As a book lover this one captured my imagination right from the start. I also happen to be a sucker for any story even remotely containing magic doors, lol. Cassie Andrews works at a bookstore, loves books and her simple life. But things change when one of the bookstore pratrons dies at the bookshop. No, it wasn’t a robbery gone wrong or anything violent. The kindly old man just passed on, leaving behind a gift for Cassie. A book. But not just any book. A leather bound notebook. A magic book. The book of doors. At first glance appears to be nothing more than the absent minded scribblings of an old man, but Cassie and her roommate Izzy soon learn it is much more than that. It allows them to open doorways and travel anywhere. It’s one of many magic books, and as with anything this special there are others who want it and are willing to do anything to get it. I’ve read other reviews claiming the story has a slow start, but as I said, I was entranced by this one from the start. This is an absolutely stellar debut and I can’t wait to read whatever Gareth comes out with next. I’d like to thank William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Gareth Brown’s The Book of Doors.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RACTNK3UZ18BH/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

The Book of Doors centers around Cassie, who works in a bookstore and is given a gift by an older customer before he passes away. This gift is a book that literally opens doors to anywhere you want to go. As the book moves forward we are introduced to many different characters such as a Librarian and many other magical books, and a tragedy that befell people 10 years before.

The writing style and titles are pretty simple and easy to read. However the violence and other disgusting things in the book really turned me off; these party’s felt really long to get through and that it was grotesque and gratuitous violence. A bit of other odd things happen that didn’t really make sense. Something happens to the main character Cassie and I won’t spoil that but she gets to know another character very well - and still calls him Mr X and not by his first name?? That was very strange.

The loose threads at the end make me think there could be a sequel but I don’t think I’ll read that. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

It's tough to balance "this is a story about the magic of books!" and "this book is especially magical, don't you agree?" without slamming the reader over the head about the importance of literacy like an afternoon special.

The Book of Doors is a magical story that took me into a world of magical books. I love the idea that books hold superpowers, I know that it is true, but in this case the powers are not within the readers imagination. They are superpowers that can cause chaos and harm or be helpful and protective depending on the intentions of the person holding the book.

There is a large cast of characters in this book, but they are easy to keep track of and most of them are important to the story. The good shined through with the friendships and the lengths they went to work together and protect the magical books.

There is time travel, fantasy, and good versus evil. The Book of Doors in a great debut book and I am anxious to read more from Gareth Brown.

The Book of Doors is an admirable debut, with excellent writing and solid pacing. It is engaging, with a good balance of description and action to keep readers glued to the page.

While the plot and ideas were fascinating, weaving between the horrific and the wondrous, I struggled to connect with any of the main characters; they felt less like real people and more like plot devices for large sections of the book.

I will ultimately be happy when Gareth Brown publishes more. There’s a lot of promise in his writing that I look forward to.

Thank you to Netfalley and William Morrow for the ebook ARC. All options are mine alone.

Gareth Brown's debut novel, "The Book of Doors," immediately intrigues with its tantalizing promise of endless exploration encapsulated by its captivating cover art. The anticipation sparked by such a premise was further heightened by the allure of the cover design, igniting an eagerness to delve into its pages. As the narrative unfolds, readers are swiftly drawn into the story by its engaging beginning, finding themselves quickly enamored with the unique and flawed characters that populate its pages.

At the heart of the tale lies Cassie, a quintessential bookworm and introvert whose relatable qualities make her a compelling protagonist. Her journey transcends mere physicality, delving deep into the realms of emotion and psychology, traversing time and space in unimaginable ways. Despite her vulnerabilities, Cassie's resilience shines through as she confronts evils and dangers beyond her wildest imaginings. Throughout her odyssey, a diverse cast of characters emerges, each playing a pivotal role in propelling the plot forward and enriching the narrative tapestry.

One of the most endearing relationships in the novel is the bond between Cassie and Mr. Webber, a fellow book lover whose friendship proves to be a source of strength and solace for Cassie. Their evolving connection over the years is a testament to the transformative power of genuine human connection, serving as a catalyst for Cassie's personal growth and development.

While "The Book of Doors" is replete with moments of wonder and enchantment, it also grapples with darker themes and heart-wrenching events that lend it a poignant depth. The novel deftly blends elements of fantasy, mystery, adventure, horror, and romance, offering something to satisfy a wide range of readers. Despite the inherent complexities of time travel, Brown navigates this narrative device with finesse, weaving a tapestry of interconnected events that leave few questions unanswered.

Though the journey is not without its challenges and hardships, the novel ultimately delivers a satisfying and immersive reading experience. An ARC graciously provided by NetGalley and William Morrow afforded the opportunity to explore this captivating world before its official release, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the possibility of a sequel. "The Book of Doors" is a testament to Brown's skill as a storyteller, offering a richly imagined and deeply affecting tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Gareth Brown’s The Book of Doors is a fantastic combination of fantasy and thriller. It is intelligent and complex. It is a book about books with a classic good vs. evil battle. It is a book about choices.

“Get it done… What else can you do?” he asked. “Because if you stop, you admit the bad stuff has won, don’t you? All you can do is keep going. Refuse to be beaten, even when you are beaten. The bad stuff only wins if you let it. I refuse to be beaten…”

Unlike some time travel stories, the time travel in The Book of Doors isn’t about repeatedly redoing days/scenarios until the character figures out their fatal flaw.

“Once you’ve done a bit of time travel, you begin to see,” Cassie said. “Things always turn out the way they happened.”

The story is told primarily from the point of view of Cassie, who led a quiet life until she is bequeathed a very special book. As any avid reader will tell you, books take you places you’ve never been and let you revisit old friends. This is literally true for Cassie. Unfortunately for Cassie, her book also opens doors to worlds and people she would rather not have been acquainted with.


I enjoyed the action-packed, quick pace of the story. I enjoyed all the characters, and I found them developed enough for their individual roles in the story. I adored the circular logic and strategic use of time travel. The story premise is clever, and the execution is perfect. Mr. Brown’s writing style is exciting and enthralling, and his latest novel, The Book of Doors, has reminded me that with a good book, I can go anywhere.

4.5 stars
When I read the description of The Book of Doors, which said it was similar to Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, I knew I was going to be in for a wonderful adventure reading Gareth Brown's debut novel. The synopsis did not lie, and comparisons to two of my absolute favorite novels are appropriate, as I was swept away by the magical world that Mr. Brown has created from the very first chapter.

This is not a quick, light read, and I had to slow down and reread at times, due to the twisty time travel concepts that play a big role in the story. I liked the unique perspective that even if the characters changed events in the past, they did not change the present because the past had already happened. I found myself feeling a bit mind boggled several times, but in a good way...Whoa!

There were a lot of characters to keep track of, and mixed with the time travel, I did get a little confused a few times and had to stop and reread sections. This did not interfere with enjoyment, just slowed me down a bit. I really loved the 'who can you trust?' aspect a great deal.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the digital copy of The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown. The opinions in this review are my own.

I loved the plot and the concept of magical books. This story flowed seamlessly and keeps you engaged.
This books is reminiscent of Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Torez.

You’ll enjoy The Book of Doors if you like
- Urban Fantasy
- Books about books
- Magic
- Time Travel

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

I didn't quite know what to expect with this book and I was so pleasantly surprised. This is a beautifully crafted novel and the story is revealed is such an impactful way. The timeline kind of jumps around in this book and sometimes that kind of narrative structure can be confusing. But here, it was effective in allowing the reader to 1) really enjoy the ride and 2) enjoy the slow reveal of what's actually happen and what the characters are doing. It is the kind of book where once you read a certain part, it puts everything you've just read in a different perspective. I really enjoyed the way the author structured the story and I really grew to love all of the characters.

It reminds me of 11/22/63. The way this book discussed time travel was such a digestible and interesting way. I highly recommend this, even for people who don't usually read fantasy (like me).

US pub date: 2/13/24
Genre: contemporary fantasy/magical realism
Quick summary: Cassie lives a quiet life as a bookstore employee in NYC - until a regular dies and leaves her the magical Book of Doors, a powerful book that will make her the target of many dangerous people.

I started reading this book in the airport, and it had me hooked through my flight. If you're a book or travel lover, I bet you'll feel the same magic I did. I loved getting to know Cassie and seeing her pure joy at discovering the potential of the Book of Doors. The other books were just as compelling, and I was on the edge of my seat seeing all the villains come out of the woodwork. I think if this book had been 50-75 pages shorter it might have been a 5 star for me - unfortunately, it started to get a bit repetitive at the end. But I still recommend it to fans of magical realism - it's a lighter fantasy with broad appeal.

Cassie works in the classic sort of bookstore in New York City that I think all book lovers hope to find. The customers there truly love books and are encouraged to settle in with a cup of coffee and read. On a cold wintery night Cassie is preparing to close when she discovers one of her favorite customers has died at his table leaving only his copy of "The Count of Monte Crisco" and a small very weathered book that Cassie has never seen before. As she gathers his things she realizes, he has left an inscription in the front of the small book- leaving it to her. He has written a rather cryptic message about how "every door is any door" and she soon realizes that the book has the power to do just that. Somehow, she is now able to travel to anyplace . Unfortunately, the gift comes with the curse of evil people that want this "magic" for themselves.
I usually do not list fantasy as a genre that I like, but I may need to rethink that! I tore through the pages of this story pretty quickly - staying up way too late reading.

Thanks to the author William Morrow, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to more from this author.

While fantasy isn't my usual genre, I was so taken with the cover and the premise of this book. There was just something that felt nostalgic about it. It reminded me of daydreams from when I was younger, books about time travel, and magic.

But beyond the story of a magic book, there is also the story of wanting and desire for things. The age old questions: if you could travel back in time, would you want to? If you traveled back in time, would it change the outcome? And if you saw yourself when you traveled, what would happen? I feel like the author took a very clever approach to answering these questions.

The is also the fight between good and evil - the keeper of the books, Cassie and how she will fight to protect her book and her friend, and the people who will do anything to get the books.

This was a great way for me to dip my foot in the water of fantasy and I enjoyed every step!

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow Books for an advance readers copy.

4.5⭐️

Man what a book. It is full of life and love and characters with personality and depth and it’s also full of wonder. It breathes new life into the power of books, the magic we all feel when we find a captivating story. It is a masterclass of writing, storytelling, and connection. The intricacies are just superb. The last 30% had me on the edge of my seat, just an overflow of action, pain, love, and wonder. If you love books and the power we give them and enjoy when time travel is done well then this one’s for you.



((My one and only complaint is the phrase “many years ago” appears way too often in the first half of the book and using actual numbers would’ve been less annoying. But that’s just a personal preference))

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Book of Doors, my first read by Gareth Brown, and I adored it. It was such a creative tale, which really spoke to me about the human soul, the power of love in all its forms, the hunt for something more, and how power can both harm and heal. This was such a lovely, albeit gruesome at times, tale and it was so magically plotted to keep you guessing while being blown away as each little revelation was shown. The cast of characters are relatable, well for the most part, and you can’t help but be sucked right into this world right along side Cassie and Izzy. A captivating tale and one I think I will revisit over and over.

The premise of this book was what caught my attention. A magical book that allows you to access different places and even times. I wanted to love this book but I had to DNF it. The writing just wasn’t for me. I hate to be mean but it reads like mediocre fanfiction. The conversations between characters sound very awkward. I got to about 47% of the way in before I had to put it down and even before then I found myself skimming through the book to get through it faster. This book might pull you in but unfortunately it wasn’t for me.

The Book of Doors
By Gareth Brown

I was disappointed with this one. The concept was so interesting but it just lacked some things for me.

First, the characters. I didn’t feel invested in any of them really. They weren’t consistent, weren’t fleshed out, and relied mostly on telling and not showing. No matter how many times you say one character is loud and bubbly and gregarious, I’m not going to believe you when you never show me that side of her. The main bad characters are very much caricatures. There’s an attempt at explaining them a bit, but it’s really not nuanced.

The second was the pacing. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something about the pacing and timelines felt off. I know it’s a fantasy book that plays with time travel, but something just didn’t feel realistic to me. I also wasn’t satisfied with some of the answers we eventually get about the special books.

So to wrap up, it wasn’t a bad book, I did enjoy parts of it. But the faults of the book outweighed the good in my opinion.

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars
Imagine you find a book that allows you to travel anywhere in the world. You open the door and you are in an ally in Vince, or Paris, or China. You begin to use the book and discover a secret world of book collectors, book hunters, assassins, and others that want the book you have to add to the collection of other special book like yours.
This was such a fun journey that had me diving into the detailed vision of traveling all around the world. This book strummed my heart, had me on the edge of my seat, and had me turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I was sent an early copy thanks to netgallary and I really enjoyed this book.
If you like Sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, and more than read this book.

I am very picky about fantasy as it often does not work for me. The Book of Doors is fantasy for EVERY reader. I beg you not to turn away from this book due to its genre. This bookish book of what ifs made me feel a wide range of emotions and I could not put it down. This was surprising and horrific and beautiful all at once and I highly recommend!

I love magical realism and this book had it in spades and was so fun to read. I loved the concept, a magic book that opens doors and the price it costs to keep it. There were a number of twists and turns throughout but there was such a satisfying ending. A book for book lovers everywhere!

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the advance copy.