Review – The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow
Publisher: Redhook
Publication Date: September 10, 2019
Date Read: October 18, 2019
Length: 384 pages
Source: Purchased
★★★★★

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

Lush and richly imagined, a tale of impossible journeys, unforgettable love, and the enduring power of stories awaits in Alix E. Harrow’s spellbinding debut–step inside and discover its magic.

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What a fantastic book!  I knew that this book was going to be special on the very first page.  There is just something about the way that it is written that really pulls the reader into the story.  I was completely captivated and didn’t want to put the book down for any reason.  I am so glad that I took a chance and decided to give this book a try.

January lives in the home of a wealthy businessman, Mr. Locke.  Her mother is gone and her father works for Mr. Locke searching the world for treasures which means he is rarely around.  She doesn’t quite fit in but tries to be what Mr. Locke wants her to be.  Her only friends are a local boy named Samual and eventually, a big mean looking dog, she names Sinbad but always addresses as Bad.  January finds a book, The Ten Thousand Doors, which she knows is meant for her.  The book alternates between January’s story and the story told in her book.  Both stories were completely compelling.  I was completely amazed by the story January’s book held as its true origin was revealed. 

I loved January!  She was tough and resourceful.  She tried really hard to do what was expected until she realized that may not be her best option.  She never gave up and she cared greatly for those around her.  I also really loved how her dog, Bad, was a big part of the story.  Bad had great instincts and was fiercely loyal to January.  I was really impressed by how completely his personality was developed.

This is a fantasy and one that was very well done.  I loved the idea of these magical doors that allow individuals to travel from one world to another.  The descriptions were so well done, I almost felt like I could smell the air along with the characters.  I thought that the author did a fantastic job of incorporating fantastical elements into a historical story in a manner that seemed completely plausible. 

I would highly recommend this book to others.  I loved the journey that I took with January in these pages.  There were surprises, some heartache, a few moments of pure joy, and some precious hope.   I will definitely be looking out for future books by this incredibly talented author!

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