Teen Owen Thomas is new to Morton Academy and the city of Toronto having moved there, with his father, after his mother died. Mercilessly bullied by nemesis James Vanier, Owen and two friends, Emily and Bea, are hiding in a book shop when he comes across a glowing slate, the battledoor. Seeing James and his sidekick, Lucas, run into the shop the three flee through a door with James and Lucas following.

Battledoors: The Golden Slate is a nod to the choose your own adventure books popular in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Owen is the chosen one, the slate only works for him and he must make a choice between two options and this choice determines how the story will proceed. When they enter the first door they are transferred to a dystopian Toronto.

I enjoyed the concept of the story and there was plenty of action and danger, not only from the new world they were in but also from James, who had worrying anger issues. My only complaint was there was very little character development besides Owen who did become a little more assertive.

The world was vividly described along with it’s fantastical animals and deadly creatures. As the teens go through their adventure the reader learns about the structure of a story and its components, with underlying themes of friendship, bullying, acceptance, decision making, choices and consequences. This is Owen’s story he is the protagonist and he is the one that directs how the story goes. But, there is also the antagonist, evil to the core and there to stop Owen at every turn.

The cliff-hanger ending will have readers eager for the next book in the series.
Ages 12+