Thank you to NetGalley and Tordotcom for access to the galley for this book!

"The Saint of Bright Doors" has got a lot going for it. The main character is interesting and has depth. The setting was richly described and felt lived-in. The themes of grappling with destiny, religious cultism, and structural injustice are obviously relevant. However, I had some trouble following plot threads and world building at the start and end of the story. There was a narrative twist I quite enjoyed, but overall, I don't think the story was for me. But if you're looking for non-European fantasy or sci-fi, maybe it could be for you!

I wanted to like this one, but it fell flat for me about 20% of the way through. I loved Fetter's first two chapters, and his lack of shadow and ability to float reminded me of Peter Pan. Unfortunately, I could never fully immerse myself in the world. While the prose itself is good, the plot and world-building didn't reel me in like I hoped it would.

Ok ok I’ll admit it. I am guilty of judging books by their covers, tho not always in a negative way. The saint of bright doors is a perfect example of that. Everything about this cover calls to me, it is utterly stunning, the various colors and the way they contrast & compliment each other is an absolute feast for my eyes. Whoever designed this cover should get mad props because I will literally be buying a copy of this just to own it, it’s that freaking beautiful!!

NOW. That being said, I’m just gonna come right out and say it, I didn’t love this. You basically get thrown into the story and are forced to find your footing as you go along, only I never fully got there. Things just felt disorganized & unrealized, just when I felt like I was on solid ground, it would get pulled out from underneath me and I’d get thrown down some other path that I had to rationalize or make sense of! Very tense. Edge of your seat kinda thing.

The author is not without talent here (in my opinion) but the characterizations & dialogue could have used some help!!!

This was not a bad book, but nor was it a great one either. There were some impressive moments but they were and far between and peppered in during unexpectedly inopportune times. I also really wanted to like these characters and find something to relate to but unfortunately it was just a reach.

This was such an immersive experience I'm having trouble finding words to describe it. I didn't know I had an issue with book series splitting their worldbuilding into multiple books until I finished this and realized what a richly packed story it is in just one book.

Fetter's mother ripped his shadow away from him at birth and raised him to be the perfect weapon to destroy his sainted, all powerful father. He now roams the city of Bright Doors, Luriat, shadowless, unaffected by gravity and attending group meetings with the fellow unchosen.

Chandrasekera writes in a visually immersive, polished and absolutely beautiful voice. This is one of those debuts where the author comes out guns blazing with a consistent, polished narration and I loved every second of it. He's able to evoke feeling without overexplaining and with just a few words gave me heart palpitations and made me genuinely scared in multiple spots. I can't go into detail without spoiling but there were parallels with one of my favorite books (coincidentally from the same publisher) that made me put my kindle down for a moment (in a good way).

I loved Fetter. He was real, relatable and I just fall for any character whose inner monologue gets a little petty on occasion. The worldbuilding was rich and satisfying to learn about and again, I found myself suprised at it being just enough considering it's not part of a series. (Do I need to stop reading series for a bit? Maybe.) It was chock full of interesting and unique concepts and overall a fun time.

That brings me to pacing as the only thing I had issues with. It felt a bit choppy and slow in some places, and left me confused about the stakes. In the end it did get wrapped up and explained so I honestly can't complain much.

If you're like me and love lush worldbuilding and to really get lost in a book, I highly recommend The Saint of Bright Doors.

Thank you to tordotcom and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy.

I absolutely loved The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera!
Its was really well written and the story was so unique!
It was such a good fantasy story and I'm definitely really excited to see what the author writes next!
I highly recommend this book!
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Some very interesting concepts in this book…. Fantasy themes with doors and devils! Thank you to #netgalley for the opportunity of an early read

Stunning and unique world building made this a four star read for me.

The image of a city about to topple is one of my favorite fantasy building Tropes and the hook was written beautifully.

I was in rapture with the political plot that reminded me a little of Chakraborty's City Of Brass.

An absolute masterclass in worldbuilding. This book entranced me from page one. I'm obsessed with the author's style, with the way he invites us to visit this very real world. It's surreal and strange, a world that could be ours (they have phones and planes and even the UN) but retains the mystical. I honestly can't put my thoughts together to form a coherent review, as this really was a unique reading experience unlike anything I've read before.

This is one of those books that you pick up on a whim and it knocks your head clean off. It is unable to guess what is coming, as it really is that strange but also wonderful.

The book centres around a young man, born with the unique gift of "floating" and who has his shadow removed by his Mother. It is set in South Asia (I think - sorry if I am wrong) or at least a version of that region of the world, a world that is quite alternate to our own. He is raised to be a killer, with the ultimate goal of killing his Father who had walked out on them. He ends up in the City of Bright Doors and then... well, all manner of magic happens.

If you want a book that challenges all manner of wisdoms, that explores feelings that you may not want too, then this book is for you. Even if you think this is not your type of thing.

This was not the book I was expecting from the first chapter. Chandrasekera sets up a tale of generational retribution and mesmerizing supernatural intrigue. Fetter has been named and raised by his mother for the sole purpose of killing his all-powerful father, a sainted and unkillable religious icon. However, Fetter's life veers off course when he departs for the cosmopolitan city of Luriat and becomes entranced by the mystery of its brightly painted doors that never open and and cause strange physical reactions. What I was anticipating as a high-action revenge thriller, the story reveals itself as a slow-burn political allegory, no less fascinating but not quite as bombastic. Luriat's eldritch dystopian government and endless cycle of plagues and pogroms is a fascinating case study of a world on the brink of revolution, and Fetter serves as a guide and interpreter for the various corners and hierarchies of the city. As enthralling as the story was, I found myself drawn in by some of the details that were given less attention, such as the frightening demons scouring the streets that only Fetter can see. For example, there is a brief interlude after Fetter is tossed in prison during which he encounters and "exorcises" a demon from a person - this was one of favorite parts, wonderfully spine-chilling, but wasn't paid much attention following the end of the subplot.

This was a wildly inventive new addition to the fantasy genre and I wish I loved it more than I did. This feels more like a case of "it just wasn't for me" than "it was bad" though. There's no denying Chandrasekera can write!

The plot was very intricate and confusing, and it took a long time before I felt like I had an understanding of the world we were thrust into. I feel like this is a book I'll come back to and will get more out of on a re-read.

I’ve never read anything like The Saint of Bright Doors – wildly inventive, totally mesmerizing, and it upended my expectations at every turn. It reads like an established author’s career-defining masterpiece, rather than a debut novel. 

Vajra Chandrasekera paints a vivid picture of a city on the brink – told through the eyes of a man born and raised to be a master assassin, a catalyst of change in the world, bound for one singular purpose – but his skills dull from disuse and he strays from his destined path. The synopsis may not sound unique, but the tale and its telling are wholly original.

I was so impressed with Chandrasekera’s ability to craft a complex, political, and also surreal story in such an intelligible way. I was spellbound the entire time I spent with this book and I can’t wait to read it again, just to recapture some of the awe I felt the first time around.

I wish I liked this book more than I actually did.

The writing wasn’t bad per se but it didn’t feel cohesive at times and it definitely would benefit from more editing.
The plot could have been less confusing and intricate, it made it a little difficult to go through the book for me.

Chandrasekera does know how to write a nuanced character though: Fetter was a very interesting and realistic main character. The worldbuilding too was excellent, it’s obvious the author spent some time crafting it.

The potential is there: The Saint of Bright Doors is only a debut novel and the author has time to improve his work. I will look out for what happens next!

I really enjoyed how well the Saint of Bright Doors was written, Vajra Chandrasekera has a great writing style that worked well in the scifi genre. Fetter was a interesting character and was a unique main character. I really enjoyed the story overall and getting to go on this journey. I look forward to reading more from Vajra Chandrasekera.

"Perhaps they will go after the real Peroe first, the student whose life he stole, the student he’s never met. But that misdirection will not last long; soon enough Defense will know Fetter’s face and name. They will summon a swarm of paramilitary police to his apartment building, surround it with drums, kick in his door, arrest everybody that he had ever known or associated with. The guilt starts to coalesce in his belly like a stone."

I like the premise of this book but if was a little to scattershot for me to follow. I feel it could have done with a more concise plot and editing. It just was a no go for me .
Thanks for letting me review this book to Netgalley and the publisher

What a gorgeous novel full of loveable characters and a storyline that I couldn't put down. This one is a must read!