Wow. This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I ended up reading this book in one sitting as couldn't leave the flowing pace of the story. By the end I wanted to go directly home and whisper in the ears of my pets how much I love them. As a lover of The Hero's Journey, this book takes the structure and form and transforms it through the use of words as pictures and using the form of the typeface to convey feeling and emotion. Ing is a character who believes he is nothing and had nothing. But right form the beginning he is seeking and collecting. Nana, his Mother and the little girl he meets along the way, allow Ing to explore and seek understanding in grief. This is the part that resonated so strongly with me and gives so much comfort in the possibility of there being no true end. The animal characters are just as important as the humans and the voices just as relevant, bringing all beings and spirits into the same realm. Children so often view the world in this way and this speaks directly to them. Simply a beautiful story.

This Is a Door is a masterfully crafted epic hero’s journey that centers on Nothing the Younger, an orphan affectionately known as Ing. Living in a remote mountaintop city with his dog, Pöppy, and a mouse, mOmO, Ing’s life takes a dramatic turn when he decides to follow the Wander Prince on a royal quest to defeat a ravaging Giantess. Their odyssey leads them through the eerie Land of the Dead and into a harrowing confrontation with the terrifying wimmelworm. Ultimately, the quest is less about the monster and more about Ing’s internal discovery as he uncovers the truth of his parentage and seeks out his "best purpose."

What sets this book apart is its status as the most creative and engaging read in recent memory. The storytelling is inextricably linked to its unique format; the text doesn't just sit on the page—it snakes, jumps, and explodes into shapes that mirror the action of the plot. This inventive approach forces the reader to physically participate in the journey, turning the act of reading into an engaging experience. The book offers a refreshing perspective on self-discovery.

Ultimately, This Is a Door is an artistic wonder that pushes the boundaries of traditional literature. Given its unique ability to take the reader on such a literal and metaphorical journey, this book is undoubtedly destined to become a classic.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.