mojave_fox 's review for:

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

4.5

adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

So, I have a physical copy of this book, and when I first picked it up, I noticed the torn edging of the pages that provided a tactile sensation on my fingers as I held it. I merely thought that was an aesthetic choice until I actually started reading it. That small decision drew me further in, immersing me fully into the story each time I held it. The treatment of the physical pages is not original, but paired with this particular story was a great choice.

Now, let's talk about the writing. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. I've never been a fan of overly flowery or poetic writing, but Harrow managed to strike the perfect balance. Her gorgeous descriptions of small details brought me right into January's world(s), enriching the fantastical mood without making the text inaccessible. It's evidence of her skill that even the most banal scenes or objects were brought to life with her words. 

The story felt a little slow to me at first, especially the scenes in Locke House. But as the story picked up, it made me appreciate the setup that part of the story provided for the adventure to come and how a place of privilege and comfort can, in many ways, feel like a prison that can atrophy your imagination.