I can definitely see why a lot of people are enjoying this. Moving from place to place, character to character, timeline to timeline - there's much going on here. It's an impressive balancing act from Gareth Brown, to keep the pacing up and everything moving forward. There's an entire fantasy system at work here. And it works well.

Being honest, this isn't my genre so I found it tricky to get into. There was just enough to keep my intrigued. Outside of the fantasy element, I really cared about Cassie's connection to the people around her. It really has love and hope at its core. That's what I'll take away in the end.

I definitely had mixed feelings about this book. I am not a fan of fantasy books but it definitely held my attention - the idea of books being capable of bringing happiness, safety, pain etc and then a book that can transport you through time. As with all things it depends in whose hands they are as to whether they are good or evil.
Much of the book was fascinating with characters who were well drawn and rounded. I did feel it was a little overlong and lost its way a little at times It was not always easy to follow the time lines of the characters who were thrown back in time. That Cassie was at the root of it all was also confusing.
Nevertheless a very interesting read.
Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Gareth Brown/Random House UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

"The Book of Doors" is a delightful adventure that transports you to a world of magic, wonder, and bittersweet moments. The protagonist, Cassie, embarks on a thrilling journey of discovery when she comes across a magical book that can unlock doors to any place she desires. However, as she delves deeper into the world of magical books, she realizes the dangers that lurk within, and the lengths to which some would go to obtain them.

Despite the book's many enjoyable aspects, I found the pacing a little uneven at times. Additionally, some parts of the story felt too convenient and contrived, resulting in some loose threads being tied up too quickly. Nevertheless, I appreciate the author's efforts in crafting a magical and intriguing world that captures the imagination.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and Random House Uk for providing me with an ARC, which allowed me to provide my honest review of the book.

As a rule, I don’t read fantasy but for some reason I was drawn to this book. The gorgeous cover was certainly a reason to investigate further & as for the tagline…

Cassie Andrews works in a New York bookstore & when one of her regular customers die they leave her an inscribed book. The Book of Doors is no ordinary tome as Cassie & her friend, Izzy, soon discover. The book is one of several in existence which can bestow different powers upon whoever possess them. It is sought after & Cassie has to join forces with Drummond Fox, a collection owner, in order to protect herself, & her friend as well as the book itself, from those who wish to use it for nefarious purposes.

What a remarkable read! Instantly transported to other worlds through the power of thought, that sums up a reader doesn’t it? The characters are well written & the plot fleshed out, not just the mysterious books but the whole gamut of emotions are wrought. If you want something different, read it.

The premise of this book was interesting but sadly the book itself was not. I read half of it then decided life was too short. The writing style is expository to the point of inanity, with every point laboured. It’s all tell, no show. Unfortunately I found it too long-winded and boring to bother finishing it.

The story:
Cassie has a pretty ordinary life, working at a job she enjoys in a bookshop in New York and sharing a tiny flat with her best friend Izzy. But when she is gifted a mysterious book by an elderly customer, her life is suddenly one of both wonder and danger. Because in the hands of its owner, the Book of Doors can make any door, every door. And in the wrong hands, that could be very dangerous indeed…

My thoughts:
“The Book of Doors” is author Gareth Brown’s debut novel, and I think it’s a pretty impressive one!

The story begins in modern-day New York with Cassie gifted a mysterious book by an old man she barely knows who frequents the bookshop she works in. Inside is a mysterious message and Cassie soon discovers that this book is something very special indeed. It has the ability to make any door, every door — in other words, it is a ticket to any where and, importantly to the story, any when.

The cast of characters gradually expands as we meet Cassie’s fun-loving best friend Izzy, followed by ‘the librarian’ Drummond Fox, and a series of ‘book hunters’ — some nice, and some very, very bad. Because Cassie’s book, the Book of Doors, is not the only special book in the world — and a very enjoyable part of this book for me was the array of books we are introduced to, all with unique and magical properties, from the ability to conjure illusions to the creation of pure joy.

But not all of the books are used for good — books of pain and despair are also among their number. And of the many people who want to get their hands on a book, there is one — known to those in the know only as ‘the Woman’ — who will stop at nothing to gather them all, and use them to inflict misery and pain on the world.

The plotting of this book is amazing — there’s nothing the author has forgotten, or short changes the reader over. And that’s no mean feat, given all the plot strands he needs to tie together, including multiple time loops that could easily have made the plot too complex to follow. Instead, it’s a fabulous adventure, with twists and pay-offs I didn’t see coming and a hugely satisfying conclusion.

This is a book about books, for people who love books and adventure (even if it’s from the safety of your favourite reading spot). Enjoy!

This is a magical and dark journey across place and time all thanks to a book that one of Cassie's customers leaves to her whilst working in a bookshop. Together with her best friend Izzy they discover this special book can take them anywhere they want to go - at first this is great fun - let's go to a bar, to Paris, to Venice! But things take a dark turn when it becomes clear there are other people searching for this book, and some of them have magical books of their own and will stopat nothing to own more of them.

When Cassie Andrew's favourite customer gives her a strange book she is confused at first. It's an unusual book full of strange drawing and script, and has an even stranger inscription at the front of it: 'Any door is every door'. Cassie and her friend Izzy start to learn the secrets of the Book of Doors, and very quickly draw the attention of book collectors worldwide, some of whom are very dangerous people. With the help of Drummond Fox, owner of the Fox library and several special books, Cassie and Izzy are about to face the fight of their lives.

I loved everything about this book. It was exactly the book I needed when I opened it, full of magic and wonder, and a world very cleverly constructed.

Cassie is a troubled protagonist, a young woman struggling with grief and not really living her life. Throughout the course of the book we see her start to process some of what has happened to her, whilst facing yet more difficulties. I enjoyed seeing her grow throughout the book. Drummond is similar, a man struggling with his past and the horrors he has seen, not yet willing to face up to them. Both characters seem to be inherantly good people though, and are easy to read about.

THe real magic of this book though is in the story and storytelling. The concept fascinated me (as I'm sure it will most book lovers!) Imagine having a book that would let you travel anywhere anytime! The idea of having books with such power was what caught my attention, but the time travel aspect of the Book of Doors took things to another level for me.

Brown does a fantastic job with this one with making sure his time travel rules are sound, and that no loopholes are left open. He ties everything together, and I very much enjoyed the cyclical nature of the story and the way that certain things had to happen.

It's only February, but I'm already sure that this will end up being one of my favourite books of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK and Transworld Publishers for an arc in exchance for an honest review.

For the most part this was a really enjoyable read. I loved the idea of books wielding powers to be an exciting and intriguing premise.
Cassie comes into possession of the Book of Doors early in the story and what ensues is a tale of time travel, found family and friendship culminating in a good vs evil finale.
I liked the characters although I felt they were a little one dimensional and sadly found Izzy quite irritating. Disappointed that being ‘beautiful’ often cropped up as a positive female attribute.
I felt the ending did well to tie up the connections and set the scene for more stories in this world and I would easily read more.

Cassie is just living her life working in a bookstore, with a friendly regular customer, and is gifted a book by him... The Book of Doors

Cassie returns home and she and her Roommate Izzy are about to discover just how magical a book can be, but they could not imagine the danger that comes with it!

This book was amazing, it was high stakes and plotting and planning, and seeing all the bits fall into place as the story processes was so much fun!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the review copy... out tomorrow and I cannot wait for more people to find this book!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Wonderful, wonderful read. Fantastic plot, great characters and a writer that can weave magic. This needs to be a great success and I’m sure will be bought up by a film company. I loved it!

The Book of Doors
Fantasy
Gareth Brown
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

• ʀᴇꜱɪʟɪᴇɴᴄᴇ • ꜰᴏᴜɴᴅ ꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ • ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ •

I need to start this review by saying that I would give this book more stars, if I could. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I loved every minute of it!

This book was just magical and in a way, each book we read becomes our own Book of Doors. We can escape to any world we can imagine.

I loved the different POVs and the alternating timelines. The pacing was slow to begin with but I actually think that was the right way to start this book. It soon started to snowball and I think easing into that made it a lot easier to understand.

The world building was beautifully done. It was intricate and detailed without using info dumps. The plot itself was woven together in an incredible way. I loved how the simple things would go on to play a big role later on when situations changed.

This was essentially an arms race but with magical books.

The characters were lovely, especially Cassie and Drummond. The scene with Cassie and her Grandfather made me cry so much.

This book can easily make you question just how much of our lives has already been mapped out and how certain things are meant to be.

I did predict a couple of plot twists but the way they unravelled was great.

If you liked The Invisible Life Of Addie LaRue then I really recommend this book. The vibes are similar and there are times when it's heart wrenching but it's also about hope, perseverance and cherishing the relationships made along the way.

*Thank you to @Netgalley, the publishers and @garethjbrown13 for providing this ARC. This is my own opinion and an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily*

This is one of the best, most thought provoking, fantasy books I have read for a long time. There is magic, wonder, time travel, a struggle between good and evil forces as well as the importance of friendship and kindness.

Cassie Andrews is leading an ordinary life in New York. A life-long book lover, she has her dream job, working in a book shop and shares a small apartment with her best friend Izzy. However, when an elderly man she has befriended in the bookshop passes away and leaves her a very special magical book, The Book of Doors, her world is about to change forever in ways that she couldn’t possibly imagine. And she has no idea how much danger she is in.

This was so much more than I was expecting, especially given this is the author’s debut novel. The characters are delightfully flawed and quirky, even the evil ones and the plot is full of unexpected moments and twists, sometimes folding back on itself to create a different perspective, but never losing momentum or becoming too complex to follow. Not too heavy on overly long explanations, it’s intelligently and imaginatively written while maintaining a light touch and a sprinkling of romance.

"The Book of Doors" by Gareth Brown takes readers on an extraordinary adventure alongside Cassie, a bookseller who unexpectedly receives a powerful gift in the form of a book from a dying customer.

As Cassie explores the incredible potential of her newfound possession, she discovers that she's not alone in her pursuit of its powers: bookhunters, librarians, and other dubious characters are equally intrigued by the book's unique properties. With her roommate Izzy by her side, Cassie embarks on a series of thrilling escapades, unaware of the perilous risks they're venturing into. Enter Drummond Fox, a wise librarian who becomes Cassie's guide, determined to make her aware of the dangers they face. Sinister forces lurk in the shadows, ready to go to any lengths to claim the coveted book.

While the story initially takes a gentle approach, it gradually gains momentum as Cassie unveils more about herself and the various secrets surrounding this magical book. However, towards the end, following an exhilarating auction, I found the pace to drag slightly. It lost a bit of its initial appeal. It no longer had the same captivating quality that initially drew me in, and I found myself wanting a more succinct conclusion. Trimming about 100 pages would have improved the overall flow. At times it felt like Brown was aiming at a Young Adult audience, other times at an Adult audience - I was a little confused. Nevertheless, Gareth Brown did an impressive job crafting a complex plot.

In terms of language, I found certain aspects of the story uncomfortable. I believe there could have been alternative approaches to convey one of the villains wickedness without relying on old fashioned derogatory language. It felt a little gratuitous. Specifically, a moment where a character suggests that it's acceptable to behave poorly among "us boys" was disheartening, it really did make me wince. Unfortunately, that detracted from my overall storytelling experience. I also noticed instances of insensitivity towards body image, which I feel it could have been approached with more care and understanding.

Thanks to NetGalley, William Morrow, and Gareth Brown for the arc

Oh wow. What an absolutely brilliant novel. I think it’s the best book I have read for ages. So well written, fast paced and dramatic. A total joy to read. It was one of those rare books that I raced through but equally didn’t want to finish. I would definitely award more than 5 stars if I could. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

A well written story with some great characters. This magical book is ideal for YA and teens. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy.

The Book of Doors seamlessly blends magic, time travel, adventure, and romance into one stunning read. The story follows Cassie and Izzy as they are unexpectedly thrust into a world of violence and danger after Cassie inherits a mysterious book, which possess magical powers and allows them to travel to anywhere in the world by visualising the destination, opening the door and stepping through.
A fabulous debut!!

The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown is a page turning magical mystery that I absolutely loved. What if any door could be every door, so that you could walk out the door of your house and find yourself in a bar in Tokyo or a cafe in Italy, wherever the mood takes you?
Bookseller Cassie Andrews is living a pretty unremarkable life in New York, she enjoys her job and is happy living with her room mate and best friend Izzy. When a regular customer dies in the store one evening Cassie is surprised to find that he has left her a book. At first she is perplexed by the inscription on the opening pages, and by the strange scribblings and drawings of doors within, but soon she discovers the book has a strange power, the ability to transport the person holding it to wherever they can visualise. At first this is a fun escapade for Cassie and Izzy, but they are in over their heads. The Book of Doors is not the only magical book in existence and there is a very high demand for these books among some very unsavoury people, and some of these people have Cassie and her book very firmly in their sights. Luckily help arrives in the form of Drummond Fox, a mysterious character who is seemingly dedicated to protecting and preserving the books, and keeping them out of more dangerous hands. But can he be trusted?
I loved the premise of this book so much, it is very immersive and captivated my attention to the point that I was reluctant to put it down. The magic system is deceptively simple but works remarkably well, and I loved that the intention of the user played a large part in how the books worked e.g. the Book of Pain could be used to cause unimaginable pain in the hands of one user while another could use it to alleviate pain in those suffering. It made me think about how very little in life is simply black or white, there are always shades of grey. This is a book that is not afraid to tackle some dark subjects and there are some descriptions of suffering and torture that are not for the faint hearted, but that being said it is still a book that I would highly recommend, particularly if you like beautifully written tightly plotted adventure stories told from multiple perspectives.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

There is a lot to love about The Book of Doors. I loved exploring the world of magical books, discovering each new book and what it could do. I loved the tension of the battles as people fought to take the books from other people.
I thought there were a couple of loose ends and Cassie’s dialogue was a bit clunky in places. However that didn’t detract from my over all enjoyment of the book. I would love to read another book set in this clever world.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.