dyerra's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I had reviewed this book as I was reading it because my feelings about it after reading it are different than they were during it. It was a decent book. I don't hate it. I don't love it. For me it felt like the beginning and even the middle dragged. There were a lot of points where it felt like nothing was happening. The first chapter was very interesting, and the last third of the book was good (making it hard to write a negative review or even to review the whole picture). The ending was middling.
I felt that there was a lot of telling rather than showing throughout the book. Which in some ways comes to make sense as we find out that the book is being written to give to someone. But it just is less enjoyable. I also understand why the book-within-a-book chapters are written the way they are and how it advances the plot for them to be so, but I would have liked a deeper dive into the experience of those characters. I also felt like the characters were a little flat. It improved as the story progressed but I never felt a deep connection to or understanding of any of the characters.
I did like the world building (when it occurred) and the ideas about the Doors and the artifacts. I like books where fantasy and reality intermingle. I also like unique and creative plots and this was one. Sometimes I dislike romance especially in adventure stories and especially love at first sight romance but it works here and it didn't bother me at all.
Overall, I just have mixed feelings about this book so I'm kind of in the middle of the road about it (hence three stars).
I felt that there was a lot of telling rather than showing throughout the book. Which in some ways comes to make sense as we find out that the book is being written to give to someone. But it just is less enjoyable. I also understand why the book-within-a-book chapters are written the way they are and how it advances the plot for them to be so, but I would have liked a deeper dive into the experience of those characters. I also felt like the characters were a little flat. It improved as the story progressed but I never felt a deep connection to or understanding of any of the characters.
I did like the world building (when it occurred) and the ideas about the Doors and the artifacts. I like books where fantasy and reality intermingle. I also like unique and creative plots and this was one. Sometimes I dislike romance especially in adventure stories and especially love at first sight romance but it works here and it didn't bother me at all.
Overall, I just have mixed feelings about this book so I'm kind of in the middle of the road about it (hence three stars).
sillypunk's review against another edition
5.0
Completely lovely: https://blogendorff.com/2019/11/13/book-review-the-ten-thousand-doors-of-january/
craftsbury's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
peskyblue's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
natcommon's review
3.0
3.5
I enjoyed this book, but it did drag a bit (especially the end). It did give me vibes of other stories I'm read before, but it still managed to be it's own thing.
I enjoyed this book, but it did drag a bit (especially the end). It did give me vibes of other stories I'm read before, but it still managed to be it's own thing.
keearnest's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
kat_smith24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Gun violence, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Self harm
jillselwyn's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit. As soon as I have money I'm buying a physical copy of this book. I- this book was simply a masterpiece and it belongs on my favorites shelf. Anyway, the premise was so interesting, and the execution was brilliant and stunning and so atmospheric and well paced... I cannot believe that I ever stopped reading/listening to this. I know I used an audible credit I think spring of 2022, and "tried" to listen to it but couldn't get into it and I don't understand why. I literally finished it in three days at work. That's all it took. And when I was finishing the last ten or so minutes, I was on the front desk and trying so hard not to cry, literally blinking back tears, and as soon as it was over I went to my friend (you know who you are) and demanded she add it to her "want to read."
Mind you, this wasn't my first Alix E. Harrow, I had listened to The Once and Future Witches before this, which I believe also made it onto my favorites goodreads shelf. I now painfully and impatiently await The Starling House. (Side note - I messaged the author on instagram about the new book and asked about a cover reveal and physical advanced reader copies, and she said hopefully sometime early 2023) Whenever I get my hands on this I will be immediately re-reading and highlighting the fuck out of it and I will update this review with those lines as well.
Mind you, this wasn't my first Alix E. Harrow, I had listened to The Once and Future Witches before this, which I believe also made it onto my favorites goodreads shelf. I now painfully and impatiently await The Starling House. (Side note - I messaged the author on instagram about the new book and asked about a cover reveal and physical advanced reader copies, and she said hopefully sometime early 2023) Whenever I get my hands on this I will be immediately re-reading and highlighting the fuck out of it and I will update this review with those lines as well.