This was a very enjoyable book. It has an imaginative and innovative story.. The characters are interesting and it held my attention throughout. There were a number of twists and turns that were cleverly executed. I would highly recommend.

(We can’t change our past, as it has already happened, we can only determine our future one moment at a time, and your future should involve reading this book.)This is a delicious convoluted urban fantasy story of the connections of the character’s lives over time, through many doors and interactions. It seemed to me to be almost a book in parts, the first as the magic is revealed and joyfully played with and the second as the horrors unfold as consequences and avarice are revealed and the end play is traveled and executed. I found the whole concept freshly innovative in the crowded book shelf of urban fantasy books all asking to be read. This book should definitely be placed near the top of your shopping/reading list. A puzzle box, to be teased at until satisfyingly the solution is skilfully revealed. Thank you to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

Cassie is given a strange book by a dying old man who is a customer of the New York book store in which she works. And then, an incredible adventure begins for Cassie and her flatmate and friend, Izzy. They are transported to a dangerous world of magic where certain books are sought after and fought over. And only Cassie can put it right.
This is a big book, full of mystery, time travel, love and in which good must triumph over evil. It's hard to believe it's a debut - it is a very well-plotted page turner of a stor,y with a cast worthy of a Marvel movie. The characters perhaps could have been fleshed out a bit more, fewer adverbs used and more telling than showing, but I was completely hooked by the book's premise and was sucked into the story, feeling I was part of it.
I can imagine this as a great movie or television series. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it hadn't already been snapped up.
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the advance reader copy and congratulations, Gareth, for a great career ahead.

The concept of time travel in this book was very intriguing. The adventurous heroine, Cassie, gradually learns the power of the book she has been left, and starts to explore its potential until a mysterious stranger warns her of its dangers. From there the plot becomes fast paced. I found the focus on one character and then another disconcerting, particularly when they were introduced for the first time but it all holds together in the end.
For me the difficulty about this story was the violence. This was necessary to the plot but was overdone. Once the point had been made that the Book of Doors and other similar books were dangerous and desirable it would have been more effective to have less of the scenes of violence explained so explicitly. It was more effective and scary when the dangers were hinted at. Towards the end of the book as scenes of violence became more and more dominant I found myself losing interest because the magic of a book that can give you special powers was being lost in the excessive violence.
This was a great idea for time travel and a fascinating concept that relfected on human weakness as well as strngth.

ChatGPT
"The Book of Doors" unfolds a captivating tale as Cassie Andrews, a New York bookseller, receives a mysterious gift that opens doors to unimaginable places. This unusual book grants extraordinary powers, propelling Cassie and her friend Izzy into a world of limitless possibilities. As they navigate the magic within its pages, danger lurks, and they find themselves in need of Drummond Fox, a man with his own hidden library of magical books. The story expertly weaves suspense and fantasy, warning that some doors should never be opened. A riveting journey into a world where the power of books unveils both wonder and peril.

This book drew me and I then could not put it down. The different worlds being woven together along with the concept that the ‘books’ may have been the reason behind various things in history was intriguing.

The time travel parts of the book did get confusing at times and I’m never totally convinced whether some of what happened could have been done.

A good read and will look for more from the author.

Cassie, a women in her mid-twenties, is on the closing shift at the New York bookstore where she works, when a long time customer, old Mr Webber, passes away…and happens to leave her a mysterious book, which upon later inspection that night, with her roommate Izzy, appears to be magic. How else have they opened a door to Venice in their small NYC apartment? But, what seems like an incredible gift also opens up a highly dangerous world, full of people who will stop at nothing to get that book.

I don’t think I’ve ever gasped at a book quite as much as I did while reading this! An intricately plotted, twisty, magical, time travel mystery, filled with equal parts whimsy, threat, love, and loss. Truly, a brilliant book.

The deaths that happen in this book are quite gruesome - the first fifty pages or so almost lull you into a false sense of security, simply a story with a magical book that allows you to travel anywhere, through any door…just to then kick it up several notches as we, and Cassie herself, comes to terms with just how dangerous it can be, how many others will kill to get their hands on this book, and how there are other magical books out there - some wielded for good, others to cause deep pain and suffering.

This book felt effortless, which is a feat, as the storyline so easily could of become illegible and hard to follow - but each of the many characters are introduced in a way that firmly situated them in my mind. I felt so expertly guided through the story, never once losing track of who was who or where I was.

Seeing things clicking into place, how intertwined everything was, was so satisfying, even when things took me wildly by surprise.

This is one of those books that remind me why I love reading so much, which is one of the greatest honours I can bestow upon a book. That feeling of sinking into a story so fully, and being so onboard for the ride. What a treat.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the early copy to review!

Not bad, but not my usual sort of book. It reminded me a bit of The Lion, The Witch and The wardrobe, which was fabulous as a child. It’s a fantasy tale and maybe because I don’t read these sort of books, it wasn’t quite as engaging. I prefer real life I’m afraid.

This. Book. Is. AMAZING!
Immediate top 5 favourite and rushing to preorder this right now!
I love the concept of time travel, magic and things that are meant to be. I love how little plot tidbits get revisited and the 'Ohhhh' moment when you work something out. This book is very very clever indeed.
There are a few tiny parts that I am not clear on but I'm sure that a reread may help with that.
A definite winner, do yourself a favour and get a copy ASAP!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cassie works in a bookshop in New York City. After an elderly regular customer dies on the premises, she notices a book he left on the coffee table. An inscription inside is addressed to her. It transpires this is a magical book, which can transport her to any place she imagines on walking through any normal door.

I’m not particularly a fan of fantasy, but this is similar to The Time Traveller’s Wife and the Harry Potter series, in that it’s set in the real world mixed with fantastical aspects, rather than a fully imagined fantasy world, which suits me better.

I had expected the story to be full of adventures, but not how dangerous and violent things would turn. A few parts are more horror rather than thriller, and after the first gruesome episode I considered not continuing. Boy, am I glad I carried on. It’s a thrilling ride, with plenty of moments of, “Oh, no!”, followed swiftly by, “Phew!” – and vice versa.

It was fun coming up with various theories while I was reading, then realising they wouldn’t be possible – or would they? I enjoyed trying to second guess what was possible in the world the author has created.

It’s a very clever plot and the action and descriptions are so well written I could absolutely visualise them. The story would easily translate to film.

Don’t miss reading the acknowledgements at the end of the book – they’re a great read in themselves.

The Book of Doors is Gareth Brown’s first published novel. I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for future books.

4* The Book of Doors is a twisty, bonkers ride and I loved it!

Cassie works in a family run bookstore in NYC. A customer leaves her 2 books; The Count of Monte Cristo and a small ‘diary like’ book full of scribbles, languages Carrie doesn’t understand and an inscription which says that ‘one door is every door’. That book will change Carrie’s life.

Thrown into a world of place hopping and time travel, Carrie has access to an ancient power. But that power is one of a set and some people will do anything to collect as many of those powers as they can, putting Carrie in huge danger.

The Books of Doors is a novel idea brilliantly executed. The plotting is intricate, ambitious and clever, leaving breadcrumbs which cause the me to gasp with satisfaction when some of the earlier detail clarifies into something more significant. The characters are brilliant, both those we are rooting for and those who are ghastly and evil. It is a thriller, with a fantasy element and a huge sprinkle of fun. I enjoyed every moment of this ride.

I’m thrilled that it left enough space for a second book and I’M IN!

Thanks to Random House, Transworld and Netgalley for the ARC.

Published 15 February 2024. What a super fantasy read where all the magic comes from books. Well, we readers already know that's where the magic is, don't we? Imagine having a book that will bring joy, a book that will bring healing. Also imagine the flipside and having a book that can inflict pain. Our main character, Cassie, works in a bookshop. She adores books and so this is her perfect place to retreat. Her roommate and best friend, Izzy, however it her total opposite. Izzy is full of life. When one of Cassie's customers leaves her a strange book that is unreadable squiggles and symbols, Cassie realises that if she visualises a door, she can be transported to that place and time - a thing that causes her excitement and sparks a desire to revisit places from her past. However, Izzy cautions Cassie about using the book. When she meets by chance the enigmatic Drummond Fox, he warns her that she is in great danger. Her book is a great prize and there are those that will stop at nothing to obtain it. And so we begin a journey of adventure, violence, friendship and danger. This is a book that contains time travel, magic, and I loved seeing how Cassie grew during the narrative. There are ideas about destiny and free will. And a book about the power of books. A novel to transport you. I had a really good time reading it.

I was drawn to this book by the title and the cover. The blurb attracted me by the concept. Magic and time travel.

It’s a well crafted story by Gareth Brown. Keeps the tension up and the action moving at a good pace.

Cassie works in a bookshop and after the death of one of her customers she comes into the possession of mystical book - The Book of Doors - that he had with him when he passed.

This is a magical tale about books with remarkable powers, a bookshop, a library, a librarian and book collectors. It’s fitting that this story is about how well written stories make readers feel about their books and how they can become lost in their worlds.

However besides the comforting aspects of the story there is a dark heart - and a dangerous journey to help a librarian save his library.

If you love stories about time travel, wicked villains, friendship, magic and books, then this book will fit your need.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book of doors is a wonderful debut novel bound to impress any book lover!

Filled with magic, beautiful prose, interesting characters with well developed personalities and well constructed world build this novel is an absolute must read! The stakes in the book aren't low but despite that the feeling of comfort it gave me was so so precious.

I cannot recommend this enough, this is the kind of book you're torn between reading in one sitting due to how addictive it is and taking breaks from reading so that the magic of it will not end.

I absolutely loved this book. It is a really well written fantasty book. I found myself being drawn into the story more and felt myself become invested in who I wanted to do what.

Cassie is the main character of the book, and I love how she grew as a person. There were plenty of twists and turns in the book. Some were predictable and others not so much, but this story just sucked me into Cassie's world.

This book is a great standalone book, but would also work as part of the series, as I would love to hear more about the books and all the brilliant things they can do.

Loved this book. The characters developed and shifted throughout and the story of the magical books kept growing throughout. This would make a great basis for further adventures involving the key personnel. Keeps you guessing right to the end.

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

Thought I would love this, given the title, description & beautiful cover design. Sadly was not one for me, the time travelling took us back to times we don't want to remember with describes about female feelings & other descriptions & references. Felt took long & just not for me.

Normally I stay away from fanasty books, even though I love them, there was something about The Book of Doors that screamed me. Maybe because it was set in New York or because Cassie, the book's heroine, goes on such a journey that you can't help but sucked into this magical world. With good and evil, violence and danger this heroine needs help with the dashing Drummond Fox. A complex man himself, can these two come together to banish the evil that is hurting them down?

This is my second book by a male author and Gareth certainly knows how to draw you in. Make sure you had this book to your TBR list.

I cannot tell you how much I love this book, it is wonderful. The Book of Doors is a perfect mix of magic, fantasy, adventure, mystery and a dash of romance. Cassie rocks and Drummond…. roguish charm in absolute abundance. Great characters, superb world building and lore. It’ is the easiest five stars I’ve ever given. I hope there’s a sequel.