So thankful to William Morrow for approving an ARC of this for me. This book was definitely a treat and I thoroughly enjoyed Brown’s writing and his ability to tell a story. I cannot wait to read what he cooks up next!

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is an absolute delight to read. Here we have a fantasy novel with vibes at its heart that in a way that reminds me of reading the starless sea if its physical books had been given more of a central role. I had such a good time and cant wait to grab a physical copy when the time comes.

I'm thankful to NetGalley for the opportunity to explore this book, which initially intrigued me with its fascinating concept, particularly as a fan of magical realism novels.

The author's captivating writing style offered moments of enjoyment, yet I found myself uncertain about the book's overall direction. The pacing felt uneven, and many characters lacked the necessary depth in their progression, leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative.

The presence of a clear villain felt fleeting, leaving me wanting more depth and exploration of their character. Further chapters delving into their perspective could have added substantial value. Even though their motivations were revealed towards the end, I found the explanation insufficient to justify the impact of their actions on the world.

Connecting with the two main characters proved challenging. Despite their central roles, I struggled to empathize and invest emotionally in their journey, which hindered my complete engagement with the story.

However, the concept of a magical book opening doors to anywhere, and the discovery of other books with diverse abilities, was a delightful aspect of the story. The mystery behind these magical books' origins, especially the revelation in the third act, was a part I genuinely loved.

Although this book didn't quite hit the mark for me, I do recognize its potential appeal to other readers. While certain aspects didn't align with my preferences, I believe the unique elements and storytelling might resonate well with a different audience. Literature, after all, is subjective, and what didn't click for me might be the exact thing someone else is looking for in a story.

Time travel, mysteries, good vs evil all woven into this magical tale. There is always power within books.

4⭐️. I have mixed feelings about this book, it was both amazing and frustrating at the same time! I really want people to read this so we can talk about if this was amazing or not. Let me back up, enter the world where books give you a form of super powers. Good versus evil - tale as old as time. It reminded me at first of The Midnight Library but then morphs into its own story, it has some emotional moments but felt off at times. Throughout the whole book, it reminded me of the movie Push. Which to me, felt like an original concept with mediocre execution - that movie could have been phenomenal, instead it was just pretty okay (look it up on IMBD if you don’t know what I’m talking about). That’s how I feel about the book. The concept could have been amazing but I think where this book falls short is the pacing and unnecessary details in the writing. I found this hard to read for some reason and it also took me longer than usual. The first half I kept falling asleep the pacing was so off, so I bet a few will DNF this book. The second half was much better and I loved how this ended, it doesn’t leave any loose ends. In an effort to stay spoiler free, I won’t get into more of a synopsis, you can read the blurb as well as anyone. I say give this a chance… then please tell me what you think!

Pros:
* Fantasy novel where the heroes are BOOKS!
* Compelling concept and points in the story I genuinely didn’t see coming.
* I loved that it was broken out into 7 parts and enjoyed reading the chapter titles, I love a good chapter title.
* Some of the “Parts” feel like a mini series, anyone see that episode in The Last of Us where it was a standalone story but so powerful - some of the “parts” have that feeling and it was magic.
* I loved how the story unfolded onto itself, using multiple timelines.

Cons:
* Pacing, it was either super fast or so so slow.
* Character development seemed flat from many of the characters
* The writing for me was hard to read at a quick pace, I am not an eloquent enough or self aware enough to know why just yet.

TL’DR: Fun fantasy, where books give people superpowers in an epic battle between those who are good versus evil. Pacing is hit or miss, compelling and complete story. I am curious to see if this will be a hit or a dud based on the writing itself, which was slightly off putting for reasons I still can’t explain.

Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow/Custom House and Gareth Brown for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. Be on the lookout for this book dropping February 13, 2024.

I loved this book so much. There have been many books with doors with magical elements, and this one was unique from the others. I loved how it all came together. Wonderful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. This book has some of my favorite things: dual POV, time travel, magic, and interesting characters. I didn't want to put this novel down the entire time I was reading it. The book draws you in and keeps you there with beautiful descriptions and engaging/surprising ideas. The only thing I struggled with was one character in particular that had some pretty racist/homophobic thoughts. I've never enjoyed reading things like that, even if it's just one part of a larger story. For me, that was the only thing that stopped me from giving the book five stars. I understand the necessity of the character to a certain extent, I just didn't enjoy that one specific thing. Overall, I would recommend this book highly and look forward to grabbing a physical copy when it's released!

I really loved The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown! This is, I believe, his debut novel and he could not have done a better job. I cannot recommend this enough! What a rich imagination Brown must have to be able to come up with the magic of this story. I am so impressed by how original this book felt, like nothing I've ever read before. It's such a clever story where the more you read the more things come together and make sense. It's so beautifully crafted! I think if you like books about books, especially magic books, this is a must read! If you like reading about unique magic systems set in our modern world, intense & truly sinister villains, and some seriously well done characters, this is a must read!

I could not put The Book of Doors down. Now to be fair I say that a lot. I do find myself hooked on most stories I enjoy. That being said, I honestly feel like the best word to describe my reading experience would be mesmerized! You could not pry this book from my hands until I knew what happened next. There were no boring moments for me. Maybe that tells you how talented a writer Gareth Brown is. I was engaged the whole time, including scenes where characters were just talking things out. There are of course some very moving scenes of dialogue between characters I'd grown to love as well. Several times throughout this novel I would say I was pretty emotional. I found myself so connected to the characters, especially our main character Cassie and I was feeling what she felt very strongly. There's something so impressive about how emotions like grief were addressed and for me that's another point in this book's favor.

I can't say enough about the characters! They're so well written and there is such depth to everyone. There's amazing people you will adore and great villains that will really make you feel the stakes. I can count on one hand the amount of books I read this year where I was like wow I want to be in this story, with these characters. I absolutely adored them and could honestly say I would love to be a part of their magical book adventures.

I imagine this won't be everyone's cup of tea. Everyone has their preferences on writing styles, or multiple POVs which this book does have. Avoiding spoilers, I'll just say I'm sure even some aspects of the magic system won't appeal to everyone. But for me everything truly worked. The Book of Doors was a great adventure I can't wait to read and escape into again. I'd love to see more of these characters and their world of magic books. I'd also love to read anything else Gareth Brown writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Gareth Brown for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I received this an advance readers copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I made it about 50% through before I decided to DNF. I just didn’t care enough about the characters. Something about them felt stilted. I would like to see a little more agency from cassie. Maybe that comes in the back half.
The pacing also feels a little slow. While we have some action packed moments, overall I just kept waiting for the real plot to take shape.

I was also pretty frustrated that we got a complaint so early on from Izzy about her weight, when it’s never made clear that she is or is not a plus sized character. The trope of straight sized women bemoaning their size is boring.

This was my 5 Star Goodreads review:

“This was like a kinder, gentler ‘Library at Mount Char’ married with a TJ Klune fantasy and I LOVED every last little bit of it. It had nail-biting tension, so many twists, and moments that broke my heart in the sweetest of ways. Even more, like Mount Char, it took a fantastical story and used it to make you reconsider so many fundamental aspects of life - what we’re all doing with our time and what will actually matter at the end of the road versus what we spent most of our time chasing. I really went in with no regrets expectations, so it was an absolute delight to discover such a treasure of a novel. I hope this goes on to be one of the breakout hits of 2024 because it very much deserves to be.

A couple other reviewers mentioned inconsistent pacing, but for me I very much appreciated the breathers and quiet moments in the narrative. I think they give it a little Studio Ghibli moment of Ma, and are very important to some of the real underlying themes that run through the book.

Honestly… WHAT a debut. Kudos and gratitude to Gareth Brown for creating this. And thanks as well to Net Galley and Harper Collins for an early peak at this gorgeous book.”

One small note: the cover on my e-ARC was a very minimalist rendering of a girl falling and an open door. The cover on Goodreads is a more elaborate and bookish one. I feel like that’s a better fit and that the minimalist aesthetic on my kindle version really doesn’t matchh gg the flavor of this wonderful story. Honestly think you could even go bigger and bolder. But I LOVED it, thank you so much for this ARC!

What an amazing read this was. Its been a while since Ive had a five star read and I'll be getting a physical copy as soon as possible. I LOVED this book.

Cassie is gifted the book of doors unaware of the magic and danger surrounding it. She must figure out what the Book of Doors is before it and the people who want it destroy everything. From the beginning you get thrown into mystery that you get to untangle as you continue reading. I loved the whole book but I could see some people thinking its a little slow getting into it since there are a few flashbacks for understanding you have to get through. But believe me when I say its worth it. I laughed and cried with these characters and I was sad the book ended because I wasn't ready to let them go. I hope this is the first of a series its a great stand alone as it is.

Title: You Must Read The Books of Doors by Gareth Brown

I wanted to have a title for this review that was more subtle or unique or magical. I think with this book though, I just don't want to beat around the bush. You must read The Books of Doors by Gareth Brown next year when it comes out. I got an early copy from Net Galley and I feel extremely lucky. So you have to read this one. Thats an order. You just have to. Okay, maybe I should tell you about the book and what I think of it and then you'll be convinced.

The Book of Doors stars a young woman named Cassie who works at bookstore. One day, her favorite customer Mr. Webber dies. He leaves behind a special book called The Book of Doors. Cassie quickly finds out that the book can take her places. She just has to find a door, think of where she wants to go, and then open the door to a totally different place. And The Book of Doors is not the only book. There are other special books that do other things. And thats all I'm going to tell you about this book. The less you know about it, the more you'll enjoy it!

There are so many surprises in this book. There were two times, at least, where my jaw was literally open. My mouth was hanging open and I couldn't believe what I just read and I had to go back and read it again. The Book of Doors is full of fantastic things: wonderful characters, surprising books, plot twists that stun, and an ending that gives closure and also leaves you wanting more.

I want to pause this review for a moment and say hi to the writer. Hi Mr. Brown. Loved this book. Please, please, please, please, PLEASE write a sequel. I want to see more adventures in this world with these characters. And I really want to see more books, in the real world and in this fictional world.

Back to the review: The Book of Doors is the best book I've read this year so far. I'm trying so hard to not reveal anything else about this book. I've only told you about one of the characters in the book. I've only told you about the book of Doors and hinted there are other books. There is just so much more to The Book of Doors. Its stunning. Its going to be one of the best books of 2024.

Are you convinced yet? I hope so. I'll be very disappointed in you if you don't read this book. Seriously. If you love fantasy and magical doors and wonder and an intriguing new mythology, then keep this book on your radar.

The Books of Doors releases into the world on February 13, 2024. Thank you so much to Net Galley and William Morrow/Custom House for providing a digital copy of this book for review. Also thank you Gareth Brown for the wonderful story. I just love this book!

I approached "The Book of Doors" with high expectations, enticed by its promise to capture the wonder of novels like "The Midnight Library," "The Invisible Life of Addie Larue," and "The Night Circus." Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of the anticipation.

The writing style felt more like a narration that talked at me. Instead of immersing me in a captivating story, it felt as if I was reading a list of events. This lack of narrative finesse made the reading experience feel tedious, and I struggled to connect with the world the author sought to create.

Another significant drawback was the absence of likable characters. While none were inherently bad, the lack of depth and relatability made it challenging to invest in their stories. Despite multiple attempts to engage with the book, I found the characters simply unexciting and failed to develop any sense of care or attachment.

The somewhat confusing story pacing and pov added to my dissatisfaction. On several occasions, I found myself struggling to because reading this book felt more like a chore than a joy. The absence of the anticipated magic and charm left me disheartened, particularly given my genuine excitement based on the book's advertised comparisons.

In the end, "The Book of Doors" did not resonate with me. Perhaps it caters to a different taste, but I found it lacking in the enchantment and storytelling that drew me to its advertised peers. Unfortunately, despite my efforts, I could not finish it and this book simply wasn't for me.

“The Book of Doors” is an enchanting tale, perfect for fans of “The Starless Sea,” “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” and “The Midnight Library.” The storyline captured my interest from the very first chapter. There were times when the pacing picked up, and the good vs evil pursuits were thrilling. The world-building was magical. The found-family friendships were sweet. “The Book of Doors” fits squarely in the “books about books” category for fantasy readers.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to @williammorrowbooks, @netgalley, and @harpercollins for my #gifted copies. Pub date 2/13/24.

I'm saying this right now. This will be THE book of 2024!!!!!!

This book was absolutely incredible from start to finish, and I can not believe this was written by a debut author. I am not a big fantasy reader, but the synopsis just sounded good, and I was in the mood for something different. I am so glad I read this, and I am sure this will be the most talked about book of 2024!!! This will definitely be a reread for me. That's how good it is! Definitely add this one to your list. You will not be disappointed!!!

Cassie works at a cute little cozy Bookshop in New York City. She is gifted a book called The Book Of Doors by her favorite customer, Mr. Webber. Cassie is about to discover this is no ordinary book. This book is magical and will take her to any door in the world as long as she is standing in a doorway and holding the book. Cassie also soon discovers that a lot of people are searching for The Book of Doors, and she could be in danger. I loved all the characters in this book, and I will definitely be thinking about this one for a long time! Gareth Brown, I will be reading everything you write!!!

I've been dying to read this! I'm so happy to have been given the chance to read the Arc! It is as brilliant and as fantastic as expected. I didn't want to put it down or for the story to end. It was an immersive time travel, magic, and fantasy adventure.

Books like this are why I love reading! The Book of Doors is a magical, imaginative, and immersive novel. Within its pages you will find magic, fantasy, time travel, endearing characters, and friendship. You can so easily get lost in the world of books that Brown creates. I never wanted the story to end, but I couldn't stop myself from turning to the next page. People who enjoyed The Midnight Library (Matt Haig), The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (V.E. Schwab), and The Cartographers (Peng Sheperd) will love this book.

Main character Cassie finds herself in possession of what looks to be an old journal when her favorite customer at the bookshop she works at passes away. However, Cassie and her roommate quickly find out it is not just any journal or book. It is the Book of Doors. As one holds this book and imagines another location, they may enter to this place through any door that they open, past or present. While Cassie experiments with this newfound magic, she soon discovers that she is in danger. People with ill intentions are after this book. There are countless books out there like Cassie's - The book of pain, joy, shadows, matter, despair, and more that have yet to be discovered. This niche group of people who are after these special Books - with both good and bad intentions - will not stop until they have it in their possession. Cassie, and the crew seeking the books of power, endure a wild adventure with a thrilling end.

I adored the themes of friendships and the characters, especially Mr. Webber. I loved how quickly we dive into the story. There was no long, drawn out backstory to the books; we are introduced to the magic within the first 50 pages. There are many characters and books to keep track of, though. I found it helpful to make notes of who is who. If time travel is in fact a possibility in this lifetime, I hope my past self is getting out of her head and living life in the now, just as Mr. Webber advised Cassie to do. I can't wait for this to hit the shelves soon. Hopefully others love it as much as I did!

Thank you go NetGalley and William Morrow for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This review is also posted on Goodreads.

A thrilling, fast-paced adventure exploring time travel and the power of books.

If you stick it out, this book gets so good. At first, I found it to be a little slow moving, and was slightly confused by all of the various stories taking place within the book. But I promise once you pass the halfway point, things are gonna start clicking and making sense. Each of these stories is very important to follow along with, and all come together for an explosive ending!

The Book of Doors follows Cassie, a quiet and grief-stricken bookseller living in New York with her vibrant best friend, Izzy. Cassie is gifted the mysterious Book of Doors by an older man who frequents the bookstore moments before he passes away unexpectedly. What follows is a journey around the world and through time as Cassie discovers the existence of other magical books, people hunting those books, and the looming danger of "the woman", an enigmatic collector who relishes in using the books for evil.

Normally, time travel books are hit and miss for me. However, this book was so thoughtfully orchestrated and felt realistically possible. There were times when I thought I was catching a flaw in the plot, just for there to be a twist in the next chapter that threaded it into the story. That being said, there were a few major points to the story that, without leaking spoilers, I wished had been explained better.

All in all, this book easily earns 4 stars from me, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking for an adventurous imagining of time travel and magic, without the feel of a science fiction book.

I absolutely adored this book, I love a great book about a book. Cassie was so easy to connect with and I felt her pain during certain parts of the novel that I won't reveal so I can avoid spoilers. It is a personification of how I personally feel about books - every door is any door, with the right book. If you love The Midnight Library, you'll love this.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Ugh, this is a no from me. Had some nice elements and potential, but poorly executed and too much negative to save it.

Pacing was just off and made the plot feel ridiculous. Comments made about woman’s body and eating habits is triggering for anyone with eating disorders and generally problematic for anyone to be reading. Similarly, poor choices were made related to characters using problematic language related to race. This needed a good sensitivity reader that it clearly didn’t have.