A review by lyndsay_bibliophile
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The .5 is for the beautiful writing and quotes coming out of this book.

“The Ten Thousand Doors of January" delivers in its beautiful prose, but left me wanting more from the doors themselves.

Harrow's wordsmithing is undeniable. Words paint vivid pictures, but felt fleeting, leaving the broader world-building underdeveloped. We sneak a peek at fantastical lands, but never truly get to explore.

The story itself meanders through time and narrative styles, which was sometimes distracting and I found it difficult to connect with the characters through this back-and-forth.

One trope was annoyingly loud: miscommunication. While it fuels some dramatic moments, its overuse felt like a missed opportunity for deeper character exploration.

Ultimately, this is a hopeful story. While it doesn't quite reach its full potential, Harrow clearly has a talent with words.
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