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faduma's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Classism, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Racism
bronzeageholly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, Death of parent, Abandonment, Murder, Racism, Classism, Grief, and Hate crime
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, and Gaslighting
clarabooksit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Grief, Confinement, Sexism, Classism, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Animal cruelty, and Gun violence
takarakei's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
- Portal fantasy
- Mysterious
- Just fun adventures!
- Swoon-worthy romance
- Fantastic world building
- *chefs kiss* character development
Alix Harrow really can write!
Graphic: Animal death, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Confinement, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Grief
melancholymegs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Child abuse, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Murder, Blood, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Colonisation, Classism, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Xenophobia
dariusmortee's review against another edition
- 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
I would compare this book to The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern in vibes.
Alix managed to write this book in a way I start to believe there may be actually Doors hidden in our world. It makes me want to go and explore, see if I can end up in different worlds, without minding the risk of ending up in a shitty one. I love how stories are woven through this book it makes it so much more magical.
The Once and Future Witches was my first book by Alix E Harrow and I will absolutely read more if she decides to publish them.
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Classism, Racism, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, Gaslighting, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
szuum's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Racism, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, and Classism
Moderate: Self harm and Sexism
laurenfro22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“…the place you are born isn’t necessarily the place you belong.”
I was not expecting to like this book as much as I did. Given other reviews, I expected a slapdash attempt at magical realism and tropic overuse. What I read was an unfurling love letter to imagination and the power of words and hope and the little mysteries of life.
Harrow sets her story at the turning of our 20th century, when the western world had been gripped by industrialization, for better or for worse. Her main character is stubborn and clever, both important for the challenges she faces. Harrow writes her main character a specific voice and speaks directly to us the reader, which feels so personal as we journey through the story.
Throughout the twists of this plot, Harrow continues to surprise and delight, both in her delivery and in drawing on the best parts of the storytelling traditions. Her world building layers our often bleak surroundings with a softly glinting façade that we can nearly believe exists in our peripheral vision. I enjoyed the occasional highfalutin language and overly particular descriptions. Some readers may find it obnoxious or unnecessary. For me, it makes the real world feel just slightly more magical when I close the book, like maybe there is a way to see small spots of magic and change in everyday life.
Important for readers wanting to avoid some topics, review closely the content warnings. I am glad I knew of a few items to be aware of, as I would have found a couple of sections pretty jarring without the forewarning.
This is a surprising five star for me, made even more so by the fact that I randomly picked it up at the bookstore because it was first on the recommended list when I opened the app two weeks ago. Harrow’s masterful use of language, and her powerful connection to the importance of love in all its forms, of family in its many manifestations, and wonder at the beauty in the world makes The Ten Thousand Doors of January a must read.
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Classism, Grief, Animal cruelty, Forced institutionalization, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
saturnsierra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Blood, Misogyny, Racism, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Slavery
starshine1's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Classism, Forced institutionalization, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Confinement, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Slavery