The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow is a captivating tale of a young girl named January Scholar who discovers a book that opens doors to new worlds, revealing hidden truths about herself and her past. The novel weaves together elements of magical realism, adventure, and danger as January navigates through portals to other worlds while uncovering secrets about her family and her destiny. The story is rich in detail, featuring complex characters, intertwined narratives, and a writing style that immerses readers in a world filled with mystery and wonder.

Characters:

Characters are richly drawn, with January's journey at the center, and they each represent various aspects of societal dynamics.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style captivates readers through its evocative descriptions and intricate language, though it can sometimes lean towards being overly ornate.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative tension arises from January's exploration of magical doors and the mysteries of her family, combined with her adventures against a backdrop of societal constraints.

Setting:

The historical backdrop enriches the narrative, contrasting real-world issues with the magical elements.

Pacing:

While the pacing is uneven, the narrative gains momentum as the plot unfolds, especially in the latter sections.

When I was seven, I found a door. I suspect I should capitalize that word, so you understand I’m not talking about your garden- or common-variety door that leads reliably to a white-tiled kitchen or a...

Notes:

The story takes place in the early 1900s and revolves around literal and figurative portals to other worlds.

The main character, January Scaller, writes a memoir about her experiences at the age of 17.

January's father is a field agent who collects exotic artifacts for Mr. Cornelius Locke, her guardian.

She discovers a book called 'The Ten Thousand Doors' that reveals the existence of magical doors.

The narrative deals with themes of racism and sexism as January navigates her mixed-race identity in a prejudiced society.

There are significant friendships in the book, particularly with a local boy named Samuel Zappia.

January is gifted a dog named Sinbad (nicknamed Bad) by Samuel, who becomes her loyal companion.

The concept of 'thresholds' is explored in depth, emphasizing the danger of crossing from one world to another.

The book features a story within a story, adding layers to the narrative.

Love is depicted as an adventurous journey, linked to the metaphor of passing through doors.

Magical realism is prevalent, as the boundaries between reality and fantasy are blurred.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content includes racism, sexism, and themes of institutionalization.

Has Romance?

The book includes romantic elements, but they are not the central focus.

From The Publisher:

"A gorgeous, aching love letter to stories, storytellers, and the doors they lead us through…absolutely enchanting."-Christina Henry, bestselling author of Alice and Lost Boys

LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER! Finalist for the 2020 Hugo, Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards.

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 await in Alix E. Harrow's spellbinding debut-step inside and discover its magic.

Praise for The Ten Thousand Doors of January:

"One for the favorites shelf… Here is a book to make you happy when you gently close it. Here you will find wonder and questions and an unceasingly gorgeous love of words which compasses even the shape a letter makes against a page."-NPR Books

"Devastatingly good, a sharp, delicate nested tale of worlds within worlds, stories within stories, and the realm-cracking power of words."-Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author

"A love letter to imagination, adventure, the written word, and the power of many kinds of love."-Kirkus

For more from Alix E. Harrow, check out The Once and Future Witches.

Ratings (153)

Incredible (26)
Loved It (56)
Liked It (41)
It Was OK (16)
Did Not Like (11)
Hated It (3)

Reader Stats (542):

Read It (154)
Want To Read (303)
Did Not Finish (19)
Not Interested (66)

5 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

1 month

DNF on page 163. Not a bad book perhaps but I couldn't care less about the story. Just didn't get invested in it.

czanel840

Loved It

3 months

An engaging fantasy full of magic doors to other places, featuring an Edwardian collector or exotic artifacts and fully aware of the racism and colonialism inherent in such collecting.

kmw2017

Did Not Like

3 months

Listened to audio version. Could not wait to be done but finished anyway. No empathy for “January”. Found the story tiresome.

lulareviewla

It Was OK

7 months

I've rated this book 3 stars, but it's honestly more of a 3.5. Since Goodreads doesn't use a half-star system, however, I'm giving it a three star. I feel somewhat bad for not rating this book higher, but after thinking it over for a few days before writing this review, I honestly can't rate it any higher. It wasn't a bad book by any stretch of the imagination, and I would definitely recommend that you read it for yourself!

January was a great character, and her emotional development throughout this book was one of my favorite aspects of the story. At the end of this book, I just say there, feeling a burning desire to seek out magical doorways into alternate realms.

All in all, a very enjoyable book that I am happy to have read.

mkicat691

It Was OK

11 months

Felt pretentious. Didn’t move fast enough

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The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Alix E. Harrow