Better than I was anticipating😊

Full of companionship, time travel and an epic battle to defeat pure, sadistic evil, this book quickly had me living the danger and horror right along with MC Cassie, a young worker in a New York City bookstore, and her roommate/best friend Izzy. Like Frodo and Sam in Lord of the Rings, I loved the idea of a pair of mild-mannered everyday characters living a quite routine life and getting suddenly drawn into a situation so fraught, dangerous and full of dire, wide-reaching consequences.

The plot kept challenging me with its surprises, twists and changes of time and character perspective. The action sequences were total excitement, but some of my favorite scenes included Cassie's quieter connection with her grandfather, roommate Izzy, and Mr. Webber, the elderly gentleman whose death precipitates the adventure.

The Book of Doors was a great mix of action and heart. The violence gets a bit graphic at times, and is not for the faint of heart, but I, personally, loved the book.

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I'd, of course, like to thank the publisher for granting me an eARC Netgalley of this amazing book.

When I say that I am obsessed with this book, I do not say that lightly. I finished the book only moments ago, so I still have not fully processed all of my thoughts and feelings surrounding it. If you are looking for something fantastical, mysterious, tense, with magical realism, then this book is 100% for you.

We all know that books are magic and can transport us to different places and times, but Cassie has fallen into possession of a book that can LITERALLY take her anywhere, the Book of Doors. Not only can she go anywhere that she could ever dream of, she can also visit any time as well. Naturally, the Book of Doors is not the only magical text floating around the globe, and there are sinister characters that would do anything to be able to claim these books....enter our wonderful cast of book hunters and protectors.

Any door is every door.
(Let that thought sink in!)

I'd like to also share some trigger warnings: death, murder, gore, death of a loved one, torture, injury detail, fire, cancer

BOOK REVIEW FOR “THE BOOK OF DOORS” BY GARETH BROWN

A FANTASTIC TRAVELOGUE MYSTERY THAT TAKES US FROM LIGHT TO DARKNESS

I WAS ABLE TO READ AN ADVANCE READER’S VERSION OF THIS BOOK THANKS TO NET GALLEY AND WILLIAM MORROW PUBLISHERS.

IT WAS A ‘SUGGESTED’ BOOK BY NET GALLEY, AND WHEN I SAW THAT THE GENRE WAS “MYSTERY” I WAS INTRIGUED BY THE TITLE AND COVER, SO I WAS GLAD TO READ IT. I SHOULD HAVE PAID CLOSER ATTENTION TO THE DESRIPTION OF THE GENRE, BECAUSE AFTERWARDS I SAW THAT THE GENRE WAS CLEARLY LABELED AS: “GENERAL FICTION (ADULT)/ MYSTERY & THRILLERS/ SCI FI & FANTASY”…


AS I STARTED READING, I FOUND THE PLOT TO BE QUITE DIFFERENT THAN THE COZY MYSTERIES THAT I READ ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY. I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THAT THE PLOT, AND THE BRILLIANT WRITING GRIPPED MY ATTENTION FROM THE START, AND IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BOOK WAS HEADING…IT WAS A FANTASY/MYSTERY/GORY AND DARK TALE, BUT THE PROTAGONIST WAS EASILY LOVABLE, AND I WAS RIGHT BESIDE HER, TRAVELING TO DIFFERENT DESTINATIONS THAT I KNOW WELL, SINCE I AM IN THE TRAVEL BUSINESS. A CHAPTER WAS EVEN STAGED IN CHILE, MY NATIVE COUNTRY.

THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION RUNS VIVIDLY WILD, AND TRANSPORTS US TO WORLDS FULL OF WONDER AT FIRST, AND THEN IT TURNS VERY DARK AND SINISTER. I JUST LOVE HOW MR. BROWN WRITES WITH SUCH EASE AND MAKES FANTASY SEEM REAL.

THIS BOOK HAD TIME TRAVEL SEQUENCES, WHICH WERE WRITTEN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, AND ONE COULD WELL UNDERSTAND THE MANY INSTANCES WHEN WE WERE TAKEN BACK AND FORTH IN TIME. OFTEN, THIS CAN BECOME CONFUSING, BUT NOT IN THIS BOOK!

I CAN ONLY GIVE THIS BOOK 4 STARS, BECAUSE THERE WERE THINGS THAT I OBJECTED TO, BUT THEY DON’T DETRACT FROM THE ABSOLUTELY MONDERFUL WRITING.

MY PERSONAL OBJECTIONS ARE: 1.-FOUL LANGUAGE WAS NOT NECESSARY, AND IT DID NOT ADD TO THE REALISM OF THE SITUATIONS. 2.- TOO MANY GORY DETAILS WITH FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF TERRIFYING AND BLOODY VIOLENT ACTS, WHICH WERE REPEATED AND KEPT GETTING DARKER. 3.- THE BOOK WAS TOO LONG…I WAS ROOTING FOR THE HEROINE AND HER FRIENDS, BUT THEY KEPT GETTING INTO MORE HORRFYING SITUATIONS, AND I WAS QUITE READY FOR THE BOOK TO COME TO AN END BY ABOUT 3/4’S THROUGH. I WAS VERY SATISFIED WITH THE ENDING.

OVERALL, I LIKED THE BOOK, AND SO DID MY WIFE.

THANK YOU, MR. BROWN FOR WRITING THIS BOOK.

Cassie Andrews is living a pretty uneventful life. She has a great roommate Izzy, a job at a bookstore that she loves, until the day a favorite customer dies just at closing time. Next to the chair where he was sitting, Cassie found a book that he had left for her. This book turned out to be the mysterious Book of Doors. Using a door, Cassie could travel anywhere she could imagine. At first Cassie and Izzy think that the book can simply lead to interesting adventure. Then it seems as if Cassie is allowing the book to overtake her life and Izzy becomes concerned that perhaps this book isn't as amazing as it first seemed to be. Soon Cassie and Izzy learn that there are more mysterious and powerful books out in the world, and people will do anything to get the powers contained in them. When they first meet Drummond Fox, both women are suspicious, but soon they come to see that Drummond, and the Fox Library of other special books, is the only way they can survive. There are several violent scenes, but the novel is well-crafted and enjoyable.

Thank you, Net Galley for the ARC. I love a read about books, do you? Pick a time or a place this book can take you there, the Book of Doors. It can open any door. But what if there are more book's; the Book of Joy or Despair; The Book of Pain or Health, these are just a few. What would you do? Use them for good or evil? I would like to see good triumph, but there are many obstacles. I don't like to give a whole synopsis of the book. I want to give you a little bit to want to read the book! as they say " alittle goes along way"!

This was a really interesting read, especially as a debut novel! I started off unsure about it because there was a lot of characters introduced without enough explanation as to who they were and why they were there. But I pushed through and the characters were better explained when I got past the middle section. The storyline was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it once I understood who everyone was and what part they played in the story. After finishing the book, I went back and reread it and it was far better the second time through as I was able to pick up on things I missed the first time.

A slow start which turned into a fast-paced thriller kept me holding my breath and staying up too late. With a cast of complex characters, some to fall in love with and some to despise, along with detailed and focused settings in NYC, Paris, Scotland, and elsewhere, complicated by mystical books that can be used for great good and even greater evil, I did not want this book to end except for needing to see if the main character would be safe at last. There were moments of lyrical writing that made me smile; had there been more, I would have bumped this one to 5 starts.

Thank you to William Morrow, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this carefully plotted work.

4.5 starts, really.

Thank you netgalley, publisher, and of course, author, for providing me with this free copy. This review is honest and entirely my own.

What can I say? This book grew on me.
The concept is great - a book that allows you to open any door to anywhere. And a few more books of similar powers that make an appearance.
Cassie receives such a book and of course, dangerous people come after her because it’s a pretty powerful book. The plot is tight, the characters are well defined, everything in this book fits just right.

So why did I knock off half a star? To me this book is the classic LBD or a space-meal. Bear with me here, I’ll explain: a small, simple, black dress. It fits just so. It is free of any embellishment, any frills. It can go anywhere but it could also be that thing in your closet that you overlook. A space meal, as we imagine it in sci-fi, has exactly the right amount of nutrients, it digests in the precise measure of ease, it is precisely portioned, you’re never hungry or overly full after it. Both these items are so “just right” but I mean, would you have a space meal or would you, at times, want to indulge? And isn’t some indulgence the best that life has to offer? That black dress may fit you well every time but the red one with the sequins? Why, it may not go anywhere but wherever it goes, it excites. And that is this book. It is written in such a damn slim way. Not a word out of place, not an extra descriptive or embellishment. It is such a concise, almost frugal use of English and is a great example of how you don’t need too many words to tell a tale just right.

But it doesn’t mean we don’t want those extra words from time to time. I ended up not really caring about the characters for most of the book. Like the concise writing, or the space meal, I wasn’t left hungry or overly full. It satiated hunger but didn’t help my appetite. I was craving more color, more flavor… I don’t know. It’s only towards the very end where the action in itself compensated for all of the above for me, and made me want to reach for the book to see what’s next.

It’s a good book, really. I do recommend you read it. I just wish it had a bit… something more.

A MUST READ!! This book has quickly become a favorite, with a phenomenal cast of characters and a story that is both unbelievable yet utterly amazing. What a gift the Book of Doors is! The possibilities endless, the world at your fingertips and seemingly no limits to when you can travel to. This new to me author has created such a truly magical story that encompasses love, friendship, loss and hope. I am hopeful that there will be a follow up book, since there is a bit of unfinished business that will likely take several years to catch up with Cassie and her fellow Fox Library friends. I would love to return to this story to see what happens next.

I just couldn't put down this debut novel by Gareth Brown. This book is a whirlwind fantastical journey that not only opens doors into other worlds but into the heart of human experience. It is a beautifully written magical realism mystery that captivated me. I mean I was literally at the edge of my seat. The author does SO WELL weaving the plot together while throwing in a few twists and turns that leave you salivating for more. There is also the contemporary part of the novel which deals with everything from love, friendship, grief and just plain life. Also, there is some good Ole magical blood and gore. The macabre that I love. This book will stay with me for awhile.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, William Morrow and the author Gareth Brown for this ARC.

It is released on February 13, 2024 and you don't want to miss it.

4.5 Stars: “I don’t read fantasy.” Then this book is for YOU! It has no world building, no fairies, no trolls or angel wars.
What it DOES have is incredible characters searching for magical books, trying to outrun the monstrous woman who covets them all, time travel done so well (it’s not easy!), and if you love stories set in New York City, this one will satisfy every cell.

The plot twists are heart stopping; I can’t tell you how many times I slammed the book closed, figuring a favorite character was lost, or harmed, or out of the plot line. But nope, every time I was pulled back in, impossible to stop reading, turning pages waaaaay too late into the night.

Go ahead, I dare you - read a fantasy and have it be this one! If you love bookstores and libraries, adventure, tension, love, friendship, travel, and characters you want to hug, this one’s for you!

Time travel, suspense, and magic await readers of The Book of Doors. A young woman bookseller becomes a target of many strangers who desperately want the coveted magical book that transports her to past and future destinations.

Cassie Andrews lives an unassumed life with her roommate, Izzy, working for a bookstore in New York City. But that changed when her favorite customer, Mr. Webber, left her an unusual book called The Book of Doors. Cassie realizes that she can transport throughout time to any place. But others out there with good and bad intentions will kill for her book and other unique books. Cassie fights to save her best friend Izzy and right the world of evil and greed.

Author Gareth Brown weaves a fantasy of friendship, determination, and grit. I loved the main character, Cassie, who travels to the past to save the future of her new friends and preserve the Library of these special books. The Book of Doors should be made into a series or movie. #NetGalley # The Book of Doors #Fantasy

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this when I first started reading. It started off a bit slow and we’re introduced to multiple POVs in multiple timelines in a short period of time, which was a bit confusing and also made it harder to connect with the characters right away. I wasn’t sure where the story was going to go but I’m glad I stuck with it.

Once we got past the character introductions and initial world building the story took off and completely held my interest. The author does a good job of tying all of the characters and timelines together and bringing everything full circle. He makes you care about the characters and their futures.

The Book of Doors is full of unexpected twists and turns. Just when you think you know where the story is going everything gets flipped on its head and suddenly the story’s going in a totally different direction. It will also make you run the full gamut of emotions because you’re so invested in the characters and there are so many ups and downs and sudden unexpected twists.

Some parts of the book were hard to read. One of the antagonists is a violent bigot who is willing to do anything and hurt anyone to get what he wants. The main villain of the story, The Woman, is pure evil and a truly detestable character. She revels in causing chaos, pain, and despair. Some of her scenes were a bit more gruesome than anticipated based on the tone of the synopsis, so that is something to take into consideration when deciding to read this book.

This is a story for book lovers, but it’s also a story about the connections we make and about experiencing life and appreciating all of its moments.

Thanks NetGally and William Morrow for this advanced copy.

A new favorite! I love books about mysterious books and doors so this was perfect for me! It’s dark, emotional, awe-inspiring, heartbreaking, fantastical, and so realistic I felt like I was there through it all. I loved following the characters, especially Cassie. She’s all of us — just trying to live her life but wanting more — and then the more drops into her lap and it’s a bit more than she bargained for.

There were a few parts where the book felt like it was longer than it needed to be, but I loved it all the same. By the end, I actually wanted more — to stay with these characters, to find out more about where these books originated from, to see the power of the books. This is a book I’ll be recommending to friends!

Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and author Gareth Brown for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I cannot remember how this novel ended up on my NetGalley shelf, but I am SO glad this did.

A Book of Doors is a trip- in all the best ways! It has time travel mixed into a fantasy, characters you’ll love, and characters you’ll hate. It’s adventurous, mysterious, slightly mind boggling, and a little gruesome at times, but I truly loved it.

“Because if you stop you admit the bad stuff has won, don’t you? All you can do is keep going. Refuse to be beaten, even when you are beaten. The bad stuff only wins if you let it.”

I think many of my book loving friends who enjoy a good adventure and/or fantasy will enjoy this one. I’m already planning to purchase a hard copy for myself, and I will be forcing my husband to read it

Thank you Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book is for the book lovers, the ones who enjoy the celebration of books, bookstores, and libraries, the ones who already believe books are magical. It just happens that some books in this story are actually magical. The main character is one such reader who doesn't ask anything more from her life than that until a magical book comes into her possession.

Other noteworthy characteristics:

The story is also told through other characters' perspectives, forward and backward in time. Helps fill in the backstory a lot, and the weaving together of storylines was satisfying.

At times, the story gets surprisingly violent. It does serve the story, sure, but that means this isn't a cozy sort of story although it seems like it at first. I wouldn't want anyone who hates graphic violence to get shocked. The book starts off in a much different way and you think it's going to be fun exploration with a magical book. Not the case.

I didn't enjoy the villain. There is eventually an explanation for why the villain is that way, but it's too little too late. I spent much of the book thinking that the villain was flat and almost cartoonish in its flatness so it was an annoyance until the end.

My favorite book so far this year!! Thanks William Morrow for the ARC. It seems some of my favorite books in the past have been about books and the wonder, freedom and magic they can bring to the most reluctant reader. This book was chock full of well developed, beloved and despised characters. I will be recommending to ANYONE and EVERYONE who needs a magical yet believable travel through time.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Charming escapist tale - perfect for bedtime cozy reading. I love settling in and seeing where Cassie and Izzy are going and the adventures (dangerous?) they face. It's definitely a fun fantasy view of NYC. And if you've ever settled in the "perfect bookstore" to read and enjoy chatting - this one is for you.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gareth Brown for allowing me to review this amazing debut novel. I can’t believe this is a debut novel! WOW! What a great debut! I can’t wait to read more from this author. I do think this book could become a series. It was well written and entertaining the whole way through! I loved the multiple POV’s and of course the romance and mystery throughout the book. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical realism books such as The Midnight Library. Thank you again for allowing me to review this book.

I only read a few chapters of this book, but I felt as thought it wouldn’t be a good fit for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters ; even though I loved the plot/idea. I was really looking forward to reading it.