The Ten Thousand Doors of January

A spellbinding tale of love and longing

By: Alix E. Harrow

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

But her quiet existence is shattered when she stumbles across 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 reveals more impossible truths about the world, and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

©2019 Alix E. Harrow (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK

Critic reviews

"A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers and the doors they lead us through...absolutely enchanting." (Christina Henry, best-selling author of Alice)

"A gorgeously written story of love and longing, of what it means to lose your place in the world and then have the courage to find it again. This book is a door I'm glad to have opened." (Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians)

"A tantalising quest through strange and beautiful places and a love story that spans time, worlds and magic. I couldn't put it down." (Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M)

Have come across this same story concept (or conceit) it multiple other far better written books/series

Whilst this was a pleasant read it is not a new idea and has been written about in both Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and also The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern. Both offer the superior prose, and wonderous imagery, that this novel seemed to be lacking. It is a tough call to write a book like this when it has already been done, along with missing parents, betraying guardians, the search for real ally’s, a budding romance, a coming of age and into power and a battle for a better future not just for self but for all, there is also even the trusty animal sidekick who can sense danger. I am loathe to give a bad or even average review, but how could an editor let this book be published when there are multiple other books that tackle this concept that have been worldwide best sellers?

The story begins with the last two chapters

The book began interesting with the last two chapters. Actually you only need to read the last to chapters to understand the entire book. It was though an easy book to follow.

Melodrama

Fun. Interesting concepts. 30% too long. Melodrama is the best description I can think of esp after the way too Baroque ending

great worldbuilding with a stupid MC

In almost every tense situation the main character either freezes or does something stupid. Like when you hold an armed enemy at gunpoint its definitely time to close your eyes and grief for someone you lost...