One of Cassie's regulars at the bookstore where she works gifts her a magical book.  This book, The Book of Doors, allows any door to be every door.  The problem is that this special book is not the only one, and they are sought by others. Some are dangerous and will stop at nothing to collect as many magical books as they can.

This idea is unique and interesting. I love that there are books with magical powers, some of which are really creative.  This opens up a lot of possibilities.  There is mystery, interesting characters, friendship, time travel, a little romance, and personal growth that kept me engaged until the end. Cassie's story is unconventional, which I loved because I didn't know where the book would take me.  There are quite a few surprising moments, which is rare for me to say.  I think this speaks to the originality of the story.

At times, the writing didn't match the complexity of the book.  The dialogue is a little immature, and I wanted more from interactions with the characters.  Sometimes, the plot seemed random or rushed.  This is only a small part of the book, though, and this didn't distract me from the creativity.  If you like books with a touch of magic, this is a great one to check out. 

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Where do I even begin?

This book, The Book of Doors, is incredible. It is magical, fantastical, horrifying and gruesome, filled with pain, sorrow, and despair, and is absolutely beautiful and perfect in every way.

The Book of Doors invents time travel, the deprevity of deep emotion, and the true beauty of joy all at the same time. Gareth Brown’s debut novel is unlike anything I have ever read, and I suggest to you, go read it. Buy this book, treasure it, and keep it safe. This book is an introduction to many genres, and it is a novel I will absolutely come back to many times over.

Bravo!

Having read that this book would be of interest to those that read the midnight library and the night circus, I immediately knew but I had to read it. It did not disappoint!

Filled with twists, turns, and a sprinkle of magic, this book captured by interest from beginning to end. I can’t wait to read more from this author in the future.

4.5 stars! This was a world I was happy to be lost in. I found myself thinking about this book when doing other things (like working) and couldn't wait to get back to it. The ending was somewhat dissatisfying for me but I wonder if we're being set up for a sequel. I think there's more to explore here and would love to get lost in this world for a second time.

Had a hard time getting into this one as I didn't really connect with the characters. I loved the plot and idea of the book but it didn't completely connect for me.

I appreciate the ARC from the publisher and all opinions are my own, but this one was not for me. The writing felt very clunky and the pacing for the story seemed off. I need to be pulled in from the very beginning, and that just didn't happen which was disappointing because I love the idea of the book. I really like magical books but if they are going to be like Addie La Rue or Night Circus, I need to get sucked in immediately in order to suspend disbelief. I also had difficulty in liking the characters enough to root for them.

The Book of Doors by Garth Brown is a masterpiece. I was shocked to learned this was Brown’s debut novel.

Cassie works in a book store, and when one of her customers dies in the bookshop and leaves her a gift, she sets off on an adventure.

I went into the book fairly unsure what I was getting myself into, but I was blown away by the magic in The Book of Doors. Part adventure, part friendship, and fantasy- I loved the characters and how they developed throughout the book.

I also found the words to be written in such a way I couldn’t stop highlighting. There were so many beautiful passages. I couldn’t get enough.

The Book of Doors reminded me of a book I would have read as a kid in school. I mean that as high praise. The Book of Doors does good vs evil very creatively. I’ve never quite read any thing like it.

If this ever gets made into a screen adaption, I will be first in line!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is one of those books where as I looked over the reviews others had written and saw the 1 star or DNF reviews I had to wonder if we read different books. Especially considering this was a debut I was blown away by this story. I will admit it started a little slowly, but once the story got going I found this book to be wonderful. It was light hearted at times and brutal at times and it was one of my favorite genres urban fantasy. Can you imagine picking up a book and holding true magic in your hands? The book of doors - any door can be every door. Where would you go if you could travel through any doorway and go anywhere? Cassie has been surviving more than living since her grandfather died. As she is a huge book lover she works in a bookstore. When she finds a beloved customer has left her a notebook with the title Book of Doors on it she thinks it will be a nice memento of a person she knew. But Cassie will learn that not all magic sparkles and some people will go to any lengths to steal it.

A must read for all book lovers! A more literal take on the magic of books. Will be enjoyed by lovers of fantasy, science fiction, and literary fiction. Will also appeal to fans of The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue. I can’t recommend this book enough!!

Cassie works at a small bookstore in NYC when she is gifted a book. It has a handwritten message explaining that this is the Book of Doors. Cassie soon discovers that the book is magical and allows her to open any door and find herself in another location. Unfortunately, the Book of Doors is not the only magical book in the world, and before she knows it she is running from dangerous people who want the book for themselves.

This book started out a bit slow for me, but picked up the pace pretty quickly. The characters were so well developed and complex. The plot was well done and tied together so nicely at the end. It was so easy to become invested in this one! I did feel like the explanation of where the books came from was pretty lacking, but that was just a tiny piece of the story. Overall, this was incredibly well done and such an enjoyable and whimsical read.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

The Book of Doors is the story of a group of magical books and the people that wield them. It's also the story of Cassie and a group of people who are part of the world of magical books. There are good guys and bad guys and a race to see who will come out on top.

There is so much about this story that is brilliant that I'm not sure where to start. I thought the beginning (maybe 25%) was a bit slow. In retrospect, I realize that the author needs that time to set up a lot of characters and situations so that the readers can get the payoff in the end. Honestly, the last 25% just flew by! Cassie is definitely the central character in the story, but she is not the most important. The cast of characters is large and varied and each character plays a vital role in the story. I like how the author ties everything together with small steps and tiny tidbits. The moments of discovery at the end were gut wrenching. I actually cried at the end. I also said "woah". This story does not leave a happy feeling, but it does give the reader a chance to experience Cassie's sense of wonder as she makes discoveries at each step.

I had one issue with the story. I wondered how Cassie is able to use her cell phone and credit card in foreign countries without issue. The author did sort of answer that with statements about Cassie turning off her phone or not being able to pay for food at a diner, so she did a dine and dash. Ultimately, I would have liked a little more, but it wasn't necessary for the story to work. Also, there is a huge reveal at one point about the books. I still do not understand the reveal. I will not give it away here because it is truly huge and a major part of the story but I'm still scratching my head.

This is a book about magic books. It is a quiet story that sort of sneaks up on you and then wham the author ties it all together. It takes place in New York, Scotland, Paris and other places. If you are looking for something different, give this a try. I think it is well done and very creative. I will read more from this author in the future.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

I read an ARC of this book and absolutely loved it. It isn’t too complex to follow, yet very interesting world building that kept me thoroughly intrigued. I actually laughed, cried, and gasped while reading this heartfelt journey. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read the ARC and to Gareth Brown for writing this fantastic book!

This book is a thrilling blend of magic and suspense, weaving together a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the courage to confront darkness. Brown's evocative prose and vivid imagery will transport you to a realm where every door holds a new adventure and every page reveals a hidden truth. Prepare to be mesmerized by this extraordinary tale that will leave you eagerly turning the pages until the very end. Definitely a must-read for anyone craving an immersive and unforgettable journey into the unknown. Add this to your TBR ASAP!!! ✨📚 #TheBookofDoors #GarethBrown #Fantasy #Magic #Adventure #BookReview

Overall: 5/5
Readability: 4.75/5
Definitely recommend!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Gareth Brown's The Book of Doors is the most imaginative and original novel I have read in quite some time! This is a five star read and one that I will be recommending for awhile. There is such magic and compassion in the novel, both in the plot and how the characters relate to each other. I promise you, as the reader, you will feel a spectrum of emotions as you travel through this book. It has a little bit of everything, but just enough to keep you attentive and curious.

The Book of Doors is a great read for those who liked Haig's The Midnight Library or Shaffer's The Wishing Game. Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the opportunity to read this novel in advance of publication.

This sounded promising Cassie, a bookstore clerk, discovers a magical book that opens doors to anywhere and anytime. The beginning had me reeled in and there were some wonderful plot lines with time travel. The book definitely got boring with the time travel. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

Cassie is just your average New York City transplanted resident, who left home to find her way in a place where everyone that mattered is gone. She works at a small bookstore, and one evening at the store ends with one of their regulars passing away quietly in the cafe. But he leaves behind a book that Cassie has never seen before. The Book of Doors, where any door is every door. And then the traveling begins, and very quickly afterward, so does the trouble.

I loved the story of this book. I love the construction of the magic and the angles of how everything shakes out and resolves itself. The writing, in general, is great, and the imagery here is fun, interesting, and really engaging. This was one of those books that I had a really hard time putting down. The intrigue and curiosity about how all the special books work, and how to keep them safe, kept me hooked.

There ARE some problems. There is VIOLENCE. Like Hitler-if-he-had-magic levels. It's effing GRAPHIC on occasion. I get why. The villain is a dang VILLAIN. But oof. And the male author does not do a good job of decent female descriptions. There's some very clear body shaming descriptions about some of the women involved, and that is problematic, especially since this book is brand new, and people involved in creating and publishing it should know better and do better.

I really liked the book, despite the troubles. I'm definitely one for a good mysterious magical story. And this was that. Just keep in mind that there's some moments that could be troublesome for those who need to be careful with themselves.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

Imaginative, wickedly clever, and mind-bending with a time-travel twist! This brilliant book about secret and magical books kept me turning the pages long after I should have turned out the lights. And the ending? Well, I definitely didn't see that coming! Fabulous debut!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced reader copy. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for this ARC
Rating 4/5 stars

Fans of V.E. Schwab or anyone who loves books about books will adore this debut novel by Gareth Brown, The Book of Doors. This book immediately throws you into an enchanting world filled with magical books that give the person who owns them different powers. Brown's writing is both evocative and eloquent, transporting readers worldwide. His characters are richly developed, each with unique quirks and motivations. An aspect I thoroughly enjoyed was that it is multi-pov so you're in the minds of almost every important character instead of only seeing through the lens of one. Brown seamlessly weaves together these multiple storylines with endless twists and turns that I never knew what direction the book was going. My only critique is that there were several moments where the dialogue felt very clunky and repetitive. It resulted in some moments of using dialogue to tell instead of show which at times took me out of the story. Besides that, this is a fun, mysterious, magical fantasy standalone with a little hint of romance that is sure to captivate you from the first page.

Cassie works in a New York City bookstore, a quiet uneventful existence until a beloved customer dies on her shift in the shop. She had always enjoyed chatting with the elderly man and will miss his stories. He left her a book but it is not an ordinary book, it is the Book of Doors. The book is thin and inside are strange drawings and languages and nothing makes sense except the note he left her in the front. Cassie finds that the book is magical -she can stand at the door to her bedroom and think of a place and when she opens the door she can walk through to the place she was thinking of. She and her roommate experiment with the book going to their favorite hotel bar and there diner. But they begin to notice someone following them and this is when the adventure gets dangerous. There are lots of other people who want her book and will do anything to get it from her. She finds out there are other magical books that do many other things and there are people who collect these books and are willing to kill for them.
This is a fast paced and well crafted story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. If you enjoy contemporary fantasy this will be a good read.