Although I am not a fantasy reader, this book caught my eye as the description was unique and interesting. There is some time travel involved, but the timeline shifts are necessary for the story and really keep things moving. I was invested in the leading character and her primary friendships, the amount of suspense was perfect, and the story was action-packed while pulling at your emotions at the same time. Overall, I enjoyed the storyline of this book.

Thank you NetGalley & William Morrow for this ARC!

3.5 rounded up to 4

I was back and forth with this book - the description sounded so good and interesting. This is not my usual book I read but I wanted to give it a shot. Once I picked this up the next day, I sometimes felt confused on what had happened prior. A few things that I didn't love about this book:
-Various names for the same people. Because the main villain of the story was just called "the woman," for almost half the book I thought she was the bookseller.. Also Drummond Fox was called various things - Fox, Drummond, and the Librarian. I just didn't see the need for this and it was confusing to the reader.
-There are so many story lines in this book. It was hard to focus on what was the main goal of this book and the characters. There's a huge fight/dramatic scene towards the end of the book but I still had 1.5 hours left to finish - it felt almost dragged on.
-The timelines/pace of this book was all over the place. A chapter could be 10 years and then another chapter was a few hours.

Besides the points above, I did like this book being in a different genre that what I usually read but felt like there were some holes missing. The overall concept was incredibly creative and I could tell a lot of work was put into this book I would suggest thing to my friends who fantasy.

This book was such a well written fantasy with settings that felt so immersive! I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes reading about stories with fun magic systems!

The premise of this book is really unique and interesting, and for the first third it was engrossing. However the story starts to feel all over the place and at times becomes difficult to follow. Feels like it was trying at times to be an epic but didn't really have the follow through. I was disappointed because I was so excited by the premise but let down by execution. It feels as though this could have used a little more time with an editor to flesh it out and smooth the pacing and it could have been a good read.

I would tell you that I am not a fantasy reader, yet here I am enjoying another fantasy-ish style book. I love when an author actually fully develops the characters. This seems like a simple statement, but you'd be surprised at the books I feel like this doesn't happen for. I also enjoy when a book makes me feel like I am on an emotional roller-coaster. I am not an overly emotional person so it takes fantastic writing to get me to that place. I also enjoy when there are highs and lows in a book (as that is life) and this book had just that plus everything in between. The author nailed the ending and I cannot wait to see if there is a sequel.

While I enjoyed the writing and thought the story was wonderful - the jump from POV to POV is a bit confusing and lost me at times. I love the concept of magical books and I believe this story has a lot of potential

United States Publication: February 13, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced reader's copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

On a snowy night, Cassie is gifted a special book from a dearly departed customer, Mr. Webber, at the bookstore she works at. The message at the front of the mysterious book is that any door is every door. When Cassie accidentally stumbles onto the meaning and powers of the book, a brand new world opens up to her. But the world is fraught with danger amidst the wonder of being able to travel anywhere she wants as long as there is a door nearby. When Drummond Fox becomes a part of the story, Cassie is thrown further into a world of magic. Her book is only one of many that contain magic and mystery and there are people out there who want to collect as many books as they can...but not for good purposes. Cassie joins forces with Drummond to put a stop to those who want the books to inflict pain and despair on humankind. And it turns out that the Book of Doors, the book Mr. Webber passed on to Cassie, is the key to everything.

A really impressive debut that keeps the door open (see what I did there?) for a book or two more to form a trilogy or perhaps a series. Brown explores the world of magic and time travel through special books. Some of the books mentioned, and used, in this title are the Books of illusion, matter (solids and liquids), shadows, pain, despair, joy, safety, and of course doors. From the author's acknowledgments and notes on the author, it is clear that Gareth Brown is enamored by time travel. I think it takes a lot of imagination, ingenuity, and cleverness to pull off a time travel book that reads and feels probable and Brown has done that. As a reader, I found his ideas plausible. Should Brown decide to write a sequel, a trilogy, or a series with this book as the first I will gladly be a follower.

Have you ever read a book where it left you amazed on how a writer can imagine such a world where books are magical and time is relative? I was so lucky to receive this book from Netgalley and thoroughly enjoyed every page of it. Cassie leads a quiet life, living with her best friend Izzy and working at a bookstore. When her favorite customer passing away in the store she finds a book with an inscription made out to her in front of him. Cassie soon finds that the book allows her to travel
To anywhere she wants and literally opens any door for herself. Cassie is thrust into a magical world where magical books exist and there are people who will kill to get their hands on these books. Cassie, along with a wonderful cast of characters finds herself in the ultimate battle of good vs evil that brings the reader on this super clever ride. I loved how all the pieces fell together and think the author did a masterful job with this story.
thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown offers a captivating premise that lingers in your thoughts long after you've turned the last page. As a reader unfamiliar with the author's previous works, I was drawn to the novel's intriguing concept right from the start. The idea of a magical book, the Book of Doors, granting extraordinary powers to its possessor is both imaginative and enticing.

The narrative, however, begins with a slow start, and the shifting timelines initially make it a bit challenging to follow. Despite this, the persistence paid off as the story unfolded, revealing a rich and intricate plot that kept me engrossed. Brown's world-building skills shine through as he introduces the enchanted Book of Doors and a realm of other magical books with wondrous and dreadful abilities.

The characters, especially Cassie and Izzy, are well-developed, making it easy to empathize with their journey into the unknown. Drummond Fox adds a mysterious and intriguing layer to the narrative, offering a sense of depth to the plot. The author successfully weaves a tale of danger, violence, and the pursuit of power, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Brown's writing style is evocative, vividly bringing the magical elements to life. As the story progresses, the complexity of the plot is masterfully handled, creating a satisfying and thrilling read. The climax is both intense and unexpected, leaving room for further exploration in potential sequels.

In conclusion, "The Book of Doors" is a four-star adventure that rewards readers with a unique and magical experience. While the slow start and timeline shifts may pose initial challenges, the overall journey is well worth the effort, making this a recommended read for those who appreciate a blend of fantasy, mystery, and adventure.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline of this book. I mean a book about a set of magical books…what more could I want?? I love any books that are about books, book people, or bookstores. I loved the creativity of this book and I am so happy that I got the opportunity to read this book.

My one complaint about this book was some of the language or sayings in this book seemed a little unnecessary. It was hard to get through those parts of the book, and I often found myself thinking about how those parts could have been written without the saying and I feel like the message would have come across the same way..

But overall would recommend this book to others.

The cover of the book is awesome! I was blown away that this was a debut novel as it had horror and the book was brought to life.

It is not my normal genre but the time travel and friendship ties were what kept me reading and on the edge wanting to know what was going to happen. The book was action packed and will keep you thinking about the book after reading it.

Was a great read!

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gareth Brown for allowing me access to read and review this ARC of The Book of Doors! Brown’s debut novel blew me away and took me through the whimsy, horror, and joy that life brings.

With elements of time-travel, undue violence, and strong friendship ties, this book will have you on the edge of your seat and rooting for the “good guys” all the way through. With unexpected heartfelt quotes thrown in between action packed chapters, this book will captivate your attention whilst eliciting moments of silent ponder in the reader.

It’s a strong 4 ⭐️ for me!

What an exciting adventure of a book! Missy books about time travel confuse me and make things hard to follow, but this one did it in such a clever way that I was able to keep track of who was where when. Of course, there were surprises along the way, and a lot of very cool mental pictures about what was happening. I loved it! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

What a truly fascinating book about magical books and time travel. There is so much to be said about magical books and time travel
First magical books that can do anything and I mean anything like The Book of Safety which keeps you from harm. Second time travel could have been the thing that stopped this book from being interesting but didn't. Finally time travel was a tool well used throughout this whole book. I loved the imagination if this book. The blurb doesn't do full justice to what this book is a lot of fun and excitement. Kudos to the author for a fantastic book to read. Until next time Happy Reading!

I would like to thank HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC via Netgalley for an honest review.

I was surprised by this book. I really didn't know what to expect going into this one, but what we get from Gareth Brown is a story that keeps you turning the pages and wondering what is going to happen next in the story. I though some parts could have gone a little quicker, but overall this is a good read that leaves you very entertained.

Cassie works in a bookstore in New York and lives with her friend Izzy. Cassie being raised by her grandfather has always been a reader because he would put her in the workshop with him and give her a book while he worked. Cassie loves her job working in the bookstore because she loves books. When Cassie gets to know Mr. Webber, an older man that frequents the bookstore often, she has no idea what the book that he leaves to her will get her into. It is just a normal book right?

As Cassie begins to unfold the mysteries of the "Book of Doors," she meets several different people along the way that she would not be able to make it without. Cassie also meets some evil people that she most definitely could do without. Will Cassie be able to balance the good and evil of the book to benefit her and help others out? You will have to read this one to find out,. It is a ride that you won't soon forget. The characters and plot was very well though out and developed. You didn't get lost in any of it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an advanced copy of this book. I can see this one taking off very well when it comes out!

If you enjoy books about magical realism, time travel, and unusual characters this book is for you. It took awhile to engage in the story, however less than halfway in I was hooked. Cassie is given a special book of doors, with strange writing and illustrations. She and her friend Izzy begin using this magical book to visit beautiful places from Cassie’s past. However, they soon learn that it is not the only special book which can give unusual powers to its owners. Other special books bestow different abilities. Cassie is faced with many dangerous and cruel people who want to collect all the books and will hurt anyone in their way. Drummond Fox, a particularly well developed character, wants to help Cassie as he guards his own secret library in the shadows. The Book Of Doors is expertly designed, connecting all the threads within the time travel. There are many characters and the story has many twists and turns. It’s important to note that there are disturbing scenes when characters use the book of pain. Still, this book keeps its sense of wonder and enchantment, reinforcing the love for and need for books. With thanks to Netgalley and William Morrow for this ARC. My opinions are my own. susanh_bookreviews

Through magical books, the author sets up a classic case of good versus evil.
Cassie inherits The Book of Doors from an elderly patron of the bookshop where she works. At first she’s enchanted with the ability to walk through a door anywhere into another place of her choosing, but, before long, she finds that the book puts her and everyone she cares for in grave danger. There are other “ special books” out there, and they can defy emotions and physics. And not everyone who owns them has good intentions.
Drummond Fox, owner of the Fox Library, where special books are gathered, exposes Cassie to the world of special book collectors and the dangers they present. Does Cassie and Drummond vanquish the evildoers???
The book picked up speed and kept me enthralled till the end?

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a very unique book that I enjoyed quite a bit. The story follows a group of characters, including friends Cassie and Izzy, who possess magical books. The story has a lot of twists and turns that can be a bit hard to follow if you don't attention, but they take you on a great journey.

This was so obviously a set up for a series of books that I did not enjoy reading this book at all. The story is just ok, interesting plot with 'magic' books, but the plot line was just way to obvious in setting the reader up for the future series. Too much was given away in this book just to set up coming books.

I did not know what to expect going into this, and it exceeded my expectations. The story picked up speed as it unfolded and by the 60% mark I could not put it down. Despite the abundance of characters, the depth of each persona prevented confusion and it allows for a deep connection with each of their emotions. I loved the way things that happened in the beginning were an "A-HA!" moment deeper in the book. I love books about time-travel and others' theories on how it would work. I am honestly sad it's over.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC, Thank you Gareth Brown for the awesome story!