A refreshing read! Cassie and her friends are the type of characters that you have rooting for the happy ending. While I did slowly warm up to this book after a few chapters in, I was hooked. Gareth Brown delivers a new and different take on time travel and magic that any book reader would enjoy.

I’m still trying to wrap my brain around this book🤯

This was such a twisty, smart, and carefully-crafted story. It got my attention right at the beginning, and held it the whole way through. We’re introduced to a good amount of characters, but they’re easy to keep track of. There’s a fair amount of action to keep the pace moving, and you’re kept guessing what could possibly happen next. There were spots here and there where things got a little confusing, but it all evens itself out. I’m most in awe about how many small pieces of this story were placed in such specific places so that they could all come together in the end. This is a book that’s gonna get your brain going in the best way!

3.5/5 The Book of Doors has a very cool premise, but I have mixed feelings on how it was executed. Cassie is a bookseller who is given a magical book by a mysterious gentleman that lets her time travel and pass through doors with essentially the flip of a page. I loved the uniqueness of the story. The magical qualities, time travel and plot were the parts that kept me most engaged. There are so many layers to the story, and I enjoyed the way things were revealed. My main issues are with the characters and the pacing. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters, they didn’t have any real substance to them. Also, the pacing was inconsistent. There were so many times I wanted to stop reading because the pace turned glacial. I pushed through because I was eager to see how the story would resolve. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn’t mind a slower read and loves magical stories about time travel and books!

Thank you to William Morrow for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was super excited about The Book of Doors since it is recommended for readers of some of my favorite books (Addie La Rue, Night Circus, and Babel). I still went in with low expectations. Comparing a debut to two authors who have had years to perfect their craft seems a little risky, so I went in with a desire to enjoy it but not expecting Schwab or Kuang-level writing.

Which ended up being a good thing.

Cassie has a mundane life, working at a bookstore. When a patron dies at the store and leaves her a book, Cassie is surprised at how nonsensical the book seems. Until it reveals itself to be magical, able to open any door in the world. Cassie is soon being hunted from all sides and has to find allies before it’s too late.

Starting with the good, I did like the magical books. Books in themselves are a sort of magic, and the author did a great job of amplifying that. The origins of the books remain a mystery til the end. But, I was still intrigued by how they work and the limitations of their powers. The author added unique powers and abilities to the books. Even the "mundane" books (Invisibility) were written in a way that made them exciting.

A unique magic system can't make up for poorly-writeen characters.

I didn't enjoy a single character, the heroes or the villains. First, I beg the author to talk to a woman or two. The way he writes his female main characters is very stereotypical. One woman complains about being too thin, and the other talks about how fat food makes her, and this was in the introductions to the characters, which set the tone. Something about women automatically
complaining about their bodies from the get-go didn’t sit right with me because it had no impact on the plot. Even the villain, known as “The Woman,” was weirdly cartoony and obsessed with her looks. At one point, she talks about how she dresses herself up as a doll, and her body is pleasing. Maybe I'm being nitpicky, but I’m allowed to do that.

Motivations and personalities are thrown out the window. Though Cassie does struggle bad things happen, the way she was written made her blasé towards everything. Most characters served one purpose and added nothing to the story outside that singular motivation. This directly impacted the platonic and romantic relationships the author tried to include. If the characters are as bland, their chemistry will follow suit.

The pacing of this book is stop-and-go. The first thirty percent is relatively exciting, moving along quickly. Then it just...stops? I blame this on a particular plot point the author utilized. The plot point wasn't bad, but the author didn't incorporate it cohesively. When the pace finally picked up again, I was just ready for the story to be over.

Overall, fun and imaginative world with weak characters and storylines. However, if you read more for vibes than anything, you might like this one!

Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow, for the advance copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC copy of The Book of Doors by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a great way to start the year. Mr. Brown does an amazing job of weaving the world in this novel (I'm not sure if it's his debut) which is a combination of science fiction and fantasy. Cassie finds herself amidst a battle for books after being given The Book of Doors. The trials and travels that follow change her as a person and expose her, and those around her to a heinous danger. Conceptually, this book was innovative and exciting. The idea that there are different books that provide different powers and abilities, and that were capable of regenerating themselves, is unique and makes for a great plot.

Cassie develops as a person and changes over time, and so does some of the surrounding cast, but there are just a couple loose threads that could take this book to the next level. The language used by some of the characters, who are intended to be gross personalities, and hated by the readers would've benefitted from different language choice. You can illustrate an out-of-touch character without the overt use of racial slurs.

I think this was my biggest gripe with the tale. I enjoyed The Book of Doors immensely and can't wait for others to join in on the journey as well.

I adore a time traveling fantasy novel and The Book of Doors does it perfectly. I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I started to read this book beyond time traveling fantasy but there’s so much more than what the synopsis gives. I loved the main heroine Cassie, but I really liked that it was a multiple POV book because I just personally love getting to see so many different perspectives. If you at all like fantasy or magical realism, then I would definitely recommend this book to you. Gareth Brown did an amazing job with his debut novel!

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for honest review

Thank you @NetGalley @GarethJBrown13 @WilliamMorrowBooks for the ARC!

This will be one of the most talked about books of 2024. It was utterly spectacular!

I really enjoyed the premise that going back in time did not create a butterfly effect that would change the future. Everything in the present & future was already set based on what happened in the past, thus, going into the past & doing something was already accounted for.

Cassie is our MC with several important supporting roles joining her & they are all so fantastically written. Cassie is a bookseller who is gifted “The Book of Doors” by her long-time fave customer. She finds the book with a message to her only after he has passed away sitting at his reading table.

Not knowing how extraordinary the Book of Doors is & not knowing how dangerous it is to possess it, Cassie & her BFF Izzy figure out how it works & start going on adventures all over the world, simply by opening a door & stepping into it.

Little do they know, there are multiple magical books all over the world that possess some other type of power & there are those who will stop at nothing to own them, which is why Drummond Fox, referred to as “the Librarian,” has created a secret library & locked away as many as possible, to keep them out of the wrong hands.

I can’t put into words how spectacular this book is. I will be re-reading it soon & can’t wait to get my hands on the GORGEOUS finished copy!

Several have attempted & failed to do what was done here, but Brown had the secret sauce to make this the most fantastical of journeys. This story was so easy to follow with the way it was written. Everything is explained & you will finish feeling satisfied. I’m signing up for anything written by this author going forward.

FULL 5-STARS!

This was THE best time travel fantasy I’ve ever read. Big things are in store for you, Mr. Brown! Still can’t believe this is a DEBUT!

#Fantasy #Fiction #Magic #Romance #Adult #TimeTravel #Adventure #ARC #Review #NewRelease #February #SciFi #BookofDoors #GarethBrown #Debut #Mystery #Suspense #Bookstagram #2024 #MustRead #Read #Books #Doors

I had no idea when requested the ARC of this book that it would be so stinking good! Now, I have really only dabbled in the fantasy genre, so you may take this review with a grain of salt. Those that primarily read fantasy may find this one a little too close to contemporary fiction or magical realism. All that being said, I haven't stopped thinking about this book since I finished it.

This reminded me a lot of Ink Blood Sister Scribe, but it felt like it had all of the pieces that I felt were missing from IBSS. There was a real sense of danger with the villains in this one, which kept me devouring this one page after page. Cassie goes on quite the journey through her time with the Book of Doors and it was so incredible to read. She became so wise, smart, and badass by the end of the book.

I will say, it did take me a few chapters to remember who all the characters were. The POV jumps around to 3-4 different characters, so if that isn't your jam, you may skip this one. But, despite that, everything wrapped up nicely at the end and every thread in the story seemed to circle back. I hope there are more books with these characters!

I give it 5/5 stars!

TW: Very graphic scenes depicting death

Intrigued by the promise of magical portals and hidden worlds, I dove into "The Book of Doors" with an open mind. The journey wasn't entirely flawless, it offered a satisfying escape tinged with thrilling danger.

Cassie, our introverted protagonist, is instantly relatable to bookworms like myself. Her work at a charming NYC bookstore allows her solace, a sanctuary disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious book gifted by a deceased customer. This "Book of Doors" holds the key to unlocking worlds beyond imagination, thrusting Cassie into a whirlwind of adventure and danger.

The author's world-building is impressive, seamlessly weaving magic into relatable settings. Imagine stepping through a bookstore door and landing in bustling Renaissance Italy, or a sun-drenched Parisian cafe. The vivid descriptions transported me alongside Cassie, igniting my own wanderlust.

Adding depth to the narrative are chapters peeking into the minds of other characters, including the enigmatic villain. This multifaceted approach kept me guessing, constantly questioning loyalties and motives.

However, the story wasn't without its blemishes. While the pacing generally kept me engaged, I occasionally wished for a deeper dive into Cassie's emotional journey. The ending, though conclusive, left me wanting a touch more closure, a spark of brightness to counter the lingering darkness.

Despite these minor quibbles, "The Book of Doors" delivers a captivating adventure, especially for those new to the fantasy genre. The clever concept, vivid world-building, and diverse perspectives had me turning pages well into the night. As the author's debut, it showcases immense potential, leaving me eager to see where their literary magic takes them next.

Thank you to Netgalley for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

The concept of The Book of Doors was very unique, and I’d recommend it on that basis alone. But I found there to be some execution issues overall. Here are my quick thoughts:

What I Liked - Like I said above, it’s a great concept. I love weird books and the plot summary of this hooked me immediately. The magical and time travel elements were handled well, and the story unfolded in an interesting and satisfying way.

What Didn’t Work For Me - My main issue is that the characters were all one-note. I was looking for more nuance, but they seemed liked underdeveloped caricatures of what a hero or a villain or a brooding reluctant protagonist should be. A smaller issue I had was the pacing was off. A lot of this book read really slow, which was even more noticeable when the book ramped up in the more exciting chapters. Having to go back to a slow section after a fun, fast-paced one was a bit of a letdown.

Like I said, I’d probably recommend this on its uniqueness alone. Even with my minor quibbles, it was quite a fun book!

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for the ARC. The Book of Doors is out tomorrow!

3.5/5

I just finished reading a debut fantasy novel The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown. Let me just say…wow, this is amazing!

Each time I had to put this book down, I couldn’t wait for when I was able to pick it back up again. I fell in love with this world and the very unique magic system. As a book lover myself, It was refreshing to read such a unique story about these amazing books. I could easily see this novel being picked up and put on the big screen.

We are thrown into a world like our own where magic secretly exists. There are so many different layers of this story, the lore of the books, the history of The Librarian, and the path of others.

This book is so well written, it was easy to immerse yourself in the setting of New York City and the life of Cassie and Mr. fox. The Emotions run so deep, we can empathize with them and understand their struggles, fears and motivations.

Summary📚
Cassie, a normal girl who works in a bookstore, has her life changed forever when a friendly, elderly customer passes away in the shop. She is devastated by this passing and cherished the little gift that he had left for her. But that gift, a book, wasn’t so little.

She is thrust into a world of mystery and possibilities. When the gifted Book of Doors isn’t just a book, it becomes a key, that can make any door, a door to anywhere.

When the knowledge of this incredible artifact comes to the surface, others are eager to get their hands on this prized possession…by any means necessary.
———
I would like to thank @williammorrowbooks #GarethBrown and @netgalley for allowing me access to the eARC. It was a fantastic read and I’m sad it’s over. I want to wish you a early Happy Publication Day 📚🪄
This need’s to been at the top of everyone’s TBR list. I can’t wait to pick on the physical copy to add to my shelf. I hope the world of the books can continue.
Though this book was given to me, the thoughts and opinions are solely my own.

I know that it is only the beginning of the year, but I am telling you that it is going to be one of the best books released in 2024! I absolutely LOVED this book. The characters, the setting, the magic, literally everything about this book was perfection. This could be made into a box office hit if it is ever transformed into a movie. The plot progresses perfectly and the switching to different POVs is so smooth, especially towards the end with all of the reveals!! This is a book that I plan to recommend to all of my friends, regardless of genre they typically read. Please do yourself a favor and pick this book up!!!

I really like this book and it was almost a 5 star for me I only wanted a little more resolution on a couple points and I thought the chapter of the nothingness wasn't my favorite, obviously it was hugely important but I just kind of thought it didn't mesh as well with the rest of the book.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me and ARC of this book in exchange
THIS BOOK.
Okay, now that I've gotten that out of the way, I keep going back and forth on whether I want to give it 4.5 or 5 stars, but for now I will keep it at 5.
Let's start with the good, and there is so so much good. This book puts everything falling into place like the most satisfying puzzle I have ever done. Everything is so beautifully explained and wrapped into the fabric of the story that I find myself constantly being amazing at how you even go about writing a book like this. The plot was so beautifully written. The individual events were interesting, engaging, made sense to me, and really added to the overall gorgeous bigger picture. Even when I felt myself saying "what... did I miss something?" it was always explained beautifully in the next few chapters.
I have never cried more at a book than I have at this one, which feels absolutely wild. Brown found a way to make the most normal and mundane events absolutely heart wrenching. I felt things in my chest so heavily, in the good ways. I was truly touched. I fell in love with the characters, Mr. Weber you have my heart forever and ever, I am so glad you got the story you deserved.
The only things I struggled with were the things that were a little gruesome. It wasn't unnecessary, it was just very difficult to read at times. This book does a great job of explaining true evil and representing it well.
The only other thing I had a small issue with is that while reading the first chapter I could tell this author was not American, and used many terms I've only heard in UK based novels. Some of the ways the characters spoke to each other, or how they always called it a toilet and never a bathroom. They didn't distract from the story, but it was noticeable that my NYC based characters were just speaking from a different region. I think this happened most in the beginning and end of the novel, I didn't notice it too much in the middle, but maybe that's because our Scottish man came in and that all made sense. It wasn't an issue with the story, some of it just felt unnatural to me.
Overall, this is the book I have already recommended to so many of my friends, and will for sure be a re-read in the future.

This book wasn't usually my type but I thought I would give it a try. There are some dark pieces to the book but overall it was a fun and interesting read.

The Book of Doors is a magical debut fantasy novel. The premise was fascinating, and I wound up enjoying this novel. I hope to read more Gareth Brown books in the future.

Our leading lady, Cassie was working her shift at the bookstore when she goes to close up shop and she finds a regular customer has passed away in the shop. He wound up leaving Cassie a book, which she later finds out much to her and her roommate Izzy's surprise that the Book of Doors allows you to travel to any door you can imagine. What starts out as a fun-filled night and the following days turns into something a bit more sinister. There are people after the Book of Doors, and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Cassie turns to a friendly magical book collector for help, but even he is running from the people in search of the books.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

I finished this book in the nick of time. It is being released TOMORROW, on February 13, 2024. When I say that this book is pure magic, it is legit, pure magic. I can’t even convey how amazing this book is.

This is the debut novel by British author, Gareth Brown. My description is not going to do it justice, but it is about books that have magical powers and the holder of the book has the ability to use the book for said power. For example, Cassie, the main character, is gifted the Book of Doors ad is able to use the book to travel to different places. Other books, such as the Book of Luck, give the carrier luck.

The book is much more complex than that; Brown weaves the characters into such a story that there are booksellers and book collectors and not everyone is as they seem. Nor are the books as they seem.

I’m not going to give anything away. Just know that you’re going to want to pick this book up if you are a fan of books about… books :)

Great premise - this story had lots of ups and downs for me. Might have been more powerful to stick to just ONE magical book.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advanced reader’s copy!

DNF - I wanted to quit reading 30% into the book but pushed myself to read a bit more and ended up stopping at the halfway point.

The premise is interesting, hence the reason I picked up the book. Characters are one dimensional, the writing is lazy, and the villains are cartoonish. I wouldn't mind the cartoonish aspect if the whole book were to be written with that in mind. The author is trying to create a realistic world so having one dimensional and cartoonish villains didn't work, it made the world not believable.

The protagonist was bland. I kept skipping over so much of the dialogue and could still understand what was happening. I wanted to say that this would be a good YA book, but that would not give teenagers and young adults enough credit.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy.

** 3.5 Stars **
I've never wished for a different rating system before this book, but if I could give one, each "part" of The Book of Doors would receive a different star rating. It was such a mixed book for me!

The Book of Doors opens on a bittersweet friendship, where Cassie is left the Book of Doors while closing up one night at work. From here, she and roommate Izzie begin to test what the Book of Doors can do, and explore all of the places they can go. It's a whimsical, magical beginning, that is quickly juxtaposed by the darkness of characters wanting to use this book for their own gain.
For as much as loved the beginning of this book, the middle got a little darker than I was prepared for. Combined with the slow pace of the plot at this point and the seemingly depressing amount of time that was passing, I was close to DNFing.
I did really enjoy the thoughtfulness that went into the aspect about time travel, and at one point was sobbing over the most touching of moments. The magical realism portion, with the different types of books that exist in this world, was definitely my favorite part. The fact that these books could exist under our very nose, but hold such magnificent power, is really fun to think about.
Overall, this was a decent read and would be fun for those who don't mind getting through the slower bits (and the occasional problematic lines) to get back to the better parts toward the end.