Time travel, mystery, female main character, magic, epic good vs evil, bookstore/ library at the center…. So many things I love in a book.

The story was slow to start and it took me a few tries to get far enough in. But then I didn’t want to put it down and flew through it in just a few days. I loved the time travel element- working through how you can travel to the past without messing up the future. That was a fun element of the book. The book had elements of making something that happened earlier- critical to the plot line and I loved that! My favorite authors do this and I appreciated seeing a new author sprinkle those tidbits along the way. There were a few places that I had to suspend some disbelief, but I enjoyed the book.

Thank you to Gareth Brown, William Morrow Publishing, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Book of Doors!

I absolutely DEVOURED this book! I was completely hooked from the start. While I thought the concept was fairly unique, this book also reminded me of the series Locke & Key. The tension and adventures of the main cast of characters kept me on my toes and waiting to hear what would happen next. I loved how each story was told individually to begin and then they all came together and the reader saw how everything became interwoven. The twists were interesting and while I put the clues together to guess some of them, the others were definitely shocking.

My only criticism is that the concept for how the books came to be was confusing. I found that portion of the book very hard to follow however, I enjoyed everything else so much that this didn't detract from the story for me.

Overall I would rate this 4.5 out of 5 stars - rounded up.

I see the vision the author had and applaud their creativity. However, I found the execution lacking. 

First, I’ll start with the positives. I liked the magic system of the books and found it very fun and unique. I also thought the author handled time travel very well, which is tough since it’s such a complicated subject. 

However, there was also a lot I didn’t like about the book. The main issues were that writing style was very basic and the characters fell flat. However, I also dislike when authors feel the need to tie up every single loose end and bring everything full circle. I also found the authors handling of women, minority, and LGBTQ+ characters to be…at best uncomfortable.

All that to say that I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately, for me, it fell flat.

This made me think about actions and consequences. The characters were well drawn and the storyline was interesting. There were some plot points that seemed VERY out of left field, but in the end everything seemed to come together.

The scariest and most vile villain of all time—that’s what I will always remember about this book. The writing was excellent and the story so propulsive that I couldn’t stop reading, but what a character. Bravo!

A Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a perfect blend of fantasy and adventure, centered around a mysterious book that grants access to other places through magical doors. If you love stories about hidden magic and the power of knowledge, this is perfectttttt. I can't wait to read more from this author!!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6064227506

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
A spellbinding blend of mystery and fantasy, The Book of Doors invites readers into a world where books hold unimaginable power. Gareth Brown crafts a captivating tale filled with intrigue, adventure, and richly drawn characters. With its intricate world-building and thought-provoking themes, this novel is perfect for fans of magical realism and literary mysteries. A must-read for those who believe in the magic of books!

This book had me stuck between loving it and hating it. I thought the magic system was new, innovative, and well flushed out. However, the FMC kept commenting on her body and food in a way that seemed very steriotypical for a woman written by a man. I think that this book was so close to living to it's full potential, but just ended up falling flat.

As a reader, we know that books can be magical, and the author really took this idea and created an engrossing fantasy novel that includes all of the right things: good trying to win against evil, time travel, characters you are rooting for! I love book-themed stories, and this did not disappoint!

If you like fantasies, this book is for you. It has everything I could want in a fantasy novel. Many thanks to the author and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

“This world is awful and mean and I hate it … but books have always been a place I can go”

Cassie works in a bookstore, and her life takes an unexpected turn when Mr. Webber, a regular at the shop, passes away and leaves her two books: The Count of Monte Cristo and an intriguing magical book, The Book of Doors. With these books, she embarks on a life-changing adventure.

What does this mysterious book hold for Cassie? What will it reveal about her past—and possibly her future? And what dangers will it bring into her life? I won’t spoil anything, but trust me, you’ll want to discover all this for yourself!

I can’t even begin to find the words to describe how beautiful this story is. It moved me in ways I didn’t expect, and the ending? Absolutely satisfying. This book is truly unlike anything I’ve read before. From the very first page, I was hooked! The concept of traveling anywhere with a magical book is pure magic, and at its core, the story is about family—both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create along the way. That’s always the best part.

I loved the characters! Cassie is kind, loyal, and determined, always ready to protect her friend Izzy, who is equally loyal, friendly, and talkative. Drummond, Lund, and Azaki each bring something unique to the table. The writing was immersive, the plot engaging, and the pacing was spot on. And those plot twists? They kept me on my toes!

If you’re a fan of magical books, time travel, amazing characters, and captivating writing, I highly recommend this one!

Magical books, a noble goal, a host of bad and good characters - to be honest, I'm stilling wondering why I didn't absolutely adore this book? It was dreamy but also predictable.

It has everything I could want in a fantasy novel, but I left with a faint feeling of, 'enjoyable but not memorable.' A well-written debut, and an interesting take on time-travel, but nothing that hooked me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Gareth Brown, and William Morrow with Harper Collins for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What if any door could be opened to anywhere in the world? You imagine it and a door appears! Cassie is about to find out about a world of magical books and she’s got the one that everyone wants. A story that spans time and space, love and loss, and the power of books!

I absolutely LOVED this book. The parallels and tie-in’s were so well done and made me go “OMG! That’s what that was!” I have no negative feelings towards this one at all. I loved the story, characters, and the plot twists. The character development the plot structure, and pacing were perfect. This was such a lovely story that it even made me tear up a bit at certain moments. I tell everyone about this book since I’ve read it. This was my first five star read in a very long time! I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us readers!

I won't be reading this. I've tried multiple times and haven't gotten into it. Thank you though for the opportunity. If I read it in the future I will come back and change this review.

This book was not what I expected, but a unique story. I would have liked more of the magic, and less of the despair. I really thought Cassie would have found a way out of the past but I liked how the author passed that time. Overall very enjoyable read.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a clever and immersive fantasy that blends mystery, adventure, and a touch of magic. The concept—a book that allows its wielder to open doors to anywhere—is instantly intriguing, and Brown crafts a fast-paced, engaging plot with plenty of twists.

While the world-building is rich and the premise unique, some character development feels a bit thin, and certain plot points could have been explored more deeply. Still, it’s an enjoyable and inventive read, perfect for fans of magical realism and fast-moving adventure stories.

Thought provoking and an easy page turner. This book sucked you in to the plot and left you wanting to continue reading. Relatable characters, well written.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is an intriguing and atmospheric novel that blends elements of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction. The story follows a man named Ralph, who discovers an ancient, mysterious book that opens the door to a parallel world filled with secrets, danger, and self-discovery. As Ralph embarks on a journey that challenges his perception of reality, the novel explores themes of fate, choice, and the complexity of human nature. Brown’s writing is immersive, with vivid world-building and a plot that keeps readers hooked. Perfect for those who enjoy thought-provoking, genre-bending stories with an element of the surreal.

Rating 3.5
I had to sit with this one for a bit to get my thoughts together about how I felt after finishing. There was much to like about this but just as much to dislike (at least for my reading tastes specifically). I will start will the best bits.
1. I loved the friendship between Cassie and Izzy! Dare I say it? It seems so hard for many authors (especially male) to write good and meaningful female friendships without all the cattiness and jealousy. This was the highlight of the book for me. I loved how much their friendship grows and changes throughout the book. It was honestly beautiful. It felt real and honest.
2. The magical books were obviously intriguing and they took be bby surprise a couple times.
3. The rag tag group we get at the end of this book was great. I wanted more stories about them as a friend circle.
4. I liked the non-linear way this story was told...it was something you really needed to pay attention to but you could tell the author planned everything out from the beginning to make it a cohesive story.
5. The twists and turns of this made me have to see it to the end. I was genuinely surprised more than once. The ending chapters with the plan were so satisfying to read---kind of like when the grand heist is revealed at the end of a movie.


Now the things that irked me or I found a bit lacking
1. Cassie. I honestly did not like her for most of the book...even when she seemed to make some level headed decisions she seemed to revert back in her next action. She was just so frustrating to me. On the other hand I get this was Cassie's story and we needed those bits of her for her character ARC but honestly she seemed so juvenile in her decision making or lack thereof in some of the most pivotal moments. I think I would have rather followed Izzy. But also why Cassie?
2. I will try to refrain from any spoilers but must say I was a bit let down on the back story of the woman. She was such an interesting character and I wanted to know more about the why and how she came to be---but when we did get it it felt so lackluster. The same with our other villain. Also I am usually not bothered by gore and stuff in books but some of the descriptions really got to me and felt a bit too graphic. The visuals are still stuck in my head :(
3. The time travel element. This is totally on me b/c I can't ever seem to wrap my head around how "time travel" works. I thought I understood to an extent in the beginning but then by the end my brain hurt from trying to follow everything and then I started to poke holes in things and it all fell apart for me.
4. I wanted more about the books and the people who had them. I found those aspects of the story really interesting and thought the author could have woven some more info into the story. I liked following all our characters and getting a glimpse into what they did with the books.

Overall, I liked it a lot but didn't end up loving it. But I think this concept would make for a great screen adaptation. I do think if you enjoyed this story check out anything by Claire North (especially The First Fifteen Lives or Harry August or The Sudden Appearance of Hope) They had very similar vibes and I quite enjoyed them.

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Cassie Andrews is given a special book by an elderly man she befriends at the bookstore where she works, she is first so excited, as it is The Book of Doors, where she can enter anywhere she wants by having the book in her possession and going through a door. But the she quickly learns it's not as it seems- there is an entire library of these special books, and evil people are out to get them. The Book of Pain, The Book of Matter, The Book of Shadows - all can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Cassie and her roommate band with others to try and keep the books out of the hands of the most dangerous of all the people vying for the books. I listened to the audiobook, and while it was over 13 hours, it was well worth it. The narrator Miranda Faison was excellent as a narrator!