This book is full of twists and turns and is fantastically written. I really enjoyed it. Thank you for the the opportunity to review this book!

Surprisingly not confusing, assumed I would be based on the title alone! Nice juxtaposition of scary and whimsical. Emotional!

I just don't need male authors referring to female characters' breast size as if it were a plot point. And why was the FMCs flat chestedness a bad thing anyway?
Because she couldn't carry books in her cleavage?
The plot was weak, the descriptions felt like the way aliens might describe things their first time on earth, and a lot of the locations were watered down to their most basic stereotypes, i.e., “croissants in Lyon.”
A pass for me, unfortunately.

Short and sweet review here we come.

The Book of Doors is phenomenal and isn't getting the hype it deserves. First off, the cover? Stunning. Second, the writing style and story line? Nothing short of perfection.

This is a beautifully written fantasy book about Cassie who receives a book that isn't an ordinary book. It's a book that can open any door into any world, and any place. That's ALL you need to know!

I went into this one only knowing the above and I'm so glad I didn't look for more reviews and details because the twists and turns were very shocking and I just think this is one of those books that knowing less will make it better.

To be honest, I had to DNF just a little past halfway. I think there were just too many times where I felt the characters didn't act believably. I understand that this is a fantasy and a fiction book, but all those moments made it hard to connect with the protagonist and I just couldn't get into it. Love the concept however.

"Okay, so 'The Book of Doors' totally blew me away! It's like stepping into a whole new universe with every page turn. The characters are so real, you feel like they're your BFFs by the end. And the adventure? Non-stop excitement! Seriously, if you're looking for your next read, this is it. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!"

So many reviews have already compared the storyline to The midnight library and the age of Adeline and there are some parallels, seeing a life back and forth in different timelines. The uniqueness of this book for me is the evolution of multiple characters, and the breadth of the different books is still unknown.. an opening for a sequel of course.

I wanted to like this book so so so so badly. It has been compared to so many books I have loved. But the pacing felt too rushed, there were too many surprises in a bad way / not what I thought was going to happen but again not in a good way more of a jarring / "wait did i miss something?" way and this book just was not for me.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Excellent for fans of: The Seven Year Slip, The Starless Sea, The City of Stardust.

We all know that books are portals to other worlds. The Book of Doors takes this idea a step further. The Book of Doors is one of several rare, magical books. This particular book is able to turn any door into a door to anywhere, any when, else, including other dimensions. There are also books that cause pain or joy, books of illusion and fear. Cassie is given the Book of Doors by a friend who has just died. She and her friend, Izzy, discover by accident what the book can do. They have their fun but then they’re seen by the wrong person at the wrong time and suddenly, several interested parties are chasing them. The Book of Doors is a powerful thing, beyond any other book that exists in the world.

Cassie experiences trauma and joy beyond all she had experienced before. Old hurts are healed and new ones are created. Time doesn’t heal all wounds but magic might just be able to do so. She makes new friends and keeps old one close to her heart even as her world changes and falls apart and is repaired anew. She makes so many enemies in her quest to understand the book and protect it, all while using it to expand upon her understanding of her own life and how things fit together. Though the trauma, she gains perspective and wisdom and it’s almost worth it for the end scene alone. I feel she’ll never truly recover from the horrors she has seen but it’s a small comfort all the same.

I recommend this book for fans of The Seven Year Slip (though there is less romance, the concept of magical doors bind these two books together), The Starless Sea (again, magical doors, though this book is an easier read), and The City of Stardust. Magical doorways feature prominently in many novels these days but this one is unique in its method of creation, as well as the magical system in general. I feel it is an excellent addition to the fantasy genre because of how well rounded the characters are and how descriptive the writing is. I hope to read other books by Gareth Brown in the future!

I received a digital ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review of this book.

This is a contemporary time-travel fantasy that, for me, stays just a bit too surface-level to work. I wanted something richer and fuller from this reading experience, but the plot and character development here felt shallow and a bit "blockbuster-y," like it would be a better movie instead. The premise is good, although there's a major plot point that I struggled immensely with, which was a problem because the entire book hinged on that event.

Gareth Brown's The Book of Doors is an absolute gem. From start to finish, this book grips you with its imaginative world-building and intricately woven narrative. The story invites you into a realm where doors aren't just physical objects but portals to transformative experiences and profound revelations. Brown’s prose is both lyrical and precise, drawing vivid imagery and evoking deep emotions with every turn of the page. The characters are richly developed, their journeys compelling and thought-provoking. It’s a book that combines fantasy with existential reflection in a way that’s both entertaining and intellectually stimulating. If you love a good adventure wrapped in layers of meaning, this is a must-read. It’s one of those rare books that stays with you long after you’ve finished it.

Interstellar vibes but replacing outerspace with books instead 📚 and a crazy lady who makes the story way more disturbing than it has the right to be. The story was well executed and intriguing. The story was concluded in a way that left me satisfied. Bravo. This is at the top of my list of time travel style books.

One of my favorite books of the year so far! Could not out it down. I recommended this to our book club and can't wait foe them to read it.

I was really excited about this book and I had the hardest time getting into the story. I think the writing style kept taking me out of the story and it felt overdone. I did not finish this book because I couldn't ever get into the story.

This book was interesting and a quick read, but I couldn’t get engaged in the book at all and it didn’t really capture my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and William Morrow for the gifted e-book ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

This was a totally unique story to me. It was so original. I enjoyed it. I admit that it did lose me at times. Some parts were very slow, but overall a great book and debut!

This book was so different and unexpected. I really enjoyed it and thought the idea was so clever and original. There were some parts that felt a little slow or overdone, but overall it was a great debut novel.

"The Book of Doors" builds a fantastical world filled with magic, wonder, and intrigue.

Cassie lives in ordinary life, working in a bookshop; that is until she is left a book by one of her regular patrons. However, this book is truly magical. It leads her into adventure beyond her wildest dreams. With that adventure also came a certain level of danger. Cassie must choose her allies wisely and protect this newfound book at all costs.

Gareth Brown created a fun read and I am looking forward to what comes next. Thank you NetGalley, Gareth Brown, and William Morrow for this gifted ARC.

I so enjoyed this story. I read it while on a cruise and recommended it to so many. It honestly has something for every book lover.

I like how the magic is within the book, gives us some fantasy and the characters are so well done!

I’ll have to look for it on audio and immerse myself back into this world!

complex storytelling and lots of intrigue - a great magical realism story for all ages. some of the characterizations felt a bit off, but not every character is a great fit for every reader