Scan barcode
silverhill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, Blood, Death, Torture, and Gore
Moderate: Cancer, Grief, Stalking, and Gun violence
Minor: Racism, Vomit, and Dementia
marimaria's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I loved it! It was adventurous, intense, and emotional. I was very much invested in the characters, and I liked the simple worldbuilding.
Simply put, this is a book about a world with special magical books. They're priceless, valuable artifacts that people want to get their hands on--to be used for various purposes. The protagonist, Cassie, suddenly finds herself smack dab in the middle of this chaos.
Slight spoiler about the true nature of the main book:This book also involves time travel. And offers a bit of philosophical discussion about the topic.
Some tropes I found in the book are: found family, and good vs. evil
Simply put, this is a book about a world with special magical books. They're priceless, valuable artifacts that people want to get their hands on--to be used for various purposes. The protagonist, Cassie, suddenly finds herself smack dab in the middle of this chaos.
Slight spoiler about the true nature of the main book:
Some tropes I found in the book are: found family, and good vs. evil
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death, Gore, and Gun violence
jenabest's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was wild. The Book of Doors popped on and off my Most Anticipated List for 2024, not quite making my final 15, but there was a reason it was such a strong contender. This is a story of books and time travel and threats to the balance of good vs. evil. If you love magical realism and time travel paradox stories, this was an absolute rollercoaster.
Except maybe it also should have a horror tag or a gore warning? I honestly was NOT prepared for some of the levels of ick based on the blurb and premise.
p.s. Mr. Webber is an absolute gem
Except maybe it also should have a horror tag or a gore warning? I honestly was NOT prepared for some of the levels of ick based on the blurb and premise.
p.s. Mr. Webber is an absolute gem
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Cancer
Minor: Dementia
cardlikecredit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this book. The concept is so interesting and well thought out. The interspersed magic into real life settings made for a fun read. I'm so hoping the ending is setting up for a series!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Grief, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Minor: Cancer
lorit1227's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Grief, Murder, Torture, and Violence
frogfixture's review against another edition
4.0
It's a gripping and well-written story in many ways. And there were so many times that people behaved in ways that felt so implausible to me, like standing around having a conversation about the future when a loved one was near by waiting to be helped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, and Gore
meg_turnsthepage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
It took me awhile to get into the book, then I’d be hooked and feel really into the story, and then dropped off again. At times the story was fun and adventurous and then would take an abrupt dark turn that seemed too sudden, like it didn’t flow as well as it could.
I liked how the book ended, it warmed my heart and brought everything together full circle.
I listened to the audiobook and some of the accents seemed off at times which confused me. Some problematic language and racial slurs were used that had me saying to myself “did I hear that right?” Along with misogynistic themes that didn’t seem necessary.
Overall, I liked the storyline, enjoyed the friendships and bonds made between some of the characters, but the plot was choppy. The book had 5 star potential if the writing had edited out some unnecessary language and descriptions.
I liked how the book ended, it warmed my heart and brought everything together full circle.
I listened to the audiobook and some of the accents seemed off at times which confused me. Some problematic language and racial slurs were used that had me saying to myself “did I hear that right?” Along with misogynistic themes that didn’t seem necessary.
Overall, I liked the storyline, enjoyed the friendships and bonds made between some of the characters, but the plot was choppy. The book had 5 star potential if the writing had edited out some unnecessary language and descriptions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Murder, Death, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Grief
elihaliwell's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Racism, Death, and Racial slurs
tanilian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a great debut novel. The characters were well written and the plot made sense, I don't remember any plot-holes by the end. And for a man writing, this was so refreshingly not in the least male-gazey. No insta-love (technically) too!
There are, however, a few things I found a bit tedious. First and foremost, why the hell do characters insist on monologuing in the fights 90% of the time? Make the first move instead of trash-talking your opponent, for my mentality's sake please.Also in the last confrontation scene, they decide to herd The Woman to the doorway to Nowhere <i>physically</i> instead of using the Book of Control, which was done absolutely to prolong the fight and find something for Izzy (so underused there) in the fight to do. The way the Woman became the evil villain, was a bit anticlimactic, but at least it was not because of rape like so many other male authors are wont to do. There were a few pacing issues as well, when the plot became boring to follow, but they were course-corrected fast so not that big of a deal.
There are, however, a few things I found a bit tedious. First and foremost, why the hell do characters insist on monologuing in the fights 90% of the time? Make the first move instead of trash-talking your opponent, for my mentality's sake please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Dementia
laheath's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
5.0
Wow! I know my words will not do justice to this book. I don't think I've ever been so impressed with a debut novel. Clear your schedule because you won't want to put it down! I don't read fantasy often, but the premise of a group of booklovers and a library of magical books captivated me. There's time travel and a battle between good and evil with characters who greatly value their relationships with friends and family. As far as the audiobook, the narrator was fantastic, seamlessly transitioning among the characters' accents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Violence, Cancer, Blood, and Torture
Minor: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Cursing