it yourself!

And now we come to the villains. I loved them…because you truly hate them. “The woman” as she’s called throughout, is truly an embodiment of evil, and you’re given a couple breadcrumbs, but you really spend most of the time wondering how on earth she came to be like this, and why does she have such an obsession with collecting all of the books. The reveal on this one was one of those full circle moments, but also felt frustrating to me. It worked so perfectly for the story, but left me saying, “Are you kidding me?!”

Then we have Mr. Barbury, who was your average terrible person. He’s murderous and has been chasing Drummond for years trying to get his books. I liked the idea of having more than one villain, especially because, while they were both after the books, they’re very different characters.

There’s also some morally grey characters, and you’re given quite a few different POVs throughout the novel. I didn’t mind that though. The main twist, honestly felt a bit like a cop out to me. It was my least favorite part, but at the same time, made everything work and piece together in a perfect puzzle. So I gotta give props for that. Overall, I really enjoyed this story, and I’m looking forward to what Brown writes next! Many thanks to NetGalley for a review e-copy. All opinions are my own.

Favorite Quotes:
“I know you like to hide in books, and maybe that’s my fault, because I like having you around all the time.”

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”He was lonely, Cassie knew, but he carried it lightly, never imposing his loneliness on others.”

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“This world is awful and mean and I hate it…but books have always been a place I can go….I prefer books to the real world.”

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

This could have easily been a novella that I loved, but as a book it seemed like it dragged on forever. The premise was nice, but the characters and the details seemed wooden. So much was told to the reader and very little shown to us. It seemed like a great idea that didn't have enough there to make such a long book.

Cassie lives an ordinary life. Working in a bookstore in NYC, sharing an apartment with her friend, dreaming of a bigger life....
When a favorite customer passes away at the bookshop and leaves behind a book, with an inscription noting that he has left it for her, Cassie's life changes in ways she never could have imagined.
The Book of Doors opens Cassie to a whole new world.. of travel, magic and danger.
This book was a lot of fun, filled with magic and adventure. There were a lot of side characters, some of whom could have been a little better fleshed out, but overall a wonderful adventure that drew in a number of magical books and ended with satisfyingly.

I really enjoyed this novel but there were many areas that became muddled and seem to drag on longer than needed. I was also rather underwhelmed with the ending. These are just my initial responses. Cassie and Izzy both annoyed me for very different reasons. Izzy is that friend who is loud and obnoxious who you pray loses her tongue. Cassie is a naive, passive and overly sensitive person who lacks knowledge of self preservation. There were other moments in the story where I yelled at the characters who had certain books with which they could defend themselves. At times, it almost felt like the characters forgot their lines and the plot of the story. How could they forget that they possessed the ability to prevent the tragedies they witnessed unfolding?
It makes me think about Glinda, the Good Witch, in The Wizard of Oz: "You've always had the power, my dear. You've had it all along."

The Book of Doors offers an imaginative premise and a strong cast of characters, but its execution leaves much to be desired. The story follows Cassie, Izzy, and Drummond on an adventure involving time travel and a series of mysterious books, each with their own powers. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives across various timelines, creating a complex but ultimately uneven storytelling experience.

The first portion of the book is a slow start, with pacing that feels rushed and characters that are initially flat and unengaging. It wasn’t until about halfway through that the story began to pick up, and I found myself more invested in Cassie’s journey. By then, the plot became richer and more vivid, and I couldn't put the book down. However, the dialogue often felt awkward and clunky, with phrasing that sometimes seemed "off." Some scenes were unexpectedly gory, which was jarring and didn't quite fit with the rest of the narrative.

The concept of the books and their powers holds great potential, but they are introduced somewhat haphazardly, woven into the story when convenient rather than being integrated into the narrative in a meaningful way. This lack of cohesion detracts from the overall impact, and by the end, I was left with more questions than answers about their significance.

There’s also a noticeable issue with characterization. Many of the characters, particularly the villains, are one-dimensional and tend to make problematic, judgmental remarks, often delivered in a "telling rather than showing" fashion. This may alienate some readers, especially younger audiences who may find these attitudes outdated or offensive.

Ultimately, while The Book of Doors offers an engaging concept and some enjoyable moments, it falters in pacing, character development, and narrative cohesion. I’d still recommend it for those who enjoy fantasy, but it didn’t quite live up to its potential.

This sadly was a soft DNF for me. Of no fault to the author or the book, but I unfortunately did not find myself in the right mood. I fear this is a book that I will have to be in the perfect mood for. I plan to revisit this one eventually. On the plus side, the cover is awesome!

I'm not sure why, but this one took me a while to get through. In the end I enjoyed it, but I think it started off a bit slow and disjointed. I love the concept and would definitely love to have my own Book of Doors! Cassie is a great character, and she was easy to root for throughout the story. I was pleasantly surprised at the end! This one may have taken me a bit to get into, but I do recommend it and will definitely be reading more from Gareth Brown.

Cassie Andrews is a twenty-something living a fairly ordinary life in New York City. She shares an apartment with her best friend Izzy and works at a bookstore. But when a customer dies in the store, he leaves behind a mysterious book with a note claiming it's the Book of Doors. Cassie soon discovers that this book holds an incredible power: it can turn any door into a portal to anywhere, allowing her to travel instantly between places. However, she quickly realizes that there are dangerous people who will stop at nothing to steal the book from her, and that it’s only one of many magical books in the world, each granting its owner unique powers.

I don’t want to spoil too much of The Book of Doors, so I’ll keep this review brief. But I absolutely loved this book. The plot is full of unexpected twists—not in a "gotcha" way, but more as the story organically unfolds and reveals more about these magical books. Characters and plot points may seem to disappear for a while, only to circle back in surprising ways, and by the end, everything comes together seamlessly. The writing is so beautiful and the pacing so well-done that it's hard to believe this is the author’s debut novel. It's a story full of magic and wonder, and I can’t wait for more. The fact that it leaves room for a sequel is just the cherry on top. This book deserves all the praise it’s receiving—and then some. A definite must-read!

You know a book is good when you try to delay its demise, scared of what will happen to characters you now consider friends but unfathomable the idea of putting it down.

Let's describe this story as a maze: here, there; before, after; New York, Scotland, somewhere in California, an unknown and scary place; Cassie, Izzy, The Librarian, The Bookseller, Mr. Webber, Lund, Azaki, a sociopath who pretends to be a doctor, The Woman (simply but effective).
So many characters, all moving around all the time, and not only between places but between times! The same character is in the same city, but for one of them is the present and for the other is the past.
Not to mention the books and their powers: who has which book, what that book does, how could it be used, what do you mean he's dead and now someone else has the book?!

Long story short, it was a piece of work, but I loved it!
Fantasy isn't even one of my favourite genres, so many times they're difficult for no reason except to confuse the reader, but not here and not Gareth Brown, whose pen made me excited to put my mind on something so brain-wrenching but so worthy when all the pieces got together.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book was fantastical and excellent. I read it and then recommended it to a newly converted reader, it helped hook them!

One of the most entertaining books I've read in years. I read this over a long weekend and absolutely couldn't put it down. Brown's skill in world building and character development make this an extremely fun time. Much of the writing is very straight forward and engaging, but there is one chapter that is very artistic and unique and shows the true talents Brown has to offer.

The main character, Cassie, is compelling and relatable, not just because of her love for books but also due to her lonely circumstances. Unlike typical heroes, she’s nuanced and flawed, making her feel more authentic. Drummond Fox, the librarian who first encounters Cassie, adds intrigue with his mysterious and morally ambiguous nature. The writing style did feel a bit flat, especially regarding the characters emotions. The concept of the Book of Doors and its implications were well-explored, adding excitement. The ending left me torn and undecided about how I felt about the story.

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC!

This novel presents a dreamy, imaginative escape for fantasy enthusiasts, blending time travel, an epic battle of righteousness versus evil, and the extraordinary concept of books as sources of unimaginable power. The Midnight Library and its treasures feel both enchanting and ominous due to the brilliant execution of the story's magic system, which revolves around unique, identity-driven abilities tied to books. Cassie, a quirky bookshop worker, and her journey through the mysterious "Book of Doors" create a relatable yet extraordinary protagonist whose adventures with the enigmatic Drummond Fox keep the pages turning. While the narrative captivates with its high-stakes tension and richly developed characters, some plot elements feel predictable, and the romantic subplot might not appeal to all readers. However, the book’s sheer creativity and heart make it a compelling read, earning a solid four stars. This book is a must-read for those who believe in the magic of books!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC for an honest review.

Honestly, I had heard mixed reviews about this and kind of put off reading it. I didn't have a lot of knowledge about what the book was all about, I just knew the initial premise.
I ended up really enjoying this! It had great magical realism, excellent character development and I loved the slow but steady development of the intricate plot. While yes, this book does involve time travel, it is laid out so well. The time travel element doesn't become confusing, it just makes the story even more fascinating.
What if you had a book that could take you anywhere and any time in the world? But what if there were some very bad actors looking for that same book? A race through time and all over the world provides a great action-packed story. I look forward to whatever Brown writes next!

While this story is full of interesting and original concepts -- from the folded time travel plot to the various powers of the magical books -- I feel it struggles with what kind of fantasy it truly wants to be. There are many points, especially early on, that seem to aspire to a cozy fantasy, full of the wonder of books and trite rhapsodizing over pastries. But this atmosphere is thoroughly spoiled by cartoonishly evil villains and gratuitous violence.

I have a particularly bad taste in my mouth regarding a scene in which a villain -- already well established to be evil, powerful, and frightening -- goes off on a highly misogynistic rant and throws a few racial slurs out for good measure. This was simply unnecessary. It didn't really add to the plot in any way. The character was already clearly A Very Bad Guy, but the author seemed to believe upping the stakes was necessary and the only way to do so was in this fit of Joss Whedon-esque white knighting.

There are a few moments like this where the author seems to view shocking the audience at any cost the mark of successful writing. Like, a-ha! I've pulled one over on you Reader - I win! It is overall a well crafted plot, but this lightly adversarial sense turns me off from rating the book very highly.

CW: torture and gore, misogynistic language, racial slurs

Thank you to publisher William Morrow for my advance copy, provided in exchange for an honest - albeit very belated! - review.

I was drawn into this book by its synopsis— an average girl stumbles upon a magical book that makes any door, any door. A secret magical library, and those who want all of its power for themselves. However, the experience of reading the book left me wanting more. I DNF’d at 33% because I had no emotional attachment to the characters or the storyline. They were one-dimensional, and the world building fell flat. I think that this book should have been marketed towards young adult readers, as it lacked the depth that you would expect with adult science fiction/fantasy.

I really enjoyed Book of Doors! The story is imaginative and full of surprises, with a world that feels both mysterious and exciting. The way the plot unfolds kept me intrigued, and the characters were so well-written that I found myself rooting for them throughout. It’s the kind of book that makes you think while still being a lot of fun to read. Highly recommend it for anyone looking for something unique and engaging!

I was super excited when I got this arc and I began reading it immediately, but I lost interest around the 30% mark. There was just way to much going on and I started to lose track of what the characters were doing. The characters also lacked depth, which made it hard to connect with them. One character was a complete sadist and I hated him. I also felt like the story was rushed at times. The story would jump really far all of a sudden and then I was lost.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown sucked me in with the concept but pacing and other parts let me down.
I love fantasy and I love when fantasy is mixed with the real world. And I know I'm being picky but if magic exists then bread can't make you fat.

An adventure into magical realism where well-drafted characters pull you along as they discover travel at the turn of the knob with a little time travel thrown in. A fun read that speaks to the heart of all book lovers, travel lovers, and mystery sleuths, this makes a great vacation read.