Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I was super excited to be approved for this ARC given the description. I’m a bit of a sucker for time travel books (see The Ten Thousand Doors of January and This Is How You Lose the Time War), so I thought I’d see how The Book of Doors compared.

The Book of Doors turned out to be among my favorite reads of the year thus far. The story is intriguing: a world where different magical books that enable their possessor to wield different concepts (despair, pain, joy, health, illusion, shadow); a group of people trying to protect the books against an evil person known solely as “the woman” and others bent on owning or stealing as many books as possible; and the titular book that allows its bearer to open one door in New York and exit one in Italy. More than that, I enjoyed Cassie’s story and how her journey was woven throughout the story.

I found some of the pacing at the beginning to be a little slow, but once I got past the initial couple of chapters, things picked up. The ending seemed a little rushed and I would have liked for it to be prolonged some, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and would recommend it. Check the CWs though - there is pretty gory violence described.

What an entertaining book with a minefield of magic.

Cassie is gifted a magical book called, The Book of Doors. This magical book can transport one to anywhere, so with this kind of power of course comes danger from those that also want it.

New York City is where Cassie lives with her roommate Izzy, Cassie works in a bookstore where she encounters this magical gift, here her journey begins. Come read this magical book and find out what journey Cassie goes through with this Book of Doors.

Very entertaining read and I would highly recommend this book for those that love a good fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

A perfect blend of magic and realism that brings in some of my favorite settings (around books and book stores). The characters are well written and engaging. A must read!

The Book of Doors opens a fascinating world of magic with danger, adventure and intrigue around every corner.

I was absolutely blown away by this book! An incredible debut novel, Gareth Brown had me hooked from the first page. It has numerous POVs and each character has a distinct voice, great depth and interesting arcs throughout the story. The magic system is unlike anything I've read before, with everything explained quite well while still feeling mystical. 5/5 would absolutely recommend! I cannot wait to see what Gareth Brown does next!

I did not anticipate how much I'd genuinely enjoy this, and I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to get an ARC. A huge thank you to William Morrow, NetGalley and author Gareth Brown for the ARC!

As a reader, I was intrigued by this book from the title alone but as I read it my love for it continued to grow. Cassie has a special place in my heart because I see a lot of myself in her and I am so proud of how far she went and all that she survived in this book. I love her relationship with Izzy and how they were so different but complemented each other so well. The sparks that flew between her and Drummond were immaculate without being overbearing and overpowering the book. The world-building alone would have made this book five stars for me. It takes place in a modern world but the in-depth magic system with the magical books is amazing. Each character was so unique and had respective dialogue as well as a clear personality. There are so many amazing things about this book and I was continually awestruck by the action and the plot twists. There were so many points where the story clicked and made so much sense and there were times I set the book down and had to close my eyes to process what I had just read. This book is a masterpiece! I honestly don't know if time travel has ever been done so well.

This was an amazing book! I’m going to copy/paste my review I did on my Bookstagram as well as share the link below.
4.75/5 stars
I figured this book would be good based on some reviews I’ve seen, but didn’t expect to love it as much as I did! The author’s writing style was wonderful and beautiful. There was a great found family aspect to the story. While it did have some dark moments to it, it was more of a heartwarming type of read. The concept of books with different powers was so unique and interesting. I feel like it was so close to a 5 star read. I was confused about who was who with the large cast of characters in the beginning, but I got to know them. Also, the time travel element was kind of hard to follow at times. Overall, it was unpredictable, well written and amazing story, which I highly recommend!

The Book of Doors is a fantasy/ magical realism story which follows main character Cassie. Cassie is lonely, keeps to herself, and works in a bookstore. One day, a regular customer of hers, Mr. Webber, suddenly dies but receives a gift from him- the Book of Doors. This book has the power to transport whoever is holding it wherever they want to go, including different time periods. Cassie is thrown in this magical new world where are the different books with powers and an evil threatens them all.

Thank you William Morrow and NetGalley free advance reader copy in exchange for a review! The Book of Doors is available now.

Unfortunately, I could not power through the writing of this book. The plot was incredibly intriguing, and I liked pondering about what would really happen if a book could open doors to different places and times and worlds. However, the writing style was not for me. It did not feel like it even went with the plot, it was so flat and lifeless to me. The dialogue especially was a drag, and there were chapters where all of the exposition is packed so awkwardly into the dialogue. I just did not buy that these people talked like this. The characters were also very forgettable to me, and they could not hook me in when the writing had already floundered. I am not a very plot driven reader, so the intrigue wasn’t enough for me in the end, but if you do find yourself reading more for the plot, I would recommend you give this a try anyway!

After reading the blurb on this book, I was very, very worried that I had already ruined it for myself. How can a book live up to being compared to The Invisible Life of Addie Larue and The Night Circus? Considering those are two of my favorites - The Book of Doors set a pretty high bar.
I'm happy to report that this story hit all the marks for me. It was a bit darker than I was expecting, but overall, a completely delightful and captivating reading experience!

I'm still thinking about this book even though I finished it a couple weeks ago. The characters were likable (well, other than the evil ones) and compelling. I was fully invested in their plights and relationships. The storyline twisted and turned, and in the last quarter of the book, I literally couldn't believe how everything was weaving together. Gareth Brown did a masterful job connecting the dots of this story to give the reader a completely mesmerizing read.

There was one character that I felt was written a bit too heavy-handed. I was already completely aware this guy was a POS but some of his dialogue seemed overly jarring and clumsy - like it was only there to set up a later plotline.

Overall, 4.5 stars! Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book. Happy Pub Day to one of my top reads so far this year. A library, a book, time travel, sign me up. It’s hard to put into words how this book touched my soul. I don’t want to say anything other than read it for yourself. A book like this needs to be experienced and savored. I think each person who reads it will take away something that is all their own. Just beautiful.

So much more than a simple story about a special book.

I’m honestly not sure what to say about The Book of Doors. I was offered a review copy from NetGalley and after reading the description I figured why not. The description set my expectations for some suspense, adventure and action and those expectations were more than met. What I wasn’t expecting was the rest of the story, and I don’t say this as a negative, oh no what this story delivers are way more than the premise described by the blurb. Sure, it’s a time-travel book of sorts, but its overall story is so much more than a simple time-travel book. If as the book says – Any Door is Every Door – then those doors are much more than doors and the book is oh so much more than a portal to other places. Gareth Brown has created a cast of characters most of whom are likeable, believable, and interesting. Over the course of the book each reveals more of themselves until each is very well developed. Now he has also created some interesting characters who are the antithesis of all the previously stated attributes and create the synergy necessary to make this a story that is difficult to put down and once set down it screams to be picked up and read until the end. Obviously, I enjoyed this book immensely, but I can’t help playing pieces over in my mind contemplating what ifs. Like I said before I received an Advance Reader Copy through NetGalley and chose to provide my honest review.

When I tell you, I was so pleasantly surprised with this book right from the beginning! I felt like I was immediately thrust into the adventure and excitement of the story when I was less than 10% into it. Author Gareth Brown is fantastic at painting, the picture of a scene and scenario for you with top-notch description that made this book really hard to put down. In my notes while reading, multiple times I just wrote in all caps “ADVENTURE!!!!” and that held true throughout the entire journey. For me, the book really was giving “National Treasure” (come on Nick Cage 😮‍💨) meets magical realism — I mean if that doesn’t sell you on this book then what does??

One thing I will say: when it comes to the character known as “The Woman,” if you have a weak stomach with gore and violence, this book may not be for you! ⚠️

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for this eARC!

As readers, we already know that books are the most powerful and magical items in the world, but what if there are books out there with actual magical powers, powers that give a reader, for example, the ability to literally travel around the world or even through time? "The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown explores such a possibility and the lengths some people would go to obtain one of these magical books.

Though Fantasy isn't my preferred genre, I absolutely devoured this book. It kept my attention from the very first page to the last, with an inventive and exciting plot and vibrant characters. The twists and turns kept me guessing and enthralled. I don't want to give anything away, but this is a truly wonderful book, with an intelligent and creative story that I will recommend over and over.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this book. Five stars!

🥳Happy Pub Day!🎉
📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 413 / Genre: Magical Realism

Cassie Andrews is living an unremarkable life working in a bookstore in NYC until the day her favorite customer passes away peacefully and leaves her a very special book. The Book of Doors allows her to travel to any destination she wants by just imagining it and opening any door. She soon learns that there are other books with special powers, some awesome and some horrifying. But she’s not the only one who knows about these books. And those who are the most determined to possess all of them are pure evil.

I absolutely loved this book! There’s magic, time travel, close friendships, terrifying villains, and so much action. It’s a thing of beauty to see how all these puzzle pieces fit together for a very satisfying ending. My favorite book of the year so far!

Thank you @NetGalley, @WilliamMorrowBooks, and @GarethJBrown13 for the advanced copy of this book. I absolutely loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 stars!!

When I first requested this book, I wasn't really sure what to expect. However, it took me on the most fun journey. At first, I wasn't sure about the plot, but it developed beautifully. I was fully invested in the characters, and I would love if there could possibly be more books created for them. This story proves that you can certainly live multiple lives through books. When you finish this book, you will feel as if it were a warm hug. I will be recommending this to my audience!

I thought this book was good, but a little too fantastical for my taste.

Cassie discovers a book that can turn any door to any other door in place or time. Any door is every door.

I liked the concept of this book, but the execution was off for me. The characters lacked depth, and it quickly turned into good vs. evil or hero vs. villain.

I think that others will enjoy this book, it just didn't work for me.

If someone gave you a book that you could use to open any door, would you use it?

That is the problem that plagued Cassie, a 20 something New Yorker who works in a bookstore. She is given a mysterious gift by a customer of the bookstore and soon discovers that she can go anywhere in the world if she is holding this book.

The premise sounds fantastic, right? I felt like the execution was just kind of meh. The story had so many characters and timelines. The perspectives switch back and forth. Honestly, it was a bit difficult to keep track.

I really wanted to love this book because of the storyline. However, it drug on a bit long and just got confusing and wordy.

Cassie Andrews finds a book that can send her anywhere her heart desires simply by walking through a door. The power possessed by this book quickly draws the attention of a group of people dedicated to tracking down special books like Cassie’s. Fortunately, there is a librarian to save the day. Together, Cassie and the librarian must protect the book, and themselves, before the shadows consume them all.

Each chapter is a different character’s perspective. There is no indication whose perspective the chapter is in, so it's up to the reader to engage with the literature and solve the mystery. These mini-mysteries at the start of each chapter combined with the tension in the story create a tingling sense of adrenaline that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I am finding this review to be a very difficult one to right. I looked forward to reading this book, having heard it compared to Matt Haig's Midnight Library but was disappointed. I loved the concept of the book: All of these different doors to magical things revealed through books. I knew it involved time travel, which I love (even though I am not a big fantasy and science fiction reader). However, this book was nothing like Midnight Library. That would have been fine had the book been different in its own right and if it were not for a few things.
The big thing (the reason why this only got two stars) here is some of the racial slurs that were in the book. This is a modern book and even though some of this takes place in earlier time periods, I cannot abide by racial slurs. This is not just a matter of the book not just being my cup of tea (and it really should have been anyway). I am not all about political correctness but this was a bit hard for me to take.
Aside from this, I probably would have given three stars. Why? As I said, the concept was great. However, the story started out slowly and I almost gave up at one point. It did improve later on, as there was more action. I did like the ending. I did not lower my rating because of this but potential readers should know this. I thought that this would be an uplifting book and story and that it would be generally happy and it really wasn't. Most parts were very sad. I did not lower my rating for this because it may have been my misunderstanding as to what this was.
The book was confusing. There were lots of different characters (one simply called "the woman) and they were hard to keep track, as well as the different time periods. Had other things been better, though, I would have been all right with this as that can be hard to do in time travel.
Positives: the main characters were well developed and the premise was intriguing. Just be forewarned that it can move slowly and there might be some objectionable things in the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing me with access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn't like this book nearly as much as I wanted to. The characters felt too simplistic and the dialogue forced. In a fantasy world that could have been so much more developed and magical, it just fell flat.

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown delivered a delightful adventure filled with danger, time travel, magical realism and books. A fast-paced tale with twists, unique characters and fresh ideas. Narrated by Marinda Raison, I highly recommend listening!

Magical realism, books of magic and secret libraries… yes, please! The Book of Doors has it all in this intriguing tale. In New York, we meet Cassie Andrews, who works at Kellner Books. That is where she met her friend Izzy and the two now share an apartment.

There is nothing extraordinary about Cassie’s life. She sells books, passes her friend Izzy each night as they work different shifts and curls up each night with her books. One evening at the bookshop, a regular gentleman who likes to take tea by the window and read books while sharing stories with Cassie falls dead. After the police and ambulance leave, Cassie finds an unusual book on the table where he died. It’s full of strange writing and mysterious drawings. At the very front there is a handwritten message to Cassie, telling her that …..

“This is The Book Of Doors. Hold it in your hand, and any door is every door.”

The tale that unfolds leads us on an adventure filled with danger, greed, magic and time travel. It took a little while for the story to unfold, but once it did, I was hooked. While I had the physical book, the audiobook was fantastic. Particularly for all the unique characters from the villains to the mysterious Mr. Fox.

Most of the story is from Cassie’s point of view as she explores doors and decides whom to trust once she is thrust into this world of magic books. But we get perspectives from others, including Drummond Fox, the Librarian, and the Woman, a most heinous villain.

The books, all similar in size, each possess magic. Some make you lose your memories, give you invisibility, make you invincible, grant you lucky and more. The owner of the books have power to manipulate others using them. In the wrong hands, these books are very dangerous. The Book of Doors will take you to any door, but not just in the present. You can go back to your own timeline. Unlike most time travel books that apply the “butterfly effect,” Brown gives it a twist.

This was a clever story with good vs evil, magic, time travel, books and hidden libraries. It could be very dark, but the author also sprinkled in lightness with happy moments and pastries. Perfect for fans of fantasy, magical realism and adventure. While the story wraps up nicely, Brown left the door open for more adventure and I hope we get them.

Marinda Raison’s narration captured the unique characters’ personalities, giving this cast their own voice. She helps set the tone of the story and made listening a pleasure. I highly recommend grabbing this in audio format.