This was not entirely what I was expecting. Cassie, a bookseller, inherits a special notebook, the Book of Doors, that turns any door into any door. This throws her into the path of book collectors, book hunters and the world of special books.
It starts out how you might expect, travelling to other countries in a few steps, but the whimsy doesn't last and this turns into more of a mystery thriller time-travel than a magical fantasy.
So although it isn't what I expected, I did enjoy this and found it quite hard to put down at times as the various threads started to come together.
I think there's a fairly ropey character description section near the start (very obviously a man trying to have the female characters describe themselves) but it does get better quickly.
Although I generally liked Cassie, she also came over as a bit of an idiot - even though she clearly isn't meant to be (I can't be more specific without some serious spoilers). Overall though, I enjoyed the characters, including the development of the villains as the book progressed.
I don't know if this is going to be a standalone or if there are plans for more books, but I wouldn't say no to seeing more of the Fox Library.
Also, I want to know if "any" door includes fictional doors...

Lovely book. The book of Doors, who wouldn’t want one? But lots of people want the book and others like it, a great read full of adventures, trust and friendships.

What an amazing thrilling book! book ! Was
Pulled in by the mystery,thrilling and time travelling plot. Really liked the characters as well. Kept me hooked! Highly recommend

I was drawn to this book in the first place by the title and the cover, both really appealed to me. As I read the synopsis I knew I definitely wanted to read it. It sounded like just my kind of book and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Cassie, a character I found likeable and relatable, is living a quiet life working in a bookshop until the death of a customer kicks off an amazing adventure involving magic and time travel. The book is full of great characters as well as evil ones, and the story is written so well. I loved how parts of the story were weaved together. My interest never waned and I was hooked right until the last page.
This is a fantastic debut book for Gareth Brown and I will definitely want to read his future books!
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I knew from the opening paragraph that this was going to be a magical read and I was so right. The book is full of unique and magical books of its own and they are being constantly sought by those of good and evil persuasion. The reason being that these books aren’t for reading and not always for positive reasons.
So many emotions surface in this book and it was so good to feel the warmth of feeling our heroine exudes to so many different people. To her friend, her departed grandfather and the lovely, mysterious old man who comes in her shop every day. We mustn’t forget the Librarian’s influence but that is revealed towards the end of the story.
It’s beautifully written and I’m so glad I was allowed to read and review it.
The end of the story was so moving; I loved it. You could say it was a long journey for them all; and for our main character, it was longer than anyone’s. I loved the ending so much, I read it twice.
This is a book that anyone who professes to enjoy fantasy, must read. It’s just too good to miss.

An old man dies in the bookshop Carrie works at and leaves her a book which she finds enables her to walk through any door and come out through any other door in the world - at any time! Enter a world of magic books which give their owners immense powers. They are rare, and therefore highly valued and collectable. they can be used for good or evil and bad actors want to get as many as they can. Carrie soon finds that many people would like her book and would go to any lengths to get hold of it
Its a gripping and very readable thriller.

This book was promoted as similar to The Midnight Library and The Night Circus, which I can gladly say it’s true! However, this book does so well on its own without the comparisons made as well.

Any book I can get my hands on that is about books I will read and with this I can say it did not disappoint! I loved the idea of a book being able to open doors to different places and even different times.

I loved Cassie as a main character who likes to spend her time with her head in the clouds and more specifically books.

The mysteries in this story are so intricately woven and the excellently written characters made for a fast paced and interesting story that I didn’t want to put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-Arc of this book

What a great book ! If you are a fan of time travel, mystery and fantasy I’m sure you’ll love it. Strong characters and an intriguing premise kept me reading to the end. Hope to read more by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Penguin Random House the publisher for the advance copy to read.

I requested this after seeing M W Craven recommend it.

If you could open a door to anywhere, where would you go?

This book was a truly unique read for me. The concept of a book being able to open doors to anywhere and what that could enable the user to experience is a brilliant one. Quite literally though this is what books do for me, and many others, they transport us to another place and another time. A book can literally be a door to anywhere in our minds.

Our main character Cassie is well thought out, likeable and determined. The story is a mix of magic, time travel, good Vs bad and found family. The entire story is intricately woven so that every part makes sense.

Time travel is a hard concept to imagine let alone weave within the words of a story so beautifully.

I must admit I got to the half way point and thought how is there still another 50% to go? But I was wrong, Gareth Brown completely got me there. The story really takes off here and becomes so enthralling I couldn't put it down.

I think this will be a huge hit for 2024. If you're looking for an immersive, enchanting and unique read then please give this a chance.

5 stars.

"If you could open a door to anywhere, where would you go?" This was the first line of the description for this book that initially got my interest and this book did not disappoint!

This book has everything; mystery, murders, adventure, time travel and friendships that feel real and believable.
The time travel element has been well thought out and was easy to follow, the characters are likeable and written well and I felt totally immersed in the story. Its not a short book but it also doesn't drag, every page is used to push the story forward and there was a part of me that didn't want it to end. I really enjoyed diving back in after getting home from work and its been a while since I've felt that way about a book.

Nothing felt rushed or forced and the pacing of the story was perfect. It wasnt afraid to go dark in parts of it which I both appreciated and was a glad that certain character wasnt a real person! It'd be nice to have a series with the main characters as I feel the door (no pun intended) was left open for potential further exploration but its also fine as a standalone. I just really enjoyed the premise and I'm so happy that it exceeded my expectations of it going in.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. Highly recommended. I can't wait to see what else the author writes.

In a world where magical books exist Cassie becomes owner of the book of doors. A book that enables her to open a door in one place and emerge from a door in another.
It's time travel, magic, mystery. You'll need to concentrate as it gets pretty complicated. That's what made it enjoyable though. It felt like the author really spent time on the plot. It starts off slowly and builds.
There are some themes that people might find difficult. Grief, violence and torture. I thought that some of these scenes were a bit too much.
I could really see this as a tv show or film.

I loved the concept of this book - Cassie is given a magical book, which can open doors. Any door, including ones to the past. It turns out that it's just one of a whole library of books which have special powers, manipulating light, shadows, illusion, human emotions and more, and that it's incredibly dangerous to have one of these books.

The book didn't really grab me though, some of the violence was pretty horrible and the explanation of how the books were made and how The Woman ended up the way she did didn't really make much sense even within the context of the story. There are some great characters (Izzie, the Bookseller) but overall I just found I didn't really enjoy the book very much. It's a great concept and it's well written, it just left me a bit cold.

Cassie works in a bookshop and when her favourite elderly customer dies, he leaves her a book full of mysterious scribblings with a note on the first page saying “Any door is every door.”
Cassie takes it home and finds that her new book has magical properties, allowing her to open any door and step into anywhere and anytime. Thus begins an epic journey for Cassie and her flatmate Izzy in which they meet the Librarian, the Bookseller, and the book hunters. They discover more books with magical properties and some larger than life villains have chosen to use the books for evil rather than for good, so Cassie discovers that by using her book she has put herself and Izzy in mortal danger.
The Book of Doors is intricately plotted and fast paced after a slightly slow start. The many seemingly random threads of the story start to make sense and interweave leading to a tense and action-packed conclusion. The whole story is so cleverly constructed, the main characters are well developed, and the prose is really well written "The fire chatted in crackles while the sea whispered and hushed"
This is an impressive debut and I look forward to more from Gareth Brown.

Cassie receives a book unlike any book she has ever seen - it is a book of doors that can take you anywhere you want to go - what starts out as a fun activity finding places to go to soon turns a bit sinister as people want her book. I loved the magical aspect of this and all of the other books that had magic powers! Reminded me a bit of Ten Thousand Doors of January which I also loved. I loved the characters and all the magical bits to the book. Fab story

"If you could open a door to anywhere, where would you go?" poses a tantalizing question that sets the stage for a captivating tale in this novel. In the bustling backdrop of New York, Cassie Andrews, a seemingly ordinary bookseller, receives an extraordinary gift from a beloved customer—a peculiar book filled with enigmatic writing and mysterious illustrations. Thus begins Cassie's journey into the enchanting world of "The Book of Doors," a realm where any door can lead to every door.

As Cassie delves into the secrets of the Book of Doors, she discovers the extraordinary powers it bestows upon its possessor. Alongside her best friend Izzy, Cassie embarks on a thrilling exploration of the book's capabilities, transforming their quiet lives into a whirlwind of possibilities and adventures.

However, the magic of the Book of Doors comes with a price, as Cassie and Izzy soon find themselves entangled in a web of danger. The novel takes an unexpected turn when other magical books with both wondrous and perilous abilities come into play, wielded by individuals with sinister motives. The duo's once-idyllic existence is shattered, forcing them to confront violence and an unnamed evil that threatens their newfound powers.

Amidst the chaos, a mysterious figure named Drummond Fox emerges as a potential ally, possessing his own secret library of magical books. Fleeing from personal demons, Fox becomes a crucial player in the unfolding drama, as the characters are thrust into a high-stakes battle against a malevolent force that hunts them all.

This novel expertly weaves together elements of magic, adventure, and suspense, creating a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The exploration of magical books adds depth to the story, introducing a captivating blend of wonder and danger. With its richly developed characters and a plot that balances excitement with mystery, "If you could open a door to anywhere, where would you go?" promises an immersive reading experience, drawing readers into a world where the allure of limitless possibilities collides with the ever-present threat of darkness.

When Cassie receives the Book of Doors she finds opportunities and adventures. But with it comes a deadly pursuit as others also want the book for evil. She finds an ally in Drummond Fox, who has his own book collection including the Book of Shadows.
A dark fantasy novel, brutal and unflinching. Also very sad as the subject of moving through grief is explored. I loved following Cassie’s personal journey as we learnt about her past and her relationship with her beloved grandfather.
This book has echoes of The End of Mr Y by Scarlett Thomas.

I read an eARC of this book so thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this.

This was a fascinating read. I’d recommend this for fans of The Starless Sea or The Ten Thousand Doors of January.

This follows a young woman who receives a book from an old man who visits the bookshop she works in regularly when he dies. This book opens doors all over the world allowing her to travel places she’s always wanted to go. However this draws attention from dangerous people who wish to take the book for themselves.

I found this to be so well written. I really enjoyed it. The magical book system was so well crafted and balanced. The author wasn’t afraid to make bold choices for the narrative and put their characters through traumatic experiences.

This was exciting, the pacing was good. The villain was quite monstrous. But the big draw was the books and how they are used to manipulate the world and people around them. There’s so much balance, all of the books have the power of good and evil depending on who is using them. I’m always drawn to books about books but the expectations are often too high and not met. Not the case here where this was enjoyable all the way through.

Imagine that you could open your front door and be in the destination of your choice. For me that would probably be any library or bookshop. This is an unexpectedly thrilling story about time and a magical book.

When Cassie finds her favourite customer dead in the bookshop where she works she is overwhelmed by shock and grief. At first she only notices the book he was reading and the one they had been talking about left behind on the table. Then she notices a second book, one that he has inscribed to Cassie. From that moment Cassie embarks on a journey of many doors, places, people and time, but most of all of a magnificent library.

“Any door is every door.”

I absolutely thoroughly enjoyed this book but I was unprepared for how dark it was in places. I’m unconvinced that the story required it however it in no way spoilt it for me. Themes include: bereavement, loss, companionship, friendship, murder, psychological torture, nostalgia, memory, magical realism, books, libraries, time, time travel, history, booksellers, book hunters, endurance, tenacity, integrity.

I highly and unswervingly recommend The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown.

The Book of Doors is an extraordinary read. It veers from a human interest story through to fantasy and time-travelling peppered with graphic violence. Gareth Brown has a strongly descriptive style of writing and his characters leap off the pages in more ways than one! Working in a bookstore in Upper East Side, New York, Cassie befriends an elderly man who leaves her a strange book, the titular Book of Doors. Through this magical book Cassie is able to revisit places from her memory, sometimes accompanied by her increasingly worried flatmate Izzy. Soon things take a darker turn as Drummond Fox, aka the Librarian, enters their world. Through him they learn that there are many of these secret books, each offering a different power, with, it seems, as many nefarious and downright violent characters whose aims are to possess them. This book has joy and laughter but will make you gasp too. The plotting is so well executed with a very clever premise at its heart and I found it absolutely captivating and gripping. Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for the eARC.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

The plot summery and the fact that it was suggested for fans of A Discovery of Witches had me instantly, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I was going to in the end.

Whilst the plot was fantastic, the characters left a lot to be desired - they felt very flat and I just couldn't bring myself to like them, let alone route for them. They had no personalities or depth to them, and I really didn't like how Izzy was portrayed at the start, as a woman obsessed with her weight, and that she's beautiful but doesn't know it. This felt very stereotypical for me and had me rolling my eyes on more than one occasion.