Genre: Fantasy
Release Date: February 13th, 2024
Pages: 416
Publisher: William Morrow
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Cassie Andrews works in a New York City bookshop, shelving books, making coffee for customers, and living an unassuming, ordinary life. Until the day one of her favorite customers—a lonely yet charming old man—dies right in front of her. Cassie is devastated. She always loved his stories, and now she has nothing to remember him by. Nothing but the last book he was reading.
But this is no ordinary book…
It is the Book of Doors.
Inscribed with enigmatic words and mysterious drawings, it promises Cassie that any door is every door. You just need to know how to open them.
Then she’s approached by a gaunt stranger in a rumpled black suit with a Scottish brogue who calls himself Drummond Fox. He’s a librarian who keeps watch over a unique set of rare volumes. The tome now in Cassie’s possession is not the only book with great power, but it is the one most coveted by those who collect them.
Now Cassie is being hunted by those few who know of the Special Books. With only her roommate Izzy to confide in, she has to decide if she will help the mysterious and haunted Drummond protect the Book of Doors—and the other books in his secret library’s care—from those who will do evil. Because only Drummond knows where the unique library is and only Cassie’s book can get them there.
But there are those willing to kill to obtain those secrets. And a dark force—in the form of a shadowy, sadistic woman—is at the very top of that list.”
My Review:
I have mixed feelings about this one.
This had everything I want in a fantasy and so much to like about it, but there were many things in the execution that really fell flat for me.
I didn’t hate it yet, but I didn’t love it.
The concept, magic system, and worldbuilding were very intriguing. Some of the plot reveals were unexpected and exciting.
As much as I liked the main character, she somehow ended up being unrelatable and forgettable.
The pacing was also a struggle, the length of page-time spent between jarring transitions just didn’t balance right for me.
I somehow just never felt completely immersed, totally invested, nor deeply connected with the story.
It was good and I’d still recommend for anyone who loves magical realism stories.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you read this book? Planning to add it to your TBR?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I love a good book discussion. 🙂
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