The Book of Doors

This is a very very good book. It’s a hefty read which allows the reader to become truly immersed into this magical world with intriguing evil villains.
The first chapter hints at a promise of adventure and mystery and that’s exactly what is delivered. The plot is clever, absorbing and original and leads to a finale that is just perfect. Definitely a best seller coming and I wish the author every success. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this advance review copy.

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

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.

Although it took me a while to get into this book, The Book of Doors was beautifully written with memorable characters and a captivating plot is rich with adventure and just the right amount of suspense to keep the reader engaged.

Although a bit bit of slow burner, it is well worth sticking with this book. Beautifully written and truly a masterpiece.

I really enjoyed reading this title and I think Gareth Brown does an excellent job of creating a logic to his world of magic. The magical Book of Doors opens the world of possibilities to Cassie but she has to be wary that not everyone will use it for the fun globetrotting experiences that she has planned. The resulting cast of book hunters, auctioneers, librarians and villains that we meet bring this secretive world to life. I loved that the individual events tied up in surprising ways and you gained an insight into many of the characters' motivations.

It felt like a cohesive and well plotted book - one which didn't create magic and fantastic locations at the expense of a plot but one where plot and rich description are intertwined for a highly immersive reading experience.

Adventure, suspense, friendship, opportunity, great characters and time travel. What door would you choose? A fantastic debut novel from Gareth Brown, I can't wait to see what else the author will conjure. Highly recommended.

Absolutely magical! Remember when you were a kid & books could take you anywhere? When you could travel within the pages to distant times & places and experience the magic of a different life? Well, this is it! This is the adult version - and well we know that all is not as it seems in the darkest of fairytales. Be warned - The Book of Doors visits terrible & dangerous places, but book-geek heroes? I'm in!

I couldn't wait to step outside of myself & catch-up with what was happening to the characters, to travel with them, to cheer them on from the sidelines & to hurt for them when they hurt. Without a doubt this is my read of the year & I'll be recommending it far & wide. If you think the title & the premise are magical, just wait until you step onto the pages and enter The Book of Doors.

It would make a terrific film, but you'll want to get your hands on the book before that happens. Everyone knows the book is always better. I can't wait to see what other books are eager to burst from the author's imaginings.

This one started off strong and then exceeded all my expectations! It's very clever and original, and at times i found myself at how well crafted and brought together the story is. At the start I didn't really how things were going to turn out but the story and plot were so good that my mind was pretty much blown. The characters are very well developed, and by the end I was fully invested in them and their own stories. Really hoping that there is some kind of prequel, sequel or series to come! An absolutely cracking read that I cant wait to see published in 2024.

I've only got one word to describe this book and that's........
Awesome. It's a long time since I've been so engaged with the characters of a book and so engrossed with the story. I love the fact that books are considered to be magical and can transport you to other places and times. As a reader that's surely all you ask and expect from a good novel. I loved this book and didn't want to put it down as I was so eager to see what was going to happen next whilst at the same time I didn't want it to end. More please from this talented author.

Just an outstanding read!!! Is it believable, no of course not...it's centred around impossible magic....does it make you feel good, absolutely! Written in an engaging style, and with a storyline that should be complicated, but actually is effortless. Stunning book....many thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read and review...

The book of doors captivated me, I didn’t want to put this book down, it’s exciting from page 1. How is a book about a book that starts in a bookstore captivating? There is excitement, suspense, intrigue and expectation with every turn of the page. Thank you @Netgalley for the early copy, this is a book to buy and read again, there are so many book I want to read that I’d rather not read books again, but this one is exception to that rule. I will be recommending this book to my friends it’s superb.
Cassie works in a book store lives an ordinary life with her room mate Lizzy until the sad event that is Mr Webber’s sudden unexpected death sat at the table in the cafe within the bookstore on the night Cassie is locking up. Mr Webber leaves a book for Cassie a gift but that’s not the last time you read of Mr Webber and Cassie and their strong friendship born out of walking through the wrong door.
Perfect end to the book leaving me wondering this has potential for sequels follow ups for more but also that is the end and should remain the end!
This is a debut novel and I’ve followed the author on platforms waiting for notifications of more from him as this is so brilliant.

A fabulous read for booklovers who enjoy an imaginative fantasy novel with engaging characters.
The main protagonist Cassie, works in a bookshop, in New York. She doesn't have a great social life nor many friends, though her room mate Izzy is her best pal despite being very dissimilar in nature, loud and gregarious to Cassies quiet solitude.
Cassie is still grieving the loss of her beloved Grandfather, whom she feels she let down when he died, years earlier. So it's hardly surprising she is happy to spend time chatting with another elderly man, a customer in her workplace, and saddened when he also dies suddenly. What she doesn't expect is for him to leave her a parting gift. A small rather shabby, yet mysterious little book called the Book of Doors.
It turns out to have some very strange properties, magical abilities, which allow the holder to open doors to ... anywhere. Wow! What a gift. But as Cassie learns how to travel the world in moments, she drags an unwilling Izzy along for the ride and what seems like a dream come true soon becomes a nightmare for both women.
It's a roller coaster ride of huge imagination, eerie and magical and mind blowingly inventive. Yet, despite quite a lot of violence and sorrow, it never becomes too heavy and it's always pretty easy to follow, it fired all my synapses but didn't over tax my brain. Great to curl up on a cozy sofa with.
A perfect escape from the everyday and although everything ties up nicely there is a huge promise of a sequel or even a series, which having loved this I can't wait to be able to dive into.

Firstly,my thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this enthralling story.

I enjoyed every page, even the gruesome parts.
Cassie shares a city apartment with her best friend Izzy and works in a bookshop. One day an old man who is a regular customer, gives her a mysterious book- The Book of Doors. Thus begins her amazing and dangerous journey to help a librarian save his library.

This is a magical book about books with remarkable powers, a bookshop, a library, a librarian and book collectors. At the heart of it is an evil witch type woman and a young woman who tries to stop her destroying everything. And binding the plot together is a wonderful time travel theme.

If you love stories about time travel, wicked villains, friendship, magic and books, you must treat yourself to Gareth

This book is an absolute masterpiece. ✨ From its immersive narrative that pulls readers into a spellbinding world, to its tantalizing hints of adventure and intrigue from the very first chapter, it's a five-star read. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The plot unfurls with brilliance, presenting a fresh and absorbing tale that crescendos to a flawless finale. Destined to be a bestseller, I foresee great success for the author. My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the remarkably talented author for this advance copy. 🪄

A super read - I would definitely recommend. Thank you to the writer, publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book

This book and the fascinating concept of a magical book of doors, which allows you to travel anywhere, in any time, captured my imagination right from the start - It has a clever plot, which is well thought out and is delivered in an immersive writing style, making the story feel extremely engaging. This page-turner of a book will make you feel a sense of wonder and surprise - it is packed with adventure, intrigue and suspense (plus some mild horror) and is without doubt one of the best books I have read this year. Many thanks to NetGallery and Random House UK for allowing me to get an early copy of the book - it’s not out until February 13, 2024, but you should pick up a copy as soon as you can - it would make a great fantasy action film too.

Cassie works in a bookshop which serves coffee. One day a customer gives her a magical book, called the Book of Doors, after dying in the bookshop.
What Cassie finds out about the book is indeed a magical story and one I got into right away. The style of writing is brilliant and Cassie, Izzy and Drummond are particularly well described.
Highly recommended, one of the best books I have read this year.

I loved this book. It starts well and continues to keep the reader engaged and wanting to know what happens next The answer to that is - A Lot! It is full of action, violence, greed and a bit of mild horror. I think it could ake an excellent film. Cassie, Drummond, Issy and Lund make a great structure for the plot to work around. I shall be looking for more books by this author. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an e-ARC to erad and review,

Loved this book. Read it over 2 days and so enjoyed it. The story of the Books, Cassie, Izzy, Drummond, Lund, Mr Webber and all the characters captivated me. Magical, thoughtful, highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC in return for my honest review

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.

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.

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.