THIS IS A GREAT STORY...I will be buying this when it comes out. I love that this is the authors first book. Forget 10 thousand doors to January... This is what that story wanted to be. Thanks for a great read!

This book was certainly magical. The characters and the worlds were creative. I feel like this was a full adventure story that is heavy on the magical realism. Generally enjoyable.

"Any door is every door"

What an absolutely magical book. It exceeded every expectation I had, and I loved every part of it. It started a bit slow, but once it picks up, it's a wild roller coaster filled with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The story was so well developed and unique, and I was really invested in all the characters at the end.

This book is thought provoking, will tug at your heart, and is really well written. It was amazing and I know I will still be thinking about it long in the future. I'm definitely an instant fan of Gareth Brown.

"The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown had a captivating premise that immediately drew me in, but the pacing left me with mixed feelings. At times, the narrative moved at a slow pace, delving into seemingly insignificant details, only to abruptly shift into fast-paced moments. While the book built up the main conflict with the primary adversary, the resolution felt rushed, leaving me craving more depth and development. Although the novel is rooted in magical realism, I was hoping for a more substantial explanation of the mystical elements within the book, as the "it is what it is" approach left me wanting a more satisfying understanding.

This book could best be described as a contemporary fantasy/magical realism thriller. Ever since reading Ink Blood Sister Scribe I have loved the idea of books as magic. This book’s fantasy and magical books were so well thought out and crafted and so completely unique I loved it.

Other things I loved:
- The realness of some of most of the characters being driven by basic human emotions- particularly greed. It was infuriating but a pretty good picture of humanity.

- The way everything comes together at the end and all starts to make sense was just amazing. I applaud the author on that.

- Good vs evil trope with some morally gray in between. The bad guys in this book were really bad and pretty masterful on the part of the author.

Unfortunately, this book is only 3 stars for me because there were some aspects I just did not like.

Things I didn’t like:
- As much as I said I liked the characters being real and driven by emotion, the FMC was so intelligent I thought she’d be a little past that. Her impulsive decisions without thinking through the consequences were the catalyst for most of the plot in the book. Even her well thought out actions were still sometimes problematic.

- The pacing. Some chapters spanned years, others not even an hour. While that is common in fantasy books, I feel as though it could’ve been done differently to be more cohesive.

- While realistic to see, the racism from the “bad” characters, fat comments, and low self-esteem in the FMC were cringey at times.

- There was no need for the hints of romance in this book. The book was described as being full of “adventure, magic, and romance.” The romance was slim to none and did not add to the book at all.

I also had a really hard time getting into the book. It wasn’t until about 60% through I started wanting to pick it up. I think it was my frustration with the FMC but also I may just be in a bit of a book hangover, so I’m not holding that one against the author.

Overall a good book. I would recommend it to fans of Ink Blood Sister Scribe, people who like reading about other people with a love of books, or other magical realism/ contemporary fantasy readers. This is Gareth Brown’s debut novel and I think there will be a lot more good things from him in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of this book. This review is given voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced ebook copy.

Fantasy is not my typical genre and I really enjoyed this book. It makes me want to dabble a little more in the fantasy genre.

In this debut novel, Gareth Brown builds a fast paced story filled with lovable characters and magical realism. In fact, the story is so fast-paced I could hardly believe how fast Cassie begins to wield the book of doors. This allows for the reader to step into the story as Cassie steps through each door. As she does so we learn that the Book of Doors is not the only special book in the world. There is a whole underground world of people looking for and using these books.

The primary antagonist of the story literally enters every scene in a fog of mist using the aptly named Book of Mist. Her insidious character was pleasantly contrasted against the blundering and brute forcefulness of the other antagonist, Hugo Barbary. The contrast of both types of villains helps raises the stake and keeps reader on their toes.

Through the action, moments of philosophical contemplation break through to balance the adventurous pace of the story. Cassie and Drummond are well suited to both of these moments, though these are where Drummond's character particularly shines.

It is a book that sticks with the reader and is excellent for fans of Alix Harrow and Erin Morgenstern.

Thank God I requested this book and that Netgalley gave me an advanced reading copy. It was a joy to read and give feedback.
What can I say but this tale captured my interest immediately. It has magic, time travel, good versus evil, friendship and so much more. Loved every single character, not so much the woman. Cassie works at a bookstore when a longtime customer dies and leaves behind a book...the book of doors. From that moment on, the author takes you on a fantastic ride that will become full circle. Not enough words to express my delight on reading this book. Gareth Brown please keep writing these wonderful books.

A very different and imaginative work and a fun read! When I first started, I thought The Book of Doors was going to be like several other books I had recently read. It turned out to be different and new with twists and turns! I found it to be thought-provoking, especially about our life journey, and interesting in its discussion of things supernatural and beyond our understanding.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

An unfortunate DNF at 17%

I really wanted to like this - the premise was right up my alley, the cover caught my attention, and I was so excited to dive in. But, from the very first chapter everything felt very flat. And my word the case of "man tries to write young women" is strong in this one. Do guys seriously believe we only think about how much we hate our bodies and how much we can't eat bread or pancakes or bacon?

For a book that is supposed to be whimsical and fantastic so there will always a level of suspension of belief...but it was beyond that into the realm of unbelievable. The speed with which Cassie figures out the book and just believes in it is ridiculous - I'm supposed to believe Izzy is the voice of reason? Seriously it just....there was no build up, it just was.

None of the characters had personality but they all read very much like their stereotypes - girls obsessed with their looks; a gay Asian man that was a disappointment to his parents; a large man everyone assumes is stupid but isn't and is good with his fists...everything about it felt very flat and while I love the concept, the execution was sorely lacking.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 This book is a magical world perfect for any book lover. This world of fantasy thriller is new to me but was excited to read it for my love of both genres and it did not disappoint. Cassie works in a dreamy bookstore in New York when a mysterious book lands in her possession. What turns out to be a magical book that can take her anywhere also turns out to be a life changing dangerous turn not realizing people will kill to have what she now possesses. I loved the action in this book as well as seeing Cassie’s character grow and change as well as the friendships that develop. This book kept me hooked and I never truly knew what was coming or how it would end and it did not disappoint! I highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC.

This book was AMAZING! I did not want it to end...and yet it did, perfectly. Full of wonder and magic and love and what it is to be loyal and kind and what happens to you if the darkness seeps in too much. I absolutely loved this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I delved into this unique fantasy novel that deviates from the typical time travel narratives. The premise revolves around Cassie, who is bestowed with an extraordinary gift—a Book of Doors, allowing her to open portals to any location on Earth. Initially, I was captivated by the idea that she could traverse freely, but there's a catch: she must visualize the door she wishes to enter. The twist, however, lies in the existence of multiple magical books, each with its own capabilities. Cassie's book is special, granting her passage through doors spanning both present and past.

As the storyline unfolds, the pace, admittedly, takes its time to pick up. Yet, once it does, I found myself thoroughly engaged. Cassie's character, while somewhat lacking in humor and emotions, serves as a focal point. Her personality didn't quite resonate on the pages. In contrast, Izzy emerges as a livelier and more developed character, injecting vitality into the narrative. However, there's a peculiar character referred to as "the woman" who remains incomplete and contributes to the overall disjointed feel of the ensemble.

The aspect that left me perplexed was the unconventional take on time travel. Whether the explanation was convoluted or my comprehension fell short, I found myself confused at various points throughout the book, especially towards the ending. Despite this confusion, the novel was an enjoyable read, blending fun and perplexity in equal measure.

I would like to express my gratitude to William Morrow and NetGalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Embarking on the Mystical Journey of "The Book of Doors"

Recently, I stepped into the enchanting world of "The Book of Doors," a debut novel that seamlessly blends magic, adventure, and romance. Cassie Andrews, a regular bookshop employee, inherits the mystical Book of Doors from a charming yet lonely old man, catapulting her into a fantastical adventure.

The narrative, with its mix of contemporary fantasy reminiscent of favorites like "The Midnight Library" and "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue," turned Cassie's ordinary life into something extraordinary. However, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit uneven, leaving me yearning for a smoother flow.

A notable aspect that gave me pause was the portrayal of the villain, who used derogatory language, including outdated terms based on race and gender. While I understand the intent of depicting a reprehensible character, I felt the story could've stood strong without resorting to such language.

Despite these considerations, the book's strengths shine through. The clever concept seamlessly intertwines time travel and magic, creating a visually stunning world. The characters are well-crafted, and even as a non-fantasy reader, I found the world-building and magical elements surprisingly engaging.

What's truly commendable is that this is a debut work. The writing exceeds expectations, offering detailed descriptions and nuanced characterizations. "The Book of Doors" stands out not just for its magical storyline but also for the impressive craftsmanship of a debut author. If you enjoy stories with visual allure, temporal intricacies, and the timeless struggle between good and evil, consider taking a journey through this debut novel.

ARC provided by NetGalley and Transworld Publishers Limited in exchange for an honest review. The Book Of Doors is such an interesting concept and as an avid fantasy reader, what’s not to love. I love the idea that these valuable and limited books are circulating the globe that possess the ability to cause pain, joy, time travel and more. I felt this book could have easily been a duology with the amount of information and details that were given. It left me wanting more dialogue. At times I felt so rushed through the plot and with concepts like time travel, you need time to process. That being said, I did enjoy the style of writing and the concept.

3.5/5⭐️
I want to thank NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gareth Brown for the ebook ARC of the Book of Doors in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the concept and plot of this book! It was set up to be one of my favorites: a book about books with magic, mystery, thrill, and found family.

What bothered me the most was the writing style. The book read YA, but the author would add in cussing and torture/gore to make it “adult fiction.”

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really wanted to love this book. The synopsis instantly drew me in and was so unique. But unfortunately I could not stay invested in the book itself. I picked it up and put it down several times before finally deciding to DNF at around 33%. I liked the concept of magic books that hold various types of powers and people who will stop at nothing to obtain those powers, but the execution of the story was lacking for me. I didn’t feel any attachment to the characters, even the main character Cassie, and there were too many other POVs from characters we aren’t given a good grasp of, which made it difficult to follow what was happening.

I can see how some readers would love this book if they enjoy this type of writing style, but it wasn’t for me.

What a fun ride this was! I really enjoyed it!

This book had :

📚 books
✨ magic
🕰️ time travel
💣 suspense
🥹 heart felt moments
🗺️ adventure

Add this to your TBRs!

Our main character Cassie, works in a bookstore in NYC. When one of her regular customers passes away and leaves her The Book of Doors, Cassie's life changes.

This book was exciting and nothing what I expected. I was hooked from the first chapter right up until the end. The use of magic in books captivated me. I loved how the author showed both good and evil through the books and through the characters. When I say the villain is evil, I mean evil. What an adventure this book took me on!

The star of the book- time travel. I have only read a handful of novels that used time travel and each time, I felt confused or lost. This was done perfectly. I enjoyed how everything came together. This was well written and unique.


Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC!

Bookstores and magic. Need I say more? Cassie works in a bookstore and is befriended by an older man who is a regular. He gives her a book one night, and then he passes away. Cassie discovers the book can open doors to other worlds and knows she will use it-even though she's warned that magic comes at a price.

I love books about books, other worlds and magic. This story didn't disappoint.